Wynter

I hope Nick couldn't hear my heart beating out of my chest. I was nervous...fearful to answer the question Mother Nature asked me.

I nod, thinking back to the preparations I had gone through these last few months. I knew the name of every Santa Claus. I knew the venues of the castle, the type of sleigh they drove and each treaty that formed the land.
So imagine my surprise as I hear the nature of the query. This question had truly caught me off guard.

I stop to ponder my reason and look into Nick's eyes.

Christmas?
What does Christmas mean to me?
What is the true meaning of Christmas?
How could I answer this? I was a girl who never celebrated the holiday?

Nick grabs my shoulders and runs his hands across each one affectionately "Just speak from the heart Wyn"

"Nick! You know I never celebrated Christmas growing up."

"But you did for the first time this year, didn't you?And look where's that gotten you"

I nod, realizing the truth in his words then chuckle. "In the arms of Santa Claus" I tease. I smile as he placed his hand against my cheek.

He bends to kiss my forehead before looking into my eyes affectionately.
"Speak from your heart." He whispers before walking away to leave me at the center of the room.

The panel members' gazes were intense. Mother Nature watches me impatiently. She was waiting for my answer.

"Hello. Everyone.
Hi. I am Wynter Ryder.
21 year old. Ummm... so... yea." I play with my fingers nimbly, trying to gather my thoughts.
"To be honest, I never really celebrated Christmas. You see, my parents died when I was only five on Christmas Day and I kinda cursed off the holiday. I actually hated Christmas. Is that ...bad to admit it out loud?
Oh! But I love chocolate Easter eggs!" I look at the Easter bunny, trying to garner up a few points of support. His eyes never left his papers.

Nick POV

"She's bombing." Drew whispers into my ear as we stand in the rear of the room.

"Shut up and give her a chance Drew." I hit his stomach, forcing him into silence.
Jack Frosteneson turns to focus on me and smirks. He relished in Wynter's honesty no matter how disadvantage it was.
He was a bit too smug for my liking.

Come on Wyn. You got this.

Wynter

The council members look disinterested. The Easter bunny looked as if he had already written me off.

I look over at Nick, pleading for some sort of sign. He nods, urging me to continue. I turn my gaze back to the panel and grin awkwardly.

Speak from the heart.

"On earth, November ends and December arrives. The stores start playing Jingle Bells and they put up Christmas trees with big flashy lights and colorful artificial snow. Tv stations start playing those clay animation specials and radio stations, Christmas carols.

I remember watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special back in the orphanage. It was the first Christmas without my parents. It was the end of the movie and Charlie Brown said "Christmas is a time where you spend with family...and friends and with loved ones. That's the true meaning of Christmas
I felt sad after he said it because? I didn't have a family anymore and I didn't have a lot of friends"

I paused looking at the winter witch who watched me curiously. "So... instead I was a recluse. Only looking to be depressed. I wallowed in my sadness instead of looking at the beauty of the life I had. No matter how little it was.
I used to think I wasn't worthy of happiness because my parents died on a day that was supposed to represent so much.
I believed it was my fault they died and I blamed myself for their deaths for 17 years. I made sure I was miserable because I felt if that if I was miserable every year, then my punishment was working and..."

My words falter.

I stare at my feet, realization hitting my mind like a pack of bricks. I stare back at Nick, looking into his eyes and finally understanding a world I ever thought I would.

"But a wise man once told me that I have to remember the good times I spent with them. I loved my parents while they were alive and they loved me even when I thought I didn't deserve it.
My parents wouldn't be proud of the way I spent my Christmas these past years. They would want me to remember the times we baked cookies together and hung stockings and sang carols by the fire.

Christmas, the true meaning of Christmas is indescribable. Inexpressible.
It changes with each person. Someone may love Christmas and see it as joy and someone may hate it and see it as a time of sadness.

I came to the North Pole because I was curious. I never told Nick this, but I came here to prove him wrong. To prove that Christmas was just another holiday that didn't matter. That being Santa Claus was a selfish kink for him.
When I came to the North Pole, I expected snow and candy and a jolly old fat man and Rudolph, but I was met with castles and northern lights and elves that looked like basketball players."

I received a few chuckles before relaxing a bit.

"I met Santa Claus but the man who stood before me was nothing like the man I heard about in the songs on earth. Nick was vocal, domineering but compassionate for humans. He was hardworking... handsome" I blush and look to my hands.
"And I fell in love to be honest."

