Chapter 11

eleven

?. . .?

Christmas Eve

Pepper

Twirling in the full-length antique-gold mirror in Santa’s suit closet in the workshop, I tug on the red lapels of my fabulous outfit designed specifically for me for our journey into the real world. The elves hooked me up with my crushed red velvet suit jacket and easily removable red-and-green striped pants. It wouldn’t be complete without the over-popularized, jingly elf shoes. I asked for them. Most of us wear regular clothes at the North Pole. Jolly, Christmas-themed, sure, but we don’t usually wear jingle bell slippers with a curled toe or anything else you see in the Christmas movies made by Hollywood.

Lumbering in from the bathroom, Nick looks like an entirely different person as he fixes the sash around his round, holly, jolly waist. He looks every bit like Santa—white hair, a long beard, rosy cheeks, and a full-figured Dad Bod, which I find to be just as sexy as his fit frame .

Loving his new look, I whistle, and he blushes. “You don’t have to pretend you like this.” Frowning, Nick rubs his belly, which is far larger than my tiny baby bump.

Turning to the side, I rub my stomach and push it out for show. “You don’t have to pretend you like this,” I tease, knowing I could be the size of a house, and he’d still want me.

Head shaking, Nick lifts the weight of his new belly, which started growing a week ago. It’s been an adjustment, but the elves, having dealt with this for centuries, have been on top of it. Each day, they deliver a new outfit, and each day, Nick grows more and more uncomfortable in his widening skin.

“I can’t see my cock,” he grouses, attempting and failing to look over his stomach.

“But I can, so that’s all that matters.” I wink and waggle my brows suggestively. Not buying into my flirtation, my poor husband scowls at me. I get it. This is new for us. To wake up and look in the mirror each morning and see someone you don’t recognize reflected at you has to be off-putting. Next year, once we’ve got a full year of running the Pole together, things should go smoother for everyone involved.

Wanting him to be excited about his first time in the sleigh and delivering presents to children all over the world, I link my arm through his and rub my cheek against his bicep.

Nick sighs. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I pat his arm in reassurance. “This has been a lot. Just think, you get to break and enter millions of homes tonight.” I snicker.

“Pepper. That’s not funny.”

“It kind of is.” I chuckle .

“What if I miss a house?”

Ah, yes, the same concern he’s voiced a dozen times this month.

“The girls won’t let you… and you checked the list twice. You won’t miss a house,” I reassure, having more faith in him than he does himself.

Peering down at me, my bearded man smiles. It doesn’t quite reach his eyes, but it’s there, and that’s a win. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”

I wrinkle my nose at him playfully. “Me either. But you have me, and we don’t have much time.” Tugging Santa toward the door, I gesture for him to go first, as tradition.

Nick expels a heavy breath, looks down at me a final time, and exits his dressing room.

A chorus of cheers rings through the festive, two-story barn as Christmas music plays in the background. Walking to the middle of the dirt-covered floor, Nick waves to his elves as they line the outer walls. Others watch from the barn loft behind the handcrafted banister wrapped in evergreen garland and white twinkle lights. Giving him space, I wait off to the side as Nick expresses his sincere gratitude for all the elves’ hard work. As my husband finishes his speech, smiles erupt, and Christmas magic glitters. I even catch a few elves blotting their eyes with handkerchiefs.

Rubbing my growing belly to keep my hands busy, pride warms my heart.

Nick did it.

We spent the past month practicing his speech, and he did amazing, just like I knew he would.

“Now, let's get these presents delivered.” Nick raises his arms in the air, and every elf in charge of getting us in the sky moves at lightning speed. Ushering me to the center of the room with Santa, we’re both outfitted with magic watches to slow time, then helped into the ornate wooden sleigh made to Nick’s specifications, even though it looks about a thousand years old. Santa’s sack is loaded into the back, on the bed the elves fashioned for me as Nick’s fitted for his Santa hat headset.

The reindeer devour one last plate of cookies as they’re tethered to the sleigh by their designated elves. Blitzen’s bestie, Bonnie, sneaks another cookie from her pocket to feed her. Blitzen rewards Bonnie with a loving nose nudge, and I smile just watching them interact. They’ve been together for hundreds of years.

