CHRISTMAS EVE

"Will you be still!"

The fidgety wolf yelped as John's pin pricked skin as it was removed. The todd was cross, standing on a stool in the Arctic wolf's cabin, with the large ram, Ian, and Claudia looking on. He had completed the suit in record time, now he just needed to make sure it fit perfectly.

And Devin was not making it easy. In the last twelve hours, John had been elbowed while taking his measurements, had his tail stepped on while hemming the trousers, and been sat upon as he checked the waistline. And, of course, he had accidentally poked, stabbed, and pulled Devin's thick fur as the wolf seemed to need to keep the fox in his sight at all times.

Needless to say, Devin and John were not fond of each other at this point.

"Howlstein!" John growled as he tried to remove another pin. The wolf's elbow jerk, almost causing it to sink into his arm. Devin growled back.

"None of this was my idea, Wilde!" He casted his eyes to the tigress giggling into her palm at the exchange. "I'M not the one who told a kit Santa isn't real!"

Both Ian and Claudia ceased their giggling and narrowed their eyes at the wolf being fitted. Claudia stood and took a threatening step towards him, her tail flicking behind her and ears splayed.

"I didn't me-" She was abruptly cut off by Julius, who went to stand between the two.

"Look, as endearing as it is to hear you lot insult each other on Christmas eve, can we please just concentrate on the fact that this," he gestured with a hoof at the wonderfully made suit Devin wore, "is going to make the holiday for every single kit on the estate?"

Ian slammed his paw onto the table and grinned at the jump everyone gave. Devin winced again as John's paws slipped and a pin poked his shoulder.

"Hear hear! Think of all those sweet, little faces lighting up when you enter the party as Santa!" Ian nodded enthusiastically as his fellow wolf rolled his eyes and huffed.

John gave Devin a look of disdain as he continued his work. Ian held in the growl at his lack of enthusiasm. Until another thought occurred to him. Allowing his muzzle to curve into a sly smile, he stood and sauntered up to his comrade. Claudia and Julius watched curiously.

"And, of course, you are aware of how attractive it is to females when a male is good with cubs," this caused Devin's head to snap up and his eyes meet Ian's, "and just imagine what Lilia Lupanna will think when she sees all those sweet baby bunnies crawling over the sweet wolf who volunteered to be Santa. Just to restore some Christmas magic to one. Little. ADORABLE. Baby hare."

Julius choked back his laughter as his cabin mate's mouth dropped open and he groaned slightly. His tail was wagging so fast, it was surprising the wolf wasn't propelled forward. The ram grinned as he continued Ian's train of thought.

"Nothing says 'mate material' like being good with offspring," he added exchanging smiles with Claudia and John.

"No matter what the species," the tigress quipped with a wink.

Devin's nose twitched and his tail went still. Hazel eyes met John's brown ones. The fox simply raised his eyebrows and waited, arms crossed and hind paw tapping on the stool he stood on.

He suddenly straightened, arms held out on either side, and head forward. New excitement in his eyes and a fresh grin on his muzzle, he gave a determined nod.

"Just call me Santa!"

….

Judy was balanced on top of Nick's shoulders. Her heavy tartan dress and scarf adding more weight then what he was use to, the todd managed to keep his friend steady as she smoothed out the head of their snow creation.

"Now we just need the coal and radish, then he shall be complete!" She looked down as Nick grinned up in response.

One paw cautiously left her foot and reached for a sack containing their supplies and passed it up to her.

"Hey, Carrots? Papa and I always use sticks for arms," he said as he tried to see around the hem of her dress, "so maybe we can give our snow funny it's own sword?"

Judy squealed in excitement as she tucked the radish into the center of their creations face. Bracing herself on Nick's shoulders, she hopped down and stood back to admire their work: Longer ears on top of it's head with slight lump in the center of its face and a mound of snow wrapped from behind it for a tail.

"Huh,"said the bunny doe with a smile, "snow funny? I LOVE IT!"

Her friend grinned shyly at her as she dashed away. His ears perked curiously as he watched the bunny drag two large branches towards him. Rushing to help, they managed to get the arms in place before casting a glance around.

"Ah ha!" Exclaimed Nick.

The side of the manor had a row of sleeping flower beds, their bushes barren, waiting for the snow to melt and spring to wake them up. Shaved wood kept the frost from reaching their roots, as well as providing them with some much need nutrients for their hibernation.

Some mammal, however, had thrown a long slender pole in to the mixture. It was well polished, with a hook at the end, obviously meant for some household task. How it ended up outside, neither kit cared. Their snow funny needed a sword. But maybe a spear would do.

"Perfect!" The fox and bunny admired their handiwork, the coal cleverly placed to make their creation look like it was snarling. Surely none would mess with such an imposing beast!

Giving each other a happy nod, they turned to head into the house. Only to find themselves staring at a low snow wall. So distracted they had been, they had not noticed when Skye and several of Judy's brothers and sisters had hastily built the wall. More alarmingly, Jack had organized the Hopps kits in the construction of multiple snowballs.

It may have been the hare's first snow, but he took to it quickly.

"Well, well, well!" Came the amused voice of Jack. He and Skye stood side by side, identical smug smiles on their faces. "If it isn't the heroes of Bunnyburrow!"

