Santa Daddy, I’m Not the One

Epilogue

LANDON

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of my coat, a grin spreading across my face. In the past several months, Nils had watched over me intensely, ensuring that I ate to put back the weight I’d lost and a little more. The man doted on me more than was healthy, but neither of us cared. We were happy, as were the people of Twinkle Glen.

The town was in the middle of the festive season and looked more enchanting than ever. The soft glow of snowflakes falling outside the window cast a magical light over everything. I couldn’t believe I’d ever forgotten about this place. How had I let it slip away from my memory? But being back now, it felt like coming home.

I couldn’t wait for the ball tonight, to stand by Santa’s side, laughing and dancing beneath the stars. I’d missed the ball last year, all thanks to Frostheart and the mess that followed, but this year, nothing was going to stop me.

A sharp knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called.

The door creaked open, and Dolbie peeked in, wearing the knitted red scarf I’d made him. My knitting was poor, but that didn’t seem to matter to him. “Landon, Santa’s waiting for you.”

My heart skipped a beat. It was time. After begging and cajoling, Nils had agreed to take me with him to deliver the Christmas gifts on his last night. This year’s trip lasted five days because he insisted on returning home each day so we were never apart for the entire day.

Nodding, I grabbed my coat and hurried out the door, excitement bubbling in my chest. In the kitchen, I gathered the thermos and cookies I’d prepared specially for our adventure. What could be more romantic than sipping cocoa while soaring above the clouds?

The snow crunched beneath my boots as I walked to the stables, my breath misting in the cold air. Nils stood beside the gleaming sleigh, the reindeer lined up and ready, their bells jingling softly in the crisp night.

A smile lit up his face. Before I could say a word, he closed the distance between us and kissed me, warm and gentle. “Are you sure you want to go with me this year?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with concern and excitement.

“Of course. I’m not going to be like Mrs. Claus in those books, sitting around sipping cocoa while you do all the work. I want to be by your side, bringing joy to the world.” The reindeer grunted impatiently. “Besides, I brought the hot cocoa. Let’s go deliver some gifts.”

Santa chuckled, his warm laugh filling the night air. “All right, if you’re sure. Are you ready?”

I gave him a firm nod, my heart pounding with excitement. He stored the thermos and cookies in the back, then helped me to climb into the sleigh before joining me. The reindeer pawed at the ground, ready to take flight.

“Then let’s go.” Santa took the reins.

Delivering gifts to children around the world was, without a doubt, the most profound thing I had ever done. The joy on their faces, the sense of wonder as we flew from home to home—it made me feel part of something bigger. There had even been a moment when I almost got caught by a little girl who had wandered into the living room.

I had ducked behind a Christmas tree, holding my breath and pressing a gloved finger to my lips as I caught sight of Nils down the hallway. He had disappeared into a shadow, giving himself a glamour to remain concealed. The moment we were back in the sleigh, soaring high above the snow-capped roofs, we had burst into quiet laughter.

Now we were back in Twinkle Glen, handing over the reins of the reindeer to the elves who would take care of them after their long journey. Our eyes met as our gloved hands brushed. We were tired, but the adrenaline still coursed through our veins. Our cheeks flushed from the cold, and our eyes sparkled with the joy of accomplishment.

Nils patted one of the reindeer’s necks and turned to me with a soft smile. The elves led the reindeer away, their bells jingling softly.

“So, what do you think?” he asked, his voice gentle but filled with that familiar warmth.

I smiled back, my chest swelling with contentment. “It was incredible. Honestly, I’ve never felt anything like it. It’s like… pure happiness. I’m so glad I got to do this with you.”

He took my hand, and we walked toward the workshop, our boots crunching through the fresh snow. “I’m glad you came. It wouldn’t have been the same without you. You certainly made the night come alive.”

His words warmed me from the inside out, chasing away the chill of the night. “Thank you,” I murmured, giving his hand a soft squeeze. When we entered the bustling workshop, enthusiastic elves delighted to see us back greeted us.

They applauded us loudly, their high-pitched cheers echoing through the high beams of the workshop. Nils waved at them, his face lit with pride. The sight of him, the leader of such a magnificent operation, filled me with admiration and love. Love for this man who gave so much of himself to ensure that millions of children woke up on Christmas Day with smiles on their faces.

The smell of pine and peppermint was all comforting. I’d enjoyed the night, but it had also been grueling work. We set off along the hall to Nils’s room—our room. I’d been wanting to strip him out of his outfit all night.

