Chapter 10: The War on Christmas
The Elves held in captivity at Amazing Co. headquarters brace themselves as the doors to their holding station swing open. Two Toys carrying something in a net throw it in and lock the door behind them. Rudy’s nose blinks as he lay on the floor. The others rush over to help free him, but it’s no good.
“What happened,” asks Buddy, trying to rip the rope on the net with all his might. “Where’s Kringle?”
“We lost,” laments a defeated Rudy. Buddy lets go of the rope and sits on the ground as the other Elves process the information.
“Is Jack Frost really going to turn us all into dolls,” asks one of the scared prisoners.
“He’s going to do a lot worse than that. If you’re a doll, that’ll be the least of your problems.”
“So, what are we gonna do,” asks Buddy.
“Hope for a miracle.”
Up on in the office, several Toys push a frozen and unconscious Kringle towards his very own holding cell, big enough for a man of his size. One of the Toys injects him with a fluid while the other’s strap his arms in metal shackles. Kringle begins to sweat profusely, causing his frozen cage to slowly melt away. Jack Frost, staring at the iconic red suit in front of him, grins with malicious delight.
“Sir,” says a Toy, nervously approaching Frost. “We’ve got a problem with the hat. It’s a fake.”
“Walk away from me,” sighs Frost, turning his attention to Kringle. He walks over to the machine and slaps him a few times in the face. “Wake up, Claus! Nice try. Where’s the snowman?”
Kringle can barely open his eyes but he’s conscious enough to muster a little chuckle. Frost hits him a few more times, but gets no response. He storms around the office as the Toys try not to make eye contact with him.
“Without that hat, we don’t have enough energy to start the machine,” says one of the Toys, taking a slight sigh of relief.
“We’ll find another way,” yells Frost, walking over to the window. “The show must go on.”
“But, sir, we don’t have that kind of power in the building—“
“Who said anything about in the building,” he says confidently as he gazes at the The Great Tree standing outside of the Amazing Co. Headquarters.
**********
On the outskirts of town, Noelle and Buddy’s two siblings — Gimbel and Holly — walk along the outskirts of Christmas Town as morning approaches. A few other Elves accompany them, the only few that were able to make it out of Sleigh Belles.
One of the Elves’ phone rings, and then another and another. They open their screens to find the same automated message from Amazing Co. about new holiday plans.
As the other Elves wake up on Christmas Eve, they are met with a special announcement across their televisions and radios. Every outlet in town has been taken over by Amazing Co., with urgent news from Jack Frost.
“People of Christmas Town,” echos Frost over the airwaves. “Rejoice! It’s Christmas time in the city! Now, I know we have been a little behind schedule with our holiday plans but today we will continue a sacred Christmas Town tradition... the lighting of The Great Tree! This is one ceremony you’re not gonna want to miss, and with a surprise special guest. Who will it be? Come on down to Town Square this evening and find out!”
Later that evening, crowds of Elves make their way to Town Square, where Jack Frost hovers around in Santa’s Sleigh. They eagerly await the surprise for them hanging behind a covering on the tree. Noelle and the others watch from a distance, while Frosty the Snowman tries to his best to remain inconspicuous as possible.
“Come on, all you faithful little Elves,” says Frost over a megaphone from the sleigh. “Gather around the tree! Now, I know Christmas has been a little difficult as of late, but never fear! We are still going ahead with the lighting of The Great Tree, and before we do, allow me to unveil our newest ornament — and very special guest... Ladies, and Gentlemen, give it up for the one, the only... Kris Kringle!”
Two Toys cut the rope to the covering, revealing Kringle hanging by his arms from two branches, wearing his signature red coat. He hangs his head in defeat, looking beaten and bruised. The Elves cover their mouths in horror.
“That’s right, folks. Kris Kringle, better known to you as... Santa Claus,” exclaims Frost to the crowd of Elves who can’t believe what’s happening. “And tonight, he’s going to help us light the tree. Because, after all, it wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa Claus!”
