Im Santa?!

I’m Santa?!

(Chapter two of Wrapped in love!)

After landing I look around.

"Does this look like home to you?!" Dad asks furiously.

"This is their home dad!" Charlie says, looking around in awe.

A kid with pointed ears walks out from the woods. He opens up the side of a pole and inputs a number. The ground begins to shake as we descend into the ground.

"What the fu—dge" I stop myself.

We fully descend into what looks like a toy factory. Kids with pointed ears stop what they are doing and stare at us. Some point and some gasp.

"Where are all the grown ups?" Dad asks to no one.

"This is so cool!" Charlie says, his eyes gleaming.

"You two stay here! I'll figure out where we are and what's going on." I say climbing out of the sleigh.

I spot the closest kid and call out to them.

"Hey! Who's in charge here?" I ask walking up to them.

"You are." The girl answers.

"No, who gives the orders? Who's your boss?" I clarify.

"You are." She glares.

"Who's the head elf, then?" I ask, hands on my hips.

"I told you! You are!" She glares daggers at me.

A boy around my age comes up and crosses his arms.

"Hey! Who's causin' all the trouble around here?" He directs to the girl.

"They are." She points at me.

"I was just asking—" I start until the boy cuts me off.

"Are we on a coffee break?"

"We don't drink coffee." The girl answers.

"Well then I guess the break is over! Back to work! Thanks!" He says, hands on his hips.

"Hey take it easy on her, will you?" I huff.

"I'm Bernard. Nice to meet you San- you're not Santa." He stops, looking me over once, confused.

"Of course I'm not, Santa's not real so I couldn't be him." I raise a brow at him.

"The guy with you must be the new Santa then." Bernard crosses his arms.

"I'm not santa either!" I hear dad argue.

"I thought I told you to stay with Charlie. I have this under control." I say with an even temper.

"Whoever put on the suit first is santa, that must be you." Bernard points to dad.

"I didn't touch that suit!" Dad defends.

"So you are Santa?" Bernard questions me.

"No!" I sputter.

"The other Santa disappeared, right?" He starts walking away.

" Wait a minute. Hey, I know where this is goin'. It wasn't my fault. The other guy fell. It was an accident. I've got homeowner's insurance and a good attorney. Not as good as my wife's, but let's not open up that wound. Hold it a minute. Wh-Whoa, whoa, whoa. How did you know the other guy was gone?" Dad follows after him.

I follow after him.

"Can I get you a drink?" Bernard asks.

"I'm hungry and thirsty too!" I feel a tug on my coat sleeve and hear my brothers voice.

"Charlie, I thought I told you to stay in the sleigh." Dad tells him.

"Like you're one to talk." I cross my arms.

"Who's this?" Bernard asks.

"This is my brother, Charlie." I say, side hugging him.

"Hiya sport!" Bernard smiles at him.

"Hey, Dad, he called me 'sport' just like you two!" Charlie beams.

"Hey, you know what. I got somethin' for you." Bernard says pulling a snow globe from his bag.

"Okay, now hold out your hand, all right? Now, be very careful. This is very old, just like me." He carefully hand's Charlie the globe.

"Shake it up Charlie." I urge.

Charlie shakes it gently and Charlie's eyes go wide as the globe changes.

"Why don't you, uh, hold onto it for me for a while. It might come in handy." He smirks.

"Thanks. Thanks a lot. I promise I'll take real good care of it." Charlie nods.

"Make sure you do!" Bernard affirms.

Charlie wanders off to show dad the snow globe.

"Larry, take Charlie and the dad here and get them some chow." Bernard calls out to another kid.

They get escorted to somewhere and I'm left standing alone with Bernard. He gives me a once over and huffs.

"I guess you are Santa." He says.

"Look, I am not Santa!" I rebuttal.

"Did you or did you not read the card?" Bernard asks, annoyed.

"Yeah I read the card." I confirm.

"Then you're the new Santa. In putting on the hat and jacket you accepted the contract." He reiterates.

"The card in the Santa suit. You said you read it, right? So when you put on the suit, you fell subject to the Santa Clause. 'ln putting on this suit and entering the sleigh the wearer waives any and all rights to any previous identity, real or implied, and fully accepts the duties and responsibilities of Santa Claus. in perpetuity until such time that wearer becomes unable to do so by either accident or design.'" He reads off the card.

"That's ridiculous. I put on the suit because I was cold!" I try to explain.

"Try to understand this!" Bernard snaps.

All the kids around us stop and ooh at us.

"Let me explain something to you, okay? Toys have to be delivered. I'm not gonna do it. It's not my job. I'm just an elf. It's Santa's job, but Santa fell off a roof, your roof. You read the card, you put on the suit. That clearly falls under the Santa Clause." Bernard says, annoyed.

"So I'm Santa now?" I question.