"And if it isn't Captain Jack!" Nick puffed out his chest and strutted towards the enemy. Judy followed, her eyes narrowed at her siblings ears that poked up from the wall.

Traitors, she thought.

"I heard tales that you two fought monsters and giants and dragons," the hare and the vixen exchanged unimpressed looks, "but let's see how you do against the great Captain Jack Savage and General Skye Frostbite!"

Nick and Judy exchanged their own looks of disinterest, until every one of the hiding bunnies popped up. Each held a snowball aimed at the pair. About a dozen pairs of Hopps eyes focused on their sister and her fox.

"FIRE!" Cried the vixen and both she and the hare dropped behind the wall.

With shouts of glee, Judy's siblings bounced up, pitching their snowballs at the duo below them, before disappearing again!

"Run!" Nick and Judy shouted together, ducking behind their snow funny. The unfortunate creation took the brunt of the attack, several pieces of coal and it's radish nose falling as the snowballs made contact. Judy frantically started constructing their own for a counter attack, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

Nick, however, gave wail of despair at the attack on their funny.

"Bruno! NOOOOOOOOOOO!" His little head popped around the side of it, his face screwed up in a comical display of grief. Eyes shut, muzzle raised as he howled his displeasure, he shook his mittened fists at their attackers.

And ended up getting a face full of snow. Judy looked up and rolled her eyes at him, before grabbing the collar of his heavy coat and yanking him back.

"Dumb fox!" She shouted. "We shall amindge* him later! They're too organal*! So start building these so's we can beat their tails!"

The fox todd frantically started copying his friend, their pile of ammo growing.

"Judy, what's amindge mean?"

Finishing the snowball in her paws, she gave it a fierce grin.

"Payback."

The rapid fire had ceased. Under Jack and Skye instructions, the Hopps kits started spacing out their attacks. Needing to replenish their ammo supplies, bunny paws busied themselves as the hare and vixen cautiously peered over the edge of the wall.

"It's quiet," whispered Skye, her keen eyes scanning the area around the snow funny for movement.

"Too quiet," agreed Jack. His long ears alternated between straight and folded, trying to pick up sounds of movement without becoming targets.

"Where do you think they are?" Whispered Skye, casting a glance at her friend.

"Right here!"

Jack, Skye, the rest of the Hopps brood nearly fainted with fright as Nick popped up from the snow. Throwing the snowballs in his paws at the Captain and General, the todd jumped aside. Judy followed her friend from the entrance of the snow tunnel she had dug. Facing her brothers and sisters, who were properly stunned at the surprise attack, each got a face full of snow.

With Nick keeping the hare and vixen busy and Judy occupying her family, none noticed the hulking figure making his rounds around the estate. That is, until the over enthusiastic kits Judy was fighting threw their ammo too high. They missed the players of the fight. Instead, about ten snowballs became acquainted with the face of Mr. Bogo.

He staggered back at the force of the vicious attack, stumbling over his hooves and landing in an ungraceful heap into the snow. The fight stopped as quickly as it had begun. Every little face turned to the gruff buffalo, who blinked snow out his eyes.

Jack, Skye, Nick, and Judy all gulped as he made eye contact with each of them.

Before bursting into laughter. The group let out a collective sigh and relaxed as their head of security cheerfully sat in the snow, not bothering to lecture them or righten himself.

"Ah, to be young again!" He exclaimed fondly, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes.

He focused his gaze back to the four mischief makers in front of them. His smile slowly dropped when he realized each held a snowball. It dropped further after noticing the kits that had been recruited followed suit. Dark brown eyes widened with over dramatized fear when Bogo saw the smug grins forming on the four ringleaders.

"Now, now," he said holding up a hoof while scooting away, "let's not be too hasty! Those aren't toys, Hopps'! And Frost! And Wilde! And McLeaps!"

"Get him!" Shouted Jack. The volley of snowballs was just the beginning. After they had been thrown, Bogo curled away from their impact, allowing Jack and Skye to jump onto his shoulders. The two giggled as the buffalo shot to his hind hooves, though not before Nick and Judy launched themselves at his horns.

The other Hopps kits giggled and rushed his legs, climbing onto each other in a bunny pyramid. Bogo laughed where he stood, the kits happily climbing up the buffalo. As he didn't wish to squish one of them, he stood still when they swarmed him.

Nick and Judy perched on his horns, declaring themselves rulers of Buffalo Mountain. Skye and Jack were laughing as their hind paws dangled from his shoulders.

"You know," Bogo started as raised his eyes to get glimpse at the duo on his head, "this is very naughty! And Santa doesn't bring gifts to naughty kits!"

The the Hopps' and foxes both stopped and exchanged worried glances. Jack, however, waved one paw dismissively.

"Santa isn't real," he stated, matter of factly.

Over a dozen pairs of eyes landed on the striped hare.

"What?" Squeaked one little bunny clutching Bogo's trouser leg.

"Santa isn't real?" Whispered another.

"But, then, well, who gives us all those presents?" A little doe with hazel eyes blinked at the hare perched on Bogo's shoulder.

"It's probably-" Jack's words were cut off by a large hoof over his muzzle.