Our safety inspector, Julie, holds a clipboard as she walks around the sleigh again and issues a seatbelt reminder so I don’t accidentally fall out.

Frost, our head tech elf, shows us how to operate the sleigh like he has every day for the past week when we did test runs around the Pole to get a sense of flying. With magic infused into the sleigh, it remains toasty warm, with no wind to burn your face. It’s rather cozy, with padded seats and an onboard navigation system that the girls are already synced into.

Once I sit and strap myself in, Julie double-checks my lap belt as Frost finishes running through the necessities for Santa.

From a reindeer stall, Mom and Dad wave at us. “Stay safe!”

Returning the gesture, I blow my mom a kiss. She catches it midair, slaps it to her cheek, and then Dad’s.

I’m so glad they came to see us off.

They’ve been great lately.

Greater than great .

Telling them about our sexual predicament and the pregnancy went far easier than I expected. My parents are thrilled. My mom especially. We visit them often, usually for dinner, and they’ve fashioned a special room for us when we need to take care of things so we don’t have to leave. It was awkward at first, but Mom and Dad have made it a smooth transition by taking long walks while we’re busy.

They’ve even helped me empty my old apartment and start on ideas for our nursery at home.

We’re lucky to have them.

When he finishes talking with Frost, my husband waves to my parents, and they wave back. “I’m glad they came.” He pats my knee.

A small smile kicks up at the corner of my mouth, and I nod. “Me, too.”

Nick double squeezes my thigh. “You about ready?”

“Did you talk to the girls?” I check because I’ve asked him this question a dozen times.

“Yes,” he replies, laughter in his voice.

“ And ... They’re okay running the show when we need to handle other stuff ?”

“Yes. They nodded when I asked, and I’m pretty sure Comet laughed at me.”

“I’m sure she did. She’s sassy. I just don’t want to offend them,” I reply.

“Then maybe you should stop being a scaredy-cat and spend more time with them. I’m sure they’d like the company. Bonnie has already offered to teach you.”

Both Dancer and Prancer nod their antlered heads as if agreeing with Nick.

“See.” He flicks his chin toward them. “Thank you, ladies. ”

In response, Prancer snorts, and Dancer twitches her tail.

“Fine.” I huff, feeling silly for even asking. “Starting tomorrow… Well, the next day, after they’ve rested, I’ll spend more time with them.”

“Good. Now, Elfie, are you ready to go?”

Tugging on my lap belt to ensure it’s still tight, I nod. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

Flashing me a wink, Nick snaps the reins, and our eight magical reindeer trot out of the open barn doors and into the snow. Giant Christmas lights and hundreds of elves holding candles line the runway.

“Thank you all for your hard work. You make me proud to be Santa. Here’s to an amazing Christmas!” Nick cheers, pumping his arm in the air, and everyone follows along with a chorus of holiday excitement.

“On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen. On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder, and Blitzen.” The sleigh floats off the snow as the magic of our world coats us. It tingles my nose.

Nick laughs. “Ho. Ho. Ho. Merry Christmas,” he calls and snaps the reins. Off into the sky, we fly. The world passes in a blur of darkness and snow. Excitement unfurls in my belly. This is my first time visiting humans and seeing their world with my own eyes, not on the television screen.

I can’t believe this is my life!

Rubbing my hands together, I quell my rising desire. Now’s not the time for that. This is too important. I can wait. So can Nick.

Within minutes, the reindeer drop us atop our first apartment building under a cloudy night sky. Knowing exactly what to do, because he was born for this, Nick pecks my cheek, commandeers his sack from the back, slings it over his shoulder, and exits the sleigh. “I’ll be right back,” he promises.

Less than a minute later, he’s back, smiling bigger than I’ve ever seen. The joy, the excitement, the high of his first delivery flows through our connection, and I grow instantly hard.

“Nick,” I breathe as he tosses his sack into the back of the sleigh and is on me in a flash, pulling down the front of his pants and unbuckling my belt. Yanking me into his lap, he rips my pants down my legs and frees my erection. Nick doesn’t bother using the bed when he sits me right on his cock. Gripping the front of the sleigh, I bend forward to adjust to his soft belly pressing into my spine.

“Merry Christmas,” Nick growls as he uses my much-smaller body like a fleshlight and bounces me on his dick like I weigh nothing.

