Disclaimer: I don't own any aspects to this story.

Chapter 36:

The Big Man Himself

Anna jumped up and down. This was it. This was the big moment. Santa Claus himself was coming. The crowd seemed to share her enthusiasm, as several of the elves were lifting each other up on their shoulders, accompanying the yetis in hand-waving towards the figure at the door.

If anything, the crowd was a little too enthusiastic. Anna found her sight hindered by all the elves and yetis who were waving. Try as she might, Anna found she couldn't get a clear look at Santa. If she were still her normal age and height, this would have been easy. How to overcome this obstacle?

Anna looked over at Jack, an idea forming in her head. "Jack, I know this is going to sound weird, but could you please lift me up?"

Jack looked down at Anna. "How come?" Then his expression changed and he nodded in understanding. "It's a little difficult to see at your height, isn't it?"

Anna nodded. "Yes. So, maybe I'll be able to see easier on your shoulders."

Jack grinned. "Sure thing, Anna. No need to tower in impatience, or anything."

"Not another word, Jack."

"Ok, ok. Sorry. Just pulling your leg." Jack turned to Elsa. "Do you want to alternate? Anna gets a view for two minutes, then you get a view?"

Elsa shook her head. "I appreciate it Jack, but I know that I'll see Santa shortly, so I can wait."

"Perfect. The logical approach. Always a regal choice," Jack replied.

Jack then leaned down, allowing Anna to climb up on Jack's shoulders. Anna found to her surprise that the higher view didn't help matters that much. She was able to see a figure make his way down the stairs, waving at the elves and yetis, but wasn't able to get a clear glimpse. Guess height wasn't always the solution.

Something else caught Anna's eye, though. While most of the reindeer were excited about the event, jumping up and down in their reins, one reindeer seemed even more giddy. This reindeer was jumping so high, he threatened to break his reins and the harness. Warren and the elves pulled him down and whispered something to him. The reindeer nodded and resumed jumping at a lower pace. Anna squinted a little. This reindeer seemed very familiar.

"Jack, does that reindeer remind you of anyone?" Anna asked.

Jack turned to look. "The one Warren is talking to? You're right, there is something familiar about him." Then Jack smiled. "Well, what do you know? It's Sven."

Anna's eyes widened. "Sven's pulling the sleigh? Why? I mean, it explains a lot, but why?"

"Buddy and the other elves were talking about a replacement reindeer being needed. Maybe Sven was chosen," Olaf commented.

Anna nodded. That seemed to make sense. She couldn't believe Sven had gotten such an honor. Pulling Santa's sleigh. Kristoff would be so excited once he found out. Anna clapped her hands. It was so exciting that everyone was having the night of their lives.

Jack then put Anna back down. "Sorry Anna. North's getting close and my shoulders are getting tired."

"North?" Olaf asked.

"Sorry, I meant Santa. Slip of the tongue, there."

Before anyone could say anything else, Santa arrived. He looked exactly like Anna had pictured. Red suit, white beard, general roundness. An expression that indicated kindness and a touch of solemnity. A voice that was grandfatherly and regal at the same time, with just a touch of a foreign accent, presumably Russian. Anna took an immediate liking to the man.

The Conductor tipped his hat, revealing a bald spot under the hat. "Pleasure to see you again, sir."

"Indeed it is, friend, indeed it is." Santa replied. His eyes went around the group. "It's very nice to meet you all. You have all come a long way, and I'm glad you're here."

He then walked among the kids, talking to each of them as if they alone were the ones that mattered. Anna gulped. What was she going to say when it was her turn? It wasn't every day you got to talk to the big man in the red suit. She didn't want to make a fool of herself.

Olaf put a hand on her shoulder. "You'll do fine. He's just a human, like everyone else. It's like talking to a foreign dignitary. Take a deep breath."

Anna closed her eyes, taking a breath to calm herself. Soon, her nerves were calmed and her excitement started to level out. She opened her eyes. "Thanks, Olaf."

Santa came over to Jack. "Jack, how are you liking the North Pole and the Polar Express?"

Jack smiled. "It's great. In all my travels, I don't think I've heard anything about this train before. It was quite the surprise to find out. Thank you for that, sir."

Santa smiled. "Well, it's no surprise that you're enjoying yourself, from what I've heard about you, Jack. Your sense of fun and adventure seem to be a perfect fit for the Express. You're always spreading cheer and helping others blow off steam. I'm glad that you've had an excellent time. Keep up the good work."

Jack nodded. "Thank you, sir."

Santa then moved to the next person. "Elsa, you've come a long way from where you were. Opening up and letting others into your life has certainly brought some cheer to you and to others."

"Thank you, sir." Elsa said, sheepishly. "I'm glad that you think I got some cheer, but I think I got more cheer than I spread."

Santa chuckled. "On the contrary, my dear, your cheer has spread to others, making your home and your town much brighter and closer to the general spirit of Christmas. A positive attitude can brighten a room, and your positive attitude has brought such cheer that hasn't been seen in many years. Don't ever doubt yourself or what you can do. You might be surprised with what you find."

Elsa smiled a little, tears forming in her eyes. "Thank you, sir. I needed to hear that."

Santa nodded. "Indeed. Attitude can affect others more than one thinks. There is one other person I can think of that clearly illustrates this point."

Anna then found Santa looking directly at her. "You, my dear, have been a shining beacon of optimism. No matter what has happened in your life, you never gave up, never succumbed to the insurmountable odds. You reached out to your sister when she needed it and your optimistic attitude and love helped her overcome her own struggles. Very well done, my dear."

"Thank you, sir. It's such an honor to meet you. I've been dreaming of this moment my whole life. I mean, I didn't dream to be riding a train on Christmas Eve, but I've always wanted to come up here," Anna rambled

Santa smiled. "Well, I have heard that a lot. To be honest, I'm a little surprised by my celebrity status. I just pass out gifts to people. It's nothing special really. I actually find people throughout the world already doing this, spreading cheer and love to others. In a way, then, everyone can become Santa. They just need to give generously. Just as someone generously gave his life for others a long time ago."

Santa's eyes gained a faraway look, as if he was remembering something from the past. He soon shook his head and cleared his throat. "Now, there comes the matter of a gift to start off this year's run. I believe we should address that."

Santa then turned his gaze onto the crowd of children, his eyes flicking to each one. Anna held her breath. This was it. The first gift of Christmas. She really hoped it was her or somebody else that she knew. It'd still be fun if another kid got it, but it'd be more fulfilling if she or those with her got the gift.

Santa's eyes flickered on her and seemed to linger a moment. It was like he knew what she had been thinking. Then they moved onto Elsa, Jack and Olaf. Santa's eyes lingered on Olaf especially. Anna knew with every feeling in her bones that Olaf was going to be the one. Santa kept his eyes on Olaf, his mouth opening to speak.

But Santa's hand whipped out unexpectedly to a different person. "How about this one right here?" Anna turned to look at the individual in question. Her eyes widened. She couldn't quite believe it. The person who was getting the gift was…

And this seems like as good a place as any to stop for the week. Nothing like a good dramatic cliffhanger to end a tv episode, so the same should be said for fanfiction story chapter releases.

Just letting everyone know that I will be busy with the holiday season in the near future. As a result, I will not be able to post the next few chapters for a little while. The good news is that my plan is to wrap it all up in the next submission (which will be Christmas Eve at most). As always, please rate and review.