"Kristoff?"
Kristoff looked up from his book and frowned, knowing that Eli was up way past his bedtime. "Hey, bud. Can't sleep?"
"I…" Eli clasped his hands in front of his chest and twisted on his feet nervously. "I wanted to talk to you."
"Me?" Kristoff smiled, before coughing and putting his book all the way down, turning to face outward from the table and leaning forward to encourage Eli to come closer, convinced this may be an important talk for the boy. "What's up?"
Eli moved towards Kristoff, putting his arms out and smiling when he got lifted up off the ground and sat into a lap. But soon a frown took over, and he looked down at his lap. "So…"
Waiting patiently as Eli stumbled to find his start, Kristoff rubbed a soothing circle on the boys back, absolutely delighted by his snowman pajamas. He tried his best to remain serious though, as Eli bit at his lip and twisted his fingers together, a habit he absolutely had picked up from his mother.
"I don't want mama hurt."
"What?" Kristoff leaned forward to catch the boys' gaze. "I would never."
"I mean…" Eli sighed. "I wished for you to bring her someone to love her."
"Right."
"And then you… do you love her?" Eli frowned again, pinching at his lips. "Is that against the rules?"
Kristoff pressed his lips together, trying to find the right words. "Well, buddy, there aren't really rules when it comes to this kind of thing…"
"I mean," Eli cut in, putting a hand in the air to signal for Kristoff to stop. "You're Santa. Can you love someone like that? Is that… allowed? Are you the person who can be the wishee's wish come true?"
Brown eyes blinked in confusion, trying to fully comprehend what exactly the little boy was saying. "I think," Kristoff started, laying a hand on top of Eli's head. "If it's what is meant to be, the rules can be bent, you know?"
Eli nodded, tapping little fingers against his chin. "Okay…"
Kristoff knew someday he'd have to tell him that he wasn't Santa Claus… but not this year. Not when he believed so strongly that he was making his wish come true.
If Kristoff was being honest, Eli and Anna were his wish come true, too.
"Do you really love her?"
Kristoff swallowed before nodding, a smile spreading across his face. "I do."
"Good."
"And," Kristoff grinned, placing a fat, wet kiss against Eli's cheek. "I love you, too."
"Ewww!" Eli couldn't stop giggling though, and Kristoff placed two more kisses against his forehead. "Stooop!" He whined, smiling all the way through. "You're just as bad as mama."
"You bet I am."
As giggles faded into happy sighs, Kristoff hugged Eli closer. "I know your mom might be mad at me… but I had planned a surprise for you two. Do you want to help?"
Eli jumped up, ecstatic, and threw his arms into the air. "Yes!"
"Okay. Well…" Kristoff stood, nudged Eli along with his foot against his butt, and smirked the whole way down the hall. "It might take a little time… and you're going to be up kind of late… You okay with that?"
Eli's smile only widened as he saw the multiple boxes of decorations come down from the top shelf.
"Yes!"