Fletcher
You want it to be twirly?
had settled into accepting that his Decembers would be quiet and uneventful. That he would work at the shop during the day and roam the Village every evening as Santa. Nothing in the world could have prepared him for the appearance of Micah George and her spitfire of a daughter. Now, he was making adjustments in his life and changing schedules. He was making plans so he could actually spend time with Micah. So far only Benson and his bandmates knew that something was happening, because he didn’t want to jinx it. There were moments when would open his text conversation with Erin to tell her, but then stop himself. What was he going to say? The love of my life is back? I said I never wanted to get married again, but I lied? She’s here, the woman of my dreams? In all their years of being friends, he’d never talked about anyone that way before. She would be worried and probably hop on the next flight out to make sure he wasn’t falling apart.
Instead, he was focusing on getting his outfit for Rockstar Santa put together.
Flora, according to Hank, was a Sirena Beach fixture. Benson talked about her like she was a witch, that she’d been in town since the moment it came into existence. thought everyone was losing their minds, until he met her. Formidable even though she was half his size, Flora could be all of the things rumors and stories said she was. But he was instantly drawn to her. She’d been Hank’s tailor when he took on the role of Santa in town. And with the responsibility passed onto , she was now his tailor.
Which wasn’t the craziest thing he’d ever heard. During his time with The Rescuers, he had a tailor, an assistant, a manager, an agent and then a whole heap of other people who catered to his every whim and fancy. Unlike his bandmates, didn’t take his team for granted. In fact, they often had to beg him to give them work. He never understood the concept of having a battalion of people doing everything for him when he was capable of going down to the pharmacy to refill his meds.
But Flora? He wasn’t going to trade her in for anything. In fact, when she wasn’t putting together his Santa outfits, she was also stitching him new shirts. Flora made fun of his flannel wardrobe, but expertly crafted his clothes for him. didn’t have too many memories of his grandmothers, so he’d put Flora into that role whether she wanted it or not. Especially since she had opinions about everything in his life, including how he needed to date, get married and have a million children. In Flora’s mind, was young enough to be a father. Little did she know that he was pushing fifty and hadn’t even considered parenthood until Emery George walked into his life.
“Quit daydreaming and tell me what we’re doing,” Flora said, tossing a ball of wool at him, making him drop his phone. “I’ve only got a few days to whip this up.”
“Why are you so violent?”
“Because you’re wasting my time mooning over whoever is on the other end of that thing .”
Like most people her generation, Flora didn’t trust smartphones. She still had a rotary phone hanging in her kitchen, one with a long cord that was so twisted up he was surprised she could hear anything through it. had attempted to untangle it a few times, but realized it was pointless. Flora didn’t mind the chaos, so he’d let her live in it.
“I’m Rockstar Santa this year,” he told her, checking his phone for damage before opening up his gallery for the picture he’d saved. “I was thinking a long coat I can leave open.”
Flora adjusted her glasses and peered at the screen, a naughty smirk playing on her lips. “That Kurt Russell always had a special something.”
made a face and took the phone back quickly. The picture of Kurt Russell from The Christmas Chronicles was a pretty good description of how he wanted his coat to look. Functional and sexy, because was hoping Micah would like him in it.
“It doesn’t need to be that fluffy, obviously. I’m planning to leave it open in front.”
“Are you planning on going naked? I don’t think this town needs to see all of you hanging out.”
“Jesus, Flora,” he groaned and rubbed his forehead, dropping into the chair beside her work station. “ Rockstar , remember. Jeans and a T-shirt.”
“Rockstars in my day walked around naked a lot. And moved their hips like they were humping the air. You doing any of that?”
Staring at her for a long moment, he tried to erase the visual Flora had put in his head. “I’m wearing clothes under the coat.”
She rolled her eyes and waved him off. “How long are we thinking?”
“Shins?
“You want it to be twirly?”
“Uh…sure?”
She rolled her eyes and sketched it out. smiled as he watched her mumble to herself, forehead crinkling as her pencil moved smoothly across the page. When she was done, Flora grabbed her tape measure and stood up.
“Up you go, rockstar ,” she said and directed him to stand in a spot that was free of furniture. He’d done this with her enough that he knew how it worked. Stretching his arms out and spreading his feet, waited as Flora measured him. Once she was done, she waddled back to her chair and mumbled something again before setting her pencil down.
“I’ll also need a new hat.”
“What happened to the last one?”
“Gave it to a kid.” winced at the glare Flora shot him. “He said something about not getting any gifts that year and I felt bad.”
“You and Hank…bleeding hearts,” she grumbled. “I’ll make you a few this time, don’t go handing them out to kids with sob stories.”
“I’ll do my best, no promises.”
Flora sighed, a heavy dramatic one that seemed to go on forever, before she was on her feet again. “Now be gone, so I can work on this masterpiece.”
“You’re the best, Flora.”
