Chapter Twenty-One
Kai
"Yay! I did it!" Kai lifted the blindfold and looked at the paper Christmas tree. He was playing stick the lights on the tree at The Play Spot. He was surrounded by a gaggle of Littles and Middles and everyone was cheering.
"Whoo! That was awesome!" Penny was clapping. She looked so cute in her Christmas tree dress with a gold star headband. It was currently light up and flashing slightly. Kai had on matching green pants and white button up while his sweater vest was the same light up Christmas tree design.
"I'm next!" Amelia declared. Kai helped reset the paper tree then watched as Amelia then Pixie messily pin the lights on the tree.
It was hard when you were blindfolded and one of the rules was no feeling where the paper was just a blind stick.
Marco had invited Pixie and her Daddy yesterday and apparently he'd decided to come.
"What do you wanna do next?" Penny asked as a Middle they didn't know stepped up next.
"Oh! Do you want some cookies?" Pixie asked as she bounced on her knees. She'd already had three sugar cookies and was literally vibrating with a sugar rush.
"You can have cookies but I wanna try some of the ham and turkey and cranberry sauce," Penny declared.
"Daddy made the turkey and its soooo good!" Amelia said. Her and Pixie had gotten along almost immediately. The four of them made their way to the buffet table next to the large Christmas tree laden with presents and Santa's throne.
"Where's your Daddy?" Pixie asked as they got in line. There were a couple Tops helping to dish out food to the excited Littles and Middles. Kai looked around but then furrowed his brow.
"Hey, Littles, what are we up to?" Derek asked as he came in and swopped a squealing Amelia off her feet.
"We're getting cookies, Mister Derek!" Pixie exclaimed, clapping.
Penny nodded vigorously, she had a smear of chocolate on her cheek and was a little wobbly.
There were two kinds of eggnog, the one without alcohol and the one with it.
Penny had already had two cups of the alcoholic version and Kai could tell she was getting tipsier as the night went on.
"Have you seen my Daddy, Mister Derek?" Kai asked. He'd last seen him before Kai started playing pin the lights on the tree.
"Yes, he's helping Santa get set up to come out," Derek winked and Kai relaxed before he giggled. That meant Daddy was getting dressed as Santa.
"Now, young lady, you've already had three of these cookies. Are you here with a Mommy or Daddy? I think we need to ask them if you can have some more." a stern female Top said to Pixie.
"I dunno where Daddy is but I'm sure he'll be fine wif me eating cookies. Pwease?" The woman's expression wavered but then she looked over Pixie and smirked.
"You want to try that again, little Pixie-baby?" Val said as he crossed his arms.
"Daddy!!! Pwease tell the nice and pretty lady I can has more cookies!" Pixie batted her eyes.
"Pixie-baby, you've had enough sugar, come on its time for actual food.
" he took her plate and started dishing up the other foods that she still hadn't tried.
Kai and Penny laughed as they filled their plates as well.
They then sat at a table in the middle of the Imagination Room and talked and laughed while they ate.
"When is Santa coming?" Pixie asked. She was sitting on Val's lap and was being fed small, cut up food.
"Should be pretty soon," Derek explained as he checked the time on his phone.
"I can't wait! I'm so 'cited to see what I gets!" Pixie clapped and Val smiled. They all talked more as they ate and soon Kai was feeling sleepy from the turkey he ate. Hopefully his Santa Daddy came out soon because there was something extra special he wanted to give him.
"Okay, Littles, Middles, and Tops!" someone clapped to get everyone's attention, she was wearing an elf outfit. "Here's Santa!" Everyone clapped and cheered as Santa stepped out of the Nursery with a very large and full red bag. He placed it next to his throne and waved.
"Ho ho ho! How is everyone!" Santa said in a deep voice. There was a cacophony of noise as everyone spoke at the same time.
"Well, isn't that amazing! My Little Elf here is going to explain the rules for you all and I know all the good Little boys, girls and theys will quiet down and put your listening ears on." Santa sat on his throne as it grew quiet very quickly.
"Okay, Santa has a list of all the good Littles and Middles who will be getting a present.
Everyone will be very patient and wait until your name gets called.
If you're comfortable with it you can sit on Santa's lap or on the arm of the throne.
Ready?" Everyone cheered, including Kai and he listened as one person at a time was called.
It seemed to be alphabetical by last name.
"Kai Jackson." Kai happily skipped over to Santa and sat on his lap. His knee throbbed, reminding him that it still hurt and he shouldn't be skipping anywhere.
"Why, Kai, your Daddy had nothing but good things to say about you," Santa chuckled and Kai giggled. He could see his Daddy's pretty brown eyes under the fake eyebrows and beard.
"Here is your present, pretty Kai. You're Daddy included a special present but you must wait until after the party to open it. Understood?" Kai looked down and his heart skipped a beat when he saw a smaller wrapped box taped to the top of his present.
"Yes, Santa. Can I give you a message to give to my Daddy?" Santa's head tilted and he looked confused but nodded.
"Can you tell him that I'm very sorry it took me so long to say this but I love him with all my heart and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him." Santa sucked in a breath and his eyes filled with unshed tears.
"Yes, bambino, I'll be sure to tell him.
Though I'm sure he already knows and is excited to spend the rest of his life with you too.
" Kai smiled then hugged Santa and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
He returned to his friend group. They all waited until Santa had called all of them to open their presents.
Kai had received a Lego set of Phineas and Ferb's tree house.
He didn't open the smaller box but kept a tight hold on it.
"Oh, look what my bambino got from Santa!" Marco announced as he appeared. Kai laughed and hugged his Daddy.
"Is that all Santa gave you?" Marco asked with twinkling eyes.
"No, he gave me this smaller box but said not to open it yet." Kai showed him the box and Marco grabbed it. Everyone faded away until it was just him and his Daddy.
"Can I open this one?" Daddy asked.
"Yes," Kai hugged his waist. He thought he knew what it was and he was anxious to see it. Daddy smiled and oh so slowly unwrapped a green velvet box. Kai heard gasps but didn't look at anyone as Marco sank to one knee.
"Kai, bambino, my love, my Little boy. Would you do me the absolute honor of becoming my husband and Little for the rest of our lives?" He lifted the top to reveal a simple silver band set with green stones all around it. Kai gasped at how pretty it was. He then thrust out his hand and nodded hard.
"Yes, yes, so much, yes. I love you so much. You are the best thing to ever happen to me. I can't wait until we get married." Marco put the ring on Kai and then swept him up into a twirling hug as all their friends cheered around them.
"I love you, Daddy, for the rest of our days and beyond."
"I know a little Santa told me." Marco laughed, "I love you too, bambino, for the rest of our days and beyond." Kai sighed then pulled Marco in for the sweetest kiss of his life.