The Santa Clause: Does it Matter?
Title: Does it Matter?
Author: Serena-chan
Category: Movies
Sub-category: The Santa Clause
Rating: R
Genre: Romance, Angst
Pairing: Bernard / OFC - Original Female Character
Part 1-Prologue
I can still remember the first time I saw Bernard. It was the night that my dad's life changed forever, the night that my brother and myself's perspective of the world was altered, but in a good way.
Most kids grow up, slowly accepting the fact that all their childhood dreams were merely a fantasy, a fun sort of game, played by their parents that has to end as they reach adolescence. That sort of process had already begun with me.
I was ten years old, and many of my friends had already stopped believing. Though I insisted to them all that Santa was very much alive and real, those nasty, black shadows of doubt had already begun to creep into my mind. My brother, Charlie, though only seven, seemed to be going through a similar conflict.
The night that changed our lives was the Christmas Eve that Mom and her new husband Neil sent my brother and myself to spend the night with our real father. I don't remember much about the ride in the sleigh or dad going down his first chimney. At the time I was convinced that it was all just some wonderful dream.
When we had finally reached the North Pole, the sleigh had begun to lower itself into the secret workshop. I peered over the edge of the sleigh, and the first thing I saw was a rather tall elf with dark curls. He wore a costume of red and gold with a matching hat, and he was winding through the other elves, never taking his eyes off the sleigh. On his face, he wore a knowing smirk.
It was in that instant that I saw him, that I knew that what I was experiencing was real. There was something about him that made me feel as if I'd known him since the day I was born.
He seemed rather grumpy to me at first, but as I listened to him talk, I could hear the kindness in his voice even though he tried to keep it hidden. I could tell I was right about him the second he shook my hand. His hand was warm and gentle and it sent little pleasant tingles of magic shooting up my wrist.
All that was nearly eight years ago. . .
Now, I'm not exactly a child anymore. I just turned eighteen not too long ago. I still go up to my father's workshop every Christmas to help out in any way I can. The elves are always glad of it because it is their busiest season.
I had to study really hard this year so I would be able to take my mid-year exams early. If I do that, Mom doesn't feel too guilty about writing me a note to be released for Christmas vacation early. We always make the same excuse: I'll be going to see my father. It's perfectly true!
Charlie used to do that too, but these past few years he hasn't wanted to. (This year I know it's because of some stupid girl.) So, it's just me that will be going. I had to pack a light bag, because Dad always sends Dancer, one of the reindeer, to pick me up.
Just as I was putting my last sweater into my gym bag, Neil knocked on my door. "Serena," he called, "your. . . ride is here." I laughed softly to myself. Neil, the skeptical one, always seemed bewildered when faced with any kind of magic. (Although by now you'd think he'd be used to it.)
Outside the snow was whirling around a large, beautiful reindeer. "Hello, Dancer," I said affectionately. I patted his soft head as he made cheerful noise of greeting. I climbed onto his strong back. He leapt into the air, and we sped off into a sky white with snow.
Part 2-How Long Has it Been?
(Note To Readers: This part is told from Bernard's POV)
Incompetent. That is the only word to describe these new trainees, Bernard thought angrily to himself. We're already a week behind schedule and they don't even seem to care.
There was a crash behind him, and he whirled around. "Larry, if you break one more china doll. . ."
He was interrupted by Santa beckoning him over. "Go easy on them," Santa said, his eyes twinkling. "They're new, and they're probably nervous."
"Boss, if we fall any more behind schedule-"
"Now, don't you worry about that," Santa cut him off. "We'll make the deadline. We always do. Besides, starting this evening you'll have an extra pair of hands to help. Serena's coming up to stay until Christmas. She'll be here this afternoon."
"That's good," Bernard said, with some relief. "At least she knows her way around the workshop. These new guys couldn't tell you the difference from a cookie recipe to the floor plans of a doll house."
Santa laughed loudly. "Just give them a few days. You'll break them in."
Bernard sighed and stomped off back to his work. "Easy for you to say," he grumbled to himself as he watched the newest elf accidentally stitch the doll dress she was sewing on her lap to her own skirt.
The rush before the Christmas season was always stressful, but this year seemed even worse. Sure, he was always stern with the elves to make them work faster, but he was never worried that they wouldn't make their deadline.
This year, however, he was actually worried. It was only two months until Christmas, and several of his key elves had come down with the flu. As much as he hated to do it, he had been forced to dismiss them for fear of infecting the rest of the workers. New replacements had been hired, but they were slow and didn't know how to operate the machinery. So, as if he didn't have enough work already being the Head Elf, he was now in charge of training new workers.
Bernard watched an unattendened ball roll off one of the work tables and onto the floor at his feet. Sighing in frustration, he bent over to pick it up.
It was at that time, that he first felt a slight twinge of pain in his lower back. He wondered about it, as he put the ball back on the table. Even though elves can live forever, they didn't experience any of the pains of aging, and Bernard had never been sick, not even once in the 998 years he had been alive. I must have laid on it funny last night, he thought to himself as he twisted at the hips, trying to work out the stiff feelings in his muscles.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
That afternoon, Bernard was walking through the crowded halls pulling a cart with several boxes on it. The boxes contained a list of all the children in the world so that Santa could do his first "checking." He kept having to switch the arm he was pulling with because that annoying little twinge in his back refused to go away.
When he reached the boss's door, he knocked loudly. A few seconds later, the door swung open, but it wasn't Santa who had opened it. It was Serena, and the second he saw her, his mind seemed to freeze.
She was wearing a lacy white blouse and a green skirt that went down to her ankles. Her long blond hair was pulled back into a french braid down her back. Her blue eyes brightened when she saw him.
"Bernard," she said sweetly, "it's so good to see you!" She smiled at him and he felt his heartbeat speed up.
"H-Hi,” he managed to sputter, "I, uh, brought the list for your dad to, um. . ."
"Oh, right," she said quickly. "Let me help you with that." She reached over and grabbed the handle of the cart, her fingertips brushing his. He felt a blush spread across his cheeks as she helped him pull the heavy cart into the room.
"There," she said when the cart had been wheeled into place beside Santa's desk. "So, Bernard, how have you been?"
"Fine," he said, not looking her in the eye. "Um, look I'd better get back to work."
"Oh," she said, "right. Well, I'll be down later this evening. Tell me if there's anything I can do to help."
Bernard turned and practically ran from the room. He raced down the hallway and threw himself down on a bench.
What- had- just- happened? Bernard tried to sort things out, but his mind seemed all foggy, and he had a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach.
I wonder if it was something I ate? he thought. Then he reminded himself that he hadn't eaten since breakfast. No. Those new feelings were definitely not food related. What could they have been? He had never felt that way before. They seemed to have sprung up when he looked at Serena . . . but what could have caused them?
He examined all his symptoms: A sort of haze had seemed to come over his mind. His heart had been beating at nearly twice its normal rate. He had felt slightly shy around her (which he had never had a problem with before), and his face had grown very hot. Then, there was that indescribable feeling that had enveloped him.
Something about his condition seemed familiar, and it suddenly shot into his head what it was. It was the last time Bernard had spoken with Judy. The day before she had married that fellow from wrapping, she and Bernard had spent their cocoa break chatting. She had been trying to explain to him what it was like to fall in love.
"It's like being born again," she had explained to him. "It's exhilarating but at the same time frightening. Your body seems to shut down. Waves of emotions just cascade over you, so much that it feels like you might break.
"Then, your body starts doing weird things. Your heart speeds up anytime you're around that person. You blush a lot, and do some silly things."
"Sounds rather nauseating," Bernard had said, tilting one of his eyebrows at her.
"It's not," she said, smiling. "It's the best feeling in the world, and when your love is returned, time seems to stop. Everything seems to stand still just for you two. The only word to describe it is . . . perfect. It's so wonderful that it's the only word for it. . ."
As Bernard played this scene in his mind, a sense of dread fell over him. That couldn't be it. It simply couldn't be. Sure, it all fit, but there was no possible way. He had known Serena practically her whole life, and he had never felt anything like this before.
He tried to remember the last time he had seen her. It had only been a little less than a year ago. He hadn't felt anything for her then, and she certainly couldn't have changed that much in a year. True, her hair was a bit longer, she was about an inch taller, and she definitely had some curves that hadn't been there before. . .
No! He could not think like that! She was the boss's daughter. The boss's daughter!
And she was so much younger. Here he was, almost 1,000 years old, and she was only eighteen! That was way too young!
There has to be some sort of mistake, he thought angrily to himself. That's all it can be, a mistake. I've never had feelings for her, and I never, ever will!
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Later that evening, Bernard went down into the workshop after his cocoa break. He spotted Serena helping a group of elves make cookies. Bits of hair had pulled loose from her braid, and were framing her delicate face like a halo.
Bernard felt his heart speed up, and his breath became ragged. His hands started to tremble from those new feelings that were threatening to engulf his very being.
He dodged into the nearest room and leaned against the door. Closing his eyes, he took a few deep steady breaths.
This can't be happening, he thought bitterly to himself. This should not be happening.
Part 3-Snowflakes and Candy canes
The next morning, Bernard had made up his mind that those new feelings he had felt last night were merely a mistake. He had been overly-tired and those new emotions were just a result of that. He was determined to act as natural and business-like around Serena as possible.
Just as he entered the workshop, a small elf with messy brown hair named Trevor approached him. "Bernard, could you please do me a favor?"
"Sure, what do you need?"
"Well, we're out of peppermint to flavor the candy canes. Could you go down to the warehouse and get us some?"
"Alright, I'll be back as soon as I can." Turning to leave, Bernard realized that he wouldn't be able to carry it all by himself. He'd have to take someone with him.
He walked slowly through the work area, surveying the workers. Because of the work overload, everyone was so busy. Who could be spared?
Then, his eyes fell on Serena. She was helping a group of elves sew quilts to go on dolls' beds. This was perfect! He'd take her along. That would give him a chance to prove to himself that these new emotions were just a result of stress.
He walked up to her, trying to swallow the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat. "Serena, I was wondering if you could help me run an errand?"
She looked up at him and smiled. "Of course, what do you want me to do?"
"I need you to help me carry some crates of peppermint flavor over from the storerage rooms."
"Alright," she put down her sewing and followed him toward the door of the workshop.
That's right, Bernard thought triumphantly. I can be in control of my emotions when I want to!
Then why do your knees go weak every time she smiles at you? A nasty voice in the back of his head hissed.
