Wynter

Nick shifted another gear of his sleek red convertible. We were headed back to the North Pole Castle. Our litte intimate retreat of seclusion was finished and it was back to reality.

Nick zipped across the arctic tundra, making sure to race against the sun. My hair billowed in the wind of the icy air as he zoomed past the scenery.

We finally pulled up to the iron gates of the castle. A sleek and golden crest, etched with the word "C" in the middle stood apparent. I admired its shape, bushing as I remembered the marking just above Nick's stomach that mimicked it.

A few guards opened the gates, eventually letting us inside. We pulled in until the front doors of the palace were visible. A few servants retreated from the back entrances and started to unload the car.

Nick unbuckled his seatbelt and opened his door before slamming it shut.

Great. He was still in a mood.

He walked in front of the car to open my side.
I dont why I felt so awkward nor was I aware the reason for the shift in his demeanor. I hated how cold he was being.

"I have to go. Duty calls." His gaze was fixed on something behind me. He couldn't even meet my gaze.

"Oh..." I hold my breath, hugging my arms as an icy breeze flew through. Nick was quick to pull me into his arms, taking off his jacket and wrapping me tightly.

I pressed my head against his chest, staring into the icy tundra. We only hugged, still standing by the car in silence.

"My desk is probably filled with paperwork and new additions to the naughty list." He teased. I guess his cold demeanor was slowly melting. I blushed and lifted my head to look into his eyes.

"New additions?" I smirked. I had done some naughty things last night.

Nick

She giggled, probably thinking of our rendezvous from the other night. "So today's the day?" I remind her.

She nodded.

"You nervous?" I ask her. She looks to a zipper on my jacket and pouts.

"Yes....very" she confesses.

"You know what I always say. You'll do fine."

She nodded, taking heed to my reassurance. I grab her jaw, making sure to lift it so her eyes were level with mine.
"Hey look at me"

Her eyes twinkled with a spark I had never seen before. They were so beautiful. "You'll do fine? They'll approve of you and then? No more pretending" 

Although I sounded calm I said it in spite. I hated the idea of Wynter being absent from my life once the baquet was over. She would be free of her obligations and duty to the Clause line. But where would that leave us?

It looked like she wanted to say something but she bit her cheek. "Yea. No more pretending" she whispered, trying her hardest to smile.

"Come on Wyn. What's on your mind?" I could tell something was bothering her.

"I was just thinking..about...
Well we're supposed to be pretending we like each other?"

"Yea." I look away. I hoped my lie wasn't too apparent. "We are."

"So...
Was yesterday? I mean our kisses and then when we—" she stopped, looking down at her ring. It was the one I gave her at our fake proposal.

"I mean...there was no pretending on my end. I meant every word...and action" I say carefully, staring into her eyes. She nodded, holding back a smile before shrugging.

"I'll see you at the banquet?" I say, reassuring her that everything would be fine.

"I don't know Santa. Will I see you? You might come late?"  She smiles, her lips forming into a handsome smile.

I shrugged but nodded.  "Maybe you won't see me"

She lets out a sigh and smiles.
"Don't be late" she held my jaw.

"Fine Fine. I won't be late" I reassured.

"You promise?"

"I promise. And you know Nick Claus never breaks his promises."

She smiled and nodded. I pull her waist in, staring into her beautiful tawny brown eyes before snatching her lips into mine. They were too irresistible not to kiss. Minutes pass as we fight for dominance, each of us smacking hungrily.... desperately.

We pull away and stare into each other's eyes. Wynter runs her palms against my chest, playing with the button on my shirt.
"Nick I just... I mean. I really really feel like—-"

"AHHHH!!! You guys are back!!" Drew comes behind us, throwing his arms around Wynter before hugging me.
"Ahhh I missed you two!"

I glared, wondering if he was purposely interrupting us or being willfully obtuse. At this point, I started to worry.

He turned to me and smiled. "You look well rested Mr Claus" he smiles "and Mrs. Claus"he winks at Wynter. Wynter rolls her eyes, bending over the open car to fish for her purse in the front seat.

"Don't you have a date with a hot fresh deer claw or something?"

"Don't be mean Nick! You have to be on your best behavior today or I'll tattle to the guardians."

