Page 18 of The Thief That Stole Christmas (Indulgence)

“Come on Little Mouse, just a tiny bit longer then you can go to sleep,”

Daddy Jo says as he picks me up from the car and carries me to the cottage. In his or Daddy Cam’s arms, I always feel so safe. And now the two of them have worked together to make the rest of the world a safe place for me, too.

I stifle a yawn as he enters the front door. Daddy Cam is right on our heels and he follows us to the kitchen.

Sitting me down on the kitchen counter, Johannes tenderly kisses me on my nose before walking to the fridge.

“We just gotta get the milk and cookies out for Santa and then we can get you all dressed up in your jammies and head to bed.”

He pours the milk into a tall glass while Daddy Cam gets the cookies we’d baked with his mum the day before.

Once again I’m picked up, this time by Daddy Cam, and taken to the lounge.

The fire has died down, but the room is still nice and toasty.

While I stay in the arms of one of the most amazing men in the world, I watch as the other puts the cookies and milk down on the coffee table before carefully sprinkling powder on the floor so we can track Santa’s footsteps.

“Time for bed, Kitty Cat, and for Johannes’ surprise.”

Immediately, I perk up. In the excitement of our busy day I’d completely forgotten about my big surprise. Daddy Jo chuckles when he notices my renewed energy.

“Come, let’s go get our girl changed then we can go talk in the bedroom.”

I want to question why exactly we can’t just talk right here, but he’s the Daddy, so I just go with it.

When I’m finally all dressed, this time in my kitten onesie, Daddy Jo kisses me softly before excusing himself to fetch my gift. I’m cuddled in my other protector's arms when he walks in with a huge rolled up piece of paper.

“What’s this?”

I ask when he hands it to me.

“Open it and see, pretty girl.”

When I do, I’m more confused than when I started. It’s a drawing of a house. Well, a blueprint. I don’t understand what they’re showing me and look at them for answers.

“It’s a house. For us. One with a playroom for you,”

Daddy Jo says, waiting to see how I respond. As I’m more than a little shocked, I just stare at the two of them, blinking owlishly.

“You bought us a house?”

I say when I finally find my words

“Well, no,”

Daddy Cam pipes up.

“He got a plot of land, and we got someone to draw up the plans. We’re building you a home. For our family. We know it’s still early, but it will take a while to finish it, so we have time.”

“You’re building me a home.”

My words are slightly monotone. I don’t know how to process what they’re saying to me. It’s unreal and terrifying and amazing and…

I look at them again, this time with tears in my eyes.

“You both know I didn’t have a great start to life. But I was lucky enough to find my forever family. When they were taken away from me, I thought that was it. And now you’re telling me I get to have that again.”

I pause, taking a deep breath.

“I love you both. And I cannot wait to live the rest of my life with you.”

That night, I go to sleep cuddling my newest stuffies, knowing that this is the best Christmas I’ve ever had. Knowing that things will only get better from here.

The End