"Yes." He breathes.

"But, Santa's supposed to be a guy. And I am not." I try to reason.

Charlie runs towards me with open arms, dad following behind.

"You have got to see this (y/n)!" Charlie gasps.

"You leave tomorrow morning. You have eleven months to get your affairs in order, and you're due back here Thanksgiving." Bernard says demandingly.

"They're not comin' back here on Thanksgiving!" Dad interjects.

"I'll ship the list to your house." Bernard tells me.

"The list?" I question.

"Come on, now. The list." Bernard gestures.

"He's makin a list," he starts.

"Checking it twice!" Charlie chimes in.

"Gonna find out who's naughty and nice!" The rest of the elves chime in.

Bernard's hands cover his face in embarrassment.

"Look, you put a "P" next to the kids who are nice and a "C" next to the naughty ones." He pulls his hands away.

"'P' and 'c'?" I raise my eyebrows.

""P" for present, "C" for coal, right, Bernard?" Charlie asks.

"Right. Now we got to get you out of those clothes. You all look soaked. Judy? Take dad to his room and then take Charlie to his please?" He asks an elf with a pointed hat.

"What do I do?" I ask.

"I'll bring you to your room. We have lots to discuss."

This is crazy (chapter 6)

It's been over a week. A lot has happened already. First Charlie took dad to career day at school and blabbed that dads Santa and I'm the spirit of Christmas. Now he's under evaluation and Laura is threatening dad to take away custody. Currently I'm in the kitchen of my bakery rolling out sugar cookie dough.

The sound of music fills the bakery. The song Quiet, Heavy dreams by Zach Bryan bounces off the walls. I sing along to the lyrics

"How's a man get so homesick for a face he's never seen?"

"Yah know, I always thought that. Now I've met you I don't think I'll be able to stay away." A familiar voice snaps me out of my tranquility.

Turning around, I raise my rolling pin, ready to beat senseless whoever broke into my locked bakery.

I am met with a pair of coffee colored eyes. They shimmer with fondness I've seen only once before. It's Bernard!

"What the fuck dude! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" I berate him, setting the rolling pin onto the counter and pause the speaker.

"First off, language. If you're gonna be the face of Christmas spirit you're gonna have to change that. Also I told you I'd be seeing you soon (y/n)." Bernard grimaces.

"This is crazy! That was just some silly dream!" I say as I pace the floor.

His grin drops, if only momentarily. It makes me feel bad. I've only spent a couple hours with this guy before and I'm already getting attached. This is such main character bullshit.

"I'm sorry you feel that way. But I'm here to help train you to be the Christmas spirit." Bernard states, hands buried in his pockets.

"How'd you even get in? The doors are all locked and all of our windows are stationary." I query.

"Elf magic." Bernard says peering over my shoulder.

"Well I can't 'train', or whatever right now. I have so many orders that need filled. I'm up to my ears in cookie dough. So unless you're here to help frost over 12 dozen snowflake cookies, then you need to vamoose." I go to wash my hands and continue to roll out the cookie dough.

"I don't think you get this is a big deal (y/n). Even if you're my soulmate I can't let you slack in responsibilities." Bernard walks next to me.

"I can't do this 'responsibilities' bull crap right now. I already have way to much on my plate. I have to make these cookies, pick up Charlie from school, and have dinner in the table by the time dad gets home. I cannot be talking to myself in the back room of my shop. I'm already going crazy talking to animals, not this too!" I rant to Bernard.

"Wait. Did you say talking to animals? When did this start?" Bernard grabs my shoulder and turns me to face him.

"The night that guy fell off our roof. The reindeer talked to me." I say setting down my rolling pin.

"You probably think I'm crazy, then again you're not even real, right!" I nervously chuckle.

"I'm real. Just as real as you are." Bernard states into my eyes

"So if you're real, then why don't you have a last name?" I cross my arms.

"Elves don't. It makes things easier when looking for your soulmate. Normally they are other elves. I've looked into it. You're the first ever human in elven history to have a soulmate." Bernard gets even closer to me.

I start putting the cookie dough back. I can't do this right now. I'll just do it tomorrow. If I get in early enough I'll be ok.

"So what exactly does this mean for me, for us I mean?" I untie my apron and fold it. I set it on the counter and wash my hands of any flour.

"You've got to move to the pole in approximately 10 months and 11 days. From there you will live out the rest of eternity spreading Christmas joy." Bernard explains.

"Christmas joy! That's bullshit." I spit.

" I read a bit about you. I'm sorry that such an experience has ruined so many precious moments for you." Bernard says softly.

"How do you know about my mom?" I ask, tears welling up in the corners of my eyes.

"As your soulmate, I'm required to know. And I'm sorry you had to go through that. It's not fair for any child of any age to lose a parent." Bernard pulls me into a hug.

