A Claus For Love

Daybreak, Heartbreak, and Hope

As the sunlight started filtering through the snowflakes stuck to Beverly's home's easternmost windows, she and Bobby were snuggled under her blanket as they rested by the fire, happy and in love. It felt like the Christmas dreams of both her childhood and her current self were coming true, but it was a smooth-voiced early-morning DJ on her radio that brought Beverly to reality.

"Annnd good morning, early birds. It's 5 a.m. on Christmas Day..."

While it was hard to believe that she was up early on Christmas morning, she was even more surprised when she realized that she had been awake since midnight, and she blushed a little before a yawn fought its way out of her. As Bobby chuckled at how cute Beverly's yawn was, he smiled as he emerged from the blanket before helping her get up, where he twirled her in one hand while holding the blanket in the other. Once she was free from her fuzzy cocoon, Bobby folded the blanket before setting it aside and embracing Beverly in his arms, making her giggle before gasping as he gently picked her up. Even though Beverly couldn't believe how strong Bobby was, cradling his sweetheart while gazing into her eyes was like carrying a small dog, thanks to all the years of practice at the North Pole under his belt.

After he set her down in her recliner, Bobby smiled as he tucked Beverly in under her grandmother's blanket and made sure she was cozy, making her giggle again before sighing at the thought of being away from him. While she wanted to cry at the thought of their heartbreaking separation, especially since they only met that night, she knew that she would never forget neither the special night she shared nor the extraordinary man she shared it with. Even though nobody had said anything about him going away, but the radio was enough of a reminder that Bobby had other duties to attend to while Beverly needed to catch up on her sleep. As Bobby placed her glass of apple cider on her lamp-table, he gazed at her with a smile growing across his face before stopping when Beverly reached up to caress his cheek.

"Bobby..."

"I know, Beverly. But you need to get some sleep... Sweet Christmas dreams, my love, and I hope to see you soon."

With that, they shared a gentle goodbye kiss before Bobby made his way to the fireplace mantle, where he watched as Beverly fell asleep. Once she was softly drifting into her Christmas dreamland, Bobby made sure her presents were ready for the big day before he left her another surprise: a jewelry box with a snow globe's orb on the box's lid, and the globe's miniature scene depicted a lovely day of fun in the North Pole, complete with Santa flying around with his reindeer-pulled sleigh at the top. After leaving a note inside the jewelry box, Bobby set the box on the mantle before making the fire disappear in the fireplace, and he made his way to the base of the chimney before ducking into the opening. He then blew Beverly a tender kiss before flying up the chimney, where the fire reignited while he made his way to the sleigh.

While the others of Santa's helpers were delighted to have him back after the delay, which they understood since it was his first time in the real world, they could tell right away that Bobby was distracted with thoughts of someone special. As much as he tried to help them with the last houses for gift distribution, the others convinced Bobby to rest and relax, so he did just that while daydreaming about spending more time with Beverly.