The man was learning.
I stood in the middle of the lobby, clipboard in one hand, watching as the finishing touches went up. The tree reached nearly to the second-floor balcony, strung with warm white lights that reflected off the gold ornaments I’d chosen. Staff were laughing, not groaning; the interns were singing Christmas carols without being bribed.
We’d done it.
A year ago, the company had been all numbers and deadlines. Now the office felt alive—still efficient, still sharp, but full of color and small kindnesses. Felix had given me the impossible titleEvent and Engagement Director,which I suspected wasjust code formake everyone smile, Clayton,and I’d thrown myself into it like it was a second heartbeat.
Even better, it had worked. Staff turnover had plummeted, productivity was up, and the company’s social feed was full of people bragging about how much they loved their jobs.
I'd had to turn down a ton of office parties this year. Anna, the mom with the little girl in the wheelchair had seen the video posted on social media where Jason had humiliated me, and she had been so disgusted at my treatment, her outrage along with a picture of me and Santa's special fairy had gone viral. Jason had been fired.
I also had more job offers than one person could possibly do, but I'd officially hung up the red hat except for our company party.
Well, and except for theprivateparties Sir and I had at home which still involved wearing the red hat…but just the red hat and nothing else.
The sound of approaching footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. I turned—and there he was.
Felix. My sir. My Daddy. Although I only called him that in private or at the club.
Still impossibly handsome, still wearing confidence like a second skin. But there was something softer around the edges now. His eyes crinkled more when he smiled. He did that a lot these days.
“Mr. North,” he said, mock-formal, taking in the organized chaos around us. “You’ve outdone yourself. Again.”
I grinned and lowered my voice. “Don’t call me that, sir. People might think I’m respectable.”
He leaned in, voice low enough for me only. “You’re the most respectable man I know. Even bare ass naked over my knee.”
I laughed, swatting at him with my clipboard. He caught it easily, stealing a quick kiss completely uncaring that everyone could see.
Across the room, the sound of jingling bells erupted. A crowd of employees was gathering near the photo setup, chantingSanta!and I felt the familiar tug in my chest.
My turn.
“I still can’t believe you insisted on doing this yourself,” Felix said, following me into an empty office and watching me pull the red jacket over my shoulders.
I winked. “Tradition.”
He smiled. “You’re incorrigible.”
“Maybe,” I said, adjusting the fake beard, “but you love me for it.”
He didn’t deny it.
A few minutes later, I was in full Santa mode—kids from the company daycare climbing onto my lap, adults laughing as they took their turn for silly photos. The air was full of cocoa, music, and genuine cheer.
And then I saw her.
Naomi.
Her smile hit me first—wide and luminous, eyes wet already. She'd shared her story a year ago with Santa: how they had one last shot at IVF, how she’d told me at last year’s party that her only Christmas wish was to hold her baby.
Now she stood there, cradling a tiny baby swaddled in red.
“Santa,” she said softly, stepping forward, “this is Lily.”
The name caught in my throat. “She’s beautiful,” I whispered, meaning every word.
“She's a handful,” Naomi said, eyes bright. “We wanted you to meet her. You were the first person I told my wish to.”