He's warm, but not too warm. My arms go around his neck and his to the small of my back. If I'm crazy, I like crazy. I like him. He's been nothing but kind to me and now I feel like a jerk.

"I'm such a jerk! I'm so sorry!" I sob.

"It's ok. It's ok. I know you're under a lot of stress." He breaths softly.

I pull back and I'm sure my face is red and tear stained, but he looks at me like I'm the most beautiful person in the galaxy. So much love radiates off of him.

My eyes dart back and forth from his eyes to his lips. I start to subconsciously lean forward. His hand moves from my back to cup my cheek. His thumb brushes my cheek softly. I lean in just enough that our noses brush. I can feel his breath, uneven and heavy. My lips close in on his. His lips catch mine in a soft, yet passionate kiss. I swear I can feel sparks. He tastes of chocolate and a hint of peppermint. Suddenly he separates himself and presses his forehead onto mine. I take his hand into mine and squeeze lightly.

I pull away. "I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry!"

"It's ok. I'm your soulmate. It's natural to feel a pull to me. I sure feel a pull to you. If I didn't I wouldn't have kissed you back." Bernard pulls me into a embrace.

We are interrupted by the alarm on my phone going off. I grab it and curse.

"Fuck, I gotta pick up Charlie. Dad is supposed to be working late tonight and it's his weekend. I'm sorry to do this, but I have to go." I grab my car keys and turn back to him.

"It's ok. I know you've got a lot to do. I'll be visiting soon again. We got to get you trained. Your dad will fall into it, but you have to know what to do." He smiles and I swear the room brightens.

"I'll see you then!" I start out the door.

"By the way -" I start, turning around. Only to see just a poof of glitter in the air and Bernard nowhere to be seen. I scoff and lock the door behind me.

Comfort and a visit to Charlie’s

(Chapter 10 of two souls entwined in the North Pole)

As soon as we get home dad heads to his room and refuses to come out. The door is locked to talking through it is about all I can do. How Laura can be such a cruel person is a loss to me. He barely does anything for over a week. After work I trudge to my room, change into pajamas and crawl under the covers. I just can't do it anymore. I rub my locket because it makes me think of Bernard. He'd make everything better. I just know it.

"Snowbird what's wrong?" I hear Bernard's voice come from outside my covers.

"She did it." I say, fighting back tears.

"Who did what?" He sits beside me.

"Laura took away dads visitation rights. He's not supposed to even be near him now!" I sob.

He pulls back the blanket and pulls me into his arms.

"I'm sorry snowbird." He pats me on the back. "I've got to get back to the pole for now but I'll see you later, ok?"

I nod and hug him tight. After he poofs away a knock comes from my door.

"Do you want to take a walk with me? Maybe see the Christmas lights at the town square?" Dad asks opening my door.

"Yeah, that sounds fun." I wipe my eyes with my sleeve.

We leave the house and start walking. Soon we are at a familiar house.

"Dad! You know we aren't supposed to be here!" I gasp.

"I just want to see him." Dad sighs, knocking on the door.

Neil opens the door and looks confused between us both.

"Hey Neil." Dad stuffs his hands into his pockets.

"Scott, you're not supposed to be here. And neither are they." Neil points to me.

"Don't make me beat you up Neil." Dad half heartedly threatens.

"Oh would Santa and Christmas spirit beat up someone?" Neil says, hands on his hips.

Dad moves past him into the house. I shrug and offer a half sincere sorry.

"I'm this close." dad says, fingers nearly touching.

" So you still believe you're Santa?" Neil asks pointedly.

"I don't know." Dad sighs.

Charlie comes running in. "What do you mean you don't know? Of course you are, Dad. How can you say that? Think of all those kids!"

"The only kids I'm thinking about are you and your sibling." Dad tussles his hair.

"We're fine! You can't let them down!" Charlie stomps.

Laura cuts in "Charlie listen."

" You listen! You think you know who he is. You don't!" Charlie wails.

Laura tries to reason with him " Charlie. Honey, listen. You're confused."

"I know exactly who they are!" Charlie cries out, tears brimming from his eyes.

"They are not Christmas spirit and Santa Claus!" Laura practically screams at him.

"He is too, Santa! We went to the North Pole together. I saw it. The elves are real old even though they look like Bernard called me sport, 'cause he knew everything. Right, Dad? He's (y/n)s soulmate! The necklace they have is from him!" Charlie tosses dad his snow globe.

And like that it seems like everything clicks behind his eyes.

"Thank you Charlie, thank you." He scoops him into a hug.

"Can we have a minute? To say goodbye?" I plead.

Laura scrunches up her face but Neil nods and ushers her off.

"You saw the ball come to life! You saw it!" Charlie says joyously.

"You bet I did," dad starts but Charlie is ready to run to pack a bag.

