Poles Apart

by Ueckermann, Marion

  By the time they had made their way through the twelve days of Christmas, they’d added Hanhi, Joutsen, Neito, Nainen, Valtias, and Säkkipillinsoittaja—which they both agreed should be shortened to Säkki, even though the meaning changed from a piper to a sack. The final name chose was Rumpali.

  “I really like the names, Pupu. That was a great idea—one for each day since we met.”

  “Has it been twelve days already?”

  “Uh-huh.” Puckering his lips, Niklas blew Sarah a kiss. “It’s true what they say—that time flies when you’re having fun.”

  She smiled, then with her hand on her mouth, she released a yawn.

  “You’re tired. That was hard work, wasn’t it? I’m sorry. I know our language isn’t easy.”

  “No, it isn’t.” She pulled a sad face, her mouth drooping at the corners. “I wouldn’t make a very good Finn.”

  “I don’t know about that.” Niklas slid his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. He turned his head to Risto gazing out the side window, the pane smeared with drool. “What do you think about the names, Risto? Are they any good?”

  The dog let out a loud bark between pants.

  “I guess that means yes—don’t you think, Sarah?”

  “My Finnish might not be good, but my Golden Retriever is perfect. Definitely a yes.”

  Risto twisted around on the seat and walked to the opposite window. He squeezed his head through the gap beneath the headrest and licked Niklas’s ear before giving another loud bark.

  “Risto, please, my ears.”

  Sarah laughed, covering another yawn. The action did not escape Niklas’s attention,

  “Pupu, why don’t you rest? If you fall asleep, I’ll wake you when we’re close.”

  “All right.” She snuggled into his arm.

  Niklas slid a CD into the player, and Christmas carols permeated the silence that Sarah’s voice had filled. Even though the songs about the Savior’s birth soothed his soul, they did nothing for his nerves. The closer they got to Korvatunturi, the bigger the gnawing in his stomach grew.

  He glanced down at Sarah several times, asleep on his shoulder. He had fallen madly in love with her, and he’d rather this drive was to tell her only that, than to confess.

  Sarah woke as Niklas turned off the car’s engine.

  “Are we there already?” She straightened, combing her hair with her fingers.

  “Almost. Just stopping to grab a bite to eat. You hungry?”

  “A little. Those makkara you cooked for breakfast were quite filling, so something small will do. Takeaway. I’m anxious to see where we’re going.”

  “Wait here with Risto. I’ll hurry inside and get us each a sandwich and coffee. That OK?”

  She nodded.

  When Niklas returned to the car, Risto sat upright on the back seat, Sarah’s red and white scarf tied in a knot around his neck. “And that?” He gave her a quizzical look as he handed her a coffee cup and ham, cheese and cucumber sandwich on dark bread.

  “I was bored. Besides, he looks Christmassy now.”

  After they’d finished eating, they drove for another twenty minutes before Niklas parked the car beneath a snow-laden tree close to his childhood home.

  Sarah took in the surroundings. “It’s beautiful here.”

  “You haven’t seen anything yet. Wait until we get there.”

  “We’re not there yet?”

  “No. This is only where we change our mode of transport. There are no roads where I’m taking you.”

  “No roads? Why?” She leaned over and retrieved her journal from the floor where she’d set it down earlier then tucked it back into her bag.

  Niklas lowered his voice. “Because this is a secret place.”

  She let out a laugh. “Whatever you say.”

  “Come. Follow me.” He grabbed her hand and began to run down the hill toward their ride. Risto bounded through the snow between them.

  At the bottom of the small hill, stood the log cabin where he was born, but he’d save that info for later.

  The sight before him affirmed the magic of this place. Eight reindeer stood waiting, already hitched to a beautiful red two-seater sleigh. Silver trimmed the edges, and a curly pattern in the same color decorated the sides.

  “That’s so beautiful. We’re going on a sleigh ride?” Their pace slowed, and Sarah slid her hand into Niklas’s as they walked the rest of the way.

  “I promised you one.”

  “You did?”

  As Santa.

  She gave him a gentle nudge and grinned. “Did you call ahead to organize this?”

