Alpha so serious jolted asking, “That’s what you have to say? Caleb called me by my name and you’re just going to say you’re not having your party?” I asked, “What else is there to say? There’s no Dylanmas this year. You guys can throw your own parties.”
Fang huffed, “I want Lacy and Kiara back.” Yeah, I did too but we hadn’t found them. Everyone was staring at me. I urged, “Alpha never has fun and whose schedule is jampacked, we should get this meeting started so you can continue your world domination.”
The stoically serious man warned, “This is not the end of this discussion.” I teased, “You can’t make the world your oyster all the time. I’m not having a party this year and here I thought you’d be happy.” Alpha always gets his way argued, “Yes, you are throwing your party. It’s your thing and I’m there every damn year, aren’t I?” I shot back, “Things change. Lucas, we look like slackers not starting our meeting on time.”
Lucas looked worriedly at me but got things moving. Fang warned, “Duke is definitely planning something.” I snorted, “The man and his wolf are always planning something. It won’t matter what he does, the party won’t be mine. He can try to throw his own.” Then I’d desperately try not to fix it all for him because he was no party planner.
Flashback Ends
I came back to the present and kissed Saint Nick’s cheek. I told him, “You are a brilliant man, Saint Nick. I need you at the party though. I’ll make sure your suit is conjured by a precious Fairy. It will be TOP of the line and the best thing that has ever happened. I will get someone to watch all the pups while theparents play. Because let’s be honest we all need this. Being a parent is so hard.”
“SGAP definitely needs it. He’s over there being all serious and leveling up every six seconds. There are Fairies around, and I myself have a dash of the fun blood. Which I cannot believe I didn’t guess when they came into our lives.”
Saint Nick chuckled, “Dylan, it’s not the Fae blood in you that made you be fun. It’s what’s right here.” He pointed at my chest. Fang puffed up in my head. Saint Nick continued, “You’ve always had a zest and joyous outlook on life.”
I agreed, “That’s true, even though it disappointed some people.” Saint Nick replied, “Some people are insane for not seeing you for who you are. You’ve had something special in you that we could all see. You have your fun, but you get stuff done. You’ve always been the balance, and I think your friends need that in their lives now more than ever.”
I gave him a hug then clapped him on the back twice. I admitted, “Making you proud has always been a goal of mine.” Saint Nick sincerely said, “There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by that I haven’t been proud of you. Even when you laid down in a doghouse for your mate. I was damn proud of you that day.”
I teased, “That feels like an odd moment to be proud.” Saint Nick disagreed, “Your love for your mate was on display that day. I told my pups and grandpups to look at you and the Alpha because that’s what you do when you’re in love. Sometimes you mess up, but you show up for your mate. No one will ever be perfect, but you have to work at your relationship to grow your love. It doesn’t just work out because fate gave it to you.”
“It requires hard work, but it’s worth it. You come away with a house fortified on the life you built together. Because when the pups are grown, you’re left with the person you built that house with. It can erode if it’s not built with care.”
“You and Lacy built that house with care. So, you keep fortifying it, Dylan. Show up and love her as she loves you. Keep having fun, like with your Christmas Party. I know Lacy looked forward to it every year.”
Fang whined in my head, and I knew I made a face. Saint Nick gently tapped my shoulder saying “Yeah I know why you stopped hosting the parties, Dylan. Lacy ran away and you stopped celebrating. She’s back now though and has been for some time. Bring the fun back to the season for the both of you. Hell, the area as a whole.”
I saluted him, “I have been challenged, and I SHALL rise to the occasion. That’s what my Creepy Ninja’s have taught me. One is probably here lurking to be in the know because they somehow know Dylanmas. I will plan the perfect friend’s Christmas Party comeback. I’m having visions of sugarplums dancing in my head.”
