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Disclaimer: I only own the new characters.

Chapter 9: Secrets, Truths, and Eternal Love

Author's Comment: This chapter has gotten mixed reviews from some of my friends. One of them absolutely loved it, and another rolled her eyes. I hope you all like it though! Please review!

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The Miller household sat in almost complete silence. Lucy had gone to bed, leaving the six others to occupy the other furniture surrounding the fire. Neil and Laura held hands, Scott and Carol gazed at each other nervously, and Jennifer laid with her head on Charlie's chest.

"Do you think anything's happened yet?" Jennifer asked, not raising her eyes from the flames.

"I don't feel any different." Scott stated.

"Maybe we won't feel anything." The lack of emotion in Carol's voice wrapped itself around the feelings of the company.

"This is all just so weird. I mean, you two are Santa and Mrs. Clause."

Charlie looked at her, "It's not that hard to believe, really, Jenn. There had to be some magic left in the world."

"Maybe not anymore."

Carol got up from her seat and gave the younger girl a hug, "Oh honey, you can always keep what you can remember."

"Yeah, maybe we can resurrect this Spirit of Christmas by spreading the message."

"But what if this causes people to forget? What good will it do to tell people about Santa Clause if he hasn't ever existed in their minds?"

"I didn't think about that."

"Don't worry about it, it's not good to worry about things you can't control." Charlie put his arm around Jennifer's shoulders and pulled her close to him.

"I'll never forget about Santa Clause, I mean, he was my father." Whispered Jenn.

"Yeah, he was like my father too, dear." Carol chimed in again.

"No," Jennifer sat up and leaned forward, "He was my father."

"What?" She now had the attention of everyone in the room.

"When I was younger, I remember that my dad was Santa Clause. Then he fell off a roof one night and he wasn't Santa anymore."

"You're kidding me."

"No, I just can't believe that I would meet the child of the Santa that came after my father."

"That we'd fall in love?"

"Maybe there is still a bit of fate left in the world." Jennifer leaned forward and kissed him, while the adults stared on in silence.

A flash of light and a shower of glitter interrupted them, "Did you ever doubt that there was fate?"

Mother Nature stood in the center of the room, in all her finery.

"What's the word on Christmas?" Scott asked, nearly flying out of his chair.

"It appears that you have two very smart elves working for you, Santa. I think they both deserve some vacation time after the holiday work is done."

"You mean - "

"Christmas is saved!" Mother Nature could not contain her joy, and for the first time in years, she literally yelled in excitement.

The room erupted in pandemonium, and it continued in that fashion for at least a full five minutes.

Suddenly, Mother Nature stopped the whole fiasco and grabbed Mrs. Clause's arm, "We have to get you all back to the North Pole. There are still toys to deliver."

"Can we come to?" Charlie stepped forward, pulling Jennifer with him.

"Aren't you the last Santa's daughter?" Asked the leader of the council, giving the younger girl a questioning glance.

"Yeah, how did you remember?"

"Nature forgets nothing. Is everyone ready to go?" She shot a glimpse at Neil and Laura.

Laura smiled, "Can we bring Lucy?"

"Of course."

All it took was a few minutes more and Mother Nature transported herself and her seven companions back to the North Pole.

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Back at the North Pole, Abby turned to Larry, "Where's Santa? He's gonna miss Christmas."

Larry pointed towards the middle of the courtyard, "Look!"

Eight figures began to take shape and eventually filled in to reveal the most recognizable people in the North Pole.

A cry of, "Santa!" and "Mrs. Clause!" was heard around the courtyard as the two were mobbed by overjoyed elves.

Over the noise, Carol turned to her husband, "Scott, the presents!"

They both ran as fast as they could to get inside the workshop. Once there, they not only discovered a mass of newly reappeared elves, but saw that everything had been returned to them. Every decoration and every gift was exactly in the place where it had been before the near destruction of Christmas.

"It's a miracle." Scott whispered, before something dawned on him, "I have to get the council here."