  He shook his head.

  “Oh really? I suppose they miraculously knew we were coming and got ready all by themselves?”

  “Almost.” With a little assistance from dad’s helpers. Reindeer could never hitch themselves to a sleigh. That’s ludicrous.

  Sarah tipped her head back, and her laughter filled the air. “You’re too funny, Niklas.”

  Her giggles subsided, and she glanced at him. Her smile faded, too. “You’re serious.”

  “Sarah, in Korvatunturi, all the secrets of Christmas are revealed. You’ll see.” He hoped. If she was truly his soulmate, this place would reveal all to her. If not, all she’d see would be a beautiful landscape. No secrets whispered. No nothing.

  Her eyes widened. “We’re in Korvatunturi?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where Santa Claus’s home and workshops are?”

  “Yes.” If you could call their global toy manufacturing business workshops. More like distribution centers.

  “But I thought—” She shook her head. “I don’t understand. I was told by—”

  Change the subject. Quick.

  “Would you like to touch a reindeer?”

  “Do they bite?”

  “Not my reindeer.”

  “Your reindeer?”

  Oops. Didn’t matter. Soulmate or not, Sarah would need to know the truth. Today.

  “Yes.” He slid his hand down the first reindeer’s coat. “This is Ajatusviiva. He’s the fastest, always in a hurry, that’s why he’s up front, taking the lead. Usually he’s very calm, but sometimes he can be a little wary of strangers. Come, say hello.”

  Hesitant, she reached out and touched the animal. It stared at her, wide-eyed, not budging.

  “Go closer, Pupu. Ajatusviiva loves hugs.”

  “I—is it safe?”

  “I would never put you in danger.”

  Sarah took a step forward and snuggled into the reindeer’s fur. “He’s so soft.” She glanced back. Ajatusviiva still stared at her. “And such deep blue eyes.”

  “They’re not always that color. They change to blue in the winter—helps them see in the dim light.”

  “What fascinating creatures.”

  “Let me introduce you to the others then we can go.” Niklas walked down the row of reindeer on the right. Sarah followed. “Next we have Tanssija, Vallaton, and Pyrstötähti. He’s very strong and stubborn, so he’s positioned at the back to rein him in.” He walked around the back of the sleigh to the other side, giving the first reindeer’s back a rub. “This is Naaraskettu, then Amoriini. She’s is a real sweetheart and loves hugs, too.” Niklas wrapped his arms around the female’s neck. As he moved away, she stuck out her long tongue and licked his cheek. He laughed, wiping the reindeer saliva from his face. “Amoriini, that tickles.”

  Sarah gave the deer a wide berth. “Thanks, darling, but I think I’ll pass.”

  “You might want to steer clear of the next one, as well. Ukkonen is rather moody. Could be time to retire him. He is getting old.”

  Niklas patted the last reindeer’s rump. “Vaalentamiseen. Runs like the wind, too, so he’s paired here up front with Ajatusviiva.”

  “They’re gorgeous. So healthy. What do they feed on to be in such good condition?”

  “Lichens. There sort of a combination of fungi and algae.”

  “Sounds yummy...not.�
� She made a gagging gesture causing Niklas to chuckle.

  “In autumn, the reindeer love the abundance of mushrooms.”

  “Did you name all your reindeer?”

  “No. My father did.”

  “They have nice names. You should get him to take a second look at the puppy name list.”

  “I don’t think that’s necessary. I like the Sarah list.”

  She lowered her gaze, her mouth curving up at the sides. “Thank you. So, the reindeers’ English names...what would they be?”

  “Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen, of course.”

  “Very funny. And I thought you didn’t have reindeer by those names.”

  “I don’t. Just like I don’t have puppies named, Partridge, Dove, Hen—”

  Sarah held up her hands. “Stop. I get the idea. But, no Rudolph, or his Finnish equivalent?”

  “Purely a myth, Sarah. Where would you ever find a red-nosed reindeer?” He turned Vaalentamiseen’s snout toward them. White skin eased into dark brown fur. “See. Not a spot of red to be seen, on any of them.”

  “That’s a pity. I like the idea of a red-nosed reindeer.”

