Chapter 1
One
Kelsey
I stared around the living room loving the decorations so much. To think in a very short time I had gone from having no job to an amazing job with my best friend, her amazing husband who was now my Uncle Seth, and my Daddy Nathan was indescribable.
Manda and I had outdone ourselves this year.
Nathan won a gift card for some boring hardware store.
I told him over and over again that he should use it toward something for himself, he insisted on giving it to me.
At first it made zero sense. Manda and I wielding power tools was a no go.
Then I thought maybe he wanted me to spend it on gifts for him and Uncle Seth.
In the end, Manda, my genius best friend, found an entire Winter Wonderland housed at the back of the store.
We were immersed in Christmas decoration heaven.
Despite my tendency to throw more and more unneeded objects into a cart at any given store, Manda and I managed to wrangle my Christmas spirit enough to spend only a little more than the dollar amount on the gift card.
The two of us spent all of last weekend turning my home into Santa’s workshop.
Brightly colored garland. Glittery snowflakes hanging from every surface.
My favorite new item was a working toy train that circled the much needed new flocked tree.
As I stood there admiring my little slice of holiday magicalness my front door opened.
Turning slowly, I heard Sunny bark once excitedly before she met my side.
My new puppy, Scooter, yipped and raced out to meet his friend.
I knelt down and warmly greeted Sunny while also petting Scooter. I loved that Nathan felt comfortable enough at my house to use the house key I had made for him.
“Hi, Daddy.”
“Hey, button.”
I continued rubbing and loving on Sunny, she was the sweetest doggie ever only next to Scooter. They got along surprisingly well and I couldn’t ask for better pets. After a few minutes the two of them trotted off to my kitchen.
“You’ve outdone yourself, Kels.” Nathan wrapped me in a tight hug, lifting me off my feet.
“It was mostly Manda. And the generosity of your gift card. My house feels so warm and cozy! It’s like what I imagine the inside of a gingerbread house might feel like.” I nuzzled under his chin.
“You’re very welcome. I’m happy it made you smile.” Nathan smiled showcasing a dazzling array of perfect white teeth.
This man could be a model. Why he chose me to be his girlfriend and Little girl eluded me. Stop it, Kels! I had no business letting my insecurities surface. Besides, if I told him any of it he would make me write nice things about myself.
“Can we bake some cookies, Daddy? Not that I’ll eat them.”
“We can, but I thought you were baking with Panda?”
He referred to Manda as Panda. They had their own dynamic and it had been long established since before I came into the picture.
Sometimes I felt like a third wheel when the four of us spent time together, though it was all in my head.
Uncle Seth and Manda were the best friends anyone could ever want.
Scooter yapped excitedly, running around in circles, drawing our attention to him.
Nathan set me on the couch before squatting down to play with the tiny puppy.
It could be argued that his huge monster hands and jungle muscles made Scooter look smaller than usual.
“You haven’t answered me, Kelsey. Is something bothering you?”
“Oh. No, Daddy. You’re technically correct.”
“Clever way of telling me I’m wrong,” he said, chuckling. “Go on.”
“I made some of the more fun cookies with Manda. The spritz ones? She and I have that weird looking contraption that you put the dough inside and then you pick a stencil…not a stencil but the shape you want? It’s like a game.
Anyway, we did those and gingerbread men and women.
Hm? We did a few more but I can’t remember them all right now.
Anyways, I have pecan pie tarts to make and that requires a lot more concentration.
Sometimes the two of us get distracted when we are together. ”
“Only sometimes, button?” Nathan straightened and joined me on the couch.
“Yeah, well I guess all the time.” I rested my head on his shoulder and blew out a breath.
“Something else is bothering my girl. Spit it out.”
“Or?” Shit. Why had I asked that question?
Nathan would probably not give me a consequence of this or that because I always chose the latter.
No, it was something he seldom did. Sighing, I leaned forward resting my elbows on my knees.
My afternoon was not going according to plan.
Nathan rubbed the back of my head and neck before moving his skilled hands to my shoulders.
“Tell Daddy why you’re not dripping in holiday spirit.”
“Oh, I’m dripping, Sir.” I blew out a frustrated breath. “But it’s not eggnog.”
“Naughty little thing,” he growled.
