Page 26 of Temporary Santa's Knotty Workshop
I wasn’t like my brother-in-law and his mate. I didn’t keep my house decorated for Christmas all year long. Well, I did, but not to that extent. There were some things that were special just for the holiday. That was why I needed my Christmas closet. It had nothing to do with pregnancy hormones making everything feel a thousand times bigger than they were. Nope. Couldn’t be that.
I grabbed my coat, not even bothering to try and button it, because that was a fool’s errand. It had been two months since I’d come close to being able to get it closed. After putting the leashes on the two dogs, the three of us left our small cabin and walked around back to the stable that Nick had designed for Campbell’s horses.
The North Pole wasn’t the natural habitat for horses, but this was North Pole Village, not the wilderness. There was enough magic here that it was warm enough, and the stables and arena he and Campbell built were spectacular. So far, they’d adjusted well, and my mate had taken to giving some of the young elves horseback-riding lessons.
Campbell did an amazing job last year getting all the gifts where they needed to be last Christmas. He said it was because he had my gift to look forward to, but I knew it was that he took his responsibility seriously. But as great as he had been at it, the workshop wasn’t where his heart was—the stables were.
“Let’s see if Daddy’s almost done.”
I never needed to know where he went on the property. The dogs always just led me straight to him. It was pretty handy, actually. When we found him, he was brushing the colt. It was the first colt born to them since he moved up here, and her name was Miracle, because obviously it must be a Christmas miracle, even though she wasn’t born at Christmas. But I went with it because it made me smile. She was the pride and joy of all the kids who came in for lessons.
“I didn’t expect to see you here today.” He put the brush down, crossed over to me, and kissed my cheek. “I’m glad you are. I was just finishing up.”
“I guess I’m just feeling clingy.” It had been really bad the past couple days.
I didn’t like being away from my mate for more than an hour or two. Work was awful. I still had about a week to go before my paternity leave started, and I was about ready to call it quits already. Nick had offered, but I was stubborn. My job was important, and we might be on track now, but that didn’t mean we’d stay that way.
My duties changed a couple of months ago, and I was strictly office work at this point, which was good, because smelling anything in the Lube Lagoon was just too much for my pregnant tummy to handle.
“Did you want to go somewhere or just back home?”
“I don’t know. I’m feeling kind of weird today, and not just the clingy weird, but like everything has to be done for the baby today weird.”
“Okay, well, tell me what needs doing and we’ll get it done.”
He took my hand, and we walked back inside. I showed him my list, the one I created on a spreadsheet that was three printed pages long. Every single item was checked off except for the Christmas presents, which I was able to tick off now.
“Nothing. We’re ready.”
“Perfect, that means we get a little quiet time before our little one comes.” He went to put his hand on my belly and then pulled it back. “I need to take a shower because I smell like the stables. I’ll be right back.”
He walked into the bathroom, and less than two minutes later, I decided I needed to join him. I climbed into the shower right behind him. It was crowded, especially with my belly, but there was nowhere else I’d rather be.
“Do you need your hair washed?”
He knew how much I loved being pampered like that.
“I just needed to be near you. But I’m not turning down a hair washing.”
We stayed in the shower longer than we should’ve, my fingers all wrinkly. We laughed at my pruny hands, but I felt better than I had in a while. I hadn’t realized how sore my muscles had been.
“I think I’m gonna take a nap.”
“Sounds good.” He tugged me into bed, and I closed my eyes, falling asleep almost instantly.
When I woke, it was to the smell of sugar cookies. They’d been a staple during this pregnancy… only right now, I didn’t think I could eat one. I pushed myself to sit, and my stomach hurt. It was tight and hard. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to puke or go back to sleep and hope it was gone in the morning.
I called my mate.
“Yes, my love. You’re awake.” He sat on the edge of the bed beside me.
“I don’t feel right.”
“Describe what you’re feeling.” He was calmer about this than I was feeling.
I started to explain, and he held up his hand and said, “Wait a second. Let me call Percy.”
He put Percy on speaker. “Now tell him how you’re feeling.”
