Tobin is "Mama" and Christen is "Mom". Our sweet little Mal-pal is the "kiddo" in this one.

Mallory's POV

"Chris do I really have to do this?" I whisper to her while trying to pull my hand out of hers. She and Mama thought it would be cute if I got a picture with Santa so they brought me to the biggest mall in the city to stand in line with all these six year olds to do so. Mom just tightens her grip on my hand keeps scrolling through her phone. I sigh and look around me at all the little kids excitedly waiting and the few older siblings that had obviously been dragged here by their parents who look less than thrilled. 

"Mal they were out of the peppermint stuff so I just got you regular hot chocolate." says Tobin ducking under the rope and standing back with us. She hands me my cup and holds the other out to Christen. "Chris for goodness sakes put that thing up and take this weird tea thing you wanted please." Mom rolls her eyes and puts her phone in her purse before taking her drink and sipping on it. Mama mockingly rolls her eyes back making me laugh. "Man this line is long!" she exclaims leaning around to the edge of the line so she can see how many more people. "We've still got at least thirty minutes to go!"

Now it's my turn to roll my eyes so I do, "I think we should just go home. This is silly." Mom's eyes meet mine and she makes that face that Hope Solo does when she's mad. 

"Stop complaining and drink your drink." she says sounding fed up with me. Tobin smiles a little and puts her arm over my shoulder. 

"We'll go get dinner as soon as we're done. I know you've got to be hungry." she pecks my hair and then rest her cheek on top of my head. "You know," she starts off with a playful tone in her voice, "if you keep being naughty Santa isn't going to come see you." I pout up at her.

"I'm not being naughty." I mumble crossing my arms. She smiles down at me at kisses my head again. 

"Pouting isn't exactly being nice, cutie pie." she informs me while moving us up  few steps. I keep my eyes down and nod. They made me wear this ridiculous shirt that says "Dear Santa, I've been kinda good this year." It has cookies and milk on it and I swear it came out of the children's department.  Mom reaches up and pinches my butt making me jump up and look back at her with a scowl on my face while her and Mama laugh.

"Mommy that hurt!" I exclaim rubbing away the sore spot on my bottom. Her and Tobin give each other shocked looks and then look at me with their eyebrows raised. I back track while I continue rub my butt because that really hurt for some reason. I feel my face heat up when I realise what I did. "I mean Christen." I say correcting myself. "Christen that really hurt. God." 

Mama looks at me unimpressed and she leans down and whispers in my ear, "I know that hurt but you know better than to use the Lord's name in vain." I nod my head and look up at her sheepishly. 

"Sorry Mama." I say softly. 

She smiles at me and pecks my head, "You know you can call us that out loud princess. Nobody is going to care." My cheeks turn red again and I burry my face in her shoulder. She laughs softly and rubs my back. She shuffles us up in line but I don't move from my position in her arms. 

"Mally you're next baby girl." says Mom while gently pulling me away from Mama. She soothes my hair down and fixes my shirt while I pout. She sighs, "Mal please kid. Just one picture." I glare at her and she frowns defeatedly. The lady that is dressed as an elf pulls back the velvet rope back and motions for me to take my turn. 

"Come right this way sweetie." smiles the woman holding her arm out to point towards the man dressed as Santa Clause. I shake my head timidly and take a small step backwards. I bump into Mama and she kisses the top of my head then pushes me forward. I frown back at her really not wanting to go take this stupid picture. The lady grabs my arm and pulls me towards the big chair. "Here you go sweet heart. Go sit right there with Santa so the nice man over there can take your picture." 

"Ho ho ho!" laughs the friendly looking old man sitting in the big red sleigh. "Hi sweet heart! What's your name?" I groan as I climb next up beside him to get ready for the picture. "Oh ho ho! With an attitude like that you'll find yourself on the naughty list little missy." I roll my eyes and look back at Christen and Tobin making sure to let them know I am not happy with this. Mom is standing behind the camera man doing her best to make me smile while Mama is standing right behind her shooting me a stern look to make me smile. 

