Dragon's Gap: Set Includes Stories 6-7 Plus A Christmas Surprise

by L M Lacee

  Tommy was shy when he saw them and a little scared he was dreaming. So being brave he asked. “Am I dreaming?”

  Mrs Santa hugged him and said. “No Tommy you are not dreaming. We want you to live with us and be our son, so we can be your parents.”

  Tommy was so very happy to hear that, he nodded very hard, trying not to cry.”

  “Boys can cry.” Tabor said as he looked at his father who nodded and said. “Of course they can, crying cleans the eyes,”

  “Wow, mama must hav clean eyes!” Molly said.

  “Hormones!” Sage called out as the adults laughed.

  Keeper read: “Tommy replied shyly. I want to be your son very much and live with you forever and ever.”

  Santa smiled at Tommy and said. “Welcome to your new home Tommy and Merry Christmas. The end.

  Keeper closed the book and looked worriedly as no one was speaking. Ella smiled lovingly at him as she said. “That was even better this time.”

  Keeper said hesitantly. “Maybe the interruptions added to it.”

  “Maybe!” She did not want to say it had more to do with Keeper than the young ones. “So lovely, well done both of you.” Verity told him and Ella.

  Grace dabbed at her eyes and she was not the only one to do so. “It was a lovely story Keeper. You and Ella crafted a nice gift for us all.”

  Keeper and Ella both thanked her. Slowly everyone started to clap and then one by one the young ones came and gave first Keeper and then Ella hugs. As Kadee summed up what they thought in one sentence. “That was the best Christmas story ever!”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  S upper was served and consisted of more hot chocolate and eggnog with cakes and pastries. Then a surprise was heard from high in the night sky. The young ones all raced to the balcony doors and looked out. Wonder greeted their eyes. Excited Molly and Kammy jumped up and down while the others all shouted with glee as they spied Santa’s sleigh. It was pulled by two dragons racing across the sky in amongst the stars. Then as they watched the dragons pulling the sleigh spiraled down and hovered above the castle. “What are they doing?” Paige as the second oldest child there asked, Clint obviously being older. Conor walked over and looked at the sleigh and dragons saying. “No idea kitten.”

  Just then Reighn called out. “You better come away from the doors, so they can land and Santa can enter and give out gifts.”

  Dmitry moved closer to his dad as he whispered. “Dad is Santa gonna take me away?”

  Ivan lifted the boy into his strong arms and hugged him. His voice was a little more gruffer than normal when he said. “No my son, Santa has come to give out gifts, not take you or anyone away, you have family remember.”

  “Not like Tommy, he dinna, huh dad?”

  “No my son he did not, but he does now.” Ivan’s eyes naturally sort Stanvis out, as he said. “A loving family that loves him deeply. Just like I love you and your brother.”

  “Oh okay dad but is it okay if I stay here for a little bit just to make sure. You know?” Ivan smiled the time will come soon enough when his son would not fit in his arms as he did now, so he softly told him. “No problem stay as long as you like.”

  “Granma Grace, did I hear the word gifts?” Paige asked Grace who said. “I did indeed hear that. I am told they are special one off gifts.”

  “Oh why?”

  Grace tucked a wayward curl behind her new granddaughter’s ear and said. “Because it is to be a new family tradition each Christmas Eve, Santa will appear and give one special gift to each child.”

  “Oh, that is so nice.” Paige hugged Grace as Kadee came over and said. “I just love our new family so much.”

  Grace hugged her as well and whispered for them both to hear. “Just as much as we love you all.”

  “He is here!” Squealed Kammy as she ran to her mother and father.

  “Santa is here!” Molly yelled just as loud as she was scooped up into her daddy’s arms. Then like magic Santa was in the room and he called out. “Ho…Ho…Ho! Merry Christmas everyone!”

  “Merry Christmas!” Everyone yelled back as Rene` and Patrycc slipped back into the room unnoticed with rosy red cheeks. Verity handed them both a large glass of eggnog with a touch of brandy in it to ward off the chill they were feeling. She smiled as she walked close to where Andre ` in his Santa suit stood.

