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

13. Chapter Thirteen

Twinkle

“Monty, do you think there’s enough lights on the tree?” I stood back, assessing his hard work. He wouldn’t let me near the ladder, couldn’t say I blamed him. As it was I could barely walk a straight line let alone balance above the ground.

“Sweetheart, if we put anymore lights on it we’ll alert the NASA space station currently orbiting the earth.”

“Pfft,” I huffed and grabbed another cookie. “The stockings over the fireplace are perfect. I love the one for our cookie.” We had the most Christmassy house on the mountain. Well, I thought we did. Monty said this was the first time he’d not only put up a tree but decorated inside and out. When he picked up the packages in town of all my orders he’d thought I lost my mind.

Maybe just a bit…

“They do. Are you warm enough? Can I get you anything?”

The closer I got to delivering the more of a nervous Monty he became. The impending winter storm didn’t help any with that. We’d bought an additional freezer that we put in the mud room and stocked full of meals just in case we got snowed in.

“Yes, I’m warm enough.” I plopped down on the couch and instantly regretted it. “Can you help me up. I want to make sure the baby’s room is clean.”

He stared blankly at me.

“What?”

“Okay…” he dragged the word out like I’d spoke a foreign language.

“The tree is perfect.” Monty insisted on cutting the tree from our own land which was beyond romantic, and he promised to replace it by planting a new one in the spring .

When he finally got me up, it took a couple of tugs, I decided I wanted to dust instead and grabbed the cloth we used for that. Since Christmas was tomorrow, everything had to be perfect.

Monty typed away on his phone while I got to work. Christmas tunes played in the background, which was a bit of a heated discussion but in the end sass, snark, and tears won out and we’d had them on ever since.

“Can you put the rest of the presents I wrapped under the tree please? They’re on the counter.”

“Of course, here,” he handed me a cup of cocoa with a candy cane sticking out of it.

He got me, he really got me. And yes, I still watched far too many romance movies.

“Thank you, my love.”

Tonight, the whole family would be over to exchange gifts, barring the storm, though they all believed we had another day or two before it would hit. I wasn’t allowed on the snowmobiles, given my condition, so they decided our house was best for the LeClaire holiday festivities. Fine by me, I was most comfortable here.

“It looks like the gifts are all lined up, waiting to be loaded onto Santa’s sleigh.” There were so many presents they were under the tree, beside the tree and along the adjacent wall .

“Tons of nieces and nephews to spoil and many for our cookie monster.”

The first time Monty said that I burst into tears, afraid he thought our baby was a literal monster. He calmed me down and turned Sesame Street on and showed me who it was. I felt foolish but ended up enjoying the show and even ordered a stuffed cookie monster for ours.

“Merry Christmas!” One by one the family piled in. I was perched in the recliner Monty purchased when I could no longer get myself out of precarious furnishings. This chair had an additional feature that pushed the unit forward and helped you stand. Best invention ever and it came with a remote control.

“Twinkle, stay put,” Sandy said, “we’ll come to you.”

Everyone fixed their plates and Sandy brought me mine. “I made this special for you and I promise it’s animal free.”

“Thanks, Sandy.”

“Twinkle, what did I tell you?”

It tugged at my heart to say it as I’d longed for one of my own for so long. “Thanks, Momma.”

She kissed the top of my head. “You are very welcome, sweet boy. Now feed my grandbaby.”

My only contribution to this meal was a ton of sugar cookies. They weren’t as immaculately decorated as normal, Monty had to help me, and his hand wasn’t as steady. More like his attention to detail was sorely lacking but we had fun making them. At least, I did.

The kids were getting restless, as was I though mine wasn’t for presents. Levi played Santa, fake hat and all and handed out the presents.

“Are you okay, Twinkle?” Monty whispered to me.

“Just cramping up. I might have to pee for the thousandth time today.”

“How long have you had cramps?”

“Off and on all day.”

“Wait, what?” His voice was loud enough to startle those standing near. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Seemed inconsequential. I’ve been restless and uncomfortable for the last few days and figured I’d eaten something the baby didn’t like.” My cravings were bordering on outlandish as of late. Peanut butter and jelly with a side of dill pickle slices and for some reason I wanted olives on everything though Monty said no way when I tried to put them on my pancakes this morning.

Monty flagged Grace down who came right over. “Cramping?”

“Yes.”

“Any blood?”

“Not that I’ve noticed but I haven’t done, you know, anything that needs to be wiped.” Hadn’t pooped for two days now and it felt like I was about to in my pants. “Feels like I have to now though.”

“Monty, it’s time.”

I swear the entire room went silent, kids included.

“I’ll line the bed with towels.” Sandy headed back toward our room, but Monty just stood there.

“Monty, snap out of it. Your mate needs you.” Grace’s voice rose and he finally came around. “Get Twinkle up and walk him back to the room. Now.”

Monty came and helped me up while the others started cleaning up the wrapping paper and the kitchen.

“Ow! Ow! Ow!” I stopped halfway down the hall when the strongest cramp I’d had yet hit me. As soon as it subsided another followed. At the slowest pace known to man, I made my way down the hall, stopping with each contraction until I finally made it to our room.

“Close the door, Monty, and undress Twinkle.”

Momma, Grace, Monty and I were the only ones in the room.

“Twinkle, do you want me to leave?” Momma asked. We hadn’t decided whether or not to have her in the room but right now, I needed her grounding force.

“No, I need you.”

“Anything for you, sweetheart. ”

Momma helped Grace get the bed ready while Monty stripped me down. I was in far too much pain to care who saw my bits and baubles.

