Early December
Dana had seen him come into the library every day she had worked for the past week, generally heading first for the computers, staying for his allotted hour, and then perusing the shelves as he searched for a book to read.
She had only once scanned out his books, learning from his library card that his name was Fox, which had made her chuckle internally, averting her eyes so he did not see the mirth hidden within. Martha, the oldest of the librarians, one she greatly admired, had called him that in the backroom, pumping her eyebrows and causing her to laugh.
How aptly he was named, Dana had thought, glancing back at him and feeling that familiar sensation of butterflies in her stomach.
She was an outgoing person, happy and talkative, but when she saw him, especially when he had been close to her, she felt tongue tied and nervous.
Sliding him his books, informing him of the return date, she had printed out the receipt and handed it to him.
"Have a good day," he had said as he smiled and picked them up.
"You're welcome," she had responded and he paused as she had felt the flush rising in her cheeks. "I… I thought you were going to say thank you."
"Oh," he had laughed and then nodded. "Well, thank you and have a good day." He had smiled and she drew in a breath, her mouth dry. He had nodded again and walked out the door.
"Mmhmm." She had heard behind her and turned around. Martha had stood close to her with a cart full of books to return to the shelves. Pushing past her, she had nodded knowingly.
From then on, Dana had watched him from a distance when he came in, not trusting herself to act foolish around him again.
Until the day he came in and she had not been expecting him, shelving books and picking up ones that had been left and not replaced.
Turning the corner, he had been standing in the middle of the next aisle and she froze. He looked her way and gave her a relieved smile.
"Oh good, someone who knows what they're doing. I could use some help, if you don't mind," he said, stepping closer to her.
"Uhh… yeah. Yes. What did you need?" she said, clearing her throat quietly.
"Well," he said with a sigh. "I'm looking for a book."
"You've come to the right place," she teased and he smiled.
"True."
"So, for which type were you looking?"
"My niece is coming to visit. Well, not just her, but my sister and her husband as well. They are all coming to visit for Christmas."
"Oh, that's nice."
"Yeah, I just recently moved here, which is kinda why I've been here a lot. I don't have internet at my place yet, so I come here to check my emails and send them updates of how it's going. I told my niece I would write her emails to both help with her reading, and learn to use the computer, with her parents help, of course."
"That's… that's really sweet," she said, thinking back to how she had seen him smiling while sitting at the computer.
"Well, she's six and my leaving was really hard for her. We saw each other nearly every day and…" He let out a deep breath and Dana had the urge to hug him, wanting to erase the sad look on his face.
"So you wanted to…?" she asked softly and he looked at her with a small smile.
"Right," he sighed again. "So I wanted to see if you had some, I don't know, arts and crafts books on how to make Christmas decorations. Something easy and doable for a man who isn't too coordinated when it comes to things of that nature." She laughed and nodded.
"I think I can find what you're looking for," she said, pushing the cart and leaving it beside the end of the aisle and out of the way.
Gesturing for him to follow, they walked over two aisles and she led him to the middle of a middle shelf.
"This is what we have for craft ideas, for different holidays. Of course, Christmas is the most popular, so there are quite a few of those. How about… this one?" She took a book out and handed it to him, letting him look through it.
"Uhh… this is nice, but I don't know." He turned the book around and showed her the pictures inside. "This is… well, it may look easy for some, but this would just lead to me either buying you a new book for the shelves or paying a fine because I would absolutely end up chucking it across the room and ruining it."
She laughed and then covered her mouth as she looked around, her eyes wide. No one seemed to notice and she smiled at him as he shook his head and looked back at the book.
"Okay, how about this one?" She handed him another and took back the one he held.
"Yeeeahhh… I don't know. This looks even harder."
"Chuck worthy?" she teased and he raised his eyebrows as he looked at her.
"Absolutely, without question." She smiled and he sighed. "I think we should find a different section? Maybe… intermediate level?"
"Well, we don't exactly have levels of crafting books, but hmm..." She took the book and put them both back on the shelf, turning to look back at him. "The children's section?"
"Oh, now you're talking," he said. "Lead the way… I'm sorry, I don't know your name."
"Dana. Dana Scully."
"Fox Mulder," he said with a smile and she bit back her comment that she already knew his name.
"Okay, well follow me then, Mr. Mulder."
"Oh, no. Just Fox is fine."
"Just Fox then… follow me." She heard him laughing softly as she started walking toward the children's section.
Stopping in front of the crafting books, she took one out and handed it to him. He whistled softly and nodded as he turned the pages.
"Yes. This I can do. Look at these." He turned the book around and showed her the pictures. "See how much simpler that is? How much better for my sanity?" She nodded as she chuckled, looking for other books to give him options.
"Did you do crafts with your niece before you moved?"
"Ah, I did just about everything with her," he said with a smile, looking at the book again. "Her parents, my sister and brother-in-law, they traveled for work when she was younger and so I had her with me a lot. She would sleep over and we would do whatever she wanted: amusement parks, painting classes, cooking classes, bike rides, tea parties… whatever. We would eat dessert before dinner, stay up late watching movies, and then sleep in the next day. It was the best."
