“Where’s Ms. Jones?” Santa asked, looking around the room. Holly startled, unsure of what to do now that she was called out.
“She’s there!” Molly shouted, and soon she had three kids dragging her across the room and toward Santa.
The closer she got, the more she knew for certain that this was not her father. Especially when she looked toward the back and saw her father leaning against the door to his office. He wasn’t wearing the Santa suit.
“Come sit on Santa’s lap and tell me what you want for Christmas,” Santa said, motioning to Holly. She frowned. She knew that voice. Her eyes went wide.
Nathan.
She looked up and into Santa’s brown eyes. Only, they were Nathan’s brown eyes.
Holly’s heart stopped in her chest. The only reason she continued to move was the fact that her students were dragging her across the floor to see Santa. The kids pushed her into the open space in front of Santa and waited to see what happened next.
“You have to sit on his lap, Ms. Jones,” Jake informed her. “You have to do what Santa says.”
“Oh. Right.” Holly sat on Santa’s knee, more because she was going to pass out if she kept standing than because she was supposed to.
She stared wide-eyed in wonder at the man before her. Nathan wore a red Santa suit with a beautiful white snowy beard. His eyes were dark and just for her. The whole room seemed to fade away as he looked at her.
“And what do you want for Christmas, Ms. Jones?” Nathan’s voice was soft.
“I’m not sure,” she managed to say. “I’m not sure if Santa can bring me what I want.”
“I’m here,” he whispered, just loud enough for Holly to hear.
She swallowed hard. “Really?”
“I’m here to stay, Holly. I’m not leaving you again.”
She leaned forward, wanting to kiss him but he stopped her.
“Not in front of the kids.” He motioned with his head towards the very interested group of children and adults watching them.
Holly’s cheeks flamed red. She’d forgotten they were even there.
“I need to discuss something with Ms. Jones,” Santa said, raising his voice. “But, since I have so many more gifts to give out, I’m going to have my elves help me.”
He motioned and two men stepped forward.
Holly recognized them as Hal and Gregory, Nathan’s bodyguards. However, they were wearing green tunics with striped red tights and a yellow belt. They also had on elf ears and pointed caps. They looked more like a pair of Jolly Green Giants than San
ta’s helpers.
Hal went to the open bag. “Where is Natasha?”
Natasha stepped forward, fear and curiosity on her face. “That’s me.”
“Here you go, darling,” Hal said, a smile filling his face as he handed her an art kit.
Natasha beamed and threw her arms around him, giving him a huge hug. Hal looked like this was the happiest day of his life.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile,” Nathan remarked, standing up and taking Holly’s hand. He pulled her toward the back and Mark opened the door up to his office. While the kids were busy watching the two giant elves pull out presents, Holly and Santa slipped upstairs.
Chapter 43
Nathan
The walk up the small flight of stairs to Mark’s office was the longest one of Nathan’s life. He could feel Holly’s hand in his, but he still had to keep looking back and making sure she was real.