"Santa is most certainly real and it is he who puts your gifts under the tree!" Bogo said as brightly as he could. Many relieved faces blinked up at him. "Now! I heard the cook has some hot cider and ginger biscuits ready for any cold and weary kits who need them!"

The bunnies immediately let themselves fall from their climb up his legs, giving a loud cheer and marching towards the house. Once they were out of earshot, Bogo turned his attention to the little hare on his shoulder.

"Jack, who told you Santa wasn't real?" The buffalo's voice was gentle, his eyes soft as he watched the kit nervously fidget with his coat buttons.

"No one had to tell me, . I figured it out on my own," he said glumly, thinking back to his talk with Miss Claudia.

Nick and Judy gave a gasp from atop Bogo's horns, their eyes filling with tears as they looked down at their friend. Skye simply tilted her head and blinked at Jack. She couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him.

Being so very far away from his home, surrounded by the unfamiliar. He had never even celebrated Christmas before. The very idea of a strange mammal breaking into homes to just leave presents and eat treats was mind boggling to him. Try telling a bunch of militarized, heavily armed hares this was expected every year; they would have declared war on this Santa mammal.

"Hmmmmmm," was the buffalo's response.

He reached up to put the remaining kits back on the ground, starting with Skye. Nick and Judy soon joined her next to the abandoned snow wall. Only Jack remained, readying himself to be scooped up from his seat. But Bogo didn't set him down right away.

Instead, he was held at eye level. Brown met blue as the buffalo smiled at one of his newest charges.

"How about, we keep Santa not existing to ourselves?" The little hare cocked his head in confusion and opened his mouth to protest. But Bogo cut him off. "We wouldn't want to spread false information, now would we?"

He set the stunned kit down next his friends, his brow furrowed in confusion. But Mr. Bogo simply smiled at the quartet before giving a short bow and continuing on his way.

"What did Mr. Bogo mean about false information?" Asked Jack as he watched the head of security vanish.

"He means, Santa is visiting us tonight!" Shouted Skye. She grabbed Jack's paw before he could start to dispute her and dragged him towards the manor. Nick and Judy stayed rooted in place, both looking at where Bogo had vanished to the now ruined snow funny they had built.

"Nick?" The todd's ears lifted at the sound of Judy's voice. As though she were about to cry. He found it more sad then the possibility of no Santa. "There really is a Santa, right?"

He turned his bright green eyes to her shining purple ones and gave the most confident smile he could muster.

"Of course there is, Carrots!" The fox shivered as a light snow began to fall. He put his arm around the bunny and followed after his cousin and Jack.

At least, I hope so, he thought.

Lord Stewart Hopps was being sneaky. Lady Bonnie and Martha were in full party planning mode, the two females checking in with every staff member to ensure everyone knew their place and duty. Francine had rounded up the kits for some Christmas craft projects, which kept them out of the way and would add a bit of charm to the parlor decor.

The school room exploded with vast quantities of paper chain mail, paw print cutouts, and laughter from tiny bunnies ready for the holiday.

With his children occupied and neither sight nor sound of Judy and the other mischief makers, Stewart took these moments to hang more mistletoe around the manor. Nothing pleased him more then watching his wife's ears blush whenever he caught her under it. Not to mention his daughters giggles when their daddy placed a sweet kiss on their cheeks.

The kitchen entry way, top of the stairs, every doorway, and Marty's antlers were all decorated with the kissing bough. Marty himself had tied it, hoping it would surprise his own wife into dropping her guard enough for a kiss. How could one refuse? It was tradition, after all.

Giggling to themselves like the youths they were at heart, the two males surveyed their paw work. Each were ready to reap the benefits of the mistletoe. They glanced from bunch to bunch in satisfaction before glancing above their heads. Both smiles dropped when they realized they stood under one.

Eyes widened, both yelped and scurried away from each other. Maybe tradition can be ignored from time to time.

….

Afternoon found all the kits crammed into the manor to escape the dropping temperatures of outside.

Francine, for once, was in charge of every single bunny kit in the Hopps household. And, of course Skye, Nick, Jack, and Camellia. With their nap forgone and the non stop activities, the very small ones- five and younger- and baby Camellia were rubbing sleepy eyes by the time the sun was setting.

They were marched into the dining room for an early supper before being herded upstairs for baths. Bonnie, Vivian, and Essi took turns telling stories to the young ones, filling their little heads with promises of presents and sweets on the morrow.

Those old enough to understand the concept of Santa took little convincing to curl up and say good night. He would see them if they were sleeping and knew when they were awake. They had been on their best behavior all year (well, mostly!) and they would be damned if they ended up on Santa's naughty list on Christmas Eve.

Essi tucked her infant daughter in with the Hopps kits. It would allow her to enjoy the party knowing Camellia was safe and sound just above her. Light kisses where passed around, Vivian's paws shaking slightly she said good night to the little creatures.

They're so tiny, she thought. One paw went instinctively to her stomach. The slight bump already could be felt, much to her and Matthew's delight.

….

Still running on adrenaline, Lady Bonnie rushed to her room for a quick change before she had to be down stairs. Her gown lay on it's mannequin, ready for her to slip into. Hastily, she undid her day dress, letting it rest where it fell as she went to the water basin.

