Before he closed his eyes, he sent a text message to Patience. “I thank God for you. See you tomorrow.”
He laid back on his bed and broke into laughter. “Absolutely amazing. For the first time in all these years, I am actually looking forward to Christmas.”
Patience stood in her parent’s kitchen, helping her mother take the Christmas cookies from the oven. Each year, she baked a giant special cookie for each child at the orphanage. The cookies had each child’s name on it, and they looked forward to the special treat. This year, Patience had found some specialty boxes that would perfectly showcase each special delight.
Her mother’s voice broke into her thoughts. “You seem rather close to Nick. I didn’t realize you two knew each other so well.”
“Actually, we don’t. I met him this week at the mall when Big Charlie had the stroke,” she said as she started opening the boxes and layering each with wax paper.
“It seemed like the two of you were closer than that,” Andrea stated, trying to gauge her daughter’s reaction.
She was not going to be cornered. Whatever she and Nick was sharing was new and he was in a fragile state. “Sociologically, Momma – attachment bonds can be formed quickly during adverse situations. In this case, he is an only child like myself and I could not imagine going through something like this alone. Big Charlie asked a favor of me and I complied.”
“Looks like you did more than comply. Did something happen between you?” She looked at Patience head on.
Never one to lie to her mother as a child, she saw no reason to lie to her as an adult. “Yes. I am not ashamed of it though.”
“And him. Is he ashamed of it?”
Patience phone buzzed, and she opted to see who it was before answering that question. It was Nick! He said he would see her tomorrow. I will get to spend Christmas Eve with him. “Evidently not, Mother. He said he would see me tomorrow,” she said and went back to packing boxes.
Here Comes Santa Claus...
Schedule in hand, high top shiny black boots, a red Santa suit and a fake white beard, he cranked up the Santa Mobile and hit the garage door. The antlers and red nosed grill that lit up and blinked along with the music was fired up as the garage door closed. Nick used the Bluetooth to call the children’s hospital to let the head nurse, a name on Big Charlie’s list, know that Santa was coming to town. He flipped the switch, turned on the tunes, and rolled slowly down the driveway. As he turned onto Maple Drive, he opened up the music.
Kids were playing outside in the fresh snow as Nick rolled by and tooted the horn. Here Comes Santa Claus blaring loudly down the way. A black and white cop car saw him coming and pulled alongside the truck. Nick slowed, rolling down the window. “Just making my dad’s run to make sure none of the kids are left out,” he yelled at the officer, who nodded and took point. With his lights flashing, he gave Nick an escort to the children’s hospital.
It was a small, two-story building, adjoining the main hospital with lots and lots of windows. Nick cranked the music louder as he came around the corner and turned into the parking lot of the hospital. He remembered how his dad would always make the approach from the South end, so the music would rattle the windows and the children would know he was there. It worked like a charm. Little faces were pressed against the glass trying to see the truck pull in under the portico. Nurse Potter, with whom he had been conversing, came out to meet him with a laundry bin to hold all the toys. “I hope I have enough,” Nick said. “I went over the list, and checked it twice,” he told the nurse. It was one of those surreal moments and both he and Nurse Potter laughed.
“The main toys are for the kids in the cancer wing, and those who are terminal,” she told him. Nick wasn’t prepared for that bit of information.
He was also unprepared for the unconditional love that each child showered on him. Children who could barely walk. Children who could barely talk. Children who were barely hanging on to life. They were all so happy to see him. Grateful for each toy, no matter how insignificant, but joyful to simply receive something. He wished he had more. But he had a schedule to keep.
The same scenario played out at the boy’s home. Kids trying to be tough guys were happy to see Santa. He had a package with this kid’s name on it that had charcoals and a sketch pad. At 15 years old, the teen was truly grateful. He told Nick, “It’s nice to be remembered you know. Your dad always remembered us. Made us all feel worthwhile, not like a throw away at Christmastime.”
