Chicago December 24th 11:56PM

Steve Clause POV

"Steve the alarm!" Arthur exclaimed as he jumped on to my arm.

"I know. I hear it. How many times have I told you not to play with things that are not yours. We need to get out of here before they wake up and think we are burglars." I tried to yank my arm back from Arthur as we worked on making our way to the front door. I rolled my eyes until I heard some footsteps on the stairs. I looked over to the stairs and there was a scared women holding a baseball bat.

"I called the police they are on their way. Don't move." I grabbed Arthur's hand and ran for it. I sprinted out the front door and off the porch dragging him behind me. I knew he couldn't keep up with me, so I had to pull him along as I took back alleys trying to avoid the cops as I could see the reflections of the light in the store windows. I couldn't run fast enough the lights were getting closer and the sirens sounded right in my ear. This was terrible how was I going to explain to our parents we got arrested all because Arthur wanted to pet the damn cat and set off the alarm. I speed up and went around another corner hoping to buy us some time, when we bumped right into something knocking me back a step.

I looked down to see what we had ran into and there she was bundled in her winter jacket and blue scarf with her long brown hair blowing in the breeze. I had knocked her down in the snow due to my size. I went to apologize when Arthur helped her up and I couldn't help but panic the flashing lights were almost on us.

"Hurry up and get in the house." She was standing at the door holding it open to for us when I had looked back from searching for the cops. Arthur hooped up the steps without even thinking. I paused a second; why was she helping us? This was going terrible; two people had seen us. "If you want to get caught you can stay out there then." She moved to close the door, but I took the steps two at a time to get the in door as she closed it. I turned to look out the window and as she closed the door, I saw a cop car round the corner. That was too close for comfort. I looked down to see her staring at me red faced as I noticed I was blocking her from coming in all the way. I had her pinned between my large chest and the door. The sweet smell of lavender filled my nose as I blushed and moved for her to continue in the house.

Arthur had made his way to her kitchen, and she headed that way when I stepped aside to let her pass. She took off her coat placing it on the back of a car and Arthur copied her motions as if they were old friends. "Thank you for helping us Miss…."

"Samantha, but please call me Sam. Would either of you like a drink?" She was grabbing wine glasses out of the cabinet and pouring while asking.

"No thank you Miss Sam. I am Arthur and this is my older brother Steve." Arthur replied as he motioned to us. This is when I realized I was staring at her like a stalker, and I had not spoken a single word. I was still reeling over what had just happened. This woman was beautiful, and kind why was she willing to help us she was just a stranger. She had to have been able to tell we were running from the police by the panicked look I know I had on my face.

"Why did you help us." I finally asking and realized I asked it a little too roughly when she paused from pouring wine and turned to look us both up and down one more time. She turned back to the glasses and finally handed me one before she answered me.

"Well, something about you had me wanting to help you. I don't know if is the Christmas cheer coming off of him;" she pointed to Arthur; who was fiddling with his coat jacket. "That made be believe he was Santa Clause." There was a long pause and I know my jaw dropped open when she said the last part. An adult who still believe in Santa? Why?

"But Why…Are you crazy?" Arthur gasped at me, and I was unsure where that even came from. All I knew was that she was making me nervous and her sent was washing over me causing me to lose my mind. I found myself having to control my body and not reach out and touch her. Why was I being so weird. I am normally all business and seriousness, but now I could barely talk correctly and not snap out.

"No, I just think if no one can prove that something isn't real then why stop believing in it. Well, I told you who I think he is, but who the Hell are you supposed to be in your.. what is that Versace...suit. You are too big to be an elf, so who are you?"

I took a step closer to her without thinking before answering, "I am his brother and COO of North Pole operations. Why did you not stop believing?" I had to ball my hands into fits to stop myself from wanting to brush her hair off her shoulder. She probably thought I was angry. I knew I looked like it by my stern and taught face and even my poster. I was far from angry. I was trying to control myself, there was something about her I wanted to hold her and envelope myself in her sent and touch her skin which I imagined was soft and smooth.

"Sorry about him he is stressed about tonight. We have some time why don't you tells us about your self Sam." Arthur interrupted me from my thoughts which helped. I turned my back to her and downed my glass of wine she gave us. It was sweet like candy, but a hint of cinnamon in it. I wondered if this was her favorite. What was I doing pull yourself together Steven!

"I am firefighter at Fire House 81 most of them time, but I work part time at the Police department and fill in at the Chicago Memorial Hospital when they are short staffed. Which I haven't picked up any shifts there lately due to a certain doctor that works there."

"That is so cool! You're like a real-life hero!" Arthur was lighting up from how excited he was. I must admit that was amazing. Other than beautiful she was smart and strong.

"Thanks. I hope you guys don't get behind on your night because of this. You should be able to leave soon to continue the rest of your night." I nodded at her unsure what to say, she probably thinks I am an ass. It doesn't matter anyway it isn't like I am going to see her again or that she even likes me.

"Are you going to be alone on Christmas?" Arthur had asked and I noticed no one else seemed to be home meaning she lived alone in this big house by herself.

"Oh no, I am going to my dad's house in the morning to see my brother and nephew. I just had to work a split shift tonight." That was good I was glad she wasn't going to be alone, but then I got a jealous like feeling in my gut because she wouldn't be with me. What was happening to me why was am I being like this. I needed to get out of here before I do or say something stupid.

"The cost is probably clear. We should go Arthur before we get any further behind." I sent my location to the S-1 to drop us a line before heading for the door. I took large strides to get out of there to breath. Once outside calmness washed over me. The calmness I am used to; well, that was until I turned and looked back to the house. Arthur was walking out saying good-bye to her and when I looked at her my stomach did a flip, and I could feel my face heating up. I grabbed on to the zip line disappearing into the sky looking down at her as I felt regret in not staying longer or being nice to her. Once back on the platform of the S-1 I knew I had to get my head back in the game if we wanted to finish on time.

"Steve! Wait!" Arthur clumsy chases after me as I headed to the bridge. "Why did you leave so quickly. She was nice and she asked me if you were single and told me she thinks you are handsome and should smile more. I think she liked you."

"Arthur enough. Why would a woman like that like someone like me? We don't even live near here, so it doesn't matter." I rounded on him and snapped. Why did he have to tell me she liked me. I needed to focus on our job that was more important than what I felt for some stranger. I turned and stalked away leaving Arthur alone and my heart breaking knowing I was never going to see her again. I knew I made it seem like I didn't care to Arthur, but I did. I was tired of being alone and she just felt right. I could tell just by being around her. I know it is stupid to say love at first sight, but I have seen stranger things and I would be a fool if I said magic didn't exist.

The rest of the night was a blur and my mind kept drifting back to seeing her standing there in the snow watching us disappear into the night sky.

This is absurd I am Steven Clause COO of North Pole Operations. I am genius. I designed all of this and have been running everything while letting Arthur think he is in charge, and I have done this all by myself. I don't need anyone… as I thought that I realized I had never noticed how alone I was until then. I didn't know I needed or wanted anyone I wasn't paying to be near me or had to be because they were family. What if I went back to see her? What if she didn't like me and Arthur took what she said the wrong way.

**Thank you for reading. If you are a subscriber or have read this in the past. I know it is different. I went back and rewrote it better. Now that I am published author, I felt like I needed to fix my other writings. Please comment and leave reviews and subscribe for more changes to the other chapters.