  “Now I am here to gift some special people with presents.” Andre` told the room his dragon in his voice making it deeper and fuller somehow. He knew he would not fool the teenagers but hoped he would the younger ones.

  Keeper with his story had primed them to believe in Santa so he was betting they would be too enthralled to figure out who he really was. “Now where should I sit?”

  Verity glass of eggnog in hand said. “Santa please sit here.” And she led him to the big armchair by the fire and as he sat she handed him the warmed eggnog. “Thank you my dear. I am sure there will be a little something for you under the tree in the morning.”

  Startled Verity laughed and inclined her head. “Why thank you Santa.” Andre` took a large swallow of his drink and felt the warmth from the eggnog warm his stomach, smiling he said. “So who will come first to receive their very special gift from Santa?”

  Clint walked forward a little and asked sheepishly. “Am I too old?”

  Andre` beckoned him forward and took his hand looking deep into his eyes and said, “No you are not too old.” Then he whispered for only him to hear. “I am proud to call you ours. Clint.”

  Clint smiled and blushed slightly, now in louder voice Andre` asked. “What do you wish for your special gift?”

  Clint shrugged then asked. “Santa I would like to go to Europe for three months over the summer holidays.”

  “Granted. You shall have your vacation, three months to travel through Europe.”

  Stunned, Clint's mouth had opened and closed several times before he said. “I can go?”

  Andre` nodded as Clint turned to look at Harper and Ace. “Really?”

  Harper nodded a little, mindful of the little ones staring at him. Clint walked casually back to Harper and Ace and stood beside her, when Andre ` asked who would be next. Clint quickly hugged Harper and whispered. “Thanks mom.”

  Harper nodded into his chest and whispered. “I love you always.”

  “I know.” He told her as he released her to Ace as he mouthed thanks. Ace nodded, in return with a smile.

  “Me see Santa, dada.” Cara said bravely as her father walked her to Santa. Storm slowly and carefully place her on Santa’s lap. Cara stared at him for a minute then touched his long white beard, her eyes lit up and she said. “Hiya Santa.”

  Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Cara did not always accept strangers well.

  Santa asked her. “Hello sweet Cara, now what wish can Santa make happen for you?”

  “Me want pink hair Santa.”

  “Your wish is granted.” He kissed her forehead and they all watched as her hair magically turned pink. Storm handed her a mirror and she stared at her reflection in stunned silence, then she looked gravely at Santa` and said. “I love you Santa, fank you.”

  “As I love Cara.” He lowered her to the floor and as soon as her feet touched the floor, she screamed with delight. “ME HAVE PINK HAIR!”

  “You caved huh?” Harper asked Charlie who sighed,

  “Yes her daddy nagged, her grandparents begged and she wants it and it is Christmas. Look how happy she is.” They looked to where Cara ran around the room showing everyone her pink hair, shining with happiness.

  “Do not look at me like that. She deserves it.” Snarled Charlie at Harper who grinned at her sister. “I know sis. She does, and you are a good mom.”

  Charlie hunched her shoulders as she told her laughing sister. “Not that good. I made Sage promise she could change it back if she grows tired of it.” As they watched the little girl laugh and touch her hair, it seemed like that was not going to happen anytime soon.

  Santa pointe
d to Kelsey. “Come to Santa.” She moved closer to him he picked her up and placed her on his lap and asked. “What can Santa give to you little one?”

  Kelsey sighed as she said. “I don’t know?”

  “Look in your heart, you have one wish, what would it be?”

  Kelsey looked at her mother, then her father who gave her a nod and she whispered. “I want a library in my home.”

  Santa smiled and kissed her forehead. “It is done tomorrow when you wake a library filled with books will be there for you.”

  Excited, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him hard. “Thank you Santa.”

  Next he pointed to Molly who wiggled to get down from her father’s arms, she walked boldly to Santa and climbed onto his lap. “Hello little Molly.”

