Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
NICK
“ W hat are you doing on a date?” Robyn glances over her shoulder to make sure Penelope can’t hear her. “You have a very important mission to finish before Christmas Eve. You can’t afford a distraction.”
I feel a surge of defensiveness. “I’m not playing around here. Penelope is... she’s different and important to me. And Noelle is incredible.”
Robyn’s eyes soften slightly, but the concern remains. “I understand. They’re both amazing. I can see their Good-List-ness from a mile away. And I know you must be lonely—.”
“See, that’s just it. I wasn’t. I didn’t feel like I needed anyone in my life. And then I met her.”
She stops. “Nick, our purses are giving us the wrong items. I didn’t realize how much we rely on them every day but we’re struggling. It’s slowing us down. You should see Frost. She puts seven different colored pens in her bun just so she always has one available. She looks like an old-fashioned television antana.”
I smirk at the image, and she smacks my arm.
“It’s not funny.”
I tip my head and give her a disbelieving look.
She caves. “Okay, it’s kind of funny. The point is, we’re finding ways to work around the chaos, but it would be a lot easier if we didn’t have to. And I’m not sure how far Christmas Magic will take the issue. What if the purses stop working altogether, and then it spreads to other magical things? Yesterday, it took a full fifteen seconds for it to give me a bowling pin.”
“What did you ask for a bowling pin for?”
“I didn’t. I asked for a rubber spatula.” She folds her arms and pins me with a look. “Please stay focused.”
I nod, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders. I hate that my decisions are adversely affecting my loved ones. As a former foster kid, I understand that the last thing any new family wants is a load of problems. “I understand. And things are going well with the Bazaar, I promise. The plans are coming together, and the community is really getting excited about it. Penelope is asking a ton of questions. She’ll practically be able to run the thing when we’re done.”
Just then, my phone rings, interrupting our conversation. I fish it out of my pocket, recognizing the number of one of the guys on the set-up committee.
“Hey, Jim,” I answer, trying to keep my voice light despite the tension I feel. “What’s up? ”
“Nick, we’re brainstorming ideas for the little kids at the Bazaar. Got any brilliant suggestions?”
Robyn turns me around and points to Oliver in the living room. He’s found an old toy train ornament and is showing it to Noelle, who’s watching with wide-eyed fascination. Suddenly, an idea strikes me. I glance at Robyn, and she motions for me to go that way.
“What if we set up a train ride? Something that could go around the whole community center?” I can already see Noelle in her little train car, grinning.
There’s a pause on the other end of the line, then an excited, “That’s perfect, Nick! The kids will love it.”
“I’ll work out the details,” I assure him. “ Save me some space around the perimeter. I’ll get back to you soon with more information.”
As I hang up, I turn to Oliver, who’s still playing with the train. “Hey, Oliver,” I call out, unable to keep the excitement from my voice. “How would you like to help create a real train for the Bazaar? About this size?” I hold my hands out as if measuring Noelle.
Oliver’s face lights up, his blue eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Are you kidding? I’d love to! I’ve got some ideas already.”
As Oliver launches into a detailed explanation of gears and tracks, I can’t help but smile. This is what the Kringles do best. Noelle pats his cheek as he talks. He turns and changes his tone to talk to her instead, all while using words like fluid coupling and counterbalance. “You’re talking steam, right? ”
I nod quickly. “Probably better than diesel, although you’ll be indoors. Don’t burn the place down.”
“Right. Right.”
I take Noelle from him. He’s about to go into a crazy engineer moment, and I don’t need her whisked away in his brilliance.
“I bet there’s enough room in the barn out back to set up a workshop—Doc-style.”
Oliver nods eagerly, already heading for the door. “On it!” He doesn’t bother to grab a coat—not that he’ll need it. I just want to keep Penelope believing that we’re normal people. Well, as normal as Kringles come.
I turn and catch Penelope’s eye. She’s watching me with a mix of surprise and something else—admiration, maybe? I can’t help but laugh at her wide-eyed expression.
I sidle up to her. Noelle reaches for her mom, and she takes the baby from me. “Sorry about all this,” I say, tucking my hands into my pockets. “My family can be a bit... overwhelming at times.”
Penelope shakes her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “Don’t apologize. I’m having fun.”
Her words warm me more than any cup of hot cocoa could. I’m about to respond when Hazel’s voice catches my attention.
“Can I hold her?” she asked Penelope, her eyes fixed on Noelle.