I grinned teasingly at him. "Ready to lose the suit, Jolly Old St. Nick?"

“Who’re you calling old?”

“Correct me if I am wrong, but you’re over seven hundred years old, aren’t you?” I poked his red-coated belly.

He caught my finger and backed me up against the door. “You don’t seem to mind playing with my seven-hundred-year-old candy cane. In fact, I think you have way too much fun with it.”

He brought my hand down to his groin, a glint of daring in his eyes. I laughed, relishing in the playful banter.

“Ah, Santa, I think you’ll be getting a coal in your stocking this year.”

Nils cupped my chin, settling his lips over mine. “I don’t mind what I get as long as I’ll have you tied up in a pretty red bow naked later.”

His gaze was intense, and a shiver of expectation fluttered down my spine.

Nils chuckled against my lips, his warm breath washing over me like a soothing balm after the long and exciting night. His hands traveled up to the sides of my face, cradling it with a tenderness that caused my heart to swell.

We continued trading sugary kisses laced with gentle teasing. Moaning, I pumped his erection in my palm. He let out a deep groan and moved away from me.

“We still have to change and get to the ball,” he said. “Plus, I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” I eased my hand away.

He unlocked the door and stepped aside. "Surprise!" His face glowed with the reflection of the twinkling lights.

I stood in the doorway, speechless. Boxes, beautifully wrapped in shimmering paper of various colors—red, green, gold—topped with intricate bows and delicate ornaments, were stacked against the far wall.

“All for me?” I asked, stunned. “Nils! Why did you do this? I have everything I need with you. You didn’t need to get me all these presents.”

He offered me that genuine, heart-stopping smile that always made my knees weak. "Because I wanted to. I wanted to give you the world, and I know I can't. But this…this is a start."

Tears welled in my eyes welled, and I leaned into him, resting my head on his chest. His strong arms wrapped around me and gathered me close, so close the steady thump of his heart beat like a comforting rhythm in my ear. I took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of him—pine and snow and a hint of peppermint.

After several moments of comfortable silence, Nils motioned toward the gift-wrapped boxes. "Go on. You have time to open one."

I eyed the gifts hesitantly, but the childlike excitement in Nils’s eyes was contagious, and I pulled off the sparkling red ribbon of the box closest to me.

Inside was a red remote-controlled race car. I ran my fingers over the silver trims glinting along the edges, the smoothness of its surface.

I frowned, confused. “Is this a kid’s toy?”

Nils’s expression softened. “These are the gifts I sent you over the years, the ones you never received. That one you wanted when you were twelve.”

My breath caught, and my heart raced with emotion. All those years, all those Christmases I’d thought I was forgotten. With tears in my eyes, I turned to Nils.

“Nils,” I choked. He stepped closer and embraced me tightly, resting his chin atop my head.

“I never forgot you,” he whispered. “You were such a good boy. I checked the records, and you deserved every single one of those gifts. They were stolen from you, and now I’m returning them. I just hope it’s not too late.”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Overwhelmed by the gesture, I squeezed him tightly, burying my face in his chest. We stood like that, wrapped in each other's arms amid a room full of presents from the past.

“It’s not too late,” I finally said. “I promise I’ll play with every single one of them and cherish them.”

"Let's open another one." Nils handed me another beautifully wrapped gift.

Teary-eyed but grinning, I unwrapped it with shaking hands and found a telescope inside. Memories flooded back in of late nights spent looking up at the stars, dreaming of venturing into space. I couldn't believe he remembered.

"It's the one you wanted when you were fifteen," Nils said, his voice heavy with emotion.

I’d cried myself to sleep that night when I hadn’t received a gift.

I nodded. There were so many presents: glimpses of years gone by, reminders of forgotten dreams and wishes. Each gift was like a time capsule, taking me back to the boy I used to be.

"Thank you." I held the telescope tightly in my hands. “I don’t even know what to say.” And I hated that I was crying.

Santa kissed the top of my head, his hand resting warmly on my back. “You don’t have to say anything. I love you, Landon.”

“I love you too.” I inhaled deeply, then let the breath out. “You know, when you brought me here the first time, I was convinced it was a mistake, that I wasn’t the one. But that didn’t matter. The important thing was that you were—are—the one for me, Santa Daddy.”

“As you are for me.”

His lips touched mine. I’d made the right choice months ago to leave my life behind him and follow him forever in Twinkle Glen. I was exactly where I was meant to be—by Nils’s side, now and always.