Quiet, he told that part of him and quickened his pace so that he was slightly ahead of Serena for their short journey to the storerage rooms. That way, in case she should happen to smile at him, he wouldn't have to worry about his knees.
The storeage rooms were located in the same building where the cookies were made so they had to exit their rosy warmth of the toy and candy workshop and venture out into the silvery cold of the North Pole.
As Bernard felt the frosty air engulf him, he sighed and let it cool his hot face and clear his mind of everything but the coldness surrounding him. The soft sound of a sharp intake of breath brought him back to reality, and he looked back to see Serena rubbing her arms to try to restore the warmth she had lost.
With a pang of guilt, Bernard realized that he had been in such a hurry to get the errand over that he hadn't given her time to fetch her coat. While his clothes were specially made to keep out the cold, the light sweater she wore wasn't doing much to warm her.
He stopped and said, "Would you like to go back for a coat? I'd forgotten that your clothes weren't suitable for the climate-"
"No, I'll be fine, thank you," she replied with a smile that went straight to Bernard's knees. "It's not that much farther and I don't mind the cold."
He wanted to tell her how sorry he was for not thinking about her clothing sooner, wanted to demand that they march straight back and get her into something warmer because he couldn't bear the thought of her being uncomfortable, but instead he simply said, "Alright," and walked on, cursing himself mentally.
When they reached the storerooms, he breathed a silent sigh of relief as he saw Serena sit down to warm herself on a sofa that was beside a roaring fire in the elves' break room. Ordinarily, he would have objected to the delay, and yet, seeing her close her eyes happily while the firelight danced on her cheeks . . . he suddenly was at a loss for words.
Before he knew what he was doing, he had sat down beside her, closer than he had ever been before. If Serena noticed the unusual proximity, she kept it to herself saying instead, "I'm glad that we have a moment. You've been so busy that I haven't had time to talk to you properly. I've missed you."
"I missed you, too," he said, much of the nervousness he had been feeling a moment earlier disappearing as some of the old familiarity began to seep back in. "Although, I stay updated on you. It's my job after all."
"Why, Bernard," she said, teasing. "I never would have thought that you would be spying on me."
"Not spying," he said, grinning, "just making sure that you've been good."
"It's not me you have to worry about," she said, the smile leaving her face. "You might want to be keeping a closer eye on Charlie, though."
"What's wrong with Charlie?" Bernard asked. "I mean, I know he hasn't been visiting up here these last few years, but I didn't think it was anything serious."
"Well, I don't suppose it's serious," she said, looking uncomfortable. "It's really just the fact that he's turned into a teenager, and you know what teenage boys are like."
"Ah," said Bernard, understanding. "Well, luckily he'll grow out of it."
"I can only hope," she said. "But then I guess everyone goes a little crazy when they first start dating."
"Did you?" Bernard asked before he could catch himself. He furrowed his brow and quickly tried to remember if Serena had ever had a serious boyfriend. Her father surely would have mentioned it if she had. . .
Serena laughed softly and said, "I haven't ever had a boyfriend to go crazy over."
That was all that was said on the matter, but for some strange reason it filled Bernard with warmth to hear that Serena had never had a real boyfriend. And why would that be? whispered that nasty little voice that he had been hearing a lot from lately. Why would that make you happy? Are you planning on dating her? I really don't see how that would work with you being. . .
Shut up! Bernard told the voice firmly and shook his head. He noticed that Serena had an almost sad look on her face, and he tried to say cheerily, "Well, you're young still. I'm sure you'll find someone to-"
"But I already have," she interrupted, before a frightened look crossed her face. She obviously hadn't meant to say that out loud.
"Have what?" Bernard asked slowly, hoping beyond all hope that he'd misheard.
Serena swallowed hard and looked down at her hands which were clasped tightly in her lap. "I've already . . . fallen in love with someone."
He didn't understand why at the time, but pain unlike any other he had ever felt pierced through his heart like a knife. After taking a minute to get control over his emotions, he managed to ask dryly, "Then what's the problem?"
"The man that I love," she said in a barely audible whisper, "will never feel the same way about me."
Bernard's head snapped up quickly to look at her, alarmed at the desperate sadness in her voice. She still was staring down at her hands, a blush spreading across her cheeks from her confession, and the firelight causing her eyes to shine with unshed tears.
He wanted more than anything to take her in his arms and comfort her, to tell her that anyone who wouldn't love her the way she deserved to be loved wasn't worth her time. He longed to hold her and kiss her and make her happy again. Unconsciously, his eyes slid down her face to stare at her beautiful mouth and wondered how it would taste against his own.
****************
Santa was just coming out of the cookie workshop with a fresh glass of milk in his hand when a strange sight met his eyes. There sat Serena and Bernard on the sofa in front of the fire. Although neither of them were looking directly at one another, their faces were flushed and they were sitting a little too close to one another.
Slightly embarrassed and feeling that he was intruding on something, he turned and went back the way he came, sitting down in the kitchen to watch the elves make cookies. He frowned as he sipped his ice cold milk and wondered which bothered him more, the idea that his daughter was old enough to be inclined toward anyone romantically, or the fact that, because it was Bernard she was with, those protective fatherly feelings that he should be having were strangely amiss.
*****************
"Bernard, are you sure you're alright?" Serena asked for the third time. They had removed the desired three boxes of peppermint flavoring from the storerooms and were now carrying them as quickly as they could manage through the falling snow. Bernard had insisted on taking two boxes, only allowing Serena to burden herself with one, but that twinge of pain in his back had steadily been increasing and now it felt like someone was stabbing him in his lower back with every step he took.
Needless to say, this was slowing him down considerably, but he wasn't about to admit it to anyone. "Nonsense," he said carelessly. "I'm just taking my time to enjoy the snowfall."
"It is beautiful, isn't it?" she said, pausing to tilt her head up to watch the delicate flakes swirl down from the heavens. Bernard watched the snowflakes gathering in her pale hair and eyelashes. She looks like a snow princess, he thought.
All too soon they reached the comfort of the indoors once more, and Bernard was finally able to set down the boxes. As he bent over, however, his lower back shot a jolt of pain up his spine causing him to let out a soft groan of pain and set the boxes down a little too hard so that the glass bottles inside clinked together.
"Bernard, what's wrong," Serena said, instantly dashing all hopes he had had about her not hearing.
"Nothing's wrong," he said quickly and began to make a hasty retreat, but a warm hand closed over his, stopping him. He sighed in defeat and allowed Serena to guide him firmly but gently into an empty workroom.
"Don't lie to me, Bernard," she said once she was sure they were alone. "You're visibly in pain. Now what's wrong?"
"It's my back," he managed to say after taking a few breaths to steady himself. Serena still hadn't let go of his hand, and it was doing funny things to his concentration. "I must have hurt it somehow."
"Then perhaps you should see a doctor."
"No, I'll be fine," Bernard insisted stubbornly, pulling his had away from hers. "I haven't done anything to injure myself, and I never get sick."
"Just the same, you can't work if you're in pain," Serena said firmly. "It's getting dark outside anyway. Why don't you just go to bed for the night? I'm sure you'll feel better after getting some sleep."
"I can't do that," Bernard insisted. "I'm the Head Elf. I have to oversee the new workers."
"I'll take care of the workers," Serena said. "You can't take a risk with something like this. If you push yourself too hard now, it's likely to get worse. The workers can manage without you for an evening, but they'll never be able to meet the deadline if you get sick and have to be in bed for a week." She began to steer him toward the steps leading up to the bedrooms.
"But I-I can't," he persisted. "I have to-"
"I'll take care of it." With one last shove he found himself walking up the stairs toward his room while Serena scurried off behind him to address a small explosion that had come from the electric car department.
Locking the door to his room firmly behind him, he threw himself onto his bed as tears burned his eyes. It was true, and he couldn't deny it to himself any longer. He was hopelessly in love with her, and the worst part was that he seemed to loose all control of his emotions whenever she was around. Bernard hated not being in control, especially of himself.
And to make matters worse, she was in love with someone else. Someone who would be sure to realize the treasure they possessed and return her love, no matter what her doubts were about his reciprocation. He would have to stand by and watch as she married someone else, would have to hear stories about her new husband on a daily basis from the boss, and she would never, ever know how much he cared for her.
At least she will be happy, he thought bitterly. But she's a human and eventually she'll grow old and die and leave me all alone. I think I could go on living with the knowledge that she's happy, but if I couldn't see her at all ever again. . .
All coherent thought left him then, and he sobbed into his pillow until he became too tired for tears. He stared up at the ceiling as one saddening thought after another chased itself around in his mind.
What would she ever see in me anyway? I'm old. I know I don't look it, but I am. True, I'll never die unless I do something stupid like fall off a roof, but . . .
She'd hate me forever if she knew how I felt. And the boss, what would he think if he knew how I felt about his daughter?
How could I ever have been so stupid as to let something like this happen? Even if, by some miracle, she were to return my love, what do I have to offer her? Nothing! I spend all my time shut up in these tiny workshops located in the middle of nowhere. That's not the kind of life she would enjoy.
And would I be able to love her the way she deserves to be loved? Would I be able to spend enough time with her with all my duties as Head Elf? Would I be able to keep her safe and make her happy and satisfy her . . . sexually?
That last thought came unbidden to his mind and a deep red blush covered him from head to toe at the thought of it. Yet, now that it was lodged in his mind, it refused to go away.
Bernard wasn't entirely innocent on what was involved in sex. He had an idea of course, but as to the finer points of it . . . he was completely clueless. He'd never even kissed anyone before, and he'd always avoided any kind of physical contact because it made him more uncomfortable than anything else.
Now, however, the idea of touching someone, as long as it was Serena, seemed more and more appealing. He wondered what it would be like to kiss her, to bury his face in her neck and breathe in the sweet smell of her hair, to trail soft kisses down her neck to her collar bone, his hands traveling to her chest. . .
Bernard unconsciously began to fumble with the opening of his trousers, desperate to free his aching erection, but at the last moment he stopped in shame. How could he ever look her in the face again if he did this?
It took all the control he could muster to stop, but he knew that he had to. He clenched all this muscles so that the pain in his back spread like wildfire. Grinding his teeth, he concentrated on the pain until his arousal had receded.
He wasn't sure what time he was able to fall asleep, but he awoke the next morning exhausted, miserable, and feeling stiff and sore all over.
