Sunday 25 December
Mr. Jensen spotted the two little girls sitting together on one seat and whispering. They had chattered non-stop in the bus and had squealed in excitement when they saw the play area. So why were they now sitting and whispering instead of playing?
Ella looked up as he approached and they stopped. "What's up kiddos? Why aren't you with the others?"
"Ella wanted to talk about the secret," Aster said promptly.
"Aster!" Ella rolled her eyes and Mr. Jensen struggled not to laugh.
"I think we can tell grandad," Aster said. "I think he knows. Grandad is old, so he knows everything!"
Now Mr. Jensen chuckled, his granddaughter's fate in him the result of his always being patient enough to answer her every question. He pulled a chair closer and waited. Little girls and their confidences could not be rushed.
Ella crooked her finger and he leaned closer. "I know who the Christmas Elf is," she whispered. Mr. Jensen leaned back and stroked his hand over his chin, considering.
"Are you very sure?" he asked. She nodded seriously, her curls bouncing as she did so.
"I do too," he confided. Her eyes opened wide and Aster said, "See! I told you! Grandpa knows everything!"
"Who else have you told?" he asked seriously.
"Just Aster," she said. "I wanted to tell her how great it is that Eileen got her very own surprise." Mr. Jensen smiled at the two smart little girls.
"It takes a lot of restraint to keep such a big secret, doesn't it?"
"What's restraint?" both girls asked at the same time. He chuckled and then leaned forward seriously.
"I think we shouldn't tell anyone else, what do you think?" he asked. He had thought long and hard about this on his own and had eventually come to the conclusion that he was going to keep the secret.
"I agree," Ella said solemnly and Aster chimed in. "Christmas is about believing in magic, not knowing everything." Mr. Jensen revised his earlier opinion. Ella wasn't just smart, she was wise beyond her years.
"We should make a pact then," Mr. Jensen said. "We will call ourselves the secret-secret-elf-helpers and no one but us will ever know her true identity."
"As secret-secret-elf-helpers do we also get to do nice things for people and help the Secret Elf without her knowing?" Ella asked.
"Absolutely," he agreed and held his hand out palm down. Ella placed one of her hands over his and Aster over hers. Then Mr. Jensen placed his other one they placed theirs. "We solemnly swear to keep the secret of the secret elf and do only good with that knowledge," he said solemnly.
"We swear," they saidin the same tone. They bounced hands twice and then pulled their hands away.The two little girls then ran off to play with the others and left Mr. Jensen smilinglymusing
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Author's note: There's a super nice feeling....
Hope you enjoy this chapter (and the story so far)!
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The Christmas Elf, A Secret-Santa Story
RomanceEileen O'Connor is smart, talented and ambitious, which is the side of her everyone knows. She is also warm and compassionate, a side she reveals only to a trusted few. Eileen also has a secret. She is the magical and mysterious Christmas Elf who de...
