One Christmas Day

Chapter 5: Be a nice girl, till next Christmas

It was already Christmas day, and one by one, the handlers landed back to the headquarters, except for Yule.

"Merry Christmas, I'm glad you are back and safe." Santa Claus said.

"It was only Yule who always encounters misfortunes when delivering." one of the handlers said.

"Speaking of Yule, is he not back yet? Seems like, he is late again." Santa Claus said.

Then Santa Claus' secretary, who's wearing a jacket and a scarf, arrived in panic.

"What's the problem Yun?" asked Santa Claus.

"Mr. Claus, we have a problem. Yule couldn't be found in the navigator and I think his sleigh is not working." said Secretary Yun. Everyone is horrified.

"We should find him as soon as possible." said Santa Claus, and then he called the elves.

"Elves, hand me the list of places where Yule will deliver the gifts. Handlers get back in your sleigh, you need to find him before someone sees him." Santa Claus ordered.

Secretary Yun distributed the places to the ten handlers and they started the search.

In the shopping district where Yule is, Natalie is tightly holding his hand while walking.

"Where did you go?" Natalie asked a little angry, but her eyes are still swelling.

"I saw a guy wearing the same clothes that Mr. Claus was wearing, so I followed him, but it was a different person." he explained.

"I see. You probably saw a mascot." she paused for a bit. "Do you really want to go back?" she asked sadly.

"Of course, they are probably worried by now, so I have to assure them that I am safe." he answered.

Natalie did not say anything after that, and they just walk until they reach the center of the shopping district. Yule stopped walking, making Natalie, who was in front leading while holding his hand, halt. Then he started talking.

"But you know, if I'll be given a chance, I would want to stay here or make this day last forever, together with you. I am really happy that I'm here." he said looking in her eye, feeling blue.

Natalie looked back to him and said, "Having your sleigh broken in my house, meeting you and sharing the moment of happiness with you was probably the most wonderful present I received. You have been a good handler for making me appreciate not just the gifts but Christmas."

The two looked at each other, Natalie smiled warmly and Yule just looks at her like she would never want to look somewhere else. For them, the people passing by and the time were frozen by the Christmas wind and the only thing that matter is the person standing in front of them.

After the time they had together, they go back to Natalie's house. It was already late and they already ate dinner. They were beside the Christmas tree and the lights were off except for the Christmas lights on the tree. Natalie was sitting on the floor while Yule was lying on her lap.

"Soon, Christmas is over and our birthday too. Then you'll be going back, I'll be left alone again." she said.

"But we can meet again next year, you just have to be a nice girl and send your wish to Mr. Claus." he said.

"Ok, I will be and then I'll wait for you to come back." she said yawning. Then she fell asleep.

In the sky, one handler spotted Yule's sleigh on top of Natalie's house. He landed, and confirmed if he was really there. He saw them, Natalie and Yule, asleep. He quietly entered the house and woke Yule.