Part 4: The Mistake
Santa sat the next day busily absorbed with the second checking of his list, when a knock on the door interrupted him. Judy poked her head in with a tray of cocoa in her hands.
"There's someone here to see you, sir," she said as Santa noticed that she had put two cups on the tray instead of one.
"Is it Cupid?" he asked, willing to put everything aside if it was.
As she nodded her conformation, the door blew open and in flew Cupid. "Can't stop to chat long," the small man announced cheerfully as he set aside his bow and arrows and sat down in the chair opposite. "So, Santa, what was so urgent that I had to reschedule all my appointments for the day? You're not in love are you?"
"No," Santa said, offering him a cup of cocoa which he gratefully accepted, "but I think my daughter may be."
"Serena?" he asked. "Well, she's what, seventeen or eighteen now right? It was bound to happen sooner or later."
"She's eighteen," Santa informed the winged man. "I suppose what I really want to know is why you would shoot her with one of your arrows without giving me any advance warning."
"Come to think of it," Cupid said, "I haven't been anywhere near her since last year when I made her high school principal fall in love with a teacher. I haven't shot her with any of my love arrows."
"So she isn't really in love? This is just a crush, right?"
"We'll soon find out," Cupid said, taking a pair of what looked like pink-tinted sunglasses from his arrow shaft. "Where is she?"
Santa led him to a large window in his office where he could look out over the entire toy workshop. He pointed out his daughter to the small man who had to flap his wings a few times to get his head level with Santa's.
Serena was carrying a basket of cookies, making sure all the elves had something to snack on while they worked. As she offered one to Bernard, who blushingly accepted it, Cupid put on his glasses and peered down at the two of them for a moment.
"I see what you mean," he said finally, removing his glasses and landing delicately in his chair, "but you can relax, she really is in love, and if I'm not mistaken, that young elf down there is quite taken with her also."
"But you said that you hadn't shot them with any arrows," Santa said, confusion evident on his face.
"Ah, but you didn't tell me that she was in love with anyone magical. You see, my arrows don't work on people like you or me, because we have magic of our own. Naturally, because elves use magic my arrows have no effect on them either. So in cases like this, we must consult the book."
He rummaged around in his arrow sheaf a bit more and pulled out a large book that didn't look like it possibly could have fit inside the tiny sheaf. The book was gold and was embossed with silver lettering. It simply said, "Love."
"Now, what I'm about to show you is strictly confidential, and the only reason I'm doing this is because you're my friend, and I trust you." Santa nodded for Cupid to continue. "In situations like these, where one or both of the people are of magical descent, when they are born, their names are entered into this book as well as the names of the people they are meant to be with."
He flipped through the book, muttering to himself before allowing Santa to view one of the pages. Bernard's name was there coupled with the name of his daughter, Serena Calvin.
"But I don't understand," he said, shaking his head. "Serena wasn't even born yet when Bernard was born. I wasn't even born then!"
"Yes, but I get my information from the stars and they never lie," Cupid told him. "The second Bernard was born, the stars shifted to make room for him, and it was entered in this book that the person he was to fall in love with would be Serena Calvin, your daughter. It doesn't matter that she wasn't born yet. The stars already knew of her because they can see centuries into the future. Why this declaration of their love is nearly one thousand years old. Now, you can hardly question the validity of something like that, can you?"
"I suppose I can't," Santa said, leaning back in his chair, relieved that he wouldn't have to deal with any broken hearts at their busiest time of the year. "I just can't understand why it would be Serena, of all people."
"Hey, as to why the stars make their decisions, I can't say," Cupid told him, taking up his bow and preparing to leave. "I may never know the answer to that question, but I do know this: the stars are never wrong. If they say Serena and Bernard are meant to be together, then they will be."
"What should I do?" Santa asked. "Should I ask her about it or should I just go on as if I didn't notice anything?"
"Don't breathe a word of this to either of them," Cupid said firmly. "It will only complicate things, and they're going to have a hard enough time of it as it is."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it's just a hunch, but I've seen these situations enough to know how hard it will be for Bernard." Seeing the confused look on Santa's face, Cupid explained, "Think about it from Bernard's perspective. He's no doubt already fallen in love with her, but he's going to do everything in his power to suppress those feelings. Why? Because she's you daughter. He'll probably view it as inappropriate that he has feelings for her. He's also got to get round the fact that she's so young, although if I may say so, she certainly acts more like Bernard's age than some of those awful teenage girls I'm forced to work with."
"I think I see what you mean," Santa said.
"Oh, and one more thing," Cupid said, already half out the door. "Save yourself the trouble of worrying about them. I can personally tell you that they'll be fine. Just try to let things take their natural course. With situations like these, when two people are genuinely in love, things may seem to move a little quickly to the careful observer, but nothing ever happens that they are not ready for. In relationships like theirs, everything happens when it should."
With a wink and a fluttering of wings, Cupid was gone. Santa leaned back in his chair to ponder all he had learned, his list laying forgotten on the side of his desk. He knew it would be hard for him to suppress his protective feelings if he felt anyone was moving too fast with his daughter, but then again, this was Bernard. Every time he reminded himself of that, all his worries disappeared. He knew Bernard better than any of the other elves and he knew that he could trust him not to do anything with his daughter that they weren't ready for. Besides, there wasn't anyone he'd rather have as a son-in-law. . .
********************
For poor Bernard, the past few days had not been easy. He had given up on trying to avoid Serena altogether, because in such a small place, they were bound to keep running into one another. He caught himself watching her from across the room, taking in every feature of her beautiful, petite frame. Noticing how hard she worked at any task she was assigned and how kind she was to everyone around her.
The pain in Bernard's back had grown dramatically worse with each passing day, but it was nothing compared to the ache he felt in his chest every time he thought of Serena. She was always on his mind when he was awake. He simply couldn't forget about her no matter how hard he tried.
He hadn't been getting any sleep, either. Whenever he did manage to drift off, he always dreamed of her and woke up either with tears on his cheeks or feeling shameful and aroused.
He knew he looked awful and that the elves were whispering to one another about his disheveled appearance behind his back, but he was too exhausted to care, and he hurt so badly, both inside and out.
One morning, after this had been going on for about a week, he had been carrying a box of ornaments up the stairs when his back completely gave out. The word spun around him and he found himself sprawled on the stairs, gasping in pain, the ornaments having tumbled to the foot of the stairs, probably broken.
As soon as he had comprehended what had happened, he felt a strong pair of warm arms wrap around him. He could faintly hear Serena tell Judy and Trevor to take charge of the other elves while she took care of Bernard.
Oh, now this really isn't fair, Bernard thought, but he was in no condition to argue. He let Serena pull him to his feet and pull one of his arms around her shoulders. She kept both of her arms securely around his waist as she led him up the stairs.
"I'm going to take you to my room," she told him. "It's closer than yours, and you don't look like you can make it very far." He simply nodded, too tired to protest.
When she reached her room, she helped him in before shutting the door behind them. "Is it still your back?" she asked. He nodded, and she helped him to lie down on his stomach on her bed.
He stretched out on the soft bed, his face on her pillow. He could smell the sweet scent of her hair, and he could have easily drifted off to sleep if it hadn't been for Serena's next actions which woke him up instantly.
"What are you doing?" he asked as he felt Serena begin to undo the numerous buttons that lined the back of his shirt.
"I'm going to see if I can work some of these knots out of your back since you're too stubborn to see a doctor," she said, her fingers nimbly working their way down his buttoned shirt. "I could feel how tense your back was when I was helping you up the stairs. You really shouldn't let yourself get so worried and stressed. What on earth has been wrong with you these past few days? Surely it's not just the ever approaching deadline that's causing you so much worry?"
"No, it isn't that at all," Bernard said, praying that she wouldn't ask any more questions.
Thankfully, Serena knew Bernard well and she knew that if she pushed too much then she'd never get any answers out of him. She could be patient and wait for Bernard to tell her what his troubles were when he was ready.
She undid the last button of his shirt and gently slid it back around his shoulders. Bernard jumped as he felt her soft, warm hands touch the bare skin of his back. The most intimate contact he'd had with anyone before this point and time was a simple handshake. Feeling her fingertips running along his skin as she felt the muscles underneath for signs of tension, it was amazing. Her fingers seemed to leave a trail of fire wherever they ventured.
Gently, Serena began applying firm pressure to the knots in Bernard's muscles. He gasped in pain and relief as he felt the first muscle she worked on give away under her caress. She worked her way slowly down Bernard's back, applying pressure until the muscles loosened, and then gently caressing each spot to help relieve the pain.
Bernard felt himself relaxing little by little. It hurt when the muscles in his back first began to loosen, but once they did it felt so good, and he couldn't help the groan of pleasure that escaped his lips when she began to work on his lower back.
After she was sure that his muscles were no longer clenched, she began to slowly rub her hand up and down on his back. Her touch was so soothing that, combined with the scent of her hair on the pillow; he couldn't help but fall into a peaceful slumber.
***********************
He awoke at about one o'clock that afternoon, feeling better than he'd felt in ages. His back was no longer stiff and sore, and he was sleeping on something soft and warm.
The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was Serena's sweet face. She was dozing in an armchair by the bed. His shirt was buttoned up his back once more, and she had covered him up with a warm comforter.
She's stayed by my side this whole time, Bernard realized, his heart swelling with love.
As though sensing his gaze, Serena's eyes fluttered open, and when she realized that Bernard was awake, she was down on her knees beside him in a flash. "Are you feeling better?" she asked, smoothing the curls on his forehead, something she had always wanted to do, but had never dared try before.
"Yes, thanks to you," he said smiling warmly up at her.
Everything seemed so perfect there in that moment in time. For just a few brief seconds, he allowed himself to pretend that she was there by his side, not because she cared for him as a friend, but because she loved him with the same intensity that he loved her.
As wonderful as it was, he pulled himself out of his little fantasy before he could say or do something that he might regret. "I'm sorry that I've been so much trouble," he said, sitting up.
"Bernard, perhaps you shouldn't get up just yet," Serena said, concern etching itself once more across her face.
"No, I'd better get out of your way," Bernard insisted, swinging himself out of bed and grabbing his hat from where Serena had carefully placed it on the bedside table.
"Please don't go," she begged. "At least tell me what was wrong."
He was already making his way to the door when her words stopped him. "I'm sorry," he whispered, not turning to face her, "but I don't think I'll ever be able to tell you."
He marched straight for the door, but Serena darted in front of him quite suddenly to try to get him to rest a bit longer. He hadn't been expecting this, and he walked right into her, causing her to lose her footing and stumble backward.
