The door opened with a light creaking. A little boy passed his head between the wall and the door to inspect the corridor.
"Come on, we can go."
The little boy with blond hair and blue eyes went out of the room, barefoot, followed by his sister.
"Momma is going to be mad." She said.
"Noo. Come on."
The little boy took his sister's hand and they crossed the corridor to the kitchen. The house was dark, only the Christmas tree was enlightened in the living room. The boy stopped.
"Light on the light".
"Why me?"
"Sshh. Do it."
"Always the same." The little girl complained, rising herself on tip-toe to switch on the light.
When the living room was enlightened completely, the little boy's eyes opened widely. The living room seemed to be smaller and more cozy than usual. It was wonderful. There was the big Christmas tree, decorated with Christmas balls and multicolor garlands. On the fireplace, there were branches of fir tree. And then, onto the ground, under the tree, there was a mountain of gifts : dazzling gifts, red, blue, green, gold and silver with bows.
"Look! He came."
The little girl placed next to her brother, her big green eyes opened.
"Which do you think it is my mine?"
"Fifty-fifty."
"And momma? And dada?"
"Okay… One for them, and others for us."
"Momma said Santa Claus brings a lot of presents to everyone."
The little boy shrugged and walked to the mountain of colorful presents when someone cleared his throat behind them.
The children turned, stunned.
"Well, Samuel… what were you about to do?"
"Huh. Nothing, Mister Santa Claus."
The big man wearing a red suit and a red hat and a white beard frowned.
"Are you sure?"
Samuel lowered his eyes. "No…"
"I did nothing Mister Santa Claus." The little girl exclaimed, showing her dimples.
Santa Claus laughed and went to sit on the sofa.
"So kiddos, what would you like before I leave?"
"Leave where?"
"I have still a lot of gifts to give, Mary."
"To children?"
"Yes, and adults too."
"Oh." Mary walked to him and went up on his knees.
"You're heavy!"
"Not true!"
Santa Claus smiled. Samuel moved to them.
"Can you stay with us?"
"Unfortunately no. There is a lot of children who would like I stay, you know."
"But we are the best!"
Santa Claus laughed again.
"Sshh you are going to wake up momma and dada. Momma forbid us to be wake up before the sun. She said we don't have the right to see you. But you are here."
"You should be to bed so…. Would you like me to tuck you in? That way, nobody would know that you saw me. It'll be our secret."
"Oh yes!"
"Good."
Santa Claus stood up, Mary still in his arms and took Sam's hand. He tucked them in and put a kiss on their forehead.
"Good night, kiddos. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas Santa Claus." They said.
He closed the door behind him and walked to the living room, switched off the light and walked to another room.
"So?"
"They believed it."
Kate shook her head, smiling.
"Sawyer… you know you will have to do it next year?"
Santa Claus took off his beard and unbuttoned the red suit.
"You will play Mrs. Santa."
"Bet on it." He went to bed and she put her head on his chest.
"You better watch out. You better not cry. Better not pout. I'm telling you why…" Sawyer hummed.
"Santa Claus is coming to town." Kate ended. They kissed.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
They were falling asleep when two little children, who didn't sleep yet, too excited by the last events, came into their bed, not noticing the red suit on the chair. The children placed between their parents.
"You know Dada… We saw Santa, he talks and laughs just like you." Mary said half asleep.
Sawyer looked at Kate and they smiled to each other. And the four of them fell asleep, pictures and dreams in their mind and wishes in their heart.