26. Mel

CHAPTER 26

MEL

" T he nurses kept staring at him," I tell June, shifting the phone to my other ear while I fold tiny onesies. "I mean, the image inducer works fine, but he's still seven feet tall."

"Did anyone suspect anything?" June asked.

"No. They just thought he was from the NFL."

"Speaking of football." June's voice takes on that tone. The one that says she's about to meddle. "Are you two planning to field an entire team? Because this is getting ridiculous."

"It's only our second baby."

"In two years."

"Sam needed a sister." I smile at the memory of my daughter's face when she first held little Aurora. "You should have seen how gentle she was."

"And how's the big blue daddy handling it?"

"He cried. Actually cried when she grabbed his finger. Don't tell him I told you that."

"Your secret's safe. But seriously, Mel. You just got out of the hospital yesterday. Maybe slow down on the baby-making?"

I laugh, remembering how Krampus paced the delivery room like a caged animal. "Trust me, we're good with two for now. Though you should see him with Aurora. He's completely wrapped around her tiny finger already."

"Like father, like daughter. Sam's had him whipped since day one."

"True. Remember when she wanted to learn ballet? He took her to every single class."

"In a tutu." June says.

"The other dance moms still talk about it." I pause as tiny cries echo from the nursery. "Speaking of daddy's girls, I think someone's hungry. Talk later?"

Aurora's cries lead me upstairs to the nursery. The rocking chair creaks as I settle in, cradling her against my breast. Her tiny fingers curl around the fabric of my shirt as she nurses.

The front door opens downstairs, followed by Sam's excited chatter about her day at school.

"And then Jessica said her dad could beat up any other dad, but I told her my dad's literally Krampus and he eats bad guys for breakfast."

"Sam, what did we say about telling people that?"

"I know, I know. Secret identity and stuff."

Heavy footsteps climb the stairs - no matter what form he takes, Krampus never quite masters being quiet. He fills the nursery doorway, his image inducer flickering off to reveal his true blue-furred self.

"How are my girls?"

The tender look in his eyes makes my heart skip. For someone who used to terrorize the wicked across multiple galaxies, he's turned into such a softie. His massive hand strokes Aurora's wispy hair with impossible gentleness.

"Perfect timing. She just started."

He kneels beside the rocking chair, watching us with pure adoration. The fierce warrior who once made emperors tremble now melts at the sight of his nursing daughter.

A contented sigh escapes me. Two years ago, I never imagined my life would turn out like this - married to an alien vigilante, mother to a precocious ten-year-old and a newborn. But I wouldn't change a single thing.

"Mom and Dad want us to go on their yacht trip to Aruba next month."

"Perfect. I need a vacation." Krampus cradles Aurora against his massive chest, her tiny form almost lost in his blue fur. "Your father's boat has enough room."

"She's only eight weeks old. What if something happens?"

"Like what?" He tickles Aurora's chin, earning a toothless grin. "Seasickness? She's half Odex. Our kind evolved in the methane seas of-"

"Please don't finish that sentence while I'm trying to eat breakfast."

"Point is, she's tougher than you think. Aren't you, little warrior?" Aurora coos and grabs his finger. "See? She agrees."

I push my eggs around the plate. "What about her shots? And the sun-"

"Mel." He reaches across the table, engulfing my hand in his. "You're overthinking this. Aurora will be fine. Sam will love it. And you need a break."

"I guess..." The warmth of his touch melts my resolve. "But what if someone notices you're blue?"

"Image inducer, remember? I'll just be Kevin, your incredibly handsome human husband."

"Who happens to be seven feet tall."

"I'll tell them I played basketball in college." He winks. "Besides, your parents already know what I am. Since the... incident."

"You mean when you terrorized them into being nicer to me?"

"Worked, didn't it?"

I can't argue with that. My parents have been much more supportive since Krampus revealed himself. Though Mom still flinches whenever he reaches for the Christmas decorations.

"Fine." I throw up my hands. "We'll go. But you have to promise to behave."

"When do I not behave?"

"Do you want that list alphabetically or chronologically?" I ask.

He laughs, and kisses me.

His arms wrap around me, warm and secure. The blue fur tickles my cheek as I snuggle closer.

"I love you, Mel. Until the end of time itself." His voice rumbles through his chest. "Even when the last star burns out, I'll still be yours."

A smile curves my lips as I lean against him. Two years ago, I was a single mom struggling to make ends meet, dreading every holiday season. Now I have a husband who adores me, a daughter who's thriving, and a new baby who's perfect in every way.

Sure, my life isn't exactly normal. My husband is literally the creature who inspired centuries of Christmas horror stories. Our house has more alien tech than a sci-fi convention. And I technically work for a secret organization protecting Earth from extraterrestrial threats.

But I wouldn't trade any of it. Not the midnight feedings where Krampus insists on staying up with me. Not Sam's creative "show and tell" stories that we have to carefully edit. Not even the way my mother still checks under her bed every Christmas Eve.

This is my family. My wonderfully weird, perfectly imperfect family.

I lean my head against his chest and smile, listening to the strong heartbeat beneath all that blue fur. Some people spend their whole lives searching for their fairytale ending. Mine just happened to come from another galaxy.

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