I hear someone gasp in the back. I guess it was Samantha? It was a bit dramatic but I ignored it.

"Sometimes your expectations don't meet your reality and that's okay.
Christmas to me means living in the moment. It means living and actually living. It's a time to reflect on the year you had no matter how bad or good it was. It is a time to realize that no matter what hardships, you are alive. It's the time to be appreciative of new friends." I turn my head back and look over at Drew. He stands a little taller.
I winked at Jingles and he whinnies.

"It's the time to be open to new relationships...one that could end with love?" I reach out and hold my hand towards Nick. He walks over and grabs it, kissing my lips with passion. I break from his warm embrace and smile.

"I can't imagine my life without Nick.
My home is his home and I am ready to assume my role as the next Ms. Claus.

I will make sure to show the Christmas spirit my way. To be happy...to be alive and show it. I'm not scared anymore of my future because I know Nick, Drew, and my new friends and family will be by my side, no matter what.
Thank you"

I nod, and wait for the council members to deliberate.
A few council members stare at me, whispering amongst themselves.
The Winter Fairy's eyes did not leave mine. Was she glaring or was it a look of admiration?

"You did great" Nick smirks, kissing my forehead.

"Stop it. I love chocolaté Easter eggs! Why did I say that!" He chuckles but holds my jaw straight. "Okay the beginning was bad but you finished strong. I especially liked the part where you referenced a wise man"

I blushed as he teased me. It was his words that snapped me from years of punishment and sadness. I hope he knew that.

"What do you think? Do I have a chance?"

"We'll the Winter Fairy won't stop staring at you. That's a good sign. She usually ignores women who she deems beneath her."

I nod making a mental note.

"And the water bunny is running his hands through his whiskers which means he's impartial. It could go either way" I take a peek to where Nick was staring and frown.

"Its Mother Nature who I should be worried about right? I mean she's the leader in all this?"

"Yes. She is the one—-" Nick's words stop as she stands from her chair.

"Wynter Rider?"

I separated from Nick and walk to the center of the room.

"We have deliberated. I won't lie, there are some reservations about your authenticity. You lied to the council of your origins. Even if it was Nick's idea, ou went along. "

I nodded, understanding their doubts.

"You are a mortal so having a mortal entity ruling  over a magical land might not translate as easily to the people."

"I understand" I say.

"And the last qualifying mark of the Claus line states the next Santa must be of magical blood. If you do not produce an heir to the line that posses the spirit of Christmas, the Claus line will end and Santa Claus legacy will be obsolete."

My heart drops as I hear her words. The end of the Claus line? But Nick never mentioned this to me? I turn to stare at Nick but he looks at me apologetically.

"Wynter... I meant to tell you but—" he starts to step towards me but Mother Nature cuts him off.

"If I could finish?"

I tried not to cry, only nodding my head in agreement.

"Despite all this, your answer represents not only the true meaning of Christmas but an every greater understanding of life itself.
Wynter Rider?
Welcome to the North Pole."

"Yas!!wheww!! TAKE THAT!"
I hear the celebratory cheers of Drew and Jingles behind me and smile. Soon after, Jack starts his fit of protest.
"NO WAY! Are you serious! THERE ARE RULES AND DECREES!"

I wanted to celebrate with Drew and Jingles but the new revelations did not take kindly with my spirit.

Nick comes over to my side and holds me close. He tried to explain the newest revelation but didn't have the words to say.

"There is no rule against a magical entity marrying a mortal but the date is December 24th Jack Frost. What is required is a union between Santa Claus and the future Ms. Claus met with a true love's kiss to seal the agreement. I advise you work fast before the clock strikes 12 and signals in a new day" Mother Nature advises before stepping down the podium. The rest of the council members follow her, leaving just Nick and I alone.

"THATS NOT FAIR!
This is an outrage! There are so many rules that have not been met!" Jack Frost expresses in fits of protest Nick lifts his fingers, signaling for his guards to escort him and Samantha out the castle.

"THIS ISNT OVER! NICK I WILL WIN! I ALWAYS WIN. And Wynter!!" I meet Jack's gaze. An eerie smile forms his lips. "YOU WILL BE BACK."

———

Author Note

Wow!
The next chapter is the last chapter! Can you believe it.
It's been a loooongggggg time coming. I hope all your questions have been answered and if not...we'll, there is a second book that will answer any lingering questions you may have.
See you soon!!