Dad Is Late And Laura Wants To Make My Life Hell (chapter 1)

Dad is late and Laura wants to make my life hell (chapter 1)

Ever since I could remember I've had the name Bernard practically engraved onto my wrist. Elegant strokes had seemed to dance joyfully across my skin, silver glittery writing that practically glows. I've never met anyone with only a first name. In fact I've never met anyone with a tattoo on them since birth.

Today was Christmas Eve and Laura was dropping Charlie off at me and dads house. Neil, his stepdad, decided to drive them there.

I see them pull into the driveway and open the door wide as Charlie runs to me with open arms. I pick him up and spin around once and set him back down as he giggles. I stand back up and hug Laura .

"I see your father couldn't even be here to greet Charlie. Not that I'm surprised." Laura snarks.

"He just got caught up at work for a little more than he thought. He called me and said he'll be here within the hour." I retort.

Even if she is my step mom she doesn't deserve to be able to talk shit about dad. He's never been the same since their divorce. My mom died when I was around 11. It was on Christmas Day that she died and I've never liked it since. I remember asking Santa to have her survive that year. I had rushed down the stairs hoping to see my mom and dad on the couch, mom checked out from the hospital and all better. Instead I got a dad with glassy eyes and every present I had ever wanted over the years, but no mom. Ever since then I stopped believing in Santa and the whole Christmas shtick. I'm now 22 and work as a baker living in my childhood home with my dad. He could never do it alone and I could never imagine what he would do alone. He's planning to make Christmas dinner so I've already made a reservation for Dennys seeing as it's the only thing open late on Christmas Eve. As I was silently praying that I don't have to spend any more time than necessary with this woman Charlie's voice breaks my concentration on keeping a fake smile on.

"There's not any Christmas lights outside sissy! Can we put some up to surprise dad when he comes home?!" Charlie pleads with the biggest puppy eyes he could muster.

Sighing I nod and kiss his head.

"Sure bud but I'm gonna have to get them from the attic so stay here in the living room until I get back."

He nods his little head and pulls his mom onto the couch where he sits.

I trudge up the stairs to the attic and open the pull latter. All are Christmas decor is still in boxes because dad knows it's a sore subject. But I'd probably kill someone if Charlie asked. So I suffer bringing down the cardboard box labeled *X-MAS LIGHTS*. I make my way back down to the living room and Laura has this annoyed look on her face. As if I'm not fit to watch my brother even though I'm 22. I literally have a successful bakery in downtown Chicago for christs sake!

Charlie notices my presence and runs over to me with the biggest grin he could muster.

"Sissy (y/n)! Let's go decorate the house!" He gently pulls on my sweater sleeve as he guide me out the door. Laura gets up with crossed arms and follows us out.

"So (y/n), you ever get that little idea of yours off the ground? Because if not I'm sure your dad can give you a job scrubbing toilets at his company." Laura asks rather smugly.

Oh how I hate that bitch. I force a smile on my face and turn to her.

"Actually I have a shop in downtown Chicago on Michigan avenue. Thanks for asking Laura!" I rub in her face and get back to lifting Charlie into the air to put the lights on the roof.

"Well how do you afford that. I mean you can't be making that much money off of cookies alone. Are you running a drug ring in the back?" Laura whispers the last bit into my ear as to block Charlie from hearing it.

I bite my lip and take a deep breath before setting Charlie back down and turning to her.

"Charlie it's getting a little cold, why don't you run along inside and I'll be inside in a minute." I smile at him.

"Ok sissy (y/n)!" Charlie skips inside shutting the door behind him.

"How dare you. I've been very cordial seeing as your a massive bitch and all you can say is that I have got to be a drug dealer because I'm making enough money to afford my dream." I snap at her.

Looking dumbfounded she begins sputtering as dad rolls into the driveway.

"Hey guys! Sorry I'm late. Hope I haven't kept you waiting to long!" Dad smiles at us not realizing how tense things just were.

"There's Christmas lights up!

(y/n), I didn't think you wanted them up this year." Dad looks at me confused

"Charlie wanted to surprise you. You know I can't say no to his little face!" I defend myself laughing a bit.