"Well, wait, sport. Sport. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. I think it's a much better idea if you just stayed here with your mom." Dad explains.

"I wanna be with you two though!" Charlie says.

"I love hearing you say that" dad wipes his eyes.

"You mean I can go?!" Charlie asks excited.

"Boy, this bird is dry. Haven't you people heard about basting?" I hear a familiar voice and I see the face of my boyfriend stuffed with turkey.

I hold in a giggle but my smile is bursting at h the seams. He smiles back at me.

"Bernard!" Charlie jumps up.

"Hiya sport!" Bernard nods at him.

"Bernard, can I go? Please, can I go, Bernard?!" Charlie pleads, puppy dog eyes engaged.

"It's ok with me." Bernard shrugs.

He grabs our my hand and dads. I hold Charlie and he poofs us away. In mere seconds we are at the pole. An elf whisks Charlie away to help on the sleigh and our outfits.

Bernard whisks me away while dad bonds with the reindeer.

"How do you always know how to make things better?" I grin.

"Just part of my charm I guess." He presses his forehead to mine.

I move forward and lock our lips. The faint taste of turkey lingers on his breath. I kiss him hard and he kisses back harder. My tongue grazes his l bottom lip and he gladly opens to me. He lets out a light moan and I can't help but to think dirty. My hands find his hair and his hands meet behind my neck. His hair is unbelievably soft. I wonder if the carpet match the drapes. I'm sure he would be beautiful down below, just like the rest of him is. My finger grazes his ear and he damn near buckles out from under him. He pulls me as close as he can, his half hard erection pulsating against the inside of my thigh, and when we might get a little too carried away a knock interrupts us. We quickly untangle ourselves from each other. Our faces hot with lust and embarrassment. His hands shifts his bag to hide his growing hard on.

Dad stands in the doorway. "Was what I think was happening in her, happening?" He points between both of us.

"Well, that depends on what you thought was happening!" I rush.

"So the answer is yes." Dad nods smugly.

"I am an adult you know!" I cross my arms.

"You're still my little kid. But if it had to be anyone I'm glad it's you Bernard." He nods.

"Well thank you sir!" Bernard beams, his hands fidgeting.

"Just don't be doing that around me. I would like to think of my kid as innocent even if they're not," dad starts.

"Guys! Quinton and I have got to show you this!" Charlie burst in.

Bernard smiles at me and I pull him out of the room. He's perfect.

Dad is late and Laura wants to make my life hell (chapter 1)

Ever since I could remember I've had the name Bernard practically engraved onto my wrist. Elegant strokes had seemed to dance joyfully across my skin, silver glittery writing that practically glows. I've never met anyone with only a first name. In fact I've never met anyone with a tattoo on them since birth.

Today was Christmas Eve and Laura was dropping Charlie off at me and dads house. Neil, his stepdad, decided to drive them there.

I see them pull into the driveway and open the door wide as Charlie runs to me with open arms. I pick him up and spin around once and set him back down as he giggles. I stand back up and hug Laura .

"I see your father couldn't even be here to greet Charlie. Not that I'm surprised." Laura snarks.

"He just got caught up at work for a little more than he thought. He called me and said he'll be here within the hour." I retort.

Even if she is my step mom she doesn't deserve to be able to talk shit about dad. He's never been the same since their divorce. My mom died when I was around 11. It was on Christmas Day that she died and I've never liked it since. I remember asking Santa to have her survive that year. I had rushed down the stairs hoping to see my mom and dad on the couch, mom checked out from the hospital and all better. Instead I got a dad with glassy eyes and every present I had ever wanted over the years, but no mom. Ever since then I stopped believing in Santa and the whole Christmas shtick. I'm now 22 and work as a baker living in my childhood home with my dad. He could never do it alone and I could never imagine what he would do alone. He's planning to make Christmas dinner so I've already made a reservation for Dennys seeing as it's the only thing open late on Christmas Eve. As I was silently praying that I don't have to spend any more time than necessary with this woman Charlie's voice breaks my concentration on keeping a fake smile on.

"There's not any Christmas lights outside sissy! Can we put some up to surprise dad when he comes home?!" Charlie pleads with the biggest puppy eyes he could muster.

Sighing I nod and kiss his head.

"Sure bud but I'm gonna have to get them from the attic so stay here in the living room until I get back."

He nods his little head and pulls his mom onto the couch where he sits.

I trudge up the stairs to the attic and open the pull latter. All are Christmas decor is still in boxes because dad knows it's a sore subject. But I'd probably kill someone if Charlie asked. So I suffer bringing down the cardboard box labeled *X-MAS LIGHTS*. I make my way back down to the living room and Laura has this annoyed look on her face. As if I'm not fit to watch my brother even though I'm 22. I literally have a successful bakery in downtown Chicago for christs sake!

