Love Blooms

by Stephanie Hoyt

Overview

Nico Hamurişi is the one and only son of Santa Claus. All his life, Nico has known he's expected to fall in love and find lifelong commitment by the Christmas of his thirtieth year--like every other heir before him. But knowing and accepting are vastly different things, and as the final countdown begins, Nico has yet to embrace his fate. His once great enthusiasm for eventually becoming Santa has been dimmed by uncertainty over how the Santa Line will be affected when he marries a man.

With only a year left, will Nico have time to find love and commitment all while learning how magic will transform the family line to accommodate who he is and who he loves?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781949909661
Publisher:	Ninestar Press, LLC
Publication date:	12/12/2018
Pages:	226
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.52(d)

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

THE SUN HASN'T even begun to brighten the sky when Nico reaches the family estate. He shuts his car's engine off in front of his childhood home and waits, staring at his watch as the seconds tick by. The hour hand strikes five and snow starts to fall. His father must have made his first delivery right on time. Nico sighs, relief washing over him at having successfully avoided the annual Christmas conversation for the next twenty-something hours. For the moment, no matter how fleeting, he can go inside without bracing himself for confrontation.

The snow falls soft and cold on his face as he walks to the door, and for an instant, Nico thinks it may have been worth coming home earlier to avoid the snowfall. He laughs, short and bitter, as last year's predelivery family dinner flashes in his mind and he remembers what avoiding the snowfall entails. He'd much rather deal with this cold, wet mess than the disappointment in his father's eyes at another year passing by without him fulfilling his obligations as heir apparent. If last year was bad, this year will be infinitely worse. His father had been disappointed then, but now with the deadline looming so close, Nico can imagine how his father's mood will have shifted to something far worse than disappointment.

He wipes his feet on the welcome home mat and opens the door. He takes a deep breath as he steps inside and tries his best not to let this place get the better of him. It stopped being home years ago, but he can do this. He can. Except, the utter lack of even a shred of welcoming quality fills him with dread. This house has been the site of nearly every argument he's ever had with his father and he knows he's opened the door to yet another lecture on the expectations and obligations that come along with being the son of Kristoff Hamurisi.

This year won't be any different, especially since the final year of the countdown begins at midnight. If he's being realistic, which he hates to do, any discussion of his failings is going to be much more tense than they've ever been before. But for now, the lights inside are off, save for the Christmas tree, his father is out for more than a full day's worth of deliveries, the rest of the house seems to be fast asleep, and Nico can slip upstairs to his childhood bedroom without being noticed.

At least, that's what he was counting on.

Unfortunately for him, someone had different plans for his arrival. He opens his bedroom door to a lit room and a ball of limbs and hair curled up in the middle of his bed. He sets his suitcase down with a loud thud and the ball moves, revealing the face of Noelle, the youngest of his four older sisters.

"My dear little Santicholas," she says, words and laughter both swallowed in a yawn. "I can't believe you thought you could sneak in here unnoticed."

Nico rolls his eyes. "You know I hate when you call me that."

She untangles herself and pushes up on the tips of her toes to wrap her arms around Nico in a big, tight hug. "It's hard to believe you do when you're smiling so big."

Nico's words get muffled by her hair and his own laughter. "Yeah, yeah. I missed you, too."

She lets him go, shaking her head as he starts to yawn. "You should've come home at a decent hour if you wanted to be well rested."

Nico narrows his eyes. "If it's such an indecent hour then why are you up?"

Noelle lets out a short huff of air, annoyed. "I wanted you to see a friendly face before ..."

Nico closes his eyes. Here it comes. He should have known better than to think he could avoid confrontation, even for a moment, even from his closest friend and sibling. When he opens his eyes again, Noelle's sitting on the edge of the bed and her face has softened in a way that makes Nico feel worse.

He smiles but it does nothing to wipe the gentle expression off her face; she knows him too well, knows he wears it as a shield.

"You don't have to pretend with me. I know failing is what worries you."

"Failure isn't my concern here, Noelle." Not entirely true. "I'm worried about what will happen if I don't fail." Unbearably true.

Noelle raises her eyebrow, confused, and Nico's stomach clenches. Am I actually doing this? He plows on before she can interrupt and he loses his nerve. "And I'm angry! I'm so incredibly angry I even need to be concerned by all this shit in the first place. I don't want to think of heirs and continuing a family legacy and everything else riding on me falling in love when I don't even know how who I love will affect any of this."

Noelle blinks, breathing out a barely audible "Oh."

Nico's heart skips, his pulse is erratic.

"I'm gay."

Noelle blinks again, and again, and again, and then, after what feels like an eternity of his stomach turning over in knots, she smiles. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Yes, okay."

She motions for Nico to sit next to her, and he does, knocking his shoulder against hers. "I was expecting a little more than an okay, if I'm being honest."

Noelle laughs, embarrassed. "I didn't think I should start quizzing you on if you're seeing anyone, so okay seemed, well ... okay."

