The search party was out all night and the entire next day. Everyone kept in contact over the radios, spreading out all over the North Pole and beyond.

The next night, long after the sun had gone down, Nina turned her plane around to head back to Santa and Mrs. Claus's house. She was quiet on the way there. Snow Miser interrupted that silence. "Honey, we looked all over. We did the best we could."

Nina took awhile to respond. Her voice was soft and slow. "I didn't. I should have done more."

"Nina-"

"What am I going to tell her? We haven't found him. It's been two days."

"It isn't your fault. Sooner or later, he's going to turn up, and he's going to be proud of you for your efforts. I know I am."

"But he's still out there, somewhere."

"I know. We're going to find him, Nina."

They arrived at the house awhile later. The lights were on, and they could hear chatter inside. The couple opened the front doors and walked in. All the elements, who were Snow Miser's siblings, except for North Wind were there. Tingler, Melvin, and Winter Warlock were also in the living room, along with Jingle, Jangle, and most of the elves.

The first person Nina noticed was Mrs. Claus, who sat on the couch. She rose when Nina and Snow Miser walked in and walked towards them. The women looked at each other, and by their facial expressions alone, Mrs. Claus knew that her husband still hadn't been found.

Nina had planned out what she would say and how she would say it. She would keep a calm but stoic face and tell Mrs. Claus that they hadn't found him yet, but she would do whatever it took to get Santa home.

However, once Mrs. Claus approached Nina and held her hands, the plan was all but forgotten. Nina began crying, and she choked out, "I tried."

Mrs. Claus hugged her, sniffling. "I know, dear. Thank you for everything you've done."

"I won't stop looking."

Mrs. Claus motioned towards the couch. "Come sit down down. You need rest."

Nina shook her head. "I can't. I can't rest knowing he's still not here."

"It won't do you any good to run yourself ragged," Mrs. Claus insisted. "I'm worried about him, too, and I don't want to have to worry about another person."

Nina quickly relented, knowing how fruitless it was to argue with Mrs. Claus. She sat on the couch by Winter Warlock while Snow Miser talked to some of his siblings.

Winter sat closer to Nina and held her in his arms. Nina looked at him, surprised, since he had never done this before. He was no longer hesitant to give hugs, but this was the first time he had ever held her. "My dear, you look completely exhausted," he told her in a soft voice.

"I do?"

He nodded. "Have you gotten any sleep at all?"

"Not much. I haven't really been able to sleep or relax."

"I know how you feel, but you must take care of yourself," Winter worriedly told her.

Nina thought that maybe she physically didn't look well if both Mrs. Claus and Winter were voicing their concerns about her. She rested her head on his shoulder. "Do I really look that bad?"

"You look ill," he replied, truthfully. "He wouldn't want you to get sick." Winter kissed the top of her head. "You're my daughter, and I love you. Rest easy now; you're in safe company."

Nina closed her eyes and tried to relax her muscles. This was the first time since Santa's disappearance that she had allowed herself to take a break.

Nina didn't know if she had dozed off or not, but the next time she opened her eyes, she saw Mrs. Claus sitting next to them. She and Winter were talking quietly about old times. Mrs. Claus stopped when she saw Nina's eyes were open and said, "Look who's awake."

"I didn't mean to interrupt you," Nina sat up and yawned.

"You didn't interrupt us at all," Winter assured her. "I trust I was a comfortable pillow?" He chuckled.

Nina nodded. "Yes. Thank you. It was very soothing."

"You're very welcome."

At that moment, Snow Miser sat by them. "Hey, angel. Have a nice nap?"

"Yeah," Nina replied. "I guess I really needed it."

"You did," he told her. "I was getting really worried about you. We all were."

Nina got up and sat on Snow's lap. "I'm fine. Really. I just wish we could have found Santa. I need to keep trying."

Mrs. Claus said, "It's not all on your shoulders, dear. Remember that. You'll run yourself into the ground if you take the whole thing on yourself." She sighed, thoughtfully. "You and Santa are a lot alike, Nina."

"We are?" Nina asked, surprised.

She nodded. "Oh, yes. You know how he just keeps going and going, especially when he's helping someone in need. You're like that, too."

Nina smiled, softly.

"They are alike, aren't they, Jessica?" Winter stated. "Now that you mention it, they do share quite a few qualities. This reminds me of that one time, Kris walked through a blizzard just to get someone out of the snow. I can't remember who it was. It was one of the Kringles."

"Dingle?"

"Yes, that's who it was."

"I remember that night. Poor fellow. Yes, he got trapped under a fallen tree, and Santa heard him call for help. It took awhile for him to get him out of there."

Jingle and Jangle approached them, hearing the conversation. Jingle said, "A few years ago, Santa nursed a baby reindeer back to health. He stayed with it day and night."

Jangle exclaimed, "During the Christmas season, no less!"

Soon, more people gathered around the couch and shared their memories of Santa. No matter how small or unimportant the events had seemed at the time, now they were significant. Almost everyone had something to share, even Mother Nature. Santa's kindness was a common theme in the tales, and all who ever came in contact with him were affected by his generosity in some way.

Mrs. Claus said at last, "It's been a long night, and I'm sure everyone is hungry." She stood up. "I'll go make us all something to eat."

Heat Miser hesitantly offered, "If it's all the same to you, Mrs. Claus, I'll do it."

Mrs. Claus looked surprised. "Why, Heat Miser, that's very kind of you."

Heat Miser looked a little embarrassed. Melvin put his arm around him and smiled, broadly. "That's a great idea! Heat is an amazing cook! This would be a great opportunity for everyone to try his food." Addressing Heat Miser, he asked, "What do you say, sweetie? I'll help you out."

"Oh...Alright." Heat Miser still seemed a little unsure of himself, but his partner's confidence in him gave him the boost of self-esteem he needed. The couple went in the kitchen, and everyone else spread out in the living room once again.

Nina, who was still sitting on Snow Miser's lap, whispered in his ear, "Can we go outside for a minute?"

"Of course, honey."

They both stood up and went outside through the front doors.