He led the way down a short set of stone steps. Happy threw open a pair of wooden doors. “Here’s where the magic happens!” he cried.
A couple dozen elves were inside, including Juniper. All of them were singing together—“Carol of the Bells” in three-part harmony. Chris stared in amazement at the little worktables, the tools, and the stacks of wood and other material. “This is amazing!” he said.
Holly and Ivy looked as overwhelmed as he felt. “Wow,” Ivy said. “It’s just like I always imagined!”
Holly shrugged. “But who knew elves were such great singers?”
“Thanks!” Happy exclaimed. “Come on, guys—let’s do another one!”
Juniper took a deep breath. “Dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh . . .” she began.
Ivy sang along for a few lines. Then she stopped and looked over at Santa. “So wait—I’ve always wondered about the others?”
“The others?” Santa raised both shaggy white eyebrows.
Ivy nodded. “You know—fairies, mermaids, the Easter Bunny . . . Do you know them? Are they all real—even mermaids?”
Santa chuckled. “Oh, those others!” He winked. “I’ll never tell!”
Chris smiled, feeling happier than he had in a long time. Somehow, there inside the cozy walls of the snow castle, he could feel things thawing between himself and his sister. Did she feel it too?
He sneaked a peek over at her. Holly was looking back at him. She smiled uncertainly.
“Um, sorry,” she said. “You know—about the stuff we said earlier? I really do like having you around, even if I don’t always show it.”
“Really?” Chris held his breath, hardly daring to believe it.
Holly rolled her eyes. “Of course, really, you dork!” she exclaimed. Then she grabbed him in a big hug. “We’re family, okay? And I wouldn’t trade you for anyone.”
Ivy sighed, watching them. Chris glanced at her. “What’s wrong?” he asked, realizing he actually wanted to know—to make sure she was okay. Because after all they’d just been through, Ivy didn’t seem so much like his sister’s annoying friend anymore. At least not only that. She seemed like his friend, too.
Ivy sighed again. “You guys are so lucky. I’ve always wanted a brother or sister . . .” She touched her birthstone necklace. “That’s why I wanted you to have a necklace like mine, Hols. I thought it would make us seem more like sisters.” She smiled shyly at Chris. “Like I was part of your family.”
Peppermint Bark wagged his tail. “I know what you mean,” he barked. “I know how it feels to be all alone.”
Chris bent down to rub the little dog’s ears. “I know. I’m glad you’re home.” He realized he meant it, too. Sure, he’d miss Peppermint Bark like crazy when he and Holly and Ivy went home. But this was where Santa’s puppy belonged—with Santa, doing his job, helping bring Christmas to everyone in the world.
Peppermint Bark licked the boy’s hand. “Thanks, Chris,” he said. “I probably never would have made it if not for you and Holly and Ivy.”
Juniper heard him and stopped singing. “Hey, what about me?” she said. Then she glanced over at Happy. “Uh, I mean, us. Happy and I would’ve rescued you even earlier if they hadn’t gotten in the way.” She stared at the kids.
Peppermint Bark laughed. “Maybe,” he said. “On the other hand, these guys would have done it without you, too. Holly never stopped trying to think of a plan. Ivy knows everything about magic and stuff like that, and she’s super brave.” He wagged his tail and looked up at Chris. “And Chris? Well, he never stopped believing in the Christmas spirit—or in me. He’s a great friend.”
“Thanks. So are you.” Chris dropped to his knees and hugged Peppermint Bark tightly.
Santa beamed as he watched them. “Friends and family are the greatest gift of all—at Christmas or any other time of the year,” he said. Then he snapped his fingers. “Ah, and speaking of gifts . . .”
He dug into the pocket of his red coat. When he took his hand out, something sparkly and gold dangled from his fingers.
Holly gasped. “My necklace!” she cried.
Santa handed it to her. “It was very generous, what you did,” he said solemnly. “You sacrificed something you wanted very, very much to save your brother. That puts you on my good list for sure.”
“Thanks, Santa.” Holly clutched the necklace, looking happy. She glanced over at Chris. “You’re right, I love this necklace. But I’d do exactly the same thing all over again if I had to. Friends and family are more important than things.”
“I totally agree.” Ivy touched her own necklace again, smiling first at Holly and then at Chris.
Chris smiled back, not sure what to say. But he knew one thing: this was the best Christmas ever!
25
Merry and Bright
Chris had just finished his third cup of cocoa when Santa stood up. “Sorry to cut this short, everyone,” Santa’s voice boomed. “But it’s time to go. Soon the gates will close for real—and the last of the portals with them. I need to get you kids home, or your parents will never forgive me.”
As he chuckled, Happy and Juniper traded a look. “Um, Santa?” Juniper said. “The portal—the one just outside? It’s already closed!”
Santa smiled. “That’s all right—we’ll take the scenic route.” He stepped to the doorway and whistled. A second later Chris heard the jingle of bells and the stamping of hooves.