“Nick,” I gasp as my eyes screw shut in pleasure.

“Gotta make this quick.” Slamming me down on his thick rod, my wet asshole squeezes him tight as precum drips like a faucet from my cockhead, onto the floor, making a mess.

Wanting to make this memorable, I try to help. I try to set the pace, to impale myself, but my husband wants nothing of it, as he grips my hips, slides both of my legs over his, so I’m sitting in Santa’s lap like a naughty elf, feet dangling off the floor, and slams me onto his cock over and over and over.

“Come, Elfie,” Santa growls.

Bending to his powerful will, cum jets from my slit and hits the dashboard.

“Come,” he orders again.

Once more, my nuts draw up, and pleasure rockets through every cell in my body as I bite down on my bottom lip, trying not to scream as I succumb to my ravenous need. Another rope of cum shoots from my prick, and another and another as Santa grunts and fills me with seed.

High on him, on his scent, his touch, his cum, I float in the cocoon of us.

Breathing heavily, Nick wraps his arms around my chest and kisses the back of my head.

It’s everything.

He’s everything.

Being here is everything.

Sliding a hand down to my belly, Nick massages the bump. “How are you feeling, Elfie?”

“Good.”

“I didn’t get too rough, did I?”

That’s not possible. Even when we use the rocking horse in our bedroom, he’s never too rough and always takes care of me.

Shaking my head, I rest my hand over his and melt into his lap. “No. You were perfect.”

Reaching around me, Nick unhooks the reigns and snaps them once. “Onto the next place, ladies,” he instructs, then returns them to their special hook as we glide silently onto the top of the next apartment building.

Peeking down at my exposed, half-hard cock beaded with the remnants of climax, I then look over my shoulder at Nick, making eye contact. “We should probably get dressed.” Using the tip of my finger, I collect what little cum is left and offer it to my husband.

Sensuously sliding my digit into his mouth, Nick hums as he swallows my offering, and my insides somersault at the sight. I’ll never get enough of this.

Through the bond, his happiness seeps into me.

Santa nuzzles the side of my head, acting as if he has no desire to get back to work and would rather cuddle me all night. Any other night would be fine, but this is Christmas Eve. “Nick.” I wiggle in his lap, ready to get up, but his arms around me tighten.

“Shhh. Just give me a minute.”

I can do that.

Threading my fingers through his and holding them to my belly, I give him his minute of peace despite the fact he’s still rock solid inside me. We soak up the moment together—the realness of what we’re doing and where we are. Flecks of snow begin to fall from the sky, but thanks to the magic surrounding us, they slide around the invisible bubble. The noises of the outside world are much louder here in the city. Lights from giant buildings glisten in the distance. It’s wondrous.

Laughter from someone walking on the sidewalk below carries through the night. Even if they looked up, they couldn’t see us. Nobody can except our reindeer.

Once Nick’s gotten his fill, he sets me on my feet and kneels to help me back into my pants. Then he rights himself, and I fix his sash before he retrieves his sack and gets back to work.

For as long as it takes, we deliver presents all over the world.

And for some reason, we never tire.

Not of the stops.

Not from our extracurriculars.

Not of each other.

When Nick brings another gift from a child onto the sleigh, he hands it to me. It’s a note specifically for Santa’s partner, or it would be if I were Mrs. Claus. Attached to the note is a drawing of what most humans presume Mrs. Claus looks like and a red-and-green braided bracelet. I slip it onto my wrist and tighten the strings.

Sweet, sweet children.

Always so thoughtful.

“This is very kind.” I jingle my wrist as Nick hands out another round of carrots and celery to the reindeer while we break on top of a motorcycle club clubhouse.

They munch down, even though we all know the ladies prefer cookies, too. Who can blame them? Vegetables versus sweets? That’s a no-brainer.

“That is very sweet. It’s from Miss. H. She loves to make jewelry. I left her a new bracelet kit under the tree tonight,” he explains.

“Is it weird knowing that stuff?” I ask, in awe of his endless knowledge.

“Not really.” Nick shrugs, then lumbers back into the sleigh and sits beside me. He snaps the reigns, and we’re off to the next home. “It’s a privilege.”

I rest my head on his arm. “That it is.”

