24. Teddy

24

teddy

christmas eve

I looked at the list one final time, pinned up on the wall. Almost everything had been checked off. The last thing to finish just required us to change into the absolutely ridiculous matching pajamas we’d gotten together last week while at the market.

Teddy and Ivy’s Christmas Checklist

1. Bake Christmas Cookies

2. Decorate A Christmas Tree

3. Take a Sleigh Ride

4. Drink Hot Chocolate While Watching a Christmas Movie

5. Build a Snowman

6. Make a Gingerbread House

7. Go Ice Skating

8. Visit The Christmas Market

9. Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

10. Hang Stockings

11. Matching Christmas PJs

12. Buy and Wrap Presents

13. See the Lights

14. Kiss Under the Mistletoe

It was officially Christmas Eve, which meant that tomorrow was Christmas. And we’d accomplished everything on the list. I had to admit, I’d never had so much fun completing anything before.

Maybe I’d see if she wanted to make a Christmas list with me every year. Of course, we could switch things up. Some things would be tradition—cutting down the tree, kissing her underneath the mistletoe—but we could mix things up, too. I’d be up for the challenge.

“What are you doing?” Ivy asked, walking out of my bedroom in only a towel and wrapping her arms around my waist.

“Looking at the list,” I admitted, willing myself to ignore the fact that she was totally naked under that towel and her tits were pressed against my back.

“Ah.” She made a sound in her throat. “The list.”

“Mhm.” I turned my head back to look at her. “We did it.”

“We did.”

She didn’t sound very excited about that. I spun her around, frowning as I looked into her beautiful blue eyes. Her hair was damp, hanging loose around her shoulders, and she didn’t have a lick of makeup on, but goddamn, she was gorgeous.

Gorgeous, and all mine.

“Why aren’t you excited?”

“We didn’t talk about what happened when the list was over,” she whispered.

I furrowed my brows. “I didn’t think we had to.”

Ivy wriggled out of my grasp, heading back to the bedroom. “Of course we do.”

“Then let’s talk!” I shouted, not sure why she was leaving in the middle of this conversation. The conversation. The most important one we’d ever had.

I knew she loved me. She was going to say it last night, wasn’t she? She said she’d stay.

And I loved her too. So why were we dancing around this?

“Ivy.” I came into my room, finding her pulling one of her new sweaters on over her head. “Talk to me.”

“It’s your dad’s big day,” she said, biting her lip. “We should go see him off.”

“Is that what you want?”

Ivy grabbed her brush. “I just… everything’s about to change, Teddy. Can we just have this? One more day?”

I took the brush out of her hand, my hand grasping her chin roughly to force her eyes to mine. “What’s wrong, Ivy? What did I do?”

Tears spilled from her eyes, but she just shook her head. “Nothing’s wrong. That’s the problem. Everything’s right.”

“Sweetheart…” My voice was low.

“But if I say it now, if we say it now, we’re not going to leave this house today, are we?” I shook my head. Probably not. “And I know it’s fucking crazy, that all of this is certifiably insane, but I’m just—we’re in the North Pole, Teddy. Your Dad is Santa Claus.”

I nodded. And I knew what she was doing. That she was doing this for me as much as she was for her. For us .

“And I really, really want to see him leave on that fucking sleigh.” She laughed, tears spilling from her eyes. “But I don’t want to fight with you. I mean, I always want to fight with you because fighting is our flirting, and flirting turns into kissing, and no one’s ever kissed me the way you do, Teddy. Because no one’s ever cared about me the way you do.” She slid her hand over my heart. “So tonight, okay?”

“Tonight,” I promised. I took her hand off my chest, kissing her knuckles before sliding my free hand around the back of her neck, bringing her lips to mine. Then I kissed her because dammit, she was mine.

I was hers.

Tonight.

But first, I had one more surprise for her.

The sleigh was loaded, which meant that all that was left for Christmas to truly kick off was my dad in the sleigh, guiding the reindeer to the houses of children all over the world who were dreaming of Santa Claus. They’d have no idea that he was sneaking in, dropping off toys right under their noses.

