Santa Claus' Post-Hallmark Staycation

When Santa Claus entered his bedroom, he smiled. Jessica had fallen asleep in front of the television. His wife of centuries (his dimples appeared as he remembered that her white locks hid the crimson of her youth) had fallen asleep watching some Hallmark movie. He turned off the television as he turned towards their bed. As he hung up his coat, a plan began to coalesce, one that brought a suppressed chuckle. But first, sleep; he was crashing from the sugar high of the night's ride and was already beginning to slow.

* * * * *

A few days later, Jessica woke to the sound of a hammer hitting a nail. That can't be the elves already. She sighed. They should be on vacation, right? She got out of bed and walked to the noise. A few dozen steps later and she arrived at a freshly minted stairwell, placed under set of shelves. She leaned against the door frame, bemused at what she saw. "So, Kris, you're finally fixing those lights?"

He fixed a bulb. Yes, ma'am. Getting it ready for the new boss, some hifalutin female exec from the big city." He twisted the bulb. "I'd better hurry."

So that's his play, huh? She stopped leaning. "Well, you're in trouble." She walked over to him. "She's here."

He turned. "So, it's you, Jessica." He sighed. "Coming home from the big city, eh?"

She cocked her head. "Yep. Been a long time, Kris." She walked closer. "So you graduated from quarterback to handyman, huh?" She put her hands on her hips. "Well, I'll need to see your bookkeeping." She went all business-like. "Headquarters has sent me to put things right."

He put the string of lights down. “I always knew it was just a matter of time before you came back into town, Jessica.” He sighed. “Back into my life. I was just hoping it wasn’t going to be like this.”

She crossed her arms. “It doesn’t need to be painful, Kris. Sure, it’s not going to be like old times, but that doesn’t mean that we need to be enemies. This can go as smoothly or as rough as you’d like.”

He stood erect. “Well, guess I’d better show you my paperwork.” He moved past her. “You’d best follow me, ma’am. The paperwork is this way, through a door or two.”

She followed him, bemused. “As long as your paperwork is in order, I’ll follow you.”

* * * * *

Hours later, they were snuggling underneath a thick fur blanket. Kris smiled. "You know, it's sort of nice. Having the whole house to ourselves."

Jessica snuggled closer. "Yes, yes it is."

He squeezed her. "It should be like this for a couple of days."

She turned around. "So that means we don't need to move from this bed? I mean, if we don't want to move from this bed, that is."

He smiled at her. "And I don't want to." He frowned, then sighed. "Except when Nature calls."

She chuckled. "Fine." She smiled at him. "You answer that call, and take your time. I'll grab us something to drink, as well as some sausage, cheese, and crackers."

He got up. "And a knife with a cutting board. So we don't need to get up again for a while."

She rested on her arm. "Sounds like a plan."

He kissed her on the forehead. "Definitely a plan."

She watched as he walked off. Five centuries later, and he still gets me. She let him disappear into the bathroom. And I still enjoy the view. She exhaled and got up. Guess I need to get that food….