Page 55 of Courting the Krampus
Nick Senior winces. “Ah, firstly, this is a poor excuse, but I’ll try my best to explain it. The connection between Cole—C-O-L-E—and coal—C-O-A-L—didn’t enter my mind at the time of naming him. You see, the names ‘Cole’ and ‘Nick’ both mean the exact same thing. Maybe I’ve never stated it clearly, but it’s a beautiful meaning that I also have the privilege of sharing. It means ‘victory of the people.’ I always meant for Cole and Nick to be a team—a unit, if you will—working together toward making Christmas special for people all around the world.”
Cole tilts his head to the side, astonishment lacing his tone as he asks, “Cole and Nick have the same meaning?”
A glum smile twists Nick Senior’s lips. “They do.”
Quill slaps his friend’s shoulder. “Nick, why haven’t you ever told him this? I remember how excited you were when he was born. Scared too, yes. But you were so excited to have the perfect name.”
A defeated sigh drifts from Nick Senior. “I was a fool. Still am in many ways. Though, I’ll be trying my utmost for a second chance to be part of Cole and his mates’ lives. If they’ll allow me.”
“Not gonna lie, that’s kind of cute,” Jasper says. The tension breaks as we laugh at his remark.
Feeling Cole’s emotions throughout this conversation flow from apprehension to empathy and finally blooming with hope, has me feeling very optimistic about his relationship with his father.
When the laughter tapers off, I fake a sulk that would make Jasper proud. “Ugh, sucks to say, but this is all kind of redeeming Nick Senior in my eyes.”
Nick Senior reaches across the table and I give him my hand. His is warm and calloused, speaking to his many years of toy making. The last threads of my apprehension melt away when he focuses his sincerity on me. “That means a lot to me. I am not taking your tentative approval lightly. I hope that over the years we can all get to know each other and I can make up for all the wrong that I’ve done.”
Jasper clutches his heart dramatically. “You’ve got to stop with the sweet sayings. My heart is going to burst with all these gooey feelings.”
I let go of Nick Senior’s hand and straighten my shoulders. “While we’re on the topic of gooey feelings,” I start hesitantly, “I think I have an idea for the Naughty List.”
Quill brings his hands together in an exuberant clap. “Oh, how marvelous. You four go chat in the living room and I’ll bring you some eggnog,” he offers and starts to gather our empty plates.
“I’m hoping to hear your opinion on this too, Quill,” I say.
Quill pauses and looks at me over his half-moon glasses. “Me?”
“I hope so.”
“Okay. Can’t wait to hear what it is. But I still need my eggnog. In my old age, I can’t sleep well without it.”
“Let me help you,” Nick Senior offers. He stands up to take the plates from his friend and for a minute, I almost forgot how tall Santas are. Despite Quill being quite literally half his size, they seem to have an ease about them that comes from years of companionship.
Jasper, Cole, and I head for the antique two-seater couch covered in a rich crimson velvet. Like it’s second nature by now, Jasper pulls me onto his lap and Cole puts my legs across his thighs, gently massaging my sock-clad feet.
“Thank you for speaking up for me,” Cole says, his eyes misting with gratefulness. “If you hadn’t come into our lives, I would’ve still been walking around with so much hurt based on misunderstandings. In such a short time, you’ve torn walls down and sped up timelines. You’re the reason we’re healing and thriving. If I didn’t believe the fates had sent you before, I am a big fucking believer now. Thank you.” Cole’s final words come out on a choked whisper, the corners of his mouth pulled down with gratitude.
I take his hand in mine and press a kiss to his knuckles. “I’ll always fight for our happiness, no matter how many lines I have to cross. Fixing things between you and Daddy Santa is all part of that. I’m only happy when my mates are happy.”
Jasper wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me closer. “Our lives have literally changed because of you. We are so thankful for every single thing you’ve said and done, and what you’re apparently still doing. Why didn’t you tell us about your idea sooner?” I detect a hint of hurt in Jasper’s voice as he buries his nose in my hair.
I lean back and cup his face so I can meet his eyes. “It’s something that’s slowly been brewing in my mind over the last few days. But after hearing more tonight, I think it might work. I wanted to be sure before I said anything.”
Cole cups my ankle, his thumb tracing gentle patterns across my leggings. “Whatever it is, we’re in.”
“Just because we’re mated, doesn’t mean you have to blindly follow everything I say.”
Cole chuckles. “We know. But we also knowyouand how your brilliant mind works. Based on overwhelming evidence, we can already deduce that it’s going to be an ingenious plan.” I push my love and appreciation down the bond to both my mates just as the two other males enter the room.
“Okay, Natalie,” Nick Senior says after a sip of his well-spiced eggnog. “How can we be of assistance with your plan?”
“It’s actually quite straightforward. Jasper writes children’s stories. I draw. Cole loves books and does binding as a hobby. Quill is tired and this village needs a makeover. And you, Daddy Santa, have the knowledge to know if a good children’s book will work as a replacement for coal for Christmas. Would our book inspire kids to enact enough change in their lives… to get on the Good List?”
“That’s clever,” Nick Senior says, ignoring my Daddy Santa moniker. “I think for this to work, it would need to be a really good story. One with a clear message. Something that would captivate them and make them look forward to next Christmas.”
I look around the room to see their reactions, each male carefully considering my proposal before giving me feedback. I appreciate them taking the time and not just humoring me with positive responses.
Jasper is the first to break out of his thinking trance. “How the Children Helped the Nutcrackers Save Christmas,” he says slowly, his smile growing bigger and more confident with each word.
