"All the Claus family will be there. My great uncles and aunts some nephews and nieces. The first Santa will be there too" Nick went over a list of persons so I could prepare myself for what was soon to come.

"Every past Santa clause? In the same room?" I stop looping popcorn onto the thread.

"You said you wanted a big family? Here's your family" Nick teased, popping a few morsels into his mouth. It was New Year's eve and he and I were looping popcorn onto a thread. Well, he was using his magic to loop it through while I was using my hands.

I stood up to start decorating the rest of the large Christmas tree in the middle of the foyer. The servants insisted they decorate it but I refused them the right. It was a way Nick and I could bond.

There was a tall silver ladder that the servants had left in case of any high points we couldn't reach. We were in charge of any last-minute decorations before his family arrived.

Nick lifted his hands and used his magic, making all the decorations float into the air and onto the tree in an instant.

"Nick!" I frown, crossing my arms in annoyance. "I wanted to decorate... normally."

"Really?" He looked surprised as if it was a tedious chore.

"It's my first Christmas and decorating distracts me from...a lot" I whisper, thinking back to the chandelier that almost landed on me just a few days prior. He stands from his chair and comes up the ladder behind me, holding my waist near. "Sorry, Wyn. I forgot" he kisses my neck. "You're right. I should have remembered" He turns my jaw so he could kiss my lips with remorse before helping me decorate little by little, passing me crystal ornaments and peppermint candy.

"I wanted a big family but all at once?" I break the silence of the atmosphere. He smirked and pulled me into his arms.

"What's wrong with meeting them all at once?"

"If they're anything like you're father then I am in trouble" I frown.

"Stop worrying Wyn." He lifts me off the ladder and carries me down. "They'll love you. Just like I do" I giggle wrapping my arms around him as we touch the floor. We stare into each other's eyes. He was my new peace.

"Plus, if I'm Santa Claus and I'm the boss...you're Mrs. Claus and that makes you boss. People have to like us 'cause we're in charge" He loops an arm around my waist, escorting me up the stairs to our room.
Drew slides down the railing of the stairs, messing up the decorations the servants just placed.

"Drew!" Nick groaned, annoyed at his immaturity.

"Wyn you ready to meet our family!" His light green eyes beamed with mischief as he waited for my response.
"I suppose Drew."

"Think of it! All the clauses in one room. I think there should be over 50 Santa's! Imagine that! All of them looking at you, judging you, looking at every imperfection—-"

"I got it Drew!" I snapped, interrupting his monologue. Nick lifted his fingers and made a trail of tinsel wrap around his mouth.

"There. Fixed" He smirks, leading me up the rest of the way.

"Don't pay attention to him. He really has the biggest mouth on the Pole."

"I'm suprised he kept our fake engagement a secret. Don't you owe him for that?"

"Don't remind him" he frown, looking behind me to make sure he didn't hear it.

"Come on. Let's get ready"

——

A few hours later

"You ready?" Nick tied the last loop on his tie.

I frown, looking at my reflection in the mirror. I had on a long flowy gown of emerald with an emerald crown to match.
I was nervous but also a bit excited to meet his family. Maybe this party would be the time they actually grew to like me?

"My wife is a model" He whispers, pulling me into his arms. "you look beautiful Wyn"

I turn around to face him, "running my fingers against his chest. My husband is so hot." I smirk. He kisses my lips passionately before kissing my forehead.
"I think I smell fresh deer claws?" He says, walking towards the door.

"Are you sure it's not gingerbread cookies? Your mother would never host a party without them" I teased. He laughs before holding out his hand. I take it and we venture out the room, down the steps.

"Here we go" I whisper. I would either be welcomed into the family or ostracized.

We come out into the hallway and meet Nick's mom. She smiles, scanning over our outfits in approval before forcing a fake smile to her lips. "Nick! Wynter! How are you?" Her overly cheery disposition caused suspicions.

"Good...we were just about to go downstairs and meet the family" Nick explains, throwing a look of concern to me.

"Good. Great" the sides of her eyes wrinkle. "I just, wanted to say. That I'm very glad you found each other." She moves to grab my hands and squeezes it, "Wynter, there's a lot of magical entities down there...and...with you being—"

"Mom, surely your not asking Wynter to hide her background of being human?"

"No! Never Nicholas"

"Really? Because I'm pretty sure it sounded like that? And I know the former Mrs. Claus knows better than to threaten the future queen and heir to the North Pole?"

All I could do was look at Nick as he towered over his mom.

"Nicholas! Me! Never!"

