Page 29 of Naughty Elf: Wink

When I was done, I leaned back and admired my work. “Perfect,” I said.

Derek’s face was filled with wonder. “I can’t see it from this angle, but I canfeelit.” He set his hand over it, reverently. “I can feelyou, and you’re so beautiful.” He tipped up to kiss me. “I’m so glad fate brought us together, but I’m even more grateful that you were brave enough to show yourself to me.”

We laid in bed, our bodies entwined even after my knot had slipped free. We both knew we should sleep while we could, that newborns were rarely quiet for long, but neither of us could bring ourselves to close our eyes. This moment was special. Everything had changed, and we were determined to remember every second of it.

When we heard Eve’s first stirring through the monitor, we both smiled. “Are you ready for this adventure with me?” Derek asked.

“More than ready,” I assured him, pulling back the blanket and rolling from the bed, before offering him my hand. “Shall we?”

He took my hand, and together, we began the rest of our life.

20

Derek

Christmas Eve had been the longest day, between feedings and diaper changes, the midwife’s visit, not to mention getting adjusted to all the major life upheavals, so it was no surprise that by 11pm, I was drooping.

Wink had already proven himself to be the very best mate a man could’ve asked for. He’d taken care of everything—the laundry, the cooking, and even giving Eve her first bath (which I’d tried to do but had started crying so hard at how happy I was, I was worried I’d drop her).

I’d finished feeding her, rocking slowly in the chair watching her drift to sleep, her eyelashes splayed over her cheeks, but I just didn’t have the energy to stand up, so Wink had scooped her up and gotten her changed, then set her in the cradle, now in our room because the thought of being too far was physically painful.

“Come on, love. It’s bedtime,” Wink said, helping me up from the rocking chair and nudging me toward the bed.

“But—” I started to argue. “Milk and cookies for Santa?”

“Don’t worry, I took care of it.”

That wasn’t what I’d actually been thinking. And it wasn’t just that I didn’t want to miss a moment with Eve. It wasn’t Christmas yet. The ticking clock that had been silently counting down all year, forever looming in the background, an unspoken threat that my mate could be taken from me.

But Wink knew my secret fears, of course he did, and he wouldn’t hear of it. He shushed me and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. “Don’t worry. I’ll still be here tomorrow.” He said it with such certainty, and I wanted nothing more than to believe him.

Even with his assurances, I fought to keep my eyes open. Long blinks between watching the clock. 11: 25, 11:37, 11: 58.

When I next opened my eyes, the clock read 1:33am, and the bed beside me was empty. Panic gripped me, adrenaline surging, and I sat up, eyes straining in the dark, fearing the worst. But then I heard it… a familiar voice, humming a gentle tune.

Crawling out of bed, my heart still thumping far too hard in my chest, I followed the sound until I found Wink in the living room, rocking Eve. They were standing by the window, watching the snow fall. He turned when he heard me. “Sorry, Eve woke up, but I thought I could maybe let you sleep a little longer.”

I nodded, my throat too tight for words as tears dripped free, trickling down my cheeks.

Wink was at my side in a heartbeat. “Hey, it’s okay. Everything’s fine.”

“You weren’t there and—and Santa said that—” My sobs were jagged, but he was there, wrapping his arms around me, so solid andreal.

“Oh dear,” a new voice said, drawing our attention as our heads jerked up. “I never meant to make anyone cry.”

A man stood there, wearing a bright red suit cuffed in white, black leather boots, and a wide black belt with brass buckle. No matter that Wink had explained that not all Santas looked the same, I couldn’t help but think there was no mistaking that white beard. “Santa!” I squeaked. I mean, I knew he existed, never doubted Wink’s tales for a second, but that didn’t make the expression any less true—seeing really was believing! This was every childhood dream come true!

I suddenly realized what a mess I must look, and I wiped madly at my cheeks. Wink, however, looked a little confused and… hurt. “This isn’t your route,” he said.

“Uh, no, you’re correct, but I asked Santa 88 if we could trade this year.” Santa approached us slowly, nearly tripping over Chewy as he wove his way around Santa’s ankles. “There was something I wanted to say to you. To both of you,” he added, looking at me sheepishly. “A little apology.”

Wink waited in stony silence; he wasn’t going to make it easy on him. As unofficial mediary, I took Eve from Wink and passed her over to Santa. He exhaled a soft “Oh!” then held her to his shoulder, sighing. “I haven’t held a newborn in a very long time. Not since my youngest was born.”

That seemed to melt the ice between them, and Wink sagged. “You know, I understand why you sent me here. I was never going to fit in with the other elves, but you never told me what I had to do, so all year, I’ve been terrified that it wasn’t enough. I helped Derek become whole, reunited him with his grandmother, helped Mr. Jorgensen start a whole cookie empire. It wasn’t until midnight that I knew for sure that I was safe. Which task did it?”

Santa’s eyes softened. “Oh, Wink, I am truly sorry. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy. You found love. You found where you belong. That’s all that ever mattered to me.”

Wink frowned. “You need to work on your communication skills.”

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