by Sable Sylvan
“Mommy, it’s not Christmas yet,” said the kid with a giggle. “Mister…are you a real reindeer?”
“Well, did you see a real reindeer fly down onto your lawn?” asked Connor, getting down on the kid’s level, looking back at the mom, and then at the kid. “Santa Claus noticed you’d been real good this year, and you’re on his Nice List! That’s why he sent me here to give you some early presents.”
“You’re one of Santa’s reindeer?” asked the kid. “Wow!”
“Yup, and I’d love to stay and hang out – but I have to go make more deliveries, to other special kids,” said Connor. “I hope you understand. Here.”
Connor reached into his pocket and pulled out the bag of trinkets given to him by Krampus. He pulled out a tiny pin with a pair of reindeer horns on it, resembling the small captain’s wings he used to give out to kids on his flight that toured the cockpit.
“Wow, this is for me?” asked the kid.
“Remember – whatever you want to do, you can do, if you work hard, and stay just as Nice as you are now,” said Connor. He stood up and nodded at the woman.
“You know, when the bakery called and said they were going to make a delivery, I thought that they were going to send a frikkin’ delivery van – not a flying reindeer,” said the woman. “Wow. I don’t know how to thank you. Money’s been tight, and I haven’t seen a smile on Jeanine’s face in a week! She’s watched as all the other kids have gotten special treats, but all we’ve been able to do is watch the Christmas specials on TV, and see the lights – because looking’s free, isn’t it? I’m a single mom, so, every little bit helps – but I guess the bakery’s given us more than a little bit. Is there anything I can do to thank you? Make you lunch? Get you a cup of coffee?”
“One day, if you can, pass this Christmas magic on – and if you can’t, keep on raising your girl right,” said Connor. “I do have to be going now, ma’am, – but have a very, very Merry Christmas!”
Connor exited the drafty house and took off from the lawn. He could hear the kid excitedly talk to her mom. He made sure to turn back and nod at the girl. He was not surprised to see the girl and her mom waving back at him.
Connor hit the tarmac and was given the next address by Noel. Noel loaded him up with gifts, and he was off like a shot. The second house was further away than the first house by a long shot. He could hardly spot it through the forest cover, but he found it by the smoke coming from the chimney.
Connor landed in the forest near the house. As he walked toward the house, he noticed they were out of firewood, as all they had in the woodpile was sticks. Nearby, there was a snowman, with teeny-weeny sticks for arms. This was indeed a family in need.
Never seen folks that poor – even in Nuthusk, commented Connor.
Well, at least now you see what it’s like for folk that don’t have what you have – a community that supports them, said Comet. The Wreath is lovely…but there’s still folks in need, folks that need help.
Well, at least we’re helping, said Connor.
We? Last time I checked, it was my form that was flying through the air, not your puny human body! Comet commented.
Before Connor could reply, he spotted a flash of metal. He turned toward the light and found himself staring down the barrel of a shotgun held by a frowning woman flanked by two kids.
“Guess we’re havin’ venison for Christmas dinner, kids,” said the woman.
Connor quickly shifted – a reckless move, as the woman could’ve shot him as soon as she saw him move. Luckily for Connor, she was more concerned with her children’s’ safety than with a free meal.
“Okay, what in tarnation is this?” asked the woman. “You just…and now you’re…and your clothes are still on…”
“I’m Connor, I’m from Bear Claw Bakery, I’m just here to deliver the baked goods,” said Connor, holding his hands up in the air as the two kids scrambled around him to put the pastries back in the baskets. To Connor’s surprise, the kids didn’t take the baskets – they held them up toward Connor.
“You dropped your things, mister,” said the boy.
“Here, mister,” said the girl. “We got everything back in. Didn’t steal anything.”
Connor looked up at the mom and then got down on the kids’ level.
“Actually – those baskets, and this basket here, are all for you,” said Connor. “It’s for you, and you, and your mom. I came here to make a really special delivery from Santa Claus so that you could have some sweet treats for the holiday.”
