Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
I thought Cinnamon Stick was annoying before I got pregnant, but he took it to a whole new level once he found out I was expecting. But I have to be honest, Noelle adores her Uncle Stick. He may not admit it, but I know he feels the same way about her. It’s written all over his face. He lets her get away with murder. Always covering for her.
I rest my hand on the small baby bump that has already formed with our second child. This one is a little boy. The plus side to having a baby at the North Pole is that I don’t have to do anything for the pain. A little bit of magic is like a shot of laughing gas.
“We aren't snitches,” Mistletoe Mary says. Her button nose wiggles.
“But we do stitches,” Candy Cane singsongs as she sews a bow tie onto a white teddy bear.
“Ah! I get it.”
Noelle pops up from inside of a box filled with beanie babies. A bunch of them fall to the floor as she continues giggling at Candy Cane’s joke. Sylvester jumps out beside her and scurries off to hide elsewhere.
A smile spreads across my face at the sight of them. Noelle has what looks to be dried chocolate all over her face. “Mommy,” she says before stretching her arms out, wanting me to pick her up. I walk over to help lift her out. She’s getting too big for me to carry her anymore.
“Let’s go see Daddy. He’s leaving soon.” I hold her hand as we leave the teddy bear workshop to head over to the barn. Elves are rushing around, trying to make sure everything is done now that the sun has finally set. The Christmas lights bring our little village to life at night. It definitely is magical here. Noelle wiggles her nose, and snowflakes start to fall. I’m pretty sure she has more magic than anyone here.
I pull the handle of the giant barn door, bringing into view the reindeers who are being fed. Mac looks up from the clipboard in his hand, a smile pulling across his face when he sees his girls. He’s more handsome than ever.
“Daddy!” Noelle takes off on a dead run toward him. Mac drops the clipboard and catches her in his arms to pepper kisses all over her face. My heart flutters at the sight of them together. He is not only Father Christmas to the world but the most loving, caring and hands-on dad to our baby girl.
“Don’t be giving the reindeers cookies.” Cinnamon Stick pops up out of nowhere as usual. Noelle sticks her tongue out at him.
“Have a good trip, Daddy. Don’t forget our tree,” she says, getting another kiss before Mac puts her back on her feet.
“I’ll have to check the list.” He teases her as she runs over to help one of the elves with Comet, her favorite reindeer, who I have no doubt she is about to sneak a cookie to.
“How did I do?” I walk over to my husband. He pulls me into his arms.
“I’ll give you your present when I get home.” He drops his mouth down onto mine. It is kind of a tradition for Mac to ravish me when he gets home. Who am I kidding? He’s always trying to ravish me.
When we’d gotten married on the eve of Christmas, we barely got to say our I dos before he had to be on his way to save Christmas for the rest of the world. There was only enough time for me to fix his sleigh before he was in the air. I also tease Cinnamon Stick that I saved Christmas. All the elves made it up to us the next night by throwing us a reception where I got to properly meet everyone that is now very much my family.
I think knowing that I’m home waiting for him helps Mac pick up the pace when he’s on his route. Every year he seems to beat the past year’s record.
I moan into his mouth as he deepens the kiss.
“We can all hear you,” Cinnamon Stick mutters.
I laugh, and Mac releases me with a grin. Everyone might think Santa is sweet and innocent, but I know the truth. Mac gives my ass a squeeze.
“I think everything is all set,” he tells me. “I hate leaving when you’re knocked up, lil bit.” He runs his hand across my stomach.
“I’ll be fine. Candy Cane is coming over.”
Mac lifts his brows.
“We’ll stay out of trouble, I swear it.”
“Sure you will.” He lets out a deep chuckle that rolls through my body and makes our baby boy give a kick.
“She’s still a single elf, so I'm sure she’ll bitch about Tinder while we binge on cookies.”
Mac narrows his eyes on me. I shake my head. “I’m not going on Tinder. Let it go! It was an idea I had years ago!” I fight a smile, enjoying his jealousy way too much.