"Your daughter just called me a bitch just so you know Scott." Laura tells dad.

Dad frowns at me "(y/n), now why would do that? All she did was drop Charlie off."

"She said that I was a drug dealer!" I defend myself.

"I did no such thing!" Laura lies.

"(y/n) apologize to your stepmom now!" Dad practically seethes.

"That's bullshit and you know it. She's lying. And she's not even my stepmom anymore!" I turn and go into the house slamming the door behind me.

"Why do you and mom always have to fight?" Charlie surprises me by popping up in front of me.

"We weren't fighting sport. We were singing! But your moms singing kinda sounds like cats fighting. So that's what you heard honey!" I try to reassure him. I don't think he buys it but doesn't ask further.

Dad soon comes inside and Charlie rushes over to him. Dad whisks him into his arms.

"Why are there no presents under the tree?" Charlie asks dad.

"Well Santa has to come yet buddy!" I reassure him.

"Neil and mom said that Santa's not real. Believing is for babies!" Charlie shakes his head.

Of course the fucking did. Can't the kid enjoy anything?

"Well I believe in Santa and I'm not a baby." Dad tells him, hoping to save the spirit. I quickly agree "I agree and I'm not a baby either!"

"Well sport! I'm gonna start on our delicious Christmas turkey!" Dad strides into the kitchen.

"So we have to eat it? Can't we go out to eat sissy (y/n)?" Charlie whisper asks to me.

"Don't worry sport. I already called Dennys and made a reservation for 8." I encourage him.

"But I don't like Dennys!" Charlie cries.

"I know but it's the only thing that's open on Christmas sport!" I disclose to him.

*TIME SKIP BROUGHT TO YOU BY BURNT TURKEY*

Smoke billows out of the kitchen entrance. It envelopes dad and his extinguisher as he fights the fire. Charlie and I are sitting at the dining table and I give him a knowing look.

"Dad, let's just go to Dennys. I already called them so I know they're open." I call out into the smoke.

Dad steps from the smoke with ash covering him from just about head to toe.

"Yeah. I guess that's okay. I really wanted to make Christmas special for you again but looks like I failed again." He glumly agrees.

"You didn't fail anything. We are here as a family and that's all I could ever want!" I say as my eyes water, somewhat from the smoke and somewhat from the sentiment.

I pick up Charlie and we both hug dad, not caring to get dirty.

"Come on guys! Let's have a Christmas dinner at Dennys. It's an American institution!" Dad scoots is out as we put on our winter coats and scarves.

We load into the car and buckle up. Soon we are at Dennys.

"Are you with Hatsutashi?" The lady with a name tag reading (JUDY) asked us.

Dad starts to open his mouth but I cut him off.

"No actually I made a reservation earlier under Calvin." I inform her.

"Party of three," she begins pulling out the menus, " follow me" she says beckoning us to the right side of the resultant into a booth.

We sit down and dad starts to order egg nog as Charlie sits with a disgusted look on his face.

"We're out." Judy says flatly.

"I guess we will take coffee, decaf though please. And he'll take a chocolate milk please." I tell her.

"We're out."

"Plain milk's fine then!" I tell her and she walks away.

"At least we know they got hot apple pie." Dad tries to lighten the mood.

Judy shouts from somewhere behind the counter "We did".

This is just great!

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Christmas sucks and dad killed Santa (chapter 2)

Finally we were home after a mediocre dinner at Dennys. I drag my feet as I enter the threshold of the house. I'm the last to enter and the last to get my pajamas on. I may be an adult but I still wear onesies. My pjs of choice are a pink rabbit with a white tail. It resembles the one off of a Christmas story. It was mom's favorite movie of all time so I wear it Christmas Eve each year to honor her memory.

I lean into the doorway of Charlie's bedroom. Dads reading the night before Christmas and Charlie has just about a million questions.

"When out on the lawn, there arose such a clatter, l sprang from my bed to see what was the matter away to the window I flew like a flash.With a miniature sleigh and St. Nick and Prancer and Dancer and to all a good night." Dad recites the book, practically from memory, as he had since I was Charlie's age.