“You did?” asked the woman. “Kids…why don’t you take these things inside?”
“But I want to talk to the reindeer!” said the boy.
“Hey – be careful! It’s Christmas season, so Santa wants to know who’s Naughty and Nice,” said Connor. “You gonna be Nice for your mama, or you gonna be Naughty?”
“Nice, nice!” said the girl and boy, and they took the baskets off to the small log cabin.
“Sorry about this,” said the woman, motioning to her shotgun. “I’m protective. I’m all those two kids have got – given I took’m in after their parent’s accident.”
“I see,” said Connor. “My condolences. You did sign up for the bakery giveaway, right?”
“I did, but, to tell you the truth, a lot of folk are all talk, no follow-through, so I didn’t expect anything to come to fruition,” said the woman. “I saw a big thing with antlers, something that didn’t look much like a reindeer with those baskets hanging off its head, and to tell you the truth – the first thing I thought was, ‘wendigo.’ Why are your clothes…?”
“Not in scraps on the ground? I’m one of Santa’s eight reindeer, temporarily, and that makes me magic, and I’m doing what I can to make Christmas special for the kids,” said Connor. “Do you mind if I give the kids a special present from Santa?”
“Santa has a gift for them?” asked the woman. “That…wow. That’s something else. I thought Santa wasn’t real – otherwise, how would he forget about folks like us? Guess he didn’t forget after all.”
The woman led Connor into the warm and cozy log cabin. The kids were playing under a Christmas tree decorated with wooden ornaments.
“Hey, kids, aren’t you forgetting to thank the nice man?” asked the woman.
“Thank you, mister reindeer!” said the kids in unison.
“I got one last delivery to make today – a delivery for the two of you,” said Connor, getting down on the kids’ level, reaching into his jacket pocket, and pulling two pins out of the bag. “These reindeer pins are meant to remind you of what you saw today – Christmas magic. Remember to keep being good and Nice, and your wildest dreams come true. Trust me, I’m a shifter – I know about ‘wild.’”
“Wow,” said the girl.
“Whoa!” said the boy.
Connor passed the pins to the woman, who pinned the badges on her niece and nephew’s Christmas sweaters. The niece and nephew ran off to the bathroom to look at their new pins up close.
“How can I thank you?” asked the woman. “Perhaps some tea? We were just about to sit down to lunch. I haven’t seen Beatrice and John so happy in…well, since before, you know.”
“I need no thanks, ma’am – just keep doing what you’re doing, protecting your kin, and raisin’ them right,” said Connor. “I best be leaving now – more kids, more deliveries.”
“Kids! Come say goodbye!” ordered the woman.
The two kids came running out and hugged Connor around his knees.
“Thanks, mister!” said the girl.
“Thanks so much!” said the boy.
“I’ve got to fly off now,” said Connor, getting down on their level and hugging the kids back. “You all have a Merry Christmas.”
“Wait – you can fly?” asked the woman. “Do you mind if we…?”
“Not at all!” said Connor.
Connor walked outside and turned into Comet. The kids came out and watched as Connor took off into the air.
> Connor hit the tarmac. By now, he was in sync with Noel, like the passengers on a women’s college alumnae cruise. Noel got Connor kitted out with baskets and showed him the next address. Connor flew out, far past the forest, up into the snowcapped rocky hills and mountains of Montana.
Connor had no trouble finding the house. The bright red brick house stuck out of the mountains like the giant red candy cane that marked the actual North Pole. He landed in the snow and walked his way up to the lawn. He shifted into his human form and walked up to the door. He knocked and waited.
“Hello?” called Connor, before ringing the bell. “Hello?”
A woman opened the door a crack.
“Yes, hello? Can I help you?” she asked curtly. “What do you want? Who are you?”
“I’m Connor, I’m here from Bear Claw Bakery, and I got three baskets of goodies for you and yours,” said Connor. “Merry Christmas.”
