North was never one that tore from his studies, but ever since Clara arrived he was taking a few breaks during his time of study. However, Clara, Ombric observed, was not a bad influence on North at all. In fact, she often took time posing questions about the possibilities that the magic could do. She brought up all the questions North had forgotten he asked when he first became a wizard. Clara helped North with ideas for the children's Christmas presents.

As North and Clara spent more and more time with each other, North would constantly change what he would give Clara. With Christmas arriving the next morning, he worked and planned. He worked on what he would give her, but he constantly changed the plan of how he would give it to her.

Eventually, morning arrived and North got just enough sleep for the rest of the day. He was awakened by the excitement of Katherine, Nightlight, Petter, and William. Petter and William the tallest led him out to the tree in the center of Santoff Clausen. The children were finding their presents and beginning to unwrap them.

Without anyone looking, North went to Petrov's shed and prepared him to walk to the tree. The children cheered when they saw Petrov and marveled at the giant sleigh he was moving. North stopped at the tree and began giving the children their presents. The warmth of his heart grew with every smile that appeared on the children's faces.

North felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to a smiling Clara. She held out a red box with a white bow to him. "Merry Christmas."

North grinned as he held the present. He tried to imagine what could fit in the medium-sized box. Then, he paused. He didn't imagine Clara actually giving him a present. After all, she had only arrived a few days before, and she seemed to spend time exploring the village on her free time. 

Clara poked the box. "You're not going to open it?"

North laughed to himself. "I'm sorry. I just did not imagine that you got me a present."

Clara smiled and kissed North's cheek.

North smiled and unwrapped the present. He rejoiced as he pulled out a dagger with a small green jewel on its hilt. The gem began to glow. North marveled at the dagger, touching and examining every inch of it.

Clara smiled. "The green gem on the hilt glows when a loved one is near. And the coat." She pulled out a large red coat with black fur. "It's to keep you warm." She held it up, laughing. "You'll have to forgive my very bad measuring skills. Maybe I can make it into a blanket for you."

North laugh quietly and kissed Clara's cheek. "It's perfect."

She smiled confidently. "I'm glad you like it."

"I'll be right back." North ran to his room in Big Root and put his new gifts away, then he ran back to Clara, hiding that he needed some air. He held Clara's hand. "May we spend the day together?"

Clara grinned, pretending she didn't notice how out of breath North was. "Of course."

North grinned and lifted Clara onto Petrov. He climbed on the horse and they galloped to the next village. There, North bought eggnog, fruit cake, and some candy canes for Clara. North said merry Christmas every time he handed Clara the merchandise, but never answered if that was her Christmas present. North allowed Petrov to stay at one of the stables near a river. North took a hold of Clara's hand as the moon began to raise. They followed a path, but as a turn appeared North turned off the road to seemingly uncharted territory.

North led them into the forest and looked at small bells on the branches of the trees.

Clara smiled at the small bells. "That looks wonderful. Did you put them up there?"

North stopped and turned back to Clara. "Last night."

Clara looked back at the bells. "May I add something?"

North grinned. "Of course."

Clara gestured for North to lift her. She tied a mistletoe to the bells on the branches. "There now it looks..."

"Beautiful." North kissed Clara.

Clara blushed, looking at North. North took Clara's hand and kissed it. They continued waking down the invisible path of bells, and each time, Clara would add a mistletoe. And every time, North would kiss Clara. Eventually, they reached a tiny spring in a tree. The color of the spring's water was glowing, changing its color frequently.

Clara smiled. "That's very beautiful."

"Yes, it is. Much like you." North seemed to place a flower in Clara's hair. Clara smiled as he kissed her cheek. "But unlike that water, you have beautiful, honey hair I can stroke."  He stroked her hair. "Beautiful, blue eyes I can look into every day." He spun Clara around as in a slow dance. He pressed Clara's back to him, swaying and rubbing her hands. "And soft hands I can hold." He let Clara go and seemed to have vanished.

Hearing footsteps behind her, Clara turned to face North. Her eyes and grin widened as she blushed.

North was on one knee, holding out a silver box with a red bow. He smiled Clara. "I know we met just a few days ago, but every time I look into your eyes they're the only eyes I want to see. You are the only one I would like to share a pillow with. Your heart is the only one I want to hear before I sleep. Your hands are the only one's I want to hold. And your finger is the only one I want," he opened the box, "wearing this ring."

Clara took a step toward North, feel her heart and his beat as one.

North locked eyes with Clara. "Clara Maxim, will you marry me?"

Clara nodded and kissed North's forehead. "Yes, I will."

North stood up, holding Clara's hand. "Then I am now yours." He grinned. "Merry Christmas."

No words could ever explain how happy Katherine was at North and Clara's wedding. No words could even begin to amount to Katherine's excitement 38 years later while she told the new children of Santoff Clausen this story. The children smiled at Clara as she walked in during the story with cookies. The children would interrupt the story and ask Clara all kinds of questions about herself and North. Of course, Katherine told them it was rude to interrupt a story and that made the most sense to the children. So they all became quiet and finished listening to Katherine's side of the story, as Clara walked out to rest her old bones.