────────── ❆ ❄️ ❆ ──────────

Noelle had seen many pretty people but something about Bernard seemed to outshine all of them, the sparkles on his pinks cheeks along with his unique fashion style seemed to add to the beauty he held. Noelle had to shake away the thoughts as she anxiously began rubbing her left arm with her right hand as Charlie showed their father the snow globe. "Hey, Barabbas," Scott called out making Noelle sigh, "Bernard. His name is Bernard." Bernard smiled at Noelle for the correction, the soft tone was like a melody in his head.

"Bernard. Can we take a direct flight back to reality or do we have to change planes in Denver?" Scott asked Bernard in a mocking voice. "Larry, take Charlie here and get him some chow," Bernard instructed an Elf nearby. "No, Larry, don't do that. Charlie!" Scott called out but Noelle rested her hand on his shoulder. "Dad, he'll be fine. Let him have fun," Noelle encouraged softly. "She's right. He'll be okay. Follow me, you'll want to get out of those clothes," Bernard insisted before walking ahead with Scott and Noelle following behind him. Noelle was too busy admiring the building while her father complained to Bernard.

"Look, I am not Santa Claus!" Scott exclaimed to Bernard. "Ah. Did you or did you not read the card?" Bernard asked him. "Yes, he read the card," Noelle answered politely. "Then you're the new Santa," Bernard told Scott, "In putting on the hat and jacket, you accepted the contract." Noelle perked up at that, "My dad is the new Santa!! That's so cool!" Bernard raised his brows at her excitement, he admired the bright smile on her face. "No, no, and no, Ellie," Scott told her sternly making her smile fall into a frown, a sight that Bernard didn't enjoy seeing. "What contract?" Scott asked Bernard. "The card in the Santa suit. She said you read it, right?" Bernard asked him.

"So when you put on the suit, you fell subject to the Santa Clause," Bernard expressed to the man in denial. "The Santa Claus? You mean the guy that fell off my roof?" Scott asked him in confusion. "No, no, no. Not Santa Claus the person, Santa Clause the Clause," Bernard emphasised. "Dad... like a contract clause. The last line of a contract," Noelle explained. "You got the card?" Bernard asked Scott, taking the card when Scott held it out to him. "Okay, look. The Santa Clause; I putting on this suit and entering the sleigh, the wearer waives any and all rights to any previous identity, real or implied, and fully accepts the duties and responsibilities--" Bernard glanced at Noelle.

He focused back on the card, "--of Santa Claus in perpetuity until such time that the wearer becomes unable to do so by either design or accident. If any children of the mature age, they shall share that responsibility," Bernard read out. "Share the responsibility..." Noelle breathed out before she thought back to hearing Dasher speak and she heard the elves singing when the others did not. "What does that mean?" Scott asked Bernard. "It means you put on the suit, you're the big guy," Bernard answered him simply, even Noelle understood perfectly.

"That's ridiculous. I didn't put on the suit just to--" Scott was cut off by Bernard snapping, "TRY TO UNDERSTAND THIS!" Noelle bit her lip as the elves around them turned to the scene saying "oooh." Bernard sighed as he looked around, the elves immediately getting back to work. "Let me explain something to you, okay?" Bernard said in his normal tone, "Toys have to be delievered. I'm not gonna do it. It's not my job. I'm just an elf. It's Santa's job but Santa feel off a roof, your roof. You read the card, you put on the suit. That clearly falls under the Santa Clause. Now you're Santa, okay?"

Noelle looked between a stressed Bernard and her disbelieving father, she sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "A question," Scott stated. "What?" Bernard asked seriously. "When can I get outta here?" Scott asked making Bernard scowl, Noelle shook her head. "Dad, you gotta see this place!" Charlie called out as he reached the three. "You leave tomorrow morning," Bernard informed Scott, "You have eleven months to get your affairs in order and you're due back here thanksgiving." Scott shook his head, "I'm not coming back here on thanksgiving." Noelle frowned as she noticed Charlie's sad expression.

