I was completely horrified.
Luckily, because I hadn't eaten anything recently, my stomach was kind of empty. Not completely, because the small area of my vomit by Santa's shoes said otherwise.
"I-I'm so sorry!" I said, eyes wide in complete disbelief. I immediately took off my scarf and covered the puke.
For better or for worse, I was feeling much better now. But I couldn't bear to make eye contact with Nick's Father, the current Santa Claus.
'What a horrible first impression.' I thought to myself, grimacing just thinking about the whole situation.
I felt hands on my shoulders pulling me up gently. Nick's Father was now guiding me to the nearest seat.
I plopped down on the sofa, which was comfortable, by the way. But who cares about that right now? I was probably going to be kicked out in a few minutes and deemed unworthy or something like that.
I fidgeted with my fingers as I kept my gaze on my lap, anticipating when Nick would walk through one of these many wooded doors. As ashamed of myself as I was right now, I was still hoping there was something he could do something this situation.
With my shoulders slumped, I buried my face into my hands, awaiting to be rebuked.
But Mr Claus said nothing, and for a few moments, we just sat in silence until I heard a few movements and raised my head to see what was going on. I saw someone already. They looked like they were done now now, cleaning up my mess. They nodded their head to Mr Claus before leaving once their job was done. I was guessing it was a maid but they were as small as an elf.
I felt a brief moment of relief and gratitude but I knew I couldn't relax yet. I looked to where the person disappeared because I realized I hadn't said thank you yet. But I'm not kidding when I mean I was frozen with shame.
"You must have had a hard time." Mr Claus said sighing with his hands folded together. I simply blinked at him not sure what to say.
"I'm sure both of my children have been giving you a hard time," He shook his head before he continued. "Both Holly and Nick know that there are side effects for normal humans who travel to the North Pole and aren't used to Northern vehicles like the Slighs or snowmobiles."
"I'm sorry." He apologized, slightly bowing his head at me.
I was still blinking at him and the only thought in my head was that he was a Saint.
I was once again speechless, but this time for a different reason, so all I could simply do was nod and give a weak smile. I did want to protest and say that there wasn't a need for him to apologize, but at this point, I think it was safer to communicate without opening my mouth.
He seemed satisfied with that, and we went back to sitting in silence; this time, it was just slightly more comfortable.
I took this opportunity to examine my surroundings. There were a lot of bits and pieces of artwork here and there. I noticed that even though the outside and inside were all wood, the house seemed to be well-insulated and warm. Also, the couch I was sitting on was comfortable. Now that my banishment had been overturned, that blanket of tiredness I'd been covered with had just come back and I wanted nothing more than to fall asleep here and now.
But first, I needed to brush my teeth.
The person who had cleaned my mess had come back, and Mr Claus rose from his seat. "She'll show you where to freshen up while I make us a few cups of hot chocolate." I nodded again in reply. I was feeling so thankful towards him right now.
After he left, through the opposite door, which I think me and Holly came from, the Elf gestured with her hand for me to follow her, and I did.
***
After freshening up and forcing my eyelids to stay open. The maid led me back to the sitting room, which was still empty. She then left quietly and I settled in my seat more comfortably.
It was probably my fatigue but I could barely even recall which way we had taken or how the powder room looked.
I needed to sleep.
To distract myself from how tired I was feeling, I continued looking around. Oddly enough, there weren't any family portraits, but there was a huge Christmas tree in the room, which was so big that I just had to ask later how they got it inside.
I glanced at a grandfather clock which looked ancient. It was about 3 in the morning right now, and I'm not sure about the time zone differences, but I did know that my body clock was in turmoil.
I sighed leaning against the comfortable sofa. Would it be bad if I took a short nap here?
My body didn't even let me think about it and my drowsy eyes finally closed. I decided to let myself doze off for a few minutes while I waited.
NICK
I walked alongside my mother and sister on the way to the lounge, where Carol was. I was looking forward to seeing her, but I only hoped that she wouldn't be too angry at me for leaving her alone for so long, especially after hearing about what happened with her from Holly about her getting lost.
I'd have to do something to make it up to her. However, it ended up leading to a good outcome with her meeting the Elf kid and then getting approval from the Elves, which was a good bonus.
But that didn't matter; all I wanted to know and make sure of was that she was safe, she must be exhausted.
