The Christmas Clause : Bernard and OC

Snowflakes

Staring up towards the fluffed clouded sky, Noel and Bernard lay on the snow covered grass. Noel lies between his legs, feeling his warmth under her, while she looks up at the falling snowflake above the couple. With only the sound of each other's occasional breath and the bells from the stables in the distance, they lay in comfort.

'If only snowflakes are kisses,' Bernard sighs, breaking the silence as the cold, delicate snowflakes fall from the sky, landing softly on his red face.

'They are if you ask me.' Noel chimes, lifting her hand into the cold breeze allowing the flakes to land on it. Looking down at her as he lifts himself onto his elbows, Bernard gives a knowing but confused look at his girlfriend. Continuing her stare into the sky, Noel smiles softly as she follows one specific snowflake. 'They are the kisses from past loved ones.'

Noel says as the snowflake lands carefully on her glittering cheek, melting instantly. Closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath in before Bernard lips peck softly in the same spot.

Opening her eyes again, Noel turns to him before smiling. 'Was that your mother?' Bernard asks in a soft whisper, his eyes travelling from her eyes to the place the snowflake was moments before. Noel nods slowly before melting back into his chest, feeling the warmth travel through her body.

Sitting back into their peaceful silence, Noel sighs quietly before intertwining her fingers with his. 'She loved Christmas, you know.' She sighs gently as Bernard rubs his thumb along her hand, allowing her to carry on. 'She used to sing me carols in front of the fire and bake, a lot.' Chuckling at the memory, Noel rolls herself over so her stomach is on his. 'But when she, died,' Noel's happy smile disappeared. 'And I went to live with Scott, everything changed.' Taking a deep breath, Noel fidgets in her spot. 'You see, it was when Scott just got his divorce, so he took the pain differently. I felt really isolated and I thought I could never celebrate it again but... here we are.' Noel laughs, making Bernard chuckle with her. The couple had often spoken about the death of her mother but never went deeper into it.

Bernard smiles, wrapping his long arms around her, pulling her closer into himself. 'We should go now.'

'No' Noel groans into his chest, not wanting to leave this peaceful area. 'When's Scott leaving?'

'10 minutes'

'What?' Noel scrams to her feet, knocking some snow onto Bernard. 'Oops'

'Don't worry. It's just snow.'

'B?' Humming as a reply, Noel helps Bernard off the snow covered ground and onto his feet. 'Do you think this toy Santa things going to work?'

'Of course it is.' Bernard says, brushing his arms down Noel's side, her face turing sad. 'Come on, this is Scott we're talking about.' He smiles waiting for a smile to appear on Noel's grouchy face. Creating a fake pout, Bernard sniffles as he fake cries, making Noel chuckle. 'Ha. Theres a laugh.'

'Come on, B' Noel laugh pulling Bernard back towards the workshop, kicking snow as they go.

***************

'Comet, because I don't want to take Prancer.' Scott tells the reindeer in front of him while saddling him up. 'I want to take a trip with you. When's the last time we had a cruise?' The reindeer simple answers in gibberish, shaking his head side to side as Noel and Bernard walk through the stable doors. 'I love you, buddy. Besides, Prancer had too many apples at dinner last night. We all know what that means.' Scott chuckles as he notices the couple walking over to him.

'He you too.' Scott smiles, finishing his final checks.

'Hey, Scott.' Noel cheers as the pair reach Scott and Comet. 'You nearly ready?'

'Think so. Although Comet here is being a little bit of a trouble maker.' Scott tuts before rolling his eyes at the gabbering reindeer, making Noel chuckle to herself.

'Before you go, take a look at your watch' Bernard smiles, lifting Scott elf made watch towards him. 'Hey! Can't go anywhere without that.' Scott chimes, taking the watch from the Head Elf's hand and placing it around his wrist, admiring it. 'Bernard's done some work on it.' Noel points towards the face of the watch.

'It's beautiful. It really is.'

'You like it?' Bernard asks in a surprising tone, his mouth curling at each corner.

'The workmanship's fabulous' Scott comments, showing Noel, who was there when Bernard made it.

'It has a power reserve that measures how much magic you have left.' Bernard explains, pointing to the dial on the face of the watch. 'It's currently at 10.' Noel shows him before bringing her arm back to the side of her. 'That should be enough' Scott shrugs, finally tightening the watch to his wrist.

'But if you use up any magic for any reason the level drops.' Bernard explains before giving Noel a worried look. Scott looks at his niece, slightly confused. With the roll of her eyes, Noel takes a breath in before explaining, 'Scott, if it gets to zero - you won't be able to return to the Pole.' His face drops, realising that his future may change. An awkward silence fills the stable as the three look towards each other, Bernard's hand reaching Noel's in comfort.

'Then let's not let it get to zero!' Scott celebrates in hopes he can change the mood of the two elves in front of him.

'Now, look at me.' Bernard demands, letting his hand free from Noel's, placing it on Scott's shoulder. Scott looks back to Noel with a raised eyebrow. 'What's the most important thing?'

'For you not to touch Santa?' Scott suggests, sarcastically. Bernard quickly releases himself from Scott before awkwardly holding his hands to his hips. 'For you to come back!'

As Scott goes to climb onto poor Comets' back, he turns to Noel with a glimmer in his eye. 'Guess I'll see you in a bit, kid' Noel chuckles as she helps him to Comet. 'Be safe will you.' Noel tells him while looking up to her uncle. 'And say hello to Charlie for me.' She smiles before giving Scott a comforting blink, tears building in her eyes slightly. As much as she loves him as an uncle, Noel has grown to love Scott as a father these past years, so finding out he might not be able to come back is hard.

'Say hello from me too.' Bernard chimes, remembering the moments he's had with the not so little anymore Charlie.

Turning forward and grabbing the reins, Scott sits up ready for his take off but Comet fidgets under him, making it difficult. 'Comet, please just chill out a little bit, ok?' Scott demands trying to calm him down. 'Come on! It's not like we're pulling the sleigh.' Pulling tighter at the reins, Scott tries to get Comet to settle but fails. 'There's no packages. It's one stop-'

'And you're going to see Charlie!' Noel chimes at the feisty reindeer, knowing how much he adores Charlie. And with that Scott and Comet woosh into the chilled air with some speed, leaving Noel and Bernard. Sighing at her uncle's departure, Noel watches as Scott slowly becomes a dot in the distance. Bernard slowly wraps his arm around her waist, pulling her into his side allowing her to lean into him.

'Gonna miss him' Noel jokes, still slightly worried he won't be able to come back. The head elf notices her sudden change in mood and comforts her with a kiss to the cheek. 'He's going to be fine' He whispers into her ear, Noel shivers as his breath lingers under her ear. 'Besides, we've got the place to ourselves now' He cheekily grins as he pulls her closer to him, their lips practically touching. Excited about this, Noel chuckles playfully as he leans in for his lips, then touches, creating the same fireworks as they did when they first kissed. Moving away she chuckles once more, watching Bernard's eyes widen with love.

'What about the toy Santa?' Noel questions as she looks deeply into him.

'Leave him to Curtis till tomorrow' Bernard suggests, leaning in for another peck.

'That's not very head elf of you' Noel laughs as Bernard gets closer and closer.

'Neithers this' His says, picking her up under her thighs and carrying her down the hallways.

Laughing all the way, the couple adore each other's company. Unaware of the problems yet to come.