Claire's jaw remained unhinged for the duration of Santa's journey across the living room floor. The open door behind him was letting in the cold air and snow and it tickled her nose, willing her to sneeze.

She rubbed her nose vigorously and stayed ducked under the table, watching the large man gulp down the milk and make a comment about the cookie not having enough chocolate chips in it. His voice was booming, reverberating through the house and Claire wondered how it was not waking anyone else up.

She had to get out from there.

Years of conditioning led her to believe that anyone breaking into her house was an immediate threat, the door was open and all she had to do was dart as quietly and quickly back out to the streets without…Santa freaking Clause noticing.

One knee in front of the other, elbows pressed to the ground, she snuck out from her hiding place, crawling into the dark space beneath a cabinet. Just two more dark spaces to sneak under before she made it to the door.

It was easy for her to move quietly, she kept her eyes on the door and the red figure at once, sliding her limbs across the linoleum effortlessly. She had reached the door.

When she was promptly whisked up and fixated with an icy blue stare.

"Little old to be seeing me arent ya, lassie?"

The blue of his eyes seemed to freeze her, she couldn't scream. She started thrashing as hard as she could instead, unworried about earning the man's wrath. What was he going to do? Strap her in with one of his reindeer?

It took a while for her to realize her thrashing was useless, Santa was not going to let go of her anytime soon. She almost chuckled at the absurdity of that thought.

She let her limbs go limp, still held up by the hood of her sweatshirt. She slowly looked up from under her lashes.

And Santa burst out laughing.

"Ye really think I am here to burgle? I am Santa Claus! Look I've got something for you too!" He exclaimed setting her on the floor promptly and fishing around in his rucksack. A pair of small, pointy people danced around her. Claire smiled a little.

The large man thrust a package into her hands, his eyes now twinkling expectantly.

"Tell me I am dreaming," she whispered under her breath as she undid the package. From underneath the festive wrapping came jumping out an animate icy, cat. It stretched its slinky body on her palm then curled up, fast asleep.

Claire's eyes were aglow with wonder. There was a distinct spot of chill where the cat lay, and looked so real. It was the brightest white she had ever seen, its bottle brush tail sweeping her thumb gently. She couldn't believe she was holding something so precious in her palm. But then again, most happenings of today were not far from fictional anyway.

"For me?" she choked out, and Santa looked at with endearment in his eyes.

"You have wonder still alive in you, lassie."

"Um, hey Mr. Clause, thank you I've-"

"Call me North, lassie!"

North? Like the North Pole?

"No, I just wanted to say-"

"Oh, they will not believe this!"

Claire hurried behind North, not able to match his gargantuan strides, as the man rushed out into the cold night and frantically looked about the streets.

"Ah they always go off somewhere, never listen." He mumbled underneath his breath as Claire huffed, trying to catch hers. She had not hesitated a moment to follow him out of the door and down the street, the monotony of her life was possibly broken and she did not want to awaken from this dream just yet.

"Who went where?"

As though triggered by her words, a flurry of snow and gravel overtook her. Claire shielded her eyes, a smile forming on her face as she heard the fabled "Ho, ho, ho!" echo through the streets. She also was quite sure what caused the mini-storm around her.

As the snow died down, she caught the silhouette of multiple deer pawing the street, their breaths fogging the air. This may have been the best day in her life, ever. She laughed open-heartedly, the sound no longer foreign to her ears. Jamie and Sophia had brought plenty of happiness into her life already.

A pang rang through her as she realised, how could she leave them behind?

"Come on, lassie, I have to show you off. How old did you say you were, again?"

"I am almost 18, and my name is not lassie. It's Claire."

"Huh, I would cap it at 16, you're older than I thought. Mama never tell you I was not real?"

Claire huffed, taking a step back. She had to get back to her newfound family. She couldn't leave them without notice.

"My mama," the words came out acid-laced, "never told me a thing."

"Why?"

"Because…" her words faded. How could she tell someone so happy something like that?

"My mom is waiting for me at home." She said instead. "I need to go."

"But you must come with me, you are a marvel!"

"No. I can't. I just started believing in you last night anyway."

North's face visibly fell.

"Your papa never tell you bedtime stories?" He inquired carefully, and Claire turned away from him.

"I need to go. I am sorry."

She turned and started walking away. North reached out and brushed her back.

"I will bring you back. I just want you to meet some people. If you believe in them, that is." He chuckled drily.

Claire stopped in her tracks. "What do you mean others?"

"I mean, the Easter bunny, and the tooth fairy and sandman and, and," he sputtered, "there are more of us! Do you believe?"

Her heart was in her mouth. She wanted to meet them.

I will bring you back.

"Yes, I do believe."

It was the second time that day Claire was sneaking about the Bennet's house, this time trying to locate a piece of paper and a pen.

She settled for a note scribbled on the back of Jamie's drawing.

Hello James,

I have to go for a few days. You will not believe this, but someone very special is waiting for me. I hope you will wait for me too. I will be back very soon. Give Sophie a hug from me.

Don't forget me,

Claire.

A/N:

Lmao hi. Is anyone still reading this? I will be truly surprised if yes. I am just writing it for my own pleasure at this point haha.

Well, R&R :")