"What's that?" Charlie questions our dad.

"What's what?" Dad asks, clearly confused.

"A rose schuck ladder!" Charlie says with wide eyes.

"It's not a ladder. He said, 'arose such a clatter.' It means, eh, 'came a big noise.'" I clarify.

"What?" Charlie scrunches up his face still confused.

"Charlie, ‘arose’ is a word that means 'it came’, and 'clatter’ is a big noise." I reiterate.

"Yes and now it's time to go to bed" dad agrees as he tucks Charlie into his bed.

He turns to me and takes in my pajamas and holds back a snicker.

"Gotta problem with my duds old man?" I joke at him.

Charlie giggles and snuggles in deeper into the covers.

"No problem at all, squirt. Just makes me think is all." Dad replies with a small, sad smile. Tears are brimming in his eyes that threaten to spill.

"Come on, let's get to bed! If we want Santa to come we need to be asleep!" I usher dad out and into his room and walk to mine.

Soon I hear a gentle knock on my door just as I'm ready to snuggle in.

"Sissy (y/n) can I sleep in her with you? Dads snores too loud and I can hear it through the wall!" Charlie practically wails.

I know he just wants to make sure I'm ok but I pretend to buy it nonetheless.

"Come on sport! Let's snuggle and fall asleep to some nice music." I say swooping him into my arms and sitting us onto my queen size bed. Too tall for him to reach on his own without a stool. I put on some Mozart and we drift away.

(TIME SKIP BROUGHT TO YOU BY RED RYDER BB GUNS! YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT KID!)

I am abruptly woken by Charlie shaking me. This is not what I signed up for when I said he could sleep with me.

"(Y/n)! (Y/n)! I heard a clatter!" Charlie yells.

I slowly open my eyes and ask "What? Charlie, what are you talking about?

"You know! From the story! It came a big noise. It's coming from outside"

I start to say it might be the wind until I hear a loud noise too. Kinda like a ka-thump. The the sound of boots on the roof. I jump out of bed taking Charlie with me. I run as fast as I can to dads room.

I practically take the door off its hinges. My heart is pounding out my chest.

"Dad you gotta get up now! Someone's on the roof!" I say setting Charlie down rushing to his bedside.

"What (Y/n)? Someone on the roof? That's impossible. You probably dreamt it. Go back to sleep." Dad begins but gets cut of by more footsteps. Now he's wide awake.

"I guess it wasn't a dream dad," I huff at him

"Now is not the time for the sass (Y/n), someone's on our roof. Come on we'll go outside. Put on your shoes and coat quickly!" He says while pulling on some socks while quickly hobbling to his bedroom door and down the stairs.

I pick up Charlie again because I know I'll be faster carrying him than waiting for him at the bottom of the flight of stairs.

Throwing on a coat, boots and a winter hat onto both of us with Charlie still holding his blanket.

I rush out after dad and Charlie follow suit.

Dad yells something I can't make out to the person on our roof. Suddenly they slip and plummet onto the lawn as I quickly shield Charlie from the sight.

"Oh my gosh! You killed him!" I yell running through the slushy snow to where the man lay. However, all that was there was his clothes.

"You got him!" Charlie cries out, running, and nearly tripping to get to me.

"I did not! He's gotta be here somewhere! Let's check for some Id to see who this poor shmuck was." Dad argues now riddling through the pockets of the red coat.

"That almost looks like-" I start

"Look (Y/n)! Reindeer!" Charlie interrupts me pointing to the roof.

Lo and behold eight reindeer and a sleigh are parked on our roof.

"(Y/n) come here! I found something!" Dad calls after me.

I approach him and take a small business card from his gloved hand.

"lf something should happen to me, put on my suit. The reindeer will know what to do. What does that mean?" I read from the card and inquire to dad.

He shrugs and Charlie comes to us. "That means you gotta put it on dad!"

"No we are not going anywhere!" Dad asserts poorly.

"We never do what I want to," Charlie says, his eyes watering.

I hug him from behind and glare at dad .

