by Krista Lakes
His heart was doing that thing again where it beat way too fast in his chest. He tried his best not to let it show on his face as he gave Molly a grin right back. The idea of spending the day with her again didn't sound too bad.
“Then maybe it won’t be so bad, after all,” he said slowly. “At least I’ll get to see you in a different costume. Speaking of costumes, are you going to change into your Head Elf stuff once we open the store?”
“Nope. The Head Elf is taking a personal day,” Molly replied. She stuffed the last bit of cinamon roll in her mouth, getting a smudge of icing on her cheek. “The store is always closed on parade day. Everyone’s usually busy helping out with the floats and stages so it’s not like we get a lot of customers, anyway. And it gives us a chance to see the parade ourselves.”
He reached out and touched her cheek, wiping the icing away with his fingers. He tried to ignore the way his insides went to much when he touched her skin.
“Oh, yeah. The parade. My parents may have mentioned the parade once or twice...” Nicholas said, quickly pulling back his hand. His parents must have mentioned the parade at least a million times. “It’s kind of a big deal, isn’t it?”
“Kind of a big deal?” Molly smiled up at Nicholas. “Yeah, you could say that.”
* * *
Nicholas now realized that saying the parade was “kind of a big deal” was a massive understatement.
The town square had been transformed overnight with each and every storefront being painted with neon golds and silvers, applique snowflakes lining their windows by the dozens, and strings and strings of tinsel piled up on the street below. Everything was red, green, sparkly, or all three.
Even the smallest details weren't left out. The town and its inhabitants went all out. Previously decorated trees on the street corners had even more prominent decorations hanging from their limbs, and there were now candy canes painted on the pavement as well. Even the crosswalks had been repainted to look like the stripes on a candy cane.
Nicholas’ mind couldn’t wrap around the fact that the most Christmas-y place he’d ever been to in his life had somehow managed to get even Christmas-y-er.
Molly seemed comfortable with the Christmas-y-er transformation as she made her way down the pavement. “We’ll stop at Hannah’s first, before we head to the town square,” she rambled. “We can watch the parade for a little bit before we change into our costumes. I just want to make sure she’s got everything covered for her float.”
Nicholas nodded, still in awe of the marvelous sights that surrounded him.
If he didn’t know any better, Nicholas would even think that the town’s transformation was something magical, a feat that could only be accomplished by some kind of holiday enchantment. In reality, he figured it was probably something more like too much sugar and rum-spiked eggnog.
By the time they reached Sweetness & Light, Nicholas had grown used to the sparkle and shine of the streets. He leaned his elbows along the counter top, taking in the smells of coffee and baking goodies. There was a crash from the back and suddenly Hannah appeared, struggling with three giant boxes stacked on one another.
“Here, let me,” he said, quickly moving around the counter and taking two of the boxes before they could fall. Molly caught the door before it smashed into her friend.
Hannah grinned at him. “Thanks. Bring it around to the back.”
Molly held the doors as Hannah and Nicholas carried the heavy boxes out to the alley behind the shop. A large float sat waiting for them. Sitting in the center of the float, surrounded by fake snow and oversized brightly-wrapped boxes was a Christmas tree. Except it wasn't a real tree. It was two ten-foot tall plywood cutouts of Christmas trees slid into one another to form a four pointed tree. The strange part was that it was filled from top to bottom with small drilled holes.
“What is that? Why does it have holes?” Nicholas asked, staring at the strange tree.
“That's what I need your help with,” Hannah explained, pulling open one of the boxes they'd just brought out. “Would you guys help me? My driver's running late and we were supposed to get this done last night.”
The boxes were full of candy canes of various colors and flavors. Tied to each one was a small slip of paper. Hannah slid a candy cane into one of the holes in the wooden tree and suddenly Nicholas understood. The tree was a giant candy cane stand.
“What's attached to the candy canes?” he asked, holding one up.
“Prizes,” Hannah replied. “Mostly coupons for buy-one-get-one cookies, ten percent off, and things like that. All the businesses donate them. There are some good prizes in there, though. I donated a couple of chocolate cakes.”
Nicholas nodded, liking the idea. The businessman in him appreciated the marketing technique. He started helping to place the candy canes in the holes, taking a systematic top-down approach while Molly did a more artistic haphazard approach.
They were almost done with the last box when Hannah's phone rang. She jumped off the float to answer it and when she came back, she looked worried.
“Vernon’s sick,” she announced. “What am I supposed to do without him? He was supposed to drive so I could hand out candy.”
They all looked at the massive truck. Nicholas thought it looked like driving a boat.
“Do you know how to drive the float?” Molly placed a random candy cane in one of the holes. The tree wobbled slightly and Nicholas reached out to steady it. Fully laden with candy canes, the tree leaned slightly to the left.
“Yeah, I did it last year. But what about the tree?” Hannah motioned to the now very colorful sugar-filled tree. “Who will throw the candy and make sure this thing makes it to the town square? I don't want it to fall over like it did last year.”
“Yeah, that was bad.” Molly frowned, shaking her head. Then, a smile filled her face. “Don’t worry, Nicholas and I can handle it.”