I chuckled at myself. I was becoming more and more hopeless with the situation at hand and the genuine care and worry I was feeling for Carol. I didn't mind at all. If anything it felt real and natural.
"Even though I haven't spent a lot of time with her yet," Holly swung her arms back and forwards, walking with almost a bounce in her steps. "I like Carol." She continued, singing honest praise about Carol.
I'm glad that she liked her but I think Holly was just happy to have more people around that Carol was like a gift dropped at her doorstep.
I smiled at her as she continued chattering on about the events and noticed my mom's scowl, who completely ignored the conversation. I sighed. I to find a way to get through to her about Carol.
We finally made it to the lounge. I entered first, strangely feeling nervous—the good kind.
When we got in, I noticed my father first, he sat on the single-seater drinking a hot drink. When he noticed us, he put one finger to his lips, signaling us to be quiet, and gestured to a sleeping Carol, who looked cozy and slept on the corner of the sofa.
I caught myself subconsciously smiling just at the sight of her and then remembered that my mom was in the room.
I softly cleared my throat. "Did she immediately fall asleep when she arrived?" I asked my father while I walked toward Carol's sleeping body.
"Actually..." My father began and explained what had happened.
I leaned against the Sofa, where Carol slept, and after hearing what happened, I felt more guilt added to the already huge pile of it.
I softly caressed her cheek, not paying much attention to the conversation my family was having.
"...to be fair I thought after she took a whole sleigh ride across the world, she'd be fine on the snowmobile." I heard my sister say defending herself because we were getting an earful for not following the right procedure.
They didn't know that I had already given Carol something for her magic aptitude, but I hadn't taken into account that we'd be separated as soon as we arrived.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I had to be up in a couple of hours already, and I had neither the time nor energy to state my case.
"I'll take Carol to bed," I said to my family while preparing to carry her. I was worried that she might wake up, but from what I knew about her, she was a fairly heavy sleeper.
I crouched down beside her, sliding my arms under her knees and back, then slowly lifted her.
She groaned softly, and I paused while I watched her chest rise up and down from her steady breathing.
Once she seemed settled in my arms, I continued.
"See you later," Holly whispered, with her hands around her mouth.
I smiled at her and nodded towards my parents, and left.
On my way to my room, Carol seemed to have naturally settled in my arms. She was so close that I could feel her warm breath on my neck.
The feeling that I got while having her this close gave me a sense of contentment which was even making me less resist the longing I felt to make her mine and to make this relationship real.
....
When I made it to the room, I laid Carol on my bed right in the center to reduce the risk of her falling off. Since I wouldn't be in bed with her, I wasn't sure how she would react if she found out we slept together again. Luckily, there was no way anyone was coming into the room this time.
While taking off her shoes, I chuckled at her soft snores which were echoing in the room. I turned up the room temperature after tucking Carol in.
I sighed, probably for the 100th time today, and sank in on my couch, looking at the sleeping figure of Carol and wondering just what I was going to do between my feelings for her, my mom, and the whole competition.
I grabbed a bottle of water and drank a few sleeping pills; my mind was still wide awake, and with Carol in the bed, sleep was the last thing on my mind, but I needed at least a few hours to be prepared to deal with everything.
I settled into the couch, and my last thought while falling asleep was how right it felt to bring Carol here.
*MORNING*
I woke up at dawn and despite the tablets, I only managed to get a few hours of sleep. I got up and shuffled around my stuff, reminding myself of what I had to do today.
There was literally a week left until Christmas, and the competition was at its peak. There was a snowboarding competition that I had to participate in today. I glanced at Carol's still-sleeping body.
"It should be fine if she rested today," I said aloud looking for a notepad and pen to leave her a letter.
A lot happened yesterday, so I think going to a place with so many people and so much happening, would overwhelm her. I'd feel more at ease if I knew that she was safe at home.
I wrote the a letter which would let Carol know where I was and that I didn't wake her up because I thought she needed the extra sleep. After all, knowing her, she'd probably be mad at me for leaving her behind.
I continued preparing to leave, and once I was ready I walked to the bed and placed the note nearby where she would notice it.
I smiled at Carol's sleeping face. She had her mouth slightly open, and released soft sounds.
I didn't think twice, as I softly placed a kiss on her forehead, then nose and then I just gently closed her mouth.
"See you later, Carol." I whispered.