But that was the magic of Santa, wasn’t it? The same magic that flowed through my veins. Through all of us.

I wrapped an arm around Ivy, tugging her closer to me.

“What do you think, sweetheart?”

“I think we’re missing the big man himself.” She raised an eyebrow at the empty sleigh.

A grin filled my face. I couldn’t help it. “I was thinking I had a better idea. One last Christmas surprise up my sleeve.”

“Teddy…” Ivy warned, looking around us .

I held out my hand for her. “Care for a ride in Santa’s sleigh, baby?”

Her jaw dropped. “You’re joking.”

“Uh-uh.” I shook my head. “I’m as serious as they come. We’re gonna fly.”

“No way!” Ivy shrieked. “I can’t believe you.”

Dipping my head down, I kissed her until she was breathless, smiling up at me, and then I took her hand, guiding her over to the sleigh.

It hadn’t taken much convincing for my dad to let me take her out. We wouldn’t do the whole route, after all, just a stop or two. After we were back, my dad would take over, heading out to deliver presents to all of the good children of the world.

Grabbing her waist, I lifted her in, and she giggled as she took the seat next to me, covering herself in a plaid blanket.

“Do you think they know what we were doing in here last night?” Ivy asked, leaning over to whisper in my ear. The tips of hers were pink, and I laughed.

“Let’s hope not. Or else my dad will disown me.”

She gasped as I flicked the reins, looking at the reindeer. “Let’s go boys!”

And we were off, the reindeer picking up the pace with their hooves before we lifted into the air. Flying.

Ivy’s face was alight with joy and wonder. “God. I can’t believe this is happening. That this is real. This is crazy!”

We left the North Pole’s barrier, flying high in the sky as we took flight around the world.

Some day, I’d show her all of it. Take her to Tokyo, Paris, Moscow, S?o Paulo, Seoul, and even New York City. Anywhere she wanted to go. But tonight, I wanted to show her this .

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, the northern lights coming into view. “Wow. ”

“Do you like it?” The North Pole stretched below us, hidden by the protection barrier that kept the outside world from discovering us. The world was covered in a blanket of snow.

“I love it.” Her cheeks were red, frost-bitten from the wind, but the smile on her face was enough to reassure me that this had been worth it. “Thank you for showing me this.”

Her arm wrapped around mine, and though I could have stayed up here with her forever, I knew we had to get back.

My dad had his rounds, after all.

We landed back at the Pole, and as soon as we hit solid ground, Ivy was launching herself at me, throwing her arms around my neck. “That was amazing!”

I grinned, holding her up. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

Ivy pressed her lips to mine in a quick kiss before realizing we had an audience, dropping back down to her feet. “Thank you.” She looked up at me, her ocean blue eyes meeting mine, that beautiful smile covering her face. “I think I want to spend every Christmas here.”

“You do?”

Ivy nodded. “I mean… if you’d want that. I know we haven’t really talked about it…” Because we’d been too busy having sex and fucking each other’s brains out, but I wasn’t about to get technical. “But I do. I want to stay.”

“Poison Ivy, I think you’ve made me the happiest man in the North Pole.”

She rolled her eyes, but I wrapped my arms around her waist, tugging her in tight against my body.

“All I’ve ever wanted was you,” I said, whispering the words against her ear as I held her tight. “We’re meant to be together, Ivy.”

She looked up at me, surprise in her eyes. “But?—”

“I know it’s crazy. But it’s true. You’re my mate.” I’d always figured I’d never find my person. My perfect match. But here she was. Standing in front of me, strawberry blonde hair spilling around her shoulders, ocean blue eyes shining, and she was the only woman who I could ever imagine being with. There was no one else for me. There never would be.

“I—” Ivy’s mouth formed a little ‘o’. “How long have you known?”

“I’ve suspected for a while, but I didn’t know, not for sure, until last night.” I rubbed the spot over my heart. Last night… when I’d wanted so badly to tell her I loved her. That I could see the golden threads of fate shimmering between us. Our bond, locking into place. “You can’t tell me you don’t feel it too.”

