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1996 went by quickly for everyone and soon enough, Thanksgiving had arrived leaving the Elves busy with work. Noelle and Bernard were equally stressed with ensuring that everything worked out perfectly which only seemed to build distance between the two. Noelle worked with Santa in her plans to have the real Santa visit a few locations to speak with the children himself, keeping that spark of belief alive. In the meantime, Bernard and Curtis were working hard on keeping the Elves in line and focused on reaching the quota for the year due to the many kids on the Nice list compared to the year before.

"We have reached our quote on Jack-In-The-Boxes and Yo-Yo's," Estel informed Noelle as he walked into her office, he frowned as she yawned before sifting through the pile of paperwork on her desk. "Have you gotten any sleep, Noelle?" Estel asked as he put the files in his hands onto the desk, crossing his arms as he raised a brow at the brunette. "Sleep can wait until after Christmas, Estel," Noelle muttered before running her fingers through her hair in frustration. "How are the numbers looking on the Holly Dolls?" Noelle asked Estel. "We'll have reached the quota before Christmas Eve," Estel answered her before moving the list from her.

"You aren't going to be very helpful if you're half asleep, Noelle," Estel scolded receiving a glare back. "Nor am I going to be helpful if I am asleep," Noelle replied with a sigh. Estel shook his head before making his way out of her office, he headed down the hall until he reached the Workshop where Bernard was currently supervising with Curtis trailing him around and rambling about the Handbook and its rules. "Bernard!" Estel called as he rushed over to the Head Elf. "What is it, Estel?" Bernard asked thankful that Curtis wasn't rambling any further due to Estel's interruption. 

"It's about Noelle--" Estel was cut off, "Is she okay? Sick? Tired? What's wrong?" Estel shushed Bernard who had become frantic. "She's had little to no sleep, her entire diet consists of Strong Hot Cocoa and she is beyond stressed about Christmas," Estel explained to Bernard who calmed a little, "And I'm concerned she'll overdo it and end up passing out before Christmas arrives." Bernard sighed as he turned to Curtis, "Think I can leave you in charge for a day to ensure Noelle gets some rest?" Curtis immediately nodded his head, he didn't want Noelle to make herself unwell by working to exhaustion.

Leaving the Workshop in Curtis' hopefully capable hands, Bernard headed straight to Noelle's office and walked in without knocking. "Sweets," Bernard spoke to gain her attention. "Hey, love," Noelle greeted though her eyes didn't leave the list in front of her, ticking off certain things while marking down what they were missing. "Nope. No more," Bernard spoke as he walked over and pulled Noelle's chair away from the desk, smirking as she tried to reach for the clipboard resting on a large pile of paperwork. "But... Love, I got work to do and--" Noelle shrunk back against her seat as Bernard moved to stand in front of her.

"Everything has been going to plan, Sweets. Trust me, it'll be perfectly successful," Bernard promised as he reached out and pulled Noelle up from her chair, "But Estel is right. You can't be exhausted for Christmas so you and I are going to take a well-needed break and get some sleep." Noelle pouted at her boyfriend who smiled before pecking her lips, he lifted her over his shoulder laughing as she shrieked from the action. Curtis, Estel, Judy, Abby, and Quintin all laughed as Bernard walked by the main Workshop with Noelle over his shoulder, they all were collectively happy that Bernard had found someone for him.

Santa walked out of his office as Bernard headed towards the door, he shook his head and patted his daughter's head. "Thanks for the help, Dad!" Noelle called out but Santa simply waved with a grin before walking into the Workshop to ensure the work was being done. It wasn't long until they reached Noelle's cabin, the place had practically become their shared space since they became official. Bernard opened the door and kicked it closed behind him, a little wave of magic and it locked while Bernard walked towards the Master Bedroom, tossing his girl onto the bed with a chuckle.

