Disclaimer: I do not own the Santa Clause trilogy or any of its characters, events, places, or ideas. If I did, would I really be sitting here staring at a computer screen? Probably not….the only things I actually own in this story are the characters of Crys and Rachelle.
A/N: Sorry it took a while for this second chapter. I have literally been staring at the screen time and again wondering how to get all my ideas onto paper. Now that I have, here is the second chapter of my sequel for all of you to read. Good news: Bernard makes his appearance in this chapter! Be kind and tell me how I do with writing for him, especially since it's my first time using his character in a story.
Chapter Two: Bernard
The former Head Elf, Bernard, stood like a statue in front of Santa's desk. Behind him, the legendary figures were grouped around the room, watching the ongoing conversation in interest. Even the Sandman was fighting to keep his eyes open. Curtis was positioned close to Santa with a suspicious look on his face as he eyed Bernard up and down.
Bernard had showed up without warning early that morning, saying that he would like to stay at the North Pole again. He did not tell anyone where he had been or what he had been doing while he was away. The only thing he said in response to anyone who had asked was that he needed to speak to Santa.
"Look, the only reason I returned is because I would like my job back," Bernard insisted. Santa sat in his chair with his hands folded on his desk, smiling with amusement as he listened to Bernard's pleas.
"Right. Like you didn't miss any of us," Cupid said as he floated carelessly through the air. He swooped down near Bernard's head in an attempt to grab his cap, but Bernard swatted him away with his hand. Cupid flew off and hovered around the Easter Bunny instead. "I think someone is in need of some love. What do you think, big guy?" Cupid motioned to the Easter Bunny, who simply chuckled. Bernard shot Cupid a warning look.
"Hit me with one of those arrows and I'll—"
"Bernard," Santa spoke gently, but it was enough to catch the elf's attention. "Unfortunately, I can't just give you your job back," Santa calmly informed him. Bernard stared at him, having a hard time comprehending what he just said.
"Why not?" Bernard questioned him, but he thought he already knew the answer. Loud, disruptive snores came from the back of the room as the Sandman finally fell into a deep sleep. Mother Nature gripped her staff, clearly annoyed with the Sandman's behavior.
"Sandman!" She yelled at the legendary figure while banging her staff on the floor, causing him to jump up with surprise.
"What'd I miss?" He looked around in confusion. Mother Nature shook her head and Father Time rolled his eyes.
"You didn't miss anything exciting. Elf boy isn't getting his job back. Like we didn't predict that was coming," Cupid said with a wide smile. Sandman nodded—already stifling another yawn—and rested his head on his hands. After everyone quieted down again, Santa opened his mouth to answer Bernard's question.
"Bernard, I can't give you your job back. It's Curtis's job now," he explained. Curtis smiled triumphantly and nodded his head at Bernard.
"You heard the big guy. I'm the Head Elf," Curtis emphasized, earning a stern look from Santa and Bernard both. It was just as Bernard thought; he had been away too long and his position had been given away to an elf like Curtis. Still, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
"However," Santa continued. "I may have a job offer for you. I assume you've met Crys?" Bernard pictured the human girl with her red hair and mischievous behavior. He wasn't sure where Santa was going with this, but he was certain he wouldn't like it.
"Yes, I've met her. She's…interesting," he said with a complete lack of enthusiasm. No one had yet told him of the trouble that had taken place last year, but he definitely didn't want to know the details. He was just happy he hadn't been there to deal with it.
"You said it; that girl is exciting. Knocking over a Christmas tree, standing up to Mother Nature to save Jack Frost, and now she's on her way to marrying him," Cupid announced. Bernard glanced from the floating figure to Santa and back again.
"What? This girl is marrying a legendary figure? Does anyone else think this is a bad idea or is it just me?" Bernard gazed at Santa, his eyes wide with shock.
"No, it's just you. See, now, look at all the fun you missed while you were gone," Cupid said, once again doing circles above Bernard's head.
"Do me a favor and stay out of this, okay?" Bernard told Cupid in an exasperated tone. Santa cleared his throat, clearly wanting to bring back Bernard's attention.
"Bernard, that's not the situation we're discussing. Everyone's perfectly fine with Crys marrying Jack Frost. Even Mother Nature gave her approval before he proposed to her. Anyway, Laura called this morning and said that one of Crys's friends wants to come up here to see her," Santa explained carefully. Bernard was still having a difficult time understanding the purpose of this "job offer".
"And? What's your point?"
"And…I would like you to watch her. She can be a little troublesome, like Crys was when she came here," Santa finished. Bernard felt like Santa was speaking Gibberish.
"You want me….to babysit a rebellious teenager?" Bernard was in utter disbelief. He didn't come running back to the North Pole just so he could play babysitter, for crying out loud. Santa held up his hands, hoping that Bernard would calm down for a moment.
"Not babysit, exactly. Look at it as a kind of guardian position." Bernard was still in shock and the word "guardian" didn't help to make the offer sound any less disastrous. "How about…if you do this for me, I'll give you a better position than the one you had before. I'll name you 'Supreme Elf' even," Santa declared, much to Curtis's displeasure. Bernard considered this in silence and figured he liked the sound of Supreme Elf.
"Alright," he reluctantly agreed. "I just hope this 'guardian position' isn't permanent." With those words, he was dismissed and he practically rushed out the door.
….
By the time Bernard made it to the main hall, he was out of breath. The conversation he just had was still playing over and over again in his head and he didn't want to accept it. Still, it would be something to be known as the Supreme Elf. Catching his breath, he started for the courtyard when he heard someone calling his name. Wishing he were anywhere but there at the moment, he turned to see Crys and Jack Frost approaching him. Oh, great. Here we go, he began thinking to himself.
"Bernard! I have something to ask you," Crys was calling out. Bernard noticed that her face was only slightly less red than her hair and he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to know the reason for it. Maybe it was a kind of glow that came from being engaged. Then again, maybe not…
"Yes, bride of horror?" Bernard looked down at her expectantly. This had better be good.
"I think the word you're looking for is Bridezilla," Crys pointed out. She started to laugh when Bernard's face transformed into one of confusion. "Never mind. Anyway, which color do you think would look better on me: blue or white?" Crys held up two small pieces of fabric against her body, one a pure white color and the other an icy blue. Bernard stared at her as if she had gone insane right before his eyes.
"Why ask me?" He figured she could bother someone like Carol or Mother Nature, definitely not him.
"Because Carol is busy taking care of her baby, Uncle Scott is working, and you are the only reliable person left around here," she hastily explained. "Just answer the question," she demanded. He glanced from one strip to the other and decided to choose one at random.
"Blue," he finally answered. Crys's smile dropped and he wondered if he had said the wrong thing. Beside her, Jack was grinning down at her victoriously.
"Told you. You should listen to me more often," he said. Crys glared at him and pretended to pout dramatically. After a minute, she sighed and she smiled with a new excitement in her eyes.
"Oh, guess what? My friend, Rachelle, is coming to visit me," she informed Bernard, her voice full of joy.
"I heard. I was assigned to be her guardian," he replied. Crys looked surprised at the news and more than a little sympathetic for him.
"Good luck. She's more rebellious than I am," Crys told him before leaving through the main doors with Jack, their arms linked together. Bernard watched the couple go and realized the he was starting to get a headache just thinking about what might come next.
…..
Well, that's the chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it. So, how did I do with the character of Bernard? Any opinions or constructive criticism is greatly appreciated and of course every review helps to inspire me to keep writing! (= I hope I can update much faster next time….