  “Hiya Santa.”

  “Well little kitten. Now what wish can Santa give you?”

  “Me want red boots please Santa.”

  Santa waved his hand and said. “Your wish is granted.” Molly looked around her. She could not see her red boots. She looked up into Santa’s eyes and said. “Where red boots Santa?”

  “Why they are in your daddy’s hands.” And sure enough when Molly looked her dada was holding her shiny red boots. “Oh! Thank you Santa.” Molly told him as she scrambled from his lap and ran to her father. “Dada me have red boots.”

  Kammy ran to Santa and also boldly climbed onto his lap. With a smile in his voice, he asked. “What do you wish for little Kammy?"

  Shyly she said. “Santa, me have a tree house?”

  “Hey no.” Dmitry cried as he jumped from his father’ arms. He and Tabor stormed to where Kammy sat on Santa’s lap. Both boys frowned and said. “We was gonna ask Santa for a tree house.”

  Santa laughed. “Ho…Ho…Ho! Now little cubs, Santa has more than one tree house. In the morning when you wake up, you all will have a tree house in your own backyards.”

  Tabor smiled and yelled. “Yippee!” Then he stopped, and his little shoulders dropped in sadness. Santa asked softly. “What is the matter little cub?”

  “We forgot to ask for a tree!”

  Santa patted his head. “A tree will be there young cub.”

  Kammy said. “I have a tree Santa.”

  “That is good, little kitten. Now in the morning your tree houses will be there.”

  “Thank you Santa.” They all said as one, then they ran back to their parents to tell them of the tree houses.

  Galina hung back, her hands behind her back as she hesitated to go closer to Santa until he crooked a finger at her and smiled. “Come closer little cub, tell me what wish can Santa grant you?”

  Galina smiled and whispered as she moved very close to Santa. “Can you ask granma Verity if I can go to her tea parties with Kammy and Molly, please? And can I have a tiara, too?”

  Verity looked at Grace and whispered. “I did not know about that.”

  “Me either.” Grace replied.

  “Oh, I feel so sad I have never invited her.” She quickly nodded to Andre` who whispered to Galina and as they watched, a huge smile spread over her face. Then as Santa waved his hand a tiara appeared on her head, she squealed with delight and threw her arms around Santa and hugged him. Paige, Kadee and Joy sat huddled on a couch when it became quiet they looked up from their intense conversation and noticed everyone staring at them.

  Ocean said. “Girls it is your turn, go tell Santa what your wish is.” All three of them got up and walked to where he sat. Paige and Kadee pushed Joy in front of them. Joy smiled shyly as she moved closer to Santa, “I don’t think you can grant my wish but I thank you anyway.”

  “Why do you not ask and see what happens? He told her. Sighing she looked at her mom and dad, who nodded and made motions with their hands. Joy bit her lip and blurted out. “I want to see Axl, just for Christmas.”

  “Granted!” Andre` said as he waved his hand and a portal opened. Joy squealed and hugged Andre` “Thank you… thank you granddad.” She whispered.

  “You are welcome my sweet little chatterbox.” Laughing Joy stood and rushed to Axl as he stepped through the silvery doorway.

  “Huh, who’s a sucker now?” Charlie asked Harper who screwed her face up and said. “It is only until the day after New Year. He is staying with Andre` and we managed to make a potion for him to take, so he is calmer while here.” She sighed. “And yeah, the crying just hurt my heart.”

  Charlie grinned as she told Harper. “You are a good mom too!”

  “Yeah …yeah!”

  Axl looked pained until he saw Joy then his face blossomed into smiles. He hugged her and released her quickly. Within minutes with her hand held in his, he moved to his brothers to hug each of them and receive their hugs in return.

  Paige pushed Kadee closer to Andre` and softly hissed. “Your turn.”

  Kadee grinned and walked up to Andre` and plopped down on his lap. “Hiya Santa.” She said cheekily.