“How is this even possible? That we could be…” She shook her head, laughing. “Scarlett had told me, but I couldn’t bring myself to hope?—”

I could see that glittering string between us, what had only gotten stronger since last night. It pulsed, like our hearts beat in tandem—perfectly in sync.

Picking up her hand, I kissed her knuckles. “My whole life, I think I’ve been looking for you,” I admitted. “I could have come home after college. Started learning the ropes up here to take over for my dad.”

“But you didn’t.”

“No.” I shook my head. “But I didn’t. I decided to take my time. I have years to learn, anyway. But I knew something was waiting for me down there. I just didn’t know that something was you .” I took a deep breath. “My dad thinks that the reason you ended up working at Christmasland was that the magic there called to you. But I think it was more than that. I think that whatever brought us together called both of us there.”

“You really believe that?” Her eyes were wet.

“Yeah. I do. You and I have been destined from the beginning, Ivy. You were made to be mine, just as I was made to be yours.”

“This is crazy,” she whispered.

I wasn’t disagreeing. It was crazy. But that was fate, wasn’t it? “I know. But I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I want you to help me make every Christmas this special, Ivy. Because this has been the best one I’ve ever had. And it’s all thanks to you.”

“I’m the one who should be thanking you .”

“No.” I shook my head. “This is all for you. It’s always been for you. The list, everything we did this Christmas… It was me trying to convince you to stay. To show you how good life could be up there. I know you love the theme park, but I wanted you to love this place too. I wanted you to fall in love with me .”

Stay. Stay with me.

“Teddy…” Her voice was soft.

Tell me you’re mine , I’d begged last night. Tell me you’re not going anywhere. Tell me you’ll stay with me.

I’m yours , she’d whispered back. I’m not going anywhere, Teddy. I’m here, with you.

Words that I knew were true. Words that I needed to hear again until I believed them. Because I couldn’t believe the woman in my arms was mine. That everything I’d ever hoped for—a mate, a life of my own—was in reach.

“I’m yours. I’ve always been yours. But tell me you’ll be mine too.” I needed to hear it more desperately than I’d ever needed anything in my entire life. Tonight.

This was tonight, and we were here, surrounded by the lights of the North Pole, confessing our feelings like no one else was around to hear us.

“Of course I’m yours. I choose you, Teddy. I choose this life with you. ”

Picking her up by the waist, I twirled her around, a giggle slipping from her lips.

“You’re stuck with me now, you know,” she murmured against my lips. “Because you’re mine, Theodore Claus.”

I liked the sound of that. “We don’t have to live here full time, you know. We can still spend time at the park.” Setting Ivy down on the ground, I wrapped an arm around her.

She smiled, shaking her head. “Anywhere you are, that’s where I’ll be too.”

“Good.” I pulled her in closer to me. “I can’t think of anything better.” Dropping a kiss to her lips, I whispered the words I’d known in my soul. Words I’d never given anyone else. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Theodore.” They were the best words I’d ever heard.

“Again.”

She squealed as I spun her around. “I love you.”

I kissed her softly.

“I love you, Teddy,” she murmured, sliding her hands to cup my face.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing that,” I whispered. “I love you, Ivy Winters.”

She hummed, giving me her lips. I kissed her deeply, swiping my tongue over her lip, seeking entrance. Ivy returned it with as much fervor, our open-mouthed kiss quickly turning passionate.

Someone cleared their throat behind us, and we pulled apart. Ivy blushed like we were teenagers who’d just gotten caught making out instead of two people who'd just confessed their feelings.

I love you. Those words lit my soul up from the inside out.

“Congratulations, you two,” my dad said, wearing his full Santa suit. “I knew you crazy kids would figure it out eventually. ”

Ivy laughed, glancing over at me. I just shrugged, like, who knew, right? My dad had known all along. He’d just let us figure it out ourselves. And fuck, if I wasn’t grateful for that.

“Be careful, Dad,” I said, releasing Ivy so I could give my old man a hug before he set out.

He grinned, his rosy cheeks warming his face. “Always am, son.”

My mom stepped up beside me, and Ivy and I gave them privacy as Dad climbed onto the sleigh, getting ready to deliver presents.

