Chapter 10: Feelings

September 14th 11:44 A.M. Chicago Law Firm

Molly had never spoken the words that spilled out on the dock that day before. But she was never gladder that she did. It was like a weight had been lifted off her chest. Arthur had seen the very deepest and darkest parts of her, yet here he was playing with her pencil sharpener. She had woken up the next morning to find him asleep on her couch. And when she had broken down at the dock… there was no question about it. Arthur made her feel unbelievably comfortable and safe.

He had sharpened six hundred and fifty-two pencils (not counting the ones she broke and he did again) from all over the entire office by the time she was ready to go home. And the entire collection was stacked on her desk but she wasn't that worried about it. They even got a few weird looks when Arthur tripped over a plant on their way out but she couldn't have cared less what they thought.

Molly had discovered herself becoming disillusioned about her career. Don't get her wrong, she knew there was no going back now. But she didn't love her job just like she'd told Arthur and that was becoming clearer to her with every case and file on her desk.

Then a hand grabbed her shoulder. It was Stuart. "Molly, look I know it's been a long time since we broke up but I screwed up and-"

"No, the copy girl got a new job and now you're not getting any. I meant what I said Stuart. Don't think you can just bat you eyes and apologize and I'll go weak at the knees and beg you to come home with me. We're not in a romantic comedy." She tried to continue walking, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him.

Her face grimaced in pain when Arthur stepped between the two. "I'm sorry but we're going to go watch a movie. If you want you could join us, if Molly doesn't-"

"I do," she said, pulling her hand free. "Come on Arthur." They started away when Arthur turned back to wave. The next thing she knew he was crashing into a desk as Stuart punched him. "Hey!" She punched him herself. "Pick on someone else! You don't scare me." She helped Arthur to his feet- his nose bleeding. "You know what, if we were a romantic comedy you wouldn't be the guy I forgive and end up with. You'd be the jerk who the audience would cheer when I dumped you on your sorry…"

She realized she was at work and all eyes were now firmly fixed on her. "Come on Arthur." She helped him back to her apartment. He had a bit of a limp and claimed he was woozy- which worried her since his head had hit the desk pretty hard. She managed to dump him on her couch and get him some ice for his head. "Try to stay awake for me okay?" He nodded. "I'm not letting you fly back like this." She grabbed his phone from the table. "Steve, right?" Another nod. "Hey, hey. Stay with me."

The call to Steve had been simple- he had agreed to cover for Arthur and she promised to monitor him overnight and send him out first thing in the morning if he looked fit to fly. He had been surprised to hear from her but seemed to be very much calm and in control. Molly could respect that.

She had gone out back to bring some carrots to the reindeer like he had requested. "Sorry guys. It looks you're grounded tonight." She had seen them quite a few times but never had been this close to them. One in particular seemed to take a liking to her, nuzzling her hand. The others were wary of the stranger but not this guy. "Well, you certainly are a ladies deer."

Arthur was asleep when she came back up. And after shaking him awake and seeing he was alright, she made coffee while he fell back asleep. He was just so peaceful curled up on her sofa, smile on his face. She felt her heart skip a beat.

It was a good few hours of watching him sleep (she promised it wasn't creepy like in those weird vampire novels Stuart had tried to convince her to read) Molly knew she wouldn't be getting any sleep. She grabbed a book and prepared to sit again. First though she knelt next to Arthur and pulled the melted ice bag off his head. She examined his face for a moment before gently brushing his bangs out of his face.

"If we were in a romantic comedy you'd be the guy I ended up with," she whispered. Immediately her brain registered what she had just said and she shot to her feet. She was being ridiculous. Arthur was her best friend and that was that. The very thought of another relationship terrified her- she couldn't put herself- calm down. She was losing her mind over something she hadn't meant. She sat in the chair comfortable with the fact that Arthur was her best friend and she felt nothing else for him.

That was that. Period… maybe… yeah… period.

October 6th 5:17 P.M. North Pole

Arthur walked up to his mom as she stood in the kitchen making a plate of cookies for his dad. Things were getting more serious now and he was down to visiting Molly once a week. She didn't mind though and loved every moment they spent together. Arthur did too. In fact, recently he had realized a few things- big things.

"Mom," he said, bracing himself for how he was going to disappoint her. She turned and smiled at him. She noticed he had the Abby Festivus folder in his hand and broke out into a smile.

"Oh, Arthur! I knew-"

"Mom, I can't." He placed it gently in her hand as she looked at him confused. "I'm really so sorry but I can't." He turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving the door open as his mother merely stared after him. She couldn't possibly understand. He didn't even understand fully but it was clear as day.

Arthur couldn't marry Abby Festivus because he loved Molly Scrooge.

November 1st 10:23 P.M.

Molly sat at the kitchen table looking over files as Arthur handed her a cup of hot chocolate. "You need to cut down on your caffeine," he said simply as she looked it over. He sat across from her and took a sip of his.

"I got offered another job... a better job at this other firm yesterday." He smiled broadly at her.

"That's great! I'm so proud-"

"I haven't accepted it yet, though."

"Why not?"

"I-I can't really explain it. Something- it just feel like something's keeping me from saying yes. I don't know- don't understand what it is though." Honestly she didn't. It confused her to no end. She could tell Arthur saw her mental frustration at herself and decided to change the subject.

"How was your Halloween?"

"It was pretty much this- I have possibly the biggest case of my career on hand. Besides, holidays and I just don't get along in general. It isn't just Christmas, though that's probably Scrooge enemy number one." She took a sip of her hot chocolate. "This… is amazing! You've been holding out on me!"

He smiled and there was silence for a moment as she looked over the file. Something just didn't fit. She was getting sick of this. "What do you think I'd be if I wasn't a lawyer?" Arthur merely shrugged.

"I think you could be anything."

"Hypothetically, I think I'd like something executive- making a difference. You know forming treaties and holding everything together. I think I'd be good at it."

"I think you would be too." He finished his hot chocolate and put his mug in the sink. "Hey, what if you have Thanksgiving with me and my family?" Her head shot up.

"You mean go to the North Pole?" He nodded.

"I can't come visit you and I'd just really hate for you to be alone on Thanksgiving given… everything."

"I know what you're saying- that I'm so terrified I won't even call my own brother. But back to the original point- is that allowed?"

"Steve would like to meet you. I'm sure my parents deserve to finally meet you. You don't have to be alone this holiday. I'd come pick you up in the sleigh," he noted her terrified expression, "-and you can keep your eyes closed the entire time."

She thought it over. Wait, why was she hesitating? It was the North Pole! She jumped up and tackled him in a hug. "Yes! Thank you! You are the absolute greatest!" She looked him in the eyes for a long moment. She felt herself wanting to lean in, but quickly reigned it in- pulling back to the table. "I can't wait! You are so lucky. Sometimes I admit I wish I could live at the North Pole, especially when you're Santa Claus!" She wasn't going to be alone! She had plans for Thanksgiving for the first time since she was eighteen!

"Maybe this apartment could use a Christmas tree this year," she pondered out loud. It was official- Arthur had contaminated her with some Christmas spirit.