Connor turned to leave, but the woman called out for him to come back, so he turned tail.
“Do you, uh, want some coffee?” asked the woman.
“You know what? Don’t mind if I do,” said Connor with a grin, following after the woman.
“Gina! Tina! Microwave a mug of coffee for this nice man,” called the woman.
“Yes, ma,” called a pair of teen girls. Connor heard the pitter patter of feet as the girls made their way down the wooden staircase of the cozy house.
“Who’s this?” asked one of the twin girls.
“Yeah, who is he?” asked the other.
“Girls, this is Connor – the delivery man from the Bear Claw Bakery in town,” explained the woman. “He has a full day of deliveries to make, so how about we get him some coffee?”
Connor carried the baskets of treats into the kitchen. There were small things about the house that made it look more than just lived in, but needy. The tea towels were tattered and threadbare, patched – tea towels with holes would’ve been tossed in most houses. The mug that was set out for his coffee had a chip in it. The home was cozy, but this was definitely a family in need.
Connor put the baskets down on the kitchen counter.
“Is it just the three of you up here?” asked Connor.
“Yes,” said the woman. “It’s just my two daughters and me, ever since the divorce.”
“I see,” said Connor. “I’m surprised your girls still believe in Christmas, at their age.”
“And why wouldn’t we believe in Christmas?” asked one of the girls, who Connor realized was wearing a knit sweater with a big ‘G’ on the front – which made that girl Gina. That meant the other, in the sweater with a giant ‘T’ on the front, must’ve been Tina.
“Lot of kids don’t believe in Christmas as they get older,” said Connor.
“Well, Christmas is a special time of year – the one time of year we get presents,” said Tina.
“Yeah, a time where you can feel the magic in the air – and in hugs from your family, and in mugs full of cocoa,” said Gina. “What about you, mister? Are you too old to believe in Christmas?”
“Not at all,” said Connor, reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out the pouch of pins. He took out two pins and held them out for the girls, as the microwave heated the mug of coffee.
“What’re those?” asked the mom.
“I’m one of Santa’s reindeer, and he wants to make sure every kid gets a special gift this Christmas,” said Connor. “That’s why he wanted to make sure kids got nice baskets of pastries – and something that lasts longer than a muffin. These pins are for the two of you. They’re reindeer horns – to remind you that you don’t need to be a magical reindeer to spread Christmas joy and magic.”
“Wow, I don’t know what to say,” said the mom. “Living up here, away from other folk, I sometimes doubt whether there’s true goodness in the world, whether people really care, but…apparently, someone out there cares about us. It’s enough to have me believing that there might just be something special about this season, something special…about Christmas.”
“I do,” said Gina with a grin. “Thanks!”
“Thank you very, very much,” said Tina. The microwave dinged. Tina passed the mug to Connor. The black coffee was barely warm – so it wasn’t too hot for Connor to chug down.
“Thanks for the coffee, but, I really must be going, to make deliveries for all the other good boys and girls,” said Connor. “You want to see some real Christmas magic?”
“How?” asked Tina.
“Maybe it’s just easier if I showed you,” said Connor.
Connor walked to the front door, followed by the mom and her two daughters. Once he was out the front door, he looked back at the trio, and then, shifted, instantly, into a reindeer. He jumped in the air and took off, the girls behind him squealing with delight as they saw a real live flying reindeer. It was proof that kids were never too old to believe in Christmas magic.
Chapter Seven
Christmas Eve Eve, 2011
Nine deliveries later, Connor was done – having met a dozen families in need, hearing their stories, seeing their homes, and bringing smiles to the faces of the single moms (or mother figures) and their kids (of all ages). He landed back on the tarmac, where Noel was waiting for him…along with someone who was heated from within by hellfire and therefore did not need a thick winter coat.
“Hey,” said Connor, after he shifted back into his human form. “Sorry that took so long.”
“Connor –” started Krampus.
“I know, I know, I said I’d be done by three, and it’s at least four,” said Connor. “Some of those houses were far…and high. Ironic that me, a pilot, didn’t account for the height.”
