"This is little time," Sean explained, pulling me toward one of the cozy nests. "We do it every Christmas Eve. All the littles get together, and we play and watch movies and just… be. And the Daddies watch over us to make sure we're safe."
I looked around at all the littles gathered, at the way they were free and open and unapologetically themselves. At the way their Daddies watched them with such love and pride.
This was what my Secret Santa had wanted to give me. Not just permission to be little, but community. A place where I belonged. People who understood.
"Is this okay?" Sean asked quietly. "If it's too much?—"
"It's perfect," I said, and I meant it.
We settled into the nest of blankets, and someone started a movie—something animated and cheerful. Snacks were passed around—goldfish crackers and fruit snacks and juice boxes. My juice boxes, I realized. From my Secret Santa's care package.
As the evening wore on, I felt myself slipping deeper into little space. The pacifier found its way into my mouth without me consciously deciding to use it. Peanut stayed clutched in my arms. And I laughed and played and colored with the other littles like I'd been doing this forever.
At some point, Daddy came over and sat on the floor behind me, letting me lean back against his chest. His arms came around me, and I felt safe. Protected. Cherished.
I looked around the room at all the people who'd welcomed me, who'd made space for me, who'd helped me find this part of myself.
I was part of the ranch now. Really, truly part of it.
This wasn't just a temporary refuge anymore. This was home.
And as I sat there in my elephant onesie, surrounded by friends and held by the man I was falling in love with, I felt like the luckiest person in the world.
"Thank you," I whispered around my pacifier, not sure if I was talking to Simon or my Secret Santa or the universe in general.
Simon's arms tightened around me. "You're welcome, sweet boy. You're so welcome."
CHAPTER 20
Simon
Everything was ready.
I'd spent the entire morning setting up behind the barn while Tanner was occupied with the other littles. The path I'd shoveled through the snow wound through a winter wonderland I'd created specifically for him.
First, there was the snowman we'd built together days ago—I'd moved him carefully, adding a fresh carrot nose and making sure he looked perfect.
Then came a small Christmas tree I'd cut from the property, decorated with simple ornaments and white lights that twinkled even in the daylight.
Next was a stack of wrapped boxes—fake presents that I'd arranged artfully, tied with big red bows.
And at the end of the path, I'd set up a chair—padded and comfortable—where I sat in the Santa suit I'd borrowed from Atticus. The hat covered my hair, the beard hid my face, and the padding made my frame look different enough that hopefully Tanner wouldn't recognize me immediately.
My heart was pounding. This was it. The big reveal.
I'd left a note on Tanner's nightstand this morning while he was in the shower:
Your reveal awaits. Follow the path behind the barn. Come alone—this moment is just for you.
Merry Christmas, Tanner.
Now I sat in my chair, dressed as Santa, waiting for him to find me. The cold bit at my exposed skin, but I barely felt it. All I could think about was the moment when he'd realize it had been me all along.
That every gift, every note, every gesture of care had come from the man who was already his Daddy.
I heard footsteps crunching through the snow, and my pulse kicked up another notch.
This was it.
