Page 17 of Father Christmas

"Goodbye, Elvin."

"Wait!"

"No, it's over."

"Okay, fine. It's over. But how about a little parting gift?"

She looked at him incredulously. Was he seriously asking her for sex?

"Can I borrow a hundred bucks for gas money?"

Mindy blinked. And then blinked again.

Elvin opened his mouth, but before he could respond, she firmly shut the door, the decisive click echoing through the silent apartment. Mindy leaned against the closed door, exhaling a shaky breath. Thankfully, he didn't pound on the door or shout. All was quiet inside and out of her apartment. But inside, Mindy was raging.

The audacity of it all left her momentarily speechless. She couldn't reconcile the image of the responsible and respectable Noel with the entitled and irresponsible Elvin. How were they the same species, let alone father and son?

Walking over to her Christmas tree, Mindy bent down and plugged in the lights. The colorful bulbs began to twinkle merrily, casting a warm glow over the room. She allowed herself a small smile, comforted by the familiarity of her favorite decorations.

She turned on some Christmas music, letting the soothing melodies fill the air. She hummed along as she tidied up her apartment, pausing to sip some hot apple cider. The cinnamonand clove blended perfectly with the scent of pine wafting from the tree.

As she finished cleaning, Mindy noticed the mistletoe she had hung in the kitchen doorway weeks earlier. She had imagined sharing a tender kiss beneath it with Noel on Christmas Eve. Now it seemed out of place, a relic from the past. Mindy considered taking it down but decided to leave it. While her romantic plans had changed, she still appreciated the tradition it represented.

When the knock came at the door, she assumed it was Elvin. He never took the first no for an answer. He had a habit of badgering her until she gave in. Not this time.

But when she swung the door open, it wasn’t Elvin. Noel stood on her stoop looking delicious in a road coat with black trim. He was her naughty Santa come to life. And Mindy hoped she was the only name on his list. Didn't matter if it was the naughty or the nice list, just so long as she was on there.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

She was an angel dressed in white. All she needed was a crown on the top of her head. She was clad in a white bathrobe that looked very much like his own. The soft folds of the robe draped gracefully over her curvy frame. The pristine white fabric contrasted against her complexion, making her glow from the inside out.

Noel had thought he preferred her in the elf costume. But his Mindy wore angel just as well. More than anything, Noel wanted to get her out of the robe and into his favorite outfit: her birthday suit.

"You came for the robe?"

He blinked. He had been focusing on her lips, but the words she formed didn't make sense.

He hadn't come for the robe. He'd come for her. Though seeing her dressed in something that belonged to him was a bonus. It was not merely the robe that captivated Noel's gaze; it was the woman within it. Mindy stood before him, her eyes aglow with warmth and kindness, her smile a beacon of welcome and affection. In that moment, she was more than just a vision of beauty; she was the embodiment of everything he had ever yearned for.

Mindy was not just a Christmas angel; she was the embodiment of his deepest desires and aspirations. She needed no crown to proclaim her regal presence. In her, he found not only the promise of love and companionship, but also the hope of a future filled with joy and fulfillment.

"It's kinda like stealing office supplies, only stole this from your closet."

"Take it off."

"Okay." The single word was said with disappointment, defeat.

Noel reached out his hand and tilted her chin up with his finger. "What's going on?"

"You're firing me."

Her statement wasn't a question. Even if it had been a question, it was a crazy one. "Why would I fire you?"

"Because of Elvin. Which you should do."

"I should fire you because of Elvin?"

"He's your son. You should choose family over…"

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