3. Leo
There’s something about the holiday season that just seems to cheer me up. Maybe it’s because I have so much to celebrate with my daughter, but the last several months of the year are always a whirlwind. The fun always kicks off with Halloween, followed by our birthday celebrations, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and ending with New Year’s Eve.
Naturally, I mustn’t overlook the excitement of Black Friday. While Frostdale experiences the typical Black Friday frenzy, it’s different from the chaos we see in videos online. Maybe it’s because everyone knows everyone here in town, and at the end of the day we are all neighbors, but it feels more like holiday cheer rather than shopping madness.
It’s like a normal small-town night in Frostdale, then suddenly, Christmas decorations magically transform the town overnight after Thanksgiving.
As soon as I pull up to the mall, I park my truck and make my way through the employee entrance, and toward the locker rooms. My friend Billy greets me as soon as I enter.
“Hey there, sugar.” Billy strides over, looking gorgeous in his elf outfit and three-inch heels. “It’s so strange seeing you without your little one glued to your hip.”
I chuckle. “Trust me, Maya will be by throughout the week. Probably multiple times, like usual. You and Shae were always her favorite elves.”
He places a manicured hand over his heart dramatically. “That’s so sweet. But what about her Uncle June? You’d think Juniper Evergreen would have been her favorite elf.”
“Oh, she loved him too, but according to her, Juniper Evergreen doesn’t smile quite like Jingle, and isn’t sassy enough to compete with Snowdrop.”
Billy waves a finger in my face. “Your girl is a smart one. I knew I liked her for a reason. Come on, let me show you where your locker and new elf outfit is. Benny told me you contacted him a couple of weeks, ago and the two of you were able to doll up an old Halloween costume of yours. Is that right?”
I nod eagerly. “I can’t wait to see the final look. I contacted Benny as soon as I got hired. I was determined not to end up with something so cheesy I’d be embarrassed to show my face in.”
When Billy guides me to the locker that’s labeled ‘SparkleDust’ I glance around the area. “Where are the other elves?’
“You’re the first one here. We are still waiting on Merry and Bright, Naughty and Nice.”
“Wait, seriously, are those really their names?” I laugh. “Was I supposed to be partnered up with an elf with matching names?”
“Nah. It just turned out like that. Go on, get dressed, I’ll be back.”
The elf outfit is even better than I ever could have imagined. Benny added embellishments to the silver stitching of my plain Victorian Prince coat, giving it an elven, shimmering appearance. Designed for a perfect fit, it’s also light and won’t overheat. I need to be careful with it and hope no kid vomits on me.
The ice blue jacket brings out the color in my blue eyes. My appearance screams Comic-Con cosplayer, rather than Santa’s helper.
I love it.
“I see you take after your brother and his whole hot woodland elf vibe.” Billy appears by my side and taps a finger playfully against his chin as he takes in my appearance. “Although, if I’m being honest, you look more like a sexy Fae prince from the Winter Court. I’m loving all this shimmer and glitter.”
I grin, knowing Maya will love my outfit even more than I do. “I had to make sure I was on my A game. My daughter is convinced I’m going to meet the love of my life here, just the way Juniper, you, and Jingle did last year.”
“You can’t forget about Holli and Sugar Cookie.” Images of Holli and Jack Winters come to mind. I’m so used to seeing the happy couple around town, I forgot they met last Christmas.
“Almost all the elves found love here last year.”
My eyes widen. “Well, damn. Now I’m really glad I chose this outfit.” I wave a hand toward my light blue jacket. “Who knows. Maybe I’ll meet my own prince charming here at the mall.”
We stroll to the section of the mall with Santa’s Village. The village looks different compared to last year. Better, even, with all the extra twinkling lights and sparkling ornaments. I knew Jack Winters planned on decking the place out, but this was intense. Stepping toward it felt like entering a winter wonderland movie set.
Life-size gumdrops and candy are scattered along the path. Underneath many Christmas trees sit piles of presents in shimmery wrapping paper. Large candy canes, and lights illuminate the path up to the throne. And off to the side is Santa’s workshop, which doubles as our breakroom.
For my first shift, I get the pleasure of ushering the excited kiddos up to Santa. Even in all the chaos, the whole process is magical. Although some friends disliked this job, the joy on a child’s face light up when meeting Santa was enchanting. My first day flew by. I frequently felt the urge to join the photographer and capture some of these heartwarming moments of families with Santa.
At one point I rush off to the food court, praying that I can get a quick bite to eat. I hop in line at the pizza joint, figuring a precooked slice would be my fastest option, when I glance up, startled to see the most handsome man I’ve ever seen in person standing by the pick-up section. He’s devastatingly good looking with his bright smile and sparkling green eyes.
The man has thick wild red curls and light freckles dusted across his sharp cheekbones. He looks like an actor who should be on the set of Outlander , rather than some random mall food court in small-town Frostdale, Maine.
As if feeling my stare on him, he glances up, his eyes momentarily popping wide in shock—probably taking in my elf outfit. Once the shock wears off, his smile is replaced with a cocky smirk that has butterflies swirling like crazy in my stomach.
Oh, wow. Sam Heughan has nothing on this man.
I step up to place my order at the front counter, as my words from earlier replay in my head.
Maybe I’ll meet my own prince charming here at the mall.
But by the time I pay, and turn around, the handsome man is gone.
With only about an hour left on my shift I spot a certain little girl bouncing and waving from the front of the line. As soon as it’s her turn Maya drops June’s hand and she sprints toward me with bright eyes and a wide grin.
“Daddy!” She launches herself into the air.
I scoop her up into my arms, catching her easily, and twirl her in a circle. “Hey there, baby girl,” I say as I set her down.
She rolls her eyes at the nickname, but eagerly squirms in my arms.
“Are you here to meet Santa?”
“Yes!” she squeals. “Between Uncle June, Uncle Alec, Grandma and Grandpa, I got them to agree to take me here to Santa’s village every day this week.”
I bite back my smile. Oh god, my parents hate going to the mall. “You just have everyone wrapped around your little finger, don’t you?”
She beams with pride. “Sure do, Daddy. Okay, enough chatting, introduce me to Santa.”
“Didn’t you meet Santa last year though?”
She gives me a dull look as if she’s exasperated. “Well, yeah! But that was a different Santa.”
My heart pounds. Does she know Santa is fake? Not for the first time, I wonder why parents torture themselves by telling their children Santa is real. I feel like it’s a total set up. The person who invented the idea of some jolly old man giving out gifts didn’t think about how devastating it would be for some children to learn the truth. I still have no idea how Maya will take it.
“Is that so?” I ask, hesitation evident in my voice.
“Daddy… How do you think Santa can visit millions of children all in one night? He can’t. There’s multiple Santas, probably hundreds. Maybe even thousands! How else can Santa be here at the mall and ringing a bell in front of the grocery store at the same time?”
Relief floods me. Looks like I’m safe from explaining the truth about Santa for another year. “You know what? That’s a genius idea. I never thought about that.”
“Come on, let me introduce you to this particular Santa. He’s a Rolly Jolly good time.”
As soon as we take the light up path to Santa’s throne, Maya’s eyes widen with awe.
“Daddy, he looks just like that famous Santa from that movie The Christmas Chronicles .”
Sure enough, Rolly looks like a younger Kurt Russell. Maybe hotter.
While Maya excitedly shares her wishes with Santa, I convince the photographer to include me in several of the pictures. Watching my little girl’s joy fills me with Christmas cheer and reminds me why the holidays are so damn meaningful to me.