I woke to the sound of someone in the kitchen. I saw that it was Olivia. She was getting out the cereal bowls. I remember when Mom used to make Mike and I chocolate chip pancakes. "Morning." I told her. I rubbed my green eyes trying to get any dust left by the Sandman. I knew my long hair was a mess from the way she was looking at me. "What's for breakfast?"

"You choose." She set two disgusting brands of cereal in front of me. The kinds that no one bought unless ordered by a doctor.

"No Lucky Charms?" I asked.

"We eat healthy for breakfast."

"Oh." I sat down and looked for the least disgusting box. I decided it was a failing effort. I'd just have to skip breakfast.

"Mike and I work today so can you watch the kids?" She asked. I nodded. "I wrote down where you can contact us."

"I have them all in my cell."

"Really?" I nodded. "How responsible of you." Olivia sounded like she didn't expect it of me. I wasn't a bad adult. I just preferred the kid side of things. What's life if you don't have a little fun living it?

"Olivia, have you seen my…" Mike stopped talking when he saw me there. "Shouldn't you be getting dressed?" I looked down. All my pajamas said was 'I believe in Santa do you?' Nothing inappropriate was showing that I could tell. I didn't know I wasn't allowed in pajamas by the time someone else was up.

"You were in the bathroom." I guessed. He bought that excuse. "I'll be going now."

It wasn't until Olivia and Mike were off to work that Jamie and Sophie woke up. I was already dress in red and green with my holiday spirit. "You guys ready for breakfast?"

"Aren't we having cereal?" Jamie asked.

"Cereal!" Sophie chimed.

"I thought I'd make you grandma's famous chocolate chip pancakes."

"Really? Pancakes for breakfast."

"Just don't tell Mom and Dad."

"Shhh!" Sophie giggled.

They enjoyed it. I even made them in the shape of snowmen. Sophie almost didn't eat one of hers because she didn't want to hurt him. Maybe it was about time I settled down. I'm twenty-eight and not getting any younger. I looked at my reflection in the dishes as the kids ate. My oval shaped face was starting to get a few lines in it, my brown hair was still shiny as ever, my eyes had wisdom appropriate for my age, I had a decent sized bust and I wasn't too fat or too skinny. Some guy would love me right?

"Aunt Ellie?" Sophie tugged on my pant leg.

"Yes?"

"Can I be fairy today?"

"Of course you can, but I thought we'd go out and have some more fun today." I informed them. I thought we could go get their parents Christmas presents, along with something for all their grandparents. I had enough money that I didn't really know what to do with it. After all it was just me, and playing with toys at work all day was enough fun and sometimes a small vacation here and there, but I never really used my money besides rent.

"Where we going?"

"To the mall. We need to get presents for your parents and grandparents."

"Really? Mom usually just puts our names on a present."

"This year you choose."

"Yeah!"

The shopping was easy. Sophie and Jamie choose necklaces for both grandmas and ties for their grandparents and father. Their mother was another story. They knew she was picky. I knew she was picky she sent me a list every year of things I couldn't buy her or shouldn't buy her. What I could buy her, but she didn't want. What I wouldn't buy her but she'd never use. It was just a mess with Olivia.

We walked through the middle of the mall. Sophie saw the Santa and immediately wanted to go tell him what she wanted for Christmas. Jamie decided he wanted to see Santa too, though he told me the real Santa had a funny accent.

"What do you want for Christmas?"

"I want a cousin!"

"A cousin?" Oh god no.

"Yeah! I got brother. Aunt Ellie needs baby!"

"Please kill me now." I muttered.

"Oh and husband! I wanna be flower girl fairy!"

I needed her to shut up. Everyone in the mall did not need to know about my situation. They knew bad enough in high school. They didn't need to be reminded that I was back in town. Sophie got a candy cane and ran to me. Jamie was up next.

"If you want to be a real Santa you need an accent."

'Note to self: Never bring niece and nephew to mall ever again or if I have to avoid Santa.' I thought.

"Really?"

"Yeah! He has tattoos too. At least that what's Jack said."

"Jack who?"

"Jack Frost!"

"Oh."

Jamie told the fake Santa about how the real Santa was until he was taking too much time. Sophie had gotten tired and I realized it must be close to her naptime. I picked her up and the bags as Jamie got his candy cane.

"Time to go home."

Nothing happened until Mike and I went to pick up our parents. Olivia wanted to stay home with the kids and make sure that their room was ready and looking nice. The house had to be perfect and she still had to decorate the tree, which Mike and I had to wrestle the fake one from the attic once he got home. The car ride tension was high. Mike was angry with me. It might have been because of our fight last night, but I wasn't sure.

"I took Sophie and Jamie to see the Santa at the mall. I hope you don't mind." I said. "I'm sorry if I upset you. You were right, Mike. I need to grow up, but I don't think I can Mike. Remember how Dad used to be every Christmas? Telling us Santa wasn't real, but we still believe. We still waited up trying to catch a glimpse. We even made sure we were good all year long until Christmas Eve when we set the trap up by the chimney? And we got that little bit of red fabric we think was from his coat?"

"It was all a lie. Dad put that there to make us feel better. Eloise grow up! You can't live in your own little world anymore! Grow up and join the real world. There is no Santa Claus there is no Easter Bunny."

"Then was there and egg shortage on Easter this year, Mike? Did a group of people just come and steal eggs from all over the country? Was it a plan? They stayed up all night and happened to get every last egg? Have you ever seen anyone ever hid the eggs Mike? Every year this town has that egg hunt, but never once growing up was there an egg hiding committee. The eggs just showed up the next morning! Except this year, Mike! Except this year! The only eggs in this town were in the grocery store!"

"But…" We arrived at the airport and got out of the car. We walked to the gate where our parents were supposed to arrive.

"But nothing Mike. Think about it. There's a new species of animal found every year! How come we never saw it before then, huh? It isn't just seeing is believing Mike! We tried to get proof for years. Why? It wasn't because we didn't believe. It was because we wanted Dad to believe too." I sighed. "We just wanted Dad to enjoy the holiday as much as we did. I just want this holiday to be joyful Mike. I made sure I had off so I could see the look on Jamie and Sophie's faces when they opened their presents. That look of joy is irreplaceable."

"Eloise…"

"Mike, I've worked all these years so my coworkers could see the joy on their kids faces when receiving a gift. I've donated toys years after years so that no child would be disappointed. If you don't believe in the 'make believe' figures like Santa, believe that your children do. If you want to yell at me about my beliefs then we can go for a drive or something. Keep them believing for as long as you can."

"Ellie, I…"

"ELOISE! MICHAEL! It's so nice to see my children together again!" Our mother hugged us tightly. I was thankful Mike wouldn't bring up our discussion anymore not with Mom and Dad around. I was also glad it was late enough my parents would want to go to bed sooner.

Four days until Christmas. I wonder if I'll survive.

A/N: I'm so glad so many of you enjoy the story. I wanted North to have a wife since all these other stories talk about North having a daughter. Mrs. Claus will go on! I'll give you five guesses on what she could be the guardian of!

REVIEW PLEASE!