I sigh and look back at Santa, "My name is Mallory." I mumble. 

He smiles at me and helps me onto his lap, "Well Miss Mallory I can tell you don't really want to be here but those two, " he nods over to Tobin and Christen, "seem to really want this. Especially the darker haired one." he laughs and waves at them all jollily. He looks back at me and adjust his glasses on his red nose, "Let's at least get you something out of this, huh?" He winks and then talks louder, "What would you like for Christmas, Miss Mallory?" I smile at him and then sneak a peek at my moms to see if they are listening. Chris has a her phone in her hands ready to type something and is looking intentlly at me so I quickly turn back to Santa so she can't see me laughing at her. 

"I want some new headphones to wear on bus trips. They don't need to be big so I'll be able to lay my against the window but they need to be noise cancelling because everyone is so freaking loud. Oh and I want a new soccer bag because mine is all worn out and a new water bottle because I think my good one got left somewhere. I also want a new training jacket that has my monogram on it in red plus a new pair of rainboots and new key chain for my keys. Can you also add in a new house key because I may of sorta lost mine..." I trail off and laugh awkwardly while looking over at Chris and Toby. Christen has her eyebrow raised at me and Tobin playfully shakes her head disapprovingly. I may or may not have gotten three different sets of keys already to their houses. 

Santa smiles at me and chuckles, "That's quite a list you have there young lady. I'll have to see what I can do." He winks at me and then shifts so we're facing the camera man. "Look right there and smile big Miss Mallory. Once we're done my helper will give you a candy cane!" I laugh and turn and look. The photographer smiles at me and gets his camera set.

"Alright sweetie on three!" he informs me. "One!" he adjusts something. "Two!" he clicks something on his computer that is attached. "Three!" He looks up and smiles big while clicking the button.

"CHEESE!" I yell out just as the flash goes off and smile big and cheesily trying my best to look extra happy. Santa laughs hard from his belly as he helps me down to the floor.

"Ho ho ho!" he exclaims holding his big stomach. "It was nice to meet you Miss Mallory! Merry Christmas!"

I smile back at him politely after getting my candy cane, "Merry Christmas Santa!" He waves with a big smile before turning his attention to a little boy and his baby sister. I walk out of the little area and go to Mama who is waiting for me since Mom is at the little table buying my pictures. She puts her arm over my shoulder and smiles down at me.

"Thank you for doing that. You made Christen really happy." She says to me while leading us over to her. 

I shrug my shoulders and look up at her with a silly smirk, "I guess it wasn't THAT bad. I mean I got candy out of it." I hold up my candy cane and she burst into laughter making me grin bigger. "We are going to dinner now right?" I ask as we approach Mom.

"Um yeah bab-"

"Look Mal!" squeals Mom excitedly holding a box. "You have your very own elf now!" I look closer and realise it's an Elf on the Shelf toy. "Her name is Macy and she watches you all day and then at night she flies to the North Pole to tell Santa if you've been good or not! Then when she comes back she'll be in a new spot!" I stand there for a minute staring at her like she's lost it. She seriously bought me an Elf on the Shelf? I'm not eight! Mama elbows me to get my attention so I look up at her desperately confused. She glares at me and nods her head towards Mom. "Don't you like it baby?" asks Mom sounding defeated. I look over at her and my heart breaks because she looks so hopeful. I muster up a smile and gently take the box from her hands and hug it to my chest.

"I love it Mommy." She smiles hugely at me and wraps me in a tight hug before letting go and grabbing my hand. 

"Let's go get supper!" she happily chirps. She takes the envelope of photos from the man and thanks him before leading us out of the building and into the car. I go over to the passenger side with Mama to get in since Mom is going to drive. Mama stops me before opening my door and hugs me tightly. 

She presses her lips to the top of my head and breaths out, "Thank you princess. I owe you one." I wait for her to loosen her grip before getting on my tip toes and kissing her cheek.

"Anything for her." I say softly while smiling. "I love you."

"I love you too beautiful." she kisses my forehead. "Merry Christmas Mal."

"Merry Christmas Mama."