DAY 17 - SANTA'S DAUGHTER
Prompt from FanFiction User ChrisM92: My idea is inspired by the new movie Noelle that Anna Kendrick just did. [See the end for the full prompt.]
"What do you mean Nick is gone?" Mrs. Kringle asked.
"I mean. Nick. Is. Gone," Beca responded. "No one has seen him around the Pole and no one knows where he is. He took the sleigh."
"This can't be happening," Mrs. Kringle said, pacing around the room. "Your father must be turning in his grave over this."
"What does that mean?" Beca asked. "Turning in his grave?"
Mrs. Kringle stopped and looked at Beca. "It means, he would be upset that this is happening."
"Oh, right," Beca said. "What are we going to do?"
"We aren't going to do anything," Mrs. Kringle said. "You, Rebecca Noelle Kringle, are going to go out and find your brother."
"ME?" Beca yelled her mouth agape. "Why me?"
"You're his sister," Mrs. Kringle replied. "He listens to you. You need to find him and bring him back home. Christmas is a little over a week away and we still have a lot to do."
"How am I supposed to find him? He took the sleigh."
"I don't know, but you'll have to figure out something."
Just then an elf ran into the room. "Santa's sleigh just came back. It was set to auto-pilot. There is no sign of Santa."
The elf ran out with Beca and Mrs. Kringle right behind him. They got to the middle of town and there was Santa's sleigh and all eight reindeer.
Beca rushed to the sleigh and climbed on board. She pushed some buttons and looked at the GPS.
"The last place the sleigh was is Barden, Georgia," Beca told her mother. "That must be where Nick went."
"You know what you must do," Mrs. Kringle said.
Beca sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I'll let the reindeer rest and leave tomorrow."
Beca jumped off the sleigh and looked around at the elves, looking to her for instructions on what to do.
"Unhitch the team and get them fed," Beca said. "Clean up the sleigh and make sure to check everything. I want this sleigh ready to go first thing tomorrow morning."
The elves started rushing around to accomplish their tasks. Mrs. Kringle looked at Beca with a proud smile.
"That was very Santa-ish of you," Mrs. Kringle said. "If you can't convince Nick to come, we may have already found our new Santa."
Beca couldn't say anything; she just stared after her mother as she walked back toward their house.
~ Day 17 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
"I have something for you," Elf Polly said, waking Beca the next morning.
"If it isn't some hot cocoa with a peppermint stick," Beca mumbled. "I'm not interested."
"Get up!" Polly said, grabbing Beca's foot and pulling her off the bed.
"Really?" Beca asked. "That's how you treat the next possible Santa?"
"Yes, it is," Polly said. "Now put this on."
"Is that my dad's suit?"
"Yes. I altered it to fit you."
"Why?"
"Because you need Santa's magic to help you find Nick and bring him home."
"Can I at least have breakfast first?"
"It's right there," Polly said, pointing out the tray next to Beca's bed.
Beca sat up and looked across the bed. "Thanks," she said and jumped onto the bed to get to the food.
Polly stood patiently waiting as Beca ate. Beca swallowed the last of her cocoa and let out a sigh of contentment.
"Get dressed," Polly said. "Everyone is waiting for you."
Beca took the suit and put it on. It fit her very well. She pulled on her boots and smoothed down the jacket.
"Don't forget this," Polly said, holding out Santa's hat.
"Wouldn't leave home without it," Beca said sarcastically.
Polly left the room and Beca followed. They made it to the sleigh and Beca checked everything before climbing on board. She set the GPS for Barden, Georgia, the last known location of the sleigh before it returned to the North Pole.
"We are a week away from Christmas," Mrs. Kringle told Beca. "You don't have much time to find Nick and get him back here so he can prepare for Christmas night."
"Got it," Beca said. She sang out and looked around. "Hmph." She sang out again and looked around. "Come on, Snow Cone! I can't do this without you!"
Suddenly, around the corner came a small, white reindeer. Snow Cone hopped into the sleigh with Beca and bounced around happily.
"Do you think it wise to take him with you?" Mrs. Kringle asked.
"Barden looks like a small town but it has a lot of places Nick could be," Beca said. "Snow Cone can track Nick."
"Okay," Mrs. Kringle said. "Take good care of him."
"I will," Beca said. She looked down at the tiny reindeer and asked, "Are you ready, Snow Cone?"
Snow Cone bleated and hopped up and down.
"Here goes nothing," Beca said. "Everyone clear?" she asked as she looked around the sleigh.
"All clear," a voice rang out.
"On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen," Beca called out, holding onto the reins. "On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen."
The reindeer began to run and soon the sleigh was in the air. Beca smiled as they were on their way.
