The Santa Society

by Kristine McCord

  Hannah turns me around like I’m a confused patient and guides me into the tent where I’m met with an explosion of flowers. In the center of them all, a huge dressing mirror sits between two Romanesque pedestals. Lush green garlands with red velvet ribbons cascade from them like waterfalls spilling onto the floor. For a moment everything is lost in a teary blur. This is for me—Erin, the ghost-girl who’s been drifting about town like a wisp of clinical depression all year.

  The pianist begins to play “Silent Night.” I’m reminded of the first evening I spent with Reason at the Ceremony of Lights. The way the lights shone on his face. It seems like so long ago. I study my and Hannah’s reflections in the mirror. She stands behind me smoothing my dress. When she’s finished she pulls the sides of my cloak back so that the fabric falls behind my shoulders like a bridal train. Clever. I can’t help but wonder if she thought of this the day I first met her, when I first tried it on. She’d been so excited like she’d met the Pope, or at least someone more important than an actress for the parade. Like maybe she knew before I did that I was Reason’s future bride.

  I pull the hood over my head. Reason was right. I do look a bit like Little Red Riding Hood. My cheeks glow pink from the cold. And the rich red of my clothing contrasts so sharply with the white that surrounds me. The effect thrills me and the electric flutter of butterfly wings intensifies in my stomach.

  Hannah appraises me and gives a nod of approval. Then she offers me a sweet smile and disappears from the tent.

  Now that I’m alone, I notice I’m missing Klaus. I find him waiting just outside the tent. He looks regal with his eyes closed and head tilted up, surrounded by the mentholated elderly ladies. They stroke his fur, exclaiming over his cinnamon color and impressive size.

  I roll my eyes and step back inside.

  Callie stands in front of the dressing mirror, grinning at me in all her gummy cuteness. She wears a red velvet t-length dress, with a cloak similar to mine. Her hood is down, and she holds a basket full of white down feathers. She twirls in front of me and curtsies.

  “Callie, look at you!” I gush.

  She points to her hair. “Mama said I had to pull my braids up.” Indeed, her braids have been pinned to her head. She reminds me of a red headed Princess Lea.

  And to think how, in my desperation, I had hoped for a sage one-liner from my witty six year old friend and got nada. I cross my arms. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this yesterday. Did you know?”

  She bites her lip and nods. “Mr. Cash said it’s a surprise wedding, so I promised not to tell. I keep good secrets.”

  I grin at her. “Yes, Ma’am. You sure do.” Mr. Cash?

  I don’t have time to ask because Cassius appears in the entrance just as I hear the first chords of the “Wedding March.” He wears a white tuxedo and carries a matching white cane.

  He blinks at me, and I would swear the blood drains from his face. Finally, he swallows. “You look like your grandmother. So very much like her.” He bows towards me with the elegance of an aristocrat. “I hope you will allow me the honor of walking you down the aisle.”

  I regard him for a moment, realizing I don’t have any other options except for maybe Klaus. “Yes, thank you.” He’s my grandfather, after all. And for some strange reason, I have a hunch this day is his gift to me.

  He offers me his arm, and I accept. Slowly, we make our way to the archway. Callie follows behind us with her basket of fluff, and Klaus intuitively falls in behind her. Someone has placed that big plastic candy cane in his mouth. He carries it like a rawhide bone.

  I stare into the fabric of the drawn curtain, trying to steady my breath. I’m here on faith—only faith.

  A young boy pulls back the curtain and the “Wedding March” grows louder. I gaze down the aisle, past the hundreds of faces I don't know. The white carpet stretches out before me, and I know it leads straight to that stage where Reason either waits for me or he doesn’t. I suck in my breath, and let my eyes follow the carpet to the end.

  I lift my gaze...just as Reason turns around to face me. As long as I live, I will never forget the way he looks. It’s as though he is bathed in light. My heart swells so full it threatens to seize inside me. Faith. Hope. Love. I have to remind myself to keep walking and breathing. Suddenly, my eyes are burning with tears.

