Chapter 1
"And after lunch, we're going to see Santa Claus," Noel Evens Sparks told her three-year-old son.
Teresa Lisbon groaned and took a sip of her lukewarm coffee. "Don't tell me that you're brain-washing Cadet."
"I'm notbrainwashing Cadet!" Noel replied. "Santa's real, I saw him Reese."
"That wasn't Santa Claus, that was just a man that the mall hired to play him. He's just a myth."
"I promise, I saw him!" Noel said. "It was Christmas Eve, and I was sixteen. I went downstairs to get a glass of milk because I couldn't sleep and—"
"There was a man in your living room," Lisbon finished for her.
"And a roomful of presents," Noel added.
"El, that was your father."
"NoTeresa! We had a tough year finacially, remember? All my parents were able to afford were sweaters!" She insisted. "You're just jaded because you didn't get that boyfriend when you were thirteen."
"Oh brother. . ."
But Noel was saved from further lecture from her best friend by the arrival of Lisbon's consultant, Patrick Jane.
"I brought fresh coffee," he said, offering Lisbon a mug with steam coming off it. "Oh. . . hey Noel! You brought Cadet today!"
"Patrick," Noel replied with a smile.
"Thanks Jane," Lisbon said, taking a sip of the drink he had brought her.
"So. . . you two have plans for this afternoon?"
Jane's question was geared towards Lisbon, but Noel jumped in and answered for her.
"We're going to grab a bite to eat and take Cadet to see Santa Claus." She smiled slyly. "Do you want to come?"
"No. . . he doesn't!" Lisbon answered immediately. "Noel. . . what would Brian say if you had lunch with another man?"
Noel smirked. "He wouldn't mind."
"Sorry, but I'm going to have to bow out of this one Noel," Jane said. "But maybe next time. See you when you get back Lisbon."
"Have you thought about—" Noel started when Jane had left.
"NO!" Lisbon answered empathetically.
"Oh come on!" Noel pushed. "You just got out of that bad relationship with—"
"Exactly!" Lisbon said, putting her jacket on. "I'm just not in the mood for another bad relationship right now."
Noel looked like she wanted to say something, but she refrained from doing so, and followed Lisbon to the elevator.
.
"Hey Reese, doesn't that Santa Claus look an awful lot like that Santa we saw when we were thirteen?" Noel asked.
"No," Lisbon replied. "That man is probably a retiree in Florida by now."
"Yeah, but the similarities are pretty amazing. . . don't you think?"
"For pity's sake Noel, you're going to be thirty-nine. . . don't you think you should stop with the garbage?"
Noel looked like she wanted to reply, but it was Cadet's turn in line. So, she went up with him and didn't look at her best friend.
Lisbon scooted off to the side while Noel interpreted for Cadet what he wanted for Christmas. And then, something strange happened. If Lisbon lived to be a hundred years old, she was sure that she'd never be able to explain it.
The mall Santa looked directly at her and said, "I still remember what you asked for dear. And one day soon, you're going to get it."
"Whatwasthat!" Noel asked as she joined Lisbon again.
She shrugged. "Must be a case of mistaken identity."
"Must be. . ." Noel trailed off and looked over at the Santa Claus again.
"I know what you're thinking El, and it's most definitely not the Santa from twenty-six years ago," Lisbon said.
Noel rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'm dropping it then."
"Good," Lisbon replied.
"I still believe that Santa Claus is real though."
This time Lisbon smiled at her friend affectionately. "I know."
.
"Yes James, I'll be at the airport. . . no, I won't be late." Lisbon paused for a minute and listened as her brother rambled on about something. "I'm bringing a friend to help—"
"Hey Lisbon!" Jane said brightly as he came into her office.
Lisbon sighed in relief. "Listen Jim, I have to go, somebody just came in. Okay, I'll see you in two days. I love you too, bye."
"The pizza's here, are you coming?" He asked.
"Pizza?" Lisbon asked. "But we didn't have any cases today."
"No," Jane said. "Impromptu Christmas party, courtesy of Rigsby and Cho."
"I'm coming." She shut her computer screen off. "Hey Jane, could I ask a huge favor?"
"Of course," Jane answered, smiling at her.
"Well, I'm going to need to help picking my brothers and their families up on Friday—"
"Are you sure you want me helping out?" Jane asked, genuinely surprised.
"Annie's coming. . ."
Jane considered this for a moment. "You're sure you wouldn't rather ask Noel to help?"
"Noel's family is coming in tomorrow," she answered. "Please Jane. . . I never ask you for anything—"
"Because you're afraid that I'm going to embarrass you."
"Is that a no?" Lisbon asked, her face falling an inch.
"No," Jane answered, unable to resist her pout. "I'll do it. . . what time should I meet you?"
Lisbon gave him the information he needed, and he was just finishing writing it out when Rigsby stuck his head in the door with a goofy grin.
"If you two are done making out in here, you better hurry up and come to the bull pen. The pizza's getting cold."
"We'll be right there," Jane replied, refusing to acknowledge Rigsby's makingout comment with a response. He pocketed the slip of paper, blissfully unaware of what he was getting himself into exactly when he agreed to help Lisbon out that weekend.
TBC. . .
Author's Note:
I don't know if this a cliff-hanger exactly, but I hope it has you interested. Just a few things, this story will mostly be fluffy with the predictably cliché Hallmark story line. I did get this idea from an actual Hallmark movie with the same title/idea. I know it won't follow the movie to the T. I'll just have to see for myself if the Hallmark channel airs "a Boyfriend For Christmas" this holiday season. But right now. . . I'm just fooling around with ideas.
It's the same old, same old. If you liked this (or not), please drop a line. I love feedback of all kind. Just put the flames in a nice way. . . if that makes any sense.
Until Next Time,
Holly October 24th, 2011_