~ Day 17 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
"Okay, guys," Beca called out to the reindeer. "We're near Barden and we need to find a place to land and hope no one sees us."
Beca looks down and notices a clear area in some woods and guides the sleigh to it. The landing is a bit bumpy, but all in all, not bad for her first solo run. Beca hops out of the sleigh with Snow Cone at her side. She walks to the front and looks at the team.
"Okay," Beca said. "I'm going to unhitch you so you can graze in this field. But you must stay in this area so we can make a quick getaway when I find Nick. Understand?"
The reindeer looked back at her, eyes blinking.
"I'll take that as you understand," Beca said.
Beca unhitched the team and checked her watch.
"Come on, Snow Cone," Beca said. "Barden is this way."
Beca walked for about half an hour before she came to what appeared to be a college. She stopped and looked around. She knelt next to Snow Cone.
"Okay, Snow Cone," Beca said. "I need you to track Nick. Find his scent. Go ahead."
Snow Cone stuck his nose in the air and started sniffing around. He suddenly started jumping up and down.
"Did you find his scent?" Beca asked and Snow Cone turned in circles. "Great! Lead the way."
Snow Cone took off with Beca following closely behind. They turned a corner and there were people all around.
"Halloween's over, numbnuts," a guy called out to her, laughing.
Beca looked back at the guy and frowned. "Halloween?"
~ Day 17 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
A lot of people looked at Beca like she was crazy. A few made some comments; some of which made Beca blush.
It was getting dark and Beca still hadn't found Nick. She was also getting tired.
"Come on, Snow Cone," Beca said. "Let's get back to the sleigh. It's getting late and we need to sleep somewhere."
Beca checked her watch to locate the sleigh. "The sleigh is that way," Beca said, looking down at Snow Cone and pointing in the direction they needed to go.
Beca turned and bumped into someone. She grabbed their arms to keep them from falling.
"Whoa," Beca said. "Are you okay? Sorry about that I didn't see you."
"M'fine," a voice slurred.
Beca looked at the woman closely and couldn't help but smile. She was very pretty.
"Chloe Beale," Beca said, somehow knowing that was the woman's name.
The woman looked at Beca. "Do I know you?"
"Um, no," Beca said. "I'm Beca and I know you. You've been on Santa's Nice List since you were born."
"Is that supposed to be some pick-up line?" Chloe asked. "It's pretty lame although I must give you kudos for wearing the Santa suit to really sell it."
"Sell it?" Beca asked. "Sell what?"
"I have to go," Chloe said and turned to leave, only gravity had other ideas and she fell to the ground.
Beca rushed to her side. "Are you okay?"
"Don't mind me," Chloe said. "I'll just sleep here."
Beca looked at the woman again and checked her watch. She reached down and lifted Chloe, holding her bridal style.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going to take you home."
"Oh. Okay," Chloe said and promptly passed out.
~ Day 17 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
Beca managed to get Chloe to her apartment and gently laid her on the sofa. Beca looked around and frowned. The place was just one room with a small kitchen area and what appeared to be a bathroom through the only door Beca saw.
"Our list said Chloe Beale is a veterinarian," Beca mumbled. "I'd think she'd be able to live better than this."
Beca looked at her watch and clicked a few links. "Oh," Beca said. "Wow, she's had a bad year. Someone sued her because their dog died when Chloe performed surgery on him. They won and Chloe's vet license was revoked. But, it says here there was nothing she could do. The dog was too badly injured. That doesn't seem right."
Chloe stirred and mumbled before settling down. Beca looked at her.
"You've lost your Christmas spirit," Beca said, somewhat awed. "I'm going to help you get it back. Well, as soon as I find Santa, my brother."
Beca took the blanket off the back of the sofa and gently placed it over Chloe. She then looked around the apartment and found another blanket and a pillow. She made a bed on the floor and laid down.
"Come on, Snow Cone," Beca said. "It's time to sleep."
~ Day 17 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
Beca was awakened the next morning by a shrill scream. She jolted up and looked around to find Chloe standing over her with a large frying pan in her hand.
"Wh-who are you?" Chloe asked. "And what are you doing in my apartment?"
"Oh," Beca said, jumping up to face Chloe. Chloe took a step back, holding the frying pan like a weapon. "I'm Beca. Santa's daughter."
"Oh, God," Chloe said, shaking her head as if trying to make things clear. "I must still be drunk."
"You were last night," Beca said. "You passed out so I carried you home."
Snow Cone started bleating and hopping around. He rose into the air in front of Beca and Beca pulled him to her.
"What the hell is that?" Chloe asked, looking at Snow Cone.
"This is Snow Cone," Beca said, smiling. "He's a reindeer in training."