Reflex took over, and he shot out his arms to catcher and pulled her safely against him. He froze, realizing how close they were. Her face was only about an inch away from his, and he could feel her warm breath on his face.
Bernard was never quite sure if it was her or himself that closed the distance between the two of them. All he knew was that their lips had somehow met, and that sweet, innocent kiss was all it took for his self-control to momentarily break.
He snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her tightly against him. Her lips were so soft and warm. He couldn't get enough of her. He hesitantly extended his tongue and her lips parted instantly to allow him to explore her mouth further. She made a soft noise in the back of her throat that only encouraged him, and she brought her hands up to tangle her fingers in his dark curls, causing his hat to tumble off his head and onto the floor.
It wasn't until lack of air forced them to part that Bernard fully understood what was happening. "Serena, I'm so sorry!" he gasped, pulling away from her. "I don't know what I. . . I-I just. . . I'm sorry."
Tears poured down his cheeks as he raced from the room, not stopping till he had burst into his own room and slammed the door angrily behind him. Putting his head in his hands, he wondered, How could I have been so stupid?!
***********************
Fifteen minutes later, Judy came up to see if Bernard was alright. To her surprise she found Serena sitting alone on the floor of her room, Bernard's hat lying in her lap. "Serena, what-"
"Judy," Serena cut her off. "I think I need your help."
Part 5: Finally!
Bernard stayed in bed for the rest of the day. Evening came and the supper bell rang, but he didn't dare go down. He had no desire to eat anyway.
Just as the stars were beginning to emerge in the night sky, he heard a knock on his door, but he didn't answer it. He had no desire to see anyone.
A few moments later, he heard a key scraping in the lock. That'll be Judy, he thought, rolling over and feigning sleep so as to avoid conversation. Judy had a passkey to all the rooms because she usually came in once a day after brewing the morning cocoa, to dust and tidy up a bit.
Outside his room, after Judy had unlocked the door for Serena, she slipped quietly away. Bernard heard what he thought to be Judy bustling busily about the room, lighting the fire, which had long since gone out. The room became at once warm and rosy again, but it did little to change the cold grayness he felt inside himself.
He heard the soft clatter of a tea tray being set down before someone said, "I thought you might like some tea."
Bernard's eyes opened wide in shock. This was not Judy. He rolled over to see Serena blushing at him from beside his small bedside table on which she had set the tea things. She had his hat in her hands, and she offered it nervously to him.
After a long while, he reached out to take it and said softly, "Do you hate me?"
"And what reason would I have for hating you?" she said, sitting down beside him on the bed.
Bernard sat up and said hurriedly, "Serena, please forgive me. I-"
"I didn't ask for an apology," Serena cut him off, her face unreadable. "I asked why I would hate you."
"Because. . . I kissed you," Bernard murmured in a barely audible whisper. He stared down at his hands, tears making his vision blurry.
"Is that a crime?" she asked kindly.
"Yes! I mean, no. . . it's just that you're so young. Here I am, an almost nine hundred ninety-nine year-old elf, and I'm in love with an eighteen year-old human. And not just any human, no, the boss's daughter. You're his daughter, for goodness sakes, I shouldn't be feeling these things for you!"
"Does any of that really matter?" she asked, looking him straight in the eyes.
"Well, maybe it shouldn't, but it does. Besides, that's no excuse for my behavior when I know that you're in love with another man."
"Bernard," she began, but he cut her off.
"How could I have been so stupid and selfish?! You just told me you were in love, for crying out loud, and I have to go and complicate matters by-"
"Bernard," she repeated, this time putting her fingers over his mouth briefly until he was silenced. "Bernard, don't you get it? The man I was talking about was you."
"What?" His mind froze and his heart leapt as his confused brain tried to make sense of what she had said.
Her eyes softened and she reached a hand up to cup his cheek. "I love you, Bernard," she whispered before covering his mouth with hers.
For the second time that day, all Bernard's control left him the minute those petal-soft lips touched his, but this time, his control was gone for good. He melted into the kiss and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his lap.
This time when they surfaced for air, he trailed soft kisses across her cheek so he could nip at her earlobe, eliciting a gasp of surprise from the young woman in his lap. She bent her head down and buried her face in his neck, slowly brushing her lips against the pulse point on his throat.
He moaned and lay back on the bed, pulling her down with him. There, she continued to lightly nip and kiss his neck until her ministrations caused waves of arousal to shoot toward his groin.
Panicking slightly, he tried to sit up, but as she was holding onto him so tightly, he only succeeded in reversing their positions. He blushed a deep red as his body covered hers, and he was sure that she could feel his arousal pressing firmly between her legs.
He opened his mouth to apologize, but a moan emerged instead as Serena experimentally arched her hips up into his. His now prominent erection throbbed pleasurably at the sudden pressure and friction.
As she reached up to once more undo the buttons lining the back of his shirt, he pulled away one last time to ask, "Are you sure?"
"I love you, Bernard. Of course I'm sure," she whispered. "Besides, I trust you with all my heart and soul." She noticed the way Bernard was suddenly trembling, and added quickly, "That is, unless you don't want to."
"Oh, I want to so badly," he replied, cupping her face in his hands. "But you have to realize that once we take this step, there's no going back."
"That's good," she replied. "I don't ever want to go back."
"I guess I'm scared, too," he confided. "Before today, I'd never even kissed anyone before, and now here we are about to. . . well, I just don't want to ruin it by not knowing how."
"I don't know either," she said quickly. "I mean, I know the basics, but as for the rest. . . we can figure that out together, okay?"
"Alright," he said, bending down to cover her mouth with his once more, and allowing her to finish unbuttoning his shirt. He shivered lightly as the material was pulled from his body, and he sat up so that Serena could sit up also.
She gazed at his bare chest appreciatively, and gently ran her fingers over his creamy skin. Before long, she let her mouth replace her fingers as she continued her exploration of him.
Bernard closed his eyes and his breathing became ragged as her lips slowly traveled all over his chest. After a little while, she pulled back and her hands went to the buttons of her blouse, but before she had got the first button undone, Bernard's hands covered hers.
"Let me," he whispered. She nodded, and with trembling hands, he slowly undid the buttons of her blouse and pulled it off of her. All she was wearing underneath was a lacy white bra. She reached down and began to tug off her pants, revealing a matching pair of lacy white panties.
Bernard let his eyes roam freely over her, taking in as much of her as he could. "You're so beautiful," he whispered at last. A pleased blush spread across her features as she gazed up at him with a face full of love, trust, and desire.
He drew her near to him so that he could reach behind her to undo the clasp of her bra. This
proved to be a far more difficult task than he had expected. He just couldn't figure the darn thing out!
A groan of frustration escaped his lips as the stubborn clasp refused to budge. She giggled at him, and lightly kissed his nose before reaching back to undo the clasp herself.
As the bra fell away from her, Bernard stared at the most beautiful sight he had ever seen in his life. Hesitantly, and with trembling fingers, he reached out to cup her breasts in his hands. She closed her eyes and arched her back at his touch, pressing her breasts more firmly into his hands.
"So soft," he whispered wonderingly. He remembered how good her mouth had felt against his chest and wondered if it would also feel that good to her. Keeping his eyes on her face in case she should indicate that she didn't like it, he slowly began to kiss at her shoulders, slowly moving down, until he was kissing her breasts.
"Oh, Bernard," she gasped as he experimentally took one of her hardened nipples into his mouth. She tangled her fingers in his hair as he continued to explore every curve of her breasts with his lips and tongue.
Eventually he kissed his way down to her stomach and kept moving lower until he reached the band of her panties. He gave her a quizzical look, and she nodded. His breath hitched as he slowly pulled her last piece of clothing from her.
He stared for a moment, overwhelmed by how beautiful her naked form was, before pulling her into a searing kiss, her soft breasts pressing against his bare chest. His hands began to travel all over her, trying to memorize every curve. Everywhere he touched her, she felt a warm tingle of magic from the tips of his fingers.
Her hands, which had been resting on his chest, drifted down to hesitantly touch the bulge in Bernard's trousers. He groaned, laying back on the bed and was sure that'd he'd die of happiness when he felt her tugging off his trousers and freeing his throbbing erection.
She experimentally grasped his arousal in her hand, and he cried out, his knuckles white from clenching the bed sheets. He had never in his life ever imagined that he would let another person touch him there, and even during the past week when he had guiltily fantasized about this moment, he had no idea it could ever be this wonderful.
"Serena," he gasped out as she began to move her hand up and down his length. "I'm going to lose it if you keep this up."
Reluctantly her fingers retreated and left him aching for more. He wanted her. Now.
"Are you ready?" he asked, once more covering her body with his.
She nodded, and lovingly caressed his face as she spread her legs to allow him entry. To tell the truth, she was a little nervous because she had heard that it was supposed to hurt the first time, and yet, as Bernard began to press into her, all she felt was unimaginable pleasure.
Perhaps, she wondered, remembering the tingles of magic she felt from his fingers. Perhaps it won't hurt because he's magic.
She didn't ponder this long, however, for soon Bernard's full length was inside of her, and they both lay quite still while waves of pleasure cascaded over them. Serena was breathing heavily, marveling at how something so large could feel so good inside her.
Bernard had his eyes screwed tightly shut, trying to take in everything at once. She was so tight and wet and warm around him that he wasn't sure he would be able to stand it. He had never known pleasure like this existed.
Serena smiled up at him and brought her hand up to cup his cheek. "Breathe," she reminded him.
"I think I've forgotten how," Bernard gasped, as he let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
He smiled tenderly down at her as he experimentally pulled himself about halfway out of her and slowly pushed himself in again. They both cried out as another wave of pleasure racked their bodies. Bernard struggled to regain a little control over himself. He didn't want the moment to end too quickly.
Soon, he began taking her slowly, pulling almost all the way out of her and then bringing himself down on her once more. She moaned and began to rock her hips in rhythm with his own, strengthening the sensation.
It wasn't long before he began to unconsciously speed up. His hips pumped furiously and his thrusts became harder. They both began moaning every time he slammed his hips back into her.
Each new thrust brought Serena closer to the edge. "Bernard!" she screamed, holding him tightly as her orgasm engulfed her.
For Bernard, feeling her tighten around his length and hearing her scream his name like that was too much. He plunged after her into the abyss, throwing his head back and groaning as the initial wave hit him, before burying his face in her neck and moaning her name softly while he filled her insides up with his warm liquid.
