I whirl around to see an elf with his hands on his sides looking between Dad and the other elf with a sharp look.
He looks to be six inches taller than me, tall compared to the other elves. His hair is medium-length, dark brown, and in braids. He's wearing a red and gold striped tunic that makes his fair skin glow, dark brown trousers, and a forest green velvet hat with a ribbon on the hem. His bell chain necklace stands out to me and the various others he's wearing.
Dad quickly snaps back "She is." Dad points to the elf at the same time she says "He is." The taller elf begins to scold the smaller one for being on a break she didn't have. I take this opportunity to observe his face.
His freckles are littered across his nose and rosy cheeks, pointy ears as well. What catches me off guard were his eyes. They are a beautiful shade of chocolate brown.
I'm forced out of my thoughts by Dad "Take it easy on her, will ya? Who are you?" still looking down at the tall elf "I'm Bernard. Nice to meet ya, Santa." He says standing up straighter looking Dad up and down.
So Bernard is his name? Not what I was expecting, it suits him. He turns his attention on me with a kind face and a half-smile. "Who are you?" He questions. Realizing I'm still in a daze, I return the smile and stretch my hand out to him "Hi I'm Aria Calvin, Scot- erm Santa's daughter." I laugh nervously not knowing what to call Dad.
He grabs my hand softly, shaking it holding eye contact with me. "Nice to meet you, I'm Bernard the head elf." He releases my hand and turns back to Dad and begins walking away.
Dad and I begin to run after him out of the room "I'm not Santa! I've had a rough night. There have been dogs barkin', guns goin' off. Look, my back's killin' me. Have you ever tried to shove a sea kayak down a chimney!" I smack him in the arm giving him a look that screamed 'Shut up!'.
Bernard suddenly stops in the middle of the hallway in front of golden doors titled 'Ballroom' and I could quite literally see balls bouncing everywhere. "Can I get you a drink?" He asks Dad and me.
"That'd be great" I reply with a smile but Dad shoots him down. "No, I don't want a drink." I roll my eyes at him and give Bernard a sympathetic look. I hear the tapping of feet behind me, I look to see Charlie approaching. "I'm thirsty and hungry too." He smiles overhearing Bernard's question.
"Who's this?" Bernard asks me with a smile looking between Charlie and me. I grab Charlie by the shoulders bringing him to stand in front of me "This is Charlie, my younger brother." I smile back.
He sinks to Charlie's level. "Hey, you know what. I got somethin' for you." He reaches into his brown side bag and pulls out a snow globe. "Okay, now hold out your hand, all right?" Charlie reaches out his hands gently. "Now, be very careful. This is very old, just like me." He softly places it in Charlie's hands.
I lean down to look into the snow globe with Charlie to see the reindeer and sleigh glide over the small town. "Woah" I whisper looking up at Bernard. "Why don't you, uh, hold onto it for me for a while." He insists on Charlie.
Charlie's face lights up "I promise I'll take real good care of it." He beams not taking his eyes off the globe. I mouth the words 'Thank you' to Bernard. Thankful to him for bringing joy to Charlie. He gives me a knowing smile and whispers "You're welcome" under his breath with a wide smile.
Dad steps between us and puts his back towards me. "Bernard. Can we take a direct flight back to reality, or do we have to change planes in Denver?" Dad shoves in ruining the moment. Bernard's face drops and he turns to an elf walking by "Uh, Larry, take Charlie and Aria here and get them some chow." Larry nods in acknowledgment and starts walking away.
Charlie wastes no time and begins to run off towards him and I turn to Bernard giving him a shy wave before running to catch up with Charlie.
I moan as I bite into my fifth sugar cookie. Charlie and I are in a grand kitchen. It looks similar to the room we arrived in but it feels more like home. The walls are a warm tan and gold with gingerbreads lining the top. The bronze oven in the center of the room is ginormous, I have never seen one so big. Decorated treats cover the walls and red and green spiral poles support the ceiling. I'm sitting at a wooden table in green chairs with Charlie and Larry eating.
"Wow, these cookies are amazing! Don't even get me started on the hot chocolate whoever makes this is a miracle worker!" I say to Larry still absolutely overwhelmed by it all.
