Page 16 of Daddy's Naughty List

“Want to know a secret?” she asked.

The child wiped a somewhat grubby fist over his brown eyes and shook his head. “Secrets are bad.”

“Not always. Secrets can be fun.” Before the boy could escape his lap, she held out a gift. “This present is kind of a secret.”

“How?”

“Do you know what’s inside?”

Peter glanced at the box, then returned his gaze to Susan’s face. “No, Ma’am.”

“It’s a secret until you open it, but you already know it’s going to be something you’ll like.” She put the present in his lap. “Nightmares aren’t so nice, but I promise they’ll get better.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I sometimes have them too.” Susan touched Peter’s chin to make him look at her, then stroked a lock of blonde hair from his eyes. “It’s scary until I wake up and remember it’s just my brain playing yucky tricks. And then I remember they aren’t real. You know what else?”

“What?”

“I can make them go away.” She looked around as if to make sure no one could hear her, but several of the mothers were in earshot. “I just tell those bad dreams they aren’t real. Sometimes, I pretend the dream is a mean dragon, and I’m a princess with a sword. Then I use my sword to chase that dragon until he hides in his cave.”

Peter giggled, then blinked as if the sound surprised him. “I don’t want to be a princess. Can I be the dragon chasing away an evil knight instead?”

“Absolutely.” She cupped the back of his head and kissed his forehead. “A big dragon could chase lots of bad things away.”

“I will! I’ll be the biggest, bravest dragon ever.” Peter climbed from Walt’s lap and raced to his mother, completely forgetting his present.

“I need a minute.” She rose to her feet and Walt caught her hand.

“Susan—”

“I said I need a minute.” After jerking free, she strode from the gym.

Instead of following, he continued passing out presents. As much as he wanted to comfort her, he also wanted her to know that he’d respect her wishes but he couldn’t stand the thought of her suffering alone.

Listening to over a dozen children wish for peace and safety about killed him, but it had to be worse for her because she’d been there and still bore the scars.

Fuck, she was mighty. Susan smiled instead of giving in to the rage. She gave a child comfort and hope and didn’t miss a goddamned beat.

Thankfully, she returned as he was giving out the last of the gifts. The tightness in his chest eased, yet he didn’t miss the slight redness around her eyes. Before she could wade into the crowd to play Santa’s elf, he crossed the room and caught her.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes, Sir. Thank you.” After a moment’s hesitation, she added, “I’m sorry I ran off.”

“Nope.” Walt straightened her hat and booped her nose. “No saying sorry for taking what you need. Understand?”

“I—”

“We have more surprises outside!” Kate called from the entrance to the gym. “After that, we’ll have snacks!”

Their shouts of delight echoing, the children swarmed Kate, making her laugh as she led them outside.

“I guess it’s time for reindeer rides,” Susan murmured. “I’ll try not to say sorry again.”

“Good girl.” Walt took her hand and placed it in the crook of his elbow. “I know how hard this has been for you.”

“Hard, but also…” She leaned against him and sighed. “It’s nice too. I just wish I could give them more.”

---