"I think I need another drink," Chloe mumbled.
"No, you don't," Beca said.
Beca put Snow Cone down on the floor and took a step toward Chloe. Chloe took two steps away from Beca.
"I get it," Beca said, holding up her hands to show she wasn't dangerous. "You've lost your Christmas Spirit and don't believe in Santa. I'm here to help you get it back. And to find my brother, who really is Santa."
"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"Ask me anything about Christmas."
"What did I ask Santa for when I was six years old?"
Beca checked her watch and frowned. "I'm sorry Santa wasn't able to bring your grandmother back. He's magical but he can't bring back someone who has died. And, I'm sorry for your loss."
Chloe's eyes widened. "How do you know that?" she whispered. "I never told anyone about that."
"Santa's daughter here," Beca said, pointing to herself. "I'm not lying about that."
Chloe lowered the frying pan and sat down on the sofa. "I must be in some kind of alcohol-induced dream. Ow! Why did you pinch me?"
"To let you know this is not a dream," Beca said, sitting next to Chloe. "I'm really Santa's daughter and I'm here to help you."
Chloe ran a hand through her hair. "I used to love Christmas. But, this last year has taken a toll on me."
"I know," Beca said. "I'm going to help you get your Christmas Spirit back. I also need your help to find my brother or there won't be a Christmas."
"How can I help you find your brother?"
"Snow Cone can track him," Beca said. "I need your help to fit in so we aren't recognized."
Chloe looked at Beca's Santa suit and smiled. "We need to get you some different clothes."
Beca looked down at her suit. "You don't like my clothes?"
"They're perfect if you want people staring at you," Chloe said. "But if you want to find your brother, you need to dress like everyone else."
"How do I do that?"
"I'll lend you some of my clothes," Chloe said.
~ Day 17 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
An hour later, Beca and Chloe had both showered and Chloe had given Beca some of her clothes. Beca looked down at her outfit.
"This is what everyone is wearing?" Beca asked. "The jeans have rips and tears in them."
"That's the way we wear them," Chloe said, looking Beca up and down. "You look cute in my clothes."
"Oh, um, thank you," Beca said, blushing.
"Let's get some breakfast and discuss how you plan to find your brother," Chloe said.
Chloe grabbed her jacket and went to the door. She looked over to see Beca still standing where she left her.
"Let's go," Chloe said, putting her jacket on. "We only have six days to find your brother."
"Oh, right," Beca said and moved toward Chloe. Snow Cone followed her, floating through the air.
"Um, we need to do something about that," Chloe said, looking at Snow Cone.
"Snow Cone, down," Beca said, pushing him gently to the ground. "You need to stay grounded until we get back to the sleigh, okay?"
Snow Cone looked at her. "Good. Let's go," Beca said.
Snow Cone caught Nick's scent but kept going in all directions.
"Your brother has been all over the place," Chloe said. "Maybe we need to go where there are fewer people and see if Snow Cone can catch Santa's scent." Chloe shook her head with a laugh. "Not a sentence I'd thought I'd ever say."
It took two days for Snow Cone to find Nick's scent and followed it straight to Nick.
"Are you sure this is it?" Beca asked, looking down at Snow Cone.
Snow Cone sat, looking up at Beca, his little reindeer tail wagging.
"Okay," Beca said and knocked on the door.
The door was opened by a man with brown hair and twinkling blue eyes.
"Nick!" Beca squealed.
"Beca?" Nick said. "What are you doing here?
"Looking for you, loser," Beca said as she pushed him aside and entered the apartment. Chloe and Snow Cone following close behind her.
"Who's this?" Nick asked, looking at Chloe.
"You don't know?" Beca asked, surprised. "You should know just by looking at her. You are Santa Claus and Santa knows everyone by sight."
"Nope, sorry," Nick said.
"But, you knew who I was when you saw me," Chloe said, looking at Beca. "How did you do that?"
"I... don't know," Beca said.
"I do," Nick said with a knowing smile. "You're the real Santa."
"I am not!" Beca exclaimed. "You take that back!"
"Can't," Nick said, his smile growing wider. "Look, Beca, you've always been more like Dad than I ever was. I knew I wasn't Santa material, but everyone was expecting it to be me since I'm male. But, you're the one that has all the traits of Santa."
"I don't know what to say," Beca said. "What do I do? I'm expected to bring Santa back home so he can deliver all the toys on Christmas."
"Go home," Nick said. "And you will have fulfilled your duty of bringing Santa home so she can deliver all the toys on Christmas."
"He's right, Beca," Chloe said. "I felt something change inside me since I've been around you. I've started to believe in the magic of Christmas again. And I definitely believe in Santa. That's all because of you."
