CHAPTER FIFTEEN - Balthazar
I was going out of my fucking mind waiting for Lucian and Mom to show up with Mariska. It was ten minutes until the event was supposed to start. Did she refuse to dress up? Or had her heat hit her so hard she couldn’t leave the house?
Pacing the space beside my truck in the parking lot, I was debating driving to Primrose House myself. Mariska might need me.
“Fuck, man. Stop it.” Jasper sipped a coffee as he leaned against the truck. How could the guy be so calm? Mariska should be here by now.
As much as I hated it, we agreed Lucian along with Mom would pick up Mariska.
Jasper and I had helped with this charity event for most of our lives, and we knew how to assist the other volunteers in setting up at the hospital auditorium.
It was the only space big enough to host the party, and now it was decorated like a winter wonderland.
“Where are they?” I growled, sounding more like a pissed off bear than merry Santa Claus.
The costume was tighter on my arms this year and the buttons strained on my chest. I was a hard muscled Santa rather than a soft round one, but the kids loved it, especially when I picked them up like a sack of toys with one arm.
“They’ll be here.” Jasper sounded cool and calm. The bastard didn’t have to wear a costume because he was in charge of collecting donations, so he got to wear a slick suit. “If they couldn’t come or they were going to be late, Liz would have let us know.”
Yeah, both Mom and Lucian were reliable like that. But dammit, they were cutting it close. “What if Mariska doesn’t want to come? What if she hates me for leaving her that outfit?”
“She might hate you a little.” Jasper flashed me a grin, but then patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”
Fine. Nothing would be fucking fine until I saw Mariska again.
Yesterday I had wanted to throw her into my truck and knot her right then and there.
Taking Eloise and Mariska’s friend with us to have a fun night was a good plan.
Mariska was more relaxed and there was a lot of laughter.
Plus the women told me all sorts of things about Mariska that she wouldn’t give up so easily herself.
Giving her a kiss on the forehead had left me as hard as hell, and I had to stop in the darkness of the back roads before I even got back to the farm to jerk off with her luscious scent still fresh on me.
A vehicle turned the corner into the lot, and my heart beat faster to see it was Lucian’s truck. “Finally.”
Jasper downed the rest of his coffee and tossed the cup into a nearby bin. I waved to Lucian, so he could see where we were parked and to hurry his ass up. As they neared, I could see my mom in the middle between Lucian and Mariska. Our gorgeous Omega with… big bows in her hair?
I was at the passenger side door before Lucian even put the truck in park.
Mariska stared at me with wide eyes as I opened the door.
I grinned, making sure my arms flexed and strained the material of the coat.
Yeah, that’s right, honey. Look at how good I look as Father Christmas, and you, my festive hottie, are my Mrs.
Mariska took my offered hand to step out, and fuck, she looked even better than I could have imagined.
The dress clung to her beautiful tits which were accentuated by the modest fur collar.
The skirt fell to three inches above her knees, and she had on red and white striped leggings with low heeled black boots.
No hat, but what I’d thought were big bows was actually her hair. It was fucking perfect.
“You look spectacular, Mrs. Claus.” Damn, I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.
“Thanks. You can thank Lyla for all her hard work. She kept the secret until I broke into her room to see what was in the box for myself.” Mariska tried to give me a sassy I-can’t-believe-you’re-making-me-wear-this look, but she sucked in her lower lip a little as her gaze wandered down over my chest.
Mom hopped down behind Mariska and shut the door as Lucian got out on the other side.
Giving Mariska an encouraging half-hug, Mom grinned.
“You look so cute. The kids are going to love you.” She glanced at me.
“I explained to her what she needed to do as Mrs. Claus. She has the easy job: hand out gifts and read stories in the reading corner near the tree. It’s Santa and his right-hand man, I mean, elf,” she gestured to Lucian who was dressed in a skintight elf costume.
“Who have to run the games after the presents are handed out. That’s when the craziness happens. ”
“You mean the fun!” I chuckled, eager to get in there and play Santa with my smoking hot Omega.
“Good luck with that.” Jasper fist bumped Lucian and flashed his famous panty dropping smile at Mariska.
“You’re the prettiest Mrs. Claus I’ve ever seen.
If you need help with anything, or if you want a break for a drink or a ride on the Mustang, wave me over.
” He winked and Mariska blushed as red as her dress.
Smirking at his victory, he offered his arm to my mom.
“Are you ready, Liz? We’ve got a goal of twenty-five thousand this year.
I know a few fellows you could charm into writing checks for at least half that. ”
Mom laughed and waved at us as they walked off.
I scowled for a second not liking the thought of my mom charming any man, but I knew Jasper was just as protective of Mom as I was, and she was adored by everyone in southern Wisconsin.
With the two of them working the donors, I wouldn’t doubt if they doubled their goal this year.
“We’ll be announced in a few minutes. Are you ready for this? If you feel overwhelmed, just let us know.” Lucian took Mariska’s hand in his, rubbing the back of her hand slowly with his thumb. Some of her rigidness eased as she leaned a little toward him.
“I’m as ready as I’m ever going to be.” Mariska took in a shaky breath and exhaled slowly, but her stance was tightening again.
I slung an arm over her shoulders and gave her a squeeze.
She smelled of vanilla and cream, and I wanted to bury my face against her neck to taste her sweetness.
Instead I nudged her forward toward the hospital.
