Santa's Secret

by Serenity Woods

  Santa chuckled and hugged them both, then looked across at Eva, eyes twinkling. “And what about the lovely lady here? Would she not like a hug from Santa?”

  “Yes,” Oscar said. “Mummy needs a hug too.”

  Eva’s cheeks burned as she thought of Isabel’s words again, He is in love with you, but she came around the bed as Santa stepped back and moved into his embrace.

  He gave her a whiskery peck on the cheek, and Isabel giggled.

  “I love the beard,” Eva said, stroking the long, curling white hair that looked surprisingly realistic.

  “Where’s Rudolph?” Oscar asked, looking past Santa at the door.

  “Oh, he is nearby.” Santa chuckled again and released Eva. “Well, I have to go now. I hope you have a lovely Christmas Day. Be good!”

  “Thank you, Santa,” Eva said, and the kids waved goodbye.

  Santa walked back through to the other cabin, and they heard the front door open and close.

  Oscar got down from the bed and walked over to the sack of presents. The silver bow on the top glistened.

  “Are they all mine?” he asked, holding Bear out so he could have a look. Bear’s paw touched the parcel on top, and it slipped and rustled.

  “All yours,” Eva said with a smile. “But remember what Santa said. No touching until morning.”

  Oscar tucked Bear under his arm and climbed back on the bed. He curled on his side so he could stare at the sack.

  Isabel’s eyes met Eva’s, and the girl winked. Eva winked back.

  Isabel yawned and lay down, turning onto her side to look at her own sack of presents.

  “Do you want to go back to your own bed?” Eva said, coming around to kiss her hair.

  “I am okay,” Isabel said, and closed her eyes.

  Within five minutes, they were both asleep.

  Eva stood there for a moment, watching them. Then she turned and looked at the door to Rudi’s cabin.

  He is in love with you. Isabel’s words rang in her head.

  She covered her face with her hands for a moment, then ran her fingers through her hair. It couldn’t be true—they hardly knew each other. Although hadn’t she thought the exact same thing about him? Being in love wasn’t the same as loving; it was about being attracted to someone beyond the point of just fancying them. Yes, of course lust formed a big part of the initial attraction, but ultimately being in love was about wanting to spend time with that person, with feeling like there could be more than just sex.

  She sighed. It didn’t matter if it was true. They lived in different countries. It couldn’t lead to anything.

  Could it?

  Heart pounding, she walked towards the adjoining door, pushed it open and peered through.

  Santa lay on the bed on the opposite side of the room, feet on the floor, still in his red outfit, white beard shining.

  Unable to stop a smiling spreading, Eva walked in, pulling the door almost shut behind her so she could hear Oscar if he woke up, and went over to the bed. Santa’s eyes were closed.

  She looked down at the paltry figure, who still wore his boots and hat. “Hello, Mr. Claus.”

  He opened his eyes. His whiskery beard moved as he smiled. “Hello.”

  “You look worn out.”

  “Olen vasynyt,” he said.

  “What does that mean?”

  “I’m knackered,” he said in a fair imitation of an English accent.

  She laughed and sat next to him on the bed. “It was busier than you thought?”

  “Every cabin on site had booked Santa, and everyone wanted photos taken. They all wanted to feed me mince pies and whiskey. I am so full up.”

  “Are you drunk?”

  “No.” He blinked slowly. “Well, maybe a very tiny bit.”

  She chuckled. “Poor Santa. Was it terrible, all those screaming, hyperactive children?”

  His eyes met hers, bright blue and thoughtful. “Actually, it was kind of wonderful. I could have left more quickly, but the children were so excited, even the older ones, and oddly so were the adults. I mean obviously they knew the beard and stomach were fake…”

  She poked him in the belly. “Most of it.”

  He chuckled. “Most of it. But they still seemed delighted. It was a…magical evening.”

  Reaching for her hand, he said, “Olen kaivannut sinua.”

  “Do you realise that both you and Isabel slip into Finnish when you’re tired?”