Frost flies up to Kringle and puts on the red hat, but with a little bit of a technological upgrade fitted on the inside. He straps the hat on tight and places a similar blue one on his own head. Kringle can feel his body tingling, as he tries to rip free from the chains.
“Did you really think you were gonna get out that easy,” says Frost with a laugh. He flies to the top of the tree and straps a mechanical collar or sorts around the base of the star. He flies down to the ground level and flips a switch from the sleigh. The hat on his head glows bright blue, as it does red on Santa’s hat.
“Now without further ado, let’s get this party started!” He flips another switch from the sleigh. The star powers up, illuminating the entire square before evolving into a big flash. Frost falls out of of the sleigh and into a pile of snow. He screams, but he seems to be enjoying it.
Kringle grimaces as his entire body feels a rush of energy coursing through him. He watches the thousands of Elves screaming and panicking below him. He feels the end approaching and looks towards the sky. A small bright light gets closer and closer to him, before settling on his face. He disappears in thin air, his suit and the red hat falls into the snow.
“No,” cries Noelle, her heart sinking into her stomach. “Where did he go?”
Jack Frost opens his eyes and slowly gets to his feet. He fixes the hat on his head and looks at his hands, a cold breeze whistling between his fingertips. He faces his palms towards the ground, causing the snow to move around him. He grins.
The star continues to pulsate a white glow but everything else feels still. The Elves stand around in a hushed silence, inching closer to the Christmas Tree and Santa’s clothes. Suddenly, the ground begins to shake beneath them. Noelle takes the two children by the hand and runs them out of harms way while the other Elves stand around, paralyzed with fear.
“Oh the weather outside is frightful,” says Jack Frost, riding a wave of snow and creating a staircase under his feet to walk down. The Elves rush out of the square as ice shoots up from the ground, knocking and trampling each other in a panic. Frost glides his way over to the ice and blows a cool mist.The ice begins to break apart, forming Elf-like sculptures — “Icicles” — that chase after the Elves.
Frost maniacally struts through the streets of Christmas Town, shooting ice out of his hands and freezing the Elves as they try to run away. It’s almost as if he practiced a dance routine for this very moment.
“And since we’ve no place to go,” he sings reaching the big finish, “let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!” He raises his hands in the air and brings his arms down with a whoosh, piling mounds of snow on top of the Elves, trapping them in place.
Frost heads back to the sleigh and hops inside. As he flies back up to Amazing Co., he covers the buildings with ice. He watches from the top of the Christmas Tree as the city is overrun by Icicles and covered in ice, laughing as he throws the mock Santa hat overboard, instead making a crown out of ice and placing it on his head.
“What have you done,” Bailey says to himself as watches the events unfold from the roof of Amazing Co. headquarters. “What have you done!” He snaps himself out of it and runs to the elevators.
*********
Kringle wakes up on the top of a mountain side, shivering in his tight fitting thermal. He checks the unfamiliar surroundings as he jumps to his feet. The snow comes down thick, making it hard for him to see.
“Hello, son,” says a voice from behind him. Emerging from the flurry of snow is a familiar face: St. Nick, dressed in beautiful dark red suit. He smiles as he pushes the snow away with his hands.
“Father,” says Kringle, in shock. “But, how— where am I?” Nick walks to the edge of the mountain and looks over the side.
“The people down there need you, Kristopher,” he says, fixated on what looks like Christmas Town.
“There’s nothing I can do without the suit,” he says. “Frost has it now. I failed you.”
“You didn’t fail me. You just forgot what I told you all those years ago.” Nick turns to his son and walks towards him. “And I’m here to help you remember.”
“No, I remember. You said keep Christmas alive and you gave me the suit. I failed.”
“When was the last time you cried,” asks Nick to a confused Kringle.
“When Mary died. Why?”
“What did you feel?”
“Angry that I never had the chance to say goodbye. Mad at myself for not staying behind to take are of her that night. I felt a lot of things. I still do.”
“Carrying around those feelings can be dangerous.”
