Chapter 2: Family

Christmas 5:30 A.M. North Pole

Arthur stood in front of the podium as the entire population of elves stood cheering and clapping. Bryony was on his right with a very calm Steve and his parents and Grandsanta were smiling proudly on his left. He had successfully completed his third year as Santa and not a child had been left behind- he had checked and double-checked. Everything seemed happier and merrier down in the North Pole- especially his family. They had even beaten him at their traditional after-dinner board game- Steve singing all of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer backwards!

Afterwards he managed to catch up to his brother as he left to turn in for the night. "Steve! Steve!"

"Shut the door Arthur." He was always forgetting that! He closed the door and skidded next to his brother. "You did a superb job tonight. Dad's beyond proud of you… and I am too." Steve placed a hand on his brother's shoulder and Arthur smiled.

"I couldn't have done it without you though. You were just as good if not even better. You'll always make a good candle." His face fell. "But I wanted to apologize for the incident in Chicago-"

"Arthur, don't worry about it. Remember, we accounted for this sort of thing. It can't be helped sometimes. Even Dad got into mishaps sometimes."

"I know. I'm just trying to be the best Santa the kids can have."

"Well, you've taught one thing. That isn't in getting through the night perfectly. It's in making sure all the Gwen's receive their bikes."

"You remembered her name!"

"Of course I did. Now I best start prep for next year. I'm sure you'll do even better- especially with Bryony. She's probably the best Elf Assistant a Santa's had."

"Trust me, I know." Steve began to walk towards his room when Arthur remembered his other reason for going after his brother. "Steve! I put your Christmas present in your room! You're going to love it!"

"I'm sure I will. Thank you Arthur." And with that his brother vanished around the corner. Arthur decided it would probably be best to rest a little and then set about getting Molly the present he owed her. Maybe he could cheer her up a little.

"I don't think I've ever seen him happier." Arthur smiled as his mom materialized next to him. "Or your father for that matter. He wrapped my Christmas present himself this year- online gift-wrapping course. Today's the seventy-fifth anniversary of the day we met, you know."

"That's right. He fell out of the sleigh one year just a few before he took over from Grandsanta."

"He fell right into my back-yard. I lived with my parents and we were hosting our usual extravagant Christmas celebration. I was always in love with Christmas. Well, I look out the window and see this man in the snow. I went to run out to him, but then I saw it. The sleigh came back for him as I silently watched from my window. I ran down as he climbed back in and looked at me. That was all it took. I knew I was going to marry Santa. At noon that Christmas Day the sleigh returned and he was alone. He asked me to come with him to the North Pole. My parents gave their blessing and I never looked back."

"Why'd you go Mom? You gave up everything to follow a man who might be Santa to what might be the North Pole."

"I can't really explain it to you Arthur. Some part of me just knew. You'll know one day when fate lands you in the back-yard of some special girl. Then I can finally get some grand-children." Arthur felt himself blush as his mother laughed.

"How do I know I'll find her?"

"You will. Destiny has a way picking the moments. She's out in the world right now- full of as much Christmas spirit and cheer and love as you are."

Christmas 6:30 A.M. Chicago Apartment

Molly had officially decided sleep was far too over-rated. She had managed to catch up on a few hours before deciding it was much more important to finish up her work. She had been on her third cup of coffee for the day when there was a knocking at her door.

It was her neighbors from across the hall. They always invited her to come to their huge family dinner- well aware she spent the holiday locked up in her apartment with client folders and testimonies. She always politely refused but there was no guaranteeing her mood today so she thought better than to risk it. Instead she let them leave thinking she may finally have found someone to be with for Christmas.

Not that she had anyone. She hadn't even considered contacting her brother for a good amount of years and didn't even want to consider the complicated mess that was her parents. She tried to keep herself distant from her colleagues and had no activities outside of work that could earn her friends. All she had and all she needed was her work.

She ran her hands through her long, curly red hair in frustration and prepared her forth cup. She felt her mind again drift to the stranger on the lights. How had he gotten up there in the first place? Why was he up there? Why was she still thinking about him? He was probably a petty thief trying to break in. She should've called the police.

Her phone! She realized in that moment she had dropped it in the snow when the idiot had fallen on top of her. That phone had everything on it. She quickly threw on her clothes and drove out to the place.

She couldn't help but be confused as she exited. It was like the whole thing had never happened- no prints, the lights were strung as they were before, and her phone was nowhere in sight. What was going on?

Christmas 3:40 P.M. Mail Room, North Pole

Arthur dug his way through the folders upon folders in the enormous file drawer opened in front of him. After a long rest he had set about asking an elf for a new model of the phone he had broken. Now he had to find her. The letters were stored for years until new room had to be made so there was only a small chance she was still in here.

Scrooge, Molly! Luck was on his side! He pulled out a thin folder and smiled at the photo of a child paper-clipped to the front. She was adorable when she was little. He opened the folder to find a single letter. That was odd. Usually a child logged at least seven before they grew too old to write. He felt bad invading her personal life but couldn't stop himself from reading the lone letter.

Dear Santa,

It has been a pretty tough year for Michael and me. He insists it's pointless to write to you since you're not real but I know he has to be wrong. I also know only you can help me with my Christmas wish this year.

They took Mommy and Daddy away from us and put us with Aunt Molly. She doesn't like us and smells funny. Michael says we can't go home though because of what happened. But I know you can get us home. You can do anything. I believe in you Santa.

Molly Scrooge

P.S. If I get a second wish, change my last name. I get picked on a lot for it.

A wish Santa could never grant. Arthur had handled a few of these back in his mail room days and had tried to explain the situation with the most delicate care imaginable. He wondered if Molly was treated the same way. He thought he couldn't feel sadder for her but now his heart went out for her even more. Was this the point she began to hate Christmas?

Arthur looked up her current address and scribbled it down. Not only was he determined to make up for the phone, but now he was going to see if he could bring a little cheer back into her Christmas Day. Everyone deserved feel like people cared about them on Christmas- especially Santa.