Santa Clause, Human Clause Chapter 10

Author's note. From here on there will be brief looks at Bernard during his years in the mortal world.

Scene 1: January 2004th.

Bernard was back at the pole after his brief stay with the Millers. Doctor Edward re-evaluated Bernard and found him much calmer than previously.

He and the other affected left on the January 14th trip out into the mortal world. Santa and Mrs. Claus was pleased with the Bernard's progress and decided to send him out with the two youngest elves in the group. Nine year old Mason and eight hundred year old Beth.

"Okay Bernard. This is the cover story. All of your elf cards should have the name Calvin added to your names. You are Bernard, Mason, and Beth Calvin who have been adopted by Scott Calvin, a toy maker out of Canada. You have been sent out into the world by Mr. Calvin to expand your horizons. Mrs. Davis, a nanny has been hired for Beth and Mason. Her husband, Mr. Davis has been hired to be you guys teacher." The three elves groaned.

"Sorry can't be helped. There are school laws that even Santa has to follow." Mrs. Claus said.

"We will check in with you on March 15, and June 15th, and September 15, this year."

Scene 2: June 2004

The year 2004 was passing quickly for the elves at the North Pole. June 1st came which meant the Christmas Rush was on its way.

Abby appeared with cocoa.

"Santa. I have some more of that rich cocoa that you like." She smiled.

"The last time you pulled that. Charlie was on the list. He on the list again isn't he."

Abby saw Curtis entering the room. She whispered to Santa. "It is not Charlie. Its Bernard."

"Bernard!" He exclaimed shocked.

"Curtis go find Mrs. Claus. Tell her our June 15th meeting with Bernard, Mason, and Beth have been moved up. We are leaving right now."

Bernard laid under the covers in his bedroom. His whole body ached.

He had made several friends on the block during the last six months. Joe and Leroy Nixon, eighteen and nineteen year old brothers where two such friends. They had invited him to a party on the beach. Of course he said yes. It seemed like a good idea at the time. He held his aching head in his arms and was beginning to have second doubts. A knock on his bedroom door caused him to pull his pillow over his head.

He heard the knocking again. "Bernard, Its Beth. Dad and Mom are here for the three month checkup. They are down in the den. They want to speak to you."

Bernard recognized the code word Mom and Dad for Santa and Mrs. Claus. ' They're early for the checkup. That means one thing. I'm in trouble.'

"Beth, Tell them I will be down in a few minutes."

Bernard walked to his bathroom and splashed water in his face. He changed his shirt and pants then went down to the den.

He entered the room and placed a smile on his face. "Hey guys. How's it going?" he asked.

Scott just stared at him. "You tell us. You tell us how your name ended up on the Naughty list."

"It did. My name. Oh Well. You see. A couple of my new friends, Joe and Leroy, invited me to a party on the beach. It seemed harmless. Something called a kegger. I had a few drinks of what is known as beer. I felt good last night but I don't feel so good right now. Must have been something I ate there." Replied the elf putting his head into his hands.

Carol shook her head. "I believe it was something more on what you had to drink. O Bernard. You got drunk, last night."

"You can get drunk from beer. I didn't realize. I guess I'm in really in trouble."

Scott nodded. "Yes you are. I am going to tell the Davis's that you are grounded until our next checkup on September 15th. By the way, scratch the Nixon boys from your list of friends. They been on the Naughty list for the past eight years."

"I'm sorry boss. I won't do it again."

"I know you are. But your still grounded. Which means that you can't leave the house unless its for a good reason."

Scene 3: March 15th, 2005th.

Scott, Carol, Bernard, Mason, and Beth were having dinner on the backyard patio after their most recent checkup. The Davis's had been allowed a two day vacation. Mason turned out to be an excellent chef and learned to love watching the food network on cable. 'I guess when we get back to the pole, he'll want to transfer to chef's department.' mused Scott.

"Scott do you see that big bird in the backyard. Its keeps walking out there. It has something on caught on one of its legs."

Bernard stared at the bird. "That's a stork. It's a note that tied to its leg. It has a message for one of us."

Bernard moved over to the stork and tossed it a piece of his tuna filet. The stork accepted it then held up his leg. He untied the note from the stork and thanked it. He read the name on the note and smiled.

"Hey big guy. This note is for you and the misses." he exclaimed.

Scott took the note that Bernard handed him. "Bernard, why would a stork be sending us a note. It doesn't make sense."

