“Impressive speech, Santa.” His finger subtly trails along mine as we walk side by side towards the tables.

We take our time as everyone around us fills their plates with bacon, eggs and pancakes. They pass around mugs of what I assume is spiked hot cocoa, and I politely decline when one is handed out for me.

“Impressive?”

“Well, not as impressive as your ass in that suit, but I think you made an impact.” He shrugs, giving me a sly grin as his fingers move to interlace with mine but he withdraws his hand, stepping ever so slightly away, when a worker and their family stop me. I frown at the loss of contact but slip back into a tight smile as they thank me for my effort this year and wish me a safe trip with a tight handshake.

When the family wanders back into the throng of people, Kris steps closer and his warmth solidifies my resolve. I don’t want to hide us. This will be difficult for some to understand, but I hope, with time, it is something people can grow to accept.

Or they won’t. I don’t know what I would do in that case, but my heart thumps to a beat that doesn’t match anyone but Kris.

I have a feeling that most people in the village would warmly embrace and accept Kris and me.

When it comes to sharing the news, there is only one person who I worry about the most.

My father.

The runway lights are lit with red and green as my father moves the sleigh into position. The excited crowd eagerly gathers along the pathway to bid me farewell.

From the sidelines, this moment has always felt like putting the star on top of the tree, stepping back to enjoy the beauty, reveling in a sense of accomplishment after all of the hard work as we waited for my father to wish us a Merry Christmas from the skies.

Now I stood on the other side, a different level of hard work in my future. My father lingers next to the cockpit, his hand on the shell of the sleigh, lost in his own memories.

“I know I haven’t always been there for you. This role is incredibly demanding, as I’m sure you will learn. Though I couldn’t be prouder of the man you have become.” Tears well in his eyes as he strokes the sleigh, a vulnerable smile tipping up his lips as he glances down the runway at the row of reindeer, weighting for my go.

“Losing your mother was one of the hardest moments in my life and I know for many years I threw myself into this cockpit, hoping one day that I could find some magical spark for us. Something to bring us back together.”

He stops glancing over to Kris and Carol huddled next to each other; I smile as Kris tries to wrap Carol in his jacket and the two playfully bicker with matching smiles.

Though I still worry I am not good enough for this role. Carol’s words ring in my mind as Kris looks up and smiles wide straight at me.

Here I will always be just Nick, and I am loved.

“They are two very special people.” His words pull me back and I nod.

“They are.”

My father sighs as he scrubs his hand along his face, looking like he has something he wants to say. I wait for his words but they don’t come, just a frustrated sigh as he looks back at our two favorite people.

As he hands me the reins, I can feel the weight of the role he has cherished for the last five decades.

He lets out a shaky breath as he pats me on the shoulder and makes his way to stand with Carol and Kris.

With one last glance at the row of people lining the path, I feel a sense of unity and support from my entire community.

Moving up the stairs, I settle into the cockpit, adjusting all the belts and clicking the safety features to active. 

I close my eyes and let the crisp December wind brush against my face as I exhale slowly.

I am ready for this.

I can do this.

My eyes snap open, there was just one thing I need to do first.

With a click of the belt, I was out of the cockpit, running towards the one person I needed in this moment.

“Nick, what are you doing?” Teddy shrieks as I run past him. “In ninety seconds, you will be officially behind schedule.”

“This won’t take long.” I yell back, slowing to a jog as I near the path. Mummers from the crowd whisper back and forth, but I ignore them all. I need Kris to know I am in this just as much as he is.

A knowing smirk flits across his face as I draw closer, but the bob of his Adam’s apple and the quick glance he gives the waiting crowd hints at his nervousness.

“I couldn’t leave without a proper goodbye.” I rasp, almost out of breath from the short run across the field and my nearness to him. His scent invades my senses and I breathe him in deep.

“And what is a proper goodbye?” His eyes dart between my eyes before dropping to my lips.

This time it was my turn to smirk. Grabbing his jacket, I pull him to me as I crush our lips together. The crowd surrounding us gasps at our embrace. My father’s shocked gasp, louder than them all.

I push them all out, not wanting to ruin this moment with Kris. Carol’s whispered hushes and we will talk about this later float across the air, but Kris presses himself against me and we melt into each other’s warmth.

Pulling back, I’m now breathless for a different reason. Kris’ gaze softened as he drank me in.

“Everything starts now.” I whisper, and he smiles as he presses another gentle kiss against my lips.

“I’ll see you when you get home.” His words are soft as his arms encase me.

“So you aren’t done with me?” My eyebrow quirks in question and his smile deepens into his signature smirk.

“Oh no, Santa Baby. I am no way near done with you.” Placing one last searing kiss on my lips, before he turns me toward the sleigh. He chuckles against my ear. “Go before Theodore has a coronary that you aren’t already flying over the South Pacific.”

Looking back over to the Head Elf, his face is now almost as red as my suit, a sharp Christmas contrast against his green and gold outfit.

“I’d like you back in one piece and right now, Teddy looks about ready to commit homicide.” His chuckle deepens as his hot breath crests against my ear. The middle-aged elf stamping impatiently next to the sleigh, but I can’t help but smile.

“I’ll be home for Christmas.” I say to him over my shoulder as I make my way back to the sleigh, casting a quick glance over towards our parents, Carol’s hand clenching my father’s arm. She gives me a wink and a nod before patting him soothingly on the arm and whispering in his ear.

“I’ll be waiting.” Kris’ words float over to me on a frosted breeze and I smile as I buckle myself back in.

With a powerful exhale, I bellow out my command; the sound echoing through the air. “Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen.”

With a jolt, the reindeer stamp their hooves. Rudolph’s nose glows brighter as he tugs and spurs the group forward.

The blustery wind whips across my face, and I let out a laugh as I feel the Christmas magic pour through me. A few strides later at the sound of my whistle, the reindeer leap into the air, pulling the sleigh and me with them.

Pulling the reins tight around my gloved hands, I direct the reindeer around in a circle. The group waiting below look like tiny ants from this height. I bring us back over the runway, just like my father used to.