Page 119 of You Found Me
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Theo comes out a few minutes later, decked out in the Santa suit that’s clearly stuffed with multiple pillows, and the kids lose it.
Their shrieks of excitement are possibly the cutest sounds I’ve ever heard. To almost everyone except Cori—who looks like she’d rather be anywhere but here at this moment. She’s never shied away from the fact that she doesn’t want children, nor does she really like them. However, she’ll do anything for the people she cares for—specifically her twin.
They’re very much the same in that aspect, but when it comes to kids, Colette wants half a dozen. She’s always said she wants a loud, chaotic house which is partly why I think she became a foster mom earlier this year. She’s just waiting for the moment she gets a call.
Other than when she’s with her family and our group of friends, she’s happiest around children. It’s been that way for as long as I can remember. Colette is definitely our group “mom.” Which explains how she got all of us to agree to be a part of this event. But truly we would do anything for her.
Personally, I’ve always wanted at least two kids—being an only child was fine, but I was envious of the sibling relationships around me. When I first brought up kids to Chance, he told me he wanted what I did. However, as we were creeping towards marriage, his views on the subject changed.
A loud cry brings me out of my thoughts, and I look around, trying to find the source while also looking to see who could help. I spot a little girl, who can’t be older than four with no adult in sight. I can’t leave my spot as I’m about to take the photo of Santa and one of the kids once Theo gives me the signal. Just as I catch Piper’s attention, the crying stops, forcing my gaze back to the little girl.
Spencer is sitting on the floor next to her, trying to calm her down. They’re too far away to hear what’s being said but she takes her face out of her hands to look at him.
“Sparkles!” Theo shouts, clearly having been calling out for me.
“Oh, sorry, Santa. I got distracted. Are we ready for our picture?”
“We sure are. This little boy is itching to win his baby sister a stuffed animal at the Jingle Bell Toss.”
I smile at the sweet gesture. “Alright. SayJingle Bells.” I snap the picture, telling his mom where to find the link to all of them once the day is over.
“Hey Em,” Theo calls out.
“Yeah?”
“I’m going to run to the bathroom then grab some water and a small snack. I’ll be back in five.”
“No problem. I’ll wait until you’re back to call the next kiddo.” He nods and walks off, having to adjust his pillow belly as it’s started twisting to one side.
Giggling reaches my ears, loud and melodic, very obviously from a child—as well as a laugh I’ve come to love. I make my way over to Spencer, who’s still sitting on the floor with the small girl. “Well who do we have here?”
Spence looks up, smiling. “My new best friend, Sophie. Theo has been demoted.”
Sophie nods enthusiastically. “Our names start with S. Make him my bestest friend.”
Her speech impediment makes that whole thing that much cuter. “Hi, Sophie. I’m Sparkles.”
Her eyes grow wide, before she looks at Spencer. He smiles and whispers, “I told you.”
“What did you tell her?” I ask, confused.
“Oh, noth—”
“He said Sparkles was his girlfriend. And that she was the prettiest elf he’s ever known. He was right.”
“That’s sweet of you to say, Sophie. But I think maybe you and your bestie need glasses.”
“You’re so silly, Sparkles.Oh!” she exclaims, “Mr. Spencer, if you marry Sparkles, she could be my best friend too.”
He throws his head back laughing. “Soph, I think she’d be your friend without having to marry me.”
“Really?” she asks, looking at me.
“Of course. I’d love to be your best friend.”
She squeals. “Yay! If you get married, you could have a baby and then that baby would have to be my best friend. It has to be a girl ‘cause little boys are gross. One boy in my class always picks his nose and poots—on purpose. I don’t like it.”
