Page 22 of His Christmas Gift

“I think you’ve hit the bar a little too hard there, Matt,” his co-worker Aaron said reaching them. “Why don’t we get you some coffee and sober you up, huh?”

“Good idea,” Jasper stated letting Aaron lead Matt away as the others went back to their merriment.

Melissa could feel his eyes on her as the evening went on, and she stopped next to her Mr. and Mrs. Claus as they continued to entertain the children there. She saw the joy in Caroline’s eyes and knew inviting them was well worth the long list of questions she had to answer before they’d agree to do it. It was nice being able to tell someone who knew the real her about Jasper and she knew Caroline saw the truth behind her feelings. It was impossible to hide it from her.

“I think we have time for a story before some of these little ones are likely to be leaving to get to bed,” she told them handing over a favorite of the stories the couple would read together.

Melissa slipped back as they began the story, keeping the children engaged in it until the end and she knew all of the kids would be excited for Christmas with their parents now.

The number of people leaving after the story made the room quieter and she moved through it, until Caroline and Ryan stopped her. Caroline slipped her arm through Melissa’s and moved them over to the table of goodies, handing her several little bits on a plate making her laugh softly.

“You haven’t eaten all night, so eat up,” Caroline stated warmly. “We can’t have you collapsing before Christmas now.”

“Certainly not,” Jasper agreed appearing behind the woman making her hold back a grin. “I have to say thank you for coming tonight Santa, Mrs. Claus. It was a treat for all of us. I can’t imagine how Melissa was able to get in touch with you so close to the holidays.”

“Melissa’s one of my merry makers, always on the watch to make someone’s holidays special. When she asks for help, you don’t say no,” Ryan stated making her laugh. “In return, she gets something extra nice for Christmas, although I think this year her gift might not fit in a box,” he added with a pointed look at Jasper.

She read the flash of agreement in his eyes. He hid it quickly, but she knew he felt the same and it made her very happy.

“Be nice now Santa dear,” Caroline said pointing her finger at him. “After all, if you’re on the naughty list, who will deliver all your presents?”

The group around them laughed and she was thrilled that everything went so well as the night ended. Clean-up was the next day, but it was well worth it to have tonight mean so much to so many people.

Monday morning, she went to deliver the remaining Christmas bonuses and inside the bag was the extra gifts for the children and teens with notes from Santa that he was sorry to have missed them in person. Delivering them let her get to know a bit more about the people who worked there, and it gave her the chance to arrange the extra surprise for Grace and her daughter with a little help from her Clauses.

“Melissa,” Grace said catching her before she went back upstairs.

“Grace how was your weekend?” she asked with a full smile.

“Good, I think I’ve convinced Nora to wait until after Christmas to see about using that gift card,” she stated, and Melissa smiled further glad for that extra little time to arrange everything else. “She can’t decide between a computer and a camera, although, with our bonus I can afford to get the other for her graduation present. I wanted to send a thank you to whoever was behind the gift cards; you’ve no idea how much it means to us.”

“Hannover Electronics donated everything.” She was thankful she hadn’t used it as her last name here so she could remain anonymous for a bit longer. “They will gladly take a thank you note. They have an entire charitable division, and the workers there save all of the thank you cards to make their own Christmas trees.”

“That’s amazing and I’m so glad they did it. I’d never be able to afford what Nora needs for school without this and the bonus. Mr. Thomas has been wonderful letting me work overtime to help with the bills. I don’t know what I’d do without this place,” Grace said, and she nodded knowing what she meant. “Speaking of Mr. Thomas though…a few of us ladies were wondering if there was something special going on between you or if it’s just on his side? The way he was looking at you at the party…well it’s how my George looked at me every day of our life.”

“Between us,” Melissa said waiting for her nod of confirmation before she would go on, “there’s been something between us since we met. He came by that evening to check on me after the coffee incident and his brother’s rudeness. While there, my father called to make sure I hadn’t upped and quit my internship. He wants me to go into business, but I can’t imagine going to grad school for my MBA or spending my life behind a desk. Jasper understood and agreed to let me finish out the internship. I didn’t think he meant to move me, but he didn’t want me under Callum after his attitude.”

“No one misses that man, no one could stand him. We only put up with him because he was Mr. Thomas’ brother.”

“I know why, and Jasper moved me upstairs to work with Elaine because of it. Later that morning, they realized they hadn’t gotten the confirmation back from the caterer for his dinner party the next evening. They were under pressure to get it arranged, swamped with work, so I offered to help. I like arranging parties and that sort of thing. It’s likely what I’ll do if I can convince my father that I was serious about not wanting to follow in boardroom business once this internship is done. I just don’t want anyone claiming I’m only around because there’s something personal between Jasper and I,” she stated, and Grace smiled nodding at her.

“After the party this weekend, I don’t think anyone here would dare say something bad about you, and I personally think that you and Mr. Thomas look wonderful together. You’re just what he needs, Melissa. You’re competent and genius at the arranging side, you don’t need someone to look after you, but just the way you look makes a man want to take care of you,” Grace mused putting a tiny smile onto her lips. “Jasper needs someone to help him with the social part of his life, handling his events like the dinner party or the Christmas party. Then from what Elaine’s said, she hasn’t had to lift a finger to help with the investors’ dinner. You compliment him well, so don’t let a little worry about what people will think around here keep you from pursuing something deeper with him. We all want him happy because if he’s happy then the company runs better and we all get Christmas bonuses,” Grace stated giving her a smile warming her heart.

“I wonder if that’s where the generous bonus came from this year,” she mused before hurrying back upstairs to see to her desk. Soon to not be her desk any longer thanks to them hiring someone to be Elaine’s assistant. They were starting after the first of the year and she would be working in the small conference room to keep on top of the investors’ dinner.

“Everyone delivered?” Jasper asked stalling as he took the stack of papers from Elaine when he spotted her.

“All set, I confirmed the return of all the decorations we didn’t purchase and those we did are in the small conference room until we can figure out where to store them,” she said making his brow lift slightly, a smile on his lips. “What?”

“Why not put them up in the main conference room for now?” he stated, and she saw Elaine’s brows shoot upward at the suggestion. “Most of the groups will be using it for their smaller get-togethers this week and they’ll get to enjoy them a bit more.”

“I’m sure I could put some out unless Elaine needs me for anything,” she said, and Elaine shook her head no, letting her move down to get the boxes and decide where to put what.

It was just before noon when Elaine moved into the room and helped her with a long strand of garland, watching her so closely she knew the woman was aware of what was between her and Jasper. It put color on her cheeks, and she shot Elaine a glance as she reached for a bow.

The door was shut behind them and she let out a smile asking, “Is it that obvious?”

“Only to someone who’s been his assistant for four years, and perhaps to a few of the other women who’ve seen the puppy dog looks he sends your way when you’re not watching,” Elaine confirmed making her laugh softly. “I won’t say anything if you want to keep it quiet still.”

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