“Come along!” Santa strode outside. “There’s room in the sleigh for everyone!”
Chris gasped. “We’re riding home in your sleigh?” he cried.
Peppermint Bark was already bounding outside. “You’ll love it!” he exclaimed. “It’s super fun!” Then he stopped and shot Santa a sheepish look. “Um, I mean, can I ride in the sleigh too?”
“Of course!” Santa strode over to give the little dog a pat. “This time . . .”
He paused. Peppermint Bark’s tail drooped slightly.
Then Santa let out a loud ho ho ho! and added: “And every Christmas from now on!”
They all climbed aboard. There was plenty of room for everyone, since all the gifts had already been distributed to lucky girls and boys all over the world. So Santa invited Mrs. Claus, Happy, and Juniper to ride along too.
“Cool! It’s my first time riding in the sleigh!” Happy exclaimed.
“Mine too,” Juniper said, sounding a bit awed.
Chris glanced at Mrs. Claus. She just smiled as she settled into the front seat beside Santa. “Not me,” she said.
Juniper gasped. “But nobody rides with Santa on Christmas!” she cried. “Always been that way!”
Mrs. Claus winked at her husband. “Who said anything about Christmas?”
“Ho ho ho,” Santa chuckled. “It’s true. I mean, we have to keep the reindeer fit somehow, right? What better way than to go for an occasional joy ride with the most wonderful woman at the North Pole?”
Mrs. Claus raised an eyebrow. “I’m the only woman at the North Pole,” she reminded Santa.
“Hey, what about me?” Juniper protested.
Santa chuckled again and winked at the elf. “I meant human woman, of course,” he corrected himself. “And my wife is certainly the most wonderful one of those around here, wouldn’t you agree? But that’s not all—she’s the most wonderful woman in the rest of the world, too.”
Chris and the other kids laughed, and Juniper nodded. Happy hardly seemed to have heard the exchange, though. He was leaning out over the edge of the sleigh. “First portals, and now this?” he exclaimed. “Wow, this Christmas is turning out to be quite an adventure!”
“Yeah.” Chris looked over at his sister. “It’s amazing!”
Soon the sleigh was swooping out through the gates. The reindeer flew right past the spot where the portal had been, across the tundra and over a pack of wolves running across the snow. Chris shivered as he peered down at the pack, glad that he didn’t have to live with them for the next year!
>
Still, he was a little bit sad to be leaving. Peppermint Bark was snuggled right next to him in the sleigh, and Chris couldn’t quite believe that he’d have to say goodbye to his new friend very soon . . .
“I’ll really miss you, you know,” Chris whispered to Santa’s puppy, giving him a hug.
“Me too,” Peppermint Bark said sadly. “But I’ll never forget you.”
Just then Santa looked back from the driver’s seat. “Don’t fret, you two,” the jolly old man said. “Now that I’ve streamlined my Christmas Day journey, I should have a little extra time next year, too. Maybe even enough time for a little visit . . .”
Chris gasped so loudly that Holly and Ivy looked over. “What?” Holly demanded. “What’s going on?”
“Did you say something about a visit?” Ivy added.
Santa chuckled. “Absolutely,” he said. “Peppermint Bark will be busy for most of Christmas Day helping me here in the sleigh, of course. But once we’re finished . . .” He laid a finger aside of his nose and winked. “We might have enough time to swing back through Poinsettia on our way home and pick you guys up.”
“You mean we can come back?” Ivy cried.
“Really?” Holly added.
Chris couldn’t speak. He just hugged Peppermint Bark harder.
“On one condition,” Santa said with a smile. “As long as you three stick together, then yes, you can come back and visit us again next year!”
Mrs. Claus clasped her hands. “Fantastic!” she exclaimed. “If there’s time, maybe we can go skiing. I’ll lay in some extra cocoa for afterward.”
“Hooray!” Peppermint Bark jumped up to lick Chris on the nose. “I’ll see you next year, Chris!”
“That’s right, buddy.” Chris rubbed the little dog’s ears, feeling so happy he was afraid his heart might burst out of his chest. Maybe he hadn’t been sure about Ivy at first, but somehow, after tonight, she felt like part of the family. He hoped she felt it too—like Chris and Holly were the brother and sister she’d always wanted. “I can’t wait!” he added, smiling at the two girls, who smiled right back.
Santa flicked the reins, steering the reindeer toward another portal flickering on the horizon. “Ho ho ho,” he chortled loudly. “There are still a few more minutes left this year, so say it with me . . .”
Chris joined in with the others at the top of his lungs: “MERRY CHRISTMAS!”
. . . AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
About the Author
CATHERINE HAPKA has published more than two hundred books for kids in all age groups from board books to young adult novels. When she’s not writing, Cathy enjoys horseback riding, animals of all kinds, reading, gardening, music, and travel. She lives in an old house on a small farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she keeps three horses, a small flock of chickens, and too many cats.
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