"Look! The rose schuck ladder! Like from the poem!" Charlie beams at both of us.

"I'm going to call the police, please watch your brother for a minute (y/n)." Dad pleads and scurries off to get his phone.

Before I can even blink Charlie is now on the roof trying to touch a reindeer. I follow after him in a hurry.

"Charlie! (Y/n)! Get down from there! I thought you were watching him!" Dad yells at me. It's a miracle the neighbors haven't woken up.

"Dad, it's amazing! Come up here!" I yell down at him.

He runs to the ladder and climbs up, suit in hand.

"You need to get away from ghost things! They could have key lime disease!" Dad panics as he walks carefully towards Charlie. "Easy Rudolph" dad says to the reindeer.

As clear as day the reindeer says "I'm not Rudolph." I look to my dad to see if he also heard but he's just looking at its nametag.

"It's Santa's sleigh!" Charlie jovially says while climbing into it.

"There's no such thing as Santa's sleigh" dad scoffs.

"Sure there is. You said you believed in Santa, right dad" I nudge him.

"I did" he questions then covers his tracks with "I do!"

Dad climbs into the sleigh and I follow him. The seats are much softer than they look.

"Hey dad look! A hat!" I say pulling a plush Christmas hat from in between the cushions. I gently place it on my head after inspecting for lice. It's warm and cozy. The ear flaps are extra padded with faux fur.

"Oh great you found a bug infested hat! Oh how joyous! Let's get out now please" dad practically pleads with Charlie.

"No!" Charlie shakes his head making his hair get in his eyes.

"Come on Charlie! Let's go!" Dad pushes.

Suddenly the reindeer take off. I guess I'm in for one helluva ride tonight!

Rescue mission

(Chapter 12 of two souls entwined in the North Pole)

Bernard had finally gotten some time to himself. Pouring himself a cup of bubbling green liquid, he sits at the workshops chemist room. Suddenly, curtis rushes in.

"We've got a problem. Santa was at the Miller's, but he's not responding!" Curtis cries.

"What?!" Bernard jumps out of his seat, nearly shattering his mug in the process.

His soulmate was in danger! He could sense it. What it was, he did not know, but he knew it was bad. Laura had to have something to do with this!

"Do you want us to deploy the e.l.f.s., sir?" Curtis asks, bouncing on his heels.

"Absolutely! I'm coming with them!" Bernard quickly threw on his long coat.

"But sir, you're needed here!" Curtis protests.

"My soulmate is out there! In trouble! As their mate I am required to risk anything and everything to keep them safe! Need I remind you, keeper of the handbook?!" Bernard fights back and Curtis throws his hands up in defense.

"I guess I could take over for you, while you're gone." Curtis suggests.

"As much as I don't want to do that, you'll have to." Bernard rushes off, leaving a concerned Curtis behind.

Rushing to the E.L.F.S department, Bernard curses himself. If only he had gone with,none of this would have happened. If only he didn't agreed to Charlie tagging along, even if he had some good ideas. It was way too risky for him to do. But he couldn't just say no to his soulmates brother.

Making his way to the department, he slams open the door. Several elves jump and one falls out of their seat.

"Santa and the spirit of Christmas are in danger!" Bernard tells them.

"On our way sir!" The head of the department, an elf named Kenny, declares as all of them put on their jet packs.

"I'm coming with you guys." Bernard states, stepping forward slightly.

"If you say so, sir!" Kenny agrees.

Joining hands, they all disappear into a cloud of glitter. They appear on top of Charlie's roof.

As this is happening, a rather different performance is being drawn out in the holding cell with you and Scott.

"Look, I know you're Scott Calvin. You know you're Scott Calvin and (y/n) Calvin. So let's make this simple.  I say, names. You say, Scott Calvin and (y/n) Calvin. " The police officer pressures.

"Name?" He asks Scott.

"Kriss Kringle." Scott says smugly.

"Name?" He turns to you. 

"Christmas cheer." You protest.

"Name." He forces.

"Spirit of Christmas past, present, and future." You push.

"Name?" He asks for a third time, getting frustrated.

