Sweet as Sugar Cookies | The Santa Clause Trilogy | Bernard

1.8 The Process Begins

*Third POV*

The school year had begun, it was Bring Your Parents to school day and Charlie had brought Neil, Laura and Scott. The adults cringed slightly as they sat in the back of the classroom due to Fireman O'Hara describing how his partner got harmed. "So remember kids," He remained stoic, "There is nothing more painful than third-degree burns," The children looked shocked and disgusted by the story.

"Well, thank you, Fireman O'Hara," The teacher sighed with a happy tone, she walked towards him as she turned to the class, "And I think the whole class will join me in saying, sorry about your partner," Fireman O'Hara nodded in thanks and moved to the back of the room, "Well, perhaps this is a good time to bring up the psychiatrist," she smiled, "Charlie, would you like to introduce your..." she didn't know what to refer him as, "Dr Miller."

Charlie turned to his stepdad, "Can I ask Dad to go first?" Charlie muttered between his mother and Neil,

"Well if that's how you feel Charlie," Neil replied with a smile.

Scott came towards them with a smirk, "That's how he feels Neil," he chuckled, "Come on," he beckoned for Charlie before looking Neil up and down, "Nice sweater buddy," the father-son duo made their way to the front of the classroom with Scott holding a doll.

The two stood at the front of the room, "This is my dad, Scott Calvin," Charlie introduced, Scott waved to the crowd of children and parents, "And he has a really neat job."

Scott smirked, "Thanks Charlie," he appreciated.

Charlie had a wide grin as he proudly announced, "My Dad is Santa Claus and my sister is his helper," The room erupted in laughter at the small boy and his father.

Nervously, Scott tried to defuse the situation, "Oh boy," he chuckled, "I think what he means is that I'm like Santa Claus," Scott began to pace a little as he looked around the classroom, "We're both giving, we're both jolly...and we both work very hard one day a year."

Charlie looked up at Scott confused, "That's not what I mean Dad," He stated before turning to look at the class, "Look, on Christmas Eve, my dad pushed Santa and his helper off the roof," The parents and children seemed somewhat horrified.

"No Ch-Charlie," Scott tried to stop him and placed a hand on his shoulder but was shrugged off.

"Santa and his helper disappeared and my dad and sister took their place," Charlie continued to explain as he gestured with his hands, "Then I went with them to deliver all the presents," Charlie then speeded towards his seat where his backpack sat, "The reindeer flew us to the North Pole where the Head Elf, Bernard, gave me this," He pulled the extravagant snow globe out of his backpack and walked back up to the front of the class.

Scott seemed irritated with Charlie's explanation, "Look, I work for a toy company," He explained and gestured to the doll in his hands, "I deliver toys all over the country, so, in a way, I'm like Santa Claus." A little girl raised her hand, "Yes, Sweetheart?" Scott called upon her with a gentle smile.

"Do you make the toys?" She asked innocently.

A chubby boy beside her glared at her and said, "No, stupid, the elves do!" he announced.

The teacher, who stood off to the side, "Bobby, we don't say "stupid" and we don't say "elves", they're little people," she scolded.

Charlie looked at her with sad eyes, "But they really are elves," he stated.

"Whatever honey," his teacher dismissed.

Another child spoke, "Which one's your reindeer?" he asked.

"Comet," Charlie spoke confidently.