Page 61 of Courting the Krampus
We stop in front of the final house and, just because I’m feeling so ridiculously joyful today, add a mini polar bear to their snowmen.
When we start walking again, Jasper slips his hand back into mine and lifts it to his mouth, blowing warm air over my cold fingers. “Bertie told me he’s bringing stollen, which I’ve kindly requested he make, and I think Everett got something from a fancy Vegas place. Rollo is probably bringing some kind of meat.”
Natalie turns and walks backward while talking. “I’m so excited to see the girls again. We text often, but to actually have Diana, Sadie, and Florence here will be so much fun! It sucks that the others from the island couldn’t make it this time, maybe next year.”
Jasper’s smile turns sly. “It’ll be interesting to see how Rollo and his brothers are with Diana. They’re very tight-lipped about their situation, but I’m sure I can needle them enough to get some kind of answers.”
“Oh, I’ll be keeping a careful eye on the four of them too. I want to know how their dynamic works. Do you think she—”
I cut Natalie’s rambling off as I fist the front of her coat and drag her into our arms. “You two are trouble.”
“But you love trouble.”
“I really do.”
***
Our house is full. Busy. Chaotic. And I wouldn’t have Christmas dinner any other way again.
The voices of fourteen people chatting blend with the clanking of utensils on plates as we finish up the most delicious dinner. Jazz carols play softly in the background, creating the perfect harmony to the cozy atmosphere.
For our Christmas meal, we wedged two tables together to create one large seating arrangement, covering it with a deep red cloth. A pine garland with glittering ornaments stretches down the center of the table, dotted with tall white candles Natalie had to have. She said something about it creating the right ambiance. Jasper added strings of twinkling lights and wove them around the center arrangement, while I stacked plates with festive napkins.
On my left, Nick smiles at the story Quill tells him about his latest ice-fishing experience. My brother gives each person his full attention, despite how exhausted he must be after a full night of work.
The two sisters, Sadie and Florence, have an animated discussion across from me. One sister is dressed in a sparkly top that resembles the silver ornaments on the tree behind her, the other in a quirky hand-knit sweater with an oak tree on the front. It’s endearing to watch two people so completely opposite lean into each other, holding hands whenever they can, while still keeping some part of their bodies connected to their mates next to them.
At the other end of the dining table, my father gently engages the wolf shifters in conversation, even if their attention keeps diverting back to Diana. He has grown out his beard since we reconnected, once again embracing his Santa heritage.
Jasper places a hand on my thigh, and says into my mind, “Are you also enjoying how obsessed the wolf brothers are with Diana?”
I take the last bite of my food, then put my knife and fork together. “They’re almost as bad as I am. I’m more than obsessed with you and Natalie.”
“Stop,”Natalie says with gentle remonstrance as she nods along to whatever Diana is telling her.“You’re making me horny and some of these monsters have super sniffers. So unless you’re planning to eat some sugar cookies for dessert, then you’re going to have to stop saying things that’ll make me drip.”
Jasper smothers a laugh and I cough, drawing everyone’s gazes to us. I quickly recover and raise my glass. “How about a toast?”
Everyone follows suit and raises their glasses.
“To the happiest Christmas ever.”
“To the happiest Christmas ever,” they repeat, clinking glasses and exchanging sentimental looks that mirror my own.
After dinner, our guests retire to the living room for coffee and pastries. I watch them mingle from the kitchen doorway, silently basking in the beauty of so many loved ones from such different backgrounds coming together today. Inourhome.
I mentally capture the image, knowing no camera can do it justice and not ever wanting to forget this sight, or this feeling.
Next to the giant Christmas tree, sent straight from Pehmolelu—with an abundance of ornaments included—Jasper sits in an armchair with Natalie in his lap. I don’t think anyone has noticed yet, but the garlands Natalie hung in the tree aren’t festive flags. They’re cutouts of our cocks that she traced onto felt for accuracy.
A snort escapes me when I realize she’s draped them strategically, placing two balls below each cock.
Nick joins me and leans against the opposite doorjamb, a serene smile on his face as he also takes in the sight of our full and festive living room.
“This is my favorite Christmas ever,” he says, turning that sweet smile on me.
“Me too. Thanks for coming.”
“Thanks for inviting me.” The genuine gratitude in his voice makes my heart so full, and I thank the fates for bringing us all together.
