Author's Note: Yes, I know that I have a bunch of WIP, but this idea just wouldn't leave me be until I wrote it down. It will only be 2-3 chapters, so consider it a Christmas present for all of my loyal readers/reviewers. And yes…there WILL be lemons and smut! I will also be posting a chapter of 'Ties 2' coming soon!
Mistletoe Magic
Ch. 1
"Are you sure you don't mind covering my shift tonight, Sarah?" Dina asked as she watched Sarah pull up her sparkly stockings. "I mean…It is Christmas Eve and all."
Sarah smiled as she pulled the ruby colored velvet dress over her head and fluffed out her petticoat. "Go home Dina," she said, tugging the long tight sleeves down her arms and running her fingers over the fur-edged low collar of the dress. "You haven't seen your mum or grandmother all semester, so you need to get home early enough to spend time with them." Turning from the mirror, Sarah grinned at her friend. "Besides, my family is in Paris. I was just going to go to Jane's party tonight then go home anyway. I can go to the party late." With a nod, she turned back toward the mirror and ran a brush through her hair, making it shine and smoothing it, before spritzing it with hairspray and a touch of silver glitter. Picking up her lipstick she added another coat to her lips, then put in her earrings, the small silver bells chiming softly with every move that she made.
Dina beamed as she pulled Sarah into a warm hub. "Thanks so much, hon! I owe you one." Still smiling, Dina hands Sarah a small purple gift bag with a silver bow on it.
"What's this?" Sara asked, trying to peek into the bag, the contents hidden by silver and white tissue paper.
"Just a little something that you would never get for yourself, but it will make you feel absolutely magical. Trust me," Dina replied cryptically, her brown eyes sparkling mischievously. Looking at her watch, Dina grabbed her bag and waved, before dashing out of the dressing room.
Sitting the purple bag in her locker, Sarah's smile faltered. She sighed as she leaned into the mirror to finish her makeup. While it was true that her family were in Paris for the holiday, she was not as comfortable with it as she tried to sound. The truth of the matter was that – it hurt. Oh, they had invited her to go with them, but she felt like she would only be in the way. As much as she adored Toby, since she left home for university, being with her family felt odd, like something was somehow missing even though they were all there. But then again, she supposed the adage was true, you really can't go home again.
With a careful hand, Sarah swept silver eye shadow over her eyelids, pausing to survey her reflection with a wry smile. The upward swoop of sparkling shadow reminded her of 'Him'. She sighed and turned from the mirror, to slip her feet into the silver pumps as she frowned at herself, it seemed that everything reminded her of 'Him' sometimes.
When she first returned from the Labyrinth, she tried so hard not to think of him, but thoughts of him, his smile, his gloved hands, his crystals and those sinfully tight trousers would drift into her daydreams, night dreams and random daily thoughts. For some reason it was impossible to drive him from her mind. After awhile she gave up, letting the thoughts come and molding them into her fantasies, fantasies that as she grew older, became far more… detailed.
Hearing bells and music start up outside the dressing room door, Sarah shut the door to her locker, straightened her posture and strutted out of the door to take her place on the stage.
~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~~J/S~
"And what is your name?"
Sarah fought the urge to yawn, but after five hours of watching a man dressed as Santa Claus ask kids their names and what they wanted for Christmas, keeping the yawn stifled was a losing battle. Covering her mouth with her hand, Sarah caught Santa's eye and blushed as he winked at her, never missing a beat as he replied to the little girl.
"Sarah? What a pretty name for a pretty little girl," he said, his pale blue eyes twinkling merrily. "Did you know that my elf's name is Sarah too?" The little girl grinned and shook her head no. Sarah smiled at her, vaguely wondering when she had told him her name.
The line of children and cranky parents started early today, so there wasn't any time for the usual she left the dressing room at the start of her shift, she was surprised to find a different Santa on duty today. He was far better than Joe, the usual guy. Joe was okay, but this guy, he could have easily passed for the real deal. He had his own in-built 'padding' and a naturally white beard that hung down his chest, the ends curling gently against his rounded belly. His cheeks were rosy and he had the perfect twinkling eyes for the role. Shrugging it off, Sarah turned her attention back to little Sarah, who was telling Santa that she wanted a new doll, books and a baby brother, a list that made Santa laugh loud and long.
