Mistletoe (16 page)

Walking over, Sebastian looked down at the little man. “The snow stopped hours ago.”

“I wasn’t talking about Connecticut, sir,” Percy said, smiling up at man.

“No, I suppose you weren’t,” Sebastian said with a knowing grin.

Looking at the four sacks of presents stuffed into the back of the sleigh, Percy said, “That’s more than last year, isn’t it?”

“A bit, but the party has grown over the years, as you well know.”

“It looks like in another year or two there won’t be any room for me.”

“They’ll always be room for you, Percy, but I’m retiring after tonight. Next year, my grandson will take over the reins.”

“Oh, I see,” Percy said, hanging his head.

“He’s a good boy, Percy, and I was hoping that you’d help him, just as you’ve helped me.”

Pausing for a moment, Percy said, “I’ll have to check, sir. There are rules I have to follow, and even though I made an exception with you, I’m not sure I’ll be allowed to make another.”

“That’s fair,” Sebastian replied. “But tonight, after the last sack is emptied, can I ask that you stay a bit longer. I asked my grandson to get us a bit of scotch for afterward…that is, if you have the time?”

A toothy grin exploded across Percy’s face, and the bells on his cap and shoes began to jingle with excitement. “I’d be honored, sir,” the little man said, waving his arm toward the front seat of the sleigh. “You best climb aboard now, or we’ll be late.”

“You first.”

“Sir?”

“Tonight, we ride front seat together.”

“Yes, sir,” Percy said, snapping to attention. “
Yes, sir
!”

~~~

A short time later, as parents and children alike ran across the snow toward the sled, Diana smiled when she heard Jamie walk up behind her. Leaning back, they both sighed when their bodies touched, and as Jamie wrapped her arms around Diana’s waist, she said, “I told you that he’d be okay.”

Playfully elbowing Jamie in the ribs, Diana said, “I knew you were going to say that.”

“If I hadn’t, you would have been disappointed.”

“True,” Diana said with a laugh.

Seeing all the wide smiles on the faces of parents and children alike, Jamie said, “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this.”

“You say that every year.”

“Do I?”

“Yes, that’s why the party keeps getting bigger.”

“Do you mind?”

“Do you really need to ask that?”

“I love you.”

“I know. I love you, too.”

Focusing her attention on the sleigh, Jamie said, “Do you think he’ll come back?”

“We already discussed this, sweetheart. Jamison will take over next year.”

“I’m not talking about Dad.”

“Oh,” Diana said, watching as the elf handed Sebastian Nash another gift from a sack.

“Do you think others can see him?” Jamie asked.

“Our kids do.”

“True, but even I couldn’t admit seeing him the first time,” Jamie said with a chuckle.

“I still can’t believe you lied about that.”

“It wasn’t a big lie.”

“I felt like such idiot, do you know that? There I was, being honest…and instead of admitting that you saw him too, you accused me of being drunk.”

Laughing, Jamie pulled Diana even closer. “Did I ever tell you how much I love it when you get angry?”

Rolling her eyes, Diana looked over her shoulder and snorted. “So...who’s picking the fight tonight? Me or you?”

THE END

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