"Thanks, B," Noelle said with a sigh, she fell back against the bed and closed her eyes while Bernard pulled her shoes from her feet. "It's admirable how hard you work, Noelle but you need to remember to put yourself first... you taught me that, remember?" Bernard asked with a smirk knowing he was right. "I know, Bernard... I just don't want to make a mistake in my first official year," Noelle told him softly as she sat up. Bernard cupped her cheeks with a soft smile, "I know that. We all do. But you've done an amazing job so far. But you gotta share that load, okay?" Noelle nodded before leaning forward with a cheeky grin.

Bernard kissed Noelle, an action he truly loved considering he used to claim the affection was something overrated but every kiss he shared with the woman he loved was like a gift to him. Noelle fell back against the bed with Bernard hovering over her, his right hand held him above her while his left hand gripped her waist; their kiss deepening. Noelle loved that Bernard tasted like gingerbread, she always loved sugar cookies but since meeting Bernard, she had fallen in love with gingerbread. Bernard pulled away and began kissing Noelle's jaw moving down her neck before reaching her collarbone.

Noelle's eyes were closed in pleasure at his actions, the two had many sessions similar to this but it never went any further. Noelle took Bernard's beret off and tossed it to the chair by the bed, her fingers immediately made their way through his curls before she pulled on it slightly causing a groan to leave his throat. "Noelle..." Bernard growled as his hold on her waist tightened, he pulled back from her and smirked at the flushed expression on her face. "Please don't stop..." Noelle whimpered softly making Bernard's mind frazzle. He leaned back down and connected their lips again in a fiery passion that sent Noelle wild, and the night was only beginning for them.

The next morning, Noelle woke up in Bernard's arms with a happy smile on her face; the wait was beyond worth it for both of them. "Good morning, My Love," Bernard whispered before kissing the side of Noelle's head. "Good morning, Bernard," Noelle whispered back as she moved to look at her boyfriend, her thighs aching slightly as she did so. "You aren't too sore, are you?" Bernard asked her with worried eyes. "It's fine, Bernard. Don't worry," Noelle assured him, snuggling her face into his neck, his arms tightened around her. "Another day of rest wouldn't hurt," Noelle muttered with a sigh, she closed her eyes and let her exhaustion take over.

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Soon enough, it was Christmas of 1996 and Noelle was able to let out a breath of relief at the success of another year. She and Bernard had joined the Elves in their celebrations while Santa was off delivering the toys to the children of the world. And though they were all happy, Noelle felt some sadness over missing another Christmas with Charlie and her new little sister, Lucy. She knew that she could go and visit them, but she had an agreement with her father that she would stay at the Pole until he returned from the delivery's just in case anything went wrong.

Bernard knew that Noelle was missing her little brother, he watched her as she finished up the gift she had made specifically for Charlie; something she wished to give him herself. "I think it's polished enough, love," Bernard spoke as he walked up behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. "I just hope that Charlie likes it, you know?" Noelle openly voiced; Bernard sighed. "And I thought I was the perfectionist," Bernard teased with a grin. "I know, I know. I worry too much," Noelle replied to him before putting the watch down, it matched up between the time in Illinois and the North Pole and when they thought of each other, it would glow a dull blue as a way of saying 'I love you'.

Upon Santa's return, Noelle had hurried off to the Miller home to officially meet Lucy Miller and to spend time with her little brother. Laura was obviously struck by the knowledge that her eldest daughter wouldn't age due to her immortal Elf life, but she simply tried to brush it aside knowing that Noelle was happy and that was enough for her. After spending the remaining hours of Christmas with Charlie, Noelle returned to the North Pole and celebrated with her father and the Elves before calling it a night, Bernard trailing behind her before the two climbed into bed and cuddled, both happy with another great year.

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Rosemary Speaks

I wrote this chapter on my new computer!
It'll take time to get used to it but I'm happy with it.

I couldn't write smut for Bernard; it doesn't feel right...
So, get teased instead!

See you in the next chapter!