(See the first chapter for disclaimer, notes, spoiler, etc.)
Chapter Four: "Of a White Christmas"
Lexi crept down the darkened hallway, intrigued by the dancing light in the living room. She peered around the corner, biting her lip nervously. Bright light flickered from the tv, the strains of a familiar carol echoing from the speakers. "What are you watching, Mommy?"
Olivia smiled from the oversized armchair and gestured her daughter close. "Come here, Lex." She threw back the quilt, inviting her in. "I remember watching this one Christmas years and years ago when I was in Milan for a photo shoot." She laughed to herself as Lexi snuggled close and pulled the quilt back over them. "It was in Italian though. It's much nicer watching it in English."
"But Mommy, you don't like Christmas. Isn't that why we never have a Christmas tree?"
"Yes, but I like the movie."
"Oh." Lexi sat back, watching as the Christmas serenade to the World War II soldiers was interrupted by an air attack. "Mommy, I thought you had work to do?"
"Hmm?"
"Work. You said that you couldn't have dinner with Mr. Richards because you had a lot of work to do."
"Oh," Olivia said lamely. She cleared her throat and rolled her eyes over Lexi's head. "Yes, well- I finished much earlier than I thought I would. Everything has to be ready for when we leave for Miami the day after tomorrow."
Lexi frowned, her little face scrunching up as she processed her mother's reply. On screen, two of the main characters returned home from the war, becoming successful song-and-dance men. In the Blake's living room, the daughter turned to her mother and asked, "Mommy, don't you like Mr. Richards?"
She sighed, lowering the volume of the TV as she turned to her child. "To be honest, Lexi, I really don't know him very well. And, neither do you."
"But Mommy," she interrupted, an insistent whine creeping into her voice, "he's always so nice when we see him in the elevator or lobby."
Olivia hugged her close, kissing the top of her head. "Lex, you're too young to understand this now, but you will when you're older. I made mistakes when I was younger."
"What mistakes?"
She sighed, letting her head fall back to the armchair as she stared off into space. "Thinking that someone was nice."
The child sat quietly for a long moment before asking softly, "You mean, my father?"
Olivia closed her eyes, her lips disappearing into a thin line as she grimaced. "Yes, Lexi."
"But, Mommy-"
"Like I said," she insisted over her daughter's protests, "you will understand all of this when you are older." She watched as Lexi closed her mouth and folded her arms defiantly against her chest. "Your mother is older and smarter than she used to be…and she won't make the same mistakes again."
"Fine," she sighed through clenched teeth.
"Good. Now let's watch the movie."
Lexi leaned back against her mother, glaring at the offending holiday movie playing on the TV screen. But the lavish musical slowly drew her in, seducing her with the opulent costumes and intricate choreography. She sat up, watching as two of the main characters schemed to unite the other two characters.
And, it was then that the proverbial light bulb went on in her head.
The elevator opened and Lexi scooted off, darting though the brightly lit lobby. She could see Nick through the doors, his breath showing as white puffs in the frigid dark night. With a quick sigh, she knocked on the glass and waited. He turned, his eyes widening as he quickly stepped inside. "Ms. Blake," he admonished, "as much as I enjoy your company, I'm going to have to insist that you restrict your visits to the daylight hours. It's certainly past your bedtime!"
"It is," she admitted, shivering at the cold that came in with him. "And I promise, I won't come down anymore at night. But, Mr. Klaas, I need your help!"
"What's wrong, Lexi?"
She bit her lip, gazing up at the friendly face with the sparkling blue eyes and fluffy white beard. "You have a beard," she said softly.
He cocked his head, his eyes glazed over with confusion. "Yes."
She inched closer to him, her head lowered. "And your name is Nick…like Saint Nick."
"Lexi-"
"All the kids in the building gave you their Christmas lists, not just Annie Douglas!"
"Every child but you," he said softly.
She looked up sharply, her blue eyes wide. "It can't be true," she marveled, taking his hand.
He crouched down to her level, staring at her eye-to-eye. "It is, if you believe it."
Lexi moved closer, a breath away from him. "If you're really him, you'll get me a father for Christmas."
Nick stood, shaking his head dismissively. "No, no." He looked down at the child, who was following him with rapt attention. "You don't understand. People make difficult gifts. They can be…uncooperative."
She smirked and pointed to herself with her thumb. "You didn't have me helping you before."
"What can you do that the elves couldn't?"
"My mother says that I was born persuasive." She jumped onto the stool behind his desk and explained, "I just watched a movie with my mother and I got a brilliant idea. And, it's going to get her and Mr. Richards together."
"How?" he asked.
But the child simply smiled. "Will you help me tomorrow?" she asked.
"Tomorrow's Christmas Eve!"
"Don't worry, Mr. Klaas. You'll be done helping me before it's time to start delivering all those gifts." She gestured him close as she began to whisper her plan to him.