“Don’t sweet talk me, young man. I know your type.”
He chuckled as he wrapped one arm around Flora and squeezed her shoulder gently. “What type is that?”
“Charming all the older ladies because you think we’re into this wild untamed look.”
“You said you liked my hair like this!”
“Would it kill you to comb it once in a while? And that beard…do something about it.”
He pretended to look offended, but when Flora flashed him a playful smirk, he couldn’t stop his laugh from bursting out.
“I’ll keep that in mind when I come back.”
“Two days,” she reminded him, then nudged him. “Now go. Do whatever it is rockstars do when they’re not harassing old ladies.”
laughed and dropped a kiss to the top of Flora’s head before stepping away. He caught the edge of her mouth curling into a smile, but didn’t say anything. With his phone in hand, he walked out of Flora’s house, with the hopes of seeing Micah.
I remember someone saying they’d be with me…
Micah
That someone was clearly misguided.
Because she’s booked back-to-back sessions and is hiding in the restroom to get a break.
Well, that won’t do.
Do you need a rescue?
Micah
I wish. *sad face emoji*
I know you’re busy this evening, and while I haven’t asked and am very curious, I might have some time after dinner?
I might be able to swing that.
Micah
I promise that I’ll get better at making time for us.
His heart stuttered at Micah’s use of the word us , because that’s what he was hoping they would be. An us , a we …Micah and , together. It was silly to get his hopes up and wish for these things so early, but the way he felt about her made him want all of that so badly.
You’ve got an important job, Mick. Don’t apologize.
Micah
And a very needy teenager.
I happen to like said teenager, so don’t shit on her.
Micah
Oh god, is this what it’s going to be like? The two of you ganging up on me?
Probably.
And I like the sound of that, actually.
He liked the sound of that a lot . The more he weighed the situation and where their relationship might be going, the more thought about being a sort of father to Emery. Sure, all of that depended on whether or not the teenager wanted anything to do with him. But liked to think that she did like him. Even just a little bit. He hoped that she would continue to feel the same way when they told her about their relationship. Or whatever he and Micah were doing.
Question for you, if you’re still hiding out.
Micah
My client is late, actually. So shoot.
What are we?
Micah
Human beings.
*eye roll emoji*
Micah
A man and a woman?
You’re impossible.
Micah
Nooooooo, I am Micah.
Pressing his lips together, he shook his head. He was sitting in the driver’s seat of his truck outside Flora’s house, texting and not giving a shit what people might have to say. He had a meeting with Jensen in a bit to discuss everything that was happening at Santa’s Village. So was giving himself a little while to relax before the next thing took all his brain space.
Micah
To answer your question, we’re figuring it out.
Right. That’s all we are right now.
Micah
Do you want us to be something else?
We’re figuring it out is a good place to be.
Micah
Uh huh…what’s going on?
Nothing. Crossed my mind and I wanted to ask.
Micah
*side eye emoji*
You’ll tell me if something ELSE is on your mind?
You’ll be the first to know.
Micah
Okay. *kissy face emoji*
My client just arrived, so I have to go.
Go change the world, Mick.
Micah
*kissy face emoji* *kissy face emoji* *kissy face emoji*
With his phone still open to their conversation and tucked into the cup holder in his truck—so he could see the emojis blowing kisses his way— drove to meet with Jensen Mars about the next three weeks of his life. While they usually met at town hall, Jensen had insisted on meeting outdoors that day and was glad for it.
The crew was already putting up Santa’s Village when he pulled up beside Jensen’s flashy sports car. Pocketing his phone, took a minute to admire the design. While the concept stayed mostly the same—a candy lane decorated Main Street covered the entire space, with shop fronts on either side where local businesses could set up their wares and sell it during the three weeks Santa’s Village was open—the decorations and designs changed slightly every year.
Jensen was in the middle of a huddle with men in hardhats, shouting and pointing as he gave everyone directions. stayed against his truck, watching everything unfold. He’d been doing this for four years and it still blew him away. The fact that people spent so much time and money on Christmas every year was quite unbelievable. And the fact that a small town like Sirena Beach had a Santa’s Village that brought people from all over the state, and sometimes the country, was quite incredible. had to admit that despite his hesitation about taking on the job and moving to the beach town, he liked how much they cared about the community.
Even though he’d grown up in a small town, he couldn’t remember Christmas ever looking like this. And they had actual snow, none of the fake stuff that sometimes made him sneeze continuously. Christmas in the Kelley household had also never been a big deal. had been to enough friends’ homes where they had decorations covering every surface and he’d seen all the movies about the holiday to know what Christmas was supposed to be like. But to his family, it seemed frivolous and unnecessary.
His father would build the life size nativity set for the town every year, while and his siblings watched in awe as everything came together so beautifully. That was the extent of Christmas spirit in their home. While they got gifts on Christmas morning, because there were four kids, they only got one each. And it was only when he was a teenager that realized all the gifts were the same price. Whatever they got his eldest brother would be the benchmark and the rest would get gifts within the same price range. So often the gifts weren’t even what the kids wanted, but and his siblings knew better than to complain.
