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Drastic is exactly what the Millers went for. By late October, Scott and Noelle had been informed that Laura had decided to fight for full custody of Charlie. Noelle had cried for hours when she learned that she would lose visitation rights too due to her assistance in her father's alleged delusions. Finally, the day came for their interviews with the Judge and Noelle was beyond nervous about the entire situation, she couldn't believe her mother would take it this far but she guessed that Neal was the mastermind behind all of it.

While Charlie was talking with Judge Wayland, Laura and Neal sat outside the office by the window. "Are we doing the right thing, Neal?" Laura asked her husband with an unsure expression. "Something needs to shake Scott," Neal assured her as he held her hand. "Yeah, but -- But to take away his visitation rights. And to take Charlie away from Noelle..." Laura trailed off, her heart breaking at the thought of her eldest, the one who always had faith in Christmas even when others put her down for it.

"Honey, the man is delusional. He's dragged Noelle into this and needs to understand that his actions and coercion have consequences," Neal reassured her in his 'doctor' voice. "Okay, okay. So maybe I'm having second thoughts, kind of. I just -- I mean, what was so bad about Charlie believing in Santa?" Laura asked Neal. "Well, he's a little old. Oh, come on, Laura. Don't you remember when you stopped believing in Santa Claus?" Neal asked her making her sigh. "I was Charlie's age, I guess. Noelle never gave up on it though," Laura answered her husband.

"I wrote Santa a letter every week that year," Laura spoke before correcting herself, "Well, okay. You know, maybe -- Maybe not every week. But... Boy, I really wanted a Mystery Date Game. Do you remember those?" Laura noticed Neal's confusion and shook her head, "No. Of course, you don't. You know, no one does. I don't even think they make them anymore, but -- Well, anyway -- Christmas morning came and... Oh, I got dozens of presents. I got everything. Except Mystery Date." She sighed and looked down as she remembered that disappointing Christmas.

"I was three, and it was an Oscar Mayer Wienie Whistle. Christmas came. No Wienie Whistle. And that's when I stopped believing," Neal expressed to Laura who was shocked by his words. "You were three?" Laura asked. "Yeah," Neal nodded as Scott and Noelle approached them. "Where's Charlie?" Scott asked, "I want to talk to him." Laura looked up at Scott and her daughter, "He's with the judge." The door to the office opened to reveal Charlie and Judge Wayland. "Noelle Calvin?" Judge Wayland questioned. "That's me," Noelle replied. "May we speak in my office," Judge Wayland requested before leading her in, Noelle looked back at Scott before closing the door.

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"Miss Calvin, I understand from your mother's concerns that you are very eager to keep your little brother's beliefs alive. However, it is important to note that these changes you and your father have undergone are playing negatively on Charlie and his mentality," Judge Wayland spoke while Noelle frowned. "Now what is your relationship like with your father?" Judge Wayland asked, "And be completely honest and truthful, Miss Calvin." Noelle leaned back in her seat and sighed, she wasn't sure how to articulate the right words but knew she had to be honest.

"My father is a busy man, there is no denying that. He often put his work before most things in his life but he loves Charlie and me. He knew that there was distance between him and Charlie, and he does what he can to appease my little brother but... the whole Santa thing isn't about Charlie and I wish I could help you understand without looking possibly insane but... it's so much more and taking Charlie away from our father isn't going to help, it'll only hurt Charlie more," Noelle expressed openly to the Judge who seemed uncertain.

The judge led Noelle out of the room before calling in the parents leaving Noelle sitting with her little brother. "I love the ears, Noey," Charlie whispered as he held his sister, she had him on her lap and held him close knowing she wouldn't be seeing him anytime soon. "Thanks, Charlie," Noelle whispered back before kissing the top of his head waiting for their parents to come out of the office. "I'm not gonna be able to see Dad or you, am I?" Charlie asked his big sister, he felt tears in his eyes. "I'm not sure, buddy," Noelle answered him holding back her tears.

Meanwhile, Laura and Neal are seated across from the judge while Scott sits on the window ledge in the back. "After reviewing all of your testimonies, I've come to a very difficult decision. I'm sorry to do this in light of the holiday season. But in the best interest of the child, I'm granting the petition of Dr. and Mrs. Miller. Had Miss Calvin been under the age of eighteen, I would've suggested she stay with the Millers, however, I recommend that you have her see a therapist," Judge Wayland suggested before looking at Scott, "Mr Calvin, as of today, all of your visitation rights are suspended, pending a hearing after the first of the year."

The parents made their way out of the office and Laura took Charlie's hand in her own once he had stood up. "Say goodbye, Charlie," Laura told him while Noelle shared a look with her father, he shook his head informing her that he had lost custody. "Bye, Dad," Charlie said with a frown before turning to Noelle, "You'll visit, right?" Noelle looked up at Neal and Laura, both were uncertain about it and it made Noelle's heart break. "I'm sorry, bud. But I won't be able to," Noelle told him before turning and walking away from them, she tried to hold back the tears.

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After a warm shower, Noelle slipped into her pyjamas before crawling into her bed, she fiddled with the bracelet on her wrist before looking up to see the photo frame of her, Scott and Charlie smiling happily which only brought tears to her eyes. "Oh, Sweets, why are you crying?" Bernard's voice was soft as he sat down next to her, he technically should be at the Workshop but admittedly, he couldn't stay away for too long and had to visit the girl he never stopped thinking about. "Dad lost custody of Charlie because of the Santafiction... And now I can't see Charlie either," Noelle answered him.

Bernard frowned hearing that, he knew that the Calvins were having troubles with the Millers in regards to Scott's new life but he never thought it would get that bad. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Sweets," Bernard whispered, he felt half at fault. "You don't need to apologise, Bernard. It's not your fault," Noelle assured the Head Elf as she sat up on her elbows. "Well, I mean--" Bernard was cut off by Noelle who shook her head. "As you said, we agreed the moment he put on the suit. I just..." Bernard nodded in understanding before he moved to sit next to her, leaning back against the headboard.

"It may not be much, but just know that I am here for you," Bernard whispered as Noelle laid back against the pillows, she turned her head to Bernard and smiled at him softly. "That means a lot more to me than you think. These past ten-ish months of knowing you have been the best," Noelle reassured Bernard, his friendship was something she greatly treasured. However, she had begun to notice other things about Bernard like how his smile made her stomach feel as though it was a dome filled with butterflies, his voice was like a melody in her ears and his presence was always something she welcomed willingly.

"Oh, well... I'm glad," Bernard replied with flushed cheeks, his heart was racing at her words and his mind trailing back to what Elder Alfie had informed him. "It's late, I should leave you to get some sleep," Bernard informed her after clearing his throat but Noelle didn't want him to leave yet. "Could you stay?" Noelle asked before biting her lip, "I mean... only if you can. At least until I fall asleep?" Bernard watched as Noelle's cheeks flushed pink, he found it completely adorable and couldn't find himself denying her request. "I'll be happy to stay," Bernard told her before making himself comfortable again; Noelle slept peacefully that night.

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Rosemary Speaks

When do we want Bernard and Noelle to get together, hm? Before Christmas or after?

This will feature the second movie as well!

See you in the next chapter!