  Step and pause. Breathe. Step and pause. Breathe.

  I gaze at Reason with wonder—my groom, my love, my greatest friend. Ironic that he was also my first broken heart. That’s right. I was devastated when the kids at school told me Santa wasn’t real. Yet, here he is.

  I haven’t realized until the past twenty-four hours how incredibly incomplete it would feel to be separated from him. Did Cassius want me to know this—sort of like an innovative pre-marriage counseling session? I’ll always wonder, but I doubt I’ll ever ask. Something about the mystery adds to the awesomeness of it.

  When we ascend the steps to where Reason waits, Cassius gives him a formal handshake and takes a step back from me. I move to Reason’s side, and now that I am so close, I can see droplets of moisture in Reason’s eyelashes.

  As the song fades, the minister begins to speak. I turn toward his voice and see Ives smiling back at me. At full height, he stands only to Reason’s waist. “Who gives this woman to be wed to this man?”

  Cassius doesn’t hesitate. “I do.”

  A tear slides down Reason’s cheek.

  Someone in the audience says, “Wow. It’s so real.”

  We gaze into each other’s eyes. It is, isn’t it?

  Reason slides his thumb over the spot on my finger where the ring should be. I glance down at my bare finger and a momentary surge of panic rushes through me. But when I look up he’s biting his lip and there’s a smile in his eyes. Okay, he’s got it covered.

  “There is no greater joy than the blessing of marriage, when two hearts converge as one. It is an honor to officiate in the marriage of Father Christmas to his bride, Erin. May we have the rings?”

  I hold my breath.

  A small boy presents a satin pillow with two rings. Reason selects my ring first, the same one the Gift gave us, but now it’s been conjoined with a matching wedding band. He slips it on my finger.

  Ives continues, “Reason, repeat after me:”

  Someone nearby whispers, “Did he just call him Reason?”

  I watch Reason’s mouth as he speaks the words, and I listen closely to each one.

  “I, Reason, take you, Erin, to be my lawfully wedded wife—to honor and to cherish in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer until I take my last breath. I promise these things in the spirit of the Gift and in honor of the Miracle of Christmas.”

  I remove his ring from the pillow and slip it on his finger.

  “Erin, repeat after me.” Ives begins again, and I repeat the words.

  “I, Erin, take you, Reason, to be my lawfully wedded husband—to honor and to cherish in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer until I take my last breath. I promise these things in the spirit of the Gift and in honor of the Miracle of Christmas.”

  It’s like we’re standing weightless above the world, and it’s only the two of us until Ives’ voice returns with gusto.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Reason, you may kiss your bride.” Ives holds a golden shepherd’s hook above our heads, and a sprig of mistletoe dangles from the end.

  Reason grins. He’s apparently been waiting for these words because, before I know what’s happened, he’s lifting me in his arms and pressing his lips to mine.

  The crowd begins to cheer and a thunderous applause fills the square.

  Reason spins me around and lowers me to my feet. He gushes, “The waiting was pure torture. I could hardly sleep. Dex had to sing me lullabies and give me chamomile tea.” He gazes at me with such seriousness I almost believe he means it literally.

  “At least you had Dex. Klaus was no help to me at
all.”

  From out of nowhere, a quartet begins to sing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

  Reason’s arms slip from my waist, and together we turn around to face the crowd. Their cheers crest again as we make our way down the aisle together. Callie walks ahead of us with Klaus by her side. She tosses the white down feathers in the air and they drift more like fluffs of cottonwood seeds in spring, than snowflakes in December.

  Just before we step through the archway, something makes me look up.

  Real snow has begun to fall.

  Reason glances at me with a mischievous look in his eye. “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”

  “You really just said that.” I raise my eyebrow at him in mock seriousness, but it’s hard not to laugh.

  A crowd of women and girls have gathered behind us hoping to catch the bouquet. I throw it over my shoulder, and hundreds of competing screams fill the air.

  Reason bellows, “Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Ho, Ho, Ho!” He grabs my hand, and together we run to the limousine that waits by the curb.