They stayed like that for a while, both basking in the feeling of the other's skin against their own. Finally, still gasping for air, Bernard propped himself up with his arms so that he could look at his lover's face. Serena smiled up at him tenderly, a look of immense joy on her face and a few tears in her eyes.
He wiped them away with concern and asked, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she said, laughing softly. "It was just so wonderful. Besides, you're crying too."
"Am I?" Bernard asked, reaching up to feel a few tears of joy that had gathered on his cheeks. "That was amazing. I had no idea love could be like this."
"I love you, Bernard," she whispered.
"And I love you," he returned, kissing her with his heart on his lips.
Author: Serena-chan
Category: Movies
Sub-category: The Santa Clause
Rating: R
Genre: Romance, Angst
Pairing: Bernard / OFC - Original Female Character
Part 1-Prologue
I can still remember the first time I saw Bernard. It was the night that my dad's life changed forever, the night that my brother and myself's perspective of the world was altered, but in a good way.
Most kids grow up, slowly accepting the fact that all their childhood dreams were merely a fantasy, a fun sort of game, played by their parents that has to end as they reach adolescence. That sort of process had already begun with me.
I was ten years old, and many of my friends had already stopped believing. Though I insisted to them all that Santa was very much alive and real, those nasty, black shadows of doubt had already begun to creep into my mind. My brother, Charlie, though only seven, seemed to be going through a similar conflict.
The night that changed our lives was the Christmas Eve that Mom and her new husband Neil sent my brother and myself to spend the night with our real father. I don't remember much about the ride in the sleigh or dad going down his first chimney. At the time I was convinced that it was all just some wonderful dream.
When we had finally reached the North Pole, the sleigh had begun to lower itself into the secret workshop. I peered over the edge of the sleigh, and the first thing I saw was a rather tall elf with dark curls. He wore a costume of red and gold with a matching hat, and he was winding through the other elves, never taking his eyes off the sleigh. On his face, he wore a knowing smirk.
It was in that instant that I saw him, that I knew that what I was experiencing was real. There was something about him that made me feel as if I'd known him since the day I was born.
He seemed rather grumpy to me at first, but as I listened to him talk, I could hear the kindness in his voice even though he tried to keep it hidden. I could tell I was right about him the second he shook my hand. His hand was warm and gentle and it sent little pleasant tingles of magic shooting up my wrist.
All that was nearly eight years ago. . .
Now, I'm not exactly a child anymore. I just turned eighteen not too long ago. I still go up to my father's workshop every Christmas to help out in any way I can. The elves are always glad of it because it is their busiest season.
I had to study really hard this year so I would be able to take my mid-year exams early. If I do that, Mom doesn't feel too guilty about writing me a note to be released for Christmas vacation early. We always make the same excuse: I'll be going to see my father. It's perfectly true!
Charlie used to do that too, but these past few years he hasn't wanted to. (This year I know it's because of some stupid girl.) So, it's just me that will be going. I had to pack a light bag, because Dad always sends Dancer, one of the reindeer, to pick me up.
Just as I was putting my last sweater into my gym bag, Neil knocked on my door. "Serena," he called, "your. . . ride is here." I laughed softly to myself. Neil, the skeptical one, always seemed bewildered when faced with any kind of magic. (Although by now you'd think he'd be used to it.)
Outside the snow was whirling around a large, beautiful reindeer. "Hello, Dancer," I said affectionately. I patted his soft head as he made cheerful noise of greeting. I climbed onto his strong back. He leapt into the air, and we sped off into a sky white with snow.
Part 2-How Long Has it Been?
(Note To Readers: This part is told from Bernard's POV)
Incompetent. That is the only word to describe these new trainees, Bernard thought angrily to himself. We're already a week behind schedule and they don't even seem to care.
There was a crash behind him, and he whirled around. "Larry, if you break one more china doll. . ."
He was interrupted by Santa beckoning him over. "Go easy on them," Santa said, his eyes twinkling. "They're new, and they're probably nervous."
"Boss, if we fall any more behind schedule-"
"Now, don't you worry about that," Santa cut him off. "We'll make the deadline. We always do. Besides, starting this evening you'll have an extra pair of hands to help. Serena's coming up to stay until Christmas. She'll be here this afternoon."
"That's good," Bernard said, with some relief. "At least she knows her way around the workshop. These new guys couldn't tell you the difference from a cookie recipe to the floor plans of a doll house."
Santa laughed loudly. "Just give them a few days. You'll break them in."
Bernard sighed and stomped off back to his work. "Easy for you to say," he grumbled to himself as he watched the newest elf accidentally stitch the doll dress she was sewing on her lap to her own skirt.
The rush before the Christmas season was always stressful, but this year seemed even worse. Sure, he was always stern with the elves to make them work faster, but he was never worried that they wouldn't make their deadline.
This year, however, he was actually worried. It was only two months until Christmas, and several of his key elves had come down with the flu. As much as he hated to do it, he had been forced to dismiss them for fear of infecting the rest of the workers. New replacements had been hired, but they were slow and didn't know how to operate the machinery. So, as if he didn't have enough work already being the Head Elf, he was now in charge of training new workers.
Bernard watched an unattendened ball roll off one of the work tables and onto the floor at his feet. Sighing in frustration, he bent over to pick it up.
It was at that time, that he first felt a slight twinge of pain in his lower back. He wondered about it, as he put the ball back on the table. Even though elves can live forever, they didn't experience any of the pains of aging, and Bernard had never been sick, not even once in the 998 years he had been alive. I must have laid on it funny last night, he thought to himself as he twisted at the hips, trying to work out the stiff feelings in his muscles.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
That afternoon, Bernard was walking through the crowded halls pulling a cart with several boxes on it. The boxes contained a list of all the children in the world so that Santa could do his first "checking." He kept having to switch the arm he was pulling with because that annoying little twinge in his back refused to go away.
When he reached the boss's door, he knocked loudly. A few seconds later, the door swung open, but it wasn't Santa who had opened it. It was Serena, and the second he saw her, his mind seemed to freeze.
She was wearing a lacy white blouse and a green skirt that went down to her ankles. Her long blond hair was pulled back into a french braid down her back. Her blue eyes brightened when she saw him.
"Bernard," she said sweetly, "it's so good to see you!" She smiled at him and he felt his heartbeat speed up.
"H-Hi,” he managed to sputter, "I, uh, brought the list for your dad to, um. . ."
"Oh, right," she said quickly. "Let me help you with that." She reached over and grabbed the handle of the cart, her fingertips brushing his. He felt a blush spread across his cheeks as she helped him pull the heavy cart into the room.
"There," she said when the cart had been wheeled into place beside Santa's desk. "So, Bernard, how have you been?"
"Fine," he said, not looking her in the eye. "Um, look I'd better get back to work."
"Oh," she said, "right. Well, I'll be down later this evening. Tell me if there's anything I can do to help."
Bernard turned and practically ran from the room. He raced down the hallway and threw himself down on a bench.
What- had- just- happened? Bernard tried to sort things out, but his mind seemed all foggy, and he had a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach.
I wonder if it was something I ate? he thought. Then he reminded himself that he hadn't eaten since breakfast. No. Those new feelings were definitely not food related. What could they have been? He had never felt that way before. They seemed to have sprung up when he looked at Serena . . . but what could have caused them?
He examined all his symptoms: A sort of haze had seemed to come over his mind. His heart had been beating at nearly twice its normal rate. He had felt slightly shy around her (which he had never had a problem with before), and his face had grown very hot. Then, there was that indescribable feeling that had enveloped him.
Something about his condition seemed familiar, and it suddenly shot into his head what it was. It was the last time Bernard had spoken with Judy. The day before she had married that fellow from wrapping, she and Bernard had spent their cocoa break chatting. She had been trying to explain to him what it was like to fall in love.
"It's like being born again," she had explained to him. "It's exhilarating but at the same time frightening. Your body seems to shut down. Waves of emotions just cascade over you, so much that it feels like you might break.
"Then, your body starts doing weird things. Your heart speeds up anytime you're around that person. You blush a lot, and do some silly things."
"Sounds rather nauseating," Bernard had said, tilting one of his eyebrows at her.
"It's not," she said, smiling. "It's the best feeling in the world, and when your love is returned, time seems to stop. Everything seems to stand still just for you two. The only word to describe it is . . . perfect. It's so wonderful that it's the only word for it. . ."
As Bernard played this scene in his mind, a sense of dread fell over him. That couldn't be it. It simply couldn't be. Sure, it all fit, but there was no possible way. He had known Serena practically her whole life, and he had never felt anything like this before.
He tried to remember the last time he had seen her. It had only been a little less than a year ago. He hadn't felt anything for her then, and she certainly couldn't have changed that much in a year. True, her hair was a bit longer, she was about an inch taller, and she definitely had some curves that hadn't been there before. . .
No! He could not think like that! She was the boss's daughter. The boss's daughter!
And she was so much younger. Here he was, almost 1,000 years old, and she was only eighteen! That was way too young!
There has to be some sort of mistake, he thought angrily to himself. That's all it can be, a mistake. I've never had feelings for her, and I never, ever will!
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Later that evening, Bernard went down into the workshop after his cocoa break. He spotted Serena helping a group of elves make cookies. Bits of hair had pulled loose from her braid, and were framing her delicate face like a halo.
Bernard felt his heart speed up, and his breath became ragged. His hands started to tremble from those new feelings that were threatening to engulf his very being.
He dodged into the nearest room and leaned against the door. Closing his eyes, he took a few deep steady breaths.
This can't be happening, he thought bitterly to himself. This should not be happening.
Part 3-Snowflakes and Candy canes
The next morning, Bernard had made up his mind that those new feelings he had felt last night were merely a mistake. He had been overly-tired and those new emotions were just a result of that. He was determined to act as natural and business-like around Serena as possible.
Just as he entered the workshop, a small elf with messy brown hair named Trevor approached him. "Bernard, could you please do me a favor?"
"Sure, what do you need?"
"Well, we're out of peppermint to flavor the candy canes. Could you go down to the warehouse and get us some?"
"Alright, I'll be back as soon as I can." Turning to leave, Bernard realized that he wouldn't be able to carry it all by himself. He'd have to take someone with him.
He walked slowly through the work area, surveying the workers. Because of the work overload, everyone was so busy. Who could be spared?