  Andre` grinned back and said. “Hello sweet girl, what can Santa gift you?”

  Kadee felt sad and her eyes filled with tears as she said. “I just want to talk to my grandpa and ask him if he found grandma.” She cuddled into Andre` and whispered. “I know that is impossible but I just want to tell him we have a new mom and dad and about you granddad. Is that wrong to tell him that?”

  “No little one, it is not. He would be glad I think to know you and Paige are not alone.”

  “Yeah okay.”

  He leant his head down and said. “Your uncle Reighn can make that happen on New Year’s Eve at midnight you and Paige will have five minutes to talk to your Grandpa.”

  She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight as she whispered. “Thank you Grandad.” Then in a louder voice she said. “Thank you Santa.” She popped off his lap and ran to her dad and mom talking animatedly. Then she went to Reighn and hugged him long and hard as she talked to him. Andre` looked at Paige and asked. “Paige what can Santa gift to you?”

  “You know Santa I have everything I want and need. My parents, my sisters, my… my Grandads and Grand moms and all my family. There is nothing I want. I have my gift.”

  “There must be something?” Andre` was desperate they had struck out with Paige. No one had been able to find out if she wanted anything or had a deeply held secret desire. She said now. “No, I am honestly happy with my life and my family.” She leant over and kissed his cheek. “Merry Christmas Santa. I love you.” As she drew away, she smiled and said. “But if you need to do something. Can you make it snow?”

  Andre` nodded with a pleased smile on his face. He waved his hand towards the balcony doors and said. “As it happens for you my dear, I can and will.”

  Paige grinned and ran to the doors to see the softly falling snow, all the young followed her. Which was just the reaction Andre` hoped for as it gave him time to slip from the room and change. Reighn went with him to help. “It went well.” He said as he helped his uncle from his Santa suit in his office.

  Andre` grinned as he replied. “They seemed happy with their gifts. Little Galina surprised me.”

  “As it did mama. You both covered it very well. She never suspected a thing.”

  Andre` smoothed down his hair as he removed the fake beard. He looked at his nephew and said. “Thank you Reighn for calling me home.”

  Reighn nodded. “It was my pleasure. I missed you.”

  Andre` swallowed then told him. “I am glad to be here. I would not have missed this for the world.”

  Reighn hugged his uncle. “Neither would I.”

  “So Reighn, you got the Elementals to call snow.”

  “Well, I asked and thankfully they seemed to have come through.”

  Andre` opened the office door and said. “Well let’s go and enjoy the wonder of our first Christmas, with our family.”

  Reighn let him go, then he leant down and touched the stones of the castle in benediction to the ancestors. Then he walked into the lounge where his family waited and as they all tu
rned to him, he called out using the mantle of the Dragon Lord.

  “Merry Christmas!”

  I hope you enjoyed reading about the Dragons First Christmas as much as I enjoyed writing about them.

  So I too would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!

  L.M. Lacee.

  Other Books by L. M. Lacee

  Set #1 DRAGON’S GAP: Books 1,2 & 3 Plus Love’s Catalyst

  Set #2 DRAGON’S GAP: Books 4 & 5 Plus Love’s Impulse

  3DRAGON'S GAP: (Book 1) Reighn & Sage's Story

  DRAGON'S GAP: (Book 2) Sharm & Edith's Story

  DRAGON'S GAP: Novella Love’s Catalyst)

  DRAGON'S GAP: (Book 3) Storm & Charlie's Story

  DRAGON'S GAP: (Book 4) Ash & Olinda's Story

  DRAGON'S GAP: (Book 5) Ace & Harper's Story

  DRAGON'S GAP: Novella Love’s Impulse

  DRAGON'S GAP: (Book 6) Thorn & Ciana

  DRAGON'S GAP: (Book 7) Conor & Ocean

  DRAGON'S GAP: (Novella) A Christmas Surprise

  Visit my website at www. LMLacee.com and sign up for information, FREE Promotions and updates.