“What is your point,” shouts Kringle. “Christmas Town is in danger! I have to get back down there! I have to fight!”
“Fighting is not the answer, my boy. When I died, you felt the same pain that you do now. It was built out of anger and rage, directed at one person.”
“Nothing like this ever happened—“
“That’s because you took the love I gave you and gave it to someone else. When you lost that someone, you felt that same pain only with a different kind of anguish. You blamed yourself for not being there. You shut out the ones who loved you and locked yourself away.”
“What was I supposed to do,” asks Kringle. “When Mary died, I lost the one thing I cared about most.”
“You never lost me,” says a soft familiar voice. Kringle turns around and stares at the woman he fell in love with many, many years ago.
“Mary,” he says in shock. She walks to him and takes him by the hand. “Oh, Mary! I lost the magic, I’m so sorry—“ She places her hand on his cheek, he grabs it and holds it close.
“It’s OK, dear,” she says with a smile, placing her hand on his chest. “It’s been here all along. Right where it belongs. You’ve carried me in your heart for ten years and as long as it still beats, I will always call it home.”
“I love you, so much. I wish I would’ve been there. I should’ve been there and I wasn’t. I’m so sorry.”
“You can’t beat yourself up over that, Kris. The life I spent with you was magical and I left in peace knowing that you would be there to keep my love alive. All I ask is that you keep living, not just for me, but for yourself and those that love you. For Noelle and Rudolph, for the Elves of Christmas Town. They are our family.”
Mary wipes the tears from Kringle’s eyes and smiles. He kisses her, holding in her in his arms for a moment until she is no longer there. When he opens his eyes, he finds himself dressed in a brand new red suit and hat.
“I know what I need to do,” says Kringle, confident as ever. Nick puts his hand on his son’s shoulder and smiles.
“Of course you do... you’re Santa Claus.”
*********
The Elves sit in their holding cell trying to come up with ideas to get themselves out. Rudy had tried gnawing his teeth on the rope but was only halfway there when the doors to the room flung open. Two Toys walk in and grab two of the Elves out of the crowd, dragging them out of the room kicking and screaming. Buddy runs to the door as it closes. He turns to the others.
“That’s our only way out,” he says. “We have to fight the guards.” Suddenly, a commotion can be faintly heard through the door. The doors swing open, revealing a large shadow of the Bailey the Elf standing with an ice rifle.
“Frost has taken over the city,” he says, tossing the rifle to Buddy. “It’s time to show him we’re not elfin’ around.” Buddy gives him a nod of confidence.
“Let’s go boys!” Buddy leads the way, picking up the ice rifle at the door. The Elves file out of the room, right past the two frozen Toys on the ground. Bailey walks over to Rudy and cuts him lose from the net.
“Everyone deserves a second chance,” he says to the Reindeer. “Right?”
Bailey and Rudy head down the hall and into the room with the doll machine. Bailey puts a doll on the machine and reverses the modifications on the computer screen. When the boxes go up on the doll, it comes back down as the original Elf.
“Wait, what,” asks Rudy, confused. “This is really a thing?”
“Holy shit,” shouts the newly reversed Elf. “What the—“
“We don’t have a lot of time,” says Bailey as he hurries the bewildered elf to the machine. “I need you to put an Elf on this machine and then press this green button, OK?”
“What’s going to happen?”
“The same thing that happened here.” Bailey looks at Rudy, still trying to process the magic trick he just witnessed. “Come on, there’s something I want to show you.”
“Wait, what happened here,” asks the Elf as Bailey runs out of the room with Rudy. Nevertheless, he does as he is told, sticking another Elf on the machine and pressing the green button. He nearly soils himself when he sees what comes out of the box.
Bailey takes Rudy into a secret room that houses a bunch of Amazing Co.’s Home Protection Line products. He searches down a row of lockers until he gets to one marked 1PPT.
“None of these have been tested,” he says as he types in the code on the door. “Except this one.” He opens the door and shows Rudy the contents, his eyes grow wide.
