Page 19 of I Had a Threesome With Santa Claus

Holly sighed again. As wonderful as that sounded, she couldn’t help but to think of her friends back home. She thought of all the things she wanted to do but had been too afraid. It was lovely here, and Ellie and Santa made her feel so loved, but she couldn’t stay here. Not when she was just starting to feel confident in herself. Not when the grief finally felt like it was receding.

She sat up and looked at both of them, “This night has been the best night of my life. You both have given me the best gift you could, you helped me voice the things I want. You made me feel seen on a night when I feel the most alone; but I can’t stay here. I’ve made a different kind of family back home and I can’t leave them. I want to pursue my own goals and I don’t think I can do that here in the North Pole.”

Santa and Ellie both smiled at her. “Holly, we want you to do whatever it isyouwant. We love having you here but we also want you to pursue your dreams. If you can’t do that here, that is perfectly okay. We accept any decision you make,” Santa told her.

“I will miss you both terribly though. I can’t just pop up here any time can I?”

Ellie shook her head, the slightest glisten of tears in her bright, blue eyes, “That’s part of the magic of this place, you can only come and go here the week of Christmas, the rest of the year we have to stay here and can’t travel down south.”

Holly’s face fell. She could feel her own tears begin to gather in her eyes.

“But,” Santa continued. Holly perked up, shifting her gaze to him. “You can come back next year. The veil thins enough for you to travel here 7 days before Christmas. You can come back and spend the week with us.”

“Really?” she exclaimed, her tears turning to tears of joy as they rolled down her cheeks.

“Yes,” Ellie laughed. “Just send us a letter next December if you want to come. It will find its way here and we can come get you.”

Holly threw her arms around both of them, “I would love that more than anything.” She exclaimed. They hugged her back just as tightly. “Is my time almost up now? Do we need to go back.”

Santa gave her a squeeze. “We have a little more time, just lie here and rest with us. I’ll take you home when it’s time.”

Holly snuggled down between them and they all cuddled with their arms around each other until she drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 19

Holly woke up and opened her bleary eyes. She was surprised to find herself in her own bed at home. She peeked under the covers, surprised once again to find she was back in the red negligee.Was that all just a crazy realistic dream?

She slid on her slippers and plodded to the kitchen. There she found a small Christmas tree on the counter, a few gifts tucked under it, and a bright, red envelope. She opened the letter and read:

“Dear Holly,

We so loved having you for the night. We didn’t want to wake you so we hope you don’t mind that we didn’t say goodbye. Of course we had to give you a couple other presents to make your Christmas day merry. Look in your stocking for one more after you open these. Can’t wait to see you next year.

Love,

Ellie and Nick”

Holly smiled as she placed the letter on the counter and reached for the first of the presents. She laughed when she pulled out the strap on Ellie had used on her. Putting that down, she opened the next gift. Inside the small box was a beautiful charm bracelet with charms that matched the tattoos on Santa’s body. She smiled as she immediately snapped it on before turning her attention to the last box. She untied the golden ribbon and opened it to find a dainty silver necklace with a pendant shaped like a small sprig of holly. Tears welled in her eyes as she inspected the jewelry, knowing these would be pieces she treasured forever.

Holly, noticing a stocking hanging on her mantle, walked to her fireplace and reached in. Inside she found an envelope. This one wasn’t addressed to her, rather it was addressed to Santa. The handwriting was instantly familiar, she felt a tear roll down her cheek as she pulled out the letter and began to read.

Dear Santa,

I’m a single mother to the brightest eight year old girl imaginable. She is the absolute light of my life. This year has been harder than most and I’m struggling to make ends meet let alone give her the Christmas she deserves. She has brought so much light to my life and I wish I could give her the world. I remember you visiting me when I was a little girl in a broken home. You taught me to make this time of year magical, no matter the circumstances. I’m asking for your help yet again so my little girl can feel the magic you brought to me that year.

Love,

Lynn Moore

Holly’s eyes welled with more tears as she finished the letter from her mom. She remembered that year, they were living in a shitty one bedroom apartment and the one thing Holly wanted most of all that year was an American Girl doll that looked like her. She knew, even then, money was tight, so she didn’t expect to get one of the expensive dolls. She was shocked that Christmas morning to find the doll under the tree along with several matching outfits and accessories. She clutched the letter to her chest and let the tears run freely.

When the tears dried up, she felt lighter. She located her phone-it had helpfully been put on its charger-and saw a text from Miriam asking if she was coming over today. She responded that she would be there in an hour and went to go change.

Epilogue

The Next December

Holly finished dressing for the holiday party at work. She wore a bright red dress that showed off her every curve. She added her Christmas charm bracelet and finished the look with the holly necklace she wore whenever she wanted to feel confident.

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