Page 21 of Merry Cris Moose

As the lights above them shimmered and the cold wrapped around them, Cris pulled Keely closer, kissing her again—slow, deep, full of promise. For now, even with the storm on the horizon, everything was perfect, but tomorrow, the fight for Christmas would begin anew.

Chapter

Ten

KEELY

Keely sat hunched over the workbench, her hands moving swiftly as she adjusted the intricate wiring of the toy prototype in front of her. Her fingers ached from hours of tinkering, but she didn’t care. Time was running out, and this toy was their best hope to save Christmas. She felt the weight of the responsibility. She was sure that every second she poured into perfecting the design and every ounce of magic the elves were able to infuse into it brought them closer to the breakthrough they needed.

This toy wasn’t just some abstract project—it was a testament to everything she had learned since arriving at the North Pole. More than that, it embodied the spirit of joy and wonder that lay at the heart of Christmas. Those who lived and worked here had opened her eyes to the true meaning behind the magic, and now she was determined to give that same belief back to the world.

Her hands stilled for a moment, and she glanced over her shoulder. Cris stood behind her, watching her work with his arms crossed, his expression both proud and intent. His presence radiated warmth despite the cold air, and the space between them felt charged. There was no hiding the intensity inhis gaze, and it wasn’t just admiration for her work that filled his eyes.

The tension that had simmered between them since the moment they’d met had grown, building into something undeniable. The way he stood close, the subtle brush of his hand on her back whenever he reached over to help—each touch sparked something deeper.

Keely turned her attention back to the toy, but the awareness of him so near made it impossible to ignore the connection they shared. She adjusted one final piece, her heart racing as she sensed his approach, felt the heat of him drawing closer.

“You’re almost there,” Cris murmured, his voice low and full of quiet intensity. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his fingers trailing down her arm, sending shivers through her despite the warmth of his touch.

Keely smiled faintly, her breath catching as she leaned back slightly into his touch. “We’re almost there. This was a team effort. I never could have done anything without you and everybody else here.”

Cris’s grip tightened, his hand sliding down to rest on her waist. “What you’ve done has always been inside you. We just gave you the tools you needed.” His voice dropped lower, rough with emotion, and Keely could hear the passion beneath the words, not just for her work, but for her.

She turned, meeting his eyes, and the air between them grew heavy with desire. He didn’t wait for her to say more. His lips found hers in a heated kiss, his arms pulling her close, as if he couldn’t get enough of her. Keely melted into him, her hands gripping his shirt as the kiss deepened, their connection flaring to life with a heat that had been simmering for days.

Cris’s hands slid over her waist, pulling her tighter against him as the world around them faded. It was just them, wrapped in passion and the intensity of their bond, their bodies pressedclose, the air between them buzzing with everything they had held back.

When they finally pulled apart, both were breathing heavily, their foreheads resting against each other as they tried to steady themselves. Cris’s hand cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing over her skin as if he was memorizing the feel of her.

“We’ll finish this,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion.

They stood there for a moment, locked in that quiet, shared space where words weren’t needed.

Reluctantly, Keely turned back to the workbench, her fingers flying over the final adjustments. Cris stood beside her, watching her with that same fierce intensity, his presence steady and grounding. She could feel him, every subtle touch and glance reminding her of the connection they now shared.

Finally, with a few more careful twists and adjustments, the toy was complete. Keely stepped back, her heart racing as she stared down at the small, unassuming object in front of her. “It’s done,” she whispered.

Cris nodded. “It’s perfect.”

But even as they stood there, a sense of accomplishment washing over them, Keely couldn’t shake the lingering worry. This toy represented more than just a clever invention—it was a symbol of hope, of belief. If it didn’t work, if it couldn’t reignite the magic in children’s hearts, then Frost would win, and Christmas would be lost.

Cris seemed to sense her unease, his hand brushing lightly over her back. “No matter what happens, we’ve done everything we can. And without you we’d never have gotten this far. Hell, I’m not sure we would have survived Frost’s first attack.”

Keely nodded, though her heart still pounded with the weight of what was to come. “I just hope it’s enough.”

As the evening wore on, the final preparations were made for the toy’s reveal. The tension of the day had left Keely feeling drained, and when Cris suggested stepping outside for some fresh air, she agreed without hesitation.

They walked through the snow in silence, their footsteps muffled by the soft powder beneath them. Above them, the Northern Lights danced, casting shimmering streaks of green and blue across the sky. Keely paused, her breath catching as she gazed up at the brilliant display.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, awestruck by the sight.

Cris stood beside her, his arm slipping around her waist as he pulled her close. “Not as beautiful as you.”

Keely blushed, leaning into him as they stood beneath the lights. The quiet moment was a welcome relief from the chaos and pressure of the day. For the first time in what felt like hours, Keely felt a sense of peace, of calm, as they stood there under the vast sky.

“I’m glad you brought me here,” Keely said softly, her voice full of emotion. “I didn’t know how much I needed this.”

Cris pressed a kiss to her temple, his breath warm against her skin. “I’m glad you’re here, too.”

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