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

10. Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Monty

“I’m gonna be a dad!” I randomly announced to the restaurant as I stepped inside. No clue who was here, it just came tumbling out. The excitement of being a father couldn’t be contained.

“Congratulations!” the hostess replied, as the nearby tables clapped and uttered their congrats.

“Thank you. Sorry.” Lost in my own world and forgot the filter. “I’m Monty with LeClaire. I’m here to start the bathroom renovation today.”

“Oh yes, let me get Cliff.”

“Hey, my friend,” Cliff said as he came into the lobby. “I understand congratulations are in order.”

“Yes, yes, they are, and I couldn’t be happier.” That was putting it mildly. I was so damn excited I obviously couldn’t contain it.

“Excellent. We’ve got the first restroom stanchioned off and ready for you. Signage is in place directing the patrons to use the other. If it gets a bit hairy and they complain we may consider a couple portable units be added to the parking lot.”

“Well, let’s play it by ear. If all goes well, I’ll have the demo done today and will start the installations for the new flooring and fixtures tomorrow. I drove around back and saw they dropped off the dumpster so we’re good to go.” I loved it when a plan came together with no delays.

“Excellent. Well, you know where everything is and how to get a hold of me. We’ll let you get to it.” Cliff headed off toward the kitchen while I wandered down the hall to the restrooms.

I was surprised when he told me that I could demo while they were open, but I’d do my best to contain the noise. Hopefully, none of the plumbing lines would need replaced, because I didn’t include that in the bid. Just made note that if I found anything that wasn’t in the visual assessment we’d do a change order for the additional fees to complete it. As of right now, the plan was new floor to ceiling tile, new sinks and faucets, new toilets, new paper towel and toilet paper dispensers, and new stall dividers. The only area that would be painted was the ceiling. Not a fan of painting but I’d do it when requested, though this time I would delegate the job to Kody.

I got right to work, removing the stall dividers and whistling a happy tune. Didn’t think to bring my iPod, my brain was obsessed with all things baby, and it skipped my mind. Light bulb! How had I not already thought of this? I felt terrible for cutting off Twinkle’s Christmas tunes when I was home, but I’d reached the end with them. So why hadn’t my dumbass bought him his own iPod? Then he could listen to them to his heart’s content. I shook my head at my own blunder and made a mental note to stop by the electronics store on the way home and buy him one. Something shiny to match his fancy clothes. He was by far the best dressed person in all of Kodiak.

I knew, without a doubt I’d spoil the baby, and I lovingly did with Twinkle. I’d waited forever for not only a relationship I never knew I wanted, but a family of my own. I’d given up hope that my mate even existed. Then along came Twinkle and soon we’d be three. Holding my own daughter or son, gender was irrelevant as long as it was healthy. But once I held them, I’d be addicted.

“Whoa.” I stopped to take a swig of water and glanced around. In my brain fog I managed to remove the stalls, toilets and sinks and took them to the dumpster. The brain was a scary thing for sure. Now all that was left was to remove the ancient linoleum flooring. I reached for the adhesive remover when in walked Cliff with a tray full of food.

“Lunchtime, Monty. Time to take a break.” His eyes widened. “Wow, you’ve got a lot done.”

“Got lost in the work and just kept going. Demo’s my favorite part of any job. I consider it my own form of therapy.”

Cliff laughed. “But if the rest of the job goes this smoothly, we should be out of your hair in four to five days and just in time for the weekend crowd to test it all out. Kody will be in tomorrow to paint the ceiling, Joe and Seth will help set the tile. The final day will be grouting. Then next morning I’ll be in to clean and then you’ll be good to go. We’ll wait a week before we dive into the other one if that works for you. ”

“That works perfectly. Monty, you’ve never disappointed me with any of your work, and I was glad you were able to fit me into your schedule.”

Schedule such a funny word because pre-Twinkle, I’d slept more than worked. Now that I wasn’t being lazy, I’d be able to take on more jobs. Babies were expensive and I’d be damned if ours would ever go without cause its Papa was a lazy bear.

Welp looks like I’ve deemed myself Papa.

All those bid requests that went unanswered. If I didn’t work, my brothers grabbed odd jobs when they’d rather we worked as a team on larger projects. No wonder they bugged the shit out of me. Clarity was an amazing gift. Hell, calling and scheduling bids was the perfect job for Twinkle. He’d been bored out of his mind and asking to help so this would work well for the family as a whole.

The fantastic steak sandwich Cliff whipped up was gone in three bites. Finished up and got to work on the flooring demo. The glue had failed in more spots than it remained adhered to and while it didn’t come up in one piece, which would have been nice, it came up in several big ones. The adhesive remover was applied to the tough spots and in no time I had it scraped up and called it a day.

“Honey, I’m home.” I hollered to Twinkle as I stepped inside the house, only he was nowhere to be found. Then I realized what time it was and ran straight for the bathroom and there sat my poor pregnant mate on the floor beside the toilet and white as a ghost.

“Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry. I meant to come home earlier, but I was in the zone and got the demo done.” I sat beside him and rubbed his back. “I’m so sorry, honey. What can I do to help?”

“It’s not your fault. Well, no, I guess it kind of is but not in a bad way.” Poor guy lurched forward again.

“Let me go get you some water. I’ll be right back.”

I’ll set an alarm on my watch to ensure going forward that I’d be home earlier than I was today until the morning sickness passed. My poor, tiny Twinkle didn’t have much to donate to the porcelain God. I hated to see him like this. I loved my happy little shiny singing elf.

Much like last night, I got him situated in bed again with crackers and a lemon-lime soda, then showered and fed myself. When I returned here he had the TV turned to the same show he watched last night. The poor thing was exhausted. Tina was curled up beside him and he petted her in slow, soothing strokes, his eyes heavily-lidded as the repetitive motions calmed him and he zoned out.

As quietly as I could, I slid into bed and set the timer on the TV, figuring he forgot. Tina was between us, with his hand resting on her back but they were still close enough that my arm stretched across them both and I could somewhat hold Twinkle. My poor pregnant omega. I hated this part for him even though I was selfishly excited as I knew he was, too. And when he woke, I’d have a gift that would brighten his day.

“Good morning, my love.” I rolled over and kissed Twinkle after I shut off the alarm.

“Morning. I already took Tina out and started your coffee,” he yawned. “I’ve been up for a while.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Better. I wish I didn’t have the afternoon yuckies though,” He made a disgusted face. “Not enjoying that part at all.”

“I bet you’re not. Let me get dressed and I’ll meet you in the kitchen. I have a gift for you.”

He hopped up and down on the bed. “A gift for me? Really?”

“Really.” I kissed the tip of his nose and popped out of bed. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen in five. I’ll be the one with the flannel shirt. You can’t miss me.”

Twinkle laughed. “You’re so silly. Isn’t Monty silly, Tina?” She nuzzled his hand. Seeing Twinkle this happy filled me with a joy like no other.

“Look at that, cooking me breakfast. You spoil me, oh sweet mate of mine. ”

“Says he who takes care of me every night.”

I pulled him into my arms and stared down at his handsome face. “I love you. Plus, it’s my job.”

He pouted. “I don’t want to be your job.”

“Okay then, it’s a duty I do with pride and honor.” He stared blankly up at me. “Cat got your tongue, Princess?”

“Brat. Besides,” he swished his hips, “I believe you mentioned a present?”

“Right, thanks for reminding me.” I crossed the room to my work bag and pulled the box out. “Here you go.” He’d have no clue what it was, but the confusion was half the fun while watching him open it.

“What is it?”

“It’s your own iPod. You put music on it and place these earbuds in your ears then you can listen to Christmas music year-round without my grouchy butt complaining and changing the radio station.”

He turned it from side to side, peered at the bottom where the charger plugged in. “How do you get the music on it?”

“Well, there are instructions in the box but it’s easiest if you do it from the laptop. Give it a try and if you can’t figure it out I’ll set it up for you tonight when I get home. Oh, that reminds me. Did you still want to help with reno jobs? ”

“I do, very much but what about the not so fun afternoons?”

“That’s why the tasks we need you for are perfect for you. This weekend we’ll sit down, and I’ll show you. Basically, you’ll be calling potential clients back that my lazy ass ignored for sleep.”

“You said a bad word.”

“I did though I have gotten better about it.” Just saved it all for when he wasn’t around.

“Yes. I can do that. I’m excited, now I’ll be contributing.”

“Honey, you already are. You take care of the house and you’re baking our little one, too. That’s a lot.”

“Hee-hee, baking.”

“Have you given anymore thought to when you want to at least tell Momma, who you know will announce it to the world. Fair warning, that woman is a human megaphone.”

“Sweet jujubes! I completely forgot. I’ve been floating in our humble bubble here though being sick has taken some of the fun away. Wait” Twinkle’s arm shot up in the air as though he was commanding a crowd. “I have a fun idea. Why don’t we start a group chat with your mom on our phones and text back and forth about a baby between you and me like she’s not there. You and I both know she’ll call a second later. ”

“That is brilliant. What did you have in mind?”

Twinkle grabbed his phone off the counter and fired off a text. My phone chimed and as soon as I saw what he wrote I lost it. This was perfect.

Twinkle: What color do you want to paint the room?

Me: Something neutral since we don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl.

Twinkle counted aloud. “One, two,” then before he said three the phone rang, and I answered it on speaker.

“What baby? Whose baby?” Momma rapidly fired off. No hello or how are you, just straight to the point. “Who’s pregnant?”

Had she already forgotten our discussion at the jeweler the other day or was she playing it up. I hadn’t told Twinkle about that, so I had to play along, too.

“I am, Sandy.” Twinkle grinned even though she couldn’t see him.

I nearly dropped the phone when Momma screamed. “Oh. My. Goddess. I’m gonna be a Grandmother Levi. Levi, did you hear?”