  “Do we? Sorry. I said, I have missed you.”

  She swallowed. “The thing is, because I don’t speak your language, you could be saying anything you like, and how would I know?”

  He met her gaze and fell silent, maybe realising she was referring to what he’d said in the sauna. “Um…” He opened his mouth to speak, and then something caught his eye and he looked across at the window, his face brightening.

  Eva followed his gaze, and an “Oh!” of sheer surprise escaped her lips.

  Outside, clouds had deserted the night sky, and the velvety blackness was full of shimmering green lights, touched with red.

  They both stood and walked over to the sliding doors to the terrace. Rudi opened them, and they went out into the cold night.

  Eva shivered as the icy air cut through her jumper, and Rudi stood behind her and put his arms around her, pulling her close. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered. “The aurora borealis. Where does the name come from?”

  “Aurora is the Roman goddess of dawn, and Boreas is the Greek name for the north wind. The Cree in North America call it ‘Dance of the spirits’.”

  “That’s lovely.”

  “In medieval times they believed the lights to be a sign from God.”

  “Kind of appropriate for Christmas Eve,” she said with a smile.

  “Yes, I suppose so.”

  She looked over her shoulder at him. The outfit really was very good; if it wasn’t for his eyes, she wouldn’t have recognised him. “Do you believe in Christmas magic now?” she whispered.

  He looked at her lips, then back at her eyes. “Perhaps I do.” He kissed her nose. “You did that for me, Eva.”

  She reached up a hand and brushed a thumb over his lips. “I’ve just watched The Polar Express. They say you can’t hear the bell ring in the bauble unless you believe.”

  He smiled beneath the white moustache. “It is a nice thought.”

  “Rudi, what are we going to do?” The words were out before she could stop them. She bit her lip, cursing herself for blurting the question. But ultimately, she knew it had to be asked. And tonight—the most magical night of the year—probably wasn’t the worst time to ask it.

  *

  Rudi studied her for a moment. She shivered in the cold, and a brief breeze blew a dusting of snow over them. I should take her in, he thought, before she freezes to death. But her question hovered in the air like the children’s excitement, and he knew he couldn’t avoid it any longer.

  What should he do? Follow his head, tell her what they were having was a holiday romance, that their feelings were probably born out of loneliness and a desire to know the next year of their lives would be better than the last? Explain that they were clinging to the edge of a raft after their ship had sunk, finding solace in being the last survivors together?

  Or should he follow his heart?

  He turned her in his arms so she faced him properly, and cupped her face in his hands. Her bright spirit shone in her eyes, and he thought about the way he’d walked into the bedroom to see Isabel curled up with her, Oscar asleep beside them. Isabel didn’t need another mother, and she wouldn’t want Eva to replace Vanessa. But it was important that if this was to even begin to work, the two of them should like each other, and clearly that was the case.

  She shivered again, and he thought about how her nipples were probably hardening beneath her jumper. The irreverent thought brought a smile to his lips, and it made up his mind.

  He wrapped his arms around her and lowered his lips to hers.

>   Her lips were cool, her tongue warm as he brushed his against it. She slid her arms around his waist and pulled him to her tightly, and when he finally lifted his head, there were tears on her cheeks.

  “Your beard tickles,” she whispered as he brushed the wetness away before it could freeze.

  He kissed her nose again. “You obviously know how I feel about you, Eva. I am guessing Isabel let something slip.”

  She nodded, a bit sheepishly.

  He touched her cheek. “I am in love with you. I did not think it possible in such a short time, and I am worried I am just caught up in the magic of the place, and because it has been so long since I loved anyone, except my daughter.”

  “I know. I feel the same.”

  Glad she understood, he kissed her again. “But I am crazy about you. I cannot stop thinking about you. All evening, I just kept wishing you were by my side. Eva, I want to get to know you better. I know we live in different countries at the moment, and I don’t know yet how to make it work, but…would you be interested in taking this further?”