  “I’ll bear that in mind for the future.” Niklas strolled back to the sleigh and climbed inside. He held out his hand to Sarah, helping her into the seat beside him. Risto scurried into the sleigh, bulldozing his way from the floorboard onto the seat between them, and then over to the rear of the sleigh—the gift box.

  “Risto!” Would his dog ever learn manners?

  Niklas lifted the reigns and slapped the leather straps against the reindeer, commanding them to move forward. “Mennä.”

  Flying over the snow, the reindeer dodged trees, finally coming to a stop at the top of a hill. Santa’s roller coaster. He loved it.

  Without a word, Niklas stepped out of the sleigh and walked across the snow to a nearby bush. He yanked a twig from it then slid his gloves from his hands. This shouldn’t take long.

  From a snow-covered ledge, he gazed across the landscape below, his fingers working the soft, thin twig. This place was his heartbeat. All the secrets, dreams and wishes of Christmas—the best of them all being Jesus. How many hours hadn’t he spent here growing up, worshipping and communing with his Father?

  Hearing Sarah approach with Risto, he dropped the reshaped twig into his pocket and retrieved his gloves, his hands finding heat once again.

  She linked her arm in his and released a sigh. “This is amazing—like frosting on a cake, dabbed with a palette knife to form peaks.”

  “Shh. Just close your eyes, Sarah, and listen.”

  She obliged, and for a while, all that could be heard was the gentle wind and their breathing.

  Then, without warning, Sarah twisted toward him. “It was you, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes.” Niklas breathed in deep. Yes. She could hear the secrets of Korvatunturi. She was the one—his soulmate.

  Turning, he pulled Sarah into his embrace. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t tell you before and that I tried to fool you into believing it was Santa, not me. Sarah, I would never intentionally hurt you. I had a good reason, which at the moment doesn’t seem like a reason at all.”

  “Y—you’re the son of Santa.”

  “I am.”

  “But, how can I know this? That you’re his son? I’d been so certain you were the man himself, and then convinced myself that I’d been wrong. How is it possible that I know exactly who you are now? No doubts?”

  “Because you’re in Korvatunturi, that’s why.”

  “Where all the secrets of Christmas can be found? Where you said I couldn’t go—you couldn’t take me? What changed?”

  “I did.” He pulled Sarah closer, bringing his mouth to hers. “Minä rakastan sinua. I love you, Sarah Jones.”

  She responded to his kiss—a good sign.

  He gazed into her eyes, losing himself in their pools of blue. “I’m bound by an age-old oath never to reveal who the real Santa Claus is. I had to keep my word to my father.”

  “But if you’re bound, why have you broken your promise now?”

  “Because there is one person I can break that oath with. One place I can do that. Right here, with my spouse.”

  “But—”

  Placing his finger on her lips, Niklas silenced her. “I know it’s premature to have brought you here, but I wanted the slate to be clean when I asked you. And this was the only way I could do that.”

  A frown carved small lines into her forehead. “Ask me what?”

  Holding her hands, Niklas went down on his knees. “Sarah Jones, I know we’ve only known each other a short while, but time cannot change the way I feel about you. All it can do is make my feelings grow stronger.”

  He pulled the glove from his hand once more and shoved his hand into his pocket, bringing out the circular band he’d made from the mistletoe twig. The single white berry still clung tight. “I don’t have a ring right now, but will this suffice in the meantime?” He held out the makeshift ring, laying in the center of his palm, to Sarah. “Will you be the one who’ll stand under the mistletoe with me until I’m old and gray?” He swallowed hard. “Will you marry me?”

  Sarah’s mouth opened but words failed.

  Niklas rose to his feet. “Celebrate Christmas Eve dinner with me and my parents tonight, and you’ll understand better.” If you could see the devotion I have toward them and theirs to each other, you’ll know why I tried to remain faithful to my oath never to tell.

  “I—I can’t.”

  His heart sank. “Why? Don’t you forgive me? Don’t you feel the same way about me?”

  “I do. And I forgive you. How could I possibly hold this against you?” Sarah smoothed her fingers through his hair, her hand coming to rest at the back of his head. “I love you, too, Niklas, but I can’t meet your parents. Ever.”

