Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
“Well, then. Santa will have to make sure Iris has everything she needs to be ready when she turns eighteen.”
“Iris can do fine on her own.” A young woman stood there, scowling at me. My guess? This was Iris. She was dressed in worn jeans and a T-shirt that looked like it had seen better days. But she was clean. Except for the smudge of flour on her cheek and nose. “I made you a Christmas cupcake, Jerrica.” The second she addressed her younger sister, her expression changed. She smiled eagerly at the girl. “I made you a Christmas cupcake at work today. You want it now?”
“Yeaaaah! We can eat it together.” She promptly turned to look up at me. “You want to share too, Santa?”
I padded my belly where the padding made it pooch out. Jolly old Elf and all. “While I appreciate the offer, I need to save room for all the cookies tonight. That one bite of cupcake might push me over the edge, and Rudolph would have a difficult time getting me home.” I tried to chuckle with a “Ho, ho, ho,” but it came out flat.
Jerrica still grinned, while Iris wrinkled her nose.
“You’re a crappy Santa,” the older teen muttered. Then led Jerrica away.
“Merry fuckin’ Christmas to you,” I grumbled. Hope burst out laughing.
“Iris is a handful, but she loves Jerrica more than anything. I’m so happy she got what she needed to be able to start the adoption process with Jerrica. Jezebel says they’ve both had a rough time since even before their mom died.”
“Well, if it makes Jerrica happy, I guess I’ll give her a pass. No lump of coal in her stocking.”
“You’re starting to take this Santa business seriously, then?”
“What? No,” I scoffed. “I love the power.” I raised an eyebrow. “Am I not merciful?” I reached for Hope and pulled her into my lap. “So, tell me, little girl. What do you want for Christmas?”
She smiled up at me, laying her left hand against my cheek where I knew her rings sparkled under the lights. “I have everything I ever wanted right here.”
“You’re the best Christmas present I’ve ever received, Hope. I’ll never take you for granted.”
“I love you, Max. I love you so much!”
“I love you too, baby. You’ve brought hope back to my life. My mother was right. You’re my Hope in more ways than one.”
She gave me that beautiful, dazzling smile. “Then we’ll keep each other.”
“Forever. For always and ever.” I kissed her gently, before pressing my forehead to hers. “Merry Christmas, baby.”
“Merry Christmas.” Then she hugged me tightly, and I knew it would definitely be a very merry Christmas.