A quick rinse of her face was all she afforded herself, wanting to be prompt for her guests. She blindly reached for a cloth to dry her face, but her paw was met by the buttons of her husband's waistcoat.

"Stewart," she began, a slight warning in her voice. Her husband chuckled as he passed the cloth to her, smiling as she dried her eyes first to give him reproachful glare.

His smile in place, the lord let his gaze travel from hers up to the ceiling. Failing to repress her own smile, she looked up at the mistletoe she should've expected.

"We haven't time for this, my love," she said with a bit of a laugh. Stewart merely shrugged and stepped closer to her. Bonnie giggled and backed quickly away from under the bough. "Ha! What are you to do now, Mr. Sneaky Pants?"

Her husband shrugged again before looking back up at the ceiling. Her jaw dropped at finding herself under another. Pointing at him, she laughed as he rushed towards her.

"Oh, no! Don't you dare, Stewart!" She gave another laugh before turning to run from her amorous husband.

"Come now, my dear!" He said, enjoying their yearly ritual. "It is tradition to kiss a pretty doe under the mistletoe!"

He caught her, still laughing and trying to evade his affections, and tossed her onto the bed. She smiled up at her love as he worked his clothing off.

"Who am I to fight tradition?" She sighed as he was welcomed into her embrace.

"Indeed," he agreed, "and after the last few months, this is the one thing I would never like to see change."

Bonnie kissed her husband, the father of her kits, the male who had built his fortune for the sole purpose of wanting to make sure she and their kits would never want for anything.

"As long as I have breath, Stewart Hopps, this never shall."

Lord and Lady Hopps just barely made it to the stairs before their kits.

….

The older litters were taken to their separate rooms to get properly dressed for the festivities that evening. With Francine taking charge of Nick, Jack, and the other bucks, Martha helped the does and Skye dress in their party clothes.

Skye admired her reflection in the mirror. Growing up traveling and working with plants, her clothing consisted mainly of sturdy, simple breeches and canvas shirts. Her only dress was simply not fit for a party. It actually might look better in the fireplace. As kindling.

"I look so PRETTY!" She exclaimed. Judy smiled at her friend as the vixen twirled. Her snowy white fur looked extra soft and fluffy.

Made by Cousin John, it was lovely ice blue with small snowflakes stitched into the hem. With cap sleeves and a white sash around her waist, tied in a bow behind her, Skye felt like princess. She and Judy's sisters twirled together like little brightly colored tops.

"You look like a fairy princess, Skye," exclaimed Judy.

Her friend paused in her antics to smile at the bunny doe. She was frowning down at her own outfit, a lovely emerald green dress, with a row of decorative buttons running down the front and longer sleeves. While she was normally in a dress, never had Skye seen her friend look this cleaned up.

If she enjoyed being called cute, I would do so, she thought.

"You look like a pirate queen in disguise, Judy!" The bunny doe's eyes shot up. Just a hint of hope showed in them. Pirate queen meant adventure. If she pretended that's what she was, maybe she could enjoy the dress more. The vixen nodded encouragingly. "You do! We all look just lovely."

Skye came up to link arms with her as Martha double checked their appearances. Satisfied they were all presentable, she lined them up and marched them to the stairs.

Francine was fussing with Nick's bow tie. The impatient todd was trying to be still, though he couldn't help but glance longingly at the door. Jack ignored the chatter of the other bucks in the room to quietly observe the mother and son.

The males all wore various sizes of the same suit. Crisp, black trousers paired with smart little jackets. The white shirts they wore under them were heavily starched and slightly stiff. The only difference in the outfits were the vests and bowties each male wore.

Jack caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and his ears shot up. Taking a tentative step towards his reflection, he ran his paws over the sky blue vest he wore. The tuff of fur on his head was combed down, not a bit out of place, and his bow tie was perfectly even and centered. Straightening up, he smiled at himself, liking the hare he saw in the mirror. Even his stripes seemed more pleasant to look at.

"Yes, Jack, you look very handsome!" Said Francine with a smile, releasing her son who joined him at the mirror. The hare blushed and dropped his ears when he realized he had been caught admiring himself.

The todd frowned at himself, feeling ridiculous. His own vest was a deep purple and his mother was trying to attack his fur with a damp comb.

"Mama! Leave me be!" He whined. Francine sent her son a warning glare, causing his ears to fall against his head, before continuing. He slumped his shoulders as she smoothed his fur down.

"My dears, if there is one thing we females enjoy, it's a properly groomed male," she gave her son and Jack a pointed look.

Their expressions of confusion were matched by some of the other bucks present. Though she smiled as some of the older kits started to fix imaginary creases and triple check their fur. Clapping her paws together, the kits lined up, with Jack and Nick exchanging uncertain glances at each other.

Francine gave them all a look over as they made their way past her to the stairway.

Perfect, she thought. She ran her paws down the front of her own gown, having changed while the kits had been bathing. Now, time to party.

Bonnie and Stewart stood waiting at the foot of the stairs, ready to greet their guest. Marty and John Wilde stood opposite of them, waiting for their wives to appear with the kits. Which, if the sound of little paw steps was anything to go by, would be any moment now.

