Page 58 of Saving Little Clark

Lance turned to the rest of us, heaving a long-suffering sigh. "We're about to witness a footrace between a Daddy and a Little, aren't we? This is what my life has become."

Elijah ran up to Uncle Oliver and was being propped on his hip for a quick kiss.

"Get over here and give your Uncle Ollie a big squeeze, I'm feeling neglected," Oliver said, depositing Elijah back on the carpet.

Alex and I wasted no time in complying, charging across the room to tackle him in a boisterous hug. Oliver pretended to stagger under our combined weight, knees buckling as he flailed dramatically.

"Dear me, what have we here? A pair of ruffians and scamps, assaulting my person? I'm not sure my delicate constitution can withstand such rough treatment."

Elijah giggled behind his hands as Alex and I clung to Oliver like limpets. "Don't worry, Daddy Oliver," he called, bouncing on his toes. "I'll save you from the wild things."

With that he launched himself at us, hair flying as he tried to pry us off his captive Daddy. Alex and I rolled obligingly to the side, letting himrescueOliver with a triumphant crow.

"My hero," Oliver gushed, sweeping Elijah up into his arms and spinning him in a giddy circle. "Whatever would I do without my brave, strong boy to protect me?"

Elijah beamed, puffing out his little chest. "I'll always keep you safe, Daddy," he vowed, solemn as a judge.

A sudden shriek from across the room jolted me. I whipped around just in time to see Alex go flying, arms windmilling as he tripped over a stray couch cushion. He hit the carpet with an undignified squawk, limbs splaying.

"Alexander!" Uncle Will chided, hands on his hips and fighting valiantly to smother a grin. "What have we said about running indoors, young man?"

Alex huffed, rolling onto his back and shooting his Daddy a winning smile. "That it's all in good fun and a little chaos builds character?"

Will snorted, reaching down to tweak his ear in playful reprimand. "Try again, Little one."

"Fine," Alex sighed, heaving himself upright with a put-upon groan. "No shenanigans in the house, keep the wildness outside where it belongs. Happy now, fun police?"

"Exceedingly," Will confirmed, smirk widening. "Honestly, kiddo, it's like you're not even trying to behave today. Keep this up and Santa might just pass us right by tonight."

Alex gasped, eyes going round and bottom lip jutting out in an exaggerated pout. "You wouldn't. Daddy, that's so mean. You know I've been super good all year, Santa won't care about one teeny tiny oopsie."

Uncle Will quirked a brow, wholly unimpressed by the display. "That's what we're calling the trail of destruction you've left in your wake today? Between the tickle fight, knocking over Aunt Lydia's favorite vase, and trying to convince Clark that elves love coffee even though Uncle Brody said no caffeine." He shook his head in mock disapproval, eyes sparkling with mirth. "I dunno, buddy. Sounds more like a Naughty List offense to me. Better start brushing up on your coal-related puns now, just in case."

"Daddy," Alex whined, throwing himself back onto the carpet in a fit of melodrama. "You're ruining Christmas. Elijah, tell him he's ruining Christmas."

Elijah blinked, glancing between them with a tiny furrow in his brow. "I don't think Santa would put Alex on the Naughty List for real?" He sounded uncertain, gaze darting to his own Daddies for confirmation. "Uncle Will is just teasing. Right?"

Lance swooped in smoothly, dropping a kiss onto Elijah's head as he fought to contain a smile. "That's right, little love. Uncle Will is just being silly, pulling Allie's leg a bit. Santa would never deny such a good boy his Christmas magic."

Alex popped up like a jack-in-the-box at that, beaming vindication. "See! Uncle Lance knows what's up. I'm a precious angel baby, Santa loves me and wants me to be happy."

"I think that might be overstating things just a smidge," Oliver drawled, lips twitching. "Let's go withreasonably well-behaved scampand call it a day, yeah?"

Alex stuck his tongue out at him.

I glanced over at Elijah, noting the way he was starting to squirm in Oliver's hold, nose scrunching in an all-too-familiar tell. Someone was getting antsy, eager to be playing with his friends instead of spectating the grown ups' shenanigans. And honestly, I couldn't blame him one bit.

"Hey, Clarkie," Alex whispered, jutting his chin toward the low coffee table in the corner. "What do you say we have ourselves a little fun, hmm? Daddies can do their boring grown up stuff, let us kids get our party on."

Elijah perked up at that, wriggling out of Oliver's arms and bouncing on his toes. "Tea party! Can we, Daddy?"

Oliver chuckled, ruffling Elijah's hair. "Of course, Jellybean. You boys go play, have a grand old time. Just make sure you mind your manners and use your gentle hands.”

Elijah was already scampering off toward the designated play area, Alex hot on his heels. I made to follow, only to be tugged back by a warm hand on my wrist.

Daddy reeled me in until I was flush against his chest, tipping my chin up with a finger. He pressed a soft kiss to the tipof my nose just to see me scrunch it up and giggle. "Go be a kid, laugh yourself silly. Daddy will be right here if you need me."

I surged up on my toes, smacking a kiss to his lips. Then, I slipped out of his arms and scampered off to join my friends.

---