Page 4 of Merrily Yours
Gabe leans forward. “What does the winner get?”
“That’s the best part.” I shrug nonchalantly and rub my belly. “The winner gets to be Santa this year.”
A collective gasp echoes through the dining room. Ever since we were old enough, one of us has gotten the covetedresponsibility each year of being Santa for the whole family. It means we are in control of who gets to open what presents and in what order on Christmas morning.
Everyone is extra nice to that year’s Bardot Santa in hopes that they’ll get to open their gifts first. It’s so silly, but I know they all want it.
“But if we’re in teams, there will be two winners,” Anders breaks the silence.
“Obviously, rock paper scissors will determine who Santa is,” I say.
Anders gasps, Gabe’s eyebrows scrunch in, and Ben drums his fingers together.
“Best two out of three?” Jules asks, and I know I’ve got them.
“Best two out of three,” I confirm.
“Deal,” they reply in unison.
“You’re diabolical with that Santa plan, Baby Bardot,” Anders says as we snuggle into bed later that night. “You have to help me win.”
“I will not!” I reply. “It’s every Santa candidate for himself out there.”
“I don’t get an advantage for sleeping with one of the judges?” he asks. “What kind of democracy is this?”
“There are no rules at the North Pole, I’m afraid.”
“Seems like the elves would riot.”
I roll over to face him. “Oh, they do. Don’t you remember the year they fought for elves rights and no one got presents?”
“I feel like that was just Elaine and Hugo’s way of punishing you four for causing chaos.”
“Could be. Dad did end up giving in and giving us our presents, so maybe this is all just lore. Who could know?”
“Who could know?” he echoes, chuckling and pulling me to lay on his chest.
We lay in silence for a few minutes before Anders says, “I’m glad to be home.”
“Me too, killer. I miss it here.”
“We’ll move back one day,” he promises. “Elodie loves it too.”
I sigh. “I’d like that. I’m happy in the city, I really am…” I can feel him nod against the top of my head. “And I’m happy to support your dreams. We could stay in the city if you wanted to keep acting for the next thirty years.”
“We’ll just keep our options open, yeah?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I agree.
I keep my head on his chest and listen as his breaths even out. I’m getting close to falling asleep when he says, “The poster is a little creepy, isn’t it?”
“But in, like, a hot way,” I reply. “We should take it home with us.”
“How did she even get it?” Anders asks.
“I don’t question Elaine’s ability to get shit done. Weirder things have occurred in this house.”
“True,” he muses.