“Do you want me to bring you another cookie or two?” He leans over and kisses the top of my head.

“That won’t be a bother, will it?”

Nick scoffs as if my question is ridiculous. “Pepper, you’re mine. It’s never a bother to care for you. Plus, there is no shortage of cookies tonight. Three stops back, Ginger and Cherry left an entire platter of them. I only had one, but they were frosted and shaped like me. Well, this version of me.” My sexy husband slaps his big belly.

I rub my hand over it, and Santa grips my wrist.

Worried I did something wrong, I try to pull away, not wanting to offend him, but Nick doesn’t let go and leans back to slip my hand into his pants, where I grip his hardened steel.

“Again, so soon?” I gasp in surprise as his precum wets my palm.

“Yeah,” he groans. “The more you talk, the hornier I get.”

Oh.

Pressing my lips together to keep quiet, I jack my husband off until he’s done and can think straight. It doesn’t take long, and we’re back in business.

The rest of the night is much the same—a blur of excitement and deliveries.

By the time all the presents are under their trees and we return to the Pole, sleepiness finally sets in.

Landing outside the barn, elves rush to the sleigh to unfasten the reindeer so they can return to their bays to rest.

Nick captures my hand and brings it to his lips. “I love you. Thank you for being here. Merry Christmas, Pepper.” Reaching into his sack, Nick pulls out a small box and perches it on my knee.

“Merry Christmas, Santa,” I breathe as he releases me to open the gift. Inside are two simple gold bands with a small, single red stone in the center of each. The word mine is etched on one and his is etched on the other. “What’s this?”

“Our wedding bands. Since we didn’t formally get married, I figured we could at least wear the rings.”

My heart hammers wildly in my chest. “Awe. Nick. This is…”

“Perfect. I know.”

Yes. Perfect. That’s exactly it.

Picking the mine band from the box, Nick takes my hand and slides it onto my left ring finger. “Thank you for being mine. ”

Not knowing what to say as emotions clog my throat, I nod and nod and nod like a bobblehead doll as I claim the his ring for Nick. Considering his Santa frame, sliding it into place proves easier than I expect. When I open my mouth to ask why it fits, Nick explains, “I had the elves imbue the stones with Christmas magic. This way, our rings will always fit. Even when I’m like this.” He gestures to his white hair and beard, then flexes his much thicker and, dare I say, sexier fingers. The things they’ve done to my body this week have been toe-curling incredible.

“Or when I get further along,” I add, knowing pregnancy always adds weight. I’ve only gained two pounds since we found out, but I’m not far along yet. It’s only a matter of time before I’m waddling everywhere and need to pee every thirty seconds. At least, that’s what all the pregnancy books seem to say.

Nick smiles at my ring and his before he leans in, kisses the side of my mouth, and cups my belly. “Let’s get home so we can rest and properly celebrate.” He winks, and I swoon at his perfect blend of sweet, naughty, and thoughtfulness wrapped in such a package. Not having dated anyone before him, I don’t have any relationship experience, but I’ve seen how my parents and other couples interact, and Nick doesn’t disappoint. He’s the perfect partner.

“We’re going to my parents in the afternoon, right?” I ask because they invited us weeks ago, and I don’t want to disappoint them.

“Absolutely. After you open all the presents under our tree, and we have breakfast together.”

“Nick.” I sigh, overwhelmed with gratitude. I can’t believe he did that. We said no presents. We live in the North Pole. Sure, the elves celebrate Christmas like the rest of the world. We have a festival in the square. It’s tradition. But this is too much. We have each other. That’s enough. These rings are more than enough.

“What?” Shrugging a single shoulder, Nick blushes and pecks my cheek. “Can’t a man spoil his elf?” he asks, leaning down to quickly kiss my belly. He seems to do it a lot these days, not wanting to leave our child out.

Lunging at my husband, I wrap my arms around his neck, and he pulls me into his lap. “I love you.” Smiling, I look into his eyes.

“And I love you more, Pepper Claus. Now let’s go home.” Lifting me in his arms like in a romance movie, Nick carries me into the snow and over to our smaller sleigh outfitted with Ricky, one of our other reindeer, just as the sun peeks over the horizon.

Yes.

Let’s go home.

Together.

Merry Christmas.