Song: I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus, by- the Jackson five

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Rick's POV

"Would you quit it?"

I looked up and saw Jeffery glaring at me from across the table we both sat at that was filled with paperwork packed into an array of manila folders.

I shrugged and felt confused, "What?"

He huffed and pointed an accusatory finger at me, "You've been sighing for the past 20 minutes and I can't stand it anymore."

I scratched my head feeling a twinge of embarrassment as I looked down to the piles of paperwork I was helping Jeffery complete for the company before Christmas break. But as I looked down at my pathetic shrimp of a 'Done' pile I realized I hadn't actually been helping that much.

As I thought on the reason why my pile was so pathetically small it led to me to thinking about the upcoming holiday that was just a few days away and I sighed.

"Rick!"

I looked up apologetically and Jeffery just shook his head with a soft growl as he rubbed his head tenderly.

"Sorry man. Just a little wound up about Christmas I guess..." I almost began to sigh again but held it in by pure will when I caught Jeffery's sharpened eyes.

Jeffery dropped his pen down on the table and crossed his arms while leaning back in his chair, "Well, who isn't a nervous wreck by this time of year? The stress of the holidays gets to everyone."

I nodded and knew he was right but it still bugged me...

My face must have showed the battle going on inside because soon Jeffery groaned and rubbed a tired hand over his face, "Tell me what's wrong so we can get back to work quicker."

I chuckled at his groaning because I knew he wasn't really mad at me when I could plainly see the smirk on his lips behind his hand.

Jeffery had been a good friend to me the past year since we had become partners in business for Jeffery's Loggers. He had heard more of my rants than most for the simple fact that we spent most of our days together sitting just across the hall from each other. So I didn't really feel awkward about talking about something a little more personal with him. I knew he would set me straight and that's what I really needed right now.

"It's Avery..."

He chuckled, "Of course it is."

I couldn't stop this sigh as it left and Jeffery raised an eyebrow.

"It's just... this will be our first official Christmas this year and I... I just wanted to get him something special..."

Jeffery nodded and motioned for me to continue so I did.

"Last year was a bit of a jumbled mess that was just thrown together last minute that just happened to turn out okay. I know Avery's been working really hard to make this year's Christmas fantastic and I'm really happy he's excited to be with my family but that just reminds me how... how he doesn't have one of his own..."

I paused as the memory of Avery telling me about his father and what had happened all of those years ago came back and dampened my spirits even more. Just the thought that Avery had had to spend all of those Christmases without a real family made my heart ache and the need to do something special that much more potent.

"Well... then get him something great."

I scoffed at the rather obvious advice and ran my hands frustratedly through my hair, "If it was that simple I wouldn't be losing all of my hair over it. I've asked and asked him what he wants but every time he says he doesn't need anything... I've even gone to Evie and she said she didn't know either..."

I groaned as the entire weight of what this Christmas meant crashed down onto me and Jeffery chuckled sympathetically, "It's always the ones you really care about that are always the hardest to please..."

I groaned in agreeance and rubbed my hands down my face, "If he wanted something it'd be so much easier but all he says is that I shouldn't worry about it..."

Jeffery nodded and hummed in thought, "Well... that is a rather hard situation I must say..."

I looked at him like he was crazy as he shrugged sympathetically and I just went back to doing paperwork as he chuckled and said in a last ditch effort, "You love him don't you? And you want to do something special right?"

I scoffed, "Of course I do what have we been talking about?"

Jeffery just smiled, "Then you'll think of something. Don't worry, it'll come. And I'm sure he'll love it."

With that he went back to doing his own work and I felt my shoulders drop slightly and the nervousness abate a bit.

It'll come...

I hope...

We finally went back to work and for a while I was actually getting some work done and focusing on what I was doing. At one point we had started talking as we worked and Jeffery brought up the community party.

"You going to that Christmas party tomorrow?"

Neither of us looked up as we had a conversation while filling out paperwork.

"I guess..."

I felt more than saw Jeffery nod, "Get that charity gift yet?"

I nodded, "Avery's getting it today."

The charity gift in question was a gift each person going to the party was asked to buy which would then be given to a child in need in the community this Christmas who may otherwise not get much for Christmas.

He hummed, "Get your costume all set?"

I paused and finally looked up, "What costume?"

Jeffery glanced up, "The Santa suit."

My face must have conveyed my complete confusion because when Jeffery spoke next he sounded more unsure of himself.

"For the kids?... Blake must have called you right?"

"Why would the principal of Avery's school call me?" My voice conveyed my lack of comprehension as Jeffery's face fell and he scratched his bald head.

"The Santa they hired for the party canceled and your name had come up since you were going..."

At my blank face Jeffery chuckled mirthlessly, "They didn't tell you did they?"

"No...."

Crap...

*The next day at the Christmas party*

"Santa! Santa!"

"Ho! Ho! Ho!"

