Page 47 of Santa Daddy, I'm Not the One

NILS

In the dim light of the barn, I sat on a hay bale, my head in my hands. The weight of countless trips, each one a small hope flickering and then extinguishing, pressed heavily on my shoulders. I had been to the human world, to Landon’s shop a few times, but nothing had changed. He didn’t remember me, not even a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Yet I couldn’t bring myself to stop. The thought of seeing him, even as a stranger, was enough to keep me going back.

Footsteps approached. “Santa,” Eirik said, his voice tinged with concern. “The elves are worried about you. You’ve been going back to the human world too often. Landon still doesn’t remember you.”

I looked up, my gaze weary but resolute. “It doesn’t matter. I have to try. I enjoy seeing him, even if he doesn’t remember me.”

“To what end? He won’t ever remember you.”

“But he might. We just need to spend more time together. When I enter his store, he doesn’t look at me suspiciously anymore. He smiles at me, and when he does, I feel like he knows. Deep, deep down, he knows.”

“We both know that’s impossible,” he said softly.

“A lot of things were impossible, but Landon showed me otherwise. I have to try. I can’t give up on him. He dreams about this place, you know.”

“What?”

“He told me about them the last time I went. Sure, the dream is hazy, and he doesn’t understand what it means, but he has the memories. He just doesn’t believe them.”

“And how can you get him to believe?”

I had no idea, but I had to try. I hung my head. “He’s lost so much weight. I’m fearful for him. His immortality relies on this place. It doesn’t count once he leaves the magic of the glen.”

Eirik sighed. “You really love him, don’t you?”

“More than anything,” I whispered, the admission heavy with love and heartache.

The barn was quiet, the only sounds the distant clicking of reindeer hooves and the soft sigh of the wind. I went to the sleigh, checking the harnesses and the supplies. Today, I would go again. I would see Landon, watch him for a few moments, and hope against hope that something might change.

“I’ll be back by evening.” I climbed into the sleigh. Eirik nodded, his face solemn.

“Be careful, Santa. And remember, we need you too. We’re behind with production for this year.”

I gave him a small smile. With a flick of the reins, I urged the reindeer. They leaped into the air, and we were off, soaringinto the night sky. The wind whipped past me, cold and harsh, but my thoughts were warm, filled with images of Landon, his laughter, his touch, his love. Even if he didn’t remember, I would carry those memories for both of us.

The world below passed in a blur as we made our way to the human world, to the small toy shop where Landon spent his days. Each time I had visited, I’d been a mere customer, browsing the aisles, stealing glances at him. It tore at my heart to see him so thin, unlike the vibrant, feisty man I had known. But I had to believe there was still a chance, however small.

The sleigh landed discreetly, and I trudged to the shop, my heart pounding with dread and anticipation. I would see him again, speak to him, even if he didn’t know who I was. And maybe, just maybe, this time would be different. Maybe this time, he’d remember.

As I entered, the bell above the door chimed, and there he was, frailer again than the last time. He glanced up from around the cash register and smiled.

“Our favorite customer who never buys anything is back,” he said cheekily.

I chuckled. “I’m still waiting for you to find what I’m looking for.”

“I have just the thing to show you. Follow me.”

Always.

Landon led me to a shelf lined with an impressive train set, complete with a miniature town.

“This is special,” he said. “How can you resist it?”

“What makes it special?”

“It was handcrafted by someone in this town.”

“You?”

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