Then, his eyes fell on Serena. She was helping a group of elves sew quilts to go on dolls' beds. This was perfect! He'd take her along. That would give him a chance to prove to himself that these new emotions were just a result of stress.
He walked up to her, trying to swallow the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat. "Serena, I was wondering if you could help me run an errand?"
She looked up at him and smiled. "Of course, what do you want me to do?"
"I need you to help me carry some crates of peppermint flavor over from the storerage rooms."
"Alright," she put down her sewing and followed him toward the door of the workshop.
That's right, Bernard thought triumphantly. I can be in control of my emotions when I want to!
Then why do your knees go weak every time she smiles at you? A nasty voice in the back of his head hissed.
Quiet, he told that part of him and quickened his pace so that he was slightly ahead of Serena for their short journey to the storerage rooms. That way, in case she should happen to smile at him, he wouldn't have to worry about his knees.
The storeage rooms were located in the same building where the cookies were made so they had to exit their rosy warmth of the toy and candy workshop and venture out into the silvery cold of the North Pole.
As Bernard felt the frosty air engulf him, he sighed and let it cool his hot face and clear his mind of everything but the coldness surrounding him. The soft sound of a sharp intake of breath brought him back to reality, and he looked back to see Serena rubbing her arms to try to restore the warmth she had lost.
With a pang of guilt, Bernard realized that he had been in such a hurry to get the errand over that he hadn't given her time to fetch her coat. While his clothes were specially made to keep out the cold, the light sweater she wore wasn't doing much to warm her.
He stopped and said, "Would you like to go back for a coat? I'd forgotten that your clothes weren't suitable for the climate-"
"No, I'll be fine, thank you," she replied with a smile that went straight to Bernard's knees. "It's not that much farther and I don't mind the cold."
He wanted to tell her how sorry he was for not thinking about her clothing sooner, wanted to demand that they march straight back and get her into something warmer because he couldn't bear the thought of her being uncomfortable, but instead he simply said, "Alright," and walked on, cursing himself mentally.
When they reached the storerooms, he breathed a silent sigh of relief as he saw Serena sit down to warm herself on a sofa that was beside a roaring fire in the elves' break room. Ordinarily, he would have objected to the delay, and yet, seeing her close her eyes happily while the firelight danced on her cheeks . . . he suddenly was at a loss for words.
Before he knew what he was doing, he had sat down beside her, closer than he had ever been before. If Serena noticed the unusual proximity, she kept it to herself saying instead, "I'm glad that we have a moment. You've been so busy that I haven't had time to talk to you properly. I've missed you."
"I missed you, too," he said, much of the nervousness he had been feeling a moment earlier disappearing as some of the old familiarity began to seep back in. "Although, I stay updated on you. It's my job after all."
"Why, Bernard," she said, teasing. "I never would have thought that you would be spying on me."
"Not spying," he said, grinning, "just making sure that you've been good."
"It's not me you have to worry about," she said, the smile leaving her face. "You might want to be keeping a closer eye on Charlie, though."
"What's wrong with Charlie?" Bernard asked. "I mean, I know he hasn't been visiting up here these last few years, but I didn't think it was anything serious."
"Well, I don't suppose it's serious," she said, looking uncomfortable. "It's really just the fact that he's turned into a teenager, and you know what teenage boys are like."
"Ah," said Bernard, understanding. "Well, luckily he'll grow out of it."
"I can only hope," she said. "But then I guess everyone goes a little crazy when they first start dating."
"Did you?" Bernard asked before he could catch himself. He furrowed his brow and quickly tried to remember if Serena had ever had a serious boyfriend. Her father surely would have mentioned it if she had. . .
Serena laughed softly and said, "I haven't ever had a boyfriend to go crazy over."
That was all that was said on the matter, but for some strange reason it filled Bernard with warmth to hear that Serena had never had a real boyfriend. And why would that be? whispered that nasty little voice that he had been hearing a lot from lately. Why would that make you happy? Are you planning on dating her? I really don't see how that would work with you being. . .
Shut up! Bernard told the voice firmly and shook his head. He noticed that Serena had an almost sad look on her face, and he tried to say cheerily, "Well, you're young still. I'm sure you'll find someone to-"
"But I already have," she interrupted, before a frightened look crossed her face. She obviously hadn't meant to say that out loud.
"Have what?" Bernard asked slowly, hoping beyond all hope that he'd misheard.
Serena swallowed hard and looked down at her hands which were clasped tightly in her lap. "I've already . . . fallen in love with someone."
He didn't understand why at the time, but pain unlike any other he had ever felt pierced through his heart like a knife. After taking a minute to get control over his emotions, he managed to ask dryly, "Then what's the problem?"
"The man that I love," she said in a barely audible whisper, "will never feel the same way about me."
Bernard's head snapped up quickly to look at her, alarmed at the desperate sadness in her voice. She still was staring down at her hands, a blush spreading across her cheeks from her confession, and the firelight causing her eyes to shine with unshed tears.
He wanted more than anything to take her in his arms and comfort her, to tell her that anyone who wouldn't love her the way she deserved to be loved wasn't worth her time. He longed to hold her and kiss her and make her happy again. Unconsciously, his eyes slid down her face to stare at her beautiful mouth and wondered how it would taste against his own.
****************
Santa was just coming out of the cookie workshop with a fresh glass of milk in his hand when a strange sight met his eyes. There sat Serena and Bernard on the sofa in front of the fire. Although neither of them were looking directly at one another, their faces were flushed and they were sitting a little too close to one another.
Slightly embarrassed and feeling that he was intruding on something, he turned and went back the way he came, sitting down in the kitchen to watch the elves make cookies. He frowned as he sipped his ice cold milk and wondered which bothered him more, the idea that his daughter was old enough to be inclined toward anyone romantically, or the fact that, because it was Bernard she was with, those protective fatherly feelings that he should be having were strangely amiss.
*****************
"Bernard, are you sure you're alright?" Serena asked for the third time. They had removed the desired three boxes of peppermint flavoring from the storerooms and were now carrying them as quickly as they could manage through the falling snow. Bernard had insisted on taking two boxes, only allowing Serena to burden herself with one, but that twinge of pain in his back had steadily been increasing and now it felt like someone was stabbing him in his lower back with every step he took.
Needless to say, this was slowing him down considerably, but he wasn't about to admit it to anyone. "Nonsense," he said carelessly. "I'm just taking my time to enjoy the snowfall."
"It is beautiful, isn't it?" she said, pausing to tilt her head up to watch the delicate flakes swirl down from the heavens. Bernard watched the snowflakes gathering in her pale hair and eyelashes. She looks like a snow princess, he thought.
All too soon they reached the comfort of the indoors once more, and Bernard was finally able to set down the boxes. As he bent over, however, his lower back shot a jolt of pain up his spine causing him to let out a soft groan of pain and set the boxes down a little too hard so that the glass bottles inside clinked together.
"Bernard, what's wrong," Serena said, instantly dashing all hopes he had had about her not hearing.
"Nothing's wrong," he said quickly and began to make a hasty retreat, but a warm hand closed over his, stopping him. He sighed in defeat and allowed Serena to guide him firmly but gently into an empty workroom.
"Don't lie to me, Bernard," she said once she was sure they were alone. "You're visibly in pain. Now what's wrong?"
"It's my back," he managed to say after taking a few breaths to steady himself. Serena still hadn't let go of his hand, and it was doing funny things to his concentration. "I must have hurt it somehow."
"Then perhaps you should see a doctor."
"No, I'll be fine," Bernard insisted stubbornly, pulling his had away from hers. "I haven't done anything to injure myself, and I never get sick."
"Just the same, you can't work if you're in pain," Serena said firmly. "It's getting dark outside anyway. Why don't you just go to bed for the night? I'm sure you'll feel better after getting some sleep."
"I can't do that," Bernard insisted. "I'm the Head Elf. I have to oversee the new workers."
"I'll take care of the workers," Serena said. "You can't take a risk with something like this. If you push yourself too hard now, it's likely to get worse. The workers can manage without you for an evening, but they'll never be able to meet the deadline if you get sick and have to be in bed for a week." She began to steer him toward the steps leading up to the bedrooms.
"But I-I can't," he persisted. "I have to-"
"I'll take care of it." With one last shove he found himself walking up the stairs toward his room while Serena scurried off behind him to address a small explosion that had come from the electric car department.
Locking the door to his room firmly behind him, he threw himself onto his bed as tears burned his eyes. It was true, and he couldn't deny it to himself any longer. He was hopelessly in love with her, and the worst part was that he seemed to loose all control of his emotions whenever she was around. Bernard hated not being in control, especially of himself.
And to make matters worse, she was in love with someone else. Someone who would be sure to realize the treasure they possessed and return her love, no matter what her doubts were about his reciprocation. He would have to stand by and watch as she married someone else, would have to hear stories about her new husband on a daily basis from the boss, and she would never, ever know how much he cared for her.
At least she will be happy, he thought bitterly. But she's a human and eventually she'll grow old and die and leave me all alone. I think I could go on living with the knowledge that she's happy, but if I couldn't see her at all ever again. . .
All coherent thought left him then, and he sobbed into his pillow until he became too tired for tears. He stared up at the ceiling as one saddening thought after another chased itself around in his mind.
What would she ever see in me anyway? I'm old. I know I don't look it, but I am. True, I'll never die unless I do something stupid like fall off a roof, but . . .
She'd hate me forever if she knew how I felt. And the boss, what would he think if he knew how I felt about his daughter?
How could I ever have been so stupid as to let something like this happen? Even if, by some miracle, she were to return my love, what do I have to offer her? Nothing! I spend all my time shut up in these tiny workshops located in the middle of nowhere. That's not the kind of life she would enjoy.
And would I be able to love her the way she deserves to be loved? Would I be able to spend enough time with her with all my duties as Head Elf? Would I be able to keep her safe and make her happy and satisfy her . . . sexually?
That last thought came unbidden to his mind and a deep red blush covered him from head to toe at the thought of it. Yet, now that it was lodged in his mind, it refused to go away.
Bernard wasn't entirely innocent on what was involved in sex. He had an idea of course, but as to the finer points of it . . . he was completely clueless. He'd never even kissed anyone before, and he'd always avoided any kind of physical contact because it made him more uncomfortable than anything else.
Now, however, the idea of touching someone, as long as it was Serena, seemed more and more appealing. He wondered what it would be like to kiss her, to bury his face in her neck and breathe in the sweet smell of her hair, to trail soft kisses down her neck to her collar bone, his hands traveling to her chest. . .