I smiled as all the little kids looked up at me with stars in their eyes as they prayed their little hearts out that they would get everything on their Christmas list this year. All of the adults were hanging around the large convention center laughing and having fun as a small group of brave volunteers watched over their little ones as they all lined up to sit on my lap.

They were all running on sugar highs from the large buffet table filled to the brim with Christmas goodies as they bounced with energy wanting to tell all of their secret Christmas wishes to Santa. Some of them were nice, some shy, and some honestly a bit sticky but I stuck with it with a big smile and lots of 'Ho, Ho Ho's'.

But I think it may have helped a little bit that I had my own little helper.

I turned to smile at said 'Elf' to see Avery wearing a bright green with red stitch-work vest and a green Santa hat with fake cloth elf ears stitched on to cover his own ears. His long slim legs were covered in candy cane striped tights with green shorts finished off with red pointed cloth shoes with jingle bells on the end.

He looked absolutely adorable as he helped the little ones into my lap and then leading them back to their parents who stood back taking hundreds of pictures of this 'precious memory'.

I suppose standing side by side we made a match set for I was wearing the entire ensemble of red coat and hat with red pants, white sash, and black boots that made Santa, Santa. I had on a bit of padding to give the effect of being happily plump and Avery had had the great idea to spray in temporary hair color into my beard and hair to make it white. I had to admit I looked quite a bit like jolly old Saint Nick and after an hour of having little kids jump up on my lap I felt a bit like him too.

It was sort of a mad dash to get our costumes ready for the Christmas party tonight because right after I found out from Jeffery I had called Avery in a panic and he had quickly assured me he would get it done without a hitch. And he hadn't let anyone down. He had worked his magic long into the night and we now stood as the Christmas pary's biggest attraction for family's to come and see.

As Avery helped down the latest kid, a young boy by the name of Timothy who wanted an Iron Man action figure, he glanced over at me and saw me openly staring. The most beautiful blush came over his cheeks as he brushed back his snow white hair back into his hat.

"Here we go..."

I smiled back down to the little girl he was helping up next. She was a little cutie with pig-tails tied up with red ribbon and a very cute red Christmas dress with a snowman on the front.

"And what's your name sweetie?"

She fidgeted with her little hands and glanced up at me. I tried to look as friendly as could be but she still looked a bit terrified.

"F-f-felicia..." I had to lean a bit to hear but smiled warmly at her squeaky voice.

"That's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl." At this she smiled softly and looked up at me.

"And what would you like for Christmas Felicia?"

She hummed a little in thought and I waited patiently until she motioned me forward with her little finger. So I leaned closer as she leaned up and whispered in my ear, "... a unicorn..."

I smiled as she pulled back and looked to make sure I heard her. I nodded and said, "Have you been a good girl this year?"

She paused and looked out to what I assumed were her parents who waved with her dad holding a camcorder to film the entirety of what was happening.

She turned back to me and shrugged, "I tried... and mommy say that best you can do..."

I laughed deep and heavy at her words and Avery chuckled next to me obviously hearing what she said as well.

"Well Felicia, I think your Mommy is right and I also think you are going to have a wonderful Christmas. Unicorn included."

She beamed up at me with multiple teeth missing but it was adorable none-the-less, "Thanks Santa!"

Avery helped her down and she ran to her parents singing, "I'ma getta Unicorn! I'ma getta Unicorn!"

"Hehehehe..." I looked up to see Avery laughing into his hand and I joined him.

"Adorable huh?"

He smiled down and nodded, "Yeah."

I really wanted to kiss him right then but the next little munchkin came up and I was brought back to what we were doing.

It was about an hour later when all of the kids crashed from their sugar highs and quite a few were taken home to go to bed while the few left had already come up and were either sitting with their parents or playing off in the corners together.

Avery and I stood next to my 'throne' relaxing after about three hours of entertaining little kids.

"You guys were great!"

I turned and looked down to see Evie coming over trailed by Scott, both with hands full of glasses of what seemed to be eggnog. Evie wore a beautiful silk red dress with her short hair curled and soft red lipstick. Scott was dressed in a pair of black slacks, a black vest, white button up, and red tie to match his wife.

"Yeah, well what can I say?" I smiled cheekily as Avery chuckled next to me and we both accepted a glass of eggnog.

"It's gonna wash out right?"

I looked to Scott who looked a bit worried as he looked at my head and beard that were dyed white. I rubbed at the hair in question feeling a slight twinge of worry and shrugged, "That's what I was promised anyway."

I turned to look at Avery who smiled and gave me his best nod of reassurance, "Of course it will."

Evie laughed, "Well, even if it doesn't. I think you look pretty good in white. You guys match."

I raised an eyebrow and looked at Avery's own natural snow white hair that was now freed from his elf hat and it fell down over his forehead. He had been letting it grow a bit fluffy in the front and trimmed in the back so it was a thick mop of hair in front of his eyes at all times and he was constantly running his hands through it.

But I kind of liked that habit. I thought it was kind of cute.

"Nah, I rather like his natural hair color."