"Storks have send notes to married elves all the time Santa. Makes perfect sense to me." He grinned back at his boss.

Scott and Carol opened the envelope that was addressed to Santa and Mrs. Claus. They gasped. The note read as follows.

"This is to inform you that you are to expecting a baby. Expect the said baby between December 15th and December 31'st."

"We're going to have a baby. Bernard is the stork going to leave in under a cabbage leave. Or what."

Bernard laughed. "No sir. It will happen the normal way. The storks are just the ones who informs the elf parents that they are expecting. They also send the notes to the legendary figures. I believe this is the first time I've seen Santa and Mrs. Claus get one of the announcements. Congratulations. You are going to be parents."

Scene 4: December 24th 2006.

Bernard tossed and turned all night with nightmare visions of Jack Frost ruining Christmas. He jumped out of bed and stared at the clock on the wall. Still a few minutes to midnight. His breathing became erratic. This is not right. It was only a nightmare. He tried to shake it off and go to bed but was interruptedby a knock on the door. Beth and Mason both came in trembling.

"We've had nightmares Bernard. There was a different Santa. It was awful."

Bernard frowned as he heard the news. "You two go onto sleep. I'll wait for Santa."

Bernard found himself dozing on the living room couch. He felt a small hand shaking him.

"Beth I told you to go to bed."

"I'm not Beth. I'm Lucy Miller. Uncle Scott is putting Beth and Mason's presents under the tree. He can't put yours under there because you are not in your bed."

Santa came over. "Something wrong with your bed, Bernard. "

"I had a bad dream about Jack Frost. He was trying to take over Christmas. Beth and Mason had similar dreams as mine. I decided to wait up for you."

"Jack did try to take over Christmas but he was stopped by a young girl's hug. Frost has been defrosted. Now go to bed."

"Yes Boss." said the elf as he headed back upstairs.

Scott bent down and chuckled as he placed Bernard's present under the tree.

Scene 5: February 29th 2008th.

Bernard was busy working at his part time job at the local hospital. He enjoyed entertaining the sick kids with coin tricks and magic tricks. The kids loved him for they knew that he was in fact one of Santa's elf even though the nurses on the floor didn't.

"Hey Bernard. Mrs. Davis is on the line for you. Its something about Mason's ears. She quite hysterical." said Nurse Rivers.

Bernard smiled as he took the phone. "I'll be home in a few minutes. Its all right Mrs. Davis." Bernard reached up to his one of his own ears and felt the points on his ears too.

Bernard arrived and went upstairs to Mason's bedroom. The boy smiled at up from under several blankets. "Look at his ears. They're pointed. I need to get in contact with Mr. Calvin right away!" Exclaimed an excitable Mrs. Davis.

"Don't worry. I've written Dad a letter informing him of the problem. He should be on his way right now. He'll explain everything once he gets here." smiled Bernard.

The doorbell rang twenty minutes later. Mr. Davis & Mrs. Davis opened the door and was shocked to see Scott Calvin standing there in a Santa Claus outfit.

"Mr. Calvin & Mrs. Calvin. How did you get here so fast. That Boy, Bernard, just wrote you."

"Um I flew. Guys. You have done an excellent job taking care of the kids. I've decided to take them back with me to the toy factory. Here's your check for payment for you and the Mrs. Davis for all services rendered. I've even included a nice bonus that you should find also satisfactory. It is a Christmas present Leo. I'm just late in delivering it. "

Leo Davis & Doris Davis looked down at the check and deed to the house in his hands. "You're giving us this house. I don't even know you."

"You know me Leo. I'm Santa. Bernard, Mason, and Beth, are some of my elves. I know that its has been a wish for you every Christmas to have a house large enough for your daughter and granddaughter, Jennifer to visit. It has also been Jennifer's Christmas wish too. "

Leo opened the door. He stared at the sleigh and eight reindeer standing in the yard. There was also a group of other boys and girls with pointed ears seated in the back. "You're really Santa aren't you."

"Yes I am."

Bernard came running down with several pieces of luggage. Beth and Mason were right behind him. "Santa. I've packed all of our bags. Do you want me to put them on the sleigh."

"Yes. Get yourselves out into the sleigh. Judy and the rest of the gang are waiting. You're vacation time here has come to an end, My Arch Elf." Scott said. He placed an old black beret on Bernard's head. He gave him the arch elf watch back.

"Yes sir." grinned Bernard as he put the watch back on his wrist.

The end