He sprinted to his office and nearly broke the button as he slammed it down. The signal went out for all the legendary figures to come to the North Pole immediately. Knowing that they would come to wherever he was, he went back to the courtyard.

The elves made an opening in the middle of the courtyard to allow for the holiday leaders as they arrived. One by one, they materialized in showers of sparkles and foggy wisps.

Mother Nature, who had already been present, welcomed them all, "My friends, I believe that Santa Clause has an announcement to make."

With his arm around Carol, Scott walked to the center of the circle, "Christmas has been saved!"

Once again, the cheers of the joyful persons present made it almost impossible to even think clearly. Santa eventually was able to speak over the uproar and calm everyone down long enough to make his next announcement.

"I think we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the two elves who finally figured out the answer to our problem, Bernard and Noel!"

From their position on the inside of the circle, the two shyly waved and smiled, before Bernard got the idea to do something bold.

Putting his hands on either side of her face, he pulled into a very deep, and very public, kiss. All those that had not witnessed the earlier embrace, were shocked and they all looked back and forth from one to another. The initial jolt of surprise felt soon turned into a type of happiness, as most were glad that they couple that so obviously belonged together, had finally gotten together.

Mother Nature stepped forward and motioned for the two to replace the Clauses in the very center of the circle.

"I think you owe us an explanation of how you stopped the destruction of Christmas."

They looked at each other, before Bernard finally said, "It stopped on it's own. I don't know what we did."

"You may not, Bernard," Mother Nature commented, grinning, "But Noel does."

"What?" Asked Santa, looking the female head elf.

Judy, Curtis, and Quinton looked at each other knowingly. They knew what was going on.

Noel raised her voice so that all could hear, "I have to tell you all a secret, and I'm very sorry that I didn't say anything sooner. The rules wouldn't let me tell you. However, now that the holiday is saved, I can show you all."

She turned her face upwards, and a brilliant light surrounded her. Everyone took a step back as they witnessed the next series of events. Noel's dress turned from green to white, and little silver stars began to form. Red and green became the colors of the trim of the dress, and holly and mistletoe appeared magically in her hair. This time, however, no paint appeared to cover up the facial features.

Where the female head elf had once stood, the Spirit of Christmas was now standing silently. Her brilliant green eyes gazed around the room in anticipation. Even so, she didn't bring them to meet Bernard's.

The whole group drew in what seemed like a simultaneous breath as if they meant to gasp. Saving her friend the embarrassment, Mother Nature stepped up.

"Noel here is the very Spirit of Christmas. She was with you all along, and her sadness did hurt the holiday. The rules of her station have stopped her from telling you who she was up until this point."

"I'm really very sorry everyone." She finally looked over at Bernard, "Especially to you. I wish I could've told you earlier." Her gaze never faltered, "Do you still want to marry me?"

He looked shocked, "Why wouldn't I? I told you Noel, I've loved you for two thousand years, this doesn't change anything."

A wonderful smile formed on her lips and she threw her arms around his neck, "I don't think I'll ever have a reason to be unhappy again."

"Is that why you were upset?"

"Yeah. When you turned down my request for the date to the party, I thought you had no interest in me at all. Plus, you did break a tradition over hundreds of years old by refusing to go with me."

"I promise you, I'll never give you a reason to be sad again." He kissed her once again, and this time, loud applause and cheers marked the event, not a gasp of shock.

The loud ringing of the town bell interrupted everyone. It was time for the Christmas Eve ride.

"Where's the sleigh?" Asked Santa, looking over at the elves in charge of that particular department.

Larry pointed to something behind him, and Scott quickly realized that the reindeer had been in the background all the time. They were even already hitched up to the sleigh. However, one thing was still missing.

"Okay, where are the presents now?"

Noel snapped her fingers and smiled, "Right there."

In the blink of an eye, the toy bag, already stuffed for the first family on the list, was in the backseat.

Some of the elves began to glance back and forth at each other, and murmurs about the ease with which their female boss had done that started.