  He opens the door for me, and I see Klaus is already sitting on the backseat, waiting. “How did he—” But I don’t finish the question because there’s an envelope on the seat beside him, and I recognize the wax seal on the back.

  Reason settles in beside me. I pluck the letter from the seat and hand it to him. It feels like an eternity passes as he works it open with his finger. Finally, he unfolds the cream colored stationary and reads:

  Dear Mr. and Mrs. MacCloud,

  The Society will convene after the first of the year to outline our new covenants. Please

  advise on what you wish them to be.

  Blessings in your new life together,

  Cassius

  Reason refolds the letter and stuffs it in his coat pocket.

  “What do you think changed him?” I ask.

  “He must’ve made peace with the past.” He doesn’t think on it, though. Instead, he leans forward and raps his knuckles on the privacy window.

  The tinted window lowers, and there’s Dex in profile wearing a chauffeur’s hat perched on his head. “Where do you want to go, Boss? I hear there’s a reception at the mall.”

  Reason glances at me and raises an eyebrow in question.

  ”No, I think I’d rather just go home.” I lock eyes with Reason and he grins.

  “Yes, ma’am, Boss.” The window closes.

  I lean back and rest my head on Reason’s shoulder. This has been the best day of my life, and I have a feeling it’s about to get even better.

  Chapter 33

  NIGHT HAS FALLEN and I stand beside my husband, gazing out over the valley of the Wildlands. It’s blanketed in a flesh layer of newly fallen snow.

  “Tomorrow we’ll sleep in. I promise.” His voice is a bass melody. “And then, we’ll leave for Florida.”

  “Will you be very late?” I’ve never asked how long it takes to deliver Christmas before.

  “If all goes as planned, I’ll be home before sunrise.”

  “Will you bring me a souvenir?”

  “Ah, is this my first list?”

  “List? What do you mean?”

  “My first ‘honey do’ list.” He gives me a sideways glance.

  I cross my arms, feigning insult. “Maybe.”

  He laughs and takes me in his arms, and I can’t help but bury my face in the soft fur of his collar and breathe in the smell of pine and rich, smoky spice. His lips graze my ear as he pulls me close. “I could bring back a baby elephant. Or how about a wolf cub?”

  “No, Klaus might be jealous.” I could stay here in his arms forever, but I know time is short. “Maybe something small, like a sprig of holly from...wherever holly grows. Deal?”

  “Deal.”

  I kiss his neck and step back so I can see his face. “Would you do me one more favor?”

  He grins. “I sense a list happening.”

  I give him an exaggerated eye roll. “When you stop by Callie’s, would you leave a note from me?”

  He looks surprised. “Sure.”

  I turn and scan the room for something to write with. I don’t yet know where everything is at Reason’s house.

  “Here.” He pulls out his small silver case with the business cards inside and heads for the kitchen where he rummages in a drawer. He returns a moment later and places a pen on the table in front of me.

  I grab it and print in small neat letters. Dear Callie, thanks for reminding me about sets and for keeping such good secrets. If angels don’t already get married, I bet you’ll be the first. Love, Erin.

  I lay the pen on the table and hand the card to Reason. He slips it in his pocket.

  “Ready?” I ask.

  “Ready.”

  “Boss, are you sure you still want to try this? The tunnels are still clear, and the regions are on standby. If you change your mind, we can have things going in less than an hour.” Dex fidgets with the cowboy hat in his hand.

  Reason shakes his head and takes the reins. “No. Tell them to stand down. We’ll go traditional next year. Right now, it’s me and the deer. My father said it could be done, and I believe him.”

  “Yessir.” Dex puts on his hat and salutes.

  The carriage has been transformed. Its wheels are gone and it's been fitted with sleigh boards. The men have made a makeshift runway behind the Sloon, lined with strands of Christmas lights on each side. The deer grow more restless by the second, shifting their weight from hoof to hoof and bumping into each other. There are eight of them in all, each fitted with leather belts and sleigh bells over their chests and mid sections. Their bells jingle with sharp metallic clinks as they shift about.

