Saint Nick

1. December

"Are you excited, monkey?"

Hazel grinned as she watched her little niece jump up and down while they stood in line at the mall, four people from getting their turn.

"I'm going to meet Santa!" She squealed excitedly. She could barely contain herself, the girl.

"Do you know what you're going to ask him for yet?" Hazel crouched down to her level. She watched her niece screw her face into a thoughtful expression before she beamed.

"I want a puppy this year! Frankie got a puppy last year so I want one too so we can walk them and pet them and play with them together!"

"A puppy?" Hazel laughed and glanced up at her sister who stood next to them with her newest son on her arm. She gave her a forlorn expression back. "Well, let's hope Santa doesn't run out of puppies before Christmas then..."

"Don't even start," Her sister Camille scowled. Her son Michael started fussing on her arm, tired of waiting like the rest of them. "Shh, I know. Just three more people," She cooed to him.

"He hungry?" Hazel stood up again and squeezed her nephew's little thigh.

"He got a bottle two hours ago before we left, but he eats all the time," Camille bobbed him in her arms, seeing his little face grow red as he started wailing. "I know, honey, I know. Come on, hang tight for mommy."

"It's us next!" Ashley, her oldest, squealed and yanked on her coat. "I'm going to meet Santa!!!"

"Don't scream, honey, you don't want to make Santa deaf." Hazel took her hand when they were about to reach Santa's little village. The next couple moved forward, stepping up to the Santa-dressed man on the Santa throne.

Hazel had never understood why Santa had a throne. He wasn't king of Christmas, just diabetes, right?

Finally, the child in front of them jumped off of Santa's lap. Ashley practically bolted forward, letting go of her auntie's hand. "SANTA!!!"

"Ashley!" Hazel ran after her as she jumped towards the Santa Claus, hopping into his arms. He caught her with a surprised look. "SANTA, SANTA!"

"Hello, sweetpea!" He chuckled warmly and lifted her up on his lap. "Merry Christmas! Are we in a rush this year?"

"Sorry," Hazel breathed as she caught up to them, panting a little. "I'm so sorry. Shes very eager. And a big fan."

The guy playing Santa Claus met her eyes. In that moment, Hazel forgot how to breathe. His warm brown orbs penetrated hers and a tempered heat spread inside her. Hiding behind the fake white beard and the round glasses, Hazel saw sculpted cheekbones and a defined nose, two almond shaped eyes, and fine, young crowfeet. She was stunted for a moment when she realized how handsome he was. And young. Had they hired a model this year? Wasn't Santa supposed to be fat and old?

"Eager?" He replied, his lips turning up in a jovial smile. "Then I bet it's because you have a really good wish this year, isn't it?" He asked Ashley and looked down at her. She was wiggling on his lap and touching his beard excitedly.

"I want a puppy!" She announced, barely keeping still. "A really, really cute one with soft fur and big ears!"

Hazel glanced back at her sister who had caught up as well and now stood behind them, trying to make Michael stop crying. "Are you taking notes?" She grinned to her. Camille sent a glare back.

"A puppy," Santa echoed. He let out a hearty laugh and looked at Ashley over his rimmed glasses. "Have you been a good girl this year then?"

She nodded ecstatically. "Yes! Really good!" Well, that was almost true, Hazel chuckled to herself.

"Really? Do you promise?" He firmed her with another look. Young or not, he had the Santa-character down. "Because, you see, puppies are very small and need lots of love. If I give you a puppy this year, you'll have to kiss it all the time and treat it very well. Can I trust you to do that?"

Ashley nodded again and grinned up at him. "Yes! Yes! I promise! I'll love it all the time!"

Santa chuckled and then patted her head. "Alright. I'll see what I can do about a puppy then."

Hazel chuckled when Ashley squealed happily and launched into his chest for a hug. "THANK YOU SO MUCH, SANTA! Mom! Mommy! I'm getting a puppy for Christmas!!!"

"I heard," Camille replied and gave Santa a menacing stare while still bouncing Michael on her arm. Hazel couldn't keep back her laughter. "What's one more little furry addition to the family?"

They already had two cats and a hamster, all three of which Camille was taking care of, along with her two kids and her husband. And then there was Hazel; she came over every other day to help out with everything while her husband was at work. Like today, when Ashley had been begging to go meet Santa. She never could say no to her kids.

Michael let out a loud wail, crying his little heart out. He was hungry, the little guy. He was two months old, but he had already figured out what the best life had to offer was and how to get it.

"Someone's fussy," The Santa noted and glanced at Camille. "Would he like a hug from Santa Claus as well?"

"Oh, I don't know..."

"Don't be silly, Cam, get in there," Hazel told and pushed her sister forward. "I'm getting a picture with all of you together. Go on, get in."

"I... alright." Her sister gave up and walked over to Santa's throne where she carefully handed Michael over to Santa who smiled at him and cradled him gently. Like an off-switch, Michael stopped crying and looked up at him with big eyes. He stared for ages.

Hazel grinned and then knelt down, taking out her professional Nikon camera. "Alright, everyone, say Merry Christmas!"

All of them looked her way, smiled and then sang the words in unison. The camera flashed and she caught the picture; It was perfect.

"He's a fine little man," Santa told her sister as he handed Michael back to her. "I have a feeling all he wants for Christmas is a new stuffed animal."

"Easier than a real one," Camille commented, lifting her son up to her shoulder. "Thank you very much."

"Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," Hazel smiled, getting up and fishing Ashley off his lap, only to have her wiggle out of her arms and run to her mother instead.

"How about you?" The guy playing Santa then suddenly asked, just as they were about to go. Hazel stopped up and glanced back.

"Huh?"

He smiled up at her and patted his lap. "Would you care to sit?"

Hazel laughed awkwardly. "Uh, no thank you. I think I'm a little too old for that."

"No such thing, darling."

Was sexy Santa flirting with her? "Maybe next time. Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!" He chuckled and then turned to the next kid that happily jumped up on his lap. Hazel glanced over her shoulder and saw as he tickled the boy's belly and adjusted the little antlers he was wearing. She couldn't help but smile. He really was good with kids.

"At least it's not the creepy guy from last year," She sighed to herself, then turned to her camera. Bringing up the picture she took of all of them, she emphasized it and looked at their perfect little shot.

And then she noticed it.

Santa was winking at her lens.

• • •

Ho-ho-holy shit, I can't believe I'm doing this again.