Page 4 of The Elf’s Naughty Toy

I shake my head. “She told me what she wanted for Christmas, and I’m going to give it to her. But I also want to give you what you want.”

The beautiful girl rolls her eyes, and my heart putters faster, like the thumping of reindeer feet. Goodness, I want to spank the naughtiness right out of her. She not only doesn’t believe in Santa, but it’s almost as if she’s annoyed by my presence, or irritated by the entire holiday in general, or maybe both.

“Come on, Laney.” Her voice becomes more insistent. “We need to get going and find our parents.”

The little girl’s shoulders slump like she’s just deflated. She hops down and takes her sister’s hand, but I can’t let them go like this. I quickly sit forward, whispering into Laney’s ear, “Just have your sister silently make her wish upon the brightest star tonight, and I’ll make sure it comes true by morning.”

The girl turns and beams at me. “Okay, Santa, I will. Thank you.”

“Come on, Laney, we’re holding up the line.” My naughty little dove glares at me. I give her a wink as she tugs her sister forward and then is rushing off. And now I know exactly what I’m going to ask Santa for for Christmas. I’m going to ask him for her.

4

Millie

“Please, Mill. All you have to do is close your eyes and make a wish for something you want, and it will be here by morning. He told me it would. And I believe him. It’s not that hard. Please? For me?”

Oh my God. All evening she hasn’t let up. The creeper Santa put some crazy idea in her head, and now she actually believes his bullshit. Honestly, the guy should be fired from his job. He shouldn’t be going around making crazy promises to little kids because when they don’t come true, the truth will be revealed. When my gift isn’t here in the morning, Laney is going to know Santa is one big fat lying old guy dressed in a costume. She’s going to be disappointed, and then my dad is going to blame me for ruining Christmas.

“Laney, it’s time for bed.”

“No.” She sits up on her knees. “I’m not going to sleep until you look at the brightest star in the sky and make a wish.” Ugh…she’s just not going to let up.

“Fine.” I close my eyes.

“No,” she protests. “You need to look out the window. At that star.” She points to the brightest one. “And then make your silent wish to him.”

I swear, if I didn’t love this little girl so much, I’d be putting an end to all of this nonsense once and for all. Show her all the gifts in her mom’s closet that sayTo: Laney From: Santa. But I’m not that cruel, and the last thing I want is for her to be curled up in bed crying on Christmas day. I’m just not sure how to get around this bogus wish stuff.

Although maybe… Maybe I can make some stupid little wish and then in the morning, I’ll pretend like I got what I asked for. Although, she’s going to want to see it. Unless…I tell her it’s something for adults only. Haha. I wish upon the brightest star for the creepy Santa to bring me a vibrator. Preferably one that’s big, purple, and has two little ears that make it look like a bunny rabbit.

“What’s so funny?” she asks as I giggle away at the thought. She’s cocking her chin, giving me her cute little stare down.

“Nothing.” I shake my head. “Okay, I wish for Santa to put a chocolate peanut butter cup under my pillow.” That’s something I can definitely pull off without a hitch. I keep them stashed away in my closet, where my little chocolate addict of a sister can’t eat all my goods.

“Okay.” She smiles. “I’m going to check under your pillow in the morning, and we’ll see if it’s there.”

“Okay.” I nod. “Now, get under those covers and go to sleep. Otherwise, Santa won’t come.”

Finally, she lies back, sliding under her comforter. I lean forward, giving her a kiss and then rise from the bed. “Good night, Laney Bobaney. Sleep tight, and don’t let Santa’s reindeer bite.”

She giggles and a lightness fills my chest. I may be the scroogiest person on the planet, but I’m never going to doanything to put a frown on that little girl’s face. She’s the only bright thing that came from my dad’s destruction. She’s the only one I’m truly thankful for this Christmas.

5

Brawn

The image appears in my mind, but I don’t understand what it is. It’s long. Made of purple plastic. And…it kind of looks like a penis, to be honest. But it also looks like a rabbit. I’m not sure what it’s supposed to be, or what it’s even used for, but I do have the magical powers to make this so-called “vibrator.”

Make the thing that she wants. I hover my hands above the table and the magic starts to flow through me.

“Brawn!” I jerk in my chair at the sound of Santa’s booming voice, dropping my glowing hands from the bench. I’m not supposed to be in the workshop. He specifically told me that I’m not allowed in here anymore. “What did I tell you? This place is off-limits.” He shakes his head. “If you’re not going to obey my orders, then I’m going to keep you as far away from your temptation as possible. Make you go live with the giants at the North Mountains.”

As much as I love my parents, having to live amongst the giants would be miserable. I’ve spent my life around jolly happyelves, so living amongst a bunch of grumpy antisocials would be like living in hell.

“I’m sorry, Santa. I was only trying to make some of the presents that were requested today.” It’s not entirely a lie; otherwise, he’d be able to see right through it. Elves are known to be terrible liars, and I’m one of the worst.

“That’s good of you, Brawn. And from what I witnessed today, I was pleased. You did me proud, son. You’re a natural at playing me.” He chuckles. “But I have to keep my word, or else you’re never going to learn your lesson. So, you can leave the toy making up to the others. Now, I’ve got a lot to accomplish over the next few days, so you’re on your own, and I’m trusting that you’ll behave. Or else…”

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