MERRY CHRISTMAS! This is for Miss Brenna-Louise for the Chelsie Christmas Exchange. I hope you like it dear!
As always thank you to Hogwarts Duo for making it readable!


"Mummy, I think Mr. Carson is Santa Claus," little Ainsley Kathleen Hughes said to her mum.

Elsie was a single mom who had divorced her cheating husband and obtained sole custody of their only child and the rights to the business.

She chuckled, "And why do you think that, lass?"

"Because he sounds like Santa, and he is always nice to me, mummy," Ainsley explained like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Well, he doesn't have a Mrs. Claus or any elves running around, plus he isn't at the North Pole, and it is almost Christmas, little one," Elsie said as she finished kneading the dough for her homemade rolls.

"Maybe he wanted a break before Christmas," the little lass exclaimed brightly.

Elsie rolled her eyes greatly and went back to making the individual rolls and placing them in a pan. She heard her little lass skip out of the room and then she heard the television turn on. Once she was certain her little girl was focused on the show, she picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Charles, it is Elsie."

"Is anything the matter?"

She smiled at the concern in his voice, "No, not at all. Except Ainsley thinks you are Santa Claus."

"She what?" he asked incredulously.

"The lass believes that you are Santa Claus. She believes you are here because you needed a little break before Christmas Eve." Elsie snickered.

"Wow, so she believes that she is dining with Santa tonight, not just her mother's beau?" he asked smugly.

Elsie sighed, "Charles, she doesn't know you are my beau. Yet… I'm telling her tonight after you spend time with us. This is the real test...this, what is between us, is riding on what my little girl thinks of you...the idea of you, having a stepfather, as it were."

"I know, darling. I know that you are worried. She has always liked me before this, I don't see why she would mind me after."

"We will see. I'll see you at six thirty then," She asked?

"I'll be there. Everything will be fine Els. You wait and see," he said before hanging up.

She smiled to herself before covering the rolls so they could rise. She went about preparing the turkey and slid it in the top oven. She smiled and hummed while adding butter to her mashed potatoes. Ainsley came in and helped roll out the dough for the pie crust and helped her cut the apples and arrange them in the pie crust. They put the pie in with the rolls and then Elsie shooed her into the bathroom and into the bathtub. She smiled as she heard the little girl singing "Here Comes Santa Claus." She went in and got Ainsley all dried off and put her into a cute little red and green plaid dress. She brushed the little girls springy light auburn curls off her forehead and tacked them back with a pretty green ribbon.

She made sure Ainsley was set in front of the telly watching It's a Wonderful Life, before heading up to get a shower. She showered quickly and made quick work of getting ready. She chose a dress in an emerald green, and wore the gold necklace that he had given her for her birthday. She twisted her hair up into a fashionable twist. She applied her makeup and gave one last look into the mirror before heading to the kitchen to finish the meal.

She laughed took the pie out and then the rolls. Everything had turned out perfectly, which she hoped to be a good sign. She checked the turkey one last time and then set the needle on her old record player. The strands of Bing Crosby started up and she swayed back and forth until the turkey was ready, lost in her own little world. The doorbell rang and she heard Ainsley scurry to open it. She went to the door, herself, and greeted Charles with a warm smile. She took the warm macaroni and cheese from him and went to place it into the oven to keep warm. She poured him a glass of wine and was about to announce that dinner was ready when she overheard Ainsley's little voice and Charles trying to whisper.

"I know who you are Mr. Carson." Ainsley said excitedly.

"Who do you think I am?" Charles played along.

"I think that you are Santa Claus, or Father Christmas as mummy calls you," the little girl stated triumphantly.

"Well if I am Santa Claus, why don't you tell me what you want for Christmas?" He asked to keep up the charade.

Elsie watched as her little girl climbed up on Charles's lap. "Santa, I want a new papa. One like my friend Susie has. Her papa is around all the time. He takes her to the park, and he gets her ice cream when they have their day together...And I want a papa to make mummy smile. She doesn't smile and sometimes I hear her crying at night, and I know it is because she is lonely."

Charles sat stunned, "Well, do you know anyone in particular who you would like?"

Ainsley wrinkled her brow and was about to answer when Elsie announced dinner. They sat down and Ainsley was unusually quiet. Elsie and Charles talked about Christmas traditions, and other things. As they stood to clear the table Ainsley ran off to her room calling for Mr. Carson to follow her. He looked to Elsie who shrugged her shoulders and he followed behind the little girl.

"Mr. Carson, if you weren't Santa, I would want my new papa to be just like you. You are nice, and kind. And mummy always smiles when she is with you." Ainsley said dejectedly.

Elsie listened at the door, and a tear slipped down her cheek as she quietly crept back into the kitchen to finish the washing up. She felt Charles's arms wrap around her waist tightly. She wiped at her eyes with her wrist as she turned around to face him.

"Did you hear her?"

"Yes," Elsie replied softly.

"Do you know what I am asking then?"

"Charles, what are you talking about?"

He stepped away from her and fished into the pocket of his dress shirt. he brought out a stunning dark sapphire ring that matched her eyes. "Elsie, I'm asking you to marry me."

Her eyes welled with tears as she bit her lip. He took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger, a perfect fit. "Yes, Charles, yes I will marry you."

He kissed her then, a long slow passionate kiss. They only broke apart because of the pitter patter they heard coming into the kitchen. Ainsley launched herself at Charles and her caught her steadily.

"Does this mean I get my wish? Are you going to be my papa?" Ainsley asked excitedly.

"Yes, Lass. You get your wish. I believe we all get our wish this year." Elsie said as Charles pressed a kiss to Elsie's forehead, as he held Ainsley in his left arm, and gathered Elsie to his side. This was shaping up to be the best Christmas that the trio had had in a very long time.


Let me know what you think

Much love, and wishes for the Happiest of Christmases!
Samantha