Father Christmas (Kringle & Co #4)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

F ive Years Later

T he soft glow of Christmas morning filled the room. Cheerful notes of a Christmas carol played in the background. Snow danced down from the sky to land on the windowsill in a lazy pattern that filled Mindy with joy. This had always been her favorite time of year. But over the last five years, she'd woken each morning feeling like it was Christmas every day.

She watched as Noel carefully placed the Christmas star on the top of their tree, a ritual they performed every year since they got married. The star sparkled, its golden light catching on the delicate ornaments and twinkling lights that adorned the tree.

The tree itself was a magnificent evergreen, standing proudly in the corner of the room, its branches laden with a mix of ornaments that told the story of their life together. There were glass baubles they had bought on their honeymoon, handmade decorations from friends and family, and the little trinkets they had picked up on their travels. Each ornament held a memory, making the tree a living scrapbook of their love story.

Mindy's eyes caught the shimmer of her wedding ring as the star's light reflected off it. She admired the ring for a moment, its sparkle a constant reminder of their love and the promises they had made to each other. He was her husband, her partner, her best friend, and in moments like this, she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the life they had built together.

"Is the star on straight?"

Mindy stepped back to get a better view, her gaze traveling from the base of the tree to the top. Though truthfully, her gaze stopped at her husband’s shapely ass. That was a globe she never got tired of rubbing her hands over or biting.

"It's perfect."

"The star or my ass?"

"Both."

Noel climbed down from the step stool, brushing off his hands and walking over to her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. He pressed a kiss to her lips. All too quickly, the press became a sip. The sip became a bite. Then he was plunging into her mouth. Mindy, as always, opened for him, giving him everything he asked for.

"Dadda. Dadda. Dadda."

Noel broke away, turning to the other girl in his life. Holly held her arms open wide, reaching for her father. Noel obliged their little cherub, scooping her up into his arms and planting kisses on her chubby cheeks.

"When are you gonna say Mama?" Mindy asked her beautiful baby.

"Dadda," Holly insisted, ducking her head under her father's chin.

"Don't worry," Noel chided. "I'm sure the next one will call your name first."

Mindy rubbed her hand over her belly. She wasn't showing just yet, not unless she was naked. Noel loved to strip her down and rub his hands all over her small bump. Aside from her love, he said the children she gave him were the greatest gifts.

Noel and Elvin still had a rocky relationship. When Noel stayed firm about no longer supporting his son's antics, Elvin had gone off and married a rich, elderly widow. His wife kept him on an even stricter allowance than his father had. It wasn't clear if Elvin would ever learn responsibility, but Noel was determined that his younger children would.

Though the bounty of wrapped boxes under the tree would make anyone doubt it. Noel insisted all children deserved to be spoiled at Christmas.

"Merry Christmas, Mindy."

"Merry Christmas, Noel."

Mindy snuggled closer to him. The star on the tree shone brightly, a beacon of the love and happiness that filled their home. Mindy felt a deep sense of contentment, knowing that this was where she was meant to be, with the man she loved and the family they had started.

As they stood there, holding each other and admiring the decorations, the snow continued to fall softly outside, covering the world in a blanket of white. It was a perfect Christmas scene, the kind Mindy had always dreamed of, and it was made all the more perfect by the presence of Noel, her best ever Christmas present and the love of her life.