A/N: Aw, man, I wanted so bad to get this out by Christmas! I'm so sorry I didn't, but I hope you enjoy. It's really short, but it should help launch the next chapter. Much thanks to keacdragon (Patience, grasshopper . . . Lol. I can't wait, either!), hungergamespettalover, timhart62, Hockeygirl06, Wicked Lovely 17 (Thanks! I love Midsummer - glad you like them!), Rihimesama, booksarefun2274, & Nina1399!

Chapter XVI

"I wonder how Bernard and my mom are doing. She can be . . . a bit of a handful."

Charlie's eyes widened in mock surprise. "Your mom, really?"

Fia slapped his shoulder, but grinned. "Yeah, yeah, so funny."

"It's Bernard, Fi. They'll be fine."

"Point." The girl's grin suddenly vanished and she sent a glare over his shoulder. "What?"

"What what? Just checking in, Princess."

Puck leaned against the door frame, arms crossed.

"Why?"

"Just making sure things are . . . What do you people say? 'A-okay.'"

"People don't say that. And we're fine."

"Whatever you say, Princess. But if the human doesn't propose soon, call me. We can -"

The gesture he was about to make made Fia stand and hold out a hand to stop him.

"Puck! Go away!"

"Oh fine," he grumbled. "You're no fun . . ."

But then he vanished. Fia glared at the space where he'd been standing for a moment, and then a sigh was heard before a slight shudder went through the room. Fia sat down again and Charlie stared at her questioningly.

"How'd you know he was still there?"

"Just a hunch." There was an awkward pause, and she sighed. "Charlie, you don't need to propose. They're all lunatics."

"No, I know I don't need to . . ." He ran a hand through his hair. "But . . . what if -"

The ring of his cell phone cut him off. His brow furrowed when he saw the caller id, and he hit the button to silence it.

"You can answer it, Charlie. It's okay."

He hesitated, but then picked up the phone.

"Hello? . . . Hi Danielle. Er, yeah . . . Look, I'm kind of in the middle of something; can we talk later? . . . Sure. All right, bye."

When Charlie hung up the phone, he looked at Fia reluctantly. Her face was set, and her jaw clenched, but when she saw him looking, she sent him a weak smile.

"Danielle, huh?" He nodded. "I didn't know you guys still kept in touch."

"Er, we don't, actually. That was . . . totally random . . ."

After a moment, the girl burst out laughing. "Chralie, you're not in trouble - you didn't do anything wrong."

He blinked at her. "Are you sure?"

"Look, I'm not crazy about the thought, but you are allowed to have a social life that includes friends who might just be girls."

He let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"Thanks, Fi . . . You're cool, you know?"

She laughed. "Well, I try."

Santa and Mrs. Clause were with Bernard and Judy in Santa's office, where the head elf was giving them his weekly report. Santa only made it about a quarter of the way through before he raised his hand.

"Bernard?"

"Yes, Santa?"

"What happened to your face?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's extra sparkly, and . . . your mouth is doing this thing . . ."

Judy and Carol exchanged a grin.

"I believe that's usually called a smile, Sir."

"Is that what it is, Judy?"

"All right, har har, fun is over. This is serious business, Santa - the year is flying-"

"There's Bernard. Welcome back!"

Bernard rolled his eyes with a heavy sigh, but the smile soon returned to his face. That woman. She had a surprise for him, but was making him wait until the next weekend - their one month anniversary. He didn't know what he was going to do for her yet, but she would probably tell him what she wanted. That was one thing about marriage to a queen - she knew what she wanted, and she was quite happy to order him to get it. (Or do it.) There were no guessing games.

Except that he had no idea what she could possibly have in store as his surprise.

"Hello? Mother? . . . Are you serious? Yeah, sure. Um, ew. I don't want to know, just . . . You know, let me know. I'll come visit after next weekend."