Once he was set, he turned to us, that smile still firmly in place. “Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!” He flicked the reins, and the reindeer were off, flying into the sky just like we had before.

“Worth it?” I asked Ivy, tucking her under my arm.

“Definitely.” She turned her head towards mine, her lips begging for another kiss. So I gave her one. “Love you,” she murmured. “And that was even more than worth the wait.”

I picked her up in my arms, carrying her bridal style all the way back home, her giggles filling my heart.

My girl. She was mine. My mate.

The woman I loved.

“Teddy,” Ivy murmured my name as I peeled her clothes from her body, dropping the sweater on the floor that she’d put on this morning to delay our conversation.

“Ivy,” I responded, kissing her neck.

She was right. As soon as we’d confessed, I wanted to claim her immediately. How had I avoided this for so long? I’d felt it—the bond between us—but I’d ignored it, too worried she would never choose this. Choose us. But now she was mine. And I was hers, and all I wanted to do was prove that to her, over and over.

Starting with tonight. But I didn’t want to rush this, either, so I undressed her slowly, taking my time with each piece of clothing. Shimmying her leggings down her thighs, I pressed a kiss to the inside of each one, running my nose up the seam of her panties.

Fuck, she smelled good. Like mine . I wanted to paint her skin with my scent to make sure everyone knew exactly whose she was. The possessive feeling was growing, and I already knew I wouldn’t want to leave this bed tomorrow. Or the next day. Maybe I’d keep her here for a whole week.

I rubbed her clit through the fabric, enjoying the little breathy noises she made from the contact. Standing back up to my full height, I plucked each bra strap against her skin, and Ivy let out a small moan.

“Please,” she whined.

I shimmied out of my sweater, dropping it to the ground, and Ivy reached for my belt, undoing it and unzipping the fly of my jeans before I could stop her.

She reached into my boxers, wrapping her hand against my half-hard cock. Not that it would take too much for me to be ready—her small hands around me, the feel of her skin against mine, the way she ran her tongue over her bottom lip—was all so erotic. Even when she wasn’t trying to be, she was the hottest thing I’d ever seen. The most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on.

My mate. My woman.

I wanted her wearing my ring. With my baby in her belly.

“Bed?” She panted.

I shook my head, walking her backward into the wall. “I want to fuck you right here,” I said into her neck, hoisting her up so I could position my tip against her entrance. “Take you against the wall.”

There’d be time for slow and soft later. For making love with the woman I loved.

“ Oh,” she gasped, giving a sharp exhale as I pushed inside of her with no warning. “Teddy,” she cried.

Had I ever been so hard? So fucking ready to explode, just from this? Her insides squeezed me tight, and I had to shut my eyes, counting to ten before I could move. I held her up against the wall, keeping her pinned between me as I buried myself deep.

“Going to fill you up,” I promised. “Give you so much cum that no one doubts whose you are. So they all know you’re mine.”

“I am,” she agreed, her fingernails digging into my shoulders like little claws as she cried out from my rough thrusts. “I’m all yours.”

“ Yes,” I grunted.

Ivy wrapped her legs around my waist, pushing me in deeper.

My heart thumped in rhythm with hers, and I couldn’t hold myself back.

“I love you,” I groaned, pressing my face into her neck as I let go, pouring my release inside of her. Rope after rope of cum spilled out of me, filling her up.

When I’d finished, I let Ivy drop down to her feet, pulling out of her as a rush of liquid spilled down her thighs.

“Looks like we made a mess,” she murmured.

I ran my finger through it, pushing it back into her. “Worth it.”

“I love you, you maniac.”

I grinned. “You took the words out of my mouth, sweetheart.” Grabbing her hand, I tugged her behind me into the bathroom, setting her on the bathroom counter so I could clean her up. I ran a washcloth over her sticky skin before cleaning myself up, finally shedding the rest of my clothes.

Then I carried her back to bed, content to just snuggle with her until we fell asleep.

Except ten minutes later, our hands were wandering, and I was driving into her again, her legs on my shoulders as we lost ourselves in each other, again and again.