"Holiday joy. Festive cheer. Holiday blessings. Yuletide spirit. Festive joy. Joyous Noel.  Christmas spirit." You rattle off, laughing.

"Okay, Calvins. Maybe a couple of hours in the tank will change your mind." The officer growls and stomps out of the room.

Scott turns to you.

"It'll be ok honey," He smiles sadly.

You nod and blink away stray tears.

Meanwhile Bernard and the E.L.F.S. are preparing to rescue Charlie. They land on Charlie's roof where he is sitting.

"Charlie!" Bernard says to catch his attention.

Charlie turns his head and his eyes light up. Rushing over to Bernard he hugs his leg.

"Oh Bernard! They detained (y/n) and dad! They don't believe he's Santa! They think he kidnapped me!" Charlie sobs.

"Don't worry sport. We're here to rescue them." Bernard pats Charlie's head.

"We can't. The police are watching this place." Charlie looks at him.

"Yeah, they probably are. But you see, we weren't figuring on walking out the front door. We find that we can get around a lot faster if we fly. Now... grab hold of my hand. And hold on tight." Bernard presents his hand and Charlie grabs it.

"And Charlie," Bernard starts.

"Yeah?" Charlie inquires.

"Don't ever try this without elf supervision." He finishes.

I'm a split second they are flying through the air. It takes little time to end up at the police station. Landing, they walk into the station.

"We're looking for Santa Claus." Bernard steps forward.

"Go home, kids. Visiting hours are over." The security guard scoffs.

"We're not kids, and we're not visiting." Bernard presses.

"We're here to bust out my dad." Charlie chimes in.

"You're the Calvin boy. Who-- Who are these other kids?" The security guard stutters.

"We're your worst nightmare. Elves with attitude." Kenny glares.

In a split second the guard is tied to his chair with tinsel, unable to move.

"Shouldn't have had that doughnut. Oh! Untie me! I mean it! Untie—" The guard starts but they walk away.

Finding the holding cell was easy, getting them out might be a bit of a challenge though. Fiddling in his bag, Bernard pulls out an exact copy of the room key.

"Charlie!" "Bernard!" Both you and your dad cry out.

Bernard rushes over to where you are handcuffed to the table and with one touch, the handcuffs break off of you both. Throwing yourself into his arms you sniffle.

"You're really here!" You cry.

"You think I'd let you stay here snowbird?" He caresses your face.

"Never!" You pull him into a quick kiss.

"How'd you distract the guard?" Scott asks.

"Tinsel. Not just for decoration." Kenny places his hands on his hips.

"We gotta get you back sport." You tell Charlie.

He pouts, but eventually nods his head. They all clasp hands and teleport out of the holding cell. Landing at Charlie's house, Charlie opens the door. The ELFS dissipate back to the North Pole leaving Charlie, Scott, and you standing there. You look around for Bernard, but he's nowhere to be found. Sighing you stints the house after Charlie and your dad.

"Mom! Neil! I'm home!" He calls out.

Laura runs in from around the corner and Neil is close behind her. She scoops Charlie into a tight hug.

"Oh! My boy, you're home!" She cries.

"I'm fine, Mom." He says.

"Oh, Charlie. I missed you, honey." She hugs him tighter.

"Mom, I'm fine. It's okay." He reassure her.

"We were so worried about you. Look at you." She gives him a look over.

"Mom, put me down. Stop kissing me!" He pouts.

"We don't have a lot of time Charlie." You say, tapping your imaginary watch.

"Did you leave the gifts I made under the tree?" Charlie asks you.

"You bet we did sport!" You ruffle his hair.

"We better go!" Charlie gets loose from Laura.

"No, Charlie. No, no, no." Your dad stops him.

"No! No, wait, Charlie." Laura calls after him.

"It's ok Laura," You say.

"Actually I- I think its a much better idea" Your dad starts.

"That you stay here with your mom and Neil." You finish.

"But dad, (y/n)!" Charlie pouts.

"No buts, Charlie" dad shushes him.

"We can't be selfish. We can't be with you all the time." You start.