“Wait a minute, isn’t that—“
“Yep,” says Bailey, grabbing a burlap sack. “And it’s the perfect gift for Jack Frost. Bring these supplies to the Elves. I’m going to drop off the present upstairs.” Bailey runs out of the room with the burlap sack.
Meanwhile, down in the workshop, the freed Elves grab whatever tools they find laying around. Some grab hammers, others find pieces of wood or scrap metal. Buddy takes a few practice swings with a bat as Rudy comes in with a box full of weapons.
“Take what you can,” he says as the Elves dig in and pull out various items such as Christmas themed nunchucks, a belt containing ten grenades and several ice pistols. “There’s more in this room down the hall.”
Locked and loaded, the Elves march their way out of Amazing Co. but stop dead in their tracks when they see what waits for them outside. A cold, desolate wasteland that is now inhabited by ice creatures wielding what look like swords for arms.
“Um,” says one of the Elves looking at his nunchucks. “What exactly are we supposed to do?”
“Well we ain’t singing Christmas carols,” says another, before letting out a yell and storming out of the lobby. The other Elves follow suit and run outside with their weapons ready. Some of them are able to take some of the Icicles out, chipping them away with swings of a pipe or the ice pellets from the guns. Still, they find themselves out numbered.
“There’s too many of them,” shouts one Elf, chopping away one of the Icicles’ arms before being grabbed and pinned the ground. The Icicle freezes the Elf to the street but then bursts into pieces before it can complete the job. A Toy holding a large ice rifle begins shooting at the ice creatures, followed by several others.
“We’re sending reinforcements,” says the Toy, using the butt of his gun to crack the ice from the Elf’s waist. He helps him to his feet. “We’ve got your six.” The Elf nods his head and goes back to the fighting, side by side with a former adversary. However, no matter how many of them they shoot down, more icicles form at the base of The Great Tree, making their way down the street.
“We need to get to the Tree,” says one of the Toys. “We don’t have enough to hold these things off.”
“Gentlemen, all me to work my magic,” says a smoky voice from behind them. Frosty the Snowman, with several Elves behind him, walks to the front of the line. “Ok, load me up!” Two Elves dump a bunch of rocks down Frosty’s mouth and he fires them off like a machine gun, taking down multiple icicles and moving the charge forward.
Buddy the Elf walks out of Amazing Co. wielding a flamethrower. He melts several icicles down as Noelle runs over to him. “Grab a gun, there’s plenty lying around.”
“Where’s Frost?”
“He’s probably enjoying the view somewhere. Might as well give him something fun to watch.”
**********
Frost watches the Elf revolution from the sleigh, incensed. He flies the sleigh back to the top of Amazing Co. and heads for the elevator. “That son of a bitch!”
“Looking for me, sir,” asks Bailey. Frost turns around and shoots an ice whip from his hands, wrapping around the Elf’s neck.
“Do you have death wish or something,” he says as he walks towards Bailey, gripping the tether tighter. Bailey tries to loosen the hold but it’s no good. Frost lifts him up and holds him over the ledge of the building. “I think it’s time I found a new assistant.”
“Ho Ho HO!” Kringle emerges from a portal on the roof that closes once he steps through.
“How original,” quips Frost, shaking his head. “Let me guess, you’re the ghost of Christmas yet to come?”
“Put him down, Jack,” bellows Kringle. “It doesn’t have to be this way.”
“Whatever you say,” says Frost, releasing Bailey from his icy grip off the roof. As he falls to the bottom, Kringle picks up the one person sleigh from the other end of the roof and magically sends it down to catch Bailey, flying above the battle in the street.
“Where’d you get the suit,” asks Frost, a little impressed. “I like the upgrades.”
“This needs to end. Now! We can set aside our differences and make this work. We can still save Christmas—“
“Oh, who gives a fuck about Christmas,” yells Frost, shooting an ice beam at Kringle, who swiftly dodges it. “I’m sick and tired of this holly jolly bullshit, every single day!” He traps Kringle in a circle of ice. “And most importantly, I’m tired of you being the King of the World!”
