The Christmas Clause : Bernard and OC

I will do everything for you!

'Are you sure about this?' Bernard asks me, his hand gently drawing circles on my back as we descend into the forest. The trees, crooked and odd as they reach out as if they wanted to embrace us. I turn to him slightly, noticing the causioning look on his face as we approach La Befana’s legendary hut. La Befana's an old witch with long, flowing black hair, who's both feared and revered in our realm. Curtis had spoken to us about her briefly the night before. Her wrinkled face bore the marks of age, but her deep brown eyes sparkle with magic and mischief. The stories of her powers echo in the whispers of the wind—she can change us, make us human.

'Do you really think she’ll agree?' Bernard’s voice rings, barely at a whisper, shaking like the branches above us. 'I mean, can we really go through with this?'

'Stop asking questions, B.' I glance sideways at him. 'We will never know unless we try.' My heart races for what feels like a lifetime, each beat blending in with the distant sound of the river that borders La Befana’s enchanted domain. 'You know it’s what we want.'

He sighs deeply, running a hand through his curly hair. 'But it’s a huge sacrifice… I’ll lose my job, and… and what about you? Your family…'

We'd thought long and hard about this moment. Why is he acting so strange?

'They’ll always be my family, but I’ve been dreaming of a life beyond the woods, Bernard. I want more than the candy-cane factories and peppermint fields. We need to experience everything... like our love.'

As I finish my thought, I feel a pang of regret at the weight of our choices. Is losing my family worth the chance of a new life? Bernard and I are much more than we think.

Still lost in thought, we finally reach the hut, standing proudly amidst the chaos of the woods, the walls adorn with luscious gummy bears and wafer windows, emanating a warm glow even on the coldest of nights. A twinge of nostalgia hits me as I remember all the delightful moments spent in this odd, whimsical haven. Yet, this visit feels different—it's the end of an era.

As we step inside, the aroma of spiced pastries greet us, enticing yet familiar. La Befana turns from her bubbling cauldron, her knowing smile drawing us in like a moth to flame.

'Ah, Bernard, Noel!' she croons, her voice both inviting and unsettling. 'I’ve been expecting you.'

'Bebano, thank you for seeing us,' I smile, the formalities feeling strangely out of place.

'Are you ready to cast off your elfin chains?' she asks, her eyes narrowing with intrigue.'And return to your old life, as human.'

From the corner of my eye, I catch Bernard clenching his fists, a protest simmering beneath the surface. 'Before we begin,' he coughs, clearing his throat, 'I need to ask something important…'

'Noel, these changes…' he begins, pulling a small, velvet box from his satchel. 'If we’re to become human and everything we know will change, let me ask you something..'

My breath catches in my throat, the room starting to spin into a dizzying kaleidoscope of emotions. I blink, the hopes I had harboured for so long sparking flames of joy in my heart. 'B… you really mean…'

'Yes!' He nods vigorously. 'This ring represents my love for you, a love that is sweet and enduring, just like you,' he declares, revealing the silver snowflake decorated ring, the diamonds glittering in the candlelight.

'Oh, Bernard,' I whisper, tears of joy shimmering in my eyes. 'Is this…?'

'It is,' Bernard confirms, his heart pounding in his chest. 'Snowflake, I want to build a life with you—one filled with the warmth of love and laughter, just like the last few years. Will you marry me?'

For a moment, the world outside fades away, La Befana disappearing from thought. I look deep into his chocolate eyes, the flickering candlelight reflecting the love I feel for him. 'Yes! A thousand times, yes!' I exclaim, my voice filled with joy as I tighten my arms around him.

La Befana watches with keen interest, a small smile playing at her lips. 'How delightful. Love even in the face of transformation.'

'I will do everything for you!' He whispers into my ear, his warm breath rushing down my neck, sending shivers down my back.

Bernard slips the ring onto my finger, the moment sealing our promise to each other. La Befana’s presence envelopes us, as she sends magical fireworks crackling into the air. 

'Very well, then,' she presents, her voice carrying wisdom through layers of reality. 'Stand together as you make this wish.'

With our hands intertwined, we share a soft glance, anchoring for what we were about to become. 'We wish to become human,' we declare together, our hearts melding into one.

With a flick of her wrist and a sprinkle of shimmering dust, the hut fills with swirling lights, painting the world with brilliant hues. The Wobbly Woods around us begins to fade, replacing itself with the long snow covered road, opposites the Miller's family home.