Page 46 of Reindeer Flames
Once home, we sent Gold back to her apartment above the bakery and tucked the kids into their beds. "We don't party like we used to," I teased when we lay in bed facing each other.
"We could build a locker room in the basement. I could drag you down there for sex."
"That's why we have a daybed in the vault," I reminded him. We'd moved it back to the basement and increased its size, since it was soundproof.
"True." He snuggled closer, resting his head on my chest. He hadn't opened his eyes since lying down.
I kissed his forehead. "Big day tomorrow."
"Mm-hmm."
My body still vibrated from the dance floor, but my mind raced with every possible outcome of our Christmas dinner with the Comets.
I triedto enjoy Christmas Day, but thoughts of the evening ahead still raced in my mind. Nap time led to nightmares. Even the children seemed cranky when I woke them to bathe and dress in their fancy sweaters. Despite my worries, the result was adorable.
When he came down the stairs, Hart looked so handsome in his purple suit coat and black pants. I'd dressed in my new emerald suit to match my new emerald earrings and the gorgeous double emerald, amethyst, and pearl ring Gold had made for me. Together, we looked like the two shining jewels in my ring.
Hart kissed my cheek. "Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." I forced a smile.
Hart scooped up the box of treats I'd made for the family. Taking the kids' hands, I followed him down the lane to the subway station. The kids sat on our laps for the short ride, and I carried them the two blocks to his parents' house. My energy flagged with the exertion, but they were overjoyed to see their grandparents, and most of all, Buster.
"We'll bring him over for play dates with your dog," Norris said. "When do you get her?"
"The second," Hart said as his papa ushered us inside.
"You'll never believe who showed up," Norris whispered under his breath.
"Who are these little ones?" The most annoying voice at the North Pole called from the kitchen. "Is my cousin here?"
"Bopp?" Hart rolled his eyes. "You let him stay?"
"He said he wanted to apologize, so yes."
Someone knocked on the door, and Norris left us to make our way to the kitchen without him.
We found Bopp holding Biela with a huge smile on his face. "Hey, Cuz! Nice work on these little ones. They're adorable." He glanced at me, and his smile dimmed. "Um. Hi. Silver."
"Bopp."
Biela shouted after the dog. Bopp set her down, and she took off running.
"Walk!" I called after her. She hesitated a step before darting after the dog again.
Bopp offered his hand. "Hey. It's great to have you as part of the family. My Santa told me what a great job Hart's done since he joined Santa 30's team, and your kids are so cute." He glanced down as Buster ran past, followed by Biela and Chiron.
I sighed. I was a welcome addition to the family because I helped my alpha partner do well at his job and gave him beautiful children. What else had I expected him to say?
"Silver's a wonderful partner," Hart said. "He runs one of the best bakeries at the North Pole. The Santas picked them to bake cookies for this year's tree-lighting ceremony, and they're not even in the village proper."
"Silver and Gold's has the best cinnamon rolls, too," Norris said. "Silver, why don't you come meet Hale and Vincent?"
Hart's grandparents kept their greetings to, "Pleased to meet you," and "Where are these delicious cookies everyone raves about?" I thought that would be the end of it until after dinner, when Hale raised his glass to the table. "I hear congratulations are in order once again. Hart won the time trials for fastest reindeer three years in a row."
Hart's beard hid most of his blush, but he raised his glass with the rest of us. "Thank you. It's an honor."
"You make me proud, boy. You're not only the fastest Comet, you're the fastest reindeer. That's better than I ever did, or your dad and uncle."