Charlie notices my presence and runs over to me with the biggest grin he could muster.

"Sissy (y/n)! Let's go decorate the house!" He gently pulls on my sweater sleeve as he guide me out the door. Laura gets up with crossed arms and follows us out.

"So (y/n), you ever get that little idea of yours off the ground? Because if not I'm sure your dad can give you a job scrubbing toilets at his company." Laura asks rather smugly.

Oh how I hate that bitch. I force a smile on my face and turn to her.

"Actually I have a shop in downtown Chicago on Michigan avenue. Thanks for asking Laura!" I rub in her face and get back to lifting Charlie into the air to put the lights on the roof.

"Well how do you afford that. I mean you can't be making that much money off of cookies alone. Are you running a drug ring in the back?" Laura whispers the last bit into my ear as to block Charlie from hearing it.

I bite my lip and take a deep breath before setting Charlie back down and turning to her.

"Charlie it's getting a little cold, why don't you run along inside and I'll be inside in a minute." I smile at him.

"Ok sissy (y/n)!" Charlie skips inside shutting the door behind him.

"How dare you. I've been very cordial seeing as your a massive bitch and all you can say is that I have got to be a drug dealer because I'm making enough money to afford my dream." I snap at her.

Looking dumbfounded she begins sputtering as dad rolls into the driveway.

"Hey guys! Sorry I'm late. Hope I haven't kept you waiting to long!" Dad smiles at us not realizing how tense things just were.

"There's Christmas lights up!

(y/n), I didn't think you wanted them up this year." Dad looks at me confused

"Charlie wanted to surprise you. You know I can't say no to his little face!" I defend myself laughing a bit.

"Your daughter just called me a bitch just so you know Scott." Laura tells dad.

Dad frowns at me "(y/n), now why would do that? All she did was drop Charlie off."

"She said that I was a drug dealer!" I defend myself.

"I did no such thing!" Laura lies.

"(y/n) apologize to your stepmom now!" Dad practically seethes.

"That's bullshit and you know it. She's lying. And she's not even my stepmom anymore!" I turn and go into the house slamming the door behind me.

"Why do you and mom always have to fight?" Charlie surprises me by popping up in front of me.

"We weren't fighting sport. We were singing! But your moms singing kinda sounds like cats fighting. So that's what you heard honey!" I try to reassure him. I don't think he buys it but doesn't ask further.

Dad soon comes inside and Charlie rushes over to him. Dad whisks him into his arms.

"Why are there no presents under the tree?" Charlie asks dad.

"Well Santa has to come yet buddy!" I reassure him.

"Neil and mom said that Santa's not real. Believing is for babies!" Charlie shakes his head.

Of course the fucking did. Can't the kid enjoy anything?

"Well I believe in Santa and I'm not a baby." Dad tells him, hoping to save the spirit. I quickly agree "I agree and I'm not a baby either!"

"Well sport! I'm gonna start on our delicious Christmas turkey!" Dad strides into the kitchen.

"So we have to eat it? Can't we go out to eat sissy (y/n)?" Charlie whisper asks to me.

"Don't worry sport. I already called Dennys and made a reservation for 8." I encourage him.

"But I don't like Dennys!" Charlie cries.

"I know but it's the only thing that's open on Christmas sport!" I disclose to him.

*TIME SKIP BROUGHT TO YOU BY BURNT TURKEY*

Smoke billows out of the kitchen entrance. It envelopes dad and his extinguisher as he fights the fire. Charlie and I are sitting at the dining table and I give him a knowing look.

"Dad, let's just go to Dennys. I already called them so I know they're open." I call out into the smoke.

Dad steps from the smoke with ash covering him from just about head to toe.

"Yeah. I guess that's okay. I really wanted to make Christmas special for you again but looks like I failed again." He glumly agrees.

"You didn't fail anything. We are here as a family and that's all I could ever want!" I say as my eyes water, somewhat from the smoke and somewhat from the sentiment.

I pick up Charlie and we both hug dad, not caring to get dirty.

"Come on guys! Let's have a Christmas dinner at Dennys. It's an American institution!" Dad scoots is out as we put on our winter coats and scarves.

We load into the car and buckle up. Soon we are at Dennys.

"Are you with Hatsutashi?" The lady with a name tag reading (JUDY) asked us.

Dad starts to open his mouth but I cut him off.

"No actually I made a reservation earlier under Calvin." I inform her.

"Party of three," she begins pulling out the menus, " follow me" she says beckoning us to the right side of the resultant into a booth.

We sit down and dad starts to order egg nog as Charlie sits with a disgusted look on his face.

"We're out." Judy says flatly.

"I guess we will take coffee, decaf though please. And he'll take a chocolate milk please." I tell her.

"We're out."

"Plain milk's fine then!" I tell her and she walks away.

