Page 21 of Santa's Milk and Cookies

And then came present time. We started with the cat gifts because cats are cats, and Mr. Whiskers was starting to tear at things even if we hadn’t gone that route.

"Did you buy the entire pet aisle for him?"

"I didn't buy anything. I'm Santa. We made it in my workshop."

"No wonder that cat likes you best." He stuck out his tongue and then went back to unwrapping his pet's gifts. There were toys, treats, and a fancy litter box that, in theory, would keep itself clean. I wasn't sure how true that was, but it was worth a shot.

Then came time for Dakota's presents. "You have two kinds of presents today. You have the ones under the tree that are Little, and you have ones in your stocking that are big. Which would you like to open first?"

He looked back and forth between them. "Big."

That worked for me. There was nothing extraordinarily unique or fancy in his stocking. I found him a new wallet, a keychain that matched his wallet, tickets to a musical he'd mentioned in passing, and a coffee club card for his favorite coffee place that could be used for a free coffee every day of the month. They were great, wonderful gifts, but they weren't what I was most excited to see him open.

"Can I open my Little ones now?"

"Of course, my baby boy, of course."

He wrapped his arms around me tight. "I love my big gifts, Santa. I needed a new wallet, and I know just who to bring to the musical."

"And who's that?"

"You, silly Daddy." He nipped on my earlobe and began opening all of his Christmas gifts. This time instead of practical gifts, he unwrapped blocks and onesies, stuffies, and a sweater for his teddy bear that said "Teddy's Baby Boy."

"This is my favorite, Daddy." He ran and got his bear and slid it on him. It was a perfect fit.

"I'm glad you like it."

"Not as much as I like you, Daddy.” He kissed my cheek. “No, I don't like you. I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too, my baby boy. I love you too."

“Milkie time?” He looked up at me with his big eyes.

“Milkie time.”

And as he snuggled onto my lap, holding onto his bear, he latched on, giving me the merriest Christmas of all.

And for more Christmas fun from The Lactin Brotherhood, check out…

A shy baker, a grumpy neighbor, and a dozen holiday stockings. Sometimes a little Christmas cheer can deliver the sweetest surprises.

Corey’s first Christmas in his new apartment isn’t going quite as planned. Between unpacked boxes and a mountain of cookie orders, the only spark of holiday cheer comes from spying on his mysterious neighbor as he leaves every morning with an ice chest and returns an hour later looking far too handsome for someone so grumpy.

When a shipping mix-up delivers a dozen empty stockings to Corey, he decides to spread a little cheer the old-fashioned way. Each evening, he fills one with small gifts—brownies, cocoa packets, tiny ornaments—and leaves it by his neighbor’s door. But when Cliff joins in the game and leaves something surprisingly personal in return, Corey realizes the man next door might just have a secret as tightly-held as his smile.

By the time Christmas arrives, Corey’s wish list has changed. What he wants most isn’t under the tree but living right across the hall.