“Connor,” said Krampus.
“I’ll make up all the work I missed, and –” started Connor
“Connor!” bellowed Krampus. “I’m trying to tell you something important, boy, and you don’t seem to be listening. I need you to shut up for half a damned second so I can say what I’m here to say.”
“Oh, sorry,” said Connor. “What is it?”
“Congratulations, Connor – you got off of The Naughty List,” said Krampus.
“I what?” asked Connor.
“Look at your mark,” ordered Krampus.
Connor unbuttoned his shirt. The mark on his chest had changed. The green word ‘Naughty’ had been replaced by one word, in bright fire truck red – ‘Nice.’
“I don’t get it,” said Connor. “What did I do?”
“You helped someone believe in Christmas magic – a lot of someones,” said Krampus. “Those single moms you delivered the baked goods to – you put smiles on their kids’ faces, which has the parents believing in the magic of the holiday season. Congratulations. You’re off of The Naughty List – but you still have to do The Ride, and you still need to claim a fated mate to seal in your shift. You were sent here because you were in danger of succumbing to mate madness. That means you still need to claim your fated mate to keep your shift, or else, you will lose your shift forever.”
“So do I get my shift back now or what?” asked Connor.
“You can’t handle having two shifts at once, so, you’ll get it back permanently after The Ride,” said Krampus.
“So I don’t really get it back early at all!” said Connor.
“You didn’t let me finish – you can get it back early if you want, but you will need to switch back into being a reindeer for The Ride, and every time you want to switch shifts, you’ll need to use the globe,” said Krampus. “I don’t trust you not to break the snow globe, so, just come to me when you want your shift.”
“What if I want it right now?” asked Connor.
“Great, you can have it right now, nobody cares,” said Krampus. “You just physically cannot handle having two powerful shifts in your body at a time, so you can only have one at a time. That’s literally all I’m saying. Humans. So testy!”
“And my mark?” asked Connor.
“You can have tha
t back, and you can claim someone with just your mark, and not your shift,” said Krampus. “For example, if Comet was in your spirit, and not your bear, but you have your mate mark, you can still claim a mate.”
“Got it,” said Connor. “Got off The Naughty List, so I only have one thing left – claiming a mate.”
“Okay, okay, whatever. I don’t care about what you’re going to do with your penis. Just be back by tomorrow morning. You can have the rest of the day and night off – for good behavior. Goodbye,” said Krampus, pulling his chain off his neck, and muttering, “Humans. I don’t see what the fuss is all about. Not like they’re particularly good penises either. No wonder the aliens –” Before Krampus could finish, he had teleported through his chain portal.
Suddenly, Krampus’s portal opened up again. Krampus reached through the portal and slapped Connor right in the chest.
“Ouch! What was that for?” asked Connor, rubbing his chest.
“Forgot to give you back your mark,” said Krampus. “Merry Christmas, bye.” The portal closed again.
“So…that was freaky-deaky,” said Noel. “You want a ride back to The Wreath?”
“Not exactly,” said Connor. “I have…a weird favor to ask you.”
“What is it?” asked Noel.
“You’re my only ride, or I wouldn’t be asking this, but…how would you feel about, uh, going sledding with me?” asked Connor.
“What?” asked Noel.
“Look – I haven’t had time off in a long time, and back home, I would always go sledding with my brothers,” said Connor. “I can’t exactly go home for the day, and sledding by myself…well, that’s no fun, is it?”
“I wouldn’t know – because, well, I’ve actually never been sledding,” admitted Noel.
“You’ve never been sledding?” asked Connor. “Now we have to go sledding.”
“I don’t ‘have’ to do anything,” said Noel, arms crossed. “I’m going to go with you, so that we can knock this off our seasonal bucket-list, and so that, if my dumb-ass hits a frikkin’ tree, there’s somebody who can identify my curvy-ass body and let my next of kin know that I died doing what I love – being badass.”