Bernard unconsciously began to fumble with the opening of his trousers, desperate to free his aching erection, but at the last moment he stopped in shame. How could he ever look her in the face again if he did this?
It took all the control he could muster to stop, but he knew that he had to. He clenched all this muscles so that the pain in his back spread like wildfire. Grinding his teeth, he concentrated on the pain until his arousal had receded.
He wasn't sure what time he was able to fall asleep, but he awoke the next morning exhausted, miserable, and feeling stiff and sore all over.
Part 4: The Mistake
Santa sat the next day busily absorbed with the second checking of his list, when a knock on the door interrupted him. Judy poked her head in with a tray of cocoa in her hands.
"There's someone here to see you, sir," she said as Santa noticed that she had put two cups on the tray instead of one.
"Is it Cupid?" he asked, willing to put everything aside if it was.
As she nodded her conformation, the door blew open and in flew Cupid. "Can't stop to chat long," the small man announced cheerfully as he set aside his bow and arrows and sat down in the chair opposite. "So, Santa, what was so urgent that I had to reschedule all my appointments for the day? You're not in love are you?"
"No," Santa said, offering him a cup of cocoa which he gratefully accepted, "but I think my daughter may be."
"Serena?" he asked. "Well, she's what, seventeen or eighteen now right? It was bound to happen sooner or later."
"She's eighteen," Santa informed the winged man. "I suppose what I really want to know is why you would shoot her with one of your arrows without giving me any advance warning."
"Come to think of it," Cupid said, "I haven't been anywhere near her since last year when I made her high school principal fall in love with a teacher. I haven't shot her with any of my love arrows."
"So she isn't really in love? This is just a crush, right?"
"We'll soon find out," Cupid said, taking a pair of what looked like pink-tinted sunglasses from his arrow shaft. "Where is she?"
Santa led him to a large window in his office where he could look out over the entire toy workshop. He pointed out his daughter to the small man who had to flap his wings a few times to get his head level with Santa's.
Serena was carrying a basket of cookies, making sure all the elves had something to snack on while they worked. As she offered one to Bernard, who blushingly accepted it, Cupid put on his glasses and peered down at the two of them for a moment.
"I see what you mean," he said finally, removing his glasses and landing delicately in his chair, "but you can relax, she really is in love, and if I'm not mistaken, that young elf down there is quite taken with her also."
"But you said that you hadn't shot them with any arrows," Santa said, confusion evident on his face.
"Ah, but you didn't tell me that she was in love with anyone magical. You see, my arrows don't work on people like you or me, because we have magic of our own. Naturally, because elves use magic my arrows have no effect on them either. So in cases like this, we must consult the book."
He rummaged around in his arrow sheaf a bit more and pulled out a large book that didn't look like it possibly could have fit inside the tiny sheaf. The book was gold and was embossed with silver lettering. It simply said, "Love."
"Now, what I'm about to show you is strictly confidential, and the only reason I'm doing this is because you're my friend, and I trust you." Santa nodded for Cupid to continue. "In situations like these, where one or both of the people are of magical descent, when they are born, their names are entered into this book as well as the names of the people they are meant to be with."
He flipped through the book, muttering to himself before allowing Santa to view one of the pages. Bernard's name was there coupled with the name of his daughter, Serena Calvin.
"But I don't understand," he said, shaking his head. "Serena wasn't even born yet when Bernard was born. I wasn't even born then!"
"Yes, but I get my information from the stars and they never lie," Cupid told him. "The second Bernard was born, the stars shifted to make room for him, and it was entered in this book that the person he was to fall in love with would be Serena Calvin, your daughter. It doesn't matter that she wasn't born yet. The stars already knew of her because they can see centuries into the future. Why this declaration of their love is nearly one thousand years old. Now, you can hardly question the validity of something like that, can you?"
"I suppose I can't," Santa said, leaning back in his chair, relieved that he wouldn't have to deal with any broken hearts at their busiest time of the year. "I just can't understand why it would be Serena, of all people."
"Hey, as to why the stars make their decisions, I can't say," Cupid told him, taking up his bow and preparing to leave. "I may never know the answer to that question, but I do know this: the stars are never wrong. If they say Serena and Bernard are meant to be together, then they will be."
"What should I do?" Santa asked. "Should I ask her about it or should I just go on as if I didn't notice anything?"
"Don't breathe a word of this to either of them," Cupid said firmly. "It will only complicate things, and they're going to have a hard enough time of it as it is."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it's just a hunch, but I've seen these situations enough to know how hard it will be for Bernard." Seeing the confused look on Santa's face, Cupid explained, "Think about it from Bernard's perspective. He's no doubt already fallen in love with her, but he's going to do everything in his power to suppress those feelings. Why? Because she's you daughter. He'll probably view it as inappropriate that he has feelings for her. He's also got to get round the fact that she's so young, although if I may say so, she certainly acts more like Bernard's age than some of those awful teenage girls I'm forced to work with."
"I think I see what you mean," Santa said.
"Oh, and one more thing," Cupid said, already half out the door. "Save yourself the trouble of worrying about them. I can personally tell you that they'll be fine. Just try to let things take their natural course. With situations like these, when two people are genuinely in love, things may seem to move a little quickly to the careful observer, but nothing ever happens that they are not ready for. In relationships like theirs, everything happens when it should."
With a wink and a fluttering of wings, Cupid was gone. Santa leaned back in his chair to ponder all he had learned, his list laying forgotten on the side of his desk. He knew it would be hard for him to suppress his protective feelings if he felt anyone was moving too fast with his daughter, but then again, this was Bernard. Every time he reminded himself of that, all his worries disappeared. He knew Bernard better than any of the other elves and he knew that he could trust him not to do anything with his daughter that they weren't ready for. Besides, there wasn't anyone he'd rather have as a son-in-law. . .
********************
For poor Bernard, the past few days had not been easy. He had given up on trying to avoid Serena altogether, because in such a small place, they were bound to keep running into one another. He caught himself watching her from across the room, taking in every feature of her beautiful, petite frame. Noticing how hard she worked at any task she was assigned and how kind she was to everyone around her.
The pain in Bernard's back had grown dramatically worse with each passing day, but it was nothing compared to the ache he felt in his chest every time he thought of Serena. She was always on his mind when he was awake. He simply couldn't forget about her no matter how hard he tried.
He hadn't been getting any sleep, either. Whenever he did manage to drift off, he always dreamed of her and woke up either with tears on his cheeks or feeling shameful and aroused.
He knew he looked awful and that the elves were whispering to one another about his disheveled appearance behind his back, but he was too exhausted to care, and he hurt so badly, both inside and out.
One morning, after this had been going on for about a week, he had been carrying a box of ornaments up the stairs when his back completely gave out. The word spun around him and he found himself sprawled on the stairs, gasping in pain, the ornaments having tumbled to the foot of the stairs, probably broken.
As soon as he had comprehended what had happened, he felt a strong pair of warm arms wrap around him. He could faintly hear Serena tell Judy and Trevor to take charge of the other elves while she took care of Bernard.
Oh, now this really isn't fair, Bernard thought, but he was in no condition to argue. He let Serena pull him to his feet and pull one of his arms around her shoulders. She kept both of her arms securely around his waist as she led him up the stairs.
"I'm going to take you to my room," she told him. "It's closer than yours, and you don't look like you can make it very far." He simply nodded, too tired to protest.
When she reached her room, she helped him in before shutting the door behind them. "Is it still your back?" she asked. He nodded, and she helped him to lie down on his stomach on her bed.
He stretched out on the soft bed, his face on her pillow. He could smell the sweet scent of her hair, and he could have easily drifted off to sleep if it hadn't been for Serena's next actions which woke him up instantly.
"What are you doing?" he asked as he felt Serena begin to undo the numerous buttons that lined the back of his shirt.
"I'm going to see if I can work some of these knots out of your back since you're too stubborn to see a doctor," she said, her fingers nimbly working their way down his buttoned shirt. "I could feel how tense your back was when I was helping you up the stairs. You really shouldn't let yourself get so worried and stressed. What on earth has been wrong with you these past few days? Surely it's not just the ever approaching deadline that's causing you so much worry?"
"No, it isn't that at all," Bernard said, praying that she wouldn't ask any more questions.
Thankfully, Serena knew Bernard well and she knew that if she pushed too much then she'd never get any answers out of him. She could be patient and wait for Bernard to tell her what his troubles were when he was ready.
She undid the last button of his shirt and gently slid it back around his shoulders. Bernard jumped as he felt her soft, warm hands touch the bare skin of his back. The most intimate contact he'd had with anyone before this point and time was a simple handshake. Feeling her fingertips running along his skin as she felt the muscles underneath for signs of tension, it was amazing. Her fingers seemed to leave a trail of fire wherever they ventured.
Gently, Serena began applying firm pressure to the knots in Bernard's muscles. He gasped in pain and relief as he felt the first muscle she worked on give away under her caress. She worked her way slowly down Bernard's back, applying pressure until the muscles loosened, and then gently caressing each spot to help relieve the pain.
Bernard felt himself relaxing little by little. It hurt when the muscles in his back first began to loosen, but once they did it felt so good, and he couldn't help the groan of pleasure that escaped his lips when she began to work on his lower back.
After she was sure that his muscles were no longer clenched, she began to slowly rub her hand up and down on his back. Her touch was so soothing that, combined with the scent of her hair on the pillow; he couldn't help but fall into a peaceful slumber.
***********************
He awoke at about one o'clock that afternoon, feeling better than he'd felt in ages. His back was no longer stiff and sore, and he was sleeping on something soft and warm.
The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was Serena's sweet face. She was dozing in an armchair by the bed. His shirt was buttoned up his back once more, and she had covered him up with a warm comforter.
She's stayed by my side this whole time, Bernard realized, his heart swelling with love.
As though sensing his gaze, Serena's eyes fluttered open, and when she realized that Bernard was awake, she was down on her knees beside him in a flash. "Are you feeling better?" she asked, smoothing the curls on his forehead, something she had always wanted to do, but had never dared try before.
"Yes, thanks to you," he said smiling warmly up at her.
Everything seemed so perfect there in that moment in time. For just a few brief seconds, he allowed himself to pretend that she was there by his side, not because she cared for him as a friend, but because she loved him with the same intensity that he loved her.
As wonderful as it was, he pulled himself out of his little fantasy before he could say or do something that he might regret. "I'm sorry that I've been so much trouble," he said, sitting up.
