Bernard at Rose's graduation ^^
   "Congratulations." Mother Nature said with a smile. "You will make a wonderful guardian for your father."
     The test hadn't been exactly what Rose had expected. It mainly consisted of each legendary figure looking inside her. Mother Nature saw her roots, the way she was an outcast who took care of her family. Father Time looked into her memories. Cupid saw what was in her heart. The Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny saw her faith in her father and that she was a good person. Apparently, she had passed whatever test they had wanted to because Mother Nature was now explaining what she had to do.
     "With all due respect," Santa had said, "I want my daughter to graduate high school before you do whatever mojo you have to that will make her my guardian."
     Father Time spoke up at last. "So that'll be 5 months, 13 days, 5 hours, 30 minutes, and 24 seconds?"
     "Wow! How'd you do that?" Rose asked in awe.
     "I'm Father Time. It's what I do. So...around that time frame she will graduate?"
     "Uh...I guess so." Santa admitted. "But we'll need a day or 2 to get her back here so she's ready."
      "Ah! So then 5 months, 2 weeks, 1 day, 2 hours, 30 minutes, and 30 seconds work?" Not hearing an answer, Father Time tried again. "2 days after her graduation at noon?"
      "Oh, sure!"
      "Wonderful." Mother Nature said. "Til then, ta ta!"
     With that, they disappeared. "That was really weird!"
     Scott had to agree.
                                * * * * *
     The day of graduation...
     Scott looked annoyed as he tried to fit yet another shirt over his large belly. He shook his head. There was no way he was gonna be able to look nice for his daughter's graduation if he couldn't even find one shirt to fit him!
     Just as he was about to give up, Judy came through the door. "Santa, I found something that could work!"
     "Well hallelujah!" Santa said as he pulled on the new suit.
     "We found a material that I stretchy but looks just like a fancy suit." She said, proudly.
     "What would I do without you guys?" Santa said, giving his second favorite elf a hug.
     At that moment, there was a knock at his door. "Come in!" Santa called. In walked Bernard, his favorite elf.
     Judy said her goodbyes, leaving a tray of hot cocoa just in case Santa wanted some before he left. He made his way over to the tray, pouring himself a cup of it as Bernard entered the room, dressed in a fancy suit, his hair somewhat flatted to cover his pointy ears.
     "Bernard, looking good, buddy!"
     "Do I? I feel ridiculous!"
     Santa let out a boisterous laugh. "Ready to go?"
     Bernard took a deep breath and nodded. A second later, they were standing in front of the Miller's house. Santa knocked and the door was opened by Laura who was in the process of putting on a pair of earrings. She looked great, wearing a fancy top with a pair of leggings and heels.
     "Scott!" She said, hugging her ex-husband, a smile on her face. "Bernard! I almost didn't recognize you! You look so great!" She hugged him as well as he muttered something like "stupid monkey suit".
    Scott and Bernard followed Laura into the house wear Neil was helping Charlie to fix his bow tie. Charlie looked up and shouted happily at seeing them. "Dad! Bernard!"
     Immediately, he rushed over to hug them both. They hugged him, Bernard ruffling his hair. Neil followed Charlie to say hi and give each of them a hug as well. Bernard was a little more than uncomfortable as he wasn't the hugging type but he did care for the family so he'd tolerate it.
     Charlie was in a black and white suit with a bowtie while Neil was in a brown suit with a green necktie. A quick peek and one could see a brown vest with golden stars printed on it. Some things never changed-- including, apparently, Neil's horrible taste in clothes.
     "So Rose should be down any minute and we'll all be headed to the ceremony. Are you riding with us or did you bring a horse-drawn carriage?" Neil joked.
     "Actually, I have a car. Bernard and I will follow you."
     "Great!" Laura said.
     At that moment, Rose walked down the stairs. It was just like a scene in one of those old movies Bernard had watched with Rose during her Winter break at the Pole. She descended the stairs, looking gorgeous in a red dress with an off the shoulder thin strapped sweetheart neckline, the bottom reaching mid-thigh, her hair free and flowing down her back.
     His mouth fell open as he saw her. Rose got to the bottom of the stairs and ran over to hug her father. "Hi, dad! I'm glad you could make it!"
     "I wouldn't miss this for anything, pumpkin." He said, smile on his face.
     Rose turned her attention to Bernard. "Hi, B!" She said, throwing her arms around him joyfully. "I didn't know you were coming!"
     "Last minute trip." He said, trying not to openly stare at her.
     To say Rose was happy to see her favorite elf and the guy she was falling hard for was a huge understatement. She felt she might stop breathing, especially since he looked so handsome in his suit.
     "Well, let's get going! You can't be late for graduation!" Laura said as she grabbed a bag off the counter. "Neil, did you make sure to put enough film in this?"
     "I put enough film in there to choke a goat!" He said.
     As the family descended into a lot of making sure everything was ready, they headed out the door. Rose grabbed her robe and cap on the way out. She brushed past Bernard and the contact made it feel like fireworks were going off inside them.
     A few minutes later, the two cars were speeding down the road.
                          * * * * *
     Bernard, Scott, Laura, Neil, and Charlie sat in their seats, watching the ceremony. Bernard was looking impatiently for Rose.
     "Calvin, Rose." The man on the stage shouted.
      The entire family, Calvin's, Miller's, and Head Elf Bernard alike, all applauded cheerily as Rose took the stage, grabbing her diploma from her principal. She flashed her family and Bernard a smile then went off the stage to join the other students ahead of her.
      Bernard impatiently waited to see what would happen as student after student walked across the stage. Finally, after the principal made a long speech, congratulations were handed out and the caps thrown in the air.
     Rose rushed back to her family for hugs and congratulations.
                             * * * * *
     "Rose Marie Calvin, daughter of Santa Claus, it is with great pleasure that we appoint you as Santa's guardian, Protector of the Pole and of Children. Welcome to the Council of Legendary Figures."