Disclaimer: I definitely don't own Glee because this season would have been gone way different, especially in regards to Samcedes. I am a glutton for reviews so please gimme, gimme!
Chapter 2
Mercedes could barely keep up with her little niece, as she pulled Mercedes through the mall, searching for Santa's workshop stage. Carly's excitement was contagious and it was impossible to be around her and not feel some excitement as well. Her brother Marcus was trying to keep up with his daughter, while still being concerned about Mercedes.
"Sis, I know it's not easy being in L.A. by yourself. Are you sure it's working out? You know you can always come home, right?" Mercedes sighed at her brother's badgering. He was always so worried that she was lonely in L.A. The siblings always had a close relationship, Marcus being only two years older than her. He was the one who first found Mercedes alone at the house after her last conversation with Sam. He allowed her to cry on his shoulders for two hours until she was able to collect herself enough to go to the airport. He is the only person she ever confessed her true feelings about Sam.
"Marcus, I'm fine. Seriously."
" Really? Because you are spending your Christmas vacation in a rinky dink ole mall with your brother and niece. Not exactly what the young starlets are doing?
"So, I like my family. Is that a crime?" Marcus stopped walking and looked at Mercedes with an expression of complete disbelief. Mercedes couldn't help laughing at him.
"Okay, so maybe I just want to enjoy some quiet time. The last couple of times I was out here, things were hectic. This time I want to it easy." Marcus nodded his head and hesitated to say what was in the back of his mind, but he decided to go for it.
"Have you thought about calling Sam?" he asked quietly. Mercedes avoided looking at her brother's face, afraid that emotions would come out that she couldn't control.
"No. I'm good."
"Merce-"
"Marcus!" Mercedes raised her voice, but still avoided her brother's face. "Let it go, okay. Let's go talk to Santa, so your daughter doesn't pull my arm out." Marcus realized that it was probably better that he just let the conversation go. The last thing he wanted to do was make her day crappy.
"Okay, I think it's around this corner." The group finally arrived at the stage area for Santa's Workshop. The area was covered in fluffy, white cotton snow, with candy canes lining a path to a giant red velvet throne. Bright red and green ornaments were hung on two tall Christmas trees, on opposite sides of the throne. The lights on the trees twinkled yellow, blue, green and red, creating a magical pattern. However the area was empty. A sign was hung at the entry of the candy cane path, indicating that Santa was expected to be there in 20 minutes. There was no sign of any children or parent waiting. Mercedes assumed the lack of people was due to the early afternoon in Wednesday, when most parents were still at work. Marcus took the day off especially for today.
"Kinda empty?" Marcus remarked as he looked around the area.
"I don't care." Carly answered gleefully. "Now I get Santa all to myself!" Mercedes laughed at the girl's optimism.
"Well then what should we do until Santa shows up?" Mercedes asked as Carly was running circles around her and Marcus. Carly stopped and began jumping up and down.
"Let's sing a song! But it has to be a Christmas song, Auntie Mercy. No show tunes." Carly answered sternly. Mercedes drew her head back.
"Yes, ma'am. Ok, let me think."
Frosted window panes
Candles gleaming inside
Painted candy canes on the tree
Santa's on his way
He's filled his sleigh with things
Things for you and for me
It's that time of year
When the world falls in love
Every song you hear seems to say
"Merry Christmas
May your New Year's dreams come true"
(May all your dreams come true)
And this song of mine
in three quarter time
Wishes you and yours
the same thing too
It's that time of year
When the world falls in love
Every song you hear
seems to say "Merry Christmas"
Frosted window panes (See them gleaming)
Candles gleaming inside (With the snow)
Painted candy canes (See them showing)
On the tree
Just look and you'll see,
santa's on his way (That's why sleigh bells are ringing)
He's filled his sleigh (And that's why were all singing)
With Things Things for you and for me
It's that time of year (Time for falling)
When the world falls in love (So in love)
Every song you hear seems to say (Happy song)
"Merry Christmas (May all)
May your New Year's dreams come true"
(May may all come true)
And this song of mine
in three quarter time
Wishes you and yours
the same thing too (You and yours)
As Mercedes ended the song, the lights of the Santa Workshop stage began blinking, and an instrumental version of "Santa Claus is coming to Town" began to play. The door of the workshop opened and a tall gangly elf stood at the entrance of the doorway. The elf appeared to be arguing with someone out of view. Suddenly the elf was shoved out, with the door slammed behind him. The elf, visibly shaken, made his way down to the trio, with a forced grin on his face.
"Hey, folks. Santa is just finishing feeling the reindeers their oats and then he will be right out. Sorry for the delay." Mercedes watched as the elf mumbled something under his breath as he walked toward the giant throne, waiting for the man of the hour. Her attention was directed to a jumpy Carly was tugging on her sleeve.
"Auntie, you're going to go talk to Santa too, right?
"Oh Carly, Auntie is a little too old to sit on Santa's lap. I'm kinda grown."
"But you still believe right?" The little girl asked hopefully.
"Oh, yeah. Sure. Of course. But…"
"Then you come and tell him your Christmas wish. You were thinking about it anyway, right?"
Mercedes sighed heavily and surrendered to Carly's pleading.
"Yep, of course I will." Suddenly doors of the workshop opened again and a very well padded and round Santa walked in, crying "Ho, ho, ho!"
The Santa was wearing a pair of black glasses, a thick white moustache and thick curly white beard. The Santa's face could not be seen under the costume. The Santa sat on the throne and waved for the group to move forward. Before Marcus and Mercedes could take a step, Carly was already climbing on the Santa's lap. Her face was full of amazement, joy and anticipation.
"Hello little princess. Aren't you beautiful?" Santa asked as he held the little girl on his lap. Carly giggled and blushed.
"Hi Santa. It's me Carly. I know I look different from last year. I grew like two inches."
"Oh, I'm glad you told me. I almost didn't recognize you." Mercedes smiled at the Santa's charismatic personality.
"So what would you like for Christmas?" He asked. Carly looked around her, looking behind her and Santa. She then pulled out a purple sheet of paper.
"Santa," she whispered, "Here's my list. You can take a look at that later at home, but what I want to talk to you about right now is my Auntie Merce." Santa winked at Carly, took the list and tucked it into his inside pocket of his suit.
"Carly, this is awfully nice of you to do for your Auntie. She must be pretty special…um...to you."
"Oh yes, Santa", Carly responded so sincerely. "She's the best. But she is lonely. She looks so sad but only when she thinks no one is around." Santa lifted his face and looked at Mercedes, who was curious about what the conversation was between her niece and Santa.
"Maybe you should talk to her boyfriend." Santa asked Carly, while watching Mercedes fro the corner of his eye.
"Oh, she doesn't have one of those anymore. Not for a long time." Santa shook his head up and down.
"Interesting, Carly. Well, I will keep all of this in my mind and I will do my best to give your Auntie a very special Christmas gift." The little girl's face beamed with joy.
"Oh, Thank you Santa!" Carly hopped off of Santa's lap and ran to hug Marcus and Mercedes. After a few minutes, she pulled away and turned to Mercedes, pushing her from behind, towards Santa's throne.
"Ok, Auntie. Your turn. Your turn." Before Mercedes could stop what was going on, she was standing in front of Santa's throne, staring at Jolly Old Nick.
_
** Mercedes sang "The Christmas Waltz", my all time favorite romantic Christmas carol. Hope you liked this chapter you guys! What do you think Mercedes is going to tell Santa? As usual, please keep sending your reviews! They totally make my day!