"At least we know they got hot apple pie." Dad tries to lighten the mood.

Judy shouts from somewhere behind the counter "We did".

This is just great!

A dream? (Chapter 5)

I wake up to the sound of soft snoring beside me. I wipe the crust from my eyes and turn to see Charlie curled up beside me. I gently toss the blanket off me and swing my legs of the bed. I reach for my glasses and place them onto my face. I look down and softly gasp. These are not my pajamas! At least not the ones I went to bed in last night. Suddenly I remember last night. I hope with all my might it was just a dream, but as I reach to check for the necklace, I am faced with the reality. My dad is Santa, I'm soulmates with an elf, and I'm now the face of Christmas spirit everywhere. Turning back to Charlie's sleeping form I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

I rush to change before Charlie wakes. I can only pray dad doesn't get me killed.

"Sissy (y/n)!" Charlie practically catapults himself from my bed.

He attaches himself to my leg and tugs on the hem of my shirt. I notice just now that his pjs match mine I was wearing.

"Let's go wake up dad, then we can see what you got for Christmas!" I smile at him and he races off.

Moments later my dad is in the hallway, bed head and all.

Charlie grabs dad and my hand and practically drags us down the stairs to the tree.

Dad breaks off to start the coffee pot and pop some frozen waffles in the toaster. Charlie opens the presents at a rapid rate.

"(Y/n)! There's a gift for you under here!" Charlie calls to me from the tree.

"What? A gift for me?" I scrunch my face and drag my feet to the tree.

There is a present under there! Plaid wrapping paper encase a medium sized box, tied with a red bow. My eyes search for the name tag, finding it in the right hand corner. The from spot is signed with the name Bernard. I gentle undo the ribbon and tear the paper off. I open the box to see -my onesie? And a bag? I unfold the onesie to see that it has been patched where it got torn when we went down those chimneys. Also my name is now embroidered onto the right breast. I pick up the bag and look inside. A note is stuck to the inside pocket of it. It reads "(y/n), I know you probably don't think last night was real. So I thought I would give you something that will help you understand the magic of Christmas. This bag will have whatever you need whenever you need it. I'll be checking in with you soon! -Bernard, Head elf at the North Pole."

"What did you get (y/n)?!" Charlie bounces on his knees next to me.

"Nothing buddy, uh, just my onesie is patched up now." I hurriedly blurt out, hoping he'll buy it. And he does.

"Aww! Maybe Bernard can get you something better next year!" Charlie suggests.

I whip my head around to him and grab his forearm "Where do you know that name from?"

"The North Pole, remember?! Dads the new Santa and you're the spirit of Christmas!" Charlie's now wide eyed.

Suddenly I hear a knock on the front door. Dad walks over and opens it and Laura is standing there. Charlie rushes over and hugs her.

"Did you have a good time with your father?" Laura asks, her voice sickeningly sweet.

"Great time! The best!" Charlie hops up and down.

"Oh, ho, Scott. Nice P.J.s. Very festive. Where'd you get them?" Laura sarcastically smiles.

"Judy gave them to him mom!" Charlie beams.

"Judy? Really?" Laura squints.

"Up at the North Pole!" Charlie grins.

"Ah, one of Santa's helpers!" Laura nods.

" Last night, we went with the flying reindeer. It was really neat, Mom. Dad was Santa, and Larry showed me the workshop. And (y/n) is now the spirit of Christmas. They found their soulmate Bernard at the pole. He's an elf with curly hair and a green hat!" Charlie spews out.

"Gee, thanks for keeping his feet on the ground." Laura grits out.

"You bet." Dad sighs.

"Honey, you go wait in the car for a minute, okay? I'll be right there." Laura tells Charlie.

"Bye! Thanks for a great night at the North Pole!" Charlie says as he trots away.

"What have you and your crazy kid been telling him?!" Laura asks pointedly.

"First off, they aren't crazy! Secondly, I had this really strange dream, I must have told him about it." Dad defends us.

I then rush out the door to the car that's waiting outside.

"How'd I get the necklace?" I ask Charlie.

"I told you, Bernard gave it to you! At the North Pole!" Charlie shakes his hands at me.

"The North Pole?" Neil questions.

"Yeah, dad is the new Santa! The regular Santa fell off the roof, and Dad put on the suit. Then (y/n) put on the hat! They're the new spirit of Christmas!" Charlie practically yells at Neil.

"Charlie, (y/n) hates Christmas. How could they be the spirit of Christmas?" Neil levels with Charlie.

"Bernard said that if they don't, both of them will die!" Charlie cries out.

"We will talk about this at home Charlie." Laura glares holes into me.

They drive off with Charlie sputtering about the pole. We make our way back inside. When inside I slide my shoes and coat off.

"It's just a dream. Stuff like that doesn't happen." Dad says, reassuring himself more than me.

