Page 3 of The Elf’s Naughty Toy

The what? Gross. I think I’m going to be sick. Santa didn’t tell me any of that. He said they were cute. Sweet. Smelled like roses. And giggled. He didn’t say they shat on him. Yuck. How the hell does Santa do this every year? Oh, right, he doesn’t. The elves are the ones who collect all the Christmas wishes and then send everyone’s order into Santa’s workshop. Any wishes that are impossible to make true, like a pony, is sent directly to Santa who will then make the decision on what to give them. In the case of a live pony, he’ll usually opt for a wooden rocking horse. Or a toy pony for their favorite doll. Or, if they ask for a rocket ship to fly to outer space, he gives them a remote-controlled spaceship.

Although, every once in a while, he’ll get a wish that’s absolutely impossible to make true, and that’s when he’ll ask one of us elves to study the child closely for a few days, to try to figure out what else the boy or girl truly wants. Their interests. The things that make them smile. The year I was the one sent into the viewing room to investigate a girl’s request is the year I was banned from ever being allowed to look through the snow globe again. The girl had asked for her own magical sleigh so that she could go and visit her father across the country whenever shewanted. We couldn’t give her a sleigh, so I had to come up with an alternative present.

While I was studying the family, I found out that her father wasn’t across the globe working, he was right there in the city. So, for Christmas, I gave her the truth, revealing where her father was so they could spend the day together. But apparently, that was a super bad thing to do, because Santa got really upset and then put me on the permanent naughty list. He said I had stolen her Christmas spirit and made her stop believing in him. And ever since that Christmas, I haven’t seen a child.

“Santa!” The loud shouts pull me from my thoughts, and I look up from the back of the “elf’s” striped hair, seeing a crowd of little people all smiling and cheering. Wow. Maybe it’s not going to be as bad as I thought. I feel like a super star. For once, people are excited to see me, instead of tucking their ears and running from the room.

“Okay, Santa! Here is your seat.” The elf leads me to a big chair and then steps up to the microphone. “Boys and girls! We are so excited. Santa just arrived from the North Pole and he’s here to find out what you want under your Christmas tree. Now, remember, there are a lot of boys and girls who want to see him, and his time is super limited. Which means, you need to tell him your biggest Christmas wish, smile for the camera, and then hop on down so the next kiddo can have a turn. And if you’re good, there will be a special candy cane waiting for you at the end. Now, please stand patiently in line so Santa can begin.”

Guess that’s my cue. I take my seat, and she leads the first child up the stairs, bringing him to me. The little boy smiles and then hops right up onto my lap.

“So, what would you like for Christmas?” I ask, feeling awkward as I try and use my best Santa voice.

The boy looks up with his big toothless grin. “I want a car for Christmas, so I can drive just like my daddy.” Yep. And this onewill be getting a remote-controlled vehicle under his tree. The same make and model as his dad’s vehicle.

“Well, when you’re sixteen maybe I can make that happen. Now, I’ll see what I can do,” I tell the boy.

“You can’t make promises, Brawn,” Santa’s warning rings in my ear. Crap. I didn’t know he was watching over me. Guess I should’ve assumed he’d be keeping tabs, but with Christmas only four days away, I figured he’d be too busy to babysit.

“Thanks, Santa,” the boy says, smiling up at me. “Oh, and I want it to be a Lotus.”

The kid sayscheeseas the elf holding the camera comes up and snaps a shot, and then he hops down off my lap, running off to another elf who hands him a candy cane, shouting to his mom that he’s going to get the coolest sports car when he turns sixteen.

“See,” Santa says in my ear again. “You know I can’t give him a Lotus. You need to listen, nod, and smile, Brawn. Or else, you’re going to have more disappointed humans in the world.”

“Sorry, Santa,” I whisper. “I can give him a keychain with a Lotus attached to it. It will be fine.”

