Here Comes Santa Paws (Christmas Falls: Season 2)

31. Elias

Chapter 31

Elias

My face split in a wide yawn as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I must’ve dozed off again, but Carol’s whine woke me from the light sleep. It had been a long night, but I was relieved Carol had let me stay in the room with her. The camera setup was nice, but I was anxious she might need the vet, so I wanted to keep her in my sight.

I tapped my phone screen and saw it was after four a.m.

I lifted myself to a seated position and studied Carol in the low light from the lamp I’d brought in from my bedroom last night. She lay in the whelping box I’d brought over from the shelter and was licking herself.

“You’re doing so well, sweetheart. I know it’s uncomfortable,” I whispered. I had no idea whether my voice was soothing or irritating, so I spoke quietly to split the difference.

After stretching as subtly as possible, I grabbed my phone again to check my notifications. Still nothing from Roman. I frowned. He’d replied to my text when I’d told him things were moving, but I hadn’t heard anything since. He was probably asleep. Though it did sting a bit that his phone had been off when I tried calling late last night. Or set to Do Not Disturb or whatever. Brain, quit being a mopey bitch.

Out of habit, I navigated to my work email to make sure there were no crises. My mouth fell open as I scrolled and scrolled and scrolled through automated emails indicating new donations to our construction fund. There had to be at least a few dozen of them. Even if they were five bucks each, it would help.

As my brain grew more alert, I paused in my scrolling and reread a subject line that caught my eye. It couldn’t be. I reread it several times. Emergency grant funding application approved.

Approved.

I closed my eyes, let my head fall against the wall, and smiled. We would be okay. Construction was going great with no expensive surprises, things were finally progressing with the insurance company, and now this. I couldn’t think of a better way to start Christmas Eve. Sure you can. It would be a lot better if Roman were here.

I pushed that thought away because the only thing it would do was bum me out. Unfortunately, given the early hour, I couldn’t even distract myself by calling someone to celebrate. Instead, I focused on the shelter and how we’d get the building repaired without resorting to worst-case scenarios.

Carol whimpered, so I scooched closer to her while murmuring soothing words. Hopefully soothing, at least. I moved slowly and searched for any indication I was adding stress, but I didn’t notice anything significant. She watched me, panting, and reached her front paw toward me.

“You’re so strong. You’ve got this.” I gently rubbed her back. Shadows shifted under the bedroom door from my dogs holding vigil on the other side. I hadn’t heard a bark from them in hours. I was so grateful they were being quiet. They could probably sense something was happening.

“I promise we’ll find a good home for you.” She stared up at me with her dark, scared eyes.

With each second that passed with our eyes locked on each other, a decision formed in my mind. If Roman decided not to adopt her, I would. She’d been getting along with my animals, and I could probably find a larger place for us. It would be hard to stay in the duplex anyway, given all the memories attached.

“What do you think, girl? Would you want to move in with me and all the loud monsters here?”

She didn’t bury her nose under her paw or look away, so I took it as a win.

As I watched her, I wished there was more I could do to ease her discomfort. Once again, my thoughts returned to Roman. She would probably be more at ease with him here, but we both needed to get used to him being gone.

The pain swelled inside my chest, pushing out all the air. I never expected anything to come of hanging out with Roman beyond some fun, but the more time we’d spent together, a part of me—a large part—had wanted more.

“No one hurts us worse than we can hurt ourselves,” I muttered.

Rubbing Carol’s back was meditative as I leaned into feeling my feelings about Roman. We had something special—that was obvious. I’d gone on enough dates over the years to know when something was different. How could I throw it away? Why would I? If Gramps could open himself to Nancy, why couldn’t I do the same with Roman? It might not work out, but I shouldn’t let the distance stop us. There was something there, and I wanted to explore it if he did too.

What if he doesn’t?

If that was the case, then I would move on. But if he was on board, then it was time to focus on my happiness. I’d spent my life trying to repay Gramps for taking me in. My happiness might be in Arizona. There had to be shelters in Tucson looking to hire.

I needed to have a serious conversation with Roman when he returned after the holiday.

Carol panted as I placed my hand on her hardened abdomen. Her contractions had begun. Here we go.

I hummed songs that I hoped were soothing to Carol as my phone chimed with a notification from my doorbell camera. When I swiped the notification, I saw a familiar figure outside my front door.

Roman.

I tried to suppress my hope, but it was like trying to capture smoke in my fingers.

“Your dad’s back early.” Carol licked my hand.

ROMAN

I tried knocking gently on Elias’s door. I didn’t want to ring the doorbell and risk disturbing Carol, but damn, I wanted to see them both. I’d even missed his furry monsters.