At the mention of his own name, Nicholas felt a little bit of dread. What was she getting them into now? Strangely though, he didn't really mind as much as he thought he would. “Nicholas will be handling what now?” he asked.
“Relax. I just figured out a way that you don't have to walk anymore. I know how you hate it,” Molly said with a grin. “All you have to do is stand there and wave at people. I promise.”
“And do some Christmas-y stuff,” Hannah added. “But that’s it. We promise.”
“Well, will it be more or less Christmas-y than dressing up as Santa Claus? I don’t know if Molly has already told you, but she has me doing that this year, too,” Nicholas told her with only a hint of annoyance. “There’s nothing more Christmas-y than Santa Claus, right?”
“Well, you're right,” Molly agreed. “There's nothing more Christmas-y than Santa Claus.”
Chapter 18
Nicholas
Nicholas felt like a complete imposter. He was the last person on Earth that should be dressed like this.
He checked Molly's now empty duffel bag one last time and tried to adjust the white beard. It was scratchy on his face and smelled a little dusty. His own father, the usual Santa, had a real beard. He wondered just how long this one had been in storage.
He came out from the back of the shop ow decked out in Santa’s over-sized black boots, Santa’s long, white beard, Santa’s pair of ever-present, tiny glasses, and Santa’s tell-tale, jolly stomach, which now protruded out from Nicholas’ slim frame.
Molly was grinning at him. “Nicholas, you look—”
“Don’t. Don’t say a word,” Nicholas cut her off as he rolled his eyes behind his glasses. He motioned to Molly to move to the side so he could get on the float. “At least let me get up there before you start making fun of me.”
“I wasn’t going to make fun of you. I was going to say you look kind of... cute,” Molly said, smiling as she moved to give him access to the ramp up the float. “In a very classic, Christmas-y way.”
Nicholas suddenly didn't feel so stupid. He felt a little lig
hter as he walked up onto the float with the candy cane tree.
“You look kind of cute, too,” Nicholas told her. He looked her up and down. “The Mrs. Claus outfit complements you a lot better than that Head Elf costume.”
It was true. The red velvet outfit brought out the blush in her cheeks. She hadn't put on the cap with white hair yet, so she looked young and radiant. To be honest, he thought she would probably look beautiful wearing anything. Or nothing at all.
He quickly pushed the thought of her not wearing anything out of his mind. That was not an appropriate thought for Santa to be having.
“Then maybe one day you’ll promote me to Mrs. Claus,” Molly joked, tucking her hair up into a bun and sliding it up and into the Mrs. Claus wig and hat. However, after a moment, a blush crept up her cheeks as she realized that her words could be taken in two very different ways.
Molly could’ve been saying that Nicholas should literally give her a promotion, since he was the rightful owner of the store, or she could’ve been saying that Nicholas should promote her by marrying her, which would make her the new Mrs. Claus, as it would also make her the new Mrs. Kerstman, too.
Nicholas averted his gaze away from hers, undecided as to how he wanted to take the phrase. It combined with his thoughts of her not wearing anything too easily. Instead he busied himself with the candy cane tree, making sure that all the candy canes were in neat order and the tree secure.
Molly came over and stole purple and green candy cane from his carefully filled tree.
“Isn’t that for the kids?” Nicholas asked, giving her a stern side-eye.
“It’s a float perk!” Molly replied, unwrapping her candy. “You ride the float, you get to sneak a bite. You want some?”
She carefully tied the paper prize to another cane. Nicholas’ first instinct was to decline what was just sugar and more sugar.
But instead, he held out the palm of his hand. “Just a little.”
Molly grinned and broke her candy cane in half. “The purple and green are the tastiest.”
She discreetly handed him the candy cane piece and he broke out into a huge grin. “Molly Carmichael. Such a rebel.”
Molly winked and it seemed as if she was going to say something, but their conversation was interrupted by Hannah’s shouting voice coming from the driver’s side of the float. “Are you guys ready? The float’s about to move!”
“All clear!” Molly shouted back before moving towards Nicholas’ side. She held onto the railing directly behind each of them, yelling once more. “It’s a go from the Clauses!”
Hannah gave them both a thumbs-up from inside the driver’s portion of the float, and started up the engine. The float rumbled to life.
“So, everyone’s going to see us up here?” Nicholas grimaced, looking down at the red velvet and fluffy white of the beard. He'd hoped it he'd only have to have the kids see him in the town square, but now the entire parade route would see him. “No turning back now?”
“Nope. No turning back at all,” Molly repeated. She smiled over at Nicholas as she took another candy cane from his side of the tree again.
“Hey!” Nicholas exclaimed in protest, shocked by Molly’s candy cane theft.
“What can I say? A rebel’s gonna rebel.” Molly broke into a laugh, one that echoed all over the float.
And soon, Nicholas found himself laughing beside her, too.
* * *
The parade was an extravagant affair and as various floats passed in front of them, Nicholas realized that the candy cane tree with Mr. and Mrs. Claus was now the grand finale to the whole thing.
As he looked around the parade, Nicholas noted women dressed in bright candy cane colors, men manning chocolate fountains and gumdrop umbrellas, and children lining the street, their hands outstretched for incoming candy.