Noticing what was going on, Noel turned around, "No one's losing their jobs, that was a one time only thing."

There were some noticeable sighs of relief from the crowd, and Bernard and Noel looked at each other, laughing.

Carol leaned over to her husband and whispered, "They're so cute together."

Scott rolled his eyes, but smiled, "They're elves, they're always cute to you, Carol."

She playfully shoved him toward the sleigh, "You better get going Santa, kids need their toys."

Climbing into the sled, he waved good bye to his elves, friends, and family, "I'll see you all in a few hours!"

Charlie pulled Jennifer forward toward the sleigh, "Hey dad! Can Jenn and I start the countdown?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way!"

The two looked at each other so that they could start at the same time before they began, "On Dasher, on Dancer -"

"On Prancer and Vixen - " Carol joined them.

Bernard and Noel jumped in, "On Comet, On Cupid - "

"On Donner and Blitzen!" Yelled the entire North Pole together. The reindeer didn't need to be told twice. They jumped into the sky at probably the fastest speed ever seen at the North Pole.

Once they were gone, Carol turned to the crowd, "Let's go inside and continue this celebration!" She looked at Mother Nature, "You and the other council members are welcome to stay."

Father Time shrugged, "I don't know if we have that kinda time."

Mother Nature looked across at him, "There's always time for a good party, and you know it."

As the older man laughed, Bernard tapped him on the shoulder, "Hey, how much time do you see before the wedding?"

"Oh I don't know, a few days maybe. For some reason it's not coming in clearly."

"Let's shorten it to Christmas morning."

"What?" Noel looked a little shocked at her fiance's idea.

"Let's get married when Santa gets back. It'll be Christmas morning, Mother Nature's already here to do the ceremony, and all the guests are already here."

She looked at him for a second before smiling, "Alright, let's do it!"

Carol looked over at Mother Nature, "Looks like we got some preparations to take care of."

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The dawn of Christmas morning came with some warm rays from the sun, despite the snow on the ground. Scott usually was sad when the Christmas Eve ride ended, but he wasn't this time. This time, it was just good to see the holiday still in existence, and being celebrated.

He called Carol on the video phone, "Hey, I'm coming back."

"That's good, I'll see you in a few minutes."

True to her word, she was standing in the reindeer stable area when he arrived, "I'm glad you're back, we need your help."

"Don't tell me something bad's happened again?"

"No, no. It's just that our two head elves have decided to get married in an hour and we need your help."

"An hour?"

"Yes, they wanted you to have some time to rest first. Oh, and Noel wants to see you about something."

"Where is she?"

"She's in the workshop."

Giving her a kiss on the cheek, he walked to the workshop looking for Noel. He found her talking to Judy about the younger girl's dress.

"Noel?"

"Hey Santa! Judy, can I talk to you in a few minutes?"

Judy smiled and nodded and went to talk to Curtis while her bosses discussed something she probably wasn't needed for. She was still happy though, as the third oldest elf, and Noel's favorite, besides Bernard, she had just been made the maid of honor. Until Curtis got any news from Bernard on what his part in the wedding would be, she could hold two things over him. Her position, and the fact that she was still older than him.

"Santa, I wanted to ask you a question, and I'm not sure how you'll respond."

"Well, just ask me and I'll see."

"Okay, as Santa Clause, you're supposed to be involved in everything that goes on up here at the North Pole, and Bernard and I want you to be a part of the wedding. I know that I don't know you that well and you've just met me, but I've never had a father. The closest thing I've had has always been Santa and I was wondering, since my fiancé and I feel the same way, if you would walk me down the aisle?"

She had said this especially fast, as if she was trying to say it all in one breath, and it took Scott a minute to decipher it.

"Noel, I would be honored to walk you down the aisle. Besides my immediate family, the elves have been the closest to my heart since I became Santa, and I couldn't deny them anything."

She gave him a hug, "I can see what all the buzz was about. You really are a good Santa."