“What did you say, Santa?” I hadn’t even realized another kid had hopped up onto my lap. I look down at the little girl and smile.

“You’re going to give him a keychain? But that’s not a very fun gift,” the little girl who looks like a candy cane asks. She’s looking at me like she’s confused, and a little bit disappointed.

“That’s not going to be his only gift.” I bop her on her nose. “Now, what do you want for Christmas, little girl?” She turns her attention toward the side, and I follow her stare, nearly jolting in my seat when I see the female who’s staring in our direction, watching me very closely. As if she doesn’t trust me with the girl on my lap.

Goodness almighty, I’ve never seen such an incredible creature before. Her hair is as black as coal. Her eyes are just like a midnight sky, shimmering with flecks of gold like the twinkling stars. And her face is that of an angel. She is unlike any elf I’ve ever seen. Unlike any child I saw in the globe. Unlike anyone in the books I’ve read. She is the most divine creature. And by the way she’s dressed, she looks to be very naughty.

Her lips are ruby red, brighter than Rudolph’s shiny red nose. The black leather jacket she’s wearing makes her look wild. Daring. And those black boots that lace up to her knees make her look like she belongs bent over my knee, getting a spanking for Christmas. Holy sugar cookies, where in the world did that thought come from?

“Santa, did you hear me?” I shake my head, dropping my attention back to the little girl on my lap. “I said I want you to make my sister believe in Christmas again.”

“Is that your sister?” I ask, daring to look up at my naughty little dove again. She truly is a wonder of a creature. I’m still reeling in shock that no one ever told me humans are so beautiful. Although, as I scan the crowd, I don’t see anyone who looks quite like her. She is rare. An anomaly. My unique little bird.

“Yes.” The little girl nods. “Her name is Millie, and she doesn’t believe in you. She thinks you’re fake because she never gets any presents from you. I told her that’s because she’s a nonbeliever and is always on the naughty list. But she’s been the best big sister I could ask for, and I was really hoping you could overlook her poor choices and make an exception this year. I really wish you could make her believe again.”

“Well, Laney…” The name pops in my head like magic.

“Wow. You know my name.” She smiles brightly. “See…” She turns toward the divine girl. “I told you he was real. I didn’t tell him my name. He just knew it, Millie.”

Uh-oh, Santa told me not to use anyone’s name, and I just broke another one of his rules. I brace myself for another one of his warnings to come through, but it doesn’t. Maybe that means he’s finally off focusing on other more important things. I’m not even sure why we can’t say the kids’ names, but I won’t do it again. My brain is just going haywire right now. I’m forgetting all the rules. All I can think of is this magnificent beauty who goes by the name Millie.

The girl comes stalking over, and I watch her closely, studying every inch of her perfection. Her dazzling eyes, the sway of her curvy hips, the thickness of her thighs. Mercy, what is this creature doing to me? I feel funny. My pulse feels like it’s racing. There’s an excitement buzzing in my stomach, multiplying the closer she gets. My lungs are struggling to open. And when the pretty human opens her mouth and I hear the sound of her angelic voice, it feels like magic is coursing through my veins.

“This man probably overheard me say your name while we were in line, Laney. Now, it’s time for you to smile for the camera and let the next kid have a turn.”

Mm…I definitely see the blackness surrounding her Christmas light. I know Santa said I can’t promise the impossible, so I shouldn’t be making Laney’s wish come true. But he also told me that my number one job is to keep the Christmas spirit alive, to make sure everyone believes in him. So, I actually think in this situation, I’ll be following Santa’s orders.

“Your sister told me you don’t believe in me.” I find myself locked in the girl’s mesmerizing stare, wishing she was the one currently sitting on my lap and not her little sister.

“Laney.” She smiles down at her sister, though it looks forced. “You’re supposed to tell him what you want for Christmas, not talk about me. Sorry, Santa.” Her eyes snap up tomine again, enrapturing me in her stare again. “My sister loves to chat.”

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