“I know what you mean, man,” Nick said as he dispersed the bag of goodies. These items were more or less socks, undies, comic books, sketch books, pencils, and small sets of tools; items that a young man would need to fulfill a personal interest or a personal need. Way to go, Dad.
The next stop was the county senior’s home. Nick had done some work here before and it was usually an adult diaper clogging a drain. He hated the facility because it smelled like bleach, old people and death, but today, it was bright. So were the residents. Each little goodie bag was labeled. Diabetic candies, romance novels, rap CDs, jazz cassettes – each item was tailored to the resident.
By 4 pm, Nick was pooped. But he still had to get to the orphanage where Patience worked. He called ahead. “Hey,” he said in the line.
“Hey back,” she responded.
“I am headed your way,” he told her as he made the turn towards the main entryway of the orphanage.
“Oh, you are,” she said with some facetiousness.
“Yep. You should be able to hear me pretty soon.” He hit the specialized horn that his dad had custom made for the truck, a horn that emitted a bellowing reindeer call followed by the roll call of Santa’s reindeer. “On Dasher, and Dancer, on Prancer...”
She yelled into the phone, “No freaking way!”
“Open up for Santa, baby,” he said as he flicked on the music. His police escort lighted the graveled drive as Santa made his way down the long drive. He made it to the front door to be greeted by squealing children that Patience was trying to desperately calm. He held up his hands for quiet, but the kids wouldn’t settle down. He grabbed his bag and headed back towards the truck. That did it. Rowdy little voices were now quiet and eager for his visit.
In less than an hour he was able to distribute all the toys plus a gift for the orphanage director and assistant. He would give Patience a gift that night, which was also what he mentioned as she escorted him to the truck.
“Let me take all of this home and I can meet you at your place in an hour,” he said, his eyes twinkling.
“That is an hour too long,” she told him.
“Then I will hurry. I promised you a bright Christmas morning,” he said with a wink.
“Then you had better come prepared, jolly old St. Nick,” she said.
“Ho-Ho-Ho!” He slid in behind the wheel and hit the horn. The loud reindeer horn bellowed followed by the calling of the reindeer names as he rolled out, “... on Comet, on Cupid...”
He could not get over the irony as he drove the Santa mobile home. He even gave a small gift to the officer who had served as his escort. The man was truly happy. Nick drove home, laughing all the way.
“Patience.”
He laughed some more.
Right Down Santa’s Lane...
Nick felt really good about his day as he backed his dad’s truck into the driveway. He used the hose to wash the salt from the roadways used to take care of the snow and slippery roads off the wheels and undercarriage. Satisfied for the time being, he backed the Ford into the garage and closed the door. He would take it in for detailing in a day or so. He made a quick check of the shed in the back yard and he had not missed a toy. It was wonderful that the gifts were wrapped in either pink or blue paper so he knew which ones were for the boys and which ones were for the girls.
In the house, the stacks of money he had taken from the cards and envelopes were still on the table. He had a made a list of who had donated how much and to which child. This system would have t
o be automated. If this was going to work, he would have to start with the after Christmas sales. Next year, he wanted to make sure every child in a hospital bed got something from Santa. Listen at me.
He rubbed his clean face. I need a beard. I wonder how Patience will feel about me having a beard? If not I could always get the kids at the school in the theater department to make me something that feels original. He took off the suit and laid it across the chair in his dad’s room before heading to the shower. He had one more delivery to make tonight and he could not wait to see her.
“Patience.”
I am going out of mind! What do I put on? What should I wear for Nick? Dear Lord, I sound like some horny teenager. What should I make us for dinner?
The thought of a nice warm bowl of chili sounded wonderful, but who would want to eat chili and then have sex. We are having some sex tonight. The bad kind. She broke out laughing. Seeing him in that Santa suit with kids on his lap turned her on so much, it took everything in her not to climb in that ridiculous truck and leave with him.
She started a pot of soup using the leftover veggies in the fridge, made a quick salad, and pulled out some day old French bread to make some quick garlic bread. Garlic. Scratch that. Cheesy bread.
