Page 56 of Courting the Krampus
I nod back at him. “That was the story that first had me thinking of the idea.”
Quill drops his chin and looks at us over the rim of his glasses. “You already have a story?”
Cole sits up a little straighter, his eyes sparkling. “It’s perfect. Jasper’s story is practically ready to go. We can use many of the drawings from Natalie’s sketchbook as illustrations. If we formatted the story well, this could really be inspirational.”
“Natalie, can you show us your drawings?” Nick Senior asks, putting down his glass as his own excitement grows.
Underneath me, Jasper is practically squirming in his seat, his legs bouncing as the whole room’s energy shifts with the idea of finally finding something that could work.
“Jasper, get your story ready. I’ll transcribe,” Quill offers, downing the last dregs of his eggnog.
We spend the rest of the night ironing out details and fine-tuning the story. I make notes of new drawings I’ll add, and which ones I’ve completed that we’ll use. Cole chats to Quill about what kind of paper would work best and which materials they’ll use for the cover, and how many extra workers they’ll need to complete the book in time for Christmas.
By the time morning comes, we’re exhausted and exhilarated. We video call Nick with our plan, the complete story, and rough sketches in hand.
And, we get his approval.
I think we may have just saved Christmas for every child on the Naughty List.
Chapter twenty-six
Jasper
“Jas, you look snazzy,” Natalie says brightly, inspecting the silver tinsel she just zigzagged between my horns. I do a spin for her and pretend the living room is my personal catwalk, strutting my way across it to show off my new festive look.
Now that we’ve been in Kirja for the last couple of months, I’ve stopped wearing bells on my horns—there’s only so much jingling I could handle. Instead, Natalie has taken it upon herself to find an array of accessories to decorate them with. Since tinsel seems to be in abundant supply today, thanks to it being our official Christmas Decorating Day, I’m not surprised that some has found its way onto my horns.
“Why, thank you, my dear,” I say and squeeze her delectable ass. “Later, I want you spread out under this tree, wearing nothing but tinsel.” I can already imagine how much fun it would be unwrapping her like she’s our favorite present.
“That can be arranged.” Natalie winks at me before sauntering over to Cole with his own string of silver tinsel. She arranges it in a sparkly scarf around his neck and my heart shimmers at the sight. They look beautiful together—relaxed and cozy, and…mine.
This year, Christmas approached way faster than expected. Since the moment Nick approved our pitch for our Nutcracker tale, we’ve been running full steam ahead to get the story and illustrations ready, and the right quantities produced. No coal needed this year.
It’s amazing doing this with my mates. Each of us is involved in different parts of the book’s creation, and working together as a team is so rewarding. Sharing ideas with them and planning for future Christmases, is more than I could have ever dreamed of.
We have even planned out more books, and not just for the Naughty List. Some of the stories I wrote in the Alps—stories I thought no one would ever read—have also been chosen by Nick Senior, Nick, and Quill to be published forallchildren. Natalie has already sketched out ideas for their illustrations so they can be ready for Christmas next year.
Because all three of us enjoy being hands-on, we have remained in Kirja. Quill has handed over the reins to Cole, remaining on long enough to oversee the transition before he can finally enjoy retirement. I think Nick Senior mentioned something about a long-overdue ice-fishing trip the two of them have planned.
I climb back onto the ladder next to our very own Christmas tree, a box of ornaments balanced precariously on the top rung.
“Can you turn on some music, please?” I ask Cole, wanting all the happy Christmas vibes this year, including obnoxious Christmas carols I can belt out at the top of my voice.
“Good idea. Twinkle sent me a link to an album the Pehmolelu choir recorded, and I haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet,” Cole says, flinging his tinsel scarf over his shoulder before reaching for his phone.
When the first notes of “Carol of the Bells” hits, I wiggle my butt like I’m right there in Pehmolelu, performing with them.
The last couple of months have been busy with renovations on the guest cottage to turn it into our permanent home. And now, it’s finally time to decorate for our first Christmas together.
“This is looking gorgeous,” Natalie says, handing me a couple of snowflake ornaments. “I know none of us have had spectacular Christmases so far, but this is shaping up to look like the best one ever.”
“I’m pretty sure nothing can beat this. Ever. Having you…” My words break off as an unwelcome sensation roils through my body. I step down the ladder, bracing one hand against it as my jaws start to ache.
“Fuck,” I say on a guttural groan.
“Jas, are you okay?” Cole asks, hands running all over my body, looking to find what’s wrong.
“What’s today’s date?” I ask, bracing myself against the discomfort burning through my body, as well as the answer.
