The Santa Sub: A Captain Swan Story

Part 2/6

Emma stood outside the costume department and glared at Killian when he came into sight.

"You're 20 minutes late," she said.

"I'm not much of a slave to time."

"Well, time is money. I am an extremely busy woman so let's get this over with."

Emma entered the costume department with Killian following behind her. She found Louise, the head of the department, sitting behind a table. Louise was nearly 75 and had worked in the costume department for 50 years. There wasn't anything she couldn't do.

"Hi, Louise. I've got a real challenge for you this time. This is Killian Jones."

Killian extended his hand and shook hers. "Pleasure. I must say you have eyes that sparkle like emeralds."

Louise giggled like a school girl, while Emma rolled her eyes.

"Louise, this is Mr. Jones' son. He is taking over as Santa for Leon this year."

Louise's mouth formed a little O. "This handsome young man is going to play Santa in the parade? Pish posh!"

"Orders from Mr. Jones' so we need to make it work."

Louise moved out from behind the table and came to stand in front of Killian. She poked him in the chest and stomach and side with her crooked, pointy finger.

"He's thin as a twig."

"I prefer toned," Killian said.

Louise whacked him in the stomach with her hand. "There's no bowl full of jelly in sight. There's barely a teaspoon!"

Emma laughed as Killian winced.

Louise gnawed on her lower lip. "Well, I may have an extra fat suit in the back. We keep them around in case our Santas in the toy department aren't quite portly enough. Let me go check."

Louise disappeared into the back. She emerged a few minutes later holding a fat suit.

Emma couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

"You are going to look so dashing in that."

Killian hid his smile. "You're just loving this, aren't you?"

Emma nodded. "Very much so."

"Let's try it on," Louise said.

Killian removed his leather jacket and stepped into the suit. Louise zipped him up in the back. Louise and Emma stood back to admire him.

Louise nodded. "Not bad."

"It will do," Emma said, desperately trying not to laugh at the sight he presented. She thought he resembled a Sumo wrestler.

Killian couldn't even bend his arms. He looked like a kid in a snowsuit two sizes too small.

"This is rather uncomfortable," he said.

Emma patted his belly. "No pain, no gain."

Louise gestured to the back of department. "Let me go find a Santa suit."

She returned a few minutes later with a suit. She helped Killian put on the pants and jacket, then the hat, belt, boots, and gloves.

Emma nodded. "Getting there."

Killian smiled. "Admit it. I'm the most devilishly handsome Santa you've ever laid eyes on."

Emma fought a smile. She couldn't argue with that.

"What about the wig and beard?" he asked.

Louise shook her head. "Can't help you there. If you want to look like the real deal, then you're going to need the make-up department to help you with that."