  Eva’s caught her breath. Her blue eyes shone, honest and hopeful. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, I would like that.”

  He nodded, took a big breath and let it out slowly. “Good.” The rest were just details.

  She gave a big shiver, so he finally turned her towards the cabin and propelled her back inside. “Come on. We need to get you warmed up again.”

  He shut the door behind them and led her in front of the fire, and kissed her until she was breathless, her cheeks pink with passion and warmth.

  Satisfied she’d warmed up, he left her side to cross to the adjoining door and check on the kids. Oscar lay sprawled like a starfish on his back, eyes closed, Isabel facing him, only her chest moving as she breathed with the slow regularity of sleep.

  He came back to Eva, took the bottom of her jumper in her hands and pulled it over her head. Next he removed her T-shirt, and her lips curved as that joined the jumper. Then he undid the top button of her jeans, keeping his eyes on hers as the denim slipped down her legs and she kicked them off, leaving her standing there in just her underwear.

  He moved his hands around her back and unclipped her bra, drew the straps down her arms and dropped that on her jeans.

  Then he took her hand and walked backwards to the bed, sat and lay back, and she laughed and climbed on top of him.

  “What if one of the kids comes in?” she scolded him, leaning over him, her dark hair shining in the lamplight.

  He stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out the spare hat he’d bought in the shop to give Oscar in the morning. He placed it onto her head and grinned at her wry look.

  “I wouldn’t think it’s the first time this has happened,” he said. “I believe there is even a song about seeing Mummy kissing Santa Claus.” He trailed his hands up her ribs and watched her nipples tighten. “Oh, are you cold, armas?”

  She bent to kiss him. “If I said yes, will you promise to warm me up?”

  He sighed contentedly as she stretched out along him. “Anything you want. My Christmas Eva.”

  Christmas Day

  Eva lay on her side, facing the clock, and thus saw immediately that when Oscar ran in, it was just before six o’clock in the morning.

  She groaned. “Oscar!”

  “He’s been!” Oscar declared. “Come on Mum, wake up.” He climbed onto the bed and jumped, making them bounce around on the mattress.

  Rudi turned over with a groan. “Oscar…It’s the middle of the night.”

  “I’m going to the toilet and then I’m opening my presents,” he announced. “And I’ll open yours if you don’t get up!” He bounced off the bed and ran out of the door.

  Rudi groaned again and sat up. Eva turned onto her side to look at him. His blond hair stuck up on top, and his cheek held the imprint of the creased pillow.

  “Morning, handsome,” she said with a smile.

  He looked down at her, eyes at half mast, rubbed his face and then smiled back. “Hello, gorgeous.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss. “How did you sleep?”

  “Better, thank you.” Even though they’d gone to bed late, she’d slept right through for once, unlike the previous few nights which had been very restless.

  “She settled down then eventually?” he asked.

  “Yes, after half an hour of dancing on my bladder,” Eva complained. “I swear she’s desperate to be a Christmas baby.”

  Rudi laughed and pushed down the duvet, exposing Eva’s swollen belly. He leaned forwards and kissed it, and she smiled and rested a hand on her bump. They hadn’t planned it this way, but today was her due date, and with their history of eventful Christmases, it wouldn’t surprise her if the baby insisting on arriving before the day was out.

  It was two years since they’d met at Santa’s Secret Village, outside the very cabin they were sleeping in now, where they had since stayed every Christmas. Rudi hadn’t sold the place, had said he couldn’t possibly bear to part with it, and Eva had been happy to return there each year, finding only the best memories in the snow-filled streets and tinsel-laden shops.

  That first Christmas Eve, they’d completely intended to swap rooms before the children woke up, but had fallen asleep in Rudi’s bed, worn out after a busy day and a bout of passionate lovemaking. They were awoken by the sound of rustling paper and squeals of delight from the other room. They’d quickly dressed and gone through to find both kids halfway through opening presents, the room covered with torn wrapping paper and opened boxes.

