by Amy Allen
When the kids, including Anna and Leah, were done opening their gifts, though Jason and Brittany only wanted to rip the paper, and Jon, the triplets, Jason, Brittany, and Gray and Marilyn’s twins were all settled in bed, the adults quietly visited. Doug and Brody were playing quietly in Doug’s room, with Drew joining them, until bedtime, and Anna and Leah were in their own rooms winding down. Brandi was happy that everyone who lived in town, as well as her grandfather, planned on staying the night. It was snowing heavily and she didn’t relish the thought of any of her family having problems on the way home. By midnight, everyone but Nik and Brandi retired to their bedrooms.
Chapter 6
Christmas Day
To Brandi, this was the best part and time of Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. It was the very early hours of Christmas Day, around two in the morning. In previous years she’d been by herself, but now she was enjoying this quiet time with Nik while they did her yearly wait for Santa, who was Nick to her. She almost laughed when it sounded like someone was walking on the roof. Within a minute or two, she noticed Santa, Nick, standing at the tree, quietly laughing at the two of them sitting there waiting. Brandi was glad to see he wasn’t in the outfit that was the popular belief that Santa should wear. Instead, Santa wore a full-length coat in emerald green with a hat that matched.
Stepping out, leaving his bag by the tree, Santa moved to Brandi and Nik and first said, “Merry Christmas, Nik.” Gaining a nod from Nik, Santa turned his attention to Brandi. Leaning down, he kissed her cheek. As he said out loud, “Merry Christmas, Ree,” he mentally added, My beautiful one. I love you. Forever.
Brandi smiled at the man who’d held her heart for over a millennium. Out loud she said, “Merry Christmas, Santa,” as she mentally told him, I love you, too, Nicky. Always. Suddenly remembering a specific present she’d bought, Brandi then added, “Near the front is a gift for Noelle from me. Also, tell her…” Not able to finish, Brandi quietly sighed as a tear fell.
Having already started putting gifts out as Brandi commented, Santa saw the one to their daughter. Picking it up, he placed it where he’d remember. Realizing Brandi was suddenly quiet Santa looked back at her, knowing what was unsaid. “I will, Ree. She knows, for both, and understands. Noelle loves and misses you.”
Santa finished setting everything out, glad he always made wherever she was living his final stop. Moving back to Brandi and Nik, he kissed Brandi’s cheek again before saying, “That’s everything. Let me know if you want extra help with moving. I’ll come down and I’ll bring Noelle to help, too. I’m glad you waited up, but get some sleep since it is three a.m. and you know that some in this house will be waking up as soon as the sun is up.”
Brandi grinned up at Santa. “Merry Christmas to Noelle, please. The move will be a week from tomorrow. January 2nd. Since, for now, it’s just the twelve of us there probably isn’t much to do, but we’d love the help for leaving. Plus, it’ll be wonderful to see Noelle though you’ll have to figure out what to have her call me.”
Nik was quietly listening to the exchange. He had a feeling they had told each other more than what was said out loud just after Santa, it seemed appropriate to call, and think of, the man like that instead of as Nick since it was Christmas, first wished Nik Merry Christmas. He could guess what was said, though he wasn’t worried, but would ask Brandi later. He’d acknowledged the Merry Christmas and then nudged Brandi to remind her about the gift for Noelle. Nik felt Brandi’s sorrow and heartache at what she hadn’t voiced before he wiped the tear away.
Because Nik was watching Santa, he’d noticed the man swallow, and close his eyes as if he’d also felt it before replying to Brandi. Nik found this interesting and believed, although he figured Brandi wasn’t aware, Santa was another true mate of hers. Nik suddenly heard in his mind, Yes, I am for her. I’m not saying anything, though, because I know she loves you and is very happy. Nik slightly inclined his head in reply.
At Brandi’s final comment, Nik smiled. “Merry Christmas to Noelle from me also, please. Also, Andi is correct. We’d be happy for the help and I would love to meet Noelle. As for introducing yourself and Noelle, I have two suggestions. First, say you are an old friend of Andi’s and Noelle is your daughter. Second, tell the truth and say that you’re a previous husband of Andi’s, from long before she and I met in the 1770s, and that Noelle is Andi’s and your daughter. Doug already knows when Andi and I met, as do Anna and Leah. Since right at this moment I can’t remember if Doug is aware of how old Andi actually is, I’ll explain it to him later if he asks.”