"Why'd you leave then?" she asked and as he looked at her, she felt her cheeks flush and she shook her head. "I'm so sorry. That's none of my business."
"No, it's okay," he said, closing the book and sighing. "I had to move for my job. It's temporary, but still for two years."
"Must be hard."
"It is. Which is why I wanted to make an effort for their arrival. Finding something to make ahead of time and with her while she's here. She's much more adept at making things than I am. I should be embarrassed about that as a grown man, but we all have our strengths, right?"
"Yeah," she said, finding him more attractive than she had even two minutes ago.
"You know," he said, smiling as he looked down. "Before I left, we made one of those, you remember the Christmas chains we made in school as kids? Loops of red and green construction paper with a golden yellow one at the end?" He looked back at her, still smiling.
"Yeah," she whispered with a nod, breathing deeply.
"We made one to count down the days before we saw each other again and she tells me in every letter how many more days it will be until they're here. It both makes me happy and hurts like hell." He looked down at the book in his hand and she had to blink back tears as she looked down at the ones she was holding.
She and her siblings used to do the same when her father was on deployment in the Navy. The chains would travel up and over door frames, windows, and down the halls, a different color torn from it each day awaiting his return.
She had nearly forgotten about it and now she was near tears at the memory.
"Are you okay?" he asked quietly and she looked up at him, her eyes wet.
"Yeah. Sorry," she said, wiping her eyes. "I just… my father would leave on deployment and we would do that too. He would be gone a long time, the chains long, knowing it would be awhile before we saw him again, but we loved having them as a reminder."
He smiled with a nod of understanding and she drew in a deep breath.
"It's funny how something so simple becomes so important. Well, maybe not funny, but you know what I mean," he said and she nodded with a sniffle.
"I do," she whispered, exhaling deeply and then clearing her throat. "Did you want all of these? Or just one?"
"I'll take a look and let you get back to work. Thank you for your help and understanding." He smiled as he took the books from her and she clasped her hands together.
"You're welcome." She smiled and started to walk away, but then turned around. "We have a thing we do here every year, An Afternoon with Santa, on the 20th at noon, if your niece will be here then."
"Oh… yeah, she will be. They arrive in a week, on the 18th."
"We do it in the large multipurpose room here." She pointed to the right and he nodded. "Martha, she works here, and her husband dresses up as Mrs. Claus and Santa. They read stories, sing songs, hand out candy canes, coloring books and crayons, and a copy of The Night Before Christmas to every child who attends."
"She would love that. We'll be here," he said with a smile.
"Great. I'll add her to the list. What's her name?"
"Lulu… no, it's Lauren. I call her Lulu."
"The bags of gifts will have names so I'll put Lulu on hers. If you'd like, that is."
"I would," he said with a nod and a smile.
"Okay. Great."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
She nodded and walked away, smiling and heading to the office to add Lauren's name to the list. Typing it into the computer, she glanced up and saw him at the desk, Martha checking out his books.
He waved to her as he caught her eye and she waved back with a smile. When he left, Martha turned around and raised her eyebrows, her knowing smile back on her face, and Dana grinned wider.
Over the next week, Fox came in every day, finding her after he spent time at the computer. They would chat and he would show her what he had accomplished with the craft books, bringing her golden stars, wooden candy canes, a large intricate snowflake, and a small felt Christmas tree with colorful sequins glued to it.
"See, this is my level of crafting," he said, handing her the tree and nodding. "I always imagine it will be better and then it inevitably is a mess and-"
"You end up chucking it across the room?" she asked with a smile, running a finger over the sequins.
"Yes. Absolutely. Along with a lot of swearing and the book joining the project, because I can feel it mocking me." She laughed and he smiled. "But the books I've been using are perfect for those with high expectations and low ability."
"I think you've done really well with them."
"Thanks. I've enjoyed doing them. It's… relaxing to lose myself in the project and forget about everything else. And you know, the books are simplistic and perhaps old, but that's what I like about them. I was thinking last night about how many people have sat in front of their pages, creating crafts alone or with someone and it might sound silly or… soft… but it made me feel less lonely as I sat there." He smiled as he looked at the felt tree and Dana stared at him in disbelief.
"I think that might be the most beautiful thing I've ever heard," she whispered and he looked at her, his eyes searching her face.
"Excuse me."
She turned and found a woman standing behind her.
"Could you help me find a book? I can't seem to locate it."
"Of course." She looked back at Fox and he nodded with a small smile, turning and walking toward the exit. "Which book were you looking for?" She slid the felt Christmas tree into her pocket and followed the woman, thinking about Fox's words and the look in his eyes.
He did not come into the library for the next couple of days, not needing to check for emails from Lauren as she and her parents were now in town. Dana was happy, but she missed seeing him. She still carried the felt Christmas tree in her pocket, touching it periodically as she filled the gift bags for the next day, labeling each one carefully, especially the one for Lulu.
