Family Obligations Chapter Two

Cole took a deep breath through his nose as he exited the portal behind Davin, his daughter secure on his hip. The smell of home soaked into his pores and he could feel himself relax minutely. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see his daughter turning her head from side to side as she tried to take everything in. She tugged gently on his beard, something that made him smile since that had been what she’d done as a baby when they’d fallen asleep together. “Daddy,” she said in what he was sure she thought was a whisper, “is this Santa?”

Beside him, Davin frowned. “Does she not know?”

“I never intended to return here,” he said as he considered how to answer her. “I didn’t think I needed to tell her anything. Also, would you really expect a four year old to understand secrets?”

When Davin looked at him in confusion, Cole realized that Davin had probably not had experience with children unless he joined Santa on a Christmas Eve flight. Elves were so long lived that Cole couldn’t remember the last time there had been a baby at the North Pole. He explained, “Kids are not known for understanding that some things need to be private.”

Davin seemed to consider this as he led the way through the city. “We have a lot to learn,” he said.

Cole nodded, still not convinced that he would be staying. He’d never wanted to be the heir to Santa, but he also wasn’t sure if he could pass the mantle. First he needed to find out what had happened to his father and why the magic had passed to him.

The city didn’t look much different from the last time he set foot in it. The buildings rose around them, all of them arranged so that no matter where you were in the city, you could walk straight towards the main residence. Red and green dominated in the colors with sparkles on each building. Decorative fences painted to look like candy canes defined individual sections. Elves, both the stereotypical short types and taller willowy ones, scurried from one section of the city to another. Many of them carried boxes and packages, preparing for Christmas.

“Daddy, penguin!” his daughter exclaimed, pointing towards a black and white creature not far from them.

“That’s not a penguin, ma poupée. Penguins live in the south. That is a puffin.”

She appeared to consider this as they moved through the city. “Can I pet the puffin?” she asked as they neared the main house.

“We’ll see,” Cole answered, shifting her slightly. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do with her while he visited with his father.

As if reading his mind, Davin said, “Your Highness can leave the child with your former nanny,” as they reached the front door to the main house.

Cole smiled when he recognized the elf waiting for them. “Hello, Riona,” he greeted her fondly. He bent down to kiss her smooth cheek before saying, “This is my daughter, Nicola. Ma poupée, this is Riona who took care of Daddy when he was your age.”

Nicola tucked her head into the crook of his neck, peeking out and smiling at the elf. Riona clucked her tongue at her, saying, “We shall have a grand time,” she declared. “Do you like cookies, little one?”

Nicola nodded, kicking her feet, and demanding, “Down, Daddy.”

Cole chuckled as he set her down, watching as she took Riona’s hand and was led away. He turned to find Davin waiting patiently. “Take me to my father,” he said.