"You need to decide quickly," Nick told Beca. "You've only got four days until Christmas."
Beca bit her bottom lip and looked deep in thought.
"I need to get back to the sleigh," Beca said. "Nick, will you come home with me and tell mom about not wanting to be Santa?"
"Sure," Nick said. "As long as you promise to bring me back here when you're on your rounds?"
"I promise," Beca said with a smile. "And Santa never breaks a promise." She turned to Chloe. "As for you, I'd like to see you again."
"Well, you did say I was on the Nice List," Chloe said with a grin. "So, I guess I'll definitely be seeing you on Christmas."
"You most definitely will. I promise," Beca said. "Do you want to go with us to the sleigh?"
"I'd love to," Chloe said, excitedly.
~ Day 17 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
After a quick stop at Chloe's apartment, so Beca could change back into her Santa suit, Snow Cone led the way back to the sleigh.
"Wow!" Chloe exclaimed when the sleigh and reindeer came into sight. "This is amazing."
Chloe walked around the sleigh, lightly running her hand over it. She was startled when Beca let out a loud whistle.
"Alright, you guys," Beca called out. "Get into formation."
Chloe stared in amazement as the reindeer came and stood in the proper position in front of the sleigh. Beca and Nick quickly hitched the team up and Beca looked over at Chloe with a soft smile.
"Hey," Beca said, walking over to Chloe and taking her hands in hers.
"Hey," Chloe said.
"I'll see you in a few days," Beca said.
"I'll see you in a few days," Chloe repeated. "Um, am I allowed to kiss Santa before she leaves?"
"Santa has no objections to that," Beca said.
Chloe slowly leaned in and kissed Beca. Beca kissed her back.
The kiss ended and Beca smiled before turning to get on the sleigh. Chloe was smiling as well as she stepped away from the sleigh. Nick and Snow Cone got in the sleigh and Beca took the reins.
With one last look at Chloe, Beca turned and called out, "On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen. On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen."
The reindeer began to run and soon the sleigh was in the air. Beca smiled as she looked back at Chloe and waved.
~ Day 17 of 2019's 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases ~
It was two in the morning on Christmas, when Chloe heard a noise. She sat up and saw Beca standing there, looking at her with a smile on her face.
"I've been waiting for you," Chloe said, smiling.
"I promised I'd be here," Beca said. "And Santa never breaks a promise."
"I know," Chloe said, standing and walking to Beca. She put her hands on the fur collar of Beca's suit and pulled her toward her. "I hope this is okay," Chloe murmured as she pulled Beca in for a kiss.
"Mm-Hmm," Beca mumbled as she returned the kiss.
Chloe pulled back and put her arms around Beca's neck. "So, what's the protocol if someone wants to ask Santa out on a date?"
"Well," Beca said. "I'm not sure, but I think I know a way to figure that out."
"Oh, yeah?" Chloe asked.
"Yeah," Beca said. "Chloe Beale, would you like to go out with me?"
"Why I thought you'd never ask," Chloe said and leaned in for another kiss. She pulled back and said, "That's a yes by the way."
"I got that," Beca said, pulling Chloe closer. "Merry Christmas, Chloe."
"Merry Christmas, Santa," Chloe said.
They kissed again and only stopped when Beca heard a noise on the roof of the apartment building.
"I have to go," Beca said. "Duty calls."
"I understand," Chloe said, stepping out of Beca's embrace.
"I'll call you about that date," Beca said as she headed for the door.
"You'd better," Chloe said.
"I promise," Beca said and winked at her.
Beca left and Chloe laid down on the sofa, touching her lips where Beca had kissed her. She squealed and did a little happy dance before making herself comfortable and going back to sleep.
Chloe woke several hours later and was surprised to see a wrapped package sitting on the coffee table in front of her. It wasn't there when she went to sleep. She sat up and picked up the package.
"Did Beca come back?" Chloe thought to herself.
Chloe unwrapped the gift and found a box. She opened it to find a note and read it.
Merry Christmas, Chloe.
This is so I'll always be able to reach you.
Love, Santa
Chloe smiled as she set the note down and looked inside the box. Her smile grew bigger when she pulled out a cell phone. She bit her bottom lip and pressed the call button to see what would happen. She laughed when she heard: Hi, Chloe. You've reached Santa. I'm sorry I can't come to the phone right now but leave a message and I promise I will call you back.
"A very Merry Christmas to me," Chloe said. She was all smiles as she placed the phone on the table and went about her morning.
Full prompt from FanFiction User ChrisM92: My idea is inspired by the new movie Noelle that Anna Kendrick just did. Where Beca could be Santa's daughter and has to save Christmas. Chloe could use some saving too this Christmas and who better than Beca? Thank you!