"We're a family. You, me , your mom, your sibling, and Neil." Your dad says.

"And they need to be with you too." You kneel down to him.

"I'll miss you too much." He mopes.

"Come on, listen. There's-- There's a lot of kids out there. Okay? Millions of kids. And they're-- They all-- They all believe in us. They're countin' on us, Charlie. And I-I'm not gonna let them down. We got a lot of work to do." Your dad explains.

"So I can't be selfish either." Charlie says through tears.

"You gave us a wonderful gift, Charlie. Listen, a wonderful gift. You believed in us when nobody else did. You helped make us what we are. Selfish! You're the least selfish person I know." You say, smooshing Charlie into a hug from you and your dad.

"I love you Santa Claus and Christmas spirit!" Charlie sobs out.

"I love you son." Your dad validate his emotions.

"I love you Charlie!" You confirm.

Charlie sobs and your dad gently shushes him. You turn to Laura.

"Yea what do you think? Christmas Eve you spend with Charlie?" You suggest.

"Oh my god!" She says in a hushed whisper, covering her mouth with her hands.

"It's you! It really is you!you really are... Santa Claus and the spirit of Christmas!" She smiles.

"Pretty cool, huh?" Your dad asks rhetorically.

"Oh, my God." Neil sighs.

"And you though I'd never amount to anything." You joke.

Standing up, you both ready yourselves for delivering gifts.

"Wait, don't go yet. I have something for you." Laura says, quickly running out of the room

"Scott." Neil says plainly.

"Neil." He nods back.

Neil steps forward and his eye widen.

"Santa?" He asks, childlike wonder dripping off of his voice.

"It’s ok Neil." Your dad reassures.

Neil steps away, turning around and placing his hands on his head in disbelief. Laura comes walking in with a folder in her hand.

"Here. It's... well it's... it's my Christmas present for you. It's the custody papers." She says setting the folder in the roaring fireplace.

"And I want you two to see Charlie as often as you can." She says softly while picking up Charlie.

"You can count on it," You smile.

"Thanks Laura." Your dad beams.

"Merry Christmas." You grin.

The spirit of Christmas?! (chapter 4)

The hallways seem to twist and turn in random directions but Bernard seems to know how to navigate it like the back of his hand. He looks back to make sure I'm still following every once in a while. I'm practically tearing off my skin at this point. My tattoo is hot to the touch and I can feel it through my sleeve. Bernard rubs his wrist every now and then, looking to me with furrowed brows. It seems like an eternity following him when we finally are met with a door. It's rounded with light blue paint on it. Strings of pine decorate it with painted on snowflakes speckled onto the varnish. Bernard reaches into his impossibly large bag and fishes out a key, it's handle matching the doors design. Turning the key and pushing on the door it gives a large creak, almost like it hadn't been used in decades.

"Well this is it." Bernard says, fully turning to me. "Welcome home (y/n)!"

"Your home maybe! Not mine!" I joke.

"Well, your home too now. At least it will be after the next eleven months." Bernard says sternly.

He motions into the room and I enter. The entire room is ice blue, except the few red and green accents. The biggest bed I've ever seen sits on the back wall. It may look like winter in here but I feel like I'm being boiled alive. Bernard follows in behind me.

"No offense, but this is bullshit!" I growl out at him.

He looks slightly taken aback but replies with "well I'm sorry you feel that way"

"Look, I stopped believing in Santa a long time ago. This has got to be some demented nightmare my mind has conjured up. One moment a guys falling off our roof and I'm putting on an old trapper hat I found the next I'm here and your spewing nonsense about me being the spirit of Christmas!" I say sitting onto the bed.

"Well, whether you believe it or not, you are now Christmas spirit." He says standing in front of me.

I take off the blasted hat that began this all and set it beside me. I begin to roll up my sleeves when I hear Bernard let out a soft gasp.

"Umm, what's your last name again?" Bernard stutters out.

"Calvin, why?" I blink in confusion.

I go to itch my arm and Bernard seizes my wrist.