  “Look, Mummy!” Oscar had jumped up and down on the bed with his box of Lego. “Look what Santa brought!”

  Eva came over and kissed him, while Rudi did the same to Isabel.

  “You started without us,” he said to her, giving Eva a quick glance.

  “You were both asleep,” Isabel said. “Look, Daddy, look what Mummy got me.” She showed him an art kit that consisted of a plastic fashion wheel that could be turned to give a model different outfits. A crayon rubbed over a piece of paper would then transfer the design so it could be coloured in.

  “That’s lovely,” Eva said, sitting beside her. “Happy Christmas, Isabel.”

  “Happy Christmas, Eva.” The girl put her arms around her and gave her a quick hug before returning to a present from her grandmother. “Ooh, sparkly bracelets!”

  Relieved that neither child seemed to be bothered by the fact that they’d spent the night together, Eva and Rudi had sat with them while they all opened their presents. Eva had given Isabel a necklace she’d seen the girl look at in the shops, and Rudi gave a delighted Oscar his flashing slippers. They all got dressed and then, after a play with some of the toys, they headed off to the main restaurant for a noisy but enjoyable Christmas dinner.

  Much later, after a fun-filled day, when the kids were both asleep and in bed, Rudi and Eva had talked about what they should do next. Rudi had announced that his business had a branch in London, and he suggested that in January he and Isabel visit England and they all spend a few weeks together to see if this was just a holiday romance or if there was something more.

  It was a sensible plan, and they both agreed it made sense to take it slowly, that the kids had to come first, and they shouldn’t rush into anything.

  At Rovaniemi airport, Eva sent Rudi a text to say thank you for making her Christmas holiday extra special, and she was looking forward to seeing him soon.

  Rudi texted back to say he’d had a great time, and he couldn’t wait to see her again.

  By the time she got home to England, she missed him terribly, and thus his phone call two hours after she landed was most welcome.

  Within a week, they were talking several times a day, emailing and texting the rest of the time they weren’t together.

  When he visited with Isabel, they spent nearly the whole two weeks together, and by then it was clear to both of them that this was not just a holiday romance.

  Six weeks later, they were married.
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br />   Eva leaned back on the pillows and rested her hand on her bump, and watched Rudi get up and pull on his trackpants and a T-shirt, scolding Oscar as he came running in with a half-opened present, clearly unable to wait for them. They’d melded together wonderfully as a family, and although she still felt awkward sometimes with Isabel, worried she would think Eva was trying to be better than her mother, the eleven-year-old girl seemed perfectly comfortable with the two relationships, going to stay with Vanessa on a regular basis, but happy to return home to Helsinki, where they all lived together.

  Frieda lived just a few blocks away, and although Bridget hadn’t been overly pleased when Eva had announced they were moving, she flew over with Paul frequently to visit, and was obviously pleased that they both looked so happy.

  “Penny for them,” Rudi said, trying out one of the new sayings she’d been teaching him. He came over and held out a hand.

  She took it and let him pull her out of bed to her feet. “I was thinking about our first Christmas here. I was so sure I’d never see you again.” Her voice caught, and she had to swallow back a surge of emotion.

  Rudi cupped her face, concerned. “Armas…You cannot be sad on Christmas Day!”

  “I’m not sad really. I’m very happy. It’s just that sometimes I can’t believe my dream came true.”

  He bent forwards and kissed her. “It was the magic of Christmas.”

  “So you do believe in it, then,” she teased, giving him as much of a hug as she could considering there was a huge bump between them.

  “Oh yes,” he said, and stroked the bump. “How else can we explain this little miracle?”

  He kissed her, slow and lingering, until her sadness had vanished and all she could think about was how much she loved him.

  Then he moved back and took her hand. “Come on. If we leave Oscar any longer I think he will have unwrapped every present in the house.”

  Laughing, she followed her husband into the other cabin, where they joined Isabel and Oscar to celebrate Christmas morning.