Before mustering the energy to dig my keys out of my suitcase and go to my place to try again at a decent hour, I leaned against Elias’s doorway to rest. Just for a minute. I closed my eyes, and moments or hours later, warm air brushed across my cheeks.

“Are you sleeping at my door?”

I swayed as a wide smile spread across my face. What a nice dream. Mm, Elias. I didn’t want to open my eyes and disrupt the joy blooming in my chest. Home.

“I might be.”

Warm fingers wrapped around mine and pulled me. I stumbled, but Elias caught me. “You always will, won’t you?”

“Always will what?”

“Catch me.”

Elias’s sweet laughter made me open my eyes.

“You’re right. I will.” He cupped my face, then reached around me to close his door. He unzipped my coat and pulled it down my arms before crouching to help me out of my boots.

“Has she had her puppies yet?”

“Not yet, but it’ll be any time.”

“I’m glad I made it.”

He led me to the couch by my hand. “You look like you’re about to drop. How did you get here?”

“Miracles of modern transportation.”

Elias snorted. “I’ll make some coffee. Rest your eyes until it’s ready.”

I did and felt the couch dip before two furry lumps landed on me. Cold noses nudged my hand and cheek. Eventually, I opened my eyes and scratched Tinsel’s and Nutcracker’s ears. Even Krampus watched me from her perch. I was happy to see them too. “Have you been taking care of my girl?”

Elias returned with two mugs of coffee and a beaming smile. All for me.

“You don’t mind them up in your business?”

“Not at all.” I could’ve sworn Elias let out a soft sigh in response.

He handed me a mug, then scooped Tinsel in his free arm and sat beside me, tucking his legs under him. “I added an ice cube to make the temperature drinkable without scalding your mouth.”

“Thoughtful.” I patted his leg, then left it there, tucking my fingers behind his knee.

“Take your time to caffeinate before you talk.” Elias wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

I took several long swigs, which cleared the fuzz from my head. “I feel human again.” I turned my face toward him and rested my cheek against his arm. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

He leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was gentle and all too quick.

“I’m glad you’re here.” There was so much emotion in his eyes. Emotions we had to talk about, but I needed sleep before that conversation.

I squeezed his leg. “Me too.”

Once I finished the coffee, I set the mug on his coffee table and patted Nutcracker. He was cute when he wasn’t cannonballing onto my lap.

“So, I came home early.”

His lips twitched. “I noticed.”

A yawn hit me that was so big I worried it would pull a muscle in my jaw.

“You need sleep. Then we’ll talk?”

I nodded. “I’ll sleep later. I want to be there for Carol.”

“Let’s go.” He stood and held out his hand.

I let him pull me up and toward his guest bedroom. “Wait. My luggage.” I’d left my suitcase on the walkway in front of his place.

“I’ll get it. Go see her.” He patted my back and moved toward his front door as I reached the guest room. “Doggos, want to go outside?” The dogs chased after him.

I slowly turned the knob and eased into the room. Carol’s back was to me as she lay in a box with tall sides, panting and shivering. It must be something special for dogs giving birth. I’d ask Elias about it later.

“Hey, girl. How are you doing?”

She turned her head to look over her shoulder and whined when she saw me. My heart broke into a thousand pieces. I shouldn’t have left. At least you came back.

I lowered myself to the floor and sat on the pile of blankets Elias must’ve been using as a bed. “I’m sorry I left.” She pressed her nose into my palm and gave it a quick lick before she began panting again.

I rubbed her back.

Elias joined a few minutes later and settled beside me with another cup of coffee and water.

“We’re both here now. All we can do is wait until the first puppy comes.”

“We just wait now?” There had to be something more we could do.

“We wait, but it should be soon.” Elias took my hand and intertwined our fingers. He dropped his head on my shoulder, and I tucked a blanket over our laps.

It was going to be a long day after a long day and night, but with Elias next to me, I knew we’d be okay.

A short while later, clear fluid came out of Carol, which Elias said signaled the first puppy would come shortly. After twenty minutes, Carol pushed out the first puppy. It was the most beautiful and terrifying thing I’d ever seen.

By the early afternoon, Elias and I stood with our arms around each other’s waists, dead on our feet but happily watching Carol clean her five squirming puppies.

It had been the wildest day of my life. I learned about discharge, placentas, and umbilical cords, and would’ve called the vet a hundred times if Elias hadn’t been there to explain the process in his soothing tone.

“She did amazing.” My voice broke, and Elias squeezed me closer to his side.

“She really did. It’s incredible to watch, isn’t it?” Elias’s voice was full of pride.