  “Ever? Why?”

  Red tinged her cheeks, and she averted her gaze. “Because I’ve already met your father. And that meeting did not go well.”

  Why couldn’t he have told her all this before she’d tried to rip Santa’s beard from his face?

  “You did what?” Niklas doubled over, his laughter echoing through the valley below.

  “Are you seriously asking me to relive my most embarrassing moment while you get a kick out of my faux pas? Shame on you, Niklas.” Stooping, Sarah scooped up a handful of snow, packed it tight and threw it at him. The cold, powdery ball hit its target and exploded, spraying millions of tiny snowflakes into the air.

  He wiped the snow from the side of his face. “No, my pupu, I’m not. I promise. But I do wish I were a fly on the wall yesterday. I can just see Isä—”

  “I did see him. That’s why I can’t face your father.”

  “Sarah, remember that my father is the creator of ‘ho-ho-ho’. I can assure you he found the whole event amusing. Besides, he’s used to having his beard tugged by children.” Niklas smoothed his hand over his jaw. “Ask me, I know.”

  “Humph, I doubt it. Kids tugging at his beard is one thing. Having a crazy woman lunge at him, something entirely different. Believe me, I’m the last person he’d want to see.”

  Niklas’s smile stuck to his face as if the cold had already frozen it in place. He pulled his cell phone from his jacket pocket. “Why don’t we ask him?”

  “Isn’t he flying around the world on his sleigh about now…somewhere over Australia perhaps?”

  “Another myth, Pupu. With Santa’s Village closing at midday today, Christmas Eve is one of the rare moments he does get to relax during this busy season.” He dialed a number and put the phone on speaker. It rang three times before the voice Sarah had heard for the first time yesterday—and hoped never to hear again—sounded from the phone.

  “Niklas, my boy. When are you coming over? It’s Christmas Eve. Äiti, has been baking the entire morning. All your favorite things. And lots of pulla. Ha-ha-ha.”

  “Isä, I wish I could be there now, but I’m a
fraid I’ll only make it home in time for dinner.”

  “Why, Son? Where are you?”

  “Korvantunturi.”

  “Ahh...”

  Sarah’s gaze shot from the phone to Niklas as she mouthed, “What does he mean by ‘Ahh...’?”

  “I’m bringing someone special home for dinner tonight. Do you mind?”

  His father chuckled. “Sarah Jones from South Africa?”

  Sarah’s eyes widened, her mouthing a little more verbal this time. “How did he...?”

  Leaning over, Niklas whispered in Sarah’s ear. “Korvantunturi.”

  “Only one beauty hailing poles apart from here darkened my door these past few days, Niklas.”

  “Darken? He hates me,” Sarah mumbled.

  Niklas shook his head, his voice low. “No, he doesn’t. I can tell he already loves you.”

  The old man cleared his throat. “I might not be there, but I am still here.”

  “Isä, I’m sorry. You’re quite right. So, do you mind if I bring Sarah home to meet you and Äiti?”

  “It’s about time you brought a girl home, Son. We would love it. I’ll tell your mother. And I look forward to meeting Miss Jones. Again.”

  A giggle slipped from Sarah’s lips and she clamped her hand to her mouth.

  “See you later, Isä.”

  “Drive safe, Niklas. And don’t forget to keep your eyes on the skies. I hear the aurora borealis will be out later in glorious colors—heaven celebrating the birth of the Savior.”

  “We will, Father.”

  Around them the skies had already begun to darken as Niklas cut the call.

  He clasped Sarah’s face in his hands, his fingers spreading to her hairline. “I told you he loves you.”

  You did.

  Releasing her, he bent down and began to roll a snowball, pushing it along in the snow. It didn’t take long to change from a tennis ball size to something resembling a football. “Do you want to build a snowman together? Before it gets too dark. The snow’s just right.”

  “I’d love nothing more.”

  Niklas continued to roll the snowball. It grew bigger and bigger. He heaved the large ball one more time before leaving it and starting on another. “That’s the lower body done. This one will be the mid-section.”