Naughty Elf: Mistletoe (Santa’s Naughty Elf Mates)

Epilogue

MIZ

Even in the new house, Christmas morning around the tree felt a little crowded this year. Ryan and I each held a twin in our lap on the couch while Ellie stood before the tree, ready to hand out presents. Three sets of grandparents sat around the room. My parents sat on the couch beside me. Ryan's parents sat in the recliners in front of the big bay window to his left, and the Halls sat in folding chairs along the opposite wall. Ryan's sister couldn't make it, but we were looking forward to visiting her in Minneapolis over Ellie's spring break.

The tree stood in the corner by the fireplace. Thankfully, we hadn't lit a fire this morning. Even with the draft from the three-season porch, so many bodies in the living room kept us warm.

"There aren't enough presents to go around," Ellie said. "Daddy Miz, I told you we needed to go shopping for Grandpa and Mee-ma!"

As upset as I was to see her in distress, I loved it when she called me Daddy Miz.

"Not at all dear," Mable said. "We have an arrangement with your parents. This is a children-only exchange."

Ellie frowned. "I'm a child and I want to give you gifts!"

"You made gifts, right Ellie?" I asked.

Her eyes lit up, and she dashed to the doorway. "Be right back!"

"She is a doll," my omega dad said, squeezing my shoulder. "I am so proud of you, Miz. I worried you wouldn't find anyone at the North Pole."

"I wouldn't have," I reminded him.

He nodded. "The Santas were right to send you here."

The Halls were far enough away, they couldn't overhear the conversation. If they'd overheard any of the other strange Christmas Village discussions between those of us who knew it was a real place, they didn't let on, or maybe they thought we were humoring the children. 'Twas the season for talk of Santa, elves, and a village full of Christmas cheer at the North Pole.

Ellie returned with her gifts for all of us, including two adorable paper-mache ornaments for the twins. She hung them on the tree while we opened the identical boxes she'd given us.

Inside were more ornaments. They were all the same adorable angel with Ellie's curls and a pipe cleaner halo and wings.

"To remind us of our little angel," Mable gushed. Ryan's mom murmured an agreement, and Ellie's eyes welled with tears.

"Oh, Ellie! Come here." Mrs. Marchand, whom Ellie called Aana, held her arms wide.

Ellie hesitated, looked to her daddy, who nodded, and me. I didn't know Ryan's mom well, but I knew she loved Ellie. It hadn't been enough to overcome her own issues for the past couple of years, but now, she was here, trying to make up for lost time.

"What would make you happy?" I whispered to Ellie.

Tears ran down her cheeks as she rushed into her grandma's embrace. "Aana!"

"I'm so sorry we weren't here … before." She kissed the top of Ellie's head and squeezed her tight. "Now we'll always have a piece of you with us. When we put the Christmas tree away, I'll set it on the mantle for everyone to see how lovely my granddaughter is."

Ellie giggled. "That's not me, Aana."

"Oh, I know, but it will sit right in front of your third-grade picture!" She kissed both of Ellie's cheeks. "You'll have to come see it this summer."

"Can we, Daddy?" Ellie asked over her shoulder.

Instead of answering his daughter, or even his parents, he glanced at me. "What do you think?"

"I would love to visit Canada! In the summer," I clarified. "Sounds wonderful."

Ryan laughed. "Well, there you go. We're taking a summer trip to Canada this year."

"Mew!"

"Oh no!" I motioned Ellie toward the tree and the boatload of presents still there. "You're running behind."

Ellie's hamster Marshawn had made it to May before we found him cold and stiff as a board on the floor of his hamster cage. Ellie took his death well, but she'd been begging for another pet ever since.

Ryan didn't want to fence the yard for fear his moose would forget and lumber through it on his way to the woods. We'd talked about an invisible fence for a dog, but when I asked Ellie what kind of dog she wanted, she always said, "Kitten!'

Behind all those boxes under the tree sat a small cat carrier with a twelve-week-old kitten inside. Ellie couldn't hear the little dear over the noise of rustling paper and shaking boxes while Ryan and I opened presents for the twins, but Ryan winced every time the little thing mewed.

"You're such a softie," I whispered.

"She's lonely under there." Louder, he said, "Hurry up, Ellie! One of your presents sounds hungry."

That got her attention. She began carefully opening packages as though we'd packed a snake that would bite her. That only made the process longer.

Finally, each of her grandparents took one of her remaining presents and opened it for her, while I balanced Jack on my hip and dragged the little cat carrier out from behind the tree. "We'll help while you get acquainted with this little sweetie."

She squealed when she saw the carrier, and everyone cheered. Instead of cowering, the sweet-faced little tortoiseshell trotted up to the door and cried to be let out.

"Aww!"

"Litter box first," Ryan said, pointing to the three-season porch where we'd already filled it for its first use.

"Okay, Daddy." Ellie showed the kitten where the litter box was and cheered when she used it. We would get a little chilly with the door cracked open until we could get a pet door installed, but a cold draft was worth it to see the big smile on Ellie's face when she carried her kitten back to the living room.

"This is Sparkles," she said, introducing the kitten to everyone. "See how she's got a star over her eye?"

I'd only seen a white patch, but it did resemble a star, now that she mentioned it.

"She's so pretty! Thank you, Daddy and Daddy Miz!"

"You're welcome, baby." Ryan gave her a hug and then sent her around the room to collect the presents her grandparents opened for her. My parents had gotten her gardening tools for the yard. The Halls gave her an easel and a huge box of art supplies to keep her busy over winter break.

Ryan's parents had gotten her a wagon so she could haul her cat carrier around the neighborhood. The best part was the little carrier fit perfectly inside, and the sides were high enough to hold the carrier even when our silly daughter dragged the whole thing, cat, carrier, wagon, and all, up the stairs, bump by bump, to her room.

"She's going to be the terror and delight of the neighborhood," my omega dad said, "Just like Miz was at that age."

Unlike me back then, Ellie had a group of friends who appreciated everything about her, from her overactive imagination to her staunch loyalty and willingness to stand up for what was right.

I'd come a long way from the shy and insecure little boy who wanted everyone to love him but never knew how to make that happen. With Ryan and Ellie, and even now with our extended family, I didn't have to try. They accepted me the way Ellie's friends accepted her, and that meant more than any gift I could have received.

"We'll be here to make sure Ellie stays that way." I raised my mug of hot chocolate in a toast. "Merry Christmas, everyone!"

"Merry Christmas, Miz." Ryan tipped my chin up and kissed me while our extended family talked around us.

I glanced up at the little elf statue half-hidden behind a tall strand of pine and holly garland. I'd come so far since then. I no longer lost track of time while staring at my phone. I had everything I needed right here.

I took a sip and set my mug back on the coffee table. I needed both hands free to hug Jack to my chest and kiss his soft curls. I grinned at Ryan, who had done the same with Ana.

"Merry Christmas, Alpha."

His eyes darkened with promises for later in the week, when our families would return home. Family was great, but our alone time was spectacular, too.

In two years, I went from being a complete and utter failure to having it all. It was enough to make me believe in Christmas miracles. I'd been part of the fabric of Christmas Village itself, and I hadn't believed until now.

THE END