"I will see what I can do about your list, Sarah precious," he said, his belly still jiggling from his laughter, as he slid her from his knee and Sarah handed her a candy cane, before sending her trotting through the gumdrop path toward her waiting parents.
After several more hours, four o'clock finally rolled around, with Santa sending the last child back to their parents, a candy cane clutched in their hand and a heart full of Christmas hope. As the parents took their bouncing offspring away, Sarah pulled the rope across the end of the waiting area and set up the 'Santa has gone home to the North Pole sign', looking up to see Santa smiling at her.
"You really have a way with kids," she said with a grin. "Joe is good, but you…you could be the real thing." Sarah nibbled her lip before she continued, "Um… I'm sorry, I hate to be rude, but I didn't catch your name earlier."
He laughed, winking at her, "Thank you, Sarah dear. That is high praise indeed. But I do so love children. And the name is Kris."
"Kringle," she added with a giggle. "Yeah, I get it. Method acting. Gotta stay in character." Picking up the basket of candy canes, Sarah smiled at him, "You have a Merry Christmas."
"Wait," he said as she turned toward the dressing room.
Sarah stopped and looked at him questioningly, puzzled by the mischievous smile peeking from under his snow-white beard.
"You haven't told me what you want for Christmas, dear girl," Kris said with a broad grin.
Laughing, Sarah shook her head, "I'm a bit old for sitting on Santa's knee and telling him what I want for Christmas, Kris."
He shook his head in response, his pale eyes twinkling brightly, "What? Don't tell me you are too old for the magic of Christmas, Sarah."
"No," Sarah fidgeted with the basket, then gave him an apologetic smile. "I believe in magic. I know it probably sounds silly, but I do."
Kris smiled and shook his head, "Not silly at all, my dear girl. The world would be a far more miserable place without magic and those who believe in it. So why won't you tell me what you want for Christmas then?"
Biting her lip, Sarah sighed, "I think that there are some people in the world who are lucky enough to be touched by magic in really profound ways, but that is something that only happens once, so they should savor their experience and make the most of what it may involve."
Standing there watching her, Kris tapped a gloved finger against his pursed lips as he contemplated what she had said, then finally looked at her with his ice-blue eyes. "You speak like one who has been touched by magic and didn't like the outcome."
"Oh…I liked it just fine…for the most part at least," Sarah said, then shrugged. " I got what I wanted, but in the process….." Her words faded as she stopped, green eyes dropping to look at the basket of candy canes in her hands, a small frown tugging at her lips.
"But…" Kris prompted, his voice gentle and warm, as he patted her arm with his gloved hand.
"But in the process, I think I missed out on something I needed," she said, her eyes finally rising to meet his once more, shining with the hint of tears unshed.
Kris reached out and tucked a silver flecked lock of hair behind Sarah's ear, making her earrings chime quietly. "You won't tell me what you wish to find under your tree tomorrow morning? It might make you feel better."
Sarah shook her head and gave him a weak smile, "Christmas wishes aren't my thing, Kris. Besides, you couldn't give me the things I want most."
"And what might those be, my dear?"
"Home and family," she said with a sigh.
"Nothing more?" he continued, tilting his head as he looked at her.
'Love' whispered Sarah's inner-voice, her lips tightening as she fought back the word, swallowing it. Shaking her head, she squeezed Kris' hand. "You have a Merry Christmas, Kris."
"Merry Christmas, Sarah dear," he said with a warm smile. "And for the record, just because you have been touched by magic once, doesn't mean it won't touch you again. You just have to believe."
Smiling, Sarah leaned close, pressing up on her toes as she kissed Kris' rosy cheek, then turned and headed toward the dressing room.
Watching her walk away, the jolly old elf chuckled, his voice low. "You may not say what you really want, but Santa always knows, sweet girl," he murmured quietly, a secretive smile on his lips. "Sometimes, what you want and what you need are two different things, precious Sarah. And sometimes, you can find both in the last place you expect."
Laying a finger against the side of his nose, Kris blinked slowly then faded in a bright burst of red glitter that drifted slowly to the ground with the sound of sleigh bells chiming in the background.
Author's Note: This will only be 3 chapters long and you'll only get one a week until Christmas. If you leave lots of reviews I might even give you a 'bonus' chapter or two. :)