“That’s not what this is about,” says Kringle, breaking the walls down with a candy cane sledgehammer.
“I tried to innovate Christmas, give people some incentive to want to do good. I tried to give people a new reason to live and what did I get? A lump of coal and a ticket out of the North Pole! Because YOU had to have it your way.” He punches Kringle with an icy jab, while Kringle responds with one of his own.
“You can’t keep holding this grudge,” says Kringle, answering every blow Frost sends his way. “You have to let it go.”
“Oh, shut up,” retorts Frost, shooting a flurry of icy wind and snow around Kringle, pushing him back to the other end of the roof. He walks towards the sleigh and starts it up. Kringle sprints to the other end of the roof. He jumps and catches the bottom of the sleigh as it takes off into the sky.
Kringle climbs his way up the sleigh and into the cockpit, where he meets Jack Frost’s icy cold fist. The two rivals struggle for position in the spacious sleigh, trading blow after blow until Kringle finally gets the upper hand with clean right hook.
“You say you want to help these people,” says Kringle, grabbing a hold of Frost and pinning him against the sleigh. “Look at what you’re doing! You’re killing them! This isn’t love! This isn’t wanting what’s best for them… This is chaos! This is not what you want.”
“I know. It’s not.”
Jack watches the mayhem ensue in the streets as Kringle lessens his grip. He stands to his feet, still watching the fight below. Kringle puts a hand on his shoulder.
“There’s still time to change this,” he says. “You just have to find it in your heart.”
“There’s only one problem with that,” replies Frost, quietly turning around to face Kringle. He puts a hand on his shoulder and with his other hand stabs an ice pick right through Kringle’s side. “I never got a heart for Christmas.” Kringle gasps for air as Frost pushes the icicle deeper in to him. He pushes him over the side of the sleigh and laughs.
“Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,” shouts Frost picking up the controls to the Star on the tree. He turns a knob all the way to it’s maximum level, and the Star glows brighter and brighter. “How shiny are your branches!”
Jack’s laughter is accompanied by a faint beeping sound coming from the back of the sleigh, in a burlap sack. He walks over to it and opens it. His eyes get big when he sees the chirping partridge sitting in a pear tree.
“Hey Frost,” says Rudy, flying the one person sleigh with an unconscious Santa laying in the cargo area. “Merry Christmas, mothefucker.” He presses a detonator, blowing the big sleigh to pieces and sending Jack Frost falling through the air, only to have his fall broken by the Star of the Great Tree piercing right through his chest. His ice cold heart melts on the sparkling tree star.
Rudy weaves his way through the debris of the explosion but gets separated from the sleigh as he gets closer to the bottom. The cargo area holding Kringle crashes into the ground while Rudy braces himself for impact several yards away.
The energy from the star consumes Jack Frost and eventually the Great Tree catches in flames, quickly incinerating to the bottom and leaving nothing behind. The Icicles slowly begin to melt in the street, making the it easier for the Elves and the Toys to take them down.
Buddy and several other Elves rush to Kringle and crowd around him. Rudy flies in behind them. Noelle runs to his side, checking the gash where Frost stabbed him. It looks as if it’s healing itself, although very slow. She rests her head on his chest and lets out a smile.
“You did it, Kris,” she says, grabbing his hand. “It’s over.” Kringle grunts as he opens his eyes. Noelle gets up and the other Elves back up to give him some space as he slowly gets to his feet.
“Kringle lives,” shouts one of the Elves. The other Elves cheer and shout the Kringle Lives at the top of their lungs. Elves and Toys dancing and hugging each other in the streets.
“People of Christmas Town,” says Kringle, clutching his side with a grimace. “Now is a time for celebration, yes... but it is also a time to reflect on what’s happened here. To grieve and mourn the ones we love who are no longer with us. And to be thankful that we are still here to keep their spirits alive, through the greatest gift you can give: love. That’s what this season is all about. So, please, go home... hold your loved ones and hope for a better tomorrow.”
“But what about Christmas,” shouts one of the Elves. “What’s going to happen to Christmas!”
“Christmas isn’t going anywhere,” he assures them. “This Christmas may be ruined by something out of your control, but that doesn’t mean next Christmas will have the same fate. I promise you, if you just sit this one out and let me build the town back, next Christmas will be the best one yet.”
The Elves all do as they were told and make their way back home. Some try to help thaw out the other frozen elves now that the ice is beginning to melt quicker. Frosty the Snowman sludges his way towards Kringle with a smile.
“Thanks for the help, Snowman,” says Noelle. Gimbel and Holly run from behind Buddy and walk next to Frosty as he nears his fate. The little girl runs in front of him, as Frosty shrinks down to her size.
“Don’t you cry,” he says with a smile. “I’ll be back again some day.” Frosty sludges his way closer to the ground, before the hat falls into a puddle. Holly picks it up and runs it back over to her brother. Buddy takes her by the hand walks his siblings back home.
“What are you gonna do now that it’s over,” asks Noelle, watching the Elves help each other out through the wreckage. “Got any plans tonight?”
“Someone’s gotta clean up this mess,” he says with deep breath. “But if you leave the light on for me, I could use the hospitality.”
“How long you plan on staying?”
“However long you’ll have me.” Kringle takes her by the hand and pulls her into his arms. He looks into her eyes and sees Mary, waving him forward.
“Don’t make me fall in love again if you won’t be here next year,” she says. He chuckles and kisses her. When she opens her eyes after the kiss, she looks as if she just opened up her first gift on Christmas morning.
“I’ve got some unfinished business to take care of first,” he says, looking at Rudy. He’s not as celebratory as the others but he’s definitely relieved that it’s all over. Noelle gives him one last kiss before giving Rudy a hug and congratulatory kiss on the cheek.
“You did good back there, kid,” says Kringle. “This is the second time you’ve saved Christmas.”
“Yeah, after I almost ruined it,” says Rudy, embarrassed and not making eye contact. “This is all my fault.”
“We all make mistakes.”
“If I never hit that lady then Frost never would’ve made me help make him CEO.”
“Yeah, that wasn’t a good look—“
“And I blew up the Reindeer! I mean, sure, it was an accident, but I caused this! I did what I did and I don’t know how to live with myself. If I could just go back and change it, not having a drink that night or not taking that Christmas Sprit—”
“You can’t change the past, Rudy,” says Kringle, putting his hand on the small Reindeer’s shoulder. “You can only move forward. Sure, you can sit here and look at every mistake you’ve ever made — big or small — and wonder what if you had done something different... or you can pick yourself up and change what you can right now.”
“But what can I do now,” he asks.
“You can start by picking up a hammer and help me chip off the rest of this ice,” says Kringle with a laugh. “And while we clean this town up, you can tell me about what bothered you so badly that you resorted to drinking rather than coming to talk your old pal, Kris.”
“I can do that.” Rudy’s nose glows as he wipes the tears from his face, nodding his head with gratitude. He gives Kringle a big hug.
“Good, because we’re gonna be here for a while. We have plenty of time to catch up.” They get to work chipping off the ice from the buildings of Christmas town throughout the night.
As more Elves begin to thaw out, Kringle sent them home with the same message as he did the others: to spend Christmas with their families, not celebrating in the streets. Christmas Day wasn’t cancelled, it was just postponed until next year. With much of the city ruined by Jack Frost’s Winter Wonderland, it would take a lot of time to rebuild and get Christmas Town up and running.
********
As the days went by, Rudy poured his heart out to Kringle about how he felt he never belonged and how his partying ways made him feel comfortable in his own skin. Kringle told him how he felt that losing Mary made him feel lost and alone. They bonded over their shared guilt of letting down the ones they loved.
With Amazing Co. on a temporary hiatus, no new batches of Christmas Spirit made it out onto the market. In fact, Kringle had the entire operation turned off and done away with for good. Within a few months of the new year, hospitalizations were cut in half and most Elves made full recoveries. While many lives were lost to the Christmas Spirit, their spirits lived on in the hearts of their loved ones.