"Just good?"

"Okay, the best."

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Mother Nature stood at the decorative fountain in the center courtyard of the North Pole. The Council of Legendary Figures and Mrs. Clause stood at the front. Judy and Curtis stood on the opposite sides next to Mother Nature. The rest of the elves watched as Bernard walked to the front and took his place.

He wore his normal black pants and shoes, but had changed his jacket. The elves in the clothing shop had fashioned a new coat for him to wear. It was a white jacket with the same silver starts sewn into it as Noel's dress. Normally at such an occasion, he would've taken his hat off, but it was one that she had helped him get and he knew she wouldn't mind.

Then everyone became silent and all eyes went to the end of the aisle. Instead of the wedding march, Silent Night, played. It seemed to fit the Christmas wedding much better. Scott escorted Noel, in her Spirit of Christmas dress, slightly modified, down to the front.

Bernard shook Scott's hand and Noel gave him a hug before he went to take his seat next to his wife. Mother Nature leaned forward and lifted the veil Noel wore, placing it over her hair and revealing her face.

"And you're sure you're not my mother?" Whispered Noel, causing the council leader to give a light laugh.

Bernard grabbed Noel's hand and gave it a small kiss. Their eyes never left each others when Mother Nature pulled their hands back down to waist level, "No kissing until I give the cue you two. Now, let's start."

"I want to welcome everyone here as we finally join Bernard, the head elf and oldest of all full elves, and Noel, the head elfess and the Spirit of Christmas. So I ask them now in the presence of all gathered here, to declare their intent. Noel, will you have this man to be your husband, to live together in a holy marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

"I will." Noel gave him a loving smile as she gripped his hands.

Next, Mother Nature turned to Bernard, "Bernard, will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together in a holy marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"

His grin stretched from ear to ear, "You bet I will."

The final question caused the couples to hold their breaths, as it does with all, "Does anyone in the North Pole object to this union?"

With the stern eye of Mother Nature looking out at them, if any had, had any reasons the couple couldn't be together, they wouldn't have dared whisper them,

"Then by the power vested in me by me, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."

They needed no further urging as Bernard captured his bride's lips in the first kiss of their marriage. It started out as the gentle, ceremonial gesture, but something else was in store. Without warning, Bernard dipped Noel back and deepened the liplock into a very passionate one.

Once the kiss had broken, Noel looked up at Bernard, wide eyed, "I didn't expect that."

"You didn't like it?"

"I loved it, do it again."

And he did.

Mother Nature looked out at the crowd of assembled elves, realizing that it might be sometime before the couple was ready to walk back down the aisle to greet everyone, and she just smiled,

"I now have the pleasure of introducing Mr. and Mrs. Bernard and Noel Christmas!"

Carol whispered over to her husband, "Their last name is Christmas?"

Scott whispered back, "Every elf's last name is Christmas. Helps us tell them apart from Easter Elves and Halloween Elves."

Mrs. Clause smirked and nudged her husband playfully, "Let's go set up for the reception."

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Later that night, long after the wedding and reception had ended, the new husband and wife stood on the balcony outside their new room. Christmas day would officially be over in a matter of minutes, and the clock would sound the hour.

Noel leaned her head against his shoulder, "Sometimes I wish I was in charge of time."

"Oh? Why's that?"

"So I could make this moment last forever."

Bernard smiled and kissed her cheek, "Merry Christmas Noel."

"Merry Christmas to you too Bernard."

She took his hand in hers and they walked back inside, shutting the door softly behind them.

THE END

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Hey, everyone, I hope you all liked this story, and I hope you'll review and tell me what you thought of it.

For now, I'm just gonna wait on putting up the stuff that didn't make it into the story, along with the commentary. The hints list and song list are up with this final chapter, and I hope you like them too.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, urged me to finish this, and who liked it. Also thanks to all my friends who discussed the story with me and gave me suggestions, like Amanda, Daniela, and Olyvia.