Epilogue

Epilogue

Christmas Morning

Stirling

“Santa. Santa.” I had to bounce on the bed because I’d gotten bouncy toys. “Santa. You gotta see.”

Santa groaned and tried to hide under the pillows. “No… it can’t be morning yet.”

Silly Santa.

“Yes. The sun is up. I didn’t wiggle until the sun was up. I remembered the rules.” Santa had been very serious that there was no wiggling or getting out of bed until the sun was up.

He’d said no Mickey pancakes if I was a pain in the butt.

He’d said naughty words, though, so I knew he was big Santa serious.

“There’s no way the sun is up.” Santa was very confused, so I was his good helper and pulled the pillow back. “Fuck.”

Giggling, I pointed to the window. “See? It’s here.”

Kinda.

Santa groaned and rubbed his hands over his face. “Fine. Yes. The sun is here.”

Santa already needed a nap.

Hmm.

Cuddles.

Yes, I’d give him cuddles and help him take a nap later because I was his good helper.

“Yay.” Present time. “I’ll help you go potty and then you can make coffee and I’ll help too.”

Santa peeked one eye open. “Really?”

Silly Santa.

“I’ll watch and tell you that you did a good job.” That was important too. “You like being a good Santa.”

He groaned. “You cannot keep using my praise kink against me.”

Hmm.

“Potty time, Santa.” Yes. That was better than lying to my Santa. “Don’t you want coffee and to be a good Santa?”

He sighed.

Ha.

He was getting out of bed.

“Christmas morning should not come so early.” Shaking his head as he sat up, Santa looked around and frowned. “How is it already morning?”

Mumbling something about being stupid, Santa took a deep breath and stretched.

Hmm.

He needed his helper to make sure he woke up good.

“Ah.” Santa flopped back as I tickled him and he laughed and laughed. “I’m awake. I’m awake.”

I was such a good helper.

“Love you, Santa.” Cheek kisses and sweet smiles. Yes. I did that so good. “Are you ready to go look at my presents and play?”

Santa laughed as he wrapped his arms around me and gave me a big hug. “Yes. I’m ready to go play with my helper.”

Oops.

“My naughty helper.” Santa tickled so fast and he laughed and laughed as I squealed. He looked naughty when he finally stopped torturing me. “I’m going to have to get you later too.”

Yep, Santa needed a nap to make sure he was happy.

I could do that.

I loved my Santa lots and lots.

“Yes, Santa.” Kissing his cheek as I flopped down on him, I snuggled him tight so he’d think happy thoughts about his cute helper. “But after we play with my toys?”

He snickered. “Do you have toys? I don’t know about that.”

I did.

But I wasn’t supposed to tell Santa that, so he got another kiss. “I got my Santa presents. You gotta go see.”

Yes.

Then we’d see mine.

Santa got me lots of presents… and one really big one.

He was trying not to laugh but I was cute and he was excited to give me my presents. Buying me stuff was his favorite way of being my Santa and taking care of me. “Oh, well, in that case, let’s go see what I have under the tree.”

Yay.

“And… and then we’ll put our shoes on and get fresh air.” Yes. He liked that too. “Walking is good for us.”

We could walk around the backyard and then I’d be surprised and then I’d tell him what a good Santa he was for me.

Yep.

Best Santa ever.

“You’re a really sneaky helper, you know that, right?” Santa was shaking his head but he was almost giggling too. “But I love my sneaky helper even if his pajama bottoms are wet from the grass and he’s still very cold.”

Oops.

“I love you too, Santa.” Yes, that was the important part. “Merry Christmas.”

Santa gave me another hug, helping me get warm and being sweet. “Merry Christmas, baby.”

Best Christmas ever.

Love the story? Dr. Miles has his own story in Rethinking Fate.