The lord and lady beamed up at their well dress brood, each looking the very image of little ladies and gentle males. Francine and Martha allowed their charges to lead the way down the stairs, each wishing to make their husbands pant a bit before joining them.

And pant they did.

Marty had fallen for his Martha the moment they had met. Their romance and marriage was a whirlwind, encouraged by Stewart. Not a day passed that the impala buck regretted his choice in bride. An easy thing to know, considering how the pale green gown she wore was enough to make any sane male weak. His Martha had a twinkle in her eyes as she glanced at the mistletoe attached to his antlers. Marty tipped her a wink.

Francine couldn't help the blush that formed when John's eyes met hers. The familiar shiver ran down her spine as she descended the stairs towards her husband. His brown eyes darkened with desire as he watched the sway of his wife's hips and the easy motions of her tail. Their love had been instant, though reluctant, thanks to her older brother.

Her own dress a deep wine red, laced through the bodice and split down the center to expose layers of white frills. It hugged her curves and made him wish they hadn't agreed to be present for the party.

Both males stood straighter in the presence of the two beauties. Something the lord and lady noticed. They grinned at each other, before turning their gaze back to their kits. Their sons outfits seemed to be a back drop for the bright colors of their sisters. The little bunnies looked almost like colorful butterflies as they made their way down the stairwell.

Nick, Jack, Skye, and Judy brought up the ends of the line. The males stealing glances at their pretty friends was painfully obvious to the adults who watched the group file into the parlor. As was the blush each kit had whenever they made eye contact.

So CUTE, though Francine and Bonnie.

Ah, should have known, thought John, my son's a lady killer. Just like his dad.

I swear, Jack's crush on that vixen is the sweetest thing, thought Marty and Martha.

Bloody fox better keep his bloody paws off my baby doe, thought Stewart.

…..

An hour later, the party was in full swing. The Ottertons brought their sons, Andrew and Thomas, to the delight of the kits. Andrew, the eldest at ten, danced a surprisingly graceful waltz with every doe who asked. Thomas, nine, joked and laughed with Nick and the Hopps bucks. He even managed to make the normally stoic Jack double over with laughter, to Skye's great delight.

Essi took over the piano for a time, though another pianist had been hired so she could enjoy the party with her husband and friends. The song her friend wrote was in high demand throughout the party.

Several other families had been invited, including the Bellwethers and Maxillarys. They mercifully declined to join.

And of course, there was mistletoe! Stewart took great pleasure at the couples who found themselves under one of the many boughs. None were refused the expected kiss. And like he predicted, every one of his daughters demanded a kiss from their daddy.

Francine laughed as Matthew and John were approached by several shy little does. Both males would scoop them up and give their cheeks a smooch. Many pairs of ears went pink as they ran away giggling.

Jack found himself in front the refreshment table. He could smell biscuits and other sweets that rested on it. However, his height prevented him from reaching his goal.

"Shall I?" Came a silky voice. The little hare looked up at a tall she wolf towering over him.

Fur the color of the sun and eyes the color of sea, she was dressed in a lovely silver gown. Her outfit and coloring made Jack think of the angel that graced the top of the Hopps Christmas tree. Slightly dazed, he gave a shy smile and nod.

The she wolf bent gracefully to gather him in her arms. Now able to retrieve his treats, he loaded a plate with the intent on sharing. Jack turned to beam at the wolf, who smiled back. One claw pointed upwards.

Jack glanced up at the mistletoe then back to this mystery wolf, his ears dropping. She smiled again and offered her cheek to him, tapping a spot with her claw. Blushing furiously, he gave her a quick kiss. She laughed in a friendly manner as she set him back down, giving him a kiss on top of his head.

Without another word, she turned and left. Jack waved dazedly after her with his plate sweets clutched in his paw. He turned to find a Hopps doe smiling at him.

"Uh, hi?" He started to back away only to bump into another. One by one, it seemed as though every little doe was lining up to give Jack a kiss.

"I don-" ..smooch… "really, this isn-"..smooch… "now see he-" …smooch…

Nick and Judy were laughing hysterically at the scene. Skye crossed her arms and tapped her hind paw. Her stormy expression made her cousin laugh harder.

"Excuse me?" Came a cheerful voice. Judy composed herself enough to look up at Thomas, who was smiling at her. He bent and planted a kiss on her cheek, before turning to Skye and giving her one as well. "You both are standing under it."

The two females looked dumbstruck at each other as the friendly otter turned to rejoin the party. Nick didn't laugh at his jokes for the rest of his visit.

…..

Just outside the entrance hall, hidden in the shadows, were three figures. A grey timber wolf glanced around the hall, making sure everyone was preoccupied with the party. A tigress was facing a rather nervous looking arctic wolf, straightening out the creases in his red velvet suit.

John did a magnificent job, she thought as she straightened his collar. She gave the hat he wore a slight tug to make sure it was firmly in place.

"Ok! Now, do you know what you're going to say?" The question caused both wolves to give her incredulous looks.

"Um, I was thinking 'ho ho ho'?" Devin gave a shrug as Claudia rolled her eyes.

"I mean after that, dumb dumb! You need to think of what you're going to say to all those little kits in there!"

