• It's not much, but it's all I could produce with a writer's block. Hope you enjoy this little bonus chapter of all our favorite Christmas characters doing what they do best •
"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire... Jack Frost nipping at your nose..."
Hazel watched in awed silence from behind the sill of the door as her husband, Nick, was singing to their four month old son. Laying sleepily in his arms, he was slowly nodding off as Nick paced back in front of the large fireplace that crackled soothingly and sent a luminous glow to the large room.
"Yuletide carols... being sung by a choir," He hummed with a gentle smile, watching their son struggle to keep his eyes open. Nick's warm brown eyes reflected his son's, pure love stemming from them as the wee one finally surrendered to sleep. Nick's deep, but smooth voice was enough to bring any child to their knees. Adults, too. "And folks... dressed up like eskimos..."
"I don't think that's politically correct anymore," Hazel softly commented with a teasing tone, coming into the room at last. Nick quickly looked up, surprised by her presence. A slow smile then spread on his lips as she walked towards the two of them.
"Is that so?" He humored her, leaning down until he was hovering an inch above her lips. "Mrs Claus."
"Yep," She stated with a wry grin, before stepping up on her toes and kissing her husband's lips.
Santa Claus's lips.
Nick smiled against her mouth and kissed her back, making sure not to wake their son as they shared a moment. Hazel then sighed blissfully and leaned against his arm, looking down at their sleeping son.
"How long till you have to go?" She whispered.
"About ten minutes," Nick softly replied.
Hazel smiled, her heart fluttering with small excitement.
Tonight was Christmas Eve. The world was soon heading to sleep, hoping to wake up to snowy grounds, lots of presents and magical Christmas spirit. All of this and much more, her husband provided the world on this one magical eve.
"You should get ready then," She said, pressing a kiss to his thick, strong arm. "Wouldn't want you to be late."
"Santa's never late," He cleverly reminded her with a crooked smirk.
"He'd better not be," Hazel warned him, giving him a telling look. "Otherwise he might be late for his present when he gets back."
Nick's eyes instantly darkened. Turning towards her, he quickly peaked down at their son who was still sleeping soundly in his arms. "Don't tell me you plan on entering the naughty list again, Mrs Claus. That'll be two years in a row."
"Oh?" Hazel feigned with a little smirk. "Best teach me a lesson so it won't happen again. You do know how I like getting your... toys."
Nick's chest rumbled with a deep sound of arousal. "Hazel..."
"Hurry back home," She stood up on her toes and pressed another kiss to her husband's lips, before taking their son from his arms. "Go have fun with uncle Jack."
Nick gritted his teeth and reluctantly watched as Hazel cradled their son against her own chest. He didn't even as much as stir, the magical effects of his father still keeping him happy and sleeping.
At least someone in the family was on the nice-list.
"I'll be back soon," He promised, cupping her cheek and brushing his thumb over her bottom lip.
"And I'll be waiting," Hazel promised back, smiling warmly up at him.
"Jeeeeesus Christ. Are you two almost done?" Came a familiar voice from the hallway.
Turning, both of them couldn't help but sigh as Jack came in, twirling his cane. He was impatient as ever, his icy blue eyes ironically fiery with passion, anxious to leave.
There was one particular person waiting for him more than for Santa tonight.
"Alright, we're leaving," Nick sighed heavily, before walking over to the big red luscious couch in the room. Over the back of it was a huge red coat, slung carelessly.
Hazel watched as he donned it, her heart and other organs beginning to heat up at the sight as Nick slowly became the magical man she had come to know and love. His thick warm boots thumped against the marbled floor as he secured the buckle around his waist, before turning one last time towards Hazel.
"Wait up for me?" He asked, lifting a brow.
She grinned. "You know it, Santa."
"Christ, you're corny," Jack commented from the hall. "And in front of your child as well."
"Alright, that's enough out of you," Nick insisted, shooting his friend a menacing glare. Hazel couldn't help but quell a laugh. "You're already on the naughty list."
"I am the naughty list," Jack smirked, before twirling his cane again. "Now get your deers in line before me and Rudolph take off without you." His eyes then peered over at Hazel, sending her a smile, before dropping his eyes to the sleeping bundle in her arms. "And make sure my nephew stays asleep. I got a snowy Christmas surprise for him in the morning."
"Will do," Hazel chuckled, seeing Jack smile back. "Have fun tonight. And give my love to Summer."
Jack grinned and made a small bow, before shooting a glance at Nick. "Two minutes."
"I'll be right with you," Nick assured, leaving Jack to take his leave. Then, for the last time that night, Nick turned towards Hazel.
"Merry Christmas, Mrs Claus," He whispered softly, before leaning down and kissing her lips. Hazel's heart sung, soaking up Nick's love and kissing him back, relishing in his sugary, candy-cane taste.
"Merry Christmas, Santa Claus," She hummed back happily.
Nick chuckled quietly, before leaning down further and placing a kiss on their sleeping son's forehead. "Merry Christmas... Jackie."
Smiling warmly, their son, Jack Jr., wiggled a little in Hazel's arms, before settling again with that angelic little pouty face of his. Rosy cheeks and button nose, he was the most perfect little boy in the whole North Pole.
– And named after his favorite uncle, who doted on him quite like he was his own son.
With a last look at Hazel and his son, Nick then gave a smile and turned to leave. Hazel watched with a happy knot in her chest as he walked out of the large doors, out onto the big open, snow-covered ground at the North Pole, where they currently were. They didn't spend much time up here, only around the Christmas holidays when things got busy.
The giant red and ornate sleigh stood ready, all nine reindeers standing ready with Rudolph at the front. Jack already sat in the sleigh, wearing his usual thin blue hoodie. The snow billowed around them as Nick stepped up on the sleigh, grabbing the reins and giving a whistle through his teeth.
"There he goes," Hazel whispered, looking as the sleigh began moving with a jolt, the reindeers taking a few large gallops, before setting off with a whirl of snowflakes.
– Up into the sky they went.
Smiling as the sleigh slowly shrunk in the dark night sky, Hazel sighed and looked down at her sleeping son.
"You have a magical papa," She whispered, gently bobbing little Jack on her arm as he peacefully slept, maybe dreaming of the day he was old enough to ride in the sleigh with his papa. So far, all he had managed was to sit a few minutes on Rudolph's back. "And a magical uncle who will always make sure each Christmas remains happy and joyful here on earth. Even to those stuck by war, accidents or sorrows, tonight they will all look towards the sky for the briefest of moments and see a shooting star. It will wink at them and hear their prayers, and your papa will make sure they feel a moment of love," Hazel told her son, her eyes getting misty. "Because no matter how things may be, the spirit of Christmas will always smile to you on this night. Your papa will always give Christmas cheer to all."
And as the night sky glinted at her, the stars glittering in the sky, true enough; Hazel saw a small star shooting across the sky, ending with a small wink.
"I love you too," She whispered with a tearful smile, knowing he could hear her. "Saint Nick."
• • •
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all. Hope you enjoyed this sweet little bonus chapter.