"Dad" I said looking at my father's pale face. The florescent light of the hospital only made him look worse. It made it clear how sick he was.

This happened every few months before Christmas. My dad would get fatally Ill and barely recover before Christmas. My mum liked to pretend that she was used to his weird condition but I knew very well that she wasnt. I heard her late night sobs. I myself felt like I was falling apart at the seams.

"Lizzie" Came my father's inaudible voice "Don't cry Candy cane. I hate seeing you cry"

I wiped away the tears I hadn't noticed and sniffed. I wasn't just upset because my dad wasn't going to make it this time. I was upset because of the circumstances surrounding his death.

My father was the jolly fat man, Santa Claus himself. So that I could live a normal life, he and Mrs Claus decided to keep my birth a secret. I had been home schooled all my life. My dad had his elves teach me school lessons and he taught me all the jobs associated with my future profession.

Delivering toys was one thing but the most important part of my new job was much more complicated - handling the naughty list.

I wasn't ready for any of this yet. And I wouldn't have to go through all this if a stupid wizard called Berwick hadn't cursed him. He had lived with this sickness since I was born. Eighteen years. And now, it was time for him to die.

"I'm going to miss you" I sighed looking into his blue eyes "You were one heck of a santa... And an even better dad"

This brought tears to his eyes as he reached out to pay my hand "Look around Lizzie" He said suddenly eyes focused on a particular point.

I had a feeling that it might be the sickness talking but I decided to look anyways. I glanced around the room a sad smile appearing on my face when I saw the Christmas tree in the corner of the hospital room.

"As long as that tree is still part of tradition, you'll always have a bit of me with you" He explained also smiling at the tree.

"I love you dad" I said trying to ignore the lump in my throat "I promise to do my very best"

"I know you will" My dad said before taking a deep breath. He exhaled his very last before dying away peacefully. I wiped away my tears as a nurse walked in ready to contact the morgue people.

My mother was waiting for me in front of the hospital room. She had also had a brief conversation with dad and was still sobbing on a chair by the door.

I took a deep breath, willing myself to be strong "I have to go mum" I said checking my watch "It's almost midnight and I still need to check on the elves"

" Good luck dear" Mrs Claus sniffed "Christmas depends on you"

I did a little salute before heading out of the hospital.

***

I parked my car in front of the factory hidden by a charm in the heart of new York. Rumours went round that Santa made presents in the North pole. They didn't bother him though, in fact they kind of helped him remain anonymous.

I walked in greeting the elves I met at different stations. They have me sad smiles and waves knowing what had happened to my dad. I smiled back while hastily making my way to my dad's office. You can do this. Now isn't the time to be weak.

I smiled when I saw Josh one of my dad's favourite elves waiting in front of the office. I had always had a secret crush on him. He was only a few years older than me and worked here to pay off college debts. He gave me a wave as I approached the door.

"Hi Lizzie" He said, blue eyes twinkling "You ok?" He asked as I whispered the password, Candy cane to the door. It opened and we walked in quickly.

"I've seen better days" I said checking the bookshelf behind my dad's shelf " But I'll be ok"

Like the good friend he was, he didn't push it. I sighed in relief as I pulled out the folder which contained the naught list. It was golden and glowing with magic as I took my seat. Josh took a seat in front of the desk, his brown hair looking really nice.

Focus Elizabeth Claus!

I pulled out the list and went through the old piece of parchment to make sure that every name on the naughty list glowed. The names glowed to show that the owners were truly naughty and not just misjudged.

"Hey" I said showing Josh the list "This name isn't glowing"

Edward Bilsky was a notorious criminal so it was quite shocking that his name wasn't glowing. I opened a drawer and pulled out a transparent orb placing it on the table.

"Maybe your dad made a mistake" Josh shrugged squinting at the orb " But that's quite a big mistake if you ask me"

Before I could reply, I heard a loud crash and a huge force knocked me to the ground. When The dust had settled I realized that the orb lay sideways on the ground, luckily undamaged. And right beside it was Josh wincing and clutching his arm.

"Did I do that?" Asked a deep voice.

"Berwick" I hissed glaring at the tall wizard with long black hair. He smirked kicking the orb into a wall. It cracked along with my hopes of helping my dad.

"Your father" Berwick began walking towards me " Denied me the one thing I ever wanted. He deserved to die... I wish I had struck him down sooner "

"Shut up!" I yelled "He did the right thing. Putting you on the naughty list saved a thousand lives form your wrath. The things you would have done if you had attained that potion"

"That didn't give him the right to put me on the naughty list" He explained calmly " It wasn't his job to deliver justice. He shouldn't have interfered "

"Screw you!" I cursed glaring at him. I began to back away as he pointed his wand at me.

" I'm sorry dear child" He smirked as his wand began to glow "But I'm not the one who's screwed here"

Before he could hit me, Josh threw the orb in my direction. The spell was deflected and hit Berwick instead. With a scream, he fell to the ground.

"Lizzie?" Josh asked in concern when he saw the tears in my eyes.

" He's right " I sniffed "I am screwed. I don't have what it takes to be Mother Christmas. I'm just a wreck!"

Josh walked over to pick up the orb before sitting down beside me. He let me sob into his shoulder for a while patting me reassuringly.

"You're not a mess Lizzie" Josh said tilting my face up "You're a smart and resourceful young lady. That's why your dad entrusted you with this duty. Besides, I don't think you should take the words of a mad man like Berwick seriously"

I giggled a bit before kissing him On the cheek "Thanks Josh" I said glad that I had made him blush "Now let's at least try to save Christmas"

Hoping that the Orb was still functional, I whispered Edward's name to it. It glowed before showing us his jail cell. I smiled to myself sighing in relief.

He sat on the floor writing a letter, tears dropping onto the paper. The orb zoomed in on it and I could read what he had written.

Dear Mariam.

It's yet another Christmas away from you and the kids. Thanks for the Apple pie but it won't take any of my grief away. I will always miss you guys. Till the day I die in this cell.

I never did anything wrong. I was just a cleaner at the museum in the wrong place at the wrong time. Everyone thinks I'm the mysterious masked robber who has made theft his watchword. But that's not who I am. I hope you still believe in my innocence, regardless of what the police think.

Everyone believes that I'm a terrible person. But their opinions are worthless to me. I only care about you and the kids. Keep reminding them of me.

I'll never stop loving you guys... Ever!

Love,
Ed.

He gave the Christmas tree beside him a sad smile. Probably the same smile that was on my face right now. I could hear my father's words.

"You'll always have a bit of me with you"

"Lets go!" I cancelled Edward's name and jumped up. Josh followed me to the door a little shocked .

"Wow someone's pumped up" He said "Especially with only five minutes left to save Christmas"

"I'm mother Christmas. Anything is possible"

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