Thanks for the reviews guys. Well some things remain a secret till they are published but be sure the story is already finished. If we delay it's because we are forgetful. Now have fun and hit the shiny little review button a lot.
2.
It was Sunday noon and Elizabeth was already in full event planner state. She hurried everyone around to make sure they were finished by the time the children come. Rebecca had forced Neal and Mozzie to come with her earlier to help Elizabeth and the other volunteers. She really enjoyed the nervousness in him because they were out of his radius contrary to what she said two days earlier. Elizabeth came over to her with a facial expression somewhere between a frown and a smirk.
"Is it possible you didn't tell him he is allowed to be here?"
"Nope."
"He doesn't know Peter is coming too?"
"Nope." Rebecca smiled.
"Oh this is going to be fun. Especially when Diana appears."
"Diana?"
"He didn't tell about her?"
"Uhm no. She isn't an ex, or?"
"No, don't be afraid. She is a colleague and she got a child a few months ago. Neal sometimes annoys the hell out of her and Peter thought it would cheer her up to see Neal as an elf."
"Oh I think it will. How old is the baby?"
"Theo must be five months now." Elizabeth thought aloud.
"Aww still a little cutie. Now I can't wait to see Neal's face."
"Or Mozzie's. He grew fond of little Theo. Who knows why. Excuse me the next load of cookies is coming."
Elizabeth vanished to the front door of the community center to help with the arrived cookies. Content Rebecca looked around. There were till two hours left and the refurbishing was almost done, the volunteers were almost completely present and Elizabeth managed it to get a lot of cookie donations. The only thing missing were the guy who should play the Santa Claus later that afternoon and the hot chocolate for their guests.
"What's my favorite elf thinking?" Neal approached her from behind.
"Wondering how fast all this is done. The last years we made it just in time."
"You didn't had Elle to help."
"She is really a big help. Mr O'Connel already booked her for next years summer festival."
"Mr O'Connel?"
"He is the manager of this center."
"That's good she got more jobs out of this."
"It is. I almost felt bad she offered to do this pro bono."
"Does anyone know who this guy in the impromptu locker room is who smells like cheap rum, old cigars and things my nose refuses to define?" Mozzie came over to them. Two other volunteers came closer.
"What guy?" Rebecca asked.
"About Neal's size and that kind of guy I wouldn't allow to come close to children."
"Sounds like Larry..." one of the other volunteers answered.
"I thought we made him go?" the other one stated astonished.
"I thought this too. Mortimer should play Santa." Rebecca told and looked around to find said man.
"He is sick."
"We don't have a Santa?"
The two volunteers looked at each other really unhappy.
"I think no Santa is better than this guy. Why do these guys always have the name Larry?" Mozzie ranted.
"Wait a second. I think I have an idea. Rebecca, the costume his here?"
"Yes, why are you asking Neal?"
"I know someone who would be a perfect Santa."
With a mischievous smile Neal went over to Elizabeth.
"Hey Elle."
Elizabeth jumped involuntarily because she was checking her list.
"Neal, gosh, don't scare me."
"Sorry, I just wanted to ask if Peter has some important things to do today."
"No..."
"We have a Santa costume but no Santa." Neal stated. With a frown she looked at him till it dawned her.
"Wait...you want... Peter should play Santa?"
"Why not?"
"Oh gosh that is hilarious."
"Will you ask him?"
"Yeah, I do. Oh I need to make pictures of this."
"Christmas cards?"
"What else?!"
With a snicker she went to call her husband. With a happy smile Neal went back to Rebecca.
"Problem solved. Peter will play Santa even if he doesn't know it by now."
"Great the suit playing Santa...if you think about it...Santa is the ultimate suit, did you never realize?"
"Moz, calm down, take a deep breath. Santa isn't a fed. He is just a fictional character." Neal calmed him down before the paranoia would have her way again with Mozzie. The smaller one took a few deep breaths.
"Yeah everything is fine. I am just making a fool out of myself."
"Good boy." Rebecca held a cookie under his nose. He shot her a dirty look but took the cookie non the less.
"And Moz?"
"What?"
"Please no conspiracies about Santa or the government today."
"Aliens?"
"If it has nothing to do with those two topics and it entertains the kids..."
"Well then I have to prepare the handcrafting area." Mozzie went with a happy face.
"He really is like a male Tinkerbell." Rebecca snickered. Neal made a face what made her laugh hard.
"That's weird."
"I know. What does MY favorite elf do now?"
"I have no idea."
"Not?"
"No, I also have no idea what I should do around here."
"Why don't you stay with me and read to the children? We could take turns and it would prevent me getting hoarse."
"I think even this will still sound sexy."
"Neal! These room are soon filled with kids. You should behave."
"I am behaving." he smirked at her.
"Sure thing."