"Bernard, perhaps you shouldn't get up just yet," Serena said, concern etching itself once more across her face.
"No, I'd better get out of your way," Bernard insisted, swinging himself out of bed and grabbing his hat from where Serena had carefully placed it on the bedside table.
"Please don't go," she begged. "At least tell me what was wrong."
He was already making his way to the door when her words stopped him. "I'm sorry," he whispered, not turning to face her, "but I don't think I'll ever be able to tell you."
He marched straight for the door, but Serena darted in front of him quite suddenly to try to get him to rest a bit longer. He hadn't been expecting this, and he walked right into her, causing her to lose her footing and stumble backward.
Reflex took over, and he shot out his arms to catcher and pulled her safely against him. He froze, realizing how close they were. Her face was only about an inch away from his, and he could feel her warm breath on his face.
Bernard was never quite sure if it was her or himself that closed the distance between the two of them. All he knew was that their lips had somehow met, and that sweet, innocent kiss was all it took for his self-control to momentarily break.
He snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her tightly against him. Her lips were so soft and warm. He couldn't get enough of her. He hesitantly extended his tongue and her lips parted instantly to allow him to explore her mouth further. She made a soft noise in the back of her throat that only encouraged him, and she brought her hands up to tangle her fingers in his dark curls, causing his hat to tumble off his head and onto the floor.
It wasn't until lack of air forced them to part that Bernard fully understood what was happening. "Serena, I'm so sorry!" he gasped, pulling away from her. "I don't know what I. . . I-I just. . . I'm sorry."
Tears poured down his cheeks as he raced from the room, not stopping till he had burst into his own room and slammed the door angrily behind him. Putting his head in his hands, he wondered, How could I have been so stupid?!
***********************
Fifteen minutes later, Judy came up to see if Bernard was alright. To her surprise she found Serena sitting alone on the floor of her room, Bernard's hat lying in her lap. "Serena, what-"
"Judy," Serena cut her off. "I think I need your help."
Part 5: Finally!
Bernard stayed in bed for the rest of the day. Evening came and the supper bell rang, but he didn't dare go down. He had no desire to eat anyway.
Just as the stars were beginning to emerge in the night sky, he heard a knock on his door, but he didn't answer it. He had no desire to see anyone.
A few moments later, he heard a key scraping in the lock. That'll be Judy, he thought, rolling over and feigning sleep so as to avoid conversation. Judy had a passkey to all the rooms because she usually came in once a day after brewing the morning cocoa, to dust and tidy up a bit.
Outside his room, after Judy had unlocked the door for Serena, she slipped quietly away. Bernard heard what he thought to be Judy bustling busily about the room, lighting the fire, which had long since gone out. The room became at once warm and rosy again, but it did little to change the cold grayness he felt inside himself.
He heard the soft clatter of a tea tray being set down before someone said, "I thought you might like some tea."
Bernard's eyes opened wide in shock. This was not Judy. He rolled over to see Serena blushing at him from beside his small bedside table on which she had set the tea things. She had his hat in her hands, and she offered it nervously to him.
After a long while, he reached out to take it and said softly, "Do you hate me?"
"And what reason would I have for hating you?" she said, sitting down beside him on the bed.
Bernard sat up and said hurriedly, "Serena, please forgive me. I-"
"I didn't ask for an apology," Serena cut him off, her face unreadable. "I asked why I would hate you."
"Because. . . I kissed you," Bernard murmured in a barely audible whisper. He stared down at his hands, tears making his vision blurry.
"Is that a crime?" she asked kindly.
"Yes! I mean, no. . . it's just that you're so young. Here I am, an almost nine hundred ninety-nine year-old elf, and I'm in love with an eighteen year-old human. And not just any human, no, the boss's daughter. You're his daughter, for goodness sakes, I shouldn't be feeling these things for you!"
"Does any of that really matter?" she asked, looking him straight in the eyes.
"Well, maybe it shouldn't, but it does. Besides, that's no excuse for my behavior when I know that you're in love with another man."
"Bernard," she began, but he cut her off.
"How could I have been so stupid and selfish?! You just told me you were in love, for crying out loud, and I have to go and complicate matters by-"
"Bernard," she repeated, this time putting her fingers over his mouth briefly until he was silenced. "Bernard, don't you get it? The man I was talking about was you."
"What?" His mind froze and his heart leapt as his confused brain tried to make sense of what she had said.
Her eyes softened and she reached a hand up to cup his cheek. "I love you, Bernard," she whispered before covering his mouth with hers.
For the second time that day, all Bernard's control left him the minute those petal-soft lips touched his, but this time, his control was gone for good. He melted into the kiss and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his lap.
This time when they surfaced for air, he trailed soft kisses across her cheek so he could nip at her earlobe, eliciting a gasp of surprise from the young woman in his lap. She bent her head down and buried her face in his neck, slowly brushing her lips against the pulse point on his throat.
He moaned and lay back on the bed, pulling her down with him. There, she continued to lightly nip and kiss his neck until her ministrations caused waves of arousal to shoot toward his groin.
Panicking slightly, he tried to sit up, but as she was holding onto him so tightly, he only succeeded in reversing their positions. He blushed a deep red as his body covered hers, and he was sure that she could feel his arousal pressing firmly between her legs.
He opened his mouth to apologize, but a moan emerged instead as Serena experimentally arched her hips up into his. His now prominent erection throbbed pleasurably at the sudden pressure and friction.
As she reached up to once more undo the buttons lining the back of his shirt, he pulled away one last time to ask, "Are you sure?"
"I love you, Bernard. Of course I'm sure," she whispered. "Besides, I trust you with all my heart and soul." She noticed the way Bernard was suddenly trembling, and added quickly, "That is, unless you don't want to."
"Oh, I want to so badly," he replied, cupping her face in his hands. "But you have to realize that once we take this step, there's no going back."
"That's good," she replied. "I don't ever want to go back."
"I guess I'm scared, too," he confided. "Before today, I'd never even kissed anyone before, and now here we are about to. . . well, I just don't want to ruin it by not knowing how."
"I don't know either," she said quickly. "I mean, I know the basics, but as for the rest. . . we can figure that out together, okay?"
"Alright," he said, bending down to cover her mouth with his once more, and allowing her to finish unbuttoning his shirt. He shivered lightly as the material was pulled from his body, and he sat up so that Serena could sit up also.
She gazed at his bare chest appreciatively, and gently ran her fingers over his creamy skin. Before long, she let her mouth replace her fingers as she continued her exploration of him.
Bernard closed his eyes and his breathing became ragged as her lips slowly traveled all over his chest. After a little while, she pulled back and her hands went to the buttons of her blouse, but before she had got the first button undone, Bernard's hands covered hers.
"Let me," he whispered. She nodded, and with trembling hands, he slowly undid the buttons of her blouse and pulled it off of her. All she was wearing underneath was a lacy white bra. She reached down and began to tug off her pants, revealing a matching pair of lacy white panties.
Bernard let his eyes roam freely over her, taking in as much of her as he could. "You're so beautiful," he whispered at last. A pleased blush spread across her features as she gazed up at him with a face full of love, trust, and desire.
He drew her near to him so that he could reach behind her to undo the clasp of her bra. This
proved to be a far more difficult task than he had expected. He just couldn't figure the darn thing out!
A groan of frustration escaped his lips as the stubborn clasp refused to budge. She giggled at him, and lightly kissed his nose before reaching back to undo the clasp herself.
As the bra fell away from her, Bernard stared at the most beautiful sight he had ever seen in his life. Hesitantly, and with trembling fingers, he reached out to cup her breasts in his hands. She closed her eyes and arched her back at his touch, pressing her breasts more firmly into his hands.
"So soft," he whispered wonderingly. He remembered how good her mouth had felt against his chest and wondered if it would also feel that good to her. Keeping his eyes on her face in case she should indicate that she didn't like it, he slowly began to kiss at her shoulders, slowly moving down, until he was kissing her breasts.
"Oh, Bernard," she gasped as he experimentally took one of her hardened nipples into his mouth. She tangled her fingers in his hair as he continued to explore every curve of her breasts with his lips and tongue.
Eventually he kissed his way down to her stomach and kept moving lower until he reached the band of her panties. He gave her a quizzical look, and she nodded. His breath hitched as he slowly pulled her last piece of clothing from her.
He stared for a moment, overwhelmed by how beautiful her naked form was, before pulling her into a searing kiss, her soft breasts pressing against his bare chest. His hands began to travel all over her, trying to memorize every curve. Everywhere he touched her, she felt a warm tingle of magic from the tips of his fingers.
Her hands, which had been resting on his chest, drifted down to hesitantly touch the bulge in Bernard's trousers. He groaned, laying back on the bed and was sure that'd he'd die of happiness when he felt her tugging off his trousers and freeing his throbbing erection.
She experimentally grasped his arousal in her hand, and he cried out, his knuckles white from clenching the bed sheets. He had never in his life ever imagined that he would let another person touch him there, and even during the past week when he had guiltily fantasized about this moment, he had no idea it could ever be this wonderful.
"Serena," he gasped out as she began to move her hand up and down his length. "I'm going to lose it if you keep this up."
Reluctantly her fingers retreated and left him aching for more. He wanted her. Now.
"Are you ready?" he asked, once more covering her body with his.
She nodded, and lovingly caressed his face as she spread her legs to allow him entry. To tell the truth, she was a little nervous because she had heard that it was supposed to hurt the first time, and yet, as Bernard began to press into her, all she felt was unimaginable pleasure.
Perhaps, she wondered, remembering the tingles of magic she felt from his fingers. Perhaps it won't hurt because he's magic.
She didn't ponder this long, however, for soon Bernard's full length was inside of her, and they both lay quite still while waves of pleasure cascaded over them. Serena was breathing heavily, marveling at how something so large could feel so good inside her.
Bernard had his eyes screwed tightly shut, trying to take in everything at once. She was so tight and wet and warm around him that he wasn't sure he would be able to stand it. He had never known pleasure like this existed.
Serena smiled up at him and brought her hand up to cup his cheek. "Breathe," she reminded him.
"I think I've forgotten how," Bernard gasped, as he let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
He smiled tenderly down at her as he experimentally pulled himself about halfway out of her and slowly pushed himself in again. They both cried out as another wave of pleasure racked their bodies. Bernard struggled to regain a little control over himself. He didn't want the moment to end too quickly.
Soon, