Chapter Sixteen

Aster

Christmas Day dawned bright and clear, another day when we would probably end up outside in the snow playing. I couldn't imagine people I'd rather spend the day with. Christmas had always been the highest holiday, at the North Pole, of course, and as I stood there on that shelf, I had not allowed myself to think what it would be like without all my friends up there.

I woke with my sleeping mate in my arms, a Snowball at the foot of the bed, and a little face peering over the edge of the mattress, his expression so serious, I was worried something was wrong. "Noel? You okay, buddy?"

"Is the baby coming today?"

"No," I whispered. "Remember, we said a few months? What made you think it would be today?"

"Because I don't want my brother to miss Christmas. It's a very special day."

"That's true, it is a special day. Do you think maybe even though the baby is still in your daddy's tummy that maybe he or she—"

"He," he asserted.

"It's too early to know for sure, but wouldn't you like sister or a brother?"

"Yes, but he's my brother."

A low chuckle came from the other side of the bed where my mate had rolled at some point while I was chatting with our son. "He may know more than we do."

"Okay, thanks, Noel. So, I think maybe if we sing a Christmas carol to your little brother, he can hear it?"

"Yes! I know a song." He climbed onto the bed, scooted over to his daddy, leaned down toward his tummy, and launched into a song I'd never heard before. Considering the playlist at the Pole, I thought I'd heard them all. But it was so adorable, I couldn't stand it.

The song went on and on and told all about a kitty and a baby and a little boy on Christmas. It was very specific, and a couple of lines in, I began to suspect it was his own creation. Which made it even better. Finally he trailed off with a chorus of "Jingle Bells" and ho ho hos.

Wolfe pushed to sit up and he and I clapped and demanded an encore, which, once he knew what it was, Noel was happy to provide. So far, my mate was feeling fine this morning, which was a blessing for a pregnant omega, and as soon as we took care of the most important part of the morning, I was going to make him the best breakfast ever.

Finished with his tune, Noel stood up and bounced, and his daddy turned an unusual shade of green. I reached up and swept him off his feet. "I think a certain little boy needs to put on his new Christmas outfit before we go downstairs to see if Santa's been here."

"Did he come? Did you hear him?"

In fact, I had not, although Wolfe and I had been up relatively late. Please let him have shown up. I'd never known him to miss a good little boy like Noel who was a true believer, but if for some reason my presence here had kept him away, I'd figure something out. I just wasn't sure what.

But he couldn't, right?

"Wolfe, why don't you relax a few minutes and once Noel is dressed, you guys can come down for Christmas?"

"Okay, I—"

But I was gone. Hoping I wouldn't be wrapping random kitchen items and maybe pine cones from outside. I raced down the stairs and stopped at the foot, jaw dropping with amazement. Sure, we got gifts from Santa up at the Pole. Once he returned from his travels, we gathered for our company party and celebrated the end of a successful season before we had to begin work on the next. And the presents were nice, personalized even, so it was obvious he knew everyone and what they would like.

My gift the previous year had been a hoodie from a particular brand I couldn't find up there but had seen online and fallen in love with. I hadn't told a soul about it, either, so nobody informed Santa. Magic of Christmas at work there. I missed that hoodie. Maybe once we got past the holidays, I could at least get some of my things?

But I had never been on the other end of things. In a house where Santa delivered. If this was what it always looked like, no wonder children looked forward to it all year.

"We're on our way down," Wolfe called. "Any reason to delay?"

"No, no reason at all." I stepped aside so they could join me on the main floor. "Isn't it wonderful?"

Noel raced past us, grabbed his stocking, and plopped on the floor, spilling out the bounty. "Look at the cars!" He lined up three small muscle-car editions and drove them back and forth. "Oh, and a candy cane, and the big crayons." Also, some school supplies, and there was even a coloring book in there, although I had no idea how it had fit. Magic of Christmas again. But there was more. Under the tree sat a bicycle with training wheels, a Noel-sized desk and chair, and so many other toys, I couldn't take it all in.

"Is it always like this," I whispered. "I mean, I was never in the toy department, but how much does he carry on that sled? I mean…wow."

Wolfe gave me a hug and laughed. "I thought I'd be the one asking for Santa info from you, and here you are asking me. It's not always this many things, but this is apparently a special year. It is, however, always amazing."

I brought three mugs of my special cocoa, and my mate and I settled on the sofa to enjoy the show. Noel tore from one thing to the next, crying out in surprise and delight. "He's in kindergarten," Wolfe told me. "That desk and all those school supplies? Perfect. He's been playing school at home as well for months."

When Noel finally made it through all his gifts at least twice, he came to sit with us and sipped his cocoa. It was probably cold, but he didn't seem to care. "Aren't you going to open your gift?"

We had not had a chance to buy much for each other, agreeing that just being together was our best present for this year, but sure enough, one brightly wrapped package lay under the tree. "Are you sure that's not for you, Son?" Wolfe asked.

"No, Daddy, it has an A and a W. For me, it starts with N."

"You know your letters already?" I was impressed.

"Not all of them. Not Q or P."

Wolfe's lips twitched. "He has been working hard. He'll have those two down lickety split."

I stood up and got the box, brought it back with me. "It's not from you?"

"No, and it's addressed to us both." He touched the big red satin bow. "Santa? Aren't we too old?"

"You're never really too old." I untied the ribbon and leaned back. "You open the lid."

Wolfe did as I suggested and then smiled. "He really does know everything."