"I'll ship the list to your house," Bernard told Scott who raised a brow, "What list?" Noelle giggled, the sound like a melody to the elves around her. "C'mon, Dad... you know the list he's talking about," Noelle teased. "He's making a list," Bernard sang softly. "Checking it twice," Charlie and Noelle sang next. "Gonna find out who's naughty or nice," The surrounding Elves sang causing Bernard to pinch the bridge of his nose. "Look, you put a "P" next to the kids who are nice and a "C" next to the naughty ones,' Bernard explained to Scott. "Oh! P for present and C for coal, right, Bernard?" Noelle asked with a smile on her face.

"Right!" Bernard answered her with a smile of his own. "How do I know who's good and bad?" Scott asked him. "You'll know," Bernard answered before he moved to keep walking until Scott spoke again, "What if I don't wanna so this?" Bernard and the Elves stopped before Bernard turned to him, "Don't even kid about a thing like that!" Noelle frowned at the anger and fear within Bernard's eyes, she looked up at her father before resting her hand on Charlie's shoulder. "Why not? What if I don't buy into this Santa Claus thing? What if I choose not to believe it?" Scott asked him, the room going silent at the questions.

"Then there would be millions of disappointed children around the world. You see, children hold the spirit of Christmas within their hearts. You wouldn't want to be responsible for killing the spirit of Christmas, now, would you, Santa?" Bernard questioned him. "Judy will take you and Charlie to your room. Get out of the suit, it needs to be cleaned. I'll take Noelle to her room," Bernard told him before motioning for Noelle to follow him. "Hey! Wait a second--" Scott was interrupted by Noelle, "I'll be fine, Dad. Go on!" She kissed his cheek before following Bernard.

────────── ❆ ❄️ ❆ ──────────

The walk was silent between the two, Noelle was admiring the architecture of the building while Bernard was trying to think of something to say to her. "Here we are," Bernard spoke as they stopped in front of a light blue door decorated with snowflakes, Noelle smiled softly seeing her name on the door in fancy letters. Bernard opened the door to reveal a large room that had a fireplace with a soft blue couch in front of it, dressers on either side of a second door that was clearly a walk-in closet. There was a large bed against the wall on what seemed like a pedestal, the blankets were grey and blue to match the snowy aesthetic.

"This is beautiful," Noelle breathed out as she stepped further into the room. "The room changes based on the personality that the Christmas Spirit holds," Bernard explained pulling Noelle's attention. "Christmas Spirit?" Noelle asked softly, she didn't want to harass him with questions like her father did. "There are two forms of Christmas Spirit. The faith side that lives within the hearts of children and the eldest child of Father Christmas," Bernard explained as she stepped closer to him. "Wow... so that's why I understood Dasher when he spoke to me?" Noelle asked.

"H-He spoke to you?" Bernard asked with wide eyes, his heart skipping a beat. "Uh, yeah. Is that not usual?" Noelle questioned softly. "Dasher hasn't had the best encounters with past Christmas Spirits. So if he likes you, then you'd be worthy of the role," Bernard told her. "Oh wow... this is seems like a dream--" Noelle spoke causing Bernard to sigh, "--But I know its real. I already pinched myself." Bernard chuckled at her words before clearing his throat. "Your father is going to go through the Santification process, it is your job to help him through it. You may undergo a few changes too," Bernard explained.

"I shall do my very best," Noelle promised, she knew her and Charlie working together would get the results they need. "And should you ever need me," Bernard began as he pulled out bracelet with a snow globe charm, "Just shake the snow globe and think of me. And I'll be there." Noelle let him put the bracelet on her wrist, she smiled softly at it before looking up at Bernard. "Thank you, Bernard," Noelle whispered, her heart was racing at their close proximity. "It's my pleasure, Noelle," Bernard whispered back to her. The two silently stared at one another with racing hearts before Bernard wished her goodnight and left her to sleep.

────────── ❆ ❄️ ❆ ──────────

────────── ❆ ❄️ ❆ ──────────

Rosemary Speaks

They've met!!
And it seems the past Christmas Spirits haven't been the kindest. You'll learn more about that in the future.

Love at first sight? Mayhaps...
I'm a sucker for romance!

See you in the next chapter!