Everyone was smiling and happy. People were hugging and laughing. It looked like families were sitting together and with friends. He didn't see an unhappy face in the crowd.
He started to wave, grinning as children cheered when he waved to them.
“There’s the Christmas spirit,” Molly said, grinning at him. She bent down towards the float’s floor. When she popped back up, she was holding a large bag of assorted candy. “Here, Mr. Claus. Do you mind throwing this out of your side of the float?”
Nicholas shook his head, as he grabbed onto the candy bag. “Are we supposed to be saving some of this for later? Or are we throwing it all at once?”
Nicholas’ question was immediately answered by Molly’s actions as she dumped her own bag of candy along the side of the float. Children screamed in delight, running into the street with laughter as they filled their hands with candies.
“Greg! Don’t grab any of the red ones! You don’t even like strawberry! And Veronica! Aren’t you allergic to chocolate? Don’t make me go through your bag!” Molly called out to the children. Her tone was light and playful, even as she instructed the children on which candies they should be taking from the street.
And Nicholas found himself smiling in awe, and in amusement.
How in the world did Ms. Molly remember so much about each and every child in her class?
It was absurd. It was wonderful.
He imagined Molly would be much the same way with her own children someday in the future, granting them access to way-too-much candy while still being careful to remember their likes and dislikes. It was who she was.
Children called to him, breaking into his thoughts. Nicholas then tried to throw his own candy from his side of the float, but the candy all came out in one big lump.
Liam happened to be near the scene of Nicholas’ accident and he accepted all of the candy as if it were a large prize. “Thanks, Santa!”
“Anytime, Liam. Anytime.”
Liam's eyes went wide and the grin that filled his face was pure joy. Nicholas heard him run back to the other kids. “Santa knew my name! He's got to be the real guy!”
“Merry Christmas!” Nicholas kept his voice confident, even as he chuckled at his own mistake.
Ah, well.
Maybe next year he’d be able to get it right.
Nicholas went still at the thought.
Maybe next year?
He scoffed at the silliness of his own mind.
Of course he wouldn’t be here next year. By this time next year, he’d be back in his Manhattan office, hoping that the street carolers hadn’t found a loophole to regain access inside the company building.
Nicholas was taken out of his business daydream by the sudden stop of the float. They'd arrived at the town square. There were children everywhere, crowding around the float and he was surprised when Molly lowered the ramp to the back of the float and let them come up.
Kids rushed onto the float, running for the candy cane tree.
Molly was laughing in the corner of the float as she kept a watchful eye on the children. Their laughter was a joyous, thunderous sound. “Get your candy canes and then go line up. Santa will be down in a moment to hear your wishes!”
Out of the corner of his eye, Nicholas could see a little girl, much smaller than the others, attempting to reach for the green and purple candy canes at the top of the tree.
Without thinking, Nicholas stepped towards her, taking her into his arms and lifting her high enough to take the highest ones that the bigger kids hadn't gotten to yet.
The little girl then turned back towards Nicholas, her smile bright. “Thank you, Santa!”
“You’re welcome, little one,” Nicholas said softly as he sat the girl back down at his feet. She hugged his leg and then ran off to play with the rest of her friends alongside the street.
“That was very sweet of you, Mr. Claus,” Molly told him. He whirled back around to face her, his face heating from being caught doing a good deed.
“Why, thank you, Mrs. Claus. I do try my best to be... sweet.” Nicholas held up a purple and green candy cane he'd managed to grab before they all disappeared. He handed i
t to her.
She grinned at him. “I think you're ready to be Santa.”
Nicholas slowly smiled. For the first time ever, he actually was ready to be Santa.
Chapter 19
Molly
For a man who claimed to be so uninterested in candy, Nicholas seemed to have no problem with helping little Naomi with reaching the top of the Christmas tree so she could have a candy cane.
Molly thought that the gesture was just so sweet, not expecting Nicholas to be so generous with his height, or as comfortable with his place as Santa in the middle of the town’s parade.
Nicholas Kerstman was full of so many surprises and Molly wondered if there would ever be an end to him pulling rabbit after rabbit out of his unassuming hat.
It was time to walk off the float and over to the chair set up in the town square for Santa to sit. Nicholas offered her his arm, and together they walked like they really were Mr. and Mrs. Claus to the seating area. All around them, children cheered.
At one point, the path was too narrow for them to continue walking arm in arm. Instead, Mr. Claus took her hand as they slipped through the narrow spot. He didn't let go and she found herself enjoying the way her hand felt in his.
They came to the seating area and she realized she was still holding his hand, even as he moved to sit down on the large comfortable chair. Quickly, she let go, her cheeks going hot. The whole town did not need to see them holding hands. She didn't even want to think of the gossip it would start.
Molly, now feeling awkward, stood off to Nicholas’ side, not sure how to return things back to normal. She was thankful when Liam showed up to sit on Santa’s lap, their first customer of the day.
Liam frowned as soon as he took a seat on Santa’s lap, his focus turning towards Molly. “This isn’t Santa,” he announced. He turned his face back towards Nicholas. “You’re not Santa. You're beard isn't real.”