While the soup simmered, she showered, and dug around in her undie drawer. Yes, the red lace set that came up high on her butt cheeks. She modeled in the mirror, first putting her hair up, adding the glasses, then taking off the glasses and letting the hair down. Hair down and glasses.
She moisturized her legs, her feet, and checked her toenail polish for chips. She quickly checked the soup again before slipping on a red silk wrap dress. “Girl, you look good enough to eat,” she said as she checked herself in the mirror. She only hoped Nick agreed.
He was right on time. Dressed in his black suit and a Christmas tie with his Dad’s Santa face on it, he stood in her doorway in an oversized black coat and bright red scarf. He still wore the Santa hat. Patience was nearly hidden behind the door when she opened it to avoid the cold air as he stepped inside and removed his coat. He turned to look at her and spotted the red dress. He actually sucked in his breath.
“And good evening to you, as well,” he said as he hung his coat on the rack and kicked off his shoes. “You look amazing.”
“You look pretty handsome yourself there, big guy,” she said as she locked the door. “I didn’t have time to cook, so I hope soup and salad is okay.”
She added an intentional sway to her hips as she made her way towards the kitchen. She looked at the pot, turning it off and pulling the cheesy toast from the oven, as well as the Snickerdoodles she had just baked for him. “I hope you’re hungry,” she said as she looked up at him, surprised to find him standing so close.
“Absolutely starving,” he told her as he dropped his suit jacket on the back of a chair, revealing his happiness to see her again. Her lady parts starting twitching. In one move he pulled her into his arms and pulled the string on the dress. Nick lowered his head and kissed her tenderly, softly and with no urgency. But Patience wasn’t having it. Her fingers went up into his hair, tugging at the locks, pressing her body to his.
“Nope, slow down, sweetheart.”
Nick lifted her off the floor and gently deposited her on the kitchen counter. He used his teeth to tug at the second tie that closed the wrap dress, allowing the fabric to fall open, revealing her body. “Red, my new favorite color,” he said as he planted kisses along her thighs. He moved higher as he gently nudged her thighs apart, still kissing his way up her legs. His hands rubbed the brown skin as he made small circles on her thighs with his tongue. Patience threw her head back, reveling in the sensations he was stirring up inside of her.
His right hand came up to gently massage her breast, catching the nipple between his two fingers and squeezing. Her knee came up, exposing her core. Nick seized the opportunity and buried his face, pressing his tongue against the lacy fabric, applying pressure to her – there. She moaned as she moved against his mouth. His fingers were sliding up her thigh, pulling the lace aside, and slipping inside her, feeling the moisture building. Her legs came up on his shoulders as she thrust her hips forward, grinding her womanhood against his mouth.
Nick lifted her from the counter, her legs wrapped around his shoulders and used his tongue to lick harder and faster against the lacy fabric. The nectar from her readiness for him, seeping into his mouth, making him want more. He lowered her legs to his forearms as he carried her to the bedroom. He dumped her on the bed without much care as he quickly unfastened his pants and climbed aboard the bed with her. “Patience,” he said as she grabbed for him like a greedy kid wanting more candy.
“Yes, Nick,” she said, tugging at the waistband of his underwear.
He smiled as he kissed her. “No, I am asking you to have some.” On his knees facing her, he unhooked her bra, freeing her breasts. His hands massaged the mounds as he kissed each one, teasing the nipples.
“I have no more patience,” she told him as she pushed him to his back and moved over him. She yanked the underwear off, leaving them pooled about his ankles as she took him in her mouth. Sucking, licking, slurping like it was the first Popsicle of the summer season. He moved in her hand, thrusting his hips as she made love to him with her mouth. Patience’s hands were everywhere as she massaged the hanging sack, kissing it, taking a rounded nodule into her mouth, getting more turned on each time she heard him moan. More. “I need you inside me,” she told him as she straddled his waist, holding him in one hand, adjusting and lowering her body to take him in.
