Love Guardians Part 2: Christmas Love

She's Staying

 The children of Santoff Clausen rushed over to Big Root hours before their lessons just so they could meet Clara. Their minds were filled with very curious questions. They wanted to know where she came from, if she liked chocolate, had she ever spoken to a worm, and how did she get to Santoff Clausen.

Clara stepped into the room full of children that walked toward her. She smiled and tried to calm the children down.

They sat down and watched Clara pull out a chair and sit. She stared down at the children and cleared her throat. "Hello." She began to beam. "My name is Clara and I got lost. That's why I'm here."

North's ears perked at the sound of Clara's voice and he stepped into the door way. He leaned on it while watching what was going on.

The children stared at her. Eventually, William the Absolute Youngest stood up. All the children stared at him and froze for a bit.

He clear his throat. "Clara, how did you get here?"

Clara smiled and petted William. "I got lost and wandered around. Eventually I found the forest that is on the outer rim of Santoff Clausen."

"How did you get lost?" Petter asked, raising a brow. "You're a grown-up. You shouldn't be getting lost."

A boy named Alex furrowed his brows. "Maybe she lost her map. Did you lose a map?"

Clara laughed. "I had no map. My father was trying to take me to some place called Easter Island, but we lost each other. And I didn't really know where I was, so that's how I got lost."

William the Tallest tilted his head. "What happened to him?"

Clara sighed quietly, lowering her head. "I don't know."

Petter hugged her. "You can stay here if you want."

Clara smiled and laughed lightly. "Maybe I will. My father was the last of my family, so I don't have any real place to go back to."

William the Absolute Youngest placed a hand on Clara's hand. "You can always come back here."

She grinned and reached into the side pocket of her coat. She pulled out a small, blue gem. "I want you to have this." She placed it into William's hand. "I was told that if it's given to a child, they'll always find their way home."

William the Absolute Youngest smiled and embraced Clara. "I hope you stay here forever."

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Clara looked up at the stars through her window. Her eyes never left the skies when there was a knock on her door.

"Clara?"

She turned to the door, grinning. "North. Come in."

As North opened the door, light came in from the hall. North slid in, smiling. "Ombric said you were staying again."

Clara looked out the window again. "Actually..."

North took a step toward her. "What is it?"

Clara smiled to herself. "I've been thinking of staying."

North grinned. "As in residing?"

"Yes." She looked back at North. "I feel warm and welcomed all the time. It's like I'll always be safe here." She stood up and took his hands in hers. "I want to stay here North. I feel something I've never felt before here. It's hard to describe but," she locked gazes with North, "it's amazing."

North smiled. "Well, this place is magical."

Clara grinned. "Aside from that. I love how the children are filled with some sort of light and are very generous to everyone. It's a very wonderful thing North."

North nodded and kissed Clara's hand. "A very wonderful thing indeed."

Clara blushed, looking at North with wide eyes. She embraced North and kissed his cheek. She stepped back, placing a few stray hairs behind her ear. She laughed nervously. "Forgive me." 

North smiled. "No need for that." He kissed Clara's forehead. "Good night."

Clara watched North leave the room. "Sweet dreams."

North encountered Katherine in the hall. She smiled at him with crossed arms, giving him the 'I told you so' look. Nightlight stepped into the hall next to Katherine and didn't understand what was happening. But when he saw the look on Katherine's face he understood she was right about something, so he copied her stance and look.

North let out his loud, hearty laugh and patted Katherine's head as he passed by her. Katherine maintained her expression as she followed North. Nightlight followed closely behind.

Katherine took many steps to keep up with North. "She likes you doesn't she?"

North rolled his eyes, smiling. "Yes."

Katherine grinned and poked North's side. "And you like her."

North nodded.

Katherine gasped in excitement. "Are you going to give her something on Christmas?"

North stopped in his tracks. "Are you kidding? Of course I am. I'm Nicholas St. North, the best gift-giver in the world. Why wouldn't I?" He laughed. "If I can give gifts to children, I can give a gift to a beautiful woman." He opened the door to his room. "Good night." He closed the door behind him.

Katherine and Nightlight looked at each other. Katherine was giving Nightlight a strong look of confidence. She had a feeling she knew what was going to happen. Nightlight, on the other hand, raised a brow. The poor boy still didn't understand what was going on. He wanted to know, but Katherine simply told him that in good time he would know.