Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 43870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Phoebe accepted me from day one. She’d told us after her first Christmas at the ranch that her wish to Santa had come true. She’d wished to stay at the ranch and for us to become a family. Two dads was kind of perfect. A sibling or two would be nice also.
Last spring, we’d looked into surrogacy. We’d done our research and eventually found the perfect match to carry our child—a twentysomething PhD student from Santa Barbara with a bubbly personality who’d wanted to help a couple start a family. After six solid weeks of morning sickness, Sara had hit the three month mark two days ago, and we could officially let our family and friends know we had a baby on the way.
Phoebe was thrilled.
“Can I have a sister? Please? It’s okay if it’s a boy, but it would be extra super-duper-duper great if it was a girl,” she’d enthused.
Early indications was that Sara was carrying a boy, but I really didn’t think Phee would mind. She was going to be an amazing big sister.
And Axel…my fierce, rough, tough, bear of a man wasn’t sure what to think of the news. “A boy. I don’t know how to parent a boy. I might not be any good at it. I don’t want to mess this up or—”
“Shh. That’s not possible. We’re in this together.”
He’d grinned. “We are. All the way.”
That was a fact. We supported, commiserated, or cheered each other on through thick and thin. And vowed to do the same for our children.
And if that occasionally meant doing things you’d sworn you’d never in a million years be caught dead doing—like donning a Santa costume for your daughter’s holiday ballet recital—so be it.
I straightened the fur collar on my husband’s coat and smoothed out the faux white beard. “Can I lick your candy cane later, Mr. Claus?”
Axel snort-laughed and grabbed my junk through my jeans. “Watch it, cowboy. If you wind up on my naughty list, you’ll be over my knee.”
“Promise?”
“I guarantee it.” He kissed me, cupping my nape in his signature rough yet tender way. “Tell me something, husband…what the fuck am I supposed to do besides say ho ho ho?”
“Smile.”
“Like this?” His brow knit in wicked scowl.
“No, try…lifting your lip at the corners. Yeah, that’s better,” I cajoled. “Not great, but you’ve got the idea. The good news is…you’re only supposed to be holiday eye candy.”
“Hot Santa?”
“Pretty much.”
“Oh, brother.”
I grinned. “C’mon, let’s get out there. Jax is holding my seat, next to Rich and his new boyfriend, and Josh and Angie, and Moody and Hudson, and Vicki, and—”
“And the whole damn town,” he supplied with a theatrical sigh. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
“Can I say something first?”
Axel nipped my bottom lip playfully. “Sure. Unless it has anything to do with this ridiculous beard.”
“Nope. You look wonderful…and kind of magical. I love you more every day, Axe.”
His eyes softened. “I love you too. Let’s go spread some holiday freaking cheer.”
I chuckled. “Merry Christmas, my love.”
“Merry Christmas, cowboy.”
He squeezed my hand and led us through a dark hallway to the side entrance of the regional theater. The cowboy and Santa Claus.
My heart swelled with pride as he strode ahead of me, calling a boisterous, “Ho, ho, ho!”
This was my wish come true and the only thing on my Christmas list every year: a lifetime with this man, building our family, and a future filled with love, hope…and a little magic.