I smiled and put an arm around Avery's shoulders as he sipped on his eggnog, "You do?" I tried to roughen my voice to the way he had always described as my, 'sexy' voice.

He rolled his eyes at me and elbowed my side, "Yes, brown suits you better. White just makes you look old."

I scoffed as I ran my hand through my white beard and everyone chuckled. I turned my attention back to Evie and Scott as they stood in about the same position as us. Evie leaning into Scott with Scott's arm about her.

"So I hear congratulations is in order."

Evie's cheeks brightened as Scott looked a bit pale but also beaming with pride at the same time, "Thank you. We're pretty excited about it."

Scott kissed the top of Evie's head and laid a hand on her still flat stomach.

I smiled at the two and turned to see Avery smiling softly at the two as well with a soft warm glow in his eyes. I pulled him closer and he turned that smile to me.

"Do you know what it is yet?"

Scott made a grunting sound and Evie elbowed him as she spoke for the both of them, "Scott wants it to be a surprise." By the tone of her voice I knew that she 'didn't' want it to be a surprise which made it a little funnier to know they were already butting heads over the kid and it wasn't even born yet.

"Um..."

Avery coughed slightly to gain the attention of the now silently arguing couple and smiled smoothly changing the subject, "Have you guys heard about Tom?"

I growled slightly at the mention of the wolf and Avery gave me a soft warning look so I just kept my trap shut as Evie nodded, her full attention fixed on the new subject.

"I just can't believe it. The big horn dog found his mate after all this time and it turns out to be a cougar!"

I felt my body relax a bit at hearing the wolf who had been pining after Avery for the past few years had finally become spoken for. And I couldn't help the smile form on my lips at knowing it was a cat.

You know what they say about cats and dogs...

Avery gave me another warning look and I tried to hide my enjoyment by taking another sip of eggnog.

"I heard he's going to stay with her over Christmas in America."

I caught Scott's eye and he gave me a smile that spoke of what I was thinking.

Good riddance.

"Scott..."

His attention quickly turned back to his wife and he gave a sweet smile. Evie just shook her head and said, "I think it'll be good for him. He needs somebody for himself. I may not be his biggest fan but I wouldn't wish it on anybody to be alone for the holidays."

I paused at her words and nodded in agreeance knowing she was right. I may not have liked the wolf but that didn't mean he didn't deserve happiness too. And I guess it is the season for goodwill and such so I shouldn't be so harsh.

"I hope they have a good Christmas. The first one together can be hard..."

There was a soft twinge in my chest at Avery's words and I felt the need to comfort him. I rubbed Avery's shoulder and kissed his temple hoping I conveyed what I felt to him and I guess I did because he rubbed my arm and smiled back.

The conversation moved on to different topics such as incoming in-laws and such and soon we were joined by others and were pulled into different conversations and groups.

We spent some more time at the party talking to friends and acquaintances. Wishing 'Merry Christmas's' and 'Happy Holidays'. Many people complimented us on our costumes and the job we did with the kids and we accepted it graciously with a few jokes and quite a few 'thank you's'.

In the end we left about midnight and were walking to my truck as it snowed down white, fat, fluffy flakes upon us. We had to walk slowly and carefully across the large parking lot for there were a lot of slick spots.

"Are you sure you're not cold?"

I laid an arm around Avery's shoulders as he huddled next to me and chuckled sending a puff of steam into the night air. It was quite a bit below freezing and while I had on a few pounds of padding and two coats Avery wore just a vest and tights under his winter coat and I could feel the slight shake of his shoulders every so often as his body tried to adjust to the temperature change.

While we may be bears we still get a little chilly every now and then.

"I'm fine Rick." He brought his hand around to cup my lower back and laid his head on my shoulder as he sighed, "I have you don't I? And you're like a warm cuddly teddy bear."

He laughed as I scoffed at him pinching at his sides in retribution as we made it to my truck and I unlocked the doors and we got in. I buckled up, turned the heat on high, and pulled us out of our spot as I glance over at Avery.

"I'm a teddy bear huh?"

He chuckled and shook his head as he turned on the radio and switched it to a channel playing Christmas music.

We fell silent as I drove slowly through town watching the snowflakes fall silently in the night. I hummed as my mind wandered watching the soft fluffy snowflakes dance about outside in the lights of the truck's headlights. And as I thought suddenly I had what I could only describe as a...

Light Bulb.

I glanced over at Avery who was leaning his forehead against the window and felt a warm smile form on my face as the light bulb formed into a full idea and then into a plan. With a warm glow growing in my chest I laid my hand over Avery's which was sitting on his lap and squeezed it gently.

Avery glanced over and smiled as he squeezed back. He leaned over the bench and planted a soft kiss on my cheek,

"You did a great job tonight Santa."

I smiled and looked over at him, "I couldn't have done it without my fantastic number one Elf." And with that I laid a kiss upon his lips.

He sat back in his seat and chuckled to himself as I laughed, "It's not everyday you get a kiss from Santa Claus."