Page 30 of A Trident Christmas Baby

“Seriously?” Ace asked, his voice flat.

“Seriously,” Sparky said.

Before Ace could respond, another elf, a petite blonde with glitter in her hair, bounced over. “I’m Twinkles! Can I meet your baby when it’s born? I love babies!”

Ace pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t have time for this.”

“It’s this or wait for the rental people to figure out their mess,” Irish said.

Potter leaned over, whispering in Ace’s ear. “I think we’re being kidnapped by elves.”

Ace sighed. “Fine. What choice do I have? Let’s go.”

The team piled into the van with three of the elves. Twinkles and Skippy hopped into the back with the team while Ace slid into the front passenger seat. He watched with a mix of horrorand fascination as Sparky climbed up in the driver’s seat but then adjusted a gadget to reach the pedals.

He didn’t have time even to think before Sparky started up the van and put it in gear. As they pulled out of the parking lot with the box truck following them, Sparky played with the radio. Moments laterJingle Bell Rockblared from the speakers.

Ace shook his head, but a reluctant laugh escaped. No matter how ridiculous this was, he’d do whatever it took to get to Alex, even if it meant hitching a ride with a few festive misfits.

For the past hour, Ace sat in the passenger seat of the van, his arms crossed, his brow furrowed, and his gaze fixed on Sparky, the elf behind the wheel. The cheerful man hummed along to the Christmas carols echoing from the back, completely oblivious to Ace’s incredulous stare.

Sparky was happy—toohappy. His grin hadn’t faltered once, and his pointed elf ears twitched ever so slightly every time he bobbed his head to the beat. Ace tried not to look, but his curiosity got the better of him.

“How do you even…” Ace muttered under his breath, then shook his head.

Sparky glanced over. “You say something, big guy?”

Ace hesitated, then gestured vaguely toward Sparky’s head. “Your ears… are they real?”

Sparky winked. “Christmas magic, my friend.”

Ace grunted, deciding he really didn’t want to know. He glanced over his shoulder to the back of the van, where the chaos was reaching a fever pitch.

Twinkles and Skippy had somehow coerced the team into a non-stop Christmas carol marathon. Dino was fully invested, singing with a dramatic flair that rivaled a Broadway star. Irish, despite his usual sarcasm, had leaned into the absurdity, harmonizing with surprising talent. Stitch was slightly off-key but enthusiastic, and even Skittles had joined in, providing abeat with his hands on the seat in front of him. Diego had somehow fallen asleep.Lucky him.

Potter and Frost, however, remained stoically silent, their arms crossed and his face a stony mask of defiance.

“Come on, big guys!” Twinkles leaned forward, sticking her head between the two brooding SEALs. Her glittery hair bounced every time she moved her head. “You’ve got the voice of an angel, I can tell!”

Potter raised an eyebrow, unmoved. Frost just rolled his eyes. The site almost made Ace laugh out loud.

Twinkles narrowed her eyes, her voice dropping into a mock snarl. “You better sing, or I’ll tell Santa you’ve been naughty.”

Even the others started giving them shit and telling them to sing.

Ace smirked as both Potter and Frost let out a low, rumbling sigh before joining the chorus toRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The back of the van erupted into cheers.

“I hate all of you,” Potter grumbled, but there was the faintest twitch of a smile at the corner of his lips.

Ace turned back to the front, groaning in relief as the Children's Center came into view. “Finally,” he muttered.

Sparky pulled into the lot and parked the van as the box truck followed suit. The team piled out, grateful for the chance to stretch their legs.

The next half hour was a whirlwind of activity. Presents of all shapes and sizes were hauled from the box truck and carried into the center. Ace moved with urgency. His focus split between helping and checking his watch. Every tick of the second hand felt like a punch to the gut. Alex was so close. He couldn’t afford any more delays.

“Almost done!” Twinkles chirped as she hefted a small box.

Ace barely managed a tight smile as he followed her inside with an armful of gifts. When the last present was finally unloaded, he turned to the team. “Let’s go!”

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