It was Christmas night, the windows were frosted from the snow outside, the living room dimly lit with the Christmas lights that were wrapped around the Christmas tree, the coffee table having a plate of cookies baked that night beside a warm glass of milk and bowl of carrots.

Maisie and Finley soundly asleep in their bedroom after being read a Christmas story, or at least you and John thought so. John quietly came down the stairs wearing a certain red and white suit and hat, resembling a certain jolly man while you tended to the cookies and milk.

John surrounded the tree with presents and with a satisfied nod he turned to you, “done”, he said before seeing you chomping on the cookies. “Aye, those cookies are for Santa ya know—”, he mused while giving your hip a gentle pat leaning close to take a bite of the cookie in your hand, “—stealing Santa’s cookies might put you on my naughty list…” he murmured with that smug smile of his pulling you closer.

He couldn’t help but lean close to press his lips to yours, maybe it was the way the Christmas lights reflected off your face or the cookie crumbs on your lips or maybe because he just bloody loved you and who were you to pull away, right? But what you both didn’t know was Maisie and Finley were sneakingly at the top of the stairs case, in their Christmas pjs, on the same mission as every child on Christmas, catching Santa. Not only did they see Santa but they saw mommy kissing santa!

The next morning the kids rushed into your room jumping on your bed, Finley hopping on top of a sleeping John shaking him trying to get him to wake up, Maisie beside him mimicking him just in you. “Daddy, daddy!” Finley exclaimed, “wake up!”, the small boy demanded. John’s groaned tiredly his eyes still closed, “I know, it’s Christmas we need to—” he muttered quickly interrupted by his son. “No! Last night me and Maisie saw mommy kissing Santa! Right, Maisie?!”, the boy turned to his little sister not fully understanding but nodded regardless, “mommy kissing Santa!”she exclaimed.