“Twinkle and I discussed it, and he opted for a standard, non-water delivery.” Grace let Momma know. “Twinkle, let’s get you situated so I can see how far you’re dilated.”

Just as she reached for my underside another contraction hit. “Ahhhhh!” I clenched my jaw and rode out the pain.

“He’s nearly there, at eight centimeters and I can feel the baby’s head.”

“Twinkle, we only have a moment for you to decide if you want me to run the numbing cream around your opening. Yes or no?” Grace asked. She’d already gloved up and had the container in hand.

“Yes please, as long as it won’t hurt the baby.”

“It won’t.” It warmed as she applied it, then the sensation dulled.

Monty sat beside me and held one of my hands, Momma on the other. The love in this room was overwhelming. My life was so full and on the brink of becoming fuller with the birth of our little cookie.

“Twinkle, it’s time. When I tell you to push, you need to push as hard as you can.”

“My back is killing me. ”

“Monty, move him forward and lay a pillow down then put him back in place. That will relieve some of the pressure.”

The discomfort at being moved in this state was not fun, but I refused to say that and risk upsetting Monty, though I nearly screamed.

“All right Twinkle, it’s time. Now Push!”

“Ahhhhhh!” I screamed as I bore down and pushed with all my might.

“Nearly there. The head is crowning. Push!”

“Ahhhhh!”

Back and forth we went between relax and push, and I thought I might pass out. What kept me from giving up was that tiny body Monty and I made that we were dying to meet.

“Shoulders are next. Push, Twinkle!”

Too exhausted to scream, I bore down and pushed with what energy I had left. “No more,” I muttered. My body was tired, my brain ached and I’m not even gonna mention what my bottom half felt like, the numbing cream long since wore off.

“Good, because she’s here.”

“She?” We had a daughter.

“Yes.” Grace laid her on the portable scale she had. “All eight pounds of a beautiful, healthy, baby girl. Monty, cut her cord.” She handled Monty the scissors and he snipped. Grace wrapped her in a blanket and handed her to Monty.

“Hello, Luna. Welcome to the family.”

“Luna?” I whispered.

“Yes, Luna. She’s shines as brightly as the moon.” He handed her to me. “Luna, meet your Daddy.”

“Hello my beautiful Luna. Welcome to the light.” There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Monty, me, Momma and Grace’s eyes spilled over with happy tears.

“I’ll get the warm water so we can get her cleaned up and she can meet the clan. You did great, Twinkle. Congrats Daddy and Papa.” Grace left the three of us with our amazing daughter.

“You were right all along, Twinkle. We were having a girl.”

“Ah telepathy between carrier and carry-e.,” Momma said. Not sure if that was a real word but I’d let it slide. “I knew with each of the kids what their sex was but never said it aloud for fear of jinxing it. Oftentimes I wondered if they didn’t communicate that detail with us while we kept them warm and incubated.”

Grace washed our sweet girl up and one by one the family funneled in to meet her. Blessings and well wishes were shared for our Christmas miracle born just after midnight. After the others left, Grace did one final check, and made sure Luna latched onto my nipple and fed.

“It’s important to have that connection with your baby. Your milk is the best thing for her right now. If she were to reject it we’d have to try a formula. If you have any issues with her or with healing, call me immediately.”

“Thank you Grace, for everything. I love you,” Monty hugged her.

“Love you too big brother and love you as well, brother Twinkle.” With a final hug she, Aiden, and Kaleb left.

“Our little Christmas miracle,” Monty said.

“Yes, she is,” a familiar voice replied.

“Santa twenty-seven!” I whispered, shocked to see him here.

“Congratulations, Twinkle and Monty. She’s beautiful as is her namesake.”

“Thank you,” we both replied as one.

“Monty, nice to formally meet you.”

Monty nodded. “Santa, how do you know my name?”

“Santa knows everyone’s name, it’s his job.”

“That’s right. Twinkle, you’ve changed your life around and become the elf I knew you could always be.”

“I’m not an elf, not any longer. I’m a LeClaire.” Monty proudly puffed up at my words .

“That being said, I’ll grant you one last wish. What one thing would you like to have from your old life before we part ways for good?”

I glanced down at my sweet princess Luna and up at Monty, my wonderful fiancé and Papa to our girl. Her eyes, blue like mine, and her hair as dark as his. She had so much already.

“Thank you for the offer, Santa, but everything I need is right here.”

“Not even to wish for your beloved elf ears back?”

“No. Ears don’t make the man. The choices the man makes in life does and while there was a time my choices were less than stellar, that time is no more. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”

“That you are, Twinkle.” Santa turned to Monty. “Monty, I believe you’ve got this under control.”

“ We have this under control. Twinkle and I are a team.”

“That you do. Twinkle, I’m very proud of you. You’ve not only fulfilled the stipulations set upon you in order to remain human, but you’ve fallen in love and have made a beautiful family with your mate.”

I glanced down at the beautiful life that Monty and I had created.

“Yes, we have, and I couldn’t be happier. ”

“ We couldn’t be happier,” Monty corrected. The love radiating from my soon to be husband filled me with a warmth that no Yuletide fire ever could.

“Merry Christmas, LeClaire’s.”

“Merry Christmas, Santa,” Monty and I replied.

Santa disappeared just as quickly as he’d come.

“And a very Merry Christmas it is,” I said to our sweet girl.

“The best. You’ve made me the happiest man in the world, Twinkle. I promise to love and protect you and our Luna for as long as I live.”

There wasn’t a doubt in my mind of that.