Chapter 8: Santa Claus

April 28th 10:30 P.M. Chicago Apartment

Molly couldn't remember exactly when she came to her senses enough to grab her coat and shoes, but soon enough she found herself in front of the Human Resources door at her work. The light peeked out from under the door as she gathered the nerve to enter. She didn't know what words were going to come flying out when she saw him, but she knew he wouldn't believe her. Who would? It was completely insane!

She opened the door only to be greeted by a site that boiled her frozen blood over. She slammed the door shut and stormed back for her car- expletives streaming from her mouth. He caught up to her as she opened her door. "Molly, it wasn't-"

"No, no this is great. This is perfect. Let's face it- our relationship sucked! We both were just using each other to feel something. And I can't speak for both of us but I didn't feel a thing the entire time. I thought that meant I was going to end up stuck with you numb and cold my entire life! And I was going to accept that because it was better than being alone! But now I know it's you! So enjoy sleeping with the copy girl because from now on I'm going to sleep with someone who makes me feel at least a little something! I apologize if that was cold though. I really do. But, hey, that was just this whole thing we had going for us." She promptly slammed the door and gunned it home.

How could she have been so stupid? How could she have put up with that? Why had she even- thank God for Arthur! Without him she'd still be here downing wine alone while her miserable boyfriend and the copy girl enjoyed one another's company. And then he'd come home and she'd- oh God!

Then the real scary thoughts came. She had for a fleeting moment considered taking him back when he ran after her. It had actually crossed her mind, but then Arthur had crossed her mind. If Arthur had been her boyfriend he would have treated her right. He would have brought her cookies and taken her ice-skating and given her his entire heart because that was the kind of guy he was. Sure, he had flaws but Stuart had cheated on her. Not that Arthur Christmas would ever like the like of Molly Scrooge like that. Then again she didn't want him to- it would make thing even more convoluted than they were now. Then it hit her. Arthur had helped her realize something when he came to her door to apologize even though she'd thrown things at him and he had told her a huge secret to prove that he had never abandoned her. She deserved better. Molly Scrooge deserved to be happy.

Then came the tapping on her door. She knew who it was and leaned against it. "That wasn't very much time."

"I wasn't sure how long you meant, so I flew around the world once. I can go do it-"she opened the door and gestured for him to enter.

"Can I get you a coffee?" He smiled and she couldn't help but giggle.

"I told you that you'd laugh about it one day." He took a seat on her couch. "How have you been doing- partner and boyfriend and all that good stuff?"

"I've just been working, and there is no boyfriend. It was just something I don't care to reflect on at the moment when I have a mythical being in my midst."

"I'm actually not anything special."

"Arthur, you're Santa Claus. You've been delivering toys for thousands of years-"

"No, I've only been doing it for four. My father did it for seventy-four and so on and so forth all the way back to Saint Nicholas."

"But you said I wrote that letter to you?"

"You did. I learned that Santa isn't one specific person- my father or my brother or even my Grandsanta-"Molly opened her mouth but let it go, "-Santa is the person who delivers the gift. It doesn't matter who actually does it as long as they believe Santa cares about them and remembers them. So you wrote to the idea of Santa… if that makes any sense."

"No, I understand it perfectly. I mean, no one sees him. A girl could be Santa and no one would know any different!" She tried to reign in her excitement. She was getting a little carried away. But I guess she was entitled. Her best friend was Santa Claus.

May 9th 9:37 A.M. Chicago Law Firm

"You have that many elves?" Molly asked in disbelief. Arthur smiled at her from across her desk in her office. Steve had managed to work out some time for him to pay his friend another visit. He had tried to work it out so it was a least a semi-consistent schedule. And she was always ready with a new question.

It felt really good to have Molly back as a friend. And recently he'd felt the layers of wrapping paper were starting to fall fast and furious. She smiled around him a lot more and laughed quite a few times each meeting. She was growing comfortable and that meant the world to Arthur.

Steve had understood when he'd told him the entire story, even though he had on this funny expression like he knew something more. Arthur had apologized and begged but Steve told him he knew Arthur had no other choice than break her heart and that very well couldn't happen. Arthur was glad Steve was so happy now because it made him happier just seeing him.