The arctic wolf's ears splayed and his tail gave a nervous twitch. He hadn't thought of anything past 'ho ho ho' and now a knot formed in the pit of his stomach. There was going to be a lot of little lives he could easily scar by not getting this right!

Seeing him start to panic, Ian grabbed Devin's collar and and forced his eyes on him.

"Deep breath, wolf! Just remember: keep your voice happy, always smile, and if you think you're not going to make it or that you're floundering, repeat these words," Ian glanced over his shoulder at Claudia as she leaned around her friend with a grin.

"Mrs. Lilia Howlstein," they said together. Instantly, a dreamy look crossed Devin's face.

"Mrs. Lilia Howlstein, Mrs. Lilia Howlstein," he muttered dreamily.

His comrades tugged him from their spot in the shadows and pushed him towards the party. The wolf walked slight off kilt until he reached the entrance to the parlor. Giving himself a shake, he vanished into the party.

Ian and Claudia listened closely to the loud 'HO HO HO' he gave, though the resulting silence was a bit unnerving. The two looked at each other with worried expressions. The music had stopped, the voices and laughter had died down, and from the sounds of it, all dancing had ceased.

They strained their ears and leaned as far from their hiding spot as they could without leaving it.

"SANTA!"

Claudia let out a yowl in surprise, leaping back with her fur on end and her tail flicking in agitation behind her. It was by pure luck that she caught Ian. The poor wolf's more sensitive hearing magnified the excited shouts, causing him to leap to an impressive height.

Both gasped as the shock wore off. Still being held by his cabin mate, the wolf casted his eyes upward.

"Hey, look!" He gave a cheerful grin and pointed upwards. The tigress frowned as she raised her eyes. "Mistletoe!"

Amber eyes snapped back down and Ian was unceremoniously dropped.

"Try to kiss me and you're sleeping outside."

She turned on her heel and stomped away to do her patrol. Ian gulped before getting to his feet and following.

"That's fair."

….

"HO HO HO!"

The music stopped. Those that had been dancing had paused to look over at the entrance. Mammals with mouths full of food let their jaws drop open. Fortunately for them, everyone else was too distracted to notice.

Devin held his smile, though it was becoming a bit more strained by the unnerving silence of the room. Especially considering the reactions of the kits in the party. One by one, little figures pulled away from the crowd, walking with wide eyes toward the red suited wolf.

The wolf felt his smile drop slightly as he became surrounded by tiny, little bunnies, the two foxes, and the Otterton brothers. As a group, every little muzzle broke into a grin and a collective shout echoed through the party.

"SANTA!"

One moment he was standing, arms spread, looking at a sea of little kits. The next, he was tackled to the ground. They sat on his chest, chattering excitedly to him about their Christmas lists, asking questions about the elves waiting for him at the North Pole, and demanding to know why he preferred biscuits over other treats.

Trying to remain calm, with 'Mrs. Lilia Howlstein' repeating in his mind, Devin managed to sit up. Skye was sitting on one knee with Judy's litter mate, Quentin, on the other. The bunnies on his chest toppled gently into his large paws as he lowered them to the floor.

"Now, now!" He deepened his voice, a forced his smile back into place. "Santa wanted to drop in to wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

The resulting claps he earned and the happy cries of delight had his smile flip from strained to genuine.

It really doesn't take much to make these little mammals happy, does it, he thought.

But as his eyes moved from one face to another, it eventually landed on the only kit who hadn't tackled him: Jack. Blue eyes were wide like the others, but suspicious. The hare tilted his head to the side and studied the wolf in the Santa suit.

Devin's eyes softened as they met Jack's. He very gently picked himself up from the floor, careful not to step on any of the others. The adults of the room were murmuring among themselves. The Bogos smiled and turned back to the pianist. Essi gave the instrument a light tap and the deer buck resumed his music.

Bonnie and Stewart gave each other speculative glances, each thinking the other was responsible for Santa. Francine and John stood next to them. The vixen sipped her hot cider and smiled over the rim of her cup.

"So that's what you have been up to," she said not taking her eyes off the wolf.

"I haven't the faintest idea what you're taking about." John ignored the surprised looked of the lord and lady, merely smiling smugly as he admired his work.

"My love, I recognize your stitches anywhere. I must say, this may be your best suit yet!" The todd put his arm around his wife's waist and pulled her close. "A shame we are not standing under mistletoe, ."

"Ahem!"

Both foxes and Bonnie looked to the lord. He too kept his gaze on Santa, but he pointed to the ceiling with a satisfied smile. The Wildes looked up and gave happy sighs.

"Well what do you know?" Said John.

….

Devin carefully made his way to the little hare still eyeing him suspiciously. With his pale fur, dark stripes framing his face, and ice blue eyes, Jack easily stood out from the Hopps brood. But the wolf had never actually seen him, let alone spoke to him. He stepped close and crouched down on one knee.

Jack took one giant step back.

The wolf held back a sigh and he smiled down at the hare. "I'm guessing you're Jack?"

A nod was the only response. "And you are having problems believing in me."

It wasn't a question and he kept his voice soft. Jack wrinkled his brow at him.

"It doesn't seem possible," he said, studying the wolf's face.