"I don't know dad..." I start as he cuts me off.

"Come on (y/n)! Not you too now!" Dad says exasperated.

"You have to admit it's an awful coincidence we had the same dream. And then woke up in different clothes than we went to bed in." I follow him into the kitchen.

"That's what it was! Just a coincidence!" Dad pours himself a cup of coffee, nearly spilling it everywhere with his shaking.

"What about the tattoo!?" I snatch the mug from his hand. "I've gone my entire life with a name on my wrist and no one can ever explain it! What if this is it?!"

"I don't know! But this isn't normal!" He takes the coffee back and downs it in a gulp.

"Nothing's been normal since mom died! I'm not happy about leaving everything either, but it's what she would have wanted!" Tears cloud my vision.

Dad pulls me into a tight embrace.

He rubs circles into my back and I sob harder.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, let's just take things slow. Even if it did happen. I can't just quit my job!" He hugs me even tighter, if that's even possible.

"Ok dad, I'm going back to bed." I trudge back upstairs.

Falling onto my bed I think to myself. What has dad gotten us into now?

Rescue mission

(Chapter 12 of two souls entwined in the North Pole)

Bernard had finally gotten some time to himself. Pouring himself a cup of bubbling green liquid, he sits at the workshops chemist room. Suddenly, curtis rushes in.

"We've got a problem. Santa was at the Miller's, but he's not responding!" Curtis cries.

"What?!" Bernard jumps out of his seat, nearly shattering his mug in the process.

His soulmate was in danger! He could sense it. What it was, he did not know, but he knew it was bad. Laura had to have something to do with this!

"Do you want us to deploy the e.l.f.s., sir?" Curtis asks, bouncing on his heels.

"Absolutely! I'm coming with them!" Bernard quickly threw on his long coat.

"But sir, you're needed here!" Curtis protests.

"My soulmate is out there! In trouble! As their mate I am required to risk anything and everything to keep them safe! Need I remind you, keeper of the handbook?!" Bernard fights back and Curtis throws his hands up in defense.

"I guess I could take over for you, while you're gone." Curtis suggests.

"As much as I don't want to do that, you'll have to." Bernard rushes off, leaving a concerned Curtis behind.

Rushing to the E.L.F.S department, Bernard curses himself. If only he had gone with,none of this would have happened. If only he didn't agreed to Charlie tagging along, even if he had some good ideas. It was way too risky for him to do. But he couldn't just say no to his soulmates brother.

Making his way to the department, he slams open the door. Several elves jump and one falls out of their seat.

"Santa and the spirit of Christmas are in danger!" Bernard tells them.

"On our way sir!" The head of the department, an elf named Kenny, declares as all of them put on their jet packs.

"I'm coming with you guys." Bernard states, stepping forward slightly.

"If you say so, sir!" Kenny agrees.

Joining hands, they all disappear into a cloud of glitter. They appear on top of Charlie's roof.

As this is happening, a rather different performance is being drawn out in the holding cell with you and Scott.

"Look, I know you're Scott Calvin. You know you're Scott Calvin and (y/n) Calvin. So let's make this simple.  I say, names. You say, Scott Calvin and (y/n) Calvin. " The police officer pressures.

"Name?" He asks Scott.

"Kriss Kringle." Scott says smugly.

"Name?" He turns to you. 

"Christmas cheer." You protest.

"Name." He forces.

"Spirit of Christmas past, present, and future." You push.

"Name?" He asks for a third time, getting frustrated.

"Holiday joy. Festive cheer. Holiday blessings. Yuletide spirit. Festive joy. Joyous Noel.  Christmas spirit." You rattle off, laughing.

"Okay, Calvins. Maybe a couple of hours in the tank will change your mind." The officer growls and stomps out of the room.

Scott turns to you.

"It'll be ok honey," He smiles sadly.

You nod and blink away stray tears.

Meanwhile Bernard and the E.L.F.S. are preparing to rescue Charlie. They land on Charlie's roof where he is sitting.

"Charlie!" Bernard says to catch his attention.

Charlie turns his head and his eyes light up. Rushing over to Bernard he hugs his leg.

"Oh Bernard! They detained (y/n) and dad! They don't believe he's Santa! They think he kidnapped me!" Charlie sobs.

"Don't worry sport. We're here to rescue them." Bernard pats Charlie's head.

"We can't. The police are watching this place." Charlie looks at him.

"Yeah, they probably are. But you see, we weren't figuring on walking out the front door. We find that we can get around a lot faster if we fly. Now... grab hold of my hand. And hold on tight." Bernard presents his hand and Charlie grabs it.

"And Charlie," Bernard starts.

"Yeah?" Charlie inquires.

"Don't ever try this without elf supervision." He finishes.

I'm a split second they are flying through the air. It takes little time to end up at the police station. Landing, they walk into the station.

