Santa's Daughter (1st bk of Santa Series) (Completed)

Chapter 15 (Edited)

"I am missing a reindeer, Mary," the old man said, looking at his four year old daughter. His eyes were filled with much love and there was a bit of sadness in them. It was as if the male knew that it was because of her leaving that made his reindeer leave first.

"What is his name, Papa?" the little girl asked. Love filled the little girl while she looked at him, her brown eyes bright with happiness. She shivered a little, feeling cold. She sighed happily when her father pulled her closer to him, wrapping her in a blanket.

"His name is Copper," her father said, holding her closer to him. He held out his hand towards the snow and gathered some into his hand. He stayed silent, watching it happen, his bright blue eyes shining.

The little girl was amazed by what he did, and she wondered if she could do that. She tried it, but it didn't happen, making the young girl huff. "Where is he now?" she asked, watching as the snow turned clear to show a reindeer flying somewhere.

"That, I am not so sure about, Mary, but what I do know is that you will be the one that will be able to find him." He watched as the reindeer flew around, not knowing where his reindeer went. He sighed, wishing that the reindeer had stayed.

"Oh." The little girl looked out towards the snow, ignoring the reindeer. Her eyebrows creased with concentration, while she wondered where he could be. Something about the reindeer called to her, but she didn't know why.

"Come now, Mary. Don't worry about finding him now," the old man said. He chuckled and smiled down at her. "You can worry about finding him later."

The little girl looked at her father and nodded her head. "Okay, Papa, I won't worry about finding him now. I can do that when I am older and stronger."

The old man smiled, even though it wavered a little. He sighed and stroked her cheek, making the young girl close her eyes and sigh happily. "I know you will find him, because you got such an amazing gift, and you are my daughter."

The little girl snuggled close to her father, starting to feel tired. "I love you, Papa," the little girl said, sleepily. Her eyes started to close, her whole body starting to relax.

The old man moved his hand, making the snowball disappear. "I love you too, Mary." He held his daughter closer to him, while a single tear fell from his eye. He cleared his throat, while he stood. "Come now, it is time for us to go to bed, since you will have a busy day tomorrow."

"Okay Papa," she said, holding on to him. She leaned her head on his shoulder, her eyes still closed.

"Remember, Mary, I always love you, even though I am not with you." He looked at his four year old daughter, his eyes starting to glisten with tears.

"I will remember that, Papa," she said with a smile on her face.

The father carried her to her room, while she started to fall farther into sleep. He held back a sob while he placed her into her bed. With a single kiss on her forehead, he left her room, sniffling a little. He knew that this might be the last time he will place her in bed.

He closed the door and...

***

I woke up with a start and sat straight up, my heart pounding. I remembered that night, and I was sure that my father had sent it to me. I guess it was time to find Copper then. I shook my head and moved a hand through my hair. "I have a gift on how to find Copper," I whispered, shaking my head. I bit my lip, wondering how I was to do that.

I looked at Lanshin and saw he was still asleep. I couldn't help but smile and shake my head, glad that I didn't wake him. I yawned and stretched before I laid down again.

Lanshin curled towards me, and I gan fell asleep with a smile on my face. My whole body was relaxed, and I was sure that I would be able to find Copper tonight. It was time.

***

I was floating through the air as free as a bird, not having to worry about anything or everything. I knew that I had to look and see where Copper was at, using the gift that my father had told me about.

I flew past Tyan's house and Willow Church, going north towards Big Henry's Horse Barn. I was going there tomorrow, since my mother usually found horses that were abused and helped them.

I screamed as I passed through the wall, numbered twelve. My heart pounded with fear, as I thought I was going to get hurt. However, I was surprisingly wasn't hurt, making me take a deep breath of relief.

I looked down, wanting to see if I couldn't see where Copper was. A few seconds later, I came upon a reindeer that was disguised as a horse, not knowing why I knew that it was him.

I looked to the left of him and saw a Paint-Quarter Horse Mix and to the right, I saw a Palomino Quarter Horse.

Copper looked very dirty, and his head was down. There were some scratches over him, and I felt sorry for him. The spark that was in reindeers was hidden, but I still could detect that he was one. I knew that I had to help him, and I was going to help him no matter what.

After a few minutes I was pulled away from him. I couldn't help but scream and close my eyes. I was going faster and faster back to my body, not knowing why I was going towards my body so fast.

Another minute or so, I...

... woke up and tumbled onto the floor, with a small "Oof."