He stepped closer and extended a paw out to touch his muzzle. Devin smiled and let the young hare examine his face. He was taken by surprised when Jack jumped into his arms, earning a collective aww from the adults watching. The wolf gave him an awkward pat on the back and looked up, meeting the eyes of the beautiful, sun colored she wolf.

Mrs. Lilia Howlstein, he thought, as they exchanged coy smiles at each other.

"Thanks for trying, Mr. Security Wolf," whispered Jack. Devin pulled back and gave the hare a speculative look. He returned it with slightly sad eyes. "I saw you when I peaked over my barrel when I first came here. I was just trying to figure out why you looked familiar."

Jack hopped down and stepped back, heaving a sigh as the two looked at each other.

"But, don't worry. I can keep a secret."

A tugging at his sleeve drew the wolf's gaze to Nick, who was beaming at him. The todd had one paw trapped by both of Judy's as she bounced in place with excitement.

"I told you, Carrots! He's here and he came to say Merry Christmas!"

"You were right, Slick! I shall never doubt again!" Judy and Nick were scooped up into a hug by the Devin, both laughing happily as he did so.

Skye rushed to her friend and wrapped him up in her arms. The hare couldn't help but laugh as the vixen spun him around the room, squealing in excitement.

"It's Santa, Jack! Santa has come!"

The hare met the wolf's eyes one more time. Both smiled over the shoulders of their friends.

"Yes, he did, Skye. How about that."

…..

The party ended all too soon. Sleepy kits were lead upstairs to their beds. Bonnie and Stewart halted the attempts of their staff trying to help. They insisted they take the rest of the evening off as well as the following morning.

The Wildes and Frosts rounded up Nick, Skye, and Jack. The three were piled in layers for the short walk back to the cabin. Skye giggled at Jack, who had been so bundled up he couldn't walk, only waddle. Matthew laughed at the sight of him, too, before scooping him up into his arms.

The group bid a good night to the bunnies climbing up the stairs. They were almost to the study when the pitter patter of little paws caught their attention.

"Nick!" The young todd turned to see Judy running towards him.

She came to a pause in front of her friend, who looked at her curiously. She glanced over his shoulder at Skye and the adults who watched the pair. One deep breath later and her muzzle shot up to plant a kiss on his nose. His green eyes widened as Judy settled back down with her ears and cheeks pinker than normal.

"Night, Nick!"

And with that, she turned and ran back towards the stairs and out of sight. Nick stood with his mouth open and paw on the spot where she had kissed him. The grown ups laughed with Skye and Jack, before John stepped forward to pick up his stunned son.

Yep, he thought, just like his dad.

Mrs. Meadows gave a final look around her kitchen. Everything was ready for tomorrow: the breads and rolls lay resting on their trays, ready to be baked, a large vat of carrot stew set out to lightly simmer overnight on the stove, casseroles of winter vegetables sat waiting for the oven, and, of course, there were biscuits.

Sugar, cinnamon, molasses, oatmeal, ginger, and shortbread. A sampling of each had been set onto a plate with a glass of milk bedside it on the small table in the parlor. 'Santa' had left the party, explaining his need to drop off present to the other young ones in Bunnyburrow. He promised to return after all the kits had all gone to bed.

Though, now, Devin sat on a stool in the kitchen. The elder rabbit doe placed a tray of biscuits in front of him. Along with a glass of whiskey. He smiled his thanks at the bunny, who regarded him with curiosity.

"Hmmm, I would have thought being surrounded by so many happy kits would have put you in a better mood," she said. The wolf sighed and smiled half heartedly.

"It was fun. I'm not in a bad mood. I was just hoping….." he shook his head, "I don't know. The older bunnies are nearly eleven? And they were convinced I was the real Santa. Why didn't Jack believe it?"

Mrs. Meadows shrugged and watched him sip his whiskey and break off pieces of biscuit.

"It's just him growing up," she responded sadly. "They all will eventually stop believing. Jack is the hare, yes?" He nodded. "Hares are an oddity among lapins. And, from what I've heard, he wasn't much of child to start with. There's nothing for him in a story like that. But you said he didn't ruin it for the others and he managed to keep his friends from being dragged down."

"He's a good lad," said Devin.

"And so are you."

The wolf nearly fell off his seat at the sound of the new voice. He turned to see the lovely she wolf walking towards him, the low light of the kitchen making her bright fur glow. She smiled softly at him as he straightened himself out. Neither noticed as she snuck out of the room, a knowing smile on her muzzle.

"You know, I had been ho ho hoping to steal a dance from Santa before he left the party," she stepped close and put a delicate paw on his shoulder, "but I can settle for one right now, if he'll have me."

Devin felt his heart stop as she put his paw on her waist. He gathered the nerve to pull her close into a light sway. She smiled at him before resting her head against his chest and closing her eyes.

Now or never, wolf, he thought.

"May I court you?" He whispered. She smiled and looked up at him.

"Only if you promise to be Santa every Christmas." He laughed and nodded. "Then, yes. You may." She rested her head against his chest again, letting the steady rhythm of their hearts be the music they danced to.

Mrs. Lilia Howlstein, was his final thought of the night.