When The Rescuers was formed and they celebrated their first Christmas together, was introduced to the magic of holiday cheer. Everything from the music to eggnog, mistletoe and a giant Christmas tree. Not to mention the thoughtful gifts and fun that came with the season. As their fame increased, they were invited to bigger Christmas parties where there were more gifts and large trees. One year, they were even in Rockefeller Center for the tree lighting. For —a young man who had always craved the exciting Christmas—that night was one of the greatest in his life.
Once they were picked up by a record label, actually convinced the producers and executives to let them record a few Christmas songs one year. Anything that would allow him to spread his cheer as much as possible. The EP didn’t do as well as they hoped, but didn’t care. He’d been able to perform his favorite Christmas songs with his favorite people. And that was more than enough.
might have protested and tried to refuse when Hank enlisted him for this job four years ago. But secretly, he was excited. The holidays were about family for everyone else, but for it was about the joy that he felt. His chest always felt like it was going to expand and explode with how much he loved the time of year. Add the fact that little kids got so excited when they saw Santa and his elves, and ’s life was made.
The only nuisance was the dumb outfits Jensen and the town made him wear, but had decided that it was all part of the job and he would suffer for…art.
“ Claus!” Jensen called out, breaking him from his thoughts about Christmases past.
“I hate you,” he grumbled and with his hands shoved into his pockets, he walked over to where Jensen was handing out the last few instructions to the crew.
“You ready for this?”
“Yes?”
Jensen laughed and clapped on the back, both of them watching as the guys lifted one stretch of designed shop fronts upright. This was the other thing he liked about being Santa—he got to watch the Village come to life.
“How’s your outfit coming along?”
“You know Flora. Gave me grief the whole time.”
Jensen smirked. “But she’s the best there is.”
“Yeah. So…what’s the plan this year?”
As much as he wanted to hang around and talk about Flora, also wanted to get back to the shop in time for Emery and Nico’s lesson. And then hope that he could see Micah when she wrapped up for the day. He’d allowed himself to get distracted by Christmas and holiday cheer, but still itched to hold Micah. Nothing else, just hold her. Maybe kiss her. Play with her soft curls. Trace her tattoos and kiss her soft brown skin.
“…then you can probably do what you usually do,” Jensen continued and blinked when he realized he missed everything.
“Uh, one more time?”
“What?”
“Got distracted, could you say it all again?”
Jensen arched an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “Were you thinking about Micah George?”
“The plan, Mars. Lay it out for me.”
“You can tell me, you know. I’m a really good wingman.”
Sighing, shook his head. “I don’t need a wingman.”
“Oh?”
“Can we just…” he started and saw the look on Jensen’s face and decided to throw the man a bone. “I don’t need a wingman, because I already have her.”
“You…bagged the elusive Micah George?”
“Don’t fucking say bagged , that’s disgusting. I told you we have history and apparently some unfinished business,” he explained and shot Jensen another look before waving a hand at him. “Now, back to the plan for this year.”
Jensen stared at him for a long moment, still smiling like the Cheshire Cat as he said, “The mayor wants to do the grand opening in three days, cutting the ribbon and the whole shebang. She’s got some special guests coming this year, so before everyone shows up, she wants to take them around. And Santa needs to be there too.” nodded, even if he didn’t want to glad-hand rich people the mayor brought over every now and then. “So we’ll do that a little earlier, then the opening ceremony with the kids’ choir doing their usual song and dance. Then you and your elves can wander around as you please.”
sighed, already tired from how much work this would be. He enjoyed and loved it, no doubt. But it was exhausting.
“Our deal is still on, yeah?”
Jensen made a face, but nodded. “He’ll be there on the first day too, so you two can work out your schedules.”
The first two years, had worked all seven days of the week and found that it was too much for him to handle. So he had an agreement with Jensen— would work five days of the week and take two days off. It could be any five days, as long as he got time to rest and recover before the next week rolled around. Jensen and the mayor hadn’t been happy about it, but knew that he needed to put his foot down. Or they’d take him for granted. Sam, the replacement Santa, could be ’s body double. Living in the town over, he was happy to take on the job for extra cash. And was happy to have some time off.
“Great. I’ll see you in three days.” not so gently punched Jensen in the arm. “Respect goes a long way, Mars. Don’t talk about Micah, or anyone , that way.”
“I know. I’m sorry,” he said with a sigh.
gave him one last look before heading back to his truck. His phone buzzed in his pocket and pulled it out as he climbed behind the wheel.
Micah
I’m sorry, Fletch. Raincheck?
I will make it up to you.
*sad face emoji* *kissy face emoji*
Get home safe, Mick. And I’ll hold you to that. *kissy face emoji*