"I'm not the one up for approval Mr. Tattle tale" I curse, pushing him away. I look at Wynter as she giggled at our brotherly banter.

I pull drew into my arm, hugging his neck with my open palm.
"Watch her for me? okay?"

"I'll take good care of her." He smiles a little to eagerly before shooing me off.
I kiss Wynter one last time before hopping in the car to drive to the factory.

——-

Wynter

A few servants come in to show me last minute dresses and hairstyles for tonight. I picked a style of braids looped and curled at the ends. A dark green emerald dress would look perfect with the style so that is exactly what I requested.
(Remember it takes like 5 minutes to get read in the North Pole. Magic ✨✨)

After a while, the servants they left me alone to study any last minute details. Drew came in soon after to quiz me.

"There are 4,687 Clause men so far" I answer confidently.

"Eehhhh! Wrong" he makes the the sound of a buzzer. "There we're only 2." He tries to throw me off.

"Drew come on! Be serious!"

"Ughh but you've gotten every single question right" he pushes his head into my pillow, staring at the ceiling with fatigue. "There is such a thing as over-preparation"

"Really?" I whisper, standing up and going to the window. I smile taking in the snow capped mountains and icy tundra in the distance. I would never get over the beauty of the North Pole. I could live here forever.

"Yea! And who cares if you mess up in front of thé Gardians"

"I care!" I shout, turning around to face him. I needed to be perfect tonight!

"Why?" He sat up, "it's all pretend anyway?"

"Because! I want to help Nick! He still has to pass this test in order to be Santa. He's been working so hard? I over prepare because I need to help him and.. and..." I groan and jump on my bed, burying my head into th pillows.

I don't know why but tears started to form in my eyes.
Drew comes beside me, pulling some hair out my face.

"Wait...You're crying?" He asks, shocked at my sudden change in emotions. "Come on Wyn I didn't mean to make you cry."

"It's not you Drew. It's just..." I sat up and wipe my tears away before facing him. "I like Nick... I like him a lot "

"Ohhhh???" he hums, " ohh you like him, like him" He tries to hold back a smile.

"Be serious Drew! " I hit him lightly.

"Okay! I'm serious." He holds his arm, dawning a more serious look.

"I like him a lot...
But I feel like my whole persona has been a lie.
I'm not a magical entity.
When the council meets me, they'll like me because I'm pretending to be someone I'm not. I shouldn't know how many trees are in the North Pole or how many spirits make up the Christmas last. I'm wynter! A girl from San Fran who loves the beach and frozen Virgin pina coladas and sushi.
I'm...worried and scared... that—" I couldn't finish.

"You're scared that the person Nick fell in love with is the person you only pretended to be"
I nodded at the accuracy of his assessment.

"Look Wyn. I don't know the details of you're relationship. What I do know is that I've never seen Nick so happy. He was miserable until he met you.
He likes you. A lot."

"But does he like me for me?" I challenge him.

"That's something you have to ask him. He will tell you"

I nodded standing to go back to the window. "I think... I'm going to tell him tonight. I have feelings for him and  I refuse to keep pretending what we're doing is just for...play"

Drew smiled and stood to meet me by the window. "I think he would like that Wyn" We stared into each to each other's eyes in mutual understanding.

"When your not interrupting intimate moments, between Nick and I, you're actually quite useful, and profound" I run to hug him, "Thank Drew"

"Yea yea!" He rolls his eyes, returning my embrace.

"Come on Let's take a break!"

"Okay fine."

"Yes" he claps, excited to be free of scrolls.

"Okay, so what can we do?"

"Come on! I wanna show you reindeer games!"

"Nick told me they were a myth!"I go to the closet and try to find a jacket to slip into. It would be cold outside.

"Nick should change his name to Scrooge. Come on!" Drew pulls my hand before leading me to the barn where Jingles and the rest of the reindeer were.

Author Note
Everything is going well!
Nick has feelings for Wynter
Wynter has feelings for Nick. She will reveal them to him at the banquet!
But...hmmm ...it wouldn't be an uncouthwriter original if there wasn't a major inconvenience to advance the plot line.

Y'all don't hate me too much 👀
And Jack Frost is making a reappearance soon!!!