"Ah! Fuck that hurt! What the hell is wrong with you dude! You're being really weird!" I yank my arm away, gently rubbing my wrist where he grabbed it.

"Language! But uh, I don't know how to say this," Bernard starts.

"Say what? That I've finally lost my marbles and need a mental evaluation?" I spit.

"We're soulmates," he breathes, calmly grabbing his sleeve and pulling upward.

Lo and behold there in the same handwriting reads the words (Y/N) CALVIN.

"What's a soulmate?" I hear a quiet voice ask from the doorway.

We both whip our heads around to find Charlie standing a few steps in the doorway.

I rush to him, sweeping him into a protective embrace.

"It's like a best friend, but more. It's the one person in the world that knows you better than anyone else. It's who you're destined to spend eternity with." Bernard tries to explain without fumbling over words.

"Well, sissy (y/n) hates Christmas, so I don't think she's your soulmate" Charlie says and then waddles over to the bed.

"Well, they'll learn to love it because they are now the spirit of Christmas, sport!" Bernard shakes his head, curls bouncing in every direction.

"Yeah, not gonna happen dude." I raise my eyebrows and lift Charlie onto the giant bed.

"Well it's got to happen or you and I both die. So..." Bernard trails off.

"How about I get is some hot coco and we talk about this?" Bernard tries persuading me.

"Ok I guess, but don't think that this will change anything!" I call after him as he leaves.

"He's nice." Charlie smiles at me.

"Yeah he is, but I think we will be talking about adult business, so... scram" I shoo him out of the room.

I flop on the bed and close my eyes, hoping once I open them I'll be back home in my bed.

"This can't be real!" I tell myself.

"It's 'bout as real as it gets." A voice cuts through my thoughts.

I open my eyes to see Bernard approaching with a mug in each hand. He hands me one and I cautiously take a sip. It's the best thing I've ever tasted. I set the mug onto a nearby coaster to cool off.

"So... what's the nonsense about soulmates?" I ask him.

"Every elf has a soulmate. It just makes things easier here. But never in my two thousand years of living would I have guessed that mine would be a human. Let along the child of Santa and the spirit of Christmas. I didn't know it was even possible." Bernard explains.

"This is crazy! I feel like I'm loosening it. First soulmates, Santa, Christmas spirits, This has got to be the weirdest experience ever!" I rant.

"Well you're stuck with the pole now." Bernard pats my back and I feel warmth radiating from my tattoo.

"Yeah, fat chance this is even real. When I wake up I'll be back in my bed." I retort.

"Well, yeah. You have to get ready to move here. Can't just yank you from your home you know." Bernard sasses.

"What's this b.s. about Christmas spirit now?" I raise my eyebrows at him.

"I'll have to train you. I'll stop by whenever I can and teach you how to use your magic." Bernard illustrates.

"This is crazy. I have a job! I can't just wait around for an imaginary soulmate to show up and teach me magic! I have to support my dad!" I clamor while jumping up.

"I can see that this is getting us nowhere. It's fine you're in denial right now but here. Take this." Bernard fishes around in his satchel and pulls out a locket.

"Rub this whenever you need to see me and I'll be there. No matter the time." Bernard clasps it around my neck.

"If I'm your soulmate, wouldn't you want me here now?" I ask lifting a brow.

"I've waited over two thousand years for you, what's one more?" Bernard smiles a sad smile.

I rush forward without thinking, my arms wrapping around Bernard's neck and causing him to wobble.

"I'm sorry. If you were real I'd gladly stay here with you!" I cry.

My eyes water and he hugs me like I might slip away at any moment.

"Well, I think you'll be seeing a lot more of me around." Bernard smiles.

"You better get to sleep though. I'll always be with you, right here." He pats my chest and makes his way to the door.

"Goodnight Bernard!" I call to him.

"Goodnight snowflake!" He calls back, closing the door behind him.

I reach for the folded pajamas Bernard left. I unfold them to see that they are embroidered with my initials. I change into them and pull the covers back. This has to be the softest pajamas I've ever felt. I nearly melt into the soft sheets. My tattoo no longer burns. I hope I have this dream every night!

I feel called out 😬