“I’m not even being naughty yet.”
“You’ve got thirty seconds, button. If you can’t answer me verbally, you can get your sparkly notebook and write down what’s bothering you.”
“I don’t know! I’m not trying to be difficult, Sir.
Really. I should be walking in a winter wonderland!
I usually love Christmas but this year money was so tight.
I can’t afford gifts for everyone who’s special in my life.
I’d never tell Manda that, because she would just get me more gifts.
I adore her so much, but it’s like our special holiday.
She deserves nice things like more than anyone,” I insisted.
“Is money tight because you were out of work for a few weeks or is it something more?”
Nathan was so patient and kind. If anyone could get to the bottom of the real issue, it was him.
I nodded. “Yes , Daddy. When I lost my job it messed up my finances but to be very honest with you, it wasn’t the only thing.
I started to struggle a little bit and let a few bills get behind.
I didn’t want to bother anyone, even though I know Uncle Seth would have helped me figure out a budget.
Or really whatever I needed, but I was so embarrassed. ”
Phew! Getting all of that off my chest helped relieve a ton of stress.
“All right, sweetie. I want you to write down the gifts you intended to purchase this year, or put it together in an online wish list.”
Oh no! I stood up, hating where he was going with this. “I will not be doing that.”
Nathan rubbed his hand along his mouth, and shook his head. “Sit down.”
“No, I will not be doing that either.”
“You can sit or I will put you across my knee and we can finish our conversation while you get your bottom spanked. Choose wisely.”
I had obviously sassed a little too close to the fireplace. I immediately sat on his lap and he pulled me close to him. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”
“You haven’t done anything wrong, button, but I do not like the attitude that keeps spouting out of your pretty little mouth.”
“I apologize so much!” I kissed both of his cheeks in turn. “I just sort of think I know where you're going with this, and I don’t like it.”
“Let Daddy finish speaking completely before shutting down. Will you do that for me?”
I tried to focus on his reply instead of his handsome face and failed. “Huh?”
“Oh, you’re very stuck in your head aren’t you? One thing at a time. Can you focus on me, babygirl?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Step one. Do what I asked of you regarding gifts. It doesn’t have to be today but by the end of the week.”
“I will do it even though I really don’t want you to do what I think you’re going to do.” Geesh. Can I say ‘do’ eight more times? I cleared my throat trying to clear all the gunk in my stomach and heart. It didn’t work. “Yes, Daddy. I will have the gifts listed somewhere.”
“Step two. I want a separate list with your Christmas wishes. Anything can be on there, but include physical gifts too. I plan on spoiling you, and I don’t want to hear a word about it.”
“Gross,” I muttered. Nathan tipped me over his lap and slapped either side of my ass hard enough to make me shriek. Our doggies didn’t move from the kitchen. They were used to me being loud. After a few more, he righted me. Unexpected tears fell down my cheeks and he brushed them away.
“I understand you aren’t used to anyone lavishing their time, love, affection, and money on you, but I will be doing it as often as I please. You are very special to me, Kelsey. I plan on showing you how much you mean to me.”
“I-I-I’m sorry, Daddy! I know! You’re right. It’s old insecurities trapped inside my belly. As much as I love the holidays now, I didn’t always. I’ll make you a list of wishes and even some gifts.”
“That’s my good girl,” he praised. “Third step. This one is a bit more complicated. I’d like to sit down and look at your finances with you.”
Ugh! That was worse than writing down wishes. I was mortified by the idea of him looking at my measly income and my sometimes out of control spending. At least, it had gotten out of control when I had extra money.
“Fine.” My tone sounded haughty to my own ears. I swallowed hard expecting another trip over Nathan’s knee.
“Technically the word ‘fine’ is positive but adjust your tone, Kels.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good. There’s something else you’ve been skating around.”
He brought up the idea of moving in together about a month ago.
We had hemmed and hawed, something I didn’t normally do with him, and hadn’t reached a solid conclusion.
My home was significantly smaller than his, but it was closer to his job and across the street from his brother.
All of those things pointed at a very logical end.
Nathan should move in with me. However I liked my own space.
I enjoyed the quiet comfort of my home with my puppy.
I explored my Little space without anyone invading it.
As much as I loved him, I needed some distance sometimes.