Nico smiles, and this time it's not a shield. He feels lighter and more at peace in this house than he has in years. It's such a relief to have finally shared such an important part of himself with such an important person in his life.

"Who all knows?"

Nico doesn't answer immediately, and Noelle asks, "Oh, am I the only one who knows?"

"No, it's not exactly a secret. I mean, everyone I know who doesn't know this family knows. So work and friends from college and yeah. I'm basically out to everyone except the family."

Noelle appears confused and curious. "Not even Joy? She knows how —"

Nico cuts her off. "No, not even our dear lesbian sister knows. Only you."

Noelle hums an acknowledgment but doesn't say anything else for a long while — Nico can tell she's working through what to say next.

He has an idea of what she might be thinking and supplies an answer, "I haven't told Mom and Dad because, even though it wasn't a thing when Joy came out, what if ... I mean it's got to be different when you don't have to produce an heir."

Nico can't keep the disdain out of his voice. For as long as he can remember, the heir has been his biggest concern regarding his father and, in turn, his mother finding out his sexuality. "There's all this added pressure surrounding me finding someone to love. I know they don't have a problem with queer people, but what if they have a problem with me being gay. There's a lot riding on my love life."

"Okay," Noelle nods. "Well, yeah. I can't deny there is a lot of pressure put on you falling in love. But I've got your back here. No matter what happens, I'll help you find out how this affects you being the heir apparent to the Crimson Sleigh."

Nico bursts out in laughter. "God, shut up. Why do you insist on calling it that?"

Noelle smiles, pleased as can be. "Because it makes you laugh."

Nico purses his lips, trying to stifle his laughter. "You're ridiculous, you know?"

"Yes, obviously. But I am also wonderful and magical and dearly beloved by you."

"I guess." He draws the word out, teasing, and Noelle shoves him, laughing. "Though I wouldn't consider magical one of your finer qualities since we all are."

Noelle crinkles her nose. "If you got it, flaunt it."

Nico sighs. He wishes he was pleased with the extra magic they have, but it's different — like everything else — when the full extent of his own powers is contingent on falling in love. "I'd much rather have no magic at all, but that's probably just me."

"Yeah, it's got to be just you." She pauses, furrowing her brow in thought. "Is it even possible to have no magic, though? Everyone's got some when it comes down to it, even the Immunes. Magic's everywhere little bro; it's a fact of life."

"I'd gladly trade with anyone who doesn't have a love stipulation placed on their magic." He doesn't mean to sound so wishful, but so much of his life since college has been spent wondering how his life would be if he didn't have all this extra pressure resting on his shoulders. He'd much rather be gifted with any other sort of magic; no need for the frills of Santahood. "Besides, I'm not much more powerful than anyone but Dad as it is. Since love eludes me."

Noelle's eyes light up. "So you're not seeing anyone?"

Nico shakes his head, chuckling. He can always count on Noelle for poor segues and making him laugh. "Have you been waiting this whole time to ask me?"

"No, of course not; that'd be absurd. But since you've brought it back up ..."

"I didn't exactly bring it up."

Noelle waves her hand, dismissing his words. "Yeah, yeah. But you gave me the perfect opportunity to ask, so."

"So, what?" Nico knows what she means, but he wants to mess with her, make her work for the answer.

"So" — she draws the word out, her warm brown eyes twinkling with familiar mirth — "are you or are you not seeing anyone?"

"No, not at the moment."

Noelle seems surprised, and Nico supplies an answer before she can ask, "It's not necessarily a coincidence I pursued a career in something that affords me the opportunity to travel so much — I'm not entirely sure I want to settle down or fall in love."

It's the unfortunate truth of his life, but Noelle's face falls. She isn't pleased with the answer.

"Oh, Nico. You can't deny yourself love because of the things expected of you. That's not fair to yourself."

Nico shrugs. He wishes it were that simple, but his obligations are always at the back of his mind, and it only gets worse when he meets a man who has the potential to be something more. Noelle smiles, soft and sympathetic. She gets up and ruffles his hair like she has since they were children; her fingers catch at the end where it's starting to curl, and she clucks her tongue. It's annoying and comforting all at the same time, as it always has been, and more of Nico's tension slips away. Noelle's always been such a good friend. "Mom will be up soon enough, and the rest of the house won't be much longer after that."

Nico yawns and Noelle continues, hand on the door, ready to leave, "The kids missed you last night so you might want to nap and get a story ready for why you didn't arrive with everyone else because I'm sure they'll pester you for one. Especially Timmy. Belle says he's become quite the inquisitive little boy as of late."

Nico motions for the door. "Will you stop fretting over me and go already. You said I need a nap. So let me nap."

"Okay, okay. I'm going," she says, but before she closes the door, she peeks her head back through and says, "I'm going to help you figure this all out, Nico. I promise."

She shuts the door and Nico, for the first time in a long time, feels calm and relieved and a tad hopeful since he's told Noelle. She's right: he shouldn't deny himself love. There might be a deadline and a world of responsibilities, obligations, and powers that come with being the heir apparent to the sleigh, but at the very least, he can't let this change what he wants. He can't let a part of his life he has never had a say in control his happiness.

