[A/N] Updates every Friday starting TODAY!!! Enjoy :)))))

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Where's Santa?" Coby tugs on my hand, frowning a bit as the trio walks through the crowded mall.

"He's just around this corner, Cobs, we're almost there," Olivia tells him, leading the two kids around the corner. Right next to the elevator, a small house is standing in front of the large department stores. Fake snow hangs off the roof, and the gingerbread house glimmers in the light coming from the skylight as Christmas carols softly play over the noisy crowd of children and their parents. Candy canes line the snowy yard, and inside the icy window, people admire a decked-out Christmas tree.

And for a long while, the trio waits in line, humming along to the radio and messing around while they inch closer and closer to the building.

"Sugar!" Olivia suddenly shouts, kicking herself for not putting two-and-two together: that giant Christmas tree could be a real pine tree.

"What's wrong?" Gia asks, cocking her head in confusion.

"Nothing, sweetheart," she lies, tapping the lady standing in front of her on the shoulder. It takes a lot more energy than she cares to admit to act calm and collective while she's panicking on the inside. Before they even step near Santa's house, she wants to make sure that those pine trees are fake or else Gia will break out in hives.

The woman turns around, puzzled as to why a complete stranger needs her help. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, can you please just watch over these two kids for a few seconds? I need to ask someone around here about those trees."

The women looks at Olivia as if she were truly crazy, but before she can object to the request, Olivia races into the gingerbread house. She weaves through crowds of people, politely saying "excuse me" while searching for an employee that could give her a good answer about the tree inside. There's no way she can get close enough to the Christmas tree; sadly, it's inconveniently placed right next to Santa Claus.

"There's an elf over there," a man says, annoyed as he points to a boy in a green and red elf costume handing out candy canes to people waiting in line.

"Thank you," Olivia replies rushing to catch up to the boy. "Excuse me, sir, I have an important question for you!"

Over the collective sound of the crowd, she realizes that it's impossible for the brown-haired boy to hear her from across the room. Edging closer while attempting to get his attention, Olivia manages to reach out and tap him on the shoulder.

And just by touching his shoulder, she can tell that he has a broad set of muscles on him... but that's besides the point.

The boy turns around, seeming exhausted and a bit fed up under the wide smile he flashes. "How can I help you?"

"Uh, hi, yes," Olivia fumbles, taken aback. She didn't quiet expect to be standing face-to-face with a boy who looks so... beautiful. With deep brown eyes and short, brown hair, the boy could pass as an Abercrombie model rather than Santa's elf. "I was just wondering if that tree in there is real. The girl I'm babysitting is allergic to pine and breaks out if she gets too close to them, you know?."

"Well, you're in luck because it's made of plastic. I would know; I'm the one that helped put it together."

Relieved, Olivia lets out a breathe of air, visibly relaxing. Now, she has nothing to worry about except for making sure that she doesn't make a complete fool of herself in front of a really cute boy. No biggie, right?

"Okay, thank you, that's good to here," she replies, pushing a lock of her brown hair behind her ear. Suddenly, it just got really hot inside of the stuffy room.

"You're welcome. Would you like a candy cane?" he asks, flashing a smile that nearly turns her into a puddle.

Olivia's mouth blabbers before her mind can catch up. "Only if you at least tell me your name."

He lets out a chuckle, blushing a bit as he hands her a peppermint candy cane. The bell hanging from the tip of his green hat jingles. "I'm Lincoln."

"Well, Lincoln, thank you for your help. Maybe I'll see you later?"

He winks. "Hopefully, yeah."

Olivia walks away, feeling warm and happy. She never flirted before, but Lincoln surely knows how to bring out her adventurous streak.

When she fights her way back out the cramped house, she runs right into Gia and Coby, who are playing a revised version of patty cake. The woman who she left to watch over them barely bats an eye in their direction. But, more importantly, they are safe and exactly where she left them.

"Hey, guys, look what I brought you!" Olivia says, showing them the candy.

"Ooh, I want some!" Gia yells, reaching to grab it.

Olivia breaks the candy cane into pieces and hands a segment to each kid. "Suck on it, don't bite it."

And as the trio waits in line, licking their portions of hard candy, Olivia wishes that she will run into Santa's elf again once they enter the little house again. Lincoln must have gone home by the time Gia and Coby are sitting on Santa's lap because he's nowhere to be seen. Hiding her disappointment, Olivia leaves the mall with the kids in tow while they sing "Deck the Halls."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *