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Christmas was a huge success -- Despite the minor troubles. With Christmas over for the year, the Elves had finished cleaning up the Workshop before heading to their homes to prepare for their vacations and the end-of-year break. Upon Santa's return, he was immediately cornered by Elves wishing to know his plans and the changes he wished to make within the North Pole to suit him better. Noelle had managed to escape their grasp and headed to her own office to begin planning her ideas to help improve everything.

However, she was stopped short by Bernard who had grabbed her waist and turned her around to walk with him. "Where are you taking me?" Noelle asked Bernard who simply smiled back at her as they left the Workshop. It wasn't long till they reached a nice, quaint cabin just on the outskirts of the town catching Noelle's attention. She had ventured around the town a few times and not once had she seen the cottage. "Sweets, welcome home," Bernard whispered after leading her up the steps and into the small cabin. "This is... for me?" Noelle breathed out as she admired the design that matched exactly what she loved.

The cabin consisted of a nicely sized living room with an L-shaped grey couch in front of a television. The walls were painted a pretty blue, a colour that Noelle deeply loved in all shades. The kitchen was a nice match to the grey with grey cabinet doors and a marble counter, she could also see they had fashioned a Hot Cocoa tap much like the Workshop kitchens. There were three separate rooms; A master bedroom, a small study space, and a guest room. The bathroom was nicely sized with a bath and a shower; her toliet separate from the space due to Noelle's former comments about how annoying it was needing the toliet while someone is in the shower.

"This is amazing... I--I don't know what to say," Noelle muttered in amazement after admiring the cabin. "I just figured that you'd like your own space rather than living in the Workshop for the rest of your life," Benard explained to her making Noelle freeze before turning to him. "You are responsible for this?" Noelle asked him softly, her eyes had softened as Bernard's cheeks flushed pink. "Uh, yes," Bernard answered her truthfully, he watched as she smiled before rushing forward and wrapping her arms around his waist. "Thank you... so much," Noelle whispered to Bernard with the words muffled from her head against his shoulder.

"It's my pleasure, Sweets," Bernard assured her as he tightened his own arms around her, his eyes was racing as he thought back to Alfie's advise and he knew he'd have to tell Noelle sooner or later considering it was clear which direction his Soul Light has taken him. He did ponder for a moment if Noelle felt what he felt completely or if maybe it was a fleeting moment between them. Noelle pulled back enough to lean up and kiss Bernard, he immediately melted into the kiss and cupped her cheek to deepen it. When the two pulled back for air, Noelle's smile made Bernard feel more alive than he ever had felt before.

"Noelle Lillian Calvin, will you be my girl?" Bernard asked before he chickened out, he didn't want to sneak around anymore nor did he want to risk losing his opportunity to be with Noelle to someone else braver than him. "Yes, Bernard. I'm your girl," Noelle replied, her smile turning into a grin at the sight of pure adoration and happiness on Bernard's face. Bernard lifted Noelle up into his arms and spun around causing Noelle to laugh, the sound like a melody to Bernard who could listen to it on repeat for eternity and that was what they had together.

After a year of knowing each other, Bernard and Noelle were an official couple excited for the new year. And though Bernard knew he'd have to face Santa about dating his daughter, he didn't care because he was happy and he would fight for her against anyone or anything. Noelle felt a joy in her heart that she didn't know existed, her mind reeling on the knowledge that her best friend was now her boyfriend. And it didn't matter what anyone else would say because she was happy and she knew that no one could make her feel the way that Bernard does; she would do whatever it took to be by his side every step of their eternal life.

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"Dad, can Bernard and I talk to you?" Noelle asked as she stepped into Santa's office with Bernard anxiously following behind her. "Of course, what's up? Is this in regards to the Elves requests for Kribble Krabbel?" Santa asked but Noelle was quick to shake her head, she and Bernard had already organised everyone's holidays and managed the work hours for toys already. "Actually, this is something a little more personal," Noelle corrected with a sweet smile. "Oh, what is it?" Santa asked as he peered at them from the other side of his desk.

"Bernard and I are dating," Noelle told him quickly, she figured it was easier to just rip the bandaid off and just work with the sting afterwards. Santa was quiet as he simply stared blankly at Noelle and Bernard, both were nervous as they awaited some form of response that wasn't silence. Suddenly, Santa began laughing which didn't ease Bernard while Noelle furrowed her brows in confusion before something seemed to click in her mind. "You knew this was going to happen, didn't you?" Noelle asked her father with a stern gaze that stopped his laughing immediately.

"I guessed that it would lead in that direction. I mean, between the way Bernard looks at you and the way you talk so highly about him, I just assumed it would happen at some point," Santa explained with an innocent shrug while Bernard let out a breath of relief for the most positive reaction. "I may not know much about Elves and love but I do know my daughter. And Ellie, I know when you let someone into your heart, you truly care for them. So I have faith that both of you will look after each other," Santa expressed openly leaving Noelle shocked, she hadn't expected it.

"Wow, Dad, that's--uh, I'm glad that you see it this way. And Bernard does make me very happen and your approval -- though not needed in my eyes -- means a lot to me," Noelle expressed to her father before she moved around his desk to embrace him in a hug. Bernard smiled at Santa who began signing that should he hurt her, he'd be in big trouble causing Bernard to swallow slowly in slight concern. "Dad, quit threatening my boyfriend with sign language 'cause you won't do anything," Noelle said before pulling back from the hug, she walked back over to Bernard and took his hand in her own before leading him out of the office.

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Rosemary Speaks

Gonna do a couple of smaller chapters before I work on the second movie. So any suggestions you wish to see in the eight years between the first and second movie?

See you in the next chapter!