“You’re going to do great. The kids really look forward to this, and I love seeing the happiness on their faces. ”
“You’re not making this any easier.” Mariska gave a nervous laugh as we walked. “I don’t have much experience with kids.”
I arched my brows. “Really? But you’re an Omega.”
Mariska narrowed her eyes. “And?”
On the other side of her, Lucian’s intense gray eyes widened and he gave a slight shake of his head as he mouthed, ‘Don’t.’
It didn’t make sense to me. Mariska was fun and playful, and Omegas had a powerful maternal instinct. “I’m just saying that Omegas are naturally good with kids. It’s what you’re built for.”
Lucian groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose.
Mariska shrugged off my arm and let go of Lucian’s head.
She stopped and folded her arms. “Excuse me? We’re just like every other person in the world.
Some of us like kids and some of us don’t.
” She lifted her chin, staring me down. All fire and fury.
“I chose my career because I don’t want to deal with children.
Or smug Alphas who assume Omegas are all the same. ”
I’d provoked her, and while I wanted to calm her, her fierceness was making me hard. “You’ll feel differently when you have kids.”
“I’m never having kids!” She snapped and stormed off into the building with her hands balled into fists and her skirts swaying.
Never having kids?
“Bal, you need to apologize and drop it.” Lucian sighed and hurried after her.
Surely she wasn’t serious about never having kids. I’d just pushed her buttons and she said it to push back. Yeah, that was it. Every Omega had that instinct to have babies. It was in their DNA. Just like Alphas wanted to protect them and take care of them in every way.
I followed them into the hospital and toward the auditorium. Christmas music already echoed down the hall from the party. I passed by offices and got smiles and waves from those who spied me in the hall.
After today, Mariska would see that I was right. When we finally mated and had children, she’d fall in love with them and be the best mother ever. I wanted my kids to grow up on the farm just as I did. Happy, healthy, and loving the outdoors.
Lucian stood talking softly to Mariska near the rear entrance of the auditorium. She turned her head away from me as I approached which tempted me to kiss the exposed length of her neck.
From inside, I could hear my mom talking to the crowd and getting the kids to cheer for Santa Claus. I adjusted my fluffy white beard to make certain it was on properly and rubbed my hands together. “This is going to be so much fun. Are you two ready?”
The kids cheered even louder.
“We’re good.” Lucian exchanged a look with Mariska and she gave him a nod.
It stung that she wouldn’t say anything to me or even look my way. Her fire had revved me up a minute ago, but now it made my chest tighten as a coldness crept in.
Fucking hell. Did I push the line too far?
Mom called for Santa Claus, and Lucian pushed open the door. The kids went crazy, and I put on a big smile I wasn’t fully feeling.
Lucian led the way and held the door, sprinkling some ‘magic snow’ from his pocket to cool the air for the Claus family.
Mariska went out next and waved with both her hands.
A small girl ran up to her and threw her arms around her waist. There was a micro second where Mariska went stiff, but she hugged the child back and took her by the hand to step to the side so I could enter.
That’s right. My Omega was a natural with kids.
I boomed a big, “Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas, everyone!” And stepped into the room.
Several children rushed to me. I laughed and smiled, shaking hands and giving hugs.
There were just under fifty kids who were patients at the hospital, but their siblings were also allowed to attend the party, and that brought us up to nearly one hundred.
The excited energy of the kids pumped me up. Mariska didn’t look lost or panicky surrounded by them. She was calm and sweet, complimenting their sweaters and dresses, and asking if they’ve been good this year. Her cheeks shimmered with glitter under the bright lights as she smiled.
She was career focused at the moment, but I wasn’t wrong. When the time came, she would be an awesome mother. I’d do as Lucian said and apologize later, but look at her. Fuck, she the perfect Omega.
We slowly made our way to the big Santa chair and I sat down with Mariska at my side.
Several pictures were snapped, and the kids gathered around eagerly to await their names to be called.
We started with the youngest to the oldest, with siblings being called up together, because families loved taking photos of all of them on my lap.
The gift giving part always took the longest, but we made sure to spend enough time with each child. Every single one of them would know they were special and loved by the time they left today.
Lucian called the first names, a pair of fourteen month old twins.
The one in the red sweater ran up immediately to climb on my lap and squeal with delight.
The other in a green sweater wanted nothing to do with me.
His parents tried to coax him and then bribe him to sit on my lap, but he refused.
Yet the father asked if Mrs. Claus might like to hold his son for the picture, and the toddler agreed with a shy smile.
The boy leaned his head against Mariska’s shoulder as she took him into her arms and he sucked his thumb. She held him at first like a sack of potatoes, but then adjusted him to her hip. While she kept smiling, I could see that she truly wasn’t experienced with children.
Today was going to be a hard and fast lesson for her, and I grinned that I would get to be here for it.
Silver Tree Farm had been doing this charity event for over thirty years.
My father had been Santa for most of those years, but when he passed away nearly ten years ago, I’d taken up the mantle.
Both my mom and my sister had played Mrs. Claus over that time, but it felt right to have Mariska as my Mrs.
The misunderstanding earlier in the parking lot was just a bump in the road. Our plan to convince Mariska she should stay with our pack was well on its way. Jasper always accused me of being blindingly optimistic, but I wouldn’t live any other way.
This was our first Christmas season with our Omega, and I would enjoy every single second of it.