When Santa made it to the Miller's house, Charlie and Lucy were waiting for him. "Uncle Scott?" Lucy asked.
     "Do you have any three's?"
     "Go fish! It is you!" Lucy said, laughing. "Where's Sissy?"
     "She's back at the North Pole."
     "So she is an elf!"
     "Yes she is and protector of our home."
     "Awesome! Are you both feeling better?"
     "Yes we are. But I think Charlie has something he wants to tell you."
     "Ok." She turned to Charlie.
     "Lucy, you can't tell anyone about this. But having this secret isn't a burden. It's a gift. Most kids stop believing in Santa Claus. But you and me we get to believe forever."
     "Ok. But do I still get toys?"
     "Only if you get to bed!"
     "Ok."
     Santa left out the chimney.
                              * * * * *
     At the Pole, Carol sighed as she watched her new husband fly off. "What do I do now?" She asked.
     Rose walked over. "How about I show you around?"
     Carol smiled at her new stepdaughter. "I'd like that."
                           * * * * *
     As the night progressed, Santa made his deliveries and Rose spent some time with Carol. They both discovered that when they weren't busy fighting, they quite liked spending time together.
     Eventually, Santa returned and he and Carol headed off to bed. Bernard soon followed, finding Rose asleep in her room, he cuddled with her as they fell asleep.
                              * * * * *
     The next morning, Scott and Carol left for their honeymoon while Rose and Bernard took over the reins of control. It took awhile but finally all the mess from the battle was gone and soon the Pole was clean and up and running as usual.
     Soon, everything was back to normal. One late night when the elves were resting and some were on vacation, Bernard found himself working late, wanting something to eat.
     He headed down to the kitchens to see Rose was also getting herself a midnight snack. "Hey, Snowflake. A little late to be up, isn't it?"
     "I could say the same thing about you, B." She retorted, smiling.
     He sat down at one of the tables with her. "I missed this."
     "What?"
     "You. Me. Just us. Spending time together, staying up late, sneaking around like overgrown children." They both laughed. "I really did miss you." He whispered, placing a hand on hers. He smiled, seeing the ring he had given her still resting on her finger. "You kept it on." He whispered out loud.
    "Of course I did. And, in case you had any doubt, I still wanna marry you."
    He smiled. "I can't wait to make you my wife so we can be together forever."
    "Well we have to wait for dad and Carol to get back and bring the rest of the family here too."
     He held her hands. "C'mon, love. Let's get to bed."
     She smiled. He took her in his arms and carried her into his house, the both of them soon falling into a peaceful sleep.
                           * * * * *
     The next couple of weeks flew by and soon Scott and Carol were back, the both of them looking much happier.
     It was still early in the year so many of the elves were on vacation. Bernard decided to put in his time for  vacation so that he could go ahead and finally marry the girl of his dreams.
     It took some time to get everything ready. For weeks, getting the perfect dress, decorations, planning the guest lists, preparing the after-party, trying to find a suitable way to get Laura, Neil, Charlie, and Lucy to the North Pole, the whole thing took a long time!
     Finally, the day of the wedding arrived!
     Laura, Neil, Charlie, and Lucy arrived the evening before in the sleigh with Scott. Immediately, Laura had been the first to hug Rose, congratulating her. Each of the others had done the same in quick succession.
     The next day, Rose woke up early to spend some time with her family before she'd be going away for her honeymoon.
     When the morning passed, she was escorted into a room to get dressed for the wedding.

     She had decided that her dad would walk her down the aisle with Judy as her bridesmaid. Bernard had chosen Curtis as his best man. Charlie would be the ring bearer and Lucy the flower girl.
     The clock in town rung and Rose smoothed out her wedding dress for what had to be the millionth time that day already. Her nerves were running a mile a minute. She was unsure how this would turn out and even if Bernard might back out at some point. She knew the thoughts were nonsense but she was nervous all the same.
     Santa smiled at his daughter in encouragement, again reminding her that everything would be just fine. Her and Bernard were meant to be. Rose took a deep breath and nodded.
    Santa placed the veil on her head, covering her face, and offered his arm. She gladly took it and the family started their path to the church in the town square.
    The doors to the church opened and everyone stood to watch as Rose and Santa made their way down the aisle. Bernard stood at the other end, smiling, yet nervous all the same. What if he messed up? Or forgot the vows? Or she realized she was too good for him?
    Finally, after a pain-stakingly long time, they reached the end of the aisle. Santa hugged his daughter and placed Rose's hand in Bernard's, smiling yet shooting him warning look to take care of his daughter.
    Bernard led Rose up the few steps to where Mother Nature was waiting. When they reached her, they turned to one another and Bernard lifted her veil to see her pretty face. Mother Nature raised her hands and the church fell silent, sitting in their seats.
    "Dearly beloved, I thank you one and all for coming to this celebration. The marriage between elves is a sacred bond that cannot be broken by mere mortal laws. A marriage such as this is for eternity. With that in mind, let's not tread lightly with our vows. As is tradition, the bride and groom have prepared their own vows. Rose Calvin, you are first."
    Rose took a deep, shaky breath. "Bernard," he smiled at her, encouragingly, "there's a lot in this world I used to not believe in: elves, Santa Claus, true love, love at first sight. I was proven wrong about all of those. Ever since I met you, I felt something. Granted it took me a helluva lot of time to figure it out," everyone laughed, "but I did. B, you mean more to me than I know how to express. It's because of you that I managed to get through the crazy, mixed up stuff that is my life. And just knowing that I have forever with you is enough for me. I love you, always have, always will."
     Everyone awwed. Mother Nature smiled brightly. "Bernard, now it is your turn."
     Bernard took a deep breath of his own. "Rose Marie Calvin, you are my world and my life. I cannot imagine a life without you and this whole situation made me realize that. Ever since we met, I knew you were special. I never thought you would want a guy like me but you chose me for some unknown reason and I'm glad you did. You're everything to me and I love you...now and forever."
     More awws. Mother Nature smiled and said, "Rose Marie Calvin, daughter and guardian of Santa Claus, and Guardian of the Pole and Children, do you take Bernard to be your husband now and forever?"
     Rose smiled. "You bet your ass I do!"
     "And Bernard, Head Elf, do you take Rose to be your wife now and forever?"
     "I do." He said, triumphantly.
     "Then by the power vested in me, by me, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. Kiss your bride."
     Bernard pulled Rose into his arms and kissed her, making everyone in the room stand up and applaud. Together, Rose and Bernard walked back down the aisle, effectively beginning their new life.