Patience was slick. Wet. Ready. She slid down over the powerful shaft, moaning, as she lowered, raised, and lowered herself again and again. “You feel so good inside me, Nick. So, so, so good,” she said as she felt her orgasm building. With each downward stroke of her hips, he thrust upward to meet her, his hand on her hips, encouraging her movement. The tension was building inside of her as the pace quickened. Her breast was leaning over his face and she rode him hard, fast, moaning, humping, grinding, and needing to get it all out. The instant Nick took one of her nipples into his mouth, she let go.
“So, good. So good,” she said. “You feel so damned good,” she rode him faster. Nice, smooth, even strokes of her body. Faster, deeper, harder, and she came. Hard. She cried out at the top of her lungs, grunting, grinding, and thrusting her hips forward.
He rolled her to her side, saying nothing as he started with slow, tender strokes. Going deep inside of her, massaging her insides with the power of his need. He promised her Christmas morning and he planned to be a man of his word. I am not sure if I am going to make though ... she feels so amazing. He began a series of long powerful strokes that were intended to go deep within her. She crooned as he thrust hard into her.
Nick wasn’t going to last much longer. Adjusting her legs, he shifted their positions as he captured her mouth with his own, unleashing upon her everything he had been wanting to say to her. To tell her thank you. Not turning him away when he needed her. For sending his dad Home in grand style. Thanks for taking care of me. But most of all, for making him believe again.
He tried to voice the words, but he became emotional again as he began his ascension. Then he stopped.
“What’s wrong, Nick? I like it. You are not hurting me... plus I was so close,” she said as she kissed his chest and suckled at his nipple.
“I promised you sweetly, slowly, thoroughly. I just don’t want to rush this. I am enjoying you,” he said as he kissed her again. His eyes closed as he moved within her slow. Intentional. Making every stroke count. Patience wasn’t having that either.
She bucked her hips hard against him and began to grind into his pelvis, contracting her Kegels until he yelled, “Damn!”
Nick let go and pumped hard into her, spewing his love and feelings inside of his sweet and beautiful Patience. He collapsed in a sweaty heap.
“Well, that was intense,” he said with a chuckle. “I think you may end up kil
ling me.”
“Yes, but you will die so happy,” she told him as she stroked his shoulders. He pulled himself away and flopped out on his back, pulling her with him, holding her close.
“Nick,” she said softly, “I was so shocked when you pulled up in Big Charlie’s truck today. Are you planning to continue his ministry?”
“I want to. But I will need a lot of help. I started a list, but I need to automate it with spreadsheets, kids, some kind of database, maybe do a 501 (C) 3 or something. I mean, I want you to help me do this,” he said.
“Are you asking me to be one of Santa’s Elves?”
“No, I am asking you to be Mrs. Clause.”
Patience sprang up in the bed. “Hold on. That’s kind of sudden. We have only known each other a week. You have already gotten me in bed twice, which is totally out of the norm for me, but... but...” She was at a loss for words.
“It’s your call. We can wait a year or two, or we can wait a month or two, it’s up to you,” he told her as pulled her back down on the bed.
“You are too funny.”
“I am too serious,” he said as his thumb rubbed her arm. “I knew the first moment I laid eyes on you. And after I kissed you, I was pretty certain. Then after making love with you a few days ago, I had no doubt. It’s now up to you when,” he told her as he stretched out lazily.
“Just like that. Me and you married?”
“Well, I am going to be here every day anyway. When I get off work, I am coming straight to you. I already put those keys on my ring. Besides, I love you.”
She sprang back up in the bed. “What?”
“And you love me, too.”
“How do you figure that?”
Nick kissed her hard, pulling her on top of him, “It has only been a week and you have gone to bed with me twice. So trusting, so loving, so giving to me, I felt you shared with me something you have shared with no other. And when you look at me there is so much love in your eyes that I am powerless to anything you want.”
Santa's Big Helper Page 7