Page 191 of Santa Daddies
“Is that Grandma's ring?” My hand extends but I stop short.
He nods. “This is our commitment to you, and we plan to get another band made.”
Kace adds, “We want you to know this isn't a cheap thrill. This is a promise that we’re both willing to commit to you forever.”
I pull my hand back and set it on my belly. “What if forever has already started?”
Their answers are jumbled over each other, but it’s clear they both accept the possibility. My heart is so full right now, I don't have room for anyone or anything else except them. Or maybe it’s full because the family I’ve always wanted to raise has already started.
When I hold my hand out, it’s shaking this time.
Kace adds his hand to Loren’s and together, they slide the ring onto my finger, and continue the motion, pulling me into a group hug.
“I love you, Belle,” Loren says.
“Same here, Bellie, I love you. You’re the only naughty girl for me.”
“Hold on.” Loren’s laugh breaks the intimacy. “Bellie… that’s such a weird nickname.”
“Nicknames just sort of happen.” Kace winks at me.
Is he going to bring up what I called him?
Loren’s mouth opens. I think he’s going to ask what that means, but I’m not sure he’s ready to hear me call his best friendDaddy.
I cover by saying, “I think it's cute, but I have to admit, I wondered where you got it, too.”
“It's short forbelly mama.” He touches his hand to my belly. “From the first moment I laid eyes on you, I wanted to pump you full of babies and keep your belly swollen.”
My heart flutters, and I pretend it could be the fluttery little kicks of a baby growing in me, my worry relenting momentarily. “The first moment? When you were Krampus?”
“That’s the one.” Kace takes both of my hands, holding my wrists together. “When you let me bind you, I knew you were mine. But you were Loren’s sister and I thought fate had played an evil trick–giving you to me, then taking you away.”
Loren puts his hands on ours. “And when I saw the look on your face, up there on stage with Kace, bound in his rope, I knew my plan to keep my distance from you was falling apart.”
I turn my hands so I can hold theirs. “Looks like it did.”
Before I get too lost in this potential happily ever after, the nagging worry demands to be heard. “And both of you are okay if I’m already pregnant?”
Their hugs nearly crush me.
“Eek!”
Giving me just enough room to breathe, Kace says, “I’d like to increase the odds I’m the dad.”
“Only if you promise to tie me up and spank me first.”
“I plan on being in on that,” Loren says.
“Just a second.” Kace grabs a bag from under the Christmas tree and sleigh bells clank as he pulls a rope out. “Just your wrists?”
“All of me.” My body tingles with anticipation. This is so not how I thought the day was going to end.
“Are you sure?” Kace grabs more rope.
“I loved being at your mercy.” I don’t bring up the dressing room. It’s probably best to let Loren think I mean the way I was only bound at the festival, for now.
Loren looks concerned. “You better teach me how to do this, Kace.”
