She returned to the sink and rinsed her mouth, not that she’d actually thrown anything up, but more out of reflex. That’s what one did, dry heaves or not.
“We need to talk.”
No. They didn’t need to talk. At least not right then. She needed time to think, time to get her thoughts together, time to decide if she should forgive him or not.
She drew another deep breath, and headed back toward the door.
“Mira!”
His commanding voice startled her. Mira relented, turned, and faced him. The least he could do was give her some space, right? She needed to get her head straight and then later, after drills, they would discuss everything. “Look, Noah, I’m late and …” Mira gasped as an unexpected revelation whirled inside her head.
Her mind reeled as the words I’m late echoed in her head.
Mira’s heart seized, her ears rang, and vision blurred. Son of a bitch, I am late. She panicked, instantly taking mental inventory of the dates she needed to know. Three weeks, it’s been three weeks since—Shit!
“What is it? You’re scaring me.” Noah inched toward her, his brow pinched with worry.
She had to act fast. “Not now, Noah. Please. Just give me a little space. I have to think.” It can’t be.
“Tell me.”
Mira grabbed his hand and looked up into his beautiful brown eyes, eyes that had never been more brilliant than they appeared right in that moment. “After our shift. Okay?”
Noah nodded in agreement, though the concern in his eyes hadn’t dissipated, even a little. He followed close behind her as they rejoined the rest of their group.
“Is everyone ready to hit the sky now?” Rudolf stood at the front of the crowd but directed the question to Mira.
Mira, unable to reply audibly, nodded.
“Okay, you know the course. Let’s beat last year’s record, people.”
Whoops and hollers ensued, mixed with the sound of clapping hands.
“Let’s go.” Rudolf shouted above the clamor.
Overcome with a strange sensation, Mira laughed uncontrollably. Excitement riddled her skin with goose bumps as they made a mad dash across the staging area toward the sleigh runway. Oh my God. Tears flooded her eyes as joy rooted itself inside her heart.
One-by-one her fellow reindeer shifters morphed into marvelous antlered reindeer, blanketing the starry night in all their magical wonder.
To her right, Donner raced beside her and in one phenomenal leap, he changed into the magnificent stag she’d fallen in love with so many years ago.
Her heart thudded, rivaling the speed of her feet eating up the ground beneath her. Her speed increased and she prepared to make that final thrust that would catapult her into the glorious heavens where the rest of her team had already flown.
Mira’s arms stretched out before her as her feet left the ground. The earth quickly disappeared and she could feel her body change in mid-leap.
Suddenly a sharp pain jabbed into her chest, taking her breath away, and before she could regain her balance, the earth came rushing up to meet her. She plummeted back to the ground with a forceful thud. Pain engulfed her and Mira instinctively cradled her stomach, rolling herself into a protective ball as her body skidded to a sudden halt.
“Mira?” Noah’s voice echoed through the night.
“Is she okay?” She recognized the second voice, but couldn’t wrap her mind around who had spoken.
“Let’s get her inside.” That voice was definitely Brock’s.
Mira’s eyes opened and closed as she felt her body being lifted and carried. She could barely make out the shape of Noah’s face.
“Hang on, Mira. Santa’s on his way.”
She blinked again then everything went dark.
****
Mira woke to a near empty room. She moved her head from side-to-side as her vision cleared. Reaching for the blanket, she found a mop of thick hair instead.
Noah looked up from where he rested his head at her side. “Finally. I thought you would miss Christmas all together.”
“Christmas?”
“You’ve been out for two days. It’s Christmas Eve.”
Mira sat up, doing her best to orient herself with her surroundings. “What happened?”
Noah cleared his throat and rose to stand beside her. “You’ve temporarily lost your powers, Mira.”
Her heart sank into her stomach. Had she heard him right? “What?” Panic surged throughout her body. “How? Why?”
“You’re grounded for the time being. Nature’s little gift to expectant mothers.”
Mira’s face heated as the memory of what she already knew raced to the surface. “You know?”
Noah grinned. “I knew the instant I shifted. That’s how I knew you were in trouble.”
Mira rubbed her eyes, confused by the strange admission.
“We’re mated, Mira. What you feel, I feel.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You will.” He took her hand in his and drew it to his mouth and kissed it. “That day in the office at Headquarters, I told you something happened. I was right.”
Mira smiled. “That whole fate and destiny thing?”
Noah shook his head as a tear rolled down his cheek. “Magic, Mira. Pure magic.”
Mira reached down and placed her hand across her belly. “Is he …” Fear nipped the nerves at the nape of her neck. “Or she okay?”
“They’re fine. Strong and safe.”
His words bounced around in her head. “They?”
Noah leaned over and pressed his lips to her ear. “Twins.”
“How do you know? It’s too soon.”
Noah brushed her hair away from her face. “A father knows.”
“Noah?” Mira cupped the back of his neck with her hand, drawing him to her. “I love you.”
“I know, Mira.” He chuckled and kissed her cheek. “You talk in your sleep.”
She sighed deeply. “What are we going to do?”
He pressed his forehead to hers. “We’ll figure that out as it comes. But one thing I do know is that you’re not getting rid of me.”
More frantic thoughts plagued her mind. “What about Christmas?”
“Brock is taking your place this year. You should see him strutting around like he’s top buck.” Noah snickered. “Rudolf is not happy about that.”
“I’m sure he’ll get over it.”
“He will.” Noah sat on the edge of the bed. “I can stay if you want.”
“No. It’s okay. I’m in good hands here.”
“Well, my heart will be here with you even if my body isn’t.”
“Then I’ll wait breathlessly for that amazing body to return.” Mira smiled.
“God, I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
He looked down at his watch. “It’s about that time.”
“Okay.” She straightened her blankets across her lap. “Be careful.”
“Of course.” He nodded. “My whole world is in this room. Nothing will keep me from returning to you.” He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her softly.
Mira grabbed his shoulders, holding him tight, and plunged her tongue deep into his warm, inviting mouth, savoring his essence.
Noah moaned. “Damn. Are you trying to make me stay?”
Mira giggled and skimmed her fingers over his unshaven jawline. “Just giving you something to remember me by.”
Noah licked his lips. “That’s not going to be a problem.” He kissed her forehead. “I’ll be back soon.”
As Noah reached the door, he stopped and glanced back at Mira, giving her a wink.
“Noah?”
“Mira?” His grin made her stomach do flip-flops.
“Be sure to comment on Brock’s ass.”
Noah laughed and shook his head. “Merry Christmas, Prancer.”
Mira blew the man she loved a kiss. “Merry Christmas, Daddy.”
Epilogue
Gusts of sn
owflakes flurried furiously as Santa waved his hand over the enchanted snow globe on the table beside his favorite chair. The flame blazed before him in the fireplace, keeping the frigid air from the harsh December winds at bay.
He sat back, feeling overjoyed at this season’s special turn of events he, himself, had had a hand in. For centuries, Santa had watched over his helpers. The elves and reindeer, busying themselves, all loyally dedicated to making each Christmas the most magical it could be, and not once had they ever let him down.
The door to his cozy library opened and he recognized the unmistakable scent of honey and cinnamon as his beloved wife sidled up beside him on the arm of his chair.
“Nicholas? What have you been up to? I hear magical deeds have been at an all-time high this year.”
Santa rested his hand on her thigh and squeezed the meaty flesh just above her knee. He sighed deeply. “Do you remember when we were young, Mama?”
She leaned down and kissed the top of his head. “As though it were yesterday, Papa.”
“We sure found some awfully naughty ways to keep warm on those cold winter nights, didn’t we?”
Mrs. Claus giggled. “We still do, my love.” She tickled him under his billowy white beard.
“The reindeer have been restless.” He pondered the events of the past few months. “So I thought a little Christmas magic would lead them to their heart’s desires.”
Her eyes widened with noted delight. “And did it?”
Santa waved his hand over the enchanted snow globe once again. “See for yourself.”
She bent over his lap and peered into the glass orb. “Oh, my. They have been restless.” She glanced over her shoulder at Santa. “I see you’ve remedied that quite nicely.”
Santa placed his hand on the curve of her rear and squeezed.
“The magic seems to have returned the twinkle to your eye, Papa.”
“Maybe magic, but more likely my ever-beautiful wife.”
Mrs. Claus rose from the chair and extended her hand to him. “Come back to bed, my dear. Now that you’ve finished with all of your sexy little reindeer games, you can remind me why you should be at the top of your naughty list.”
Santa gazed up at her as her lips curled up into a rosy pink smile. “Ho! Ho! Ho!” His belly shook with laughter. “I know exactly what Santa’s giving you for Christmas.”
The End
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