He tilts his head to the right with a sly smirk "That would be J-". He gets cut off by a voice next to me. "Judy. That would be me!" I turn to my left to see an elf. She has long brunette hair with bangs and sparkles covering her cheeks. Her dress is a warm red with white fur lining the top and bottom.
I instantly reached out my hand to her "I'm Aria Calvin Sant-" She cuts me off.
"Santa's daughter? I've already heard all about you." She smiles. I get up from my seat now finished with my food. "You're really to the point aren't you?" I joke. Charlie jumps up from the other side of the table and walks to Judy and me. "You made the hot chocolate? It was so good!" He drags out.
"The secret is shaken not stirred." She winks at Charlie. I suddenly remember I haven't seen Dad in a while. "You don't happen to know where my dad has gone off to do you? Last I saw him he was with Bernard?" I question.
She gives a small wave of her hand. "Don't worry I just got him settled in his room. I'm here to take you to your room and Charlie will be staying with Santa." She gestures to me to follow her out of the kitchen.
Charlie and I follow her down a hallway lined with massive candy canes. We stop at a large glass stained door. "Here is your stop Charlie, Santa is in there." She smiles opening the smallest door for him.
He quickly flashes her a smile and a soft 'thanks Judy' and gives me a quick hug goodnight before running in. Judy shuts the door behind her. We continue our way down the hallway in comfortable silence. We stop a few doors down at a blue and white door. "Here is your room." She beams as she opens the door to let me in. I take a few steps in when my breath hitches. "Wow. I don't know what to say…this is beautiful."
The walls are light red with small snowflakes, giving it the illusion of it snowing. A grey stone fireplace on the left takes up most of the wall. Surrounding the fireplace are two white couches with embedded snowflakes on the cover. The floors are a glossy white that reflects the large chandelier in the center of the room. The king-sized bed facing the fireplace has red and white sheets taking up most of the room on the right.
What catches my eye the quickest is the balcony. In a daze, I slowly approach the glass doors and open them. I lean on the gold railing and observe the northern lights. Below I can see elves leaving the factory. Some are dragging each other through the snow on sleds and their laughter is contagious. Small buildings line the surrounding area.
Remembering that Judy is still standing in the doorway I turn away to look at her "This is real isn't it?" I feel tears threatening to spill. She gives me a thoughtful smile still standing in the doorway. "Seeing isn't believing: believing is seeing."
I feel a smile come to my face. "Thank you, Judy." She walks into the room to a cherrywood dresser. She reaches into a draw and pulls out some clothes "Here are your pajamas." She walks over and places them on the bed. "Well, you should get some rest. Goodnight Aria." She walks back to the door and softly closes it without looking back.
I close the glass doors and walk over grabbing my pajamas and pull them on. The nightgown is long sleeve, silky navy blue, and just reached my knees, quite comfortable.
I crawl into bed realizing how exhausted I was with how fast my mind is running. I grab the fluffy comforter and pull it up to my chin closing my eyes.
Sleep never found me. I have been tossing around, my mind is racing.
Santa. My dad is Santa Claus. But how? Everything changed so fast. I'm afraid that this is all a dream. It feels like a dream come true and a nightmare. I don't know what to believe anymore. I mean the North Pole is truly magical but nothing will ever be the same.
I huff and whip the blanket off of me stepping out of bed and put my now dry slippers on. I open my door hoping to find my way to the kitchen again and not get lost.
Tiptoeing down the hall I open a large glass door only to find a very large room. The factory. I walk to the grand stairs and go halfway down and sit down on the staircase leaning my head on the gold railing beside me.
It was quiet. The workstations were empty and the machines were silent. The Christmas music is now off making small ticking noises echo off the walls. I silently play with the sleeve of my gown just observing. I hear the quiet jingle of bells coming from behind me. Must be an elf working late, I brush it off and stay in my thoughts.
I hear the person stop next to me. I look to my right to see Bernard slowly lowering himself to sit "Hello Aria, it's quite late isn't it." He smiles turning to face me placing his hands in his lap. "Nothing is better than a midnight walk Bernard." I softly smile back.