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“Let’s go!” Peter starts to jump up and down, meaning that he’s ready to go.
Peter leads the way as we move toward the elevators, and the excitement is clear as day as they wait for the doors to open.
“You don’t have to do this,” I tell Benedict as we load into the elevator, and he presses the button for the lobby.
“Trust me, I want to.”
The sun beats down on the car as we all pile in, laughter and excitement filling the air. Benedict slides into the driver’s seat, his muscular frame a comforting presence as he starts the engine.
“Ready for Santa?” he asks with a grin, looking at the kids through the rearview mirror.
“Yay, Santa!” Peter cheers, bouncing in his seat, while Olivia nods enthusiastically.
“Alright, let’s get this show on the road,” I say, buckling my seat belt and offering Benedict a warm smile.
As we drive to the mall, the kids chatter excitedly about their wish lists, and I find my mind wandering to Benedict. The way his strong hands grip the steering wheel, the intensity in his eyes as he navigates the traffic—it’s intoxicating. But I have to remind myself that this isn’t about me or my desires; it’s about making memories for my family.
“Here we are,” Benedict announces as he pulls into the crowded mall parking lot. “Let’s go see Santa.”
“Yay!” the children exclaim in unison, unable to contain their excitement. We all climb out of the car, and Benedict takes my hand to help me up. His touch sends a shiver down my spine, but I quickly shake it off, focusing on the task at hand.
Once inside the mall, the kids’ noses immediately catch the tantalizing scent of free samples being handed out nearby. Peter’s eyes widen as he spots a table overflowing with bite-sized treats, and Olivia’s mouth waters as she watches the employees doling them out.
“Mommy, can we try some?” Peter pleads, tugging at my hand.
“Please, Mommy?” Olivia chimes in, her big, innocent eyes impossible to resist.
“Alright, just a quick stop,” I concede, letting their enthusiasm sweep me along.
“Thank you!” they squeal, making a beeline for the samples.
“Kids and free food,” Benedict chuckles, shaking his head. “A match made in heaven.”
“Tell me about it,” I laugh, watching as Peter and Olivia eagerly stuff their faces with tiny morsels of cookies and cheese.
With their appetites momentarily satisfied, Peter and Olivia skip ahead of us as we navigate through the bustling mall. Christmas decorations adorn every corner, and excited children chatter with anticipation. My heart swells with a mix of nostalgia and joy at seeing how much they’re enjoying the atmosphere.
“Alright, guys,” I announce as we approach the lobby where Santa is supposed to be. “Let’s go see?—”
My words catch in my throat as I take in the scene before me. Instead of a jolly man in red with a long white beard, all we find is a closed-off area with a sign that reads:Sorry! Santa had to return to the North Pole for the day.
Peter’s face falls, his lower lip quivering as he stares at the empty space where Santa should have been sitting. Olivia’s eyes fill with tears, and she turns to me, her voice trembling. “Mommy, does this mean we’re on the naughty list?”
“Of course not, sweetheart,” I try to reassure her, wrapping my arm around her small shoulders. But her teary gaze remains fixed on the empty chair, and I can tell she doesn’t believe me.
“Santa probably just had some important work to do, right?” Benedict offers gently, kneeling down to be at eye level with the kids.
“But why today?” Peter demands, his young face etched with disappointment. “We were supposed to see him!”
“Maybe there was an emergency toy-making crisis,” I suggest, attempting to keep my tone light despite the ache in my chest at seeing their hearts break.
“Or maybe we’re just bad,” Olivia sniffles, burying her face in my side.
“Hey,” Benedict says softly, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. “I promise you, neither of you are on the naughty list. Sometimes things just don’t work out the way we want them to.”
“Really?” Peter asks, his eyes brimming with hope.
“Really,” Benedict confirms, offering them a warm smile.