Saint Nick squeezed my shoulder, “I knew you would. How’s my boy?” I replied, “You have so many, but you mean our too precious for this world Danver. He lurks around with exactly what I need at all times. He watches my pups like a hawk, and I adore him. He’s the best and I keep giving him raises. In fact, I think Danver needs another.”
Fang agreed, “He definitely does.” I linked Lucas, “I’m giving Danver another raise.” Lucas replied, “Ok.” I sighed, “Lucas, you’ve got to ask questions. It will make you happier in the long run.” Lucas reasoned, “You’ll give him the raise you want, and I will agree to it. There is no point in asking why.”
I grumbled, “There is always a point in asking why. It is a question that holds knowledge.” Lucas argued, “Ok, but I still know you’ll explain and I’ll agree. My way is efficient.” I teased, “I try so hard with you, but you just can’t foster the question asking element to your life. It’s why you have me.”
I selected the new caroler for Lacy. Saint Nick chuckled, “Lacy has had her eye on that one for a while.” I replied, “I know. She thinks that I don’t notice such things but I do. I notice every single little thing about her and always have. I don’t know why she wouldn't just buy it for herself, but I shall solve that mystery later. We have the money for her to buy all the carolers she desires.”
Saint Nick chuckled, “Then what would you buy her?” I admitted, “I have a plan for that. See, I know that you have a guy that makes things for customers. I would make her one of a kind carolers to continue adding to her collection. It will never die. This is the tradition that will live on in infamy.”
Saint Nick grinned, “I do love that for you both.” I walked back up to the counter with him and purchased my caroler. I handed him some hot chocolate mix. I told him, “This is from my sources in Faerie. It’s quite delicious and I knew you would enjoy it. If you do, as I suspect, I’ll get you a personal batch as well as one for the store.”
I had kept him in supply of hot chocolate and hot apple cider year round. They were staples in a Christmas store. Saint Nick grinned, “I’m sure it’s great.” I told him, “I’m working with my people on the best darn hot apple cider recipe. We are close.” Fang agreed, “It’s definitely improving.” I knew that.
Saint Nick chuckled, “Of course it is. It’s been good the last several years.” I replied, “Ah, but good is not the goal. We must go for the best of all time. It’s got to be top tier. I will have everyone talking about your hot apple cider. You will be named the best Christmas store for it. The world will know of this shop. It will be in magazines, papers, books, travel blogs, and all the rest of the things I can think of.”
Saint Nick reminded me, “I am in magazines, and I know that’s your doing.” I continued, “Bloggers will blog. The Socialsites will all know of this store's ever continuing greatness. I will have you in the black year round.”
He chimed in again, “You already do all that, Dylan.” I said, “I will get SGAP through those doors and capture a picture of it. I even have a way to do it ready to go. Everyone will copy SGAP because he’s a trend setter, despite my best efforts. If you can’t beat them, you have to join them. I SHALL USE MY WIND UP TOYS FOR GOOD!”
Saint Nick chuckled, “Of course you will because you always have.” The plan had been in place, but now it was firmer. It would be quite easy to get Haley to convince SGAP to come. Now, it was going to be a requirement for the party. Yes, I liked that.
Fang chuckled, “I love it. Thor will have to come shop here if we tell everyone their Secret Santa gift must come from this store. Thor loves rules.” That he did, even back when his name was Duke. He changed it for his mate and that was quite possibly the best thing he’s ever done.
I’d put the rule on the invitation so that he couldn't order online, as he did in the past, because his rule loving partial Fairy Hackura mate would demand he come in person. A wolf who changes his name for his mate will definitely follow the rules to make her smile.
I told Fang, “I’ll even include a line about how mates can’t go at the same time. He’ll have to come alone. MUHAHAHAHAHA!” Fang agreed, “That would be best.” Yes, it would because his precious Super Fun Sized Fairy Ninja Goddess would make him comply with the rules.
I needed to get my invitations set to go. In fact, I needed to get on a certain calendar that filled up far too fast. Because SGAP was still winning popularity contests even though we were far removed from high school.
