Chapter 34
CHAPTER 34
PENELOPE
I t’s been a long day, and it’s not over yet. The Bazaar is another huge success. The vendors have all told me that they hit their sales goals by noon, those attending are filled with Christmas cheer, and the children love the live reindeer.
From the look of things, the reindeer love the children, too.
I am curious . . . Knowing what I know about Nick’s family background . . . Do the reindeer fly? It’s possible. I feel like a little kid caught up in the magic of believing, and I keep sneaking looks their way to see if their feet are still on the ground. Feet? Hooves?
I’ll google it later.
I scan the crowd, but I don’t see Nick. I’m a little worried about him. He pronounced his love for me in front of his family, told me he was sorry, and then went quiet .
It’s not the first time he said he loves me and I hope it won’t be the last. I was taken off guard by the way he said it and saying it back didn’t feel right. What was I supposed to do, yell it at his family too?
Not exactly romantic.
I spy Noelle and Hazel at the hot chocolate booth and change directions. The outfit that Lux sent for her is so cute I can hardly stand it. I’ve always liked dressing Noelle up, but I don’t have money to spend on impractical clothing like red boots. Oh, those red boots! They melt me.
Hazel looks really pretty in her sweater dress. She doesn’t know how beautiful she is and I wish I could help her understand that she has so much to give to the world. If only she’d come out of her shell. At least she’s herself around Noelle and I. Her acceptance makes me feel like I’m part of something special and I am grateful that being with Nick brings her into my life.
Noelle holds up her cup to Hazel. “Can I have another pump of peppermint, please?” she asks so sweetly. Goodness, does Hazel teach manners, too? I love her all the more.
Hazel grins, her ice-blue eyes twinkling. “Of course you can, sweetheart. In fact, why don’t we try all the flavors?”
I can’t help but chuckle as I join them. “Easy there, you two,” I say, my tone light. “We don’t want to send Noelle into a sugar coma.”
Noelle turns to me. Her face lit up with joy. “Mamma! You have to try this hot chocolate. It’s the best ever!”
I lean down and place a soft kiss on her forehead, inhaling the sweet scent of chocolate and peppermint that clings to her. “Is that so? Well, I guess I’ll have to have a cup myself then.”
As Hazel prepares another cup of cocoa, I watch Noelle, marveling at how easily she’s adapted to all the changes in our lives. She’s chattering away to Hazel now, describing in great detail the reindeer she saw earlier, her hands gesturing animatedly. When she finishes, she takes a long sip from her cup.
With Noelle distracted, I turn to Hazel, a question that’s been burning in my mind, finally finding its way to my lips. “What’s it like?” I ask softly. “Being Santa’s grandchild?” If things progress with Nick and me, which I have no reason to doubt that they will, Noelle will be Hazel’s cousin. I don’t know what that looks like. How does one visit their grandparents at the North Pole? Is there a magical snow globe involved or a sleigh ride?
Hazel ducks her head. “I guess it’s okay,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s nice not to get cold or have to sleep as much as people do. You know you’re different, though.”
I nod, understanding the weight of her words. My gaze drifts across the Bazaar and lands on Nick. Well, at least I found him. He’s deep in conversation with Oliver, his brow furrowed in concentration. Even from this distance, I can see the tension in his shoulders, and I wonder what they’re discussing.
“What about your home at the North Pole?” I ask, turning back to Hazel. The thought of leaving my grandfather, of uprooting our entire lives, sits heavy in my chest. I would do it for Nick, but it would be hard. Is there a rule about not being sad at the North Pole?
Hazel’s face lights up. “It’s fantastic,” she says, her voice filled with warmth. “Truly a magical place to grow up.”
I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. “I have so many questions,” I admit, feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all.
Hazel laughs, a sound as clear and bright as sleigh bells. “I’m sure you do.” Her expression sobers slightly. “It’s a whole life, you know. Some of my cousins were adopted into the family and they were given magical powers. They’re part of Christmas now as much as I, who was born into it, am.”
I glance at Noelle, who’s now engrossed in adding whipped cream to her cocoa. “Noelle will love it. I know she will,” I say, wrapping my arms around myself. The thought of my daughter immersed in such wonder and magic fills me with comfort. Who wouldn’t want their child to be surrounded by people who embody the Spirit of Christmas?