He wants to fall in love; he wants to settle down; he wants to open his heart and build a life with someone else. And honestly, Nico thinks, as he starts to doze off, Santa be damned if being gay will change any of that.

CHAPTER 2

NICO WAKES UP three hours later to a loud knock at his door. He's groggy and a little disoriented, and he wishes he had come home this afternoon, instead of trying to avoid everyone by getting in before dawn. He wasn't successful, anyway; all he managed to do was avoid his father.

"Come in," Nico calls through a yawn. He's expecting to see one or more of his sisters' children come through the door. Instead, his mother, Gloria, walks through the door with a big, kind smile and a mug in hand. Her long gray hair is perfectly styled and her warm brown skin is glowing in the morning light, and Nico's stomach, for a moment, curls in shame over still being in bed.

"Good morning, Nicholas. I brought you a cup of coffee with an absurd amount of sugar — exactly how you like."

She sets it on his nightstand, and he mutters his thanks. She nudges him to sit up and scoot over so she can sit with him at the edge of the bed. He obliges and she continues talking as he begins to drink, "We missed you last night."

"Mhm." Nico hums into his coffee mug. He knew skipping the predelivery dinner would upset his mother the most, and at the time, he thought it'd be worth it, but really it just stings hearing the disappointment in her voice.

"Sorry," he mumbles, all the calmness that washed over him after talking to Noelle is gone now. Instead, he's left with clammy hands and a nervous heartbeat. His mother looks at him as if she expects greatness, and it instantly takes him back to being a child searching for approval.

"I shouldn't have flaked. I'm sorry, I —"

"Didn't want to be here?"

Nico would feel much worse she knows the truth if it weren't for the faintest hint of a smile on her face — she seems to understand. "You know me too well, Mom."

Her smile grows and the guilt in the pit of his stomach begins to shrink. "You can't hide things from me. I'm very perceptive."

"Yeah, you are," he says, while thinking if only you knew.

"Oh?" She raises an eyebrow. "You doubt me?"

Nico laughs. "No, of course I do. You are very perceptive but —"

"But you're hiding something else," she supplies.

Nico blinks and his chest aches with nerves. "What?"

"It doesn't take your kind of magic, or any for that matter, to figure out there's a reason you hate —"

"I don't —"

"There's no need to lie. I may not be as intuitive as you or your father, but I know my own children. And I know there is something more to your avoidance of this family and this house and this deadline than you want to let on. There's something more to you no longer wanting to be Santa Claus."

"That's true."

Gloria appears surprised he admitted it, but Nico knows there's no use in fumbling out a denial. Not with her. Not anymore. He doesn't want to be Santa, he hasn't for a long time, not if the process and his duties after he takes over are complicated, or made impossible, by who he is. By who he's attracted to. "There's actually something I need to tell you. And Dad ..."

He trails off. It's harder to tell his mom than Noelle. Noelle has always been in his corner, and while his mother has, too, it's in a much different way.

Gloria doesn't push Nico when it becomes apparent he has no intention of finishing his thought. Instead, she pats the side of his face with her hand. It's a familiar gesture — something she used to do when he was having a bad day — but startling all the same. It's been so long since he's allowed himself to be vulnerable in front of her, or anyone, that he's not expecting it at all. He takes a long drink of his coffee to soothe the ache creeping into the back of his throat. His mother smiles, a small, sad little thing, and the knot in his throat grows. "Nico, whatever it is — whatever is holding you back and making you not want this life anymore — we can get through it. Together. As a family. All you have to do is tell us."

There are so many things he wants to say. So many questions he needs to ask. So many answers she won't have. So many things only his father will know, but all of it is far easier said than done.

"I ..." He's a fish out of water. He doesn't know how to form his thoughts into coherent sentences. He shakes his head. "There's something big I've been meaning to tell you and Dad and everyone."

Gloria's eyes widen, a hopeful smile curling the edge of her lips, and Nico's stomach drops. "No, I haven't met anyone."

She does her best not to show her disappointment, but Nico can tell she is, anyway. "I still have time." It's as much an affirmation for himself as it is for her.

"I know you do." She seems much more sure of it than he does. "You're a wonderfully kind and charming man and quite handsome at that. Any woman would be lucky to have you."

And there it is: the gut-wrenching assumption that's plagued him for so long.

"Mom, please."

"Don't be embarrassed, hon."

"I'm not." Which is true. But he doesn't have any time to counter her point any further before his door flies open with a raucous burst of laughter. In stumbles Timmy and Annette, with Max toddling not too far behind them.

"Uncle Nico!" Timmy shouts, beaming. "Where were you last night?"

Gloria glances toward Nico as Timmy reaches out for him. He pushes out of bed, finally, and scoops Timmy up in a hug. "I was finishing up some last minute work before Christmas."

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Love Blooms"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Stephanie Hoyt.
Excerpted by permission of NineStar Press, LLC.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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