My gut had that feeling again. I’d made the right choice.

“It was. And disgusting, but, you know, in a ‘wow, the wonders of the universe’ sort of way.”

Elias tilted his head back and laughed. Carol glared at us.

“I suppose we should give her some space to do her thing now that she’s done giving birth.”

I nodded. “Let’s go have that talk.” The pot of coffee we’d shared still had a bit more juice left in my system, and I knew I’d sleep better with the conversation behind us.

“And cuddle?”

I chuckled. “And cuddle.”

Elias adjusted the camera so it pointed at the nesting area he’d made for Carol.

I followed Elias to his bedroom. We stripped, then gravitated to opposite sides of the bed like it was an old routine—pulling back the blankets and climbing in. I lay on my back and opened my arm for Elias to snuggle in.

He draped his leg and arm over my body and pressed a light kiss to my chest. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too.”

“I thought your return flight wasn’t until the twenty-sixth?”

It was time to spill my guts. I’d been a nervous wreck about it during the long journey back to Christmas Falls, but as soon as I saw Elias, I knew I didn’t need to worry. Elias had put himself out there when, in not so many words, he’d asked me to stay. It was up to me to meet him halfway, and I was finally ready.

I inhaled a long, slow breath. “It wasn’t, but I wanted to come back. I had the interview, toured an apartment, and got offered the job.”

Elias lifted his head. “You got the job? Congratulations, Roman. I knew they’d snap you up.”

And that was why I’d come back to Christmas Falls. Back home . Despite everything, Elias still encouraged me to follow my dreams. Just like my mom always did for my dad. That was the kind of partnership I wanted—supporting each other, even when it was hard.

“Thanks, but I turned them down.”

That made Elias move to sit up, but I stopped him. I wanted to keep him close. He let out a sweet, soft sigh as he settled against me again.

“Why?”

The million-dollar question. “You. How you make me feel. Carol. This damn town. It’s grown on me like mistletoe on its host tree.”

Elias laughed. The sound warmed me like a crackling fire.

“I got there, and everything was falling into place, but it didn’t feel right. In the end, I couldn’t convince myself that the promotion was worth more than what I have here.”

He kissed my chest again. “Before you showed up at my door today, I’d already decided to talk to you about trying long-distance. Gramps tried convincing me his bionic hip would enjoy visiting warmer weather.”

Laughing, I shook my head. “That man never stops meddling, does he?”

“Nope. You’d better get used to it.”

A pleasant warmth spread through my stomach. “I don’t mind.” We were silent for a moment, and then Elias yawned. It might be nap time soon. “You were thinking long-distance, huh?”

“I don’t have any experience with it, but I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to you yet. Waiting for a dog to go into labor gives you a lot of time to think. I love Christmas Falls, but I’ve made many decisions in my life for other people. For Gramps. He challenged me to make a decision for myself, and I wasn’t ready to let you go yet. What we have feels special, rare, and I’m open to moving if things work out between us.” He lifted his head again. “I want you to know that a relationship with me doesn’t have to mean you’re stuck.”

That statement obliterated any doubts lingering in dark corners. I’d grown to appreciate Christmas Falls, but Elias was who I was falling in love with. Knowing he’d consider leaving his beloved hometown for me proved he was just as invested.

“That means a lot. Thank you.” I cupped his cheek and brushed my thumb across it. It hit me that if I was thinking the L-word, I might as well say it. I’d never been in a situation where I’d wanted to say it to anyone. My gut fluttered.

“Are you okay? Your pulse is speeding up.” He pressed his open palm against my chest.

I covered his hand with mine. “I’m falling in love with you.”

Elias’s Bambi eyes blinked at me for several moments before his face split into a smile and he scrambled to straddle my waist. “Really?”

I gripped his hips and laughed at his sudden rush of energy. “Really.”

He stared down at me with wonder in his eyes.

“Any thoughts about that?” I fished. I attempted to sound casual. Given Elias’s grin, I failed miserably.

“Many thoughts. Many good thoughts. Thoughts that I’m falling in love with you too.” He lowered himself until our lips touched.

The kiss was gentle and held promise for a happy future.

Elias pulled back and stretched his body on top of mine. “I imagine it wasn’t easy to get back here at Christmas.”

I let out a humorless laugh. “You have no idea. Everything was sold out, but I eventually got to Chicago after two layovers and a delay. I couldn’t get to the Christmas Falls airport and there were no available rental cars in Chicago. Fortunately, I found a very generous taxi driver willing to make the drive for a nice Christmas bonus.”

“Holy shit. You really wanted to get back here.”

“I really did.” I pulled him close.