Elves were free to go back to working their own businesses and after a few months, half of the shops and bakeries were up and running again. They helped each other get back on their feet, both structurally and financially. Some even took on new jobs, now that they were able to leave Frost’s operation.
Bailey the Elf never got to be the curator of the Christmas Town museum, but he found himself teaching children at the local school and loving every minute of it. He also separated from Trixie and is living with a nice Elf named Bubbles, with full custody of his children.
Amazing Co. would soon restart, however as a distribution outlet and not as a workshop. They would outsource goods from the local stores and send them out through deliveries by Elf or by drone. Rudy was appointed as the head of logistics for his uncanny ability to move gifts on Christmas Eve, through even the toughest conditions.
“Rudy says the drones are all scheduled to depart three minutes apart,” says Buddy the Elf, looking at a clipboard in Frost’s old office. “The last drop off is at 4 am, Christmas morning. Looks like we’re gonna make it, boss.”
Noelle leans back at her desk, cracking her back in her chair. She gets up and takes the clipboard from Buddy. She looks over it and smiles, giving the little Elf a pat on the back.
“Fantastic,” she says, handing him the clipboard. “And how about you, are you gonna make it?”
“I have to pick up the kids from school, but I’ll be there.” Noelle and Buddy walk down the hall towards the elevators, where Rudy waits for them. Buddy waves goodbye to them as Noelle and Rudy go up the elevator. They fly the one person sleigh back to a cottage on the outskirts of town.
Bailey’s kids — Buzz and Billie — play with Frosty the Snowman outside of the cottage, having a snowball fight as Rudy touches the sleigh down in the driveway. Noelle gets out of the sleigh and hands them a candy cane for their trouble.
“Don’t it eat all just yet,” she says with a wink. “We still have our Christmas dinner!”
“Yes, Mrs. Claus,” they say, pocketing the candy and returning to their friendly battle with Frosty. Noelle walks inside and takes off her coat, with Rudy trailing her.
“I smell something good,” he says, his nose blinking with delight.
‘That’s because it’s my own special recipe,” says Kringle, coming from the kitchen wearing an apron.
“Uh-oh,” says Noelle. “What did you do to the food?”
“I put a little bit of Kringle Magic in it,” he says pulling Noelle in for a kiss. “Don’t worry, it’s just cinnamon.”
“It better be,” she says. “How’s she doing?”
“She’s been waiting for you to come home all day,” says Kringle, taking the apron off. Noelle walks into a room down the hall and turns on the light, making cute faces at the little three month old Elf opening her little eyes in her small crib.
“There’s my little girl,” she coos, picking up her daughter. She carries her out to the living room, where her Uncle Rudy is there to meet her. “Little Lucy is ready for her first Christmas.” Bailey and Bubbles walk over from the couch and marvel at the little Claus.
“She has your ears, Kris,” says Bailey, “but she’s got her mother’s good looks!”
“Let’s hope she doesn’t grow a beard,” jokes Rudy, stuffing his face with some appetizers on a small tray.
A few other Elves from the Rudy’s logistics department begin to show up with their kids, as does Buddy and his brother and sister, Gimbel and Holly. While the children play outside with Frosty the Snowman, the adults gather together and dance to holiday tunes, sharing stories of the past year and what they hope to get done next year.
After dinner, the children sit around the fire while Noelle sings Christmas carols. Bailey and Bubbles get close on the couch, while Holly rests her tired head on Buddy’s shoulder. Buzz opens a window for Frosty to poke his head in and listen.
Rudy puts the star on top of the tree and turns it on. He takes a step back and watches it glow. He looks over at Kringle, who raises his glass to him and gives a wink. The Reindeer smiles, returning the gesture. Faithful friends, gathered together once more.
“Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow. Hang a shining star upon the highest bough... and have yourself a merry little Christmas, now...”
THE END
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