A Christmas Love

Chapter Two

"Santa?" Judy said, walking into the office. "The Head needs to see you." "What are you talking about, Bernard's right here?" Santa asked, taking a deep sip of cocoa "No not the Head Elf, the Head of Food. She says it's urgent." 

Bernard waited patiently by Santa's side as they waited for the Head of Food to show up. "Maybe she's out of chocolate chips." Bernard suggested. "Out of chocolate chips? Nonsense." Not even 3 seconds later, the door flew open and a angry looking girl flew in. "Come with me. Both of you." 

As they walked down the hallway, Bernard kept trying to get beside her and speak to her. She ignored him.  'Geez!' He thought. 'This girl is more stubborn than me.' She threw open the doors to a huge kitchen with 15 elves running around, taking a few things out of the oven. Most looked hopefully at them. "Over here." She said, walking over to a huge door and opening it. "It's empty." The girl faced them. "Exactly. So are our emergency stores. One of my elves told you Bernard, to tell Santa. I guess you didn't." She scowled at him. "And yet you still gave me cookies." "Because you're thin. It drives me nuts." 'How would you know? You're always in here." "Because genius, I'm a head too. 2nd in line to be Head Elf, after Curtis. Your room is next to mine. By the way," She said, turning to Santa, who was examining the empty pantries. "Stop calling for Super-Cookies in the middle of the night. We haven't had a decent night's sleep in,..." She thought for a moment. "Maybe 900 years? And I've been head as long as Bernard has, nearly 2000." 

Santa stared at her in amazement. "How old actually are you two?" "2300." Bernard said quickly. "Year younger than him." The girl replied. "And your name is...?" "Cookie." She said quickly. "Well, Cookie, I'll get these stores filled up overnight." Santa walked cheerfully out the door and into the workshop. Bernard started to follow him before Cookie firmly grabbed him on the shoulder. "We need to talk. I'll come by your house at 9." She pushed him out of the room and closed the doors. Bernard stood there for a moment, listening to her speak to her own elves, like she was their mother. "Get some rest guys. This is only temporary. Come back tomorrow well rested and ready to start again!" They cheered and made for the door. Bernard hid behind a column until he saw Cookie come out. Her skin was warm and bright and her hair was a light combination of brown and blonde.  Bernard sighed. "Focus, Bernard, focus." He growled, shaking his head and walked to the main floor. Little did he know, she was watching him.