Page 70 of Saving Little Clark

I shuddered, clinging to him like a baby koala. "But I lied, and I was mean, and-"

"And you owned up to it. You apologized. You took your punishment like a champ. That's called learning and growing, kiddo." He thumbed away my tears, smiling ruefully.

He booped my nose playfully. "Besides, you're stuck with me, mister. I'm afraid you're not getting rid of this old Daddy that easily."

A wet giggle bubbled out of me. He always knew how to make me laugh, even when I felt rotten. He pressed a kiss to my lips before standing me up and leading me to the corner.

"Okay, buckaroo. Five minutes of quiet corner time to calm down and reflect, then we'll put this whole thing behind us."

I pouted but dutifully faced the wall, fidgeting and sniffling. Longest five minutes of my life. But Daddy was true to his word. The moment my time-out ended, he swept me up into a big bear hug and blew raspberries on my tummy until I shrieked with laughter. My ass was still tender, but my heart felt lighter than it had in days.

That night, he tucked me in with extra cuddles and kisses. I fell asleep secure in the knowledge that I was treasured, forgiven, and unconditionally loved.

The next morning, I awoke on Christmas nestled in my soft dinosaur jammies, the delicious aroma of cinnamon rolls and coffee wafting into the room. Excitement zinged through my veins as I bolted upright. It was here, the most magical day of the year.

I bounded over to Alex's bed and shook his shoulder. "Alex, wake up. It's Christmas!"

He mumbled blearily, pawing at his face like a sleepy kitten. I practically wiggled with impatience, bouncing on my heels. With a jaw-cracking yawn, he finally rolled out of bed and together we thundered down the stairs in a tangle of flailing limbs and unrestrained giggles.

My eyes widened to saucers as I tried to take in the transformed wonderland of a mansion. Shimmering lights twinkled from every banister, bathing the room in a soft goldenglow. And the tree soared to the ceiling, every bough dripping with glittering ornaments and tinsel.

But best of all, the stockings bulged with untold treasures, each of our names spelled out in glittery fabric paint. I nearly tripped over my own two feet in my haste to reach them.

"Whoa there, baby bug." Daddy caught me by the armpits before I could faceplant, chuckling at my unfettered enthusiasm. "Merry Christmas to you too."

"Daddy, look," I crowed, pointing frantically at the mantel. "Santa really came."

Uncle Will strode into the room, decked in a truly hideous Christmas sweater and a Santa hat perched jauntily on his head. He held out his arms and Alex rocketed into them, nearly bowling him over.

"He sure did. You must've beenverygood boys this year!" Uncle Will playfully growled, tickling Alex's ribs until he thrashed and squealed with laughter.

Daddy plopped me on his lap and handed me my stocking. I dove in eagerly, unearthing tiny wooden dinosaurs and pretty polished stones, glittery stickers and Hershey's kisses. But when I reached the very bottom, my fingers brushed paper. I withdrew an envelope. I unsealed it and withdrew tickets.

"Daddy!" I wheezed. "A real dinosaur exhibit?"

Daddy beamed down at me, his entire face crinkling with a smile. "You bet, kiddo! Just you and me, a whole day of dino-sized adventures."

The rest of the morning passed in a flurry of torn paper, squeals of glee, and more hugs and kisses than I could count. Butit was one moment in particular that really encapsulated the true spirit of Christmas.

"We come bearing gifts," Elijah announced grandly as he, Alex and I paraded into the kitchen later that afternoon. In my hands I clutched a messily wrapped package.

Kristen and Becca glanced up from their coloring, equal parts surprised and wary.

"We wanted to say we're sorry. For yesterday," I began haltingly. "It was really mean of us to play those pranks on you. Even if we were mad, it wasn't right."

Kristen nodded slowly, her expression softening from distrustful to something almost resembling touched. With careful fingers, she peeled back the crinkled candy cane paper to reveal a box of deluxe craft supplies. Fancy markers, gel pens, patterned washi tape, the works.

A slow smile dawned across her face, mirrored on Becca's. "Wow. This is really nice. Thank you."

Becca nodded. "And we're sorry too. For yesterday." Her nose wrinkled. "Truce?"

"Truce," we agreed in unison.

As if on cue, all five of us converged in a giant group hug, a tangle of pajama-clad limbs and hesitant grins. The hurts of yesterday melted like frost in the sun, replaced by the radiant warmth of new beginnings.

As long as I had my Daddy, my friends, myfamily- I knew it would always be a holiday worth celebrating.

Chapter 29: Clark

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