Penelope smiles warmly, gently transferring the baby to Hazel’s arms. “Of course.”
Hazel cradles Noelle carefully, cooing softly. “Hello there, little one. Aren’t you just the sweetest thing? ”
Noelle’s eyes begin to droop almost immediately. Within moments, she’s fast asleep in Hazel’s arms.
Hazel’s eyes widen in panic. “I didn’t mean to!” she exclaims, her voice rising in pitch. Robyn hurries over to take the baby. “Oh no, did I do something wrong? I’m still learning to control it, I swear!”
I know exactly what’s happened—Hazel’s Santa magic kicking in without her full control. She not only knows when you’re sleeping, but she can put you to sleep and give you dreams. It’s a powerful ability, one she’s still learning to master.
Penelope steps in quickly. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Babies fall asleep when they feel safe and comfortable. It’s a good sign.” She wraps an arm around Hazel and gives her a side hug.
Hazel draws in a breath as if she’s trying to calm her racing heart. She probably is. But I can see that she feels more confident with Penelope’s approval.
“Try swaying with her,” Penelope tells her as she steps back. “She likes it and will settle in deeper.”
Hazel moves side to side—awkwardly at first, but then finds an easy rhythm.
Noelle giggles in her sleep.
Hazel’s face breaks into a delighted grin. “I did it!” she whispers excitedly. “I gave her a happy dream.”
I feel a surge of pride for my niece. She’s come so far in learning to control her abilities, even if she still has moments of doubt.
Penelope puts an arm around me and leans into my side. Talk about dreams coming true. I hold her close and breathe in her floral and vanilla scent. The living room, which had seemed so perfect and orderly for my date with Penelope, is now a cheerful mess. The remains of our dinner are still on the table, and the air is filled with the mingled scents of Hazel’s Christmas nuts, hot cocoa, and baby powder.
It feels right.
This is my family—chaotic, magical, and full of love. And Penelope and Noelle, rather than seeming out of place in this whirlwind, fit in perfectly.
I reach into my pocket, my fingers brushing against the Christmas wish coin I always carry with me. Robyn seems to think that Penelope is a distraction from my goal. I don’t think so. She’s motivation. I want this Bazaar to be a success for her. Every decoration I put up, booth I help organize, and choir performance I schedule, I think of how much she will like it.
Looking around at my family, at Penelope’s warm smile, at Noelle sleeping peacefully in Hazel’s arms, I feel closer to my goal than ever before.
In this moment, surrounded by love and warmth, I feel a sense of belonging stronger than any I’ve ever known.
The evening winds down, and my family has to go. They take the front door and sneak around to the backyard, where Oliver had the reindeer land the sleigh. Going up the chimney isn’t an option with Penelope around.
As the last of my family files out, Robyn pulls me aside one more time. “Remember what we talked about,” she says, her voice low and serious. “The Bazaar is crucial. We’re counting on you. ”
I nod, feeling the weight of responsibility settling back on my shoulders. “I know. I won’t let you down.”
She softens slightly, patting my arm. “I know you won’t. And for what it’s worth, Penelope is lovely. Just be careful, okay?”
With that cryptic warning, she’s gone, leaving me alone with Penelope and a sleeping Noelle.
“Well,” I say, turning to Penelope with what I hope is a charming smile, “that was certainly an eventful evening. I don’t suppose you’d believe me if I said my family isn’t usually like this?”
Penelope laughs, the sound like music to my ears. “Honestly? I hope they are always like this. It was wonderful, Nick. Chaotic, yes, but wonderful.”
I feel a weight lift from my chest at her words. “Really? You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”
She shakes her head, her eyes soft in the dim light. “Not at all. The way they welcomed Noelle and me, no questions asked. It’s been a long time since we’ve felt that kind of acceptance.”
Her words make my heart ache. I want to pull her close, to promise her that she and Noelle will always have a place here, always be accepted and loved. But it’s too soon for such declarations, no matter how true they might be.
Instead, I settle for honesty. “I’m glad you got to meet them, even if it wasn’t quite how I planned it.”
Penelope smiles, shifting Noelle in her arms. “Life rarely goes according to plan,” she says softly. “Sometimes that’s a good thing. ”
“Let’s get this princess to bed.” I grab a quilt off the couch and wrap it around the two of them. “I’ll get the car warm and come back for you.”
“Okay.”
I don’t like the idea of taking them home. I want to keep them and make them mine. Robyn’s warning rings in my ears, and I go out and start the car.