I looked at the ring on my finger, sighing. A fake relationship, engagedment but the feelings were real, at least from my end.
I finally forced my self to leave, after stealing a final glance at Carol.
CAROL
*chirp chirp chirp*
I groaned turning to the other side to avoid the sun trying to seep through my eyes.
It felt so warm between the blanket and mattress. I was so comfortable and tried to think what I had to to do for the day—wait since when have I ever woken up by the sound of chirping birds?
My eyes immediately opened as I sprang up. I looked around the unfamiliar room and the recent events all slowly started coming in.
I looked to my side and all around- the 'room'—it was huge.
"Nick?" I called out but the only thing heard was still the chirping of the birds. I slowly got off the bed still feeling slightly groggy but much well rested.
I noticed a piece of paper nearby and figured it must've been left by Nick, seeing as he wasn't here. I was slightly annoyed both at myself for not being able to see him again and at him leaving again.
I picked up the note and read the contents.
All I got from it was that, 1.)Yes, I was most definitely left behind and 2.)There seemed to be a snowmobile competition which was part of this whole competition (which seemed important despite Nick clearly writing 'don't worry about it', I think it's important.
I sighed rubbing my eyes as my brain was still loading and analyzing the information.
"How should I not worry about it? I'm here as your so-called Fiancé and I miss your first competition back?" I complained to myself out loud as I was now officially on 'hurry up you're late af' mode.
After speed making the bed and finding my suitcase (which thankfully, was in the room). I took out the outfit for the day, trying my best to rush because I was afraid I would miss the competition itself.
I wasn't even sure how I'd get there or where it was but somehow I'd figure it out, the first step was getting ready.
There were two doors in the room, one leading to a bathroom and the other was the exit.
I went to the bathroom and got ready.
****
I was walking down the long corridor of the house, after just exiting Nick's room. I had no idea where to go but I decide to just go with the flow, wherever that would take me.
After turning here and there and strangely not finding a single person. I made it to the kitchen where I found Holly eating breakfast.
"Carol!" She exclaimed when she noticed me. "Good morning, how are you feeling?" She asked as she set aside her dish and came towards me."Come join me." She pulled out a stool for me from the island, next to her.
"I'm doing much better, thank you." I smiled at her as I sat down. I'm sure her father updated everyone on the events and since I was trying so hard to try find Nick first, I decided to postpone the self loathing. And with that thought it reminded me of my mission for this morning.
"Actually, Holly—" I began. "I wanted to ask you if you would take me to where Nick is? I've been looking for anyone to help me out but you're the only person I've seen the whole morning."
"Well, that's because Nick demanded that no one disturb you for the rest of the day. So that area of the house was sort of off limits." She smiled at me, assuming this news would make me happy and I mean it was sweet but...okay I'll admit that I am slight pleased.
I sighed with a small smile on my lips before shaking me head. "He didn't even say anything to me. He left a note which mentioned he would be at a competition? Am I suppose to be with him?"
"It would have been great if you were yes. But everyone will understand that you just needed more rest." She told me.
I sighed, "I won't lie to you. I am a bit mad that he didn't mention any of it before hand but I understand he was worried about me, but I want to be there. If anything I'd like to leave right now if possible." I said desperately.
"Please take me to him."
Holly had looked away from me for a brief moment before pinching her nose as she thought about it. I stood up, grabbing a hold of her hand.
"Please, Holly." I said and took out my last card. "Think of it as a favor for your future sister-in-law."
Her eyes widen ever so slight and even though I felt guilty for saying that when I knew the truth, I knew I had gotten to her.
"Well..." Holly began and then she cleared her throat. "When you put it that way won't I be helping your relationship grow? Nick wouldn't hate seeing you there."
She then stood up with a newfound determination to help me. "I need to check out somethings there anyway." She looked at the watch on her wrist.
"They must be busy with all the customs right now but will probablyb start soon." She began pulling my arm. "If we leave now we could probably make it." She said and before we left the house she turned to me, grinning. "Let's go, sis."
I momentarily froze for a moment, a old but not new feeling moving in my heart. The word brought back happy and sad memories but Holly seemed completely thrilled with the idea of us being a real family and I thought back to Nick, and how warmly his father and sister have been treating me so far and I didn't hate the idea.
I smiled right back at her and said,
"Lets go, Holly."