And to All a Good Night (Part 4/4)

“All right, young man. Are you ready to go?” Santa asks.

“No, thank you. I think I’ll stay here for the night.”

“Why, are you sure, Michael? That would be very selfless of you.” Santa smiles knowingly at the little boy next to him.

“Yeah, I’m sure. Besides, I really shouldn’t leave my sister locked in the pantry all night. If I did, we probably wouldn’t have any food left for Christmas dinner.”

Santa guffaws noisily with his hand over his jiggling belly. “Yes, Michael, it’s probably best if you let Diana out of the closet.”

Michael nods, and hops down from the sleigh. For the first time he notices how cold he is, especially with the rooftop covered in snow. “Thank you for everything Santa. I better get back inside before I freeze.”

“You’re quite welcome, Michael.” Santa replies, his eyes twinkling. “And enjoy your presents tomorrow morning. “

Michael gasps. “You’re still giving me gifts?”

“Why, of course! It’s okay to make mistakes, Michael.” The little boy beams up at Santa before the old man goes on, more sternly. “However, I need you to do a few things for me.” Michael nods rapidly, ready for whatever instructions he might receive.

“Number one, never kidnap me again.” Santa’s lips twitch slightly as he says this, secretly amused by Michael’s plot to see the North Pole.“Number two,” he continues, “Make sure your mom and dad put milk into my cup. I can handle eggnog, but not whatever that stuff was.” Santa says this last part more to himself than to Michael, shivering slightly as he remembers the bitter surprise that met his lips when he took that first sip. “And number three: be kind to your sister. Twins are very special, and you should always look out for one another no matter what.”

Michael looks up sheepishly and asks, “Even when she’s being annoying?”

Santa chuckles, his belly wiggling as he booms, “Ho ho ho! Yes, Michael, even when she’s being annoying.”

“Okay, I guess that’s fair.” Michael concedes, rolling his eyes slightly. Then, he grins, taking one last look at Saint Nick. “Thanks again, Mr. Claus.”

“You’re welcome Michael. Now, go let your sister out and go to bed. I have a feeling you two are in for a wonderful Christmas morning.”

Michael beams, then makes his way over to the chimney. He looks into its dark depths, prays that he doesn’t end up with two broken legs, and jumps. Just like before, he lands softly and magically in an instant. Michael leaves the fireplace behind, slightly disappointed but still proud of himself. As he approaches the pantry door, Michael prepares himself for all the talking he’s about to do in order to avoid a whirlwind of pain. Sure enough, as soon as the doors open, Diana jumps to  her feet and gets up in Michael’s face.

“Diana, before you kill me, just listen. I didn’t go to the North Pole but Santa promised to still give us presents and he said that he wants us to go to bed so I think we should do what the old man says.”

Diana pauses for a moment, her fists still poised and lips still pursed. Then, she relaxes and reluctantly drops her fists. “You’re lucky I want to stay on the nice list.” With that, Diana wraps her arm around Michael’s shoulder and gives him a slight smile. Michael sighs in relief.

“Merry Christmas, Diana.”

Slowly and quietly, Diana and Michael make their way back up the spiral staircase, down the long hallway, and into their room. Instead of climbing up to the top bunk, Michael snuggles up next to Diana. They whisper excitedly for a few minutes, but fall silent when their minds begin racing too fast for their words. And then…

Click. Clack. Click. Clack.

“Are those–”

“I think they might be–”

“Reindeer!” The twins jump up and cross the room to look out the window. For a moment, the view looks the same as ever; a dark street lined with cars and sleds forgotten in front yards. Then suddenly, they see him—Santa Claus—soaring across the sea of stars. Eight reindeer pull him along, an iconic shadow etched across the canvas of the moon. Although Santa and the reindeer are far from the Hardy twins and their window, his booming voice echoes across the neighborhood.

“Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”