Page 165 of Daddy's Naughty List

“I even practiced walking down the toy aisle with Dr. Miles, Santa.” Oh, that’d been big hard but we did it.

“Last month. I know when you did that, cutie.” Kissing my head, Santa let out a big, deep breath. “You were so brave. I’m proud of you.”

But he was a jealous Santa too.

“I had to do it secret to make sure I wouldn’t make you upset.” He’d gotten upset the first time I’d tried. My Santa didn’t like it when I got upset. Small ones or big ones, they all gave him a tummy ache. “So I practiced but now I can show you. Dr. Miles said we’re ready to pick out toys together. In public, Santa. But you’ve got to hold my hand.”

Dr. Miles said that was just fine.

He’d even said to go to his Walmart because everyone in his town was so interesting we’d look boring no matter how upset I got.

“I will be glad to hold your hand, but you know that you don’t have to buy toys or be… or be Santa’s helper to make me happy, right?” Oh, Santa was getting worried. He was even giving me his sad frown. “I love you very much and I’m very happy in our relationship.”

“Me too.” The situation definitely called for more cheek kisses or he’d make me talk. “There are just lots of ways to be happy and I’m ready to try this one.”

I hoped I was.

Santa looked skeptical. “You’re right. There are all kinds of ways to have happy relationships, but we’re not going to rush into anything.”

Ugh.

“But if we rush, then I can’t think.” It was a very good plan. “It’s like pulling the bandage off, Santa.”

He rolled his eyes.

That wasn’t a good look on Santa.

“You’re supposed to be smiling and jolly, Santa.” That was part of the scene.

One eyebrow went up.

“With good boys, Santas are always happy and just talk about nice things like presents, right?” When I nodded, he huffed but it wasn’t his mad sound, so I knew I’d won. “You are cute and sneaky.”

Yes.

“But I’m not a brat because that’s exhausting.” We’d both agreed on that. I needed to work up to bratting that much. “And I like cuddling with you and telling you how wonderful you are.”

But I’d been funny as a brat.

Conner had even texted me and told me that I’d done a good job.

“I like cuddling with you too.” He wasn’t smiling as he admitted that, though. I had a Santa that didn’t like losing. “Santas probably don’t ask a lot of questions either.”

Santas were amazing that way.

But I shrugged and managed not to giggle because I’d found the best loophole. “They ask about presents and ask for happy stories and they probably play games. Some of the Littles even have Santa people who give them tickles.”

Naughty tickles.

I couldn’t hold back my giggles that time and it made my Santa laugh. “Oh, I have a naughty helper.”

Maybe.

“I don’t know if I’m naughty or not, but Dr. Miles said it was okay not to know. He said you’d help me figure that out.” He’d said I should talk to my Santa too, but I didn’t want to do that.

Talking was hard.

“I would be glad to help you and we’ll figure out what other kinds of things you like too.” Shifting lower in the big chair, Santa snuggled me closer and wrapped his arms around me like I was a baby. “Fun food things or more toys. We’ll find books you like and maybe some bathtub toys. You like the tub.”

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