The bags set onto a cart, she and two others decorated the multipurpose room like a winter wonderland. Placing chairs in rows, they kept a large space in front for the children to sit cross legged, giving them a front row seat for the stories. Two large rocking chairs were placed in the front facing the much anticipated audience, the painted set that had been used for years, set up behind the chairs, depicting a cozy hearth and fire, windows covered in frost and snow, and a Christmas tree decorated merrily.
Tables were set up, ready for snacks and beverages to be added the next morning. The Christmas tree in the back of the room was twinkling with lights and covered in child-like decorations: stars, gingerbread men and women, snowmen and women, snowflakes, candy canes, and Santas.
Everything ready for the next day, they smiled at each other, turned off the lights and closed the door.
It was so loud, very unlike the library normally sounded and Dana smiled. This was her favorite day of the year, as chaotic and stressful as it may be. She loved seeing the happiness of everyone who gathered, children and adults alike.
She and two others were dressed as elves in red and white striped tights, green knee length dresses with black buckled belts and faux peppermint buttons, shiny black boots, and a green and red Santa hat. She loved the excitement the children had when they saw her, even if she saw them regularly for story times and other activities the library sponsored, It did not matter to them, for today she was an elf and Santa was on his way.
She kept an eye on the door far too often, knowing Fox would soon be there, but feeling overly nervous as she awaited his arrival.
When he finally walked through the door, her stomach dropped and her heart raced. He was wearing a dark gray suit, where he normally dressed more casually, and holding the hand of a little girl in a blue dress with white snowflake tulle overlaying it.
She had long curly brown hair and wore a wide headband of the same blue, snowflakes scattered across it. Her eyes were shining and she pointed all around, chatting away excitedly, until her eyes landed on Dana and her mouth dropped open.
She tugged at Fox's hand and pulled him toward Dana, her green eyes wide and shining. His own eyes widened as he looked Dana up and down, smiling as they drew closer.
"Are you a real elf?"
"I am today," Dana said with a smile. "My name is Ellie the Elf and your name is… Lauren… no wait… Lulu." Lauren gasped and looked at Fox, tugging hard on his hand. He bent down and looked at her.
"She knows my special name, Uncle Fox! She's magic," she whispered loudly and he smiled at her before looking at Dana who grinned at him.
Bells began to jingle loudly and Dana bent close to Lauren.
"Oh… those bells mean that Santa is nearly here. You better go sit down on the floor there, Lulu. You don't want to miss it."
"Yes, Ellie!" She let go of Fox's hand and hurried through the crowd and sat down on the floor.
"Well… she didn't even ask if I wanted to join her. I see how it is," he said and Dana laughed. He looked her up and down again and shook his head. "I didn't know you were dressing up too."
"I could say the same for you," she said, nodding at his suit and he smiled as he smoothed his tie down.
"We're going to lunch and then to see The Nutcracker after this, so…"
He shrugged and suddenly she was jostled from behind and bumped into him, his hand landing on her waist as she drew in a breath, breathing in the scent of the cologne he was wearing, something she had never noticed before.
"You okay?" he asked and she nodded, stepping back from him, her cheeks flaming.
"Ho Ho Ho!" Santa cried and the children screamed and clapped as he walked into the room, followed by Mrs. Claus, smiling and waving at all of them.
As the room quieted down, Santa began to speak and the children answered his question whether they had been naughty or nice. Dana smiled and then felt Fox's eyes on her. Turning her head, she raised her eyebrows questioningly.
"Would you like to have a drink with me sometime?" he blurted out quickly.
The children cheered and Dana jumped, laughing softly at the timing. Fox smiled and then also laughed.
"I-" More cheers erupted and he shook his head with another chuckle, motioning her to lean closer as he did the same.
"Would you like to have a drink with me sometime?" he asked again, in a quieter tone. "Unless of course you have to be back at the North Pole soon."
She laughed and pulled back to look at him, shaking her head as the children screamed again. Leaning close once more, his scent intoxicating her, she gave him her answer.
"This is my last day as an elf, for this year anyway. And yes, I would love to join you for a drink."
She stepped back and he searched her face again, his eyes landing on her lips more than once, her stomach dropping before taking up residence elsewhere in her body.
"My family will be here visiting until the morning of the 28th," he said, bending his head close to her ear again.
"I just so happen to be off that day," she said and he pulled back, smiling at her.
"Okay," he whispered and she smiled. He stood up and nodded. "Good."
"Yeah," she agreed, standing beside him, unable to stop smiling as she turned her attention back to the front of the room.
She felt his sleeve brush her arm and then the back of his hand grazed hers. He interlocked their fingers and squeezed, before letting go and putting his hands into his pockets. She caught his eye and they both grinned.
As Martha's husband began reading to the children, Dana created a paper chain of the most beautiful rainbow colors in her head, counting the days before they would be going out to have that drink, getting to know one another even better.