Page 65 of Kringle and the Kraken

My mom stood from her chair again. “I’m going to call your aunt Karen. This calls for cocoa and cookies, and I’m going to need a hand.”

“Call Marvin’s wife, Clara, too. I know she’ll be happy to help.” My mom nodded at me.

“Let’s get to work, Kringles!” She clapped her hands, and everyone scattered to take care of the things they said they would.

A few minutes later, Levi and I were alone in the living room.

“I can’t believe how well that went.”

I shrugged. “Me too, but I’m not really that shocked. They’re a little nutty, but I’ve never met a more accepting group. And they love me, which means they love you.”

Levi beamed at me, and something he said earlier floated to the forefront of my mind.

“Hey, can I ask you something?” I tugged him toward the couch and pulled him down to sit with me. We were going to need to get out there and help get things set up for tonight, but I also thought we needed a minute alone.

“Yeah, of course. Always.”

I took a breath not sure how this was going to come out. “Earlier, when we were talking to Delmar, you called me your mate. What does that mean?”

Levi studied his hands for a second. His tentacles had receded, lying flat against his body again, and I reached out to trace my thumb over the outline of one while I waited Levi out.

“It means that I’ve fallen hard for you, Kris. It means I want to spend the rest of my life with you if you’ll have me. It means I love you.”

Using my grip on his arm, I pulled him closer and sealed my lips to his. We couldn’t do more than kiss while in the living room at my parents’, but I needed to feel as close to him as I could get. We were both breathless when I finally pulled away. “I’ve fallen for you too, Levi. I love you.”

We kissed again, only separating when my phone buzzed insistently in my pocket. I pulled it out and showed Levi the screen.

“We’ve gotta go.”

People started arrivingat the tree farm just before seven. Car after car pulled into the parking lot and lined up along the street. One of my siblings had made signs that said the tree farm and workshop were closed for a private event, and they’d been set at every entrance to the property.

My family had gone all out setting up chairs and benches and laying out cocoa and cookies for after the big reveal. If anything could bring about interspecies peace, it was Mary Kate Kringle’s cocoa, and it was nice to have the backup just in case.

Levi was pacing back and forth behind the small stage my family had built to host carolers and choirs, and his tentacles twitched around his arms in nervous anticipation.

By seven thirty, it looked like the whole town was assembled, the lines between humans and sea monsters clearly drawn. All the humans had gravitated toward one side of the space while the sea monsters congregated on the other. There was very little overlap or mingling, even if people did smile and wave from across the two groups. I wondered if they even knew they’d accidentally divided themselves. Hopefully, this wasn’t a bad sign.

The crowd reminded me of Levi’s new favorite Christmas movie, and I grabbed his arm when he next passed. “Looks like all the Whos down in Whoville are here.”

A nervous chuckle escaped from between his lips. “Let’s hope when this is over they don’t want to carve me up like the roast beast.”

“If it helps at all, this grinch’s heart already grew three times today watching Kyle touch your tentacle.”

“Gods, that was so sweet.”

“It really was.” Levi’s tentacles twitched against my arm, and I squeezed his hand tight. “It’s going to be fine. We need to do this.”

“I know we do. There’s no other option.”

I leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Then let’s get this show on the road.”

The second Levi and I stepped onto the little stage a hush fell over the crowd, the anticipation almost palpable. My family and the KELPS guys had filled the front rows, and while Pete, Stan,Abe, George, Joe, and Tom looked a little confused about why they were there, Marvin beamed at us and gave an encouraging nod.

Out among the crowd, I caught the faint blue glow of the talismans we’d made. People had taken us seriously when we’d passed them out, and seeing them out there in the crowd strengthened my resolve that we were doing the exact right thing. Levi must have noticed, too, because he stood up a little straighter and stepped forward, speaking into the microphone one of my siblings had rigged up.

“Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for coming on such short notice, and joyous Poseidonia to those who celebrate.” A faint echo of the same sentiment reached us from the sea monster side of the crowd, and Levi nodded his thanks.

“You’re probably wondering why we’ve asked you all here tonight.”

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