Page 42 of Season's Schemings
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The toy drive is a totally chaotic scene of Holiday cheer, and the Christmas-lover in me is positively joyful to be a part of this event at the Callahan mansion.
Seb and his teammates have all donned their costumes, complete with pointy hats, velvet tunics, and curly-toed shoes with bells on them. Some of the guys are sporting their elf-wear with more pride than others—Jake Griswold is scowling like an angry racoon, his tights straining around his gargantuan thighs. Meanwhile, Jimmy is wearing a reindeer nose and antlers with his costume, for some unknown reason, and Dallas has gone for a shirtless elf look, foregoing a tunic in favor of suspenders worn over a lot of bare abs on display for everyone to see.
Nice abs, too, if I’m being very honest.
Jeez, these hockey players haveseriousphysiques.
As the guys playfully jostle around, sorting the veritable mountain of toys into bins in front of a twelve-foot Christmas tree, Reagan livestreams the scene with glee. I don’t blame her—this is A+ content: the laughter in the room is infectious, the guys look hilarious, and Carter Callahan himself is in the middle of it all, sitting on the floor next to his pretty, dark-eyed wife as they wrap gifts.
It’s a bit surreal, watching someone I’ve seen in so many movies exist as a real-life person covered in pieces of sticky tape.
After we’ve finished the sorting and wrapping, the plan is for everyone to jump on the Cyclones’ bus and head to different locations around the city to give out the gifts. It’s such a sweet gesture. And Reagan seems happy enough with the team dressed up as buff elves that she’s dropped her Twelve Lays of Christmas idea… for now, at least.
I hum along to “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” as I work, curling ribbon after ribbon on the wrapped gifts. I try not let my eyes keep drifting back to Seb, but at this point, it’s impossiblenotto look at him. He's accessorized his ridiculous elf costume with a cheeky smirk, and he’s currently locked in what appears to be a lively debate with a blonde-haired, dark-eyed little girl who’s been prancing around the room since we arrived.
He looks cute talking to kids. I’m sure I’m wearing a dopey grin as I watch him.
Adrienne is watching him, too, I notice. And when she sees me notice this, I bravely stare her down until she looks away.
Back off, HR Lady. That’s MYhusband.
Wow, this charity toy drive is bringing out the jealous in me. Which isn’t exactly charitable.
Or maybe, it’s that after our conversation the other night where I learned a little more about Seb’s background, it’s becoming harder and harder for me not to acknowledge that this guy is the total freaking package. Because while he’s obviously hot, talented, and great at making me feel like a flustered mess with his smart-mouthed flirtations, on a deeper level, I’m learning that Seb iskind. He cares about the people around him. He’s determined to give back.
It’s… well, it’s sexy beyond belief.
My dopey grin widens as I focus back on Seb and the little girl.
“That’s Carter’s daughter.” Chantal Holmes materializes at my side, holding a clipboard in one hand and about ten rolls of wrapping paper in the other.
“Oh, really?” I peer at the girl, who has her hands on her hips and is squaring up to Seb like he’s a ballerina and not a hulking hockey player. “She seems like a feisty little thing.”
Chantal laughs with me. “She keeps Carter on his toes, that’s for sure.”
“She’s adorable. I love the sass.” I’ve never really imagined my own future with kids in it. I want them, but Adam never wanted to talk about them. To this day, I have no idea if he sees kids in his future. Maybe he didn’t want them with me, but wants them with Elizabeth.
I flinch a little. Six days and counting until I’m face to face with the nightmare I like to call my past, in the present.
The phone call to Alicia Plumlee went okay. Mostly thanks to Seb, who held my hand the whole way through. After I hung up, he folded his hand back into his lap like it was absolutely nothing.
But it meant a lot to me.
Alicia was shocked, to say the least, but accommodating. Especially given the fact that we’re due to arrive there in less than a week. I was vague, only saying that I was bringing my new partner. Figured I’d save the H-for-Husband bomb for when I’m there to see everyone’s faces. Especially Adam’s.
“He looks like he’ll make a good dad someday.” Chantal nods at Seb, pulling me from my thoughts.
“I dunno, I mean…” I’m about to laugh and make a comment about Seb’s only baby being his job, but at the last minute, I remember that I’m technically married to the guy. “I guess,” I finish.
“You haven’t talked about kids?”
I shake my head and try to look nonchalant. And wifelike. “Not yet. All in good time.”
“Of course. Enjoy being newlyweds first.” She pats my arm and wanders off, and I refocus on my task: curling ribbon with military precision and trying very hard to ignore Seb’s flushed pink cheeks, tilted elf hat, and raucous laugh as he talks with the Callahan girl.
Hedoeslook like he’d make a good dad someday. You’d have never caught Adam joking around with a little kid like that while wearing a ridiculous costume. It’s attractive how comfortable Seb is in his own skin. How unafraid he is to look silly. And sure, he may not be the dad ofmyfuture kids, but it does make me realize something I want in my nextrealpartner: qualities that’ll make him a good father.