Page 3 of The Santa Surprise

I ease out of bed and walk into the bathroom. After taking care of business I brush out my hair and then twist it up into a bun on top of my head. I quickly brush my teeth and wash my face.

While the coffee brews I peel a banana and eat it while staring out into the backyard. The snow angels Dakota and I made the other day are still there. I love snow, but I hate driving in it. Of course, now I’m close to work so it’s not too bad.

“Momma.” I turn to find my daughter standing by the counter. Her hair is wild, and her face is flushed. She only calls me Momma when she first gets up, but I’ll take it. Her arm is wrapped around her teddy’s neck.

“Good morning, my baby.” I come to her, picking her up in my arms. She lays her head on my shoulder and wraps her arms around my neck. “Did you sleep well?”

She nods against my neck. I grab her sippy cup of milk and get her settled on the sofa. After I get my cup of coffee ready, I come back into the living room and sit down next to her. We’re early birds so we have a little time before we have to get ready for the day. This is my favorite time of day because she’s my little snuggle bug.

When Dakota finishes her milk, I take her in to brush her teeth and then take her into her room to get her dressed. Tonight, is her school’s holiday party. Santa will be there, and I can’t wait to see her reaction.

One of the teachers said that it’s usually one of the officers from the Aldridge PD that dresses up as Santa. The chief of police’s daughter is the head of the school.

I put her in a pair of red thick tights, a black and white checkered dress that hits her right above her knees, and on the front is a Christmas tree that has tiny bulbs that light up.

On her feet are a pair of little sequined imitation UGGs. I wrestle her hair into a bun and use red and green barrettes to hold down the pieces that won’t go into it.

“You look beautiful.” I tell her and she does a little spin. Her blue eyes sparkling with obvious joy.

I quickly throw on clothes and my boots. After I pack my toiletries, so I can freshen up after my shift, we head out.

Chapter Three

Alex

I stand in the doorway to Dad’s office and watch him as he types something on his computer. The older I get, the more I start to resemble him. He’s my hero and always has been.

I always knew that my dad wasn’t my biological dad, and legally he wasn’t my father until I was five, but it wasn’t until I was sixteen when I learned the truth of my parentage. Long story short, my parents were high school sweethearts, but broke up right after graduation. My dad then joined the Marines, leaving for six years.

My mom was in a bad way after he left and made bad choice after bad choice. One night while she was out, she was drugged, and then taken back to a motel room. I don’t need to tell you what happened to her, but I’m sure you can guess.

I was a result of that, and it turned out that my dad, Brock, was actually my half-brother. We shared the same father. A lot more shit went down, but the man who hurt my mom, saved me.

That had been a bad year. I was angry, hurt, and sad. I couldn’t believe Mom kept me, knowing how I came to be. Dad and I fought all the time and when I would want to piss him off, I’d call him bro. One night, things came to a head. I’d gotten drunk, came home and in front of my younger siblings I punched out a window, slicing my hand pretty bad.

The blood going everywhere made my sister cry hysterically—since she was right by me when it happened. After that I finally accepted that I needed help and started going to therapy—we even went as a family.

Dad didn’t give up on me, even when I was so nasty to him. It took me a while, but I finally came to terms with the truth. Brock is my dad and always will be.

He looks up from his computer. “Hey, Son, what are you doing here?”

“I drew the short straw—I’m Santa at the Tiny Tot’s holiday party.” I roll my eyes and shake my head. Of course, I don’t mind it, it’s just freaking hot in that suit.

Dad chuckles, “I remember when I had to do it. You were in junior high and helped pass out candy canes.”

I nod, “I remember that. Mom made me wear that elf hat and the ears.”

“Your mom and I will be there later. I think Mara is going to be your helper. It’ll be a family affair.”

He walks with me to grab the suit. It’s two big bags and my best friend/fellow officer, Nelson, snickers as I walk by. “Ho ho ho,” he bellows, causing everyone to laugh at me. I simply flip them the bird and carry the bags out to my truck.

***

I pull up to the preschool and slip in the back entrance so none of the kids see me with the Santa costume. Tara, Chief’s daughter, is the one who lets me in. “Thanks for coming, Alex. Dad said you were the one to draw the short straw, I know it’s a bit of a pain, but the kids really do love it,” she says as she leads me into an empty classroom. “Go ahead and get ready in here. We’ll come back to get you when it’s time.”

“Thanks, and I’m happy to do it. It’s for the kids, right?” I set the bags down and turn to Tara.

She heads to the door and turns toward me. “We’ve got gifts for all of the kids.” Tara points to a big velvet bag. “They’re all in there.” Once she disappears out into the hall, I start getting ready.

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