  In the lead, Klaus wears his own specially sized sleigh harness. He does not have a red nose, but he is one smart dog. He’ll still guide the way by the power of his nose—by smell instead of light.

  I give him a scratch behind the ear. “You can do this, Klaus. Bring him home safe, okay?”

  Klaus gives me a nod—his up and down once-over. His ears are alert as he wags his tail. He’s ready.

  I run back to the sleigh and climb up the side step. Reason wears his hood pulled up over his head. I can hardly stand the thought of saying goodbye, even if it’s only for a night. The waning moonlight shines on his face with a luminescent glow, making his eyes glitter like black diamonds. I take his face in my hands and hurriedly kiss his forehead, his eyes, his cheeks, his lips. “I love you, Reason MacCloud.”

  He presses his lips hard against mine. “I love you more, Mrs. MacCloud.” I can feel his energy, the rush, and the thrill. It is like electricity crackling in the sky. He gives me one last kiss and looks deep in my eyes. “I’ll be back soon.”

  I climb down and back away, wanting to burn his image in my mind before I finally turn and make my way to the edge of the runway. From here, I can only see him in profile as he lifts the reins, but I’m struck by the beauty of this. The enchanting clash of folklore and reality, of strength and grace. My Reason, a man of such size, power, and thunder. I have not seen him as lightning, but tonight he becomes that too.

  I stand beside Dex, watching the men scurry across the snow, clearing the way. When the last man has reached the sidelines, a hush falls over everyone. We aren’t sure what will happen next, but we all know we're watching a historic moment. We know it’s been done before, but none of us is sure how. I’m not even sure Reason knows, but he seems to know where to start.

  “He’s a stubborn man,” Dex says.

  “Yes, he is. Thank goodness,” I whisper.

  Reason slowly gets to his feet with the reigns in hand. He braces himself, leaning slightly forward with knees bent. “Dancer, Dasher, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Vixen, Klaus.” It’s roll call. One by one, the deer and the dog each stamp their feet when their name is called, like a wave moving through the entire team. There is a momentary pause and then: “Hike!” Reason snaps the reins.

  The animals lunge
forward, slow at first then picking up speed. I hear the thick crunch of the snow and the crisp drag of the sleigh as it glides across the snow. He makes a loud kissing sound. Klaus’s muscles ripple through his body. He looks like a dog from myth or legend. If such a thing ever existed, I don’t know, but he moves like a force of nature over the snow, faster and faster with the reindeer following behind. As they near the end of the runway, I suck in my breath and hold it. Beside me, I hear Dex do the same. I instinctively want to close my eyes, but I force myself to keep watching.

  At first I can’t tell if Klaus’ feet have left the ground at all, but then he rises slightly higher than the deer, and I know. He’s really flying. The deer and the sleigh follow behind, lifting off into the air in a beautiful ascent. I watch as they climb higher and higher, their silhouettes growing smaller as the distance between us increases. Soon they are only tiny specks in the sky.

  A sudden flash of light cuts across the night. It looks like glass breaking, a silent fracture that moves over the horizon in a sweeping flash from left to right. Then it explodes in one tremendous flash so bright, we are forced to shield our eyes.

  When I look again, they are gone. Then a thunderous roar fills my ears as the men begin to shout. They throw their hats in the sky, and all around me they stomp, cheer, and clap.

  Then, gradually, a reverent silence falls around us all. We just stand here gazing at the sky, lit now by only a sliver of moon and a single spectacular star.

  “Godspeed,” I whisper.

  Chapter 34

  WE WALK TOGETHER down the sidewalk, Klaus trotting beside us. The Florida dawn burns pink and orange across the sky.

  The resort is a Society secret. It’s filled mostly with retirees: aging Santas, elves, and other members who come to live out their remaining days here in the land of oranges, beaches, and golf courses. For us, it is the perfect place for a honeymoon.

  We walk hand in hand together, breathing in the cool moist air.

  As we cross the boardwalk, I see the coffee shop lights are already on. The sign in the window says “open.”