"We're looking for Santa Claus." Bernard steps forward.

"Go home, kids. Visiting hours are over." The security guard scoffs.

"We're not kids, and we're not visiting." Bernard presses.

"We're here to bust out my dad." Charlie chimes in.

"You're the Calvin boy. Who-- Who are these other kids?" The security guard stutters.

"We're your worst nightmare. Elves with attitude." Kenny glares.

In a split second the guard is tied to his chair with tinsel, unable to move.

"Shouldn't have had that doughnut. Oh! Untie me! I mean it! Untie—" The guard starts but they walk away.

Finding the holding cell was easy, getting them out might be a bit of a challenge though. Fiddling in his bag, Bernard pulls out an exact copy of the room key.

"Charlie!" "Bernard!" Both you and your dad cry out.

Bernard rushes over to where you are handcuffed to the table and with one touch, the handcuffs break off of you both. Throwing yourself into his arms you sniffle.

"You're really here!" You cry.

"You think I'd let you stay here snowbird?" He caresses your face.

"Never!" You pull him into a quick kiss.

"How'd you distract the guard?" Scott asks.

"Tinsel. Not just for decoration." Kenny places his hands on his hips.

"We gotta get you back sport." You tell Charlie.

He pouts, but eventually nods his head. They all clasp hands and teleport out of the holding cell. Landing at Charlie's house, Charlie opens the door. The ELFS dissipate back to the North Pole leaving Charlie, Scott, and you standing there. You look around for Bernard, but he's nowhere to be found. Sighing you stints the house after Charlie and your dad.

"Mom! Neil! I'm home!" He calls out.

Laura runs in from around the corner and Neil is close behind her. She scoops Charlie into a tight hug.

"Oh! My boy, you're home!" She cries.

"I'm fine, Mom." He says.

"Oh, Charlie. I missed you, honey." She hugs him tighter.

"Mom, I'm fine. It's okay." He reassure her.

"We were so worried about you. Look at you." She gives him a look over.

"Mom, put me down. Stop kissing me!" He pouts.

"We don't have a lot of time Charlie." You say, tapping your imaginary watch.

"Did you leave the gifts I made under the tree?" Charlie asks you.

"You bet we did sport!" You ruffle his hair.

"We better go!" Charlie gets loose from Laura.

"No, Charlie. No, no, no." Your dad stops him.

"No! No, wait, Charlie." Laura calls after him.

"It's ok Laura," You say.

"Actually I- I think its a much better idea" Your dad starts.

"That you stay here with your mom and Neil." You finish.

"But dad, (y/n)!" Charlie pouts.

"No buts, Charlie" dad shushes him.

"We can't be selfish. We can't be with you all the time." You start.

"We're a family. You, me , your mom, your sibling, and Neil." Your dad says.

"And they need to be with you too." You kneel down to him.

"I'll miss you too much." He mopes.

"Come on, listen. There's-- There's a lot of kids out there. Okay? Millions of kids. And they're-- They all-- They all believe in us. They're countin' on us, Charlie. And I-I'm not gonna let them down. We got a lot of work to do." Your dad explains.

"So I can't be selfish either." Charlie says through tears.

"You gave us a wonderful gift, Charlie. Listen, a wonderful gift. You believed in us when nobody else did. You helped make us what we are. Selfish! You're the least selfish person I know." You say, smooshing Charlie into a hug from you and your dad.

"I love you Santa Claus and Christmas spirit!" Charlie sobs out.

"I love you son." Your dad validate his emotions.

"I love you Charlie!" You confirm.

Charlie sobs and your dad gently shushes him. You turn to Laura.

"Yea what do you think? Christmas Eve you spend with Charlie?" You suggest.

"Oh my god!" She says in a hushed whisper, covering her mouth with her hands.

"It's you! It really is you!you really are... Santa Claus and the spirit of Christmas!" She smiles.

"Pretty cool, huh?" Your dad asks rhetorically.

"Oh, my God." Neil sighs.

"And you though I'd never amount to anything." You joke.

Standing up, you both ready yourselves for delivering gifts.

"Wait, don't go yet. I have something for you." Laura says, quickly running out of the room

"Scott." Neil says plainly.

"Neil." He nods back.

Neil steps forward and his eye widen.

"Santa?" He asks, childlike wonder dripping off of his voice.

"It’s ok Neil." Your dad reassures.

Neil steps away, turning around and placing his hands on his head in disbelief. Laura comes walking in with a folder in her hand.

"Here. It's... well it's... it's my Christmas present for you. It's the custody papers." She says setting the folder in the roaring fireplace.

"And I want you two to see Charlie as often as you can." She says softly while picking up Charlie.

"You can count on it," You smile.

"Thanks Laura." Your dad beams.

"Merry Christmas." You grin.