Page 24 of Temporary Santa's Knotty Workshop
Maybe it was time to share my news after all. No, it was definitely time. Keeping it in had been so hard. And yes, announcing our little one in a big festive way would’ve been great, but good news was good news.
“Just what are you saying?” he asked.
“Do you think there would be room for anyone else there?”
“Children. I think children might be nice someday.” He hugged me closer.
Someday. That word hung over us. It wasn’t like we could change the timing now.
“I agree, and you should probably know that children are going to happen sooner than you might realize.” I closed my eyes, unsure how he would respond. Now was so much sooner than someday.
Campbell sucked in a breath. “Willy, are you telling me that you’re expecting?”
I placed his hand on my stomach. “Yes. At least, I’m pretty sure I am. I mean, our first time together wasn’t that long ago. But we’re mates, and we didn’t use protection—”
“Should we take a test?” He sat up, taking me with him. “Then we can know for sure before we celebrate and possibly get our hearts broken.”
Those were not the words of someone who wanted to wait until someday. He wanted this as much as I did.
“I already did this morning, before I started working. I think that’s why I stressed so much. I didn’t know how it would all work out. It was positive. The line was very faint, but—” The box had said a line was a line, still, I wanted it so dark there was no mistaking it was positive.
I didn’t get any more words out because Campbell was spinning me around so that I was facing him and settled on his lap. He planted his lips on mine.
“That is the most amazing news. Don’t you think that’s the most amazing news?”
I grinned. “I was hoping you’d be as happy as I was.”
“So happy. I can’t wait to start this life with you, to see what amazing things we can do here. I just don’t want to be Santa.”
I laughed. “I’m pretty sure Nick’s not ready for retirement anytime soon, but we can always use helpers around here.” Isucked in a breath. “There’s one other thing I wouldn’t mind, though.”
“Just say the word and we can make it happen.”
“I think Snowdrop needs a friend.”
At the mention of her, she perked up her ears and let out a bark.
“See, she agrees,” I said.
“You want to have two puppies and a baby?”
“Yeah.”
Campbell grinned. “Anything for you, love. Anything for you.”
Chapter 14
Campbell
I had no idea how my brother did this year after year after year. I was exhausted after just three months of being Santa, and I didn’t even do anything. He’d already had everything running on auto pilot for me. If I needed to get everything geared up and ready to go on my own… I don’t think I could do that.
Sure, I had ended up helping out more than what Willy and my brother originally had planned, but still, I didn’t do near the amount of work that Nick did each year. Not even a sliver as much. And I was dead on my feet half the time.
The past two days, Willy had insisted that I bulk up and was force-feeding me calories and protein so that I was ready for the big day. I didn’t know if that was necessary, but I wasn’t opposed to him taking care of me. I’d been alone for so long, not knowing what my life could’ve been like. Now that I had a taste of this life, I was never going back.
The last month had flown by, and his morning sickness had gotten better. He discovered the cure was having a sugar cookie with his breakfast and, well, Nick’s sweet tooth was wearing off on me, and so we had fresh sugar cookies every morning. That didn’t stop me from my bakery stops. Those were too good. If I kept this up, I was going to look more like a traditional Santa than I really wanted to be.
Much to my surprise, Nick’s suit fit me perfectly. Maybe it held Christmas magic, because we weren’t typically the same size. In any case, I looked good if the way my mate’s eyes raked over me time and time again was any indication.