Santa grinned. “I’m not going to ask if you’re okay with the truth since you are the one suggesting it. Because I know Ree prefers honesty, that would be the best way to go. And on that note, sleep well and I’ll see you in a week.” Santa then picked up his bag and disappeared.
Nik chuckled as he put his arms under Brandi and lifted her up as he stood. Already knowing the answer, Nik queried, “Staying with the truth work for you?” Glad to see Brandi smile her agreement, he then added, “Good. Now, sleep isn’t what I have planned for you.” Crouching slightly, Nik grabbed the baby monitor before heading to their room.
¸.•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
Brandi woke a few hours later, hearing running down the stairs as well as Drew and Jon yelling, “Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!” Rising up onto her elbows, she looked at her husband and grinned. “Guess that’s our cue to get up.” She laughed at the very wolfish growl he gave her, even though his eyes remained closed as he tried to pull her back close. Leaning forward, she kissed him before she slid out of bed. “Come on. Let’s go see what Santa left the kids.”
Nik opened one eye to stare at his wife. Seeing her lift Brittany out of her crib, he sighed and got out of bed, moving to Jason to pick him up. Nik helped Brandi with getting the babies fed and changed before they headed out to join everyone.
Once everyone was awake, the morning was loud and boisterous. Brandi had fixed a simple breakfast of muffins and cinnamon rolls with coffee, tea, and juice. She didn’t expect anyone, including the kids, to eat at the table. The kids just knew they had to be careful. When everyone was gathered by the tree, she had Doug hand out the gifts. Because Brandi had said there was only one gift for the rest of the adults, there was a lot of surprised faces when Doug kept handing the various adults gifts, including his parents, all saying ‘from Santa’.
Sitting back against Nik while also helping Brittany open gifts, Brandi enjoyed watching those she loved rip into presents they thought had come from her. Only one person besides Nik knew the truth for who the gifts actually came from, and that was Jim.
Brandi smiled to herself. Sitting there surrounded by family with snow falling outside was, to her, the best place to be. This was one of the best Christmases she’d ever had.
One last thing… Brandi just got a message from Santa and asked me to pass it on:
Merry Christmas to all!
About Me:
I was born and raised in California, and in early 2007 moved to Reno, Nevada. Besides writing, I am a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and have been since early 1989. I have been working as a home care nurse, mostly Pediatric, since 2004 and have been in my current position since moving to Reno.
When not working, I love to write and, over the years have completed several fanfictions or original stories, which I didn't think of publishing the original ones at the time. However, I now have several published works – a few are clean contemporary/historical paranormal romances, but most are sexily erotic contemporary/historical paranormal romances.
For this year (and on), I have several works in progress, some with Brandi and others featuring new characters – including at least a couple fantasy ones (I plan on one of those fantasy ones being a many book series), and at least one sci-fi (both with Brandi and new characters). All will be paranormal romances – though the multi-book series won’t start out as romance nor will one start out as a romance that will be on the darker sid
e (the one that is darker won’t actually be romance until at least halfway through the book – once I get the darker part of it finished).
When I’m not writing, I spend time with my cats, watch TV/movies, and play an online vampire game.
More Books by Amy:
Novels/Novellas –
The Many Lives of Brandi:
Surprises: The Many Lives of Brandi Series Book 7
A Heart Recognized: The Many Lives of Brandi Book 9 - the Texas Saga 1
Second Chances: The Many Lives of Brandi Series Book 10 – The Vampire and Her Wolf Saga 1
For The Love of St. Nick: The Many Lives of Brandi Series Book 11
Girl and the Fireman Series:
New Beginnings
Holiday Surprises
Masquerade Gone Awry
Simmering Illusions
Omnibus/Boxed sets:
The Girl and the Fireman: The Complete Series
Anthologies
Building Love Anthology: Supporting Ronald McDonald House, Westmead
With Love From London Volume 1 (Voyages of the Heart)
With Love From New Orleans Volume 2 (Voyages of the Heart)
Falling Back With You Anthology
Follow me:
Facebook Author Page - Amy's Writing Place
Amazon Author Page
BookBub Author Page
Goodreads Author Page
Website - Amy Allen's Book Place
