Wynter

Jingle takes us back to he castle, just as Nick instructed.
Thanks Jingles! I kiss his cheek and walk inside. The palace seemed super quiet. I knew some of Nick's relatives had already left to start their journey back home.

Nick and I venture into the castle hand in hand. We were talking about everything and nothing as we giggled about my new position as CEO.

"There you two are" Drew smiles, greeting us at the door to our room as we entered in.

"Drew! Guess whose the new CEO of Claus Inc?"

"Jingles?" Drew smiles excitedly.

I frown and cross my arms over my chest. "No, Drew! Me?" I pointed.

"What?" He lets out a confused by justified laugh. "I thought Nick was...well" he stopped to think, pushing a finger to his chin, "Come to think of it, we never had a CEO"

My phone vibrates and I see a text from Vera. She had a sent a few pictures of wedding dresses and price ranges. "Vera wants another meeting with us."

"When?" Nick sighs sitting in his chair and taking off his shoes. I knew he was tired from the day. "Wednesday at 1pm"

"I can't Wyn. I got meetings all day. Also I have some figures I need you yo check out. Mitch wants an ETA of the stock in each warehouse"

"Okay. What about Thursday?" I look at my calendar app.

"No. Thursday's are meetings in the city. Even if I cancel one...no I'm sorry Wyn" he comes up to kiss my cheek before heading to the bathroom to wash his face.

"I guess I'll go by myself then" I whisper defeatedly.

"Why don't you ask Lizabeth to come?" Drew chimed.

"No way! Lizabeth feels snubbed because she's Nubia's party planner and I didn't ask her first"

"Well...why didn't you?" Nick asks, peeking from the doorframe. I couldn't answer their questions and it made me sad. Lizabeth wasn't only a coworker, she was my best friend! But it felt as if we were drifting apart and I didn't know how to fix it.

"Here." Nick takes out his wallet and hands me a black Amex. "Tell Vera to give you anything you want. Charge it on there. Then, buy yourself a nice dress or two. I'm taking you to dinner in the city."

"All three of us?" Drew chimed excitedly. Nick lifted his finger, making Drew's hoodie drag through the air. "Hey! Okay okay! I was just joking" he grumbled, taking the cue to leave.

"Thank you Nick" I smile, kissing his cheek and running to jump into bed. I felt beneath the pillows and pull out a sleek black folder titled wedding inspo"
"Since you're not going to be free during the day, I guess you can help pick wedding invitations?" I smirk.

Nick wipes his face clean with a towel and groans. "Do I have to?"

"I mean you don't have to but—" I pretend to cry, looking away to the distance.

"Fine. Fine!" He sighs, hopping into bed with me to look at the folder full of samples.

——

The next morning

"Here Drew!" I say, shoving two invitations in his hands. He looks at both of them and frowns.

"May 5th and June 6th?"

"Yes! 5/5 and 6/6. It looks chic right?" I point to the beautiful ribbons that bound the thick card-stock.
The human invitation was muted but elegant. A bright silver wedding bell was drawn on the center with a fancy silhouette drawing of Nick and I. Vera suggested we go for clean lines and elegant trim.

The North Pole invitation was overstated in contrast. When you opened it, a projection of a bright White Castle stood in its center. A line if reindeer flew through the snowy mountains and disappeared behind the castle.
There was a save the date tag at the bottom of the castle with a place to RSPV. It was an elegant and magical card that I cherished.

"So, are you coming?" I teased him, pulling a chair beside him.

"Yes, but I'll need a date for the North Pole wedding" he says. I frown and lean against the table.

"I know Drew. I wish she could come too. She's maid of honor and having her here would be perfect but, Nick says—"

"Who cares what he says! He's Santa, but you're Mrs. Claus. You have just as much say as he does Wyn" he grumbled.

I bit the inside of my cheek, thinking of his words. He was right. Drew had a right to tell Lizabeth about his life and all that it entailed.

"I'm not saying it'll happen, but lets say you and Lizabeth don't work out? How will you trust that she'll keep the secret? What happens if it accidentally slips out?"

"Nick took a chance with you didn't he?" Drew reminded me. He was right. I look into his soft green eyes and felt sad. I couldn't imagine keeping a secret as big as this from Nick.
Even hiding the dark magic spell book was weighing heavy on me.

"I'll talk to him."

"Thanks Wynter!" Drew lifted me in his arms before spinning me around. "You're the best!!" He squeezes me hard before letting me go and leaving me alone in the kitchen.

—-