Just a little Christmas fluff that's based on the 70s TV show and set a year after the Christmas episode.
"So you are saying he actually was Santa?" Frank gave the other detective a questioning look.
"No, but all I'm saying is that the chances of Griffin finding an exact replica of a doll that I saw in a shop window in Amsterdam when I was a little girl are awfully slim," Nancy explained.
"But not impossible, Maybe he called every toy store in Amsterdam, found it and had it sent over on the Concorde to put it under your tree…"
"That's ridiculous."
"At least my theory doesn't involve elves..." Frank teased her further. The two young sleuths had been discussing mysteries of Christmas past over hot chocolate by the Drew's fireplace for the last couple of hours.
"But you can't prove me wrong," Nancy replied with a smug smile. Due to an impending snowstorm, Mr. Drew had invited Fenton and the boys to spend Christmas with the Drews after a case had brought them to River Heights the day before Christmas Eve.
"It's really coming down now," Frank commented as he got up and walked over to the window.
"I love snow, it makes everything look so festive," Nancy explained. "I only wish the inside would match the outside."
"What do you mean?"
"Well with everything going on, we didn't even have time to put the tree up. And tomorrow is Christmas Eve! It's just not right, we can't ask you to spend the holidays with us and then deprive you of the most basic of decorations."
"Nance, it's ok. And there's still plenty of time for the tree," Frank replied, but regretted it the moment he saw Nancy's reaction. He knew that face…
"Let's do it!"
"It's almost one a.m. Everyone is asleep, we can do it in the morning..."
"We'll be quiet! It'll be such a nice surprise. And the tree is already outside we just have to put it up."
Frank sighed. Knowing that it was useless to try to stop her once she had set her mind to something, he figured that there was only thing he could say: "Where do you keep the tree stand?"
"In the garage, follow me…"
It took the two of them almost three hours to finish everything. But after they had successfully managed to get the tree into the house and put it up in the living room without waking anyone the rest had been easy, and by 4 a.m the inside of the Drew's home looked every bit as festive as the outside. Eager to see everyone's reactions in the morning Nancy convinced Frank to camp out in the living room, and since neither one would let the other one spend the night in an armchair or on the floor they both wound up on the couch…
…and didn't wake up until the morning was almost over.
"Good Morning," Frank said as he felt Nancy stir beside him.
"Good Morning," Nancy replied, making a mental note that Frank's company made sleeping on the couch a lot more enjoyable. "What time is it?" she asked.
"Almost ten," Frank replied checking his watch.
"What, why did no one wake us?" Nancy sat up. "And where did that come from?" She had just now noticed the thermos, cups, and plate with waffles on the coffee table.
"There's a note," Frank reached for the folded sheet of paper that was leaning against the thermos.
"It's from your dad," he said, handing her the note.
"To Santa's Helpers," Nancy started reading. "Thank you for the nice surprise. We had to do some last minute shopping, and didn't have the heart to wake you. Enjoy breakfast and feel free to meet us at Shelley´s for lunch…Oh god…"
"What is it?" Frank took the note from Nancy and read the final line. "P.S. Joe would like to know if he should get used to spending the Holidays together…"
"Well…" Nancy gave Frank a questioning look.
"Well, I do think we're good together, at this Christmas stuff I mean…"
"Of course," Nancy agreed. "Should we get ready and see if we are as good at shopping as we are at decorating?"
"Oh I thought your friend who lives up north takes care of that," Frank teased her.
"Keep that up and you're not getting anything."
He shrugged, "I already got what I wanted."
"Christmas with me?" Nancy replied, rolling her eyes.
"Oh I'm so sorry, I was talking about the camera dad got me last week," he deadpanned.
"Oh really? Can your camera do this?" With that Nancy pulled him into a kiss, and for once Frank actually got a chance to respond. He took his time, lingering against her lips and holding her face between his hands, when he pulled away they were both smiling.
"I guess that's a definitive yes to Joe's question," Frank said before he kissed her again and of course she kissed him back.
Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays!
Love Laura