They had decided to keep the whole thing under wraps from the rest of the family who were far more traditional in their views of Santa. Bryony and Steve would do whatever they could to cover for him on three very important conditions:

One, Arthur got his job done. That one wasn't even remotely a problem. He loved it just as much as ever! Two, it had to be limited to twice or three times a week. He didn't care for this one but Molly had agreed that if he kept sneaking off it just put more pressure on Bryony and Steve- the last thing he wanted to do. And three, she had to agree to keep everything secret.

Her response: "Like I'm going to go around spouting that my secret best friend Arthur Christmas is Santa Claus. They'd lock me up." Steve and Bryony couldn't argue with her logic.

"I mean when I watched Rudolph as a kid there was like thirty at the most."

"How would we keep everything up and running with thirty elves?" He couldn't help but laugh at the idea. "That wouldn't even provide Christmas to Chicago." He saw she couldn't help but laugh as well.

"How do all the toys fit in the sleigh?"

"If by sleigh you mean the EVIE-"

"EVIE?"

"She's named after the very first Christmas sled. I rode in her once. I'm absolutely terrified of heights, but-"

"I am too! How do you manage every year?"

"I don't look down." There is was again- her laughter. He was starting to think it was becoming his favorite sound after when she said his name.

May 15th 10:05 A.M. Chicago Apartment

Molly was extremely bored. It was Sunday which meant she technically wasn't supposed to work. She glanced at her calendar which had Wednesday and Friday circled- one in green and the other in red. He wasn't visiting her for another three days.

She took a moment before climbing up into her closet and pulling down a box from when she was really little. It had been for a project at school- bring in your favorite things. Inside were a few pictures, some gum, and what she had been looking for- a VHS copy of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. "I haven't watched this in forever," she whispered to herself. Part of her whispered it was May, but she decided screw it.

The movie reminded her of Arthur in a lot of ways- the Who's not the Grinch. The way he just seemed to embody the spirit of the season. Recently, it had almost been contagious. Not that she was a convert yet… the music was still awful. But maybe she had become a believer in Arthur Christmas.

Yeah, a lot of times she panicked to herself about how close she was letting him get. But part of her kept coaxing that small voice that he would never intentionally hurt her or let her down. He was Santa Claus after all- pretty good track record.

At least now she wouldn't end up alone or even worse with Stuart. She'd always have Arthur Christmas as a best friend. And that filled her with more cheer and happiness than anything else.

May 22nd 10:15 A.M. Ice Arena

"Okay, you can let go."

"Are you sure?"

"Arthur, let go." He immediately released her hand and watched her glide across the ice until she reached a bar. She turned back and bowed for him as he clapped. He skated up to her. "Well, I believe that's what we call progress."

"You're a natural." She hit his arm lightly. Her red hair had been recently cut to her shoulders and was even redder than before. He wished he could actually see her one time, but maybe she'd realize eventually that as pretty as she looked like that the real Molly Scrooge was even better.

"I bet I can beat you in a race!" she shouted, sprinting off across the ice. He watched her for a moment before pulling himself back in and taking off after her. He was about to pass her when he lost his balance and sent both of them sliding across the ice.

"I'm so sorry. I'm such a klutz. I-"

She shrugged as he pulled her off. "I see you had to cheat to win Mr. Christmas. Now my butt really hurts so I'm injured but next time we will have a fair fight and I will destroy you." He looked at her a long moment before smiling.

"You're sure about that? If there's one thing there's a lot of where I'm from its ice and I've skated before I could walk. The penguins-"

"Don't even! I know they're from the South Pole! What do you take me for?"

When he sat at dinner later reflecting on the conversation he heard his mom clear her throat. "Arthur… I'd- have you thought about it?" Oh, Abby Festivus. He'd completely forgotten.

"It's a big decision, Mom," he covered. "I still need more time. I have until Christmas when you think about it." She nodded and returned to her food, as Arthur's mind went back to the ice arena.