Dad’s friendly voice echoed in the background. “Yes, this whole side of the mountain just heard you woman and FYI, you’re already a grandmother. ”

“When are you due? Do you know what you’re having? Why am I just now hearing about this? Shouldn’t I have been the first one you told?” Another expectation, the motherly guilt trip.

“Second, Momma. You know Grace was the first since she’s the midwife. Twinkle’s due date is the week of Christmas.” How serendipitous was that? My sweet elf was having our baby during his favorite season.

“Oh, I believe it. Santa has a mysterious way of working, doesn’t he?”

“I can pretty much promise Santa had nothing to do with this, Momma." The woman had lost her mind. As far as I knew, Santas had zero control when it came to heats and ruts. At least I hoped they didn’t. I viewed that as a level of creepiness I didn’t care to explore.

“We need to have a baby shower. We need to get that room done. Twinkle, you can’t paint. You can’t be anywhere near it or cat litter boxes.” Stage two, barking orders. There was a method to the woman’s madness, I thought…

“Momma, we don’t have a cat.” She truly tripped and sailed over the deep end.

“Twinkle, I’ll take you into that baby store that’s in town, and we can register you for all the things you’ll need. Like baby furniture, clothes, diapers, a breast pump. ”

“Breast pump?” Twinkle asked, his face a myriad of confusion.

“Yes, I have so much to show you. Twinkle, I am so excited.” That was putting it mildly. Momma rambled on and Twinkle appeared overwhelmed, so it was time to wrap this up.

“Momma, he’s had awful morning sickness in the afternoon. Grace and I are keeping a watchful eye on him. You might want to wait before you attempt to take him out and about, just in case. At least let him get through this first trimester and see if the nausea dissipates.”

‘You poor thing. I’ve been working on new meatless recipes and soups for you. I’ll bring some over later. But not too late, and some bread I baked. I need to check on my Twinkle.”

Her Twinkle.

His face lit up like his beloved Christmas tree when she said that. Look at me with the holiday metaphors. Guess my sweet mate rubbed off on me. It was so important to him, being a part of a family, and I couldn’t be more thankful that my pack were as open and accepting as they were. Many in the shifter community had same sex partners, it was second nature to us to accept everyone for who they were, unlike humans. One of many things I’ll never understand about their kind .

“Okay, Momma, we’ve got to go. I have to work, but Twinkle will be here. Just do me a favor and text him first before you come up to make sure that he’s not napping. He needs all the rest he can get.” Protective mode engaged. If Twinkle thought I treated him like a porcelain doll before, he was in for a bubble wrapped surprise because if that’s what it took to keep him and the baby safe, I’d invest in a factory full of it.

“Yes, yes, of course. I’ll do my best not to overwhelm him.”

In the background, my dad shouted out, “Lies, all lies. She’s lying to you.”

“Oh, that man.” She fired back. “I’ll deal with you when I get off the phone, Levi.”

“And on that note, it’s time for Twinkle and me to say goodbye. Love you, Momma.” I couldn’t disconnect the call fast enough.

“Monty bear, I’m overwhelmed. I didn’t know about any of these things. How will I be a good daddy if I don’t even know the first thing about babies?” That beautiful pouty lip made a heartbreaking appearance and shivered as he held back the tears.

“Sweetheart,” I took Twinkle’s hands in mine. “I’m barely a step ahead because of all the nieces and nephews I’ve got running around, but I’ve never changed a single diaper. We will learn together, I promise, and we’ve got enough family around to help us, not to mention free babysitters. It’ll be fine, trust me, Plus, you know any questions that you have, Grace and Momma will answer and there is always your new best friend, Google.” That brought back the smile I loved.

“I do enjoy that friend, it’s been most helpful with questions I have in this new life of mine though some of the stuff that pops up is scary.” Twinkle shivered.

I couldn’t imagine what he saw.

“I’d advise you narrow your searches to exact words before you end up somewhere you really don’t want to be. There are horrible things out there that will give you nightmares.” His eyes widened. “Yes, be very specific in what you search for.”

“Good to know and I promise to be more careful.”

I kissed his forehead. “I know you will, my love,” and finally pressed my lips to his. “I’ve got to run. Kody, Joe, and Seth are meeting me at the restaurant. It’s tile laying day. I will do my best to be home before, well, you know.” I dared not say the word vomit and curse this morning’s good fortune.

“I do. Are there any pills I can take or anything I can do to make it stop? ”

“I wish you could, sweetheart, unfortunately, that’s all part of the baby making process. Plus, taking certain mediations while pregnant can be dangerous to the baby. Don’t try anything without first consulting Grace. Okay?”

“Okay,” he wiggled his hips. “The making part was awesome but the baking part not so much.”

“Twinkle, you’re a poet and didn’t know it. That had to be one of the best lines I’ve heard in a long time. I’ll see you later, sweetheart. Love you.”

“Love you too, Monty bear.”