The Christmas Clause : Bernard and OC

December 31st

The days after Christmas flew past. With a new year about to begin, Noel was very pleased with her new life. She had the best new family, a family she could never have dreamt of, Scott, the elves, Bernard. Her uncle still didn't know her and Bernard's secret, at least that's what the couple thought.

As the hours grew closer to the new year, the elves worked hard, starting the new preperations for next Christmas. Noel was hard at work getting ready for her small New Years Eve party.

In her newly made office, Noel sits at her desk, cutting snowflakes out of paper. Humming to herself as she snips, she doesn't realise the elf entering her room. Listening to her hum softly, Bernard leans against the door frame. He slowly walks over to her, Noel completely unaware of his presents. Placing his hands on her shoulder, Bernard makes Noel jump slightly before relaxing into her seat.

'What you doing?' The head elf assks, rubbing her shoulders gently. 'Making decorations for the party,' Noel smiles, lifting up one of her paper snowflakes. Bernard admires her smile. 'Forgot about the party.' He smiles down at her before walking away, parking himself on the edge of Noel's bed. Noel turns in her seat, looking at her sad looking boyfriend.

'What's wrong, B?' Noel asks, placing her scissors down on her desk. Bernard looks up, re-adjusting his satchel on his shoulder. 'I've been thinking. With you here now, as Santa's,' Bernard struggles to find his words, 'Partner. Will he ever need me?' He asks loosing his eye contact with Noel. 'B.' She says waiting for him to look up. With no response, Noel gets up from her chair and sits next to Bernard on her bed. 'Scott will never be able to do it without you.' She says trying to get her boyfriend to look at her. 'I...I can't do it without you.' She says grabbing hold of his hands, moving them to her lap. Bernard looks up and smiles. 'Thank you.' He whispers to Noel. 'I didn't do anything.' Noel laughs, feeling Bernard's thumb stroke her hand. 'You know what I mean.' He chuckles, nudging her slightly.

The pair sit and talk for a while until the subject of their relationship comes up, shortly followed by Scott.

'What about our age?' Noel says looking up at her boyfriend, feeling the fire in front of them. 'What about it?' Bernard asks looking down at his perfect girlfriend. Noel shifts in her position, so she can face Bernard. 'B, your literally what? 300 years older then me.'

'2,500 to be precise.' Bernard cuts in, Noel looks at him with raised eyebrows. 'Give or take 1,000 years.' He adds, making Noel look even more confused and shocked. She stares at her boyfriend for a moment, making him a little uncomfortable. 'What?' He asks looking around, his beret moving slightly. 'Give or take?' Noel asks, suprised. 'You look goos for your age.' She smiles leaning into her boyfriend's chest as she turns back to the fire.

'I should go do work.' Bernard says as he tries to get up. Noel grabs his hand as she tries to pull him back down towards the floor. 'Stay!' She whines. 'I can't.' The head elf laughs as he makes it to the door. 'Come to the party.' Noel demands as she gets up off the floor. 'Yes, Ma'am!' Bernard salutes, jokingly. 'And don't be late.' Noel jokes to him. 'I'm the head elf.' Bernard says holding his hand to his chest. 'I'm never late.'

Bernard leaves, leaving Noel by herself. Making her way back to her desk, she thinks how Scott may react to her and Bernard's news.

...............................

'Wow, Noel, this looks great.' Scott smiles, looking around his newly decorated office. Noel's paper snowfakes hang high and low from the ceiling, a 'happy new year' banner droops across the fire place. 'Really good.' His smile grows, patting his niece on the back. 'Thanks. Judy helped of course.' Noel smiles at Judy. 'I'll get us some more cocoa.' Judy smiles before picking up her tray and leaving the room. Scott walks over to his chair and falls into it, melting himself into the warmth. 'Not long now.' Scott smiles, shutting his eyes.

Melting into his chair, Scott falls asleep like he does most days.

Noel shakes her head before she walks over to the lit fireplace, placing a few logs into the fire. Feeling the warmth hit her face she smiles softly. Breathing in the sweet scent of the fore, listening to the crackles, Noel hears a heavy knock on the door. Turning to a snoring Scott, she pushes herself off the floor, before slowly walking over to the door. Opening it slightly reveals an unhappy Head Elf.

'Hey, B.' Noel smiles at Bernard. 'Hi, is Santa here?' Bernard asks in a Sargent voice. 'Oh,' Noel exhale, 'he's asleep.' She says looking back over to her uncle. Bernard huffs, pushing his way into the decorated office.

He stops dead at the entrance, looking around at the decorations in confusion. Noel notices and walks over to him, placing a hand on her shoulder. 'What? What's ..' he stutters, squinting his eyes while pointing to the decorations on the fireplace. Noel let's her hand slide down his back, 'New years.' She nods at him. Bernard replies with his expression change. 'You forgot didn't you.' She asks, shaking her head at him.

'What! No, no, no.' Bernard shakes his head. 'Course I didn't.' He fake smiles at her. 'You forgot. We were talking about this earlier.' Noel laughs at the stressed elf. 'I know, I know. I've just been busy.' Bernard sighs.

'What did you need Scott for?' Noel asks, looking up at her stressed boyfriend. 'There's a problem in the mail room.' The head elf sighs, looking over at Scott, realising he's passed out. 'I need to wake him up.' Bernard says about to walk over to him. Noel raises her hand and pushes him in the chest. 'Don't you dare.'

'I can handle it.' Noel smiles pulling the head from the room, closing the door behind her.