────────── ❆ ❄️ ❆ ──────────

As much as Noelle adored her little brother, he did have a habit of not understanding the concerns adults held over an eight-year-old boy rambling about his father being the new Santa Claus and his sister being the Spirit of Christmas. When Scott had told her about Charlie's parent's day, she had been upset over the fact that Charlie just wanted to show off his father's amazing new job ─ No matter how much he denied it ─ but it only resulted in being called into the principal's office along with the concerns of Neal and Laura about Charlie staying with Scott and Noelle.

However, all of this aside, Noelle had a bright smile on her face as she walked into her job at the diner in her elf costume for the season. "You seem cheery, Elle," Mrs Mason spoke as she leaned against the counter, she owned the diner and adored all of her workers. "Well, I've been feeling extra joyful recently," Noelle expressed to her as she moved behind the counter before heading into the kitchen to prepare to do some baking for the day. "Could it have anything to do with a boy?" Jasper, the cook asked with a grin on his face. "Uh, not quite," Noelle muttered catching Jasper, Mrs Mason and Lisa's attention.

"You've met a boy?!" Lisa cheered with a smile, she grinned up at Noelle from where she was sitting. "I, uh... Was walking through the park and we bumped into each other. And well, I took notice of his unique clothes and couldn't help but spark up a conversation and we kind of... talked for hours," Noelle lied to them, she couldn't tell them that she met Bernard at the North Pole or that they had spent the night before talking this the sun rose after he had magically teleported to her home. "Oh my, he sounds like a sweetheart," Mrs Mason cheered. "He is," Noelle whispered sweetly.

"You're falling for him!" Lisa shrieked in delight, she never thought the day would come when Noelle met someone who saw the real girl. "I, uh, I wouldn't say that... I mean... Lisa! We have a number to do!" Noelle grabbed Lisa's hand and dragged her out into the main room where a lot of kids were waiting for them. "We ready?" Lisa asked Noelle who nodded, the two walked up to the stage where Santa's throne sat. Lisa immediately stepped forward and began singing the song that Noelle had written, the two smiling as the kids cheered for them; And hidden in the corner of the diner was Bernard watching in awe.

────────── ❆ ❄️ ❆ ──────────

────────── ❆ ❄️ ❆ ──────────

After Noelle's shift, she began making her way home when someone stepped up next to her. "I gotta say, I never knew you had such a beautiful voice," Bernard's familiar Jersey accent startled Noelle. "You have a habit of appearing out of nowhere," Noelle said once she was calmed down. "Perhaps I'll jingle next time," Bernard teased making Noelle giggle, a sound that Bernard adored. "But, wait, you were there?" Noelle asked with a smile before the two sat down on the bench in the park. "Uh, yeah... I mean, I wanted to talk to you about... uh, how the process of convincing Scott that he's Santa is going," Bernard stuttered out.

Noelle tried to fight against the flush of pink knowing that Bernard had a whole other reason for being there but she wasn't going to call him out on it. "Well, thank you. For, uh, the compliment about my voice. Singing is something I consider a hobby of mine," Noelle said to Bernard before she watched people on the ice skating together under the pretty lights. "And as for my father, he is still in severe denial and honestly... I'm a little clueless on what to do about that," Noelle told him with a frown. "Hey, I'm sure you'll figure out some way," Bernard assured her as he grabbed her hand in his own.

"You aren't gonna be alone... ever," Bernard promised. Noelle looked down at their interlocked hands and felt her heart skip a beat, she was new to potential crushes as the last person she almost fell for turned out to be a very mean person who tried to humiliate her in front of everyone before telling her that she would never amount to anything with her childish ways. "Thank you, Bernard," Noelle whispered to him before leaning her head on his shoulder, the calming scent of gingerbread filled her senses with every breath she took in.

Bernard rested his head on her own, he closed his eyes and with every breath, he could smell strawberries. The two were silent as they sat in the park and anyone who looked their way would assume they were simply a young couple happily falling in love under the stars on a winter's night. However, what shocked Bernard was how comfortable he felt with Noelle by his side, how her touch was the only one he would welcome anytime or the way he felt complete with her by his side. He had many questions that only the elders would know the answers to.

────────── ❆ ❄️ ❆ ──────────

Bernard ensured that Noelle got home safely before he returned to the North Pole, he made his way through the fairly empty workshop considering most of the elves were currently on break or holidays as Christmas wasn't for another couple of months and the rush would be coming up late June. He headed straight to the Elder's home, he wasn't certain how to get the answers he was searching for without breaking any rules in the handbook, his best chance was to be truthful and honest with his words and feelings; He hoped with the new Santa, this would smooth over better.

The Santa before Scott wasn't the kindest man to the elves, he was strict and sometimes he came across as harsh; he hadn't always been that way but it was clear it was the true side of him. So the switch to Scott was a blessing to the Elves, they had high hopes for Scott to be a better man than the one before. Especially Bernard, he hoped that Scott would be less stressed in his strict ways allowing Bernard a chance to breathe rather than suffer under the pressure of perfection and his workload; being the Head Elf had its negatives.

Bernard knocked on the door and waited for the door to open, it wasn't long before it did open to reveal an older Elf. "Hello, Alfie. I was hoping you could, uh, help me with something," Bernard asked as he scratched the back of his neck. "Come in, Bernard," She spoke before stepping aside allowing him to walk in, the two sat down in the main room. "So, what can I assist the Head Elf with today?" Alfie asked politely. "It's actually in regards to the new Santa's daughter..." Bernard trailed off thinking of how to word it when Alfie suddenly grinned.

"How does she make you feel?" Alfie asked casually as she interlocked her fingers on her lap. "Well, uh... She makes me feel comfortable. Usually, I don't like much affection as the other Elves would know. She, um, helps me feel... at peace," Bernard stuttered out uncomfortably, he wasn't good at being open about his emotions. "Bernard, close your eyes and focus on her... then talk freely, like it's just you in a room," Alfie encouraged. Bernard took in a breath before following the Elder's suggestion, he closed his eyes and pictured Noelle perfectly in his mind.

He saw her smile first, the small dimples that appeared when she truly smiled. Her eyes followed and the way he could lose himself in them and yet at the same time, he felt found when he looked into them. Her cute button nose, scrunched with her laughter, the sound was more beautiful than the bells he grew up adoring. Then it was her love for knitted sweaters and a range of blue jeans that always matched with the same pair of boots that she had been given by Scott for her birthday. He smiled as he thought about how passionate she was in everything she spoke about.

Her kindness to those around her and her lack of hesitation in making sure that others are okay. She never allowed others to feel sad but if they did, she helped them through it and never failed to bring a smile to their faces. Her love for her family was something Bernard greatly admired, she was always there for Charlie, always ready to back him up and stand with him against the world. She was open and honest, Bernard adored the honesty the most; she never failed to make him feel like he was more than just Santa's Head Elf and they've only known each other for a few months and yet it feels like a lifetime.

"It's like you may have the answer you were seeking," Alfie spoke gently so as not to startle Bernard who had been saying that out loud without realising. "I said... that out loud?" Bernard asked as he opened his eyes. "Bernard, what do you know about Elves and their soul lights?" Alfie asked him. "Uh, other than the fact that Elves finding their soul lights are rare. And that it's important that they bond otherwise their lights will fade," Bernard answered her before his eyes widened, "You think Noelle Calvin is my soul light?!" Alfie smiled softly, "I don't think it, Bernard. I know it."

────────── ❆ ❄️ ❆ ──────────

────────── ❆ ❄️ ❆ ──────────

Rosemary Speaks

Okay... So I've written another story with the 'Soulmate' concept but this is slightly different. The soul light only comes to life after they begin feelings, they weren't "made" for each other, rather they "found" each other. More will be explained in future.

Also, as for the music video, just put Olivia where Laura is. And Lisa is played by Isabella Gomez. I love that movie so much.

Any questions or statements about this chapter?

See you in the next chapter!