“What about you?” Hazel asks, her keen eyes studying my face.
I frown, trying to put my swirling thoughts into words. “I’m not sure...” I begin, my voice hesitant. “I don’t know what I would do up there. Here, I have a purpose, a job, a place. It’s a lot to leave behind.”
Hazel’s expression softens with understanding. “Nick would stay here, you know,” she says gently.
I cock my head, surprised. “Doesn’t he have to plug into the North Pole every so often to charge his magic or something?”
Hazel’s laughter rings out, clear and melodious. “Not exactly,” she says, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Just so you know, he said you were worth giving up all that.”
My heart skips a beat. “He did?” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the bustling sounds of the Bazaar.
The magnitude of what Nick is willing to sacrifice for me, for us, suddenly becomes clear. I’ve never known a man who would give up his French fries for me, let alone his whole life and his family. It feels like too much, overwhelming in its intensity. A small voice in the back of my mind whispers that I’m not worthy of that kind of love.
I turn my gaze back to Nick, watching as he runs a hand through his wavy hair, a gesture I’ve come to recognize as a sign of his frustration. Even from here, I can see the way his green eyes crinkle at the corners as he listens intently to whatever Oliver is saying.
As if sensing my gaze, Nick looks up, his eyes meeting mine across the crowded Bazaar. His face softens, a warm smile spreading across his features, and I feel an answering smile tugging at my own lips.
“Mamma, look.” Noelle’s excited voice breaks through my reverie. I turn to see her proudly displaying her hot chocolate, now topped with a mountain of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Almost too pretty to drink.” I say, reaching out to wipe a smudge of whipped cream from her nose .
“Almost,” Noelle agrees with a giggle before taking a big sip, leaving her with a whipped cream mustache.
“You know,” Hazel says softly, her voice pitched low so only I can hear, “Nick’s not the only one who’s gained something wonderful. You and Noelle... you’ve brought so much light into his life.”
I feel a lump form in my throat at her words. “We have?”
Hazel nods, her expression serious. “Nick’s always been... different. Even among us, Kringles. He’s struggled to find his place, to feel like he truly belongs. But with you and Noelle? He is comfortable. We can all see it, and we love that for him.”
Her words resonate deep within me, stirring up emotions I’ve been trying to keep at bay. It’s been just Noelle and me for so long, the two of us against the world. Opening our hearts, our lives, to someone else is a big step.
But as I look at Noelle, I realize that maybe we’ve already taken that step without even realizing it. Nick has seamlessly woven himself into the fabric of our lives, filling spaces I knew were empty and a lot that I didn’t notice until he filled them.
“Penny for your thoughts?” A warm voice breaks through my musings, and I look up to see Nick standing beside me, his green eyes twinkling with warmth.
“Oh, you know,” I say, trying to keep my tone light, “just pondering the magic that takes Santa around the world in one night. . . And hot chocolate flavors,” I add to lighten the mood .
Nick chuckles and puts an arm around me to pull me to his side. I go willingly, placing a hand on his chest. His ugly sweater is soft and snuggly.
“How about we take a walk?” Nick suggests, nodding towards the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree at the center of the Bazaar. “There’s someone I want you two to meet.”
Noelle and I exchange a look.
“You can bring your hot chocolate,” Nick offers her.
Hazel puts a lid on it, and we’re off.
“I can’t be gone long,” I warn as Nick takes us toward the exit.
“I will have you back within the hour. Will that do?” He grins at me.
I cannot resist this man. “I guess.”
I turn and look over things one more time before we go. The booths are in order, people are buying and chatting and being generally merry. The carolers are ready to take the stage for a sing-along, and everyone who has a job is doing it.
I grin. This is what a well-planned event looks like and I’m proud of my work. “Okay. Let’s go.” I let Nick help me into my coat and we are off.
“Where are we going?” Noelle asks from in front of us. She’s walking fast down the hill, concentrating on keeping her cocoa safe and trying to drink it at the same time.
Nick quick-steps and scoops her up so she won’t drop anything or tip. “To the Kringle House. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
“Oh?” Her eyebrows go up .
“Who?” I ask.
“A very special friend.” He uses his free hand to hold mine. It’s not a long walk, and we’ll soon be marching around the house. Behind it is a barn, and Nick heads that way.