"That's what I thought. Let's go Wyn" He grabs my hand and guides me downstairs.
——

We here laughter and carols as we walk down the grand staircase that led into the foyer. I guess I had to pretend like that encounter with his mom never happened.

"Nick—" I'm interrupted as Nick family sees us.

"Nick!!" They run to surround him. I stand to the side until Nick whispers something and points at me.

"Everyone?" He walks over to me and holds my waist. "I would like you to meet my wife. Wynter Rider."

Nick

They all looked at her before running and engulfing her into their arms.

"Oh! you are beautiful Wynter!"My aunt gushes.
"I didn't think Nick had it in him" my uncle cries.
"Wow! Are you sure you're not under a magic spell." My other nephew scoffs.
They tossed me to the side and focused on Wynter, eager to know everything about her.

"How dare we not get invited to the wedding!!"

"We're planning one. We had to get married due to circumstances and timelines." Wyn and I exchange glances and try not to laugh.

"When is it?" My aunt asks.

"We don't know yet, we haven't picked a date" I explained. We talk for a few more minutes before walking to the dinning table.

"Not too bad." I whisper, kissing Wynter's cheek.
She takes a glass of wine from a servant and sips it. "They accepted you with open arms."

"You think?" She brushed a loose curl that had found it's way to her cheek. "They don't know about me Nick and it'll come out eventually."

"And even when it does, they'll still accept you with open arms."

——

Wynter

"Thank you everyone for coming to celebrate New Years Eve with us in the North Pole. Happy new year!" Nick stood, lifting a glass at the head of the table.

They cheered and raised a glass to toast.

"So Wynter how is life in the North Pole?" One woman asked me. She had small, gold rimmed spectacles and a rosy face. She looked nice enough.

"Oh...it's new. I'm still adjusting and trying to get into the swing of things. The duties of Mrs. Claus mimics that of a queen"

"Because they are both. You are queen of The pole and Mrs. Claus. It takes time but you will find your rythm. That's coming from a former Mrs Claus" she winks. I nodded, smiling as she shared her wisdom.

"So Nick. How has life been at the Pole now that your father gave you free reign?" It was another man that looked like Santa Claus. I wish there were name tags or place cards.

"There has been some bumps in the road but we are getting through it." Nick explains, taking a sip of his wine.

"Bumps? Such as?" Another Claus man asks. I look over at Nicks mother and father as they tried to pretend as if they weren't the main cause for the bumps.

"Well..." Nick begins but I quickly grab his palm, trying to make him shut up. Not everyone had to know our business.

"Oh you know. No light. 24/7 winters. The crowds of people still gathered around the castle. The usual" I lie. I didn't want him disclosing our real issues.

"No. No. That's not it. Not all. Everyone! I have an announcement" Nick waited for the crowds to quiet.
"I brought you all here on selfish pretenses."

I squeezed Nick's hand but he squeezed it back. That was his way of telling me he needed to do this.
"You all have met Wynter, my wife. Well apparently she isn't good enough for my parents, specifically speaking, my mom, to help her take over the Pole. I came here to ask one of you...all of you...
any of you to help. I don't want my legacy to end becuase of something as silly as impure blood."

"Impure? But that means Wynter is" and that's when the whispers stared. Every eye seemed to be glued to mine as Nick made the announcement.

Nicks parents smirked with glee seeing the adverse reactions of the Claus Clan.

"Yes Wynter is a human. A non magical entity abs I love her"

"What?"
"I didn't know!"
"She carries herself like a queen!"

"But I said it that day, and I'll say it again. My time in the North Pole has been more difficult than necessary. You all had your period of ruling where you ruled the north and I am sure you remember the hardships and difficulties of figuring it out. Imagine if you didn't have someone to guide you to be the best leader you could be"

Nick

A few looked away, still shocked at the announcement. I was getting more discouraged by the minute.

"I ask one of you.
Just one, to aide my wife.
I love her and love the Pole.
I just want her...us to live here in peace"

It was quiet.
Dead quiet until my great great grandmother stood and smiled. Her husband stood with her as well and nodded. "If Wynter is good enough for Nicholas Theo Claus, then she is good enough for me. I will aide you dear" She came over and hugged Wynter then me. "You are family Wynter. You are a Claus"

"Thank you." Wynter smiles.

"And so will we! What good is it to be icy and cold? It does the body no good!" My other uncle stands and nods.

"And us too!"
"And us!"

Every Claus man and woman stood, declaring their allegiance to our family. They all came and surrounded Wynter and I. All fifty of them.

Wynter beamed and I smiled. I knew there was no lost hope. The spirit of Christmas was in all of them.

"To family." I cheer, holding up my glass.

"To family!" They all cheer.