The Wilde's cabin was dark. It was also warm, snug, and very quiet. The three little kits had been utterly exhausted after their long day. After all, they stayed up many hours past their normal bedtime. Vivian and Francine had helped them dress for bed while John and Matthew covertly grabbed what they need to decorate the cabin.

The adults had long since finished. Skye lay fast asleep in-between her mother and father, the three of them smiling as they dreamt and cuddled each other. John and Francine lay unclothed under their bed covers, fast asleep and satisfied. Nick lay on one side of his bed, his tail pulled into his arms, his little snores making a dent in the still night.

Jack, however, had not been asleep for long when his eyes suddenly snapped open. His sensitive ears didn't pick up any noise, other then his friend's quiet snoring. But the hare found it impossible to fall back to sleep. With a small sigh, he sat up and climbed down from the bed.

The cold wood of the floor only woke him further as he tip toed to the bedroom door and opened it. It was short distance from there to the front door, which he braved in the dark, gathering a heavy blanket from the settee and a scarf as he did.

As quietly as he could, he jumped for the latch and slipped outside.

The clouds from earlier had left, leaving the sky dazzlingly clear. It's darkness penetrated by a white quarter moon, with the stars scattered across the heavens in a beauty no jewel could ever match. The snow around the little hare, while cold under paw, gave him more peace then he felt all day.

Jack sat and lifted his face to the sky, breathing in the fresh winter air. It smelled of the hearths from the homes he was surrounded by. A hint of pine and maple, from the trees not far from him. With the residual smell of baked treats. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, committing them to memory.

Fireplace, pine, maple, sweets… and hot chocolate…. His brow wrinkled….peppermint…. He lowered his head in confusion…..cinnamon…hellebores…evergreen….

His eyes snapped open. Jack took a steadying breath as he registered the presence of another sitting next to him. A big another, too. With a gulp he glanced to his right. And gazed up…up…up…..

Bright blues became saucers as he stared at the white caribou sitting next to him. With a smile on his muzzle, the newcomer's face was angled up at the sky as Jack's had been. He too inhaled deeply, with great satisfaction. Jack took in the red suit he wore, this one a thick chenille and made even more finely than John's.

A red stocking cap was held in his hoof, though Jack did wonder how it fit with antlers as big as his.

The caribou inhaled deeply once more and opened his eyes.

"If there is ever a smell I could never tire of," he began, "it is the smell of that first minute of Christmas morning."

His voice was both deep and light. Jack had seen his lips move, but he felt the words rather then heard them. The little hare's ears were dropped against his back as the caribou turned his eyes towards him. And such eyes he had.

Jack had read everything he could about Santa. And he had always pictured him with blue eyes like his own. And he supposed that's what color they were. But it was like saying the night sky was black and the snow was white. That was true, but their colors were so much more complex than that.

This blue held every season in it: the blueish white of fresh snow, the clean blue of spring rain, the endless blue of a summer sky, and the grey blue of autumn's first fog. They were a blue that held eternity within them, an eternity wisely spent.

The caribou reached into his pocket and pulled out a beautifully wrapped little box. He gave the present a happy smile and handed it to Jack. His eyes wide and jaw still dropped further than it should be, he accepted it with trembling paws. He stared at the lovely little package, running a thumb over it's ribbon, tempted to tear into it while also never wishing to disturb whatever it held.

"Merry Christmas, Jack," he heard the voice whisper, "now get inside before you catch your death."

Still staring at the gift, Jack felt his muzzle break into a smile. His head shot up to give his thanks. Only to find himself alone. He bolted upright, blanket left in the snow, frowning at where the caribou had just been sitting. Jack lifted his muzzle and closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. Fireplace, pine, maple, sweets.

His eyes opened as the front door did.

"Jack!" Came John's voice, a rough whisper so he didn't disturb those still sleeping. The todd's paw steps brought Jack's attention to him as he was approached. The fox was wrapped in his dressing gown and exasperated, but still smiled kindly down at him. "You shall catch your death out here, little friend! Come along, lad!"

John took his paw and bent to grab the blanket. Gently pulling the little hare along, he gave a glance at the gift in his paws. "Where did you get that?"

They reached the doorway as the question was asked. Jack pulled to a stop before passing through, glancing back at where he and the caribou had sat. A slight breeze picked up, the scent of evergreen, peppermint, hot chocolate, cinnamon, and hellebore traveling with it.

"Santa gave it to me," he said, his eyes still looking out the door. John tilted his head in confusion, the hare's innocent blue eyes looking up into his own. The todd smiled finally and pulled Jack into the warm cabin.

He was put back into bed, back next to Nick, who still snored quietly and cuddled his tail. John pulled the covers over him and stroked the fur between his ears as sleep took hold of the little kit once more. Giving both a soft kiss of the head, John crept back to his own room and bed.

The present still clutched in his paws, Jack had never slept deeper or more soundly. And with a smile on his little face.

…..

A/N: Some of Judy's language I based off of myself when I was her age. I knew what I wanted to say, but couldn't say or remember it correctly, a fact my mother still teases me about. I try to have the other characters translate when they can, but they can only do so much.

amindge*- Judy speak for avenge

organal*- Judy speak for organized

If anyone is curious, Nick will rarely ask for clarification, if only because he is a natural at speaking Judy. And vice versa.