Chapter Nineteen

Later that night, their parents have already been up and thought the children were tucked in bed, with visions of sugarplums and well, you get it. The children, wide awake, of course, were talking in whispers just in case Santa heard they were still awake and didn't stop.

"What did you ask Santa for, Spike?" Elliott, Collie and Spike are lying on the floor when Elliott, hesitantly, asks the question.

"No such thing as Santa Claus! My dad says he's just a fig – fig."

Elliott says seriously, "Figment of your imagination. But I think he's wrong."

"Why, Ell?"

"Well, I've got something to tell you both and I don't want you to get mad. Promise, Red?"

"Oh, okay. Is it about Santa and our presents?"

"Sorta. You know how we found Tor and those other cavemen guys today and brought them home?"

Spike pipes up. "I sure do. My dad and your dad worked for hours trimming their beards and stuff. He even said they ran out of shampoo and had to call around to find clothes to fit them."

"Okay. So what about them, Ell?"

"Well, they've never had Christmas before and so I thought, since we have so much, and they don't…"

A wail came out of the young girl. Spike's eyes just got huge and then he gave a big smile.

"It's okay, Collie, I'll share some of my stuff. Ell, I'm glad you did. You became Santa. That was really nice of you."

"Now, Red, you promised not to get mad. Now stop the theatrics or so help me I'll tell Dad that you plan to kidnap that rescue dog."

"Suzy. She loves me. She wants to live here, really she does, Ell. Oh, alright. You didn't happen to save anything back, did you?"

"Nope. But I … hey, what's that sound?"

Round-eyed, all three creep down the stairs in time to see the most wondrous thing of the entire unbelievable day.

All the Norsemen are down by the tree, quietly putting their presents back and adding small pieces of carved bone, knives and other personal items before leaving.

But there's that noise again. It sounds like bells, and then a laugh. The children inch closer just in time to see Santa Claus appear. He sees them and puts his finger to his lips for quiet. But it is impossible for them, they must giggle. In an instant, he has added to the presents under the tree, filled the stockings, even the new XXXL ones for the Vikings, and then just before leaving, he smiles at them again and is gone.

"Santa, come back." Says Collie. "You've forgotten your sack. Hey, this thing's moving." But he hasn't forgotten it. And the names of all three are on the outside of the wiggling bag. A quick rip and she's got it open where a German Shepherd puppy comes tumbling out and licks her face.

"Dearest Elliott, Colleen and Charles, I am so proud of you for what you and your parents have done today. Her name is Faith. Take good care of her! She'll be a great friend and when she's old enough, she can join the Mountain Rescue team. Merry Christmas, Santa.

P.S. Tell Josef I am so not a figment of imagination any more than vampires are!"