Page 21 of All I Want for Christmas is You

I lift my brow in question, glad he’s there to catch me once I hear him say it.

“I think I’ve fallen madly in love with you. Desperately and madly in love.”Chapter SixteenJackOnce I can see everything’s ready from behind the scenes, I give the green light for things to get started early.

A relieved looking catering crew in the cafeteria who looks like they’ve pulled an all-nighter seem to agree.

Smiling to myself, I hold back from saying anything. That would kind of ruin the surprises.

Not just because I don’t want to see this great staff of hundreds working for a few hours before they get to go home for the holiday, but because I’ve got a mind to get Avery someplace private again myself.

I hope Avery feels as ready as I do to. I know I said as long as she wants to wait, but it’s been almost a whole day now.

I hang back a little, hearing some murmurs of wonder, but mostly doubt once I’m spotted. Especially when people see me with Avery so close.

Definitely not a part of the regular office set anymore.

It’s nothing unusual for big businesses to tell you one thing and then change it again the next either.

But I hope they’ll all like what’s coming.

I wonder if Santa gets butterflies. I find myself suddenly wondering what to do if nobody likes what I have planned.

I spot the tree she was decorating, moved into the office. I asked for another one to go into the window, keeping with tradition which I assume is there, along with the gifts for everyone else invited into the cafeteria once the office ‘party’ winds up.

“I have no idea what your usual office parties are like,” I confess to Avery, hoping they’re nothing like the board member’s week long shenanigans on private islands.

“Pretty quiet,” she says thoughtfully. “Most folks are moms and dads, eager to get home for their own holidays, I guess,” she adds.

“And you?” I ask her, knowing she’s never struck me as the party girl type.

“I usually leave before it even starts,” she admits, starting to look edgy until I bring her close again, squeezing her.

Who cares who’s watching?

“Wanna keep with that tradition?” I ask, feeling the almost begging look in my own eyes.

“There are enough people here to do everything, I’ll say hi and bye, just like yesterday. Just let me hand out those presents,” I tell her, spotting Jason and his helpers, waving him over.

“Presents?” I hear her asking as Jason and his crew scuttle over, huddling together as I give the all-clear.

“Let’s go guys. I don’t wanna see another hand on their keyboard this year unless it’s really life or death, okay? Let’s have your Christmas party now. And not so Secret Santa from me to be announced first… then we really have to go,” I add, eyeing Avery who looks suddenly relieved.

“Alright, Mr. Cole. I can say a few words, but would you mind?” Jason asks, asking me to speak for the new company as well, giving some words of encouragement.

“Of course,” I concede, patting my chest pocket, notes at the ready.

Having grabbed everyone’s attention, just like he did yesterday, I wait my turn after the usual but somewhat lacking ass-kissing.

Which I appreciate.

Nervous applause awaits, and once I stand on a desk and explain the reason the cafeteria was closed for breakfast, it’s only because of the food they have coming.

“In case you couldn’t smell it,” I add, the blank stares still a little suspicious.

I get it.

“Everybody, you’ll each have a Secret Santa gift today, from your own colleagues, I imagine,” I continue.

“But you’ll also have something else, straight from me. An envelope, which is being handed to you now.”

A row of people hand out plain envelopes to each person.

“Five thousand shares, each. In your own company. Starting from today. As well as your remittance notice for holiday pay and or annual leave, depending on your position.”

The blank stares continue, some opening their envelopes, most just not getting it.

“It’s a new kind of company. The kind run by its employees. I have the board on board, so to speak, and you’re all invited to work as hard as you want and be a part of the company as it grows,” I tell them, wondering if I could make it any clearer.

“There’s an email to each of you, explaining the share option,” I add. “And I’d be grateful if you’d follow each of those instructions before the day is out… Uh… All that said. Merry Christmas and I hope to see you all again in a week for our New Year celebrations.”

Blowing air from my swollen cheeks, I press Jason’s own envelope and my real notes into his chest.

“They’re worth about a hundred eighty dollars apiece, I’d suggest they all go online and claim them, right now. Yourself included,” I add with a wink.

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