The 12 Dates of Christmas

The One With Santa (feat. Colin O'Donoghue)

It was tradition. Every year, Tessa's dad dressed as Santa and made an appearance at the home of each of her nieces and nephews in the weeks leading up to Christmas. She had two brothers and two sisters, all with children, all in different towns, the farthest being a solid hour away by car, so this was no small feat.

But this year, her dad couldn't do it. Pneumonia had struck, and it hit hard. He'd been in the hospital for days, and would be in no shape to make his visits after he was released. The kids had no idea this threatened to cancel Santa's visits, of course. But her siblings knew how upset they'd all be when the Jolly One himself didn't show. They'd been trying to think up a solution for days, but short of telling the little ones a story about Santa being sick, there were no good options.

Tessa hung up the phone after talking to her eldest brother for thirty minutes trying to think something up. She walked into the living room, where her boyfriend Colin had a fire roaring as he read a book. He looked up as she walked in and immediately noticed her sad and frustrated expression.

“No solution, then?” He patted the sofa beside him and Tessa sat, snuggling up under his arm.

“We just don't know any older men who we could possibly ask to make the drive. It's just a lot to ask.”

“Your Uncle Drew?” he suggested.

“Broken ankle. Right ankle. No driving.”

“Right, yeah. I'd forgotten,” he said quietly, scratching his chin while he thought. “What about Jim?”

He was referring to the husband of her mom's best friend. He was a nice guy. Made lots of jokes. Loved kids. Also halfway across the country to see his kids for Christmas. Tessa told Colin as much.

“We've been going around and around with this,” she said, pulling a blanket over their laps. “There's just nobody.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Tessa knew Colin had been hoping to get back to Ireland for Christmas this year, but they just couldn't swing it. He hadn't complained though, happy enough to spend the holiday with her and her large family. Still, she wished she could have gotten him on a flight home.

Tessa sighed sadly, and Colin set his book down, pulling her onto his lap. He tucked the blanket snugly around her and she rested her head on his shoulder.

“I hate to have all those kids disappointed.” They were mostly all getting old enough now to start questioning the Big Guy. Tessa wanted so badly to preserve the magic for just one more precious year.

Colin gave her a squeeze and kissed the top of her head. “We'll think of something, Tess,” he said, mouth against her hair.

“We’ve been thinking. Nothing has come of it,’ Tessa groaned in frustration.

Another few moments of silence. Then, “One of your brothers can't do it?”

“Pretty suspicious if Daddy's not around when Santa shows up, isn't it? They could both do it, of course. Hand off the suit and show up at one another's places, but they live so far apart that the suit relay would be difficult, logistically.”

“Same with the girls, I suppose.”

“My sisters? Way too short. Way too feminine sounding.” She smirked at the mental image though.

Colin chuckled. “I meant their husbands but again, same problem applies as with your brothers I guess.”

“Yup,” Tessa confirmed, popping the “p” in the word.

“How many days do we have to get this sorted?”

“Three. Dad usually starts this week. Makes a visit a night.”

“Try not to worry, love. It'll be okay.”

They'd moved on to other topics of conversation then, trying not to let gloom settle over the holiday. A hot meal, a movie, and a bubble bath later, Tessa's stress had eased some, and she'd been able to fall asleep. Colin, however, tossed and turned for an hour before sneaking to the garage.

The morning came without any answers. Work was a nightmare. Retail always was, but especially so close the Christmas. Tessa worked until 9PM and dragged herself, bone weary, through the front door. Colin was in his favorite spot, reading a book, as usual. He reached out for her and she fell into his arms.

“Glad to have you home. Feels warmer when you finally walk through that door, you know.”

Tessa kissed him. Then she kissed him again, longer and harder. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against him.

And her phone rang.

“Dammit. That's my sister's ringtone. I have to get it.”

Colin smiled. “I know. To be continued.”

Tessa answered and was surprised to hear her nephew on the line.

“He came early this year!” He was so excited he was barely breathing.

“Calm down, buddy. Say that again?” Tessa threw Colin a confused look. He shrugged.

“I said he came early this year! Santa did! We were finishing our homework and the doorbell rang and Mom and Dad looked so confused I started laughing because their faces were so funny and the dog was barking and Dad finally answered the door and it was Santa and he said I'd been good!” It was all one excited run-on sentence.

“Of course he said that! You have been!” She still had no idea what was going on. Colin was watching her, eyebrows raised. Her nephew was so excited that his raised voice could be heard halfway across the room.

Tessa listened to him chatter for a few more minutes, said her goodbyes and disconnected. “That's the oddest thing,” she said.

“Odd? You think so?” Colin asked. “Somebody obviously knew the situation and stepped in because they couldn't handle a gaggle of little ones being let down.”

“It's very kind. It's just...odd…” she trailed off, settling onto his lap.

“Christmas magic, my darling,” Colin seemed to dismiss it, and sought Tessa's mouth with his own, wanting to pick up where they'd left off.

“You know…,” she said, breaking their kiss. He said Santa had a different accent this year.”

“Did he now? Quite an unfortunate oversight on the part of our mystery Claus.” He started another kiss, which Tessa immediately broke again.

“I don't know if I want to hug the life out of you or break your legs.”

“Either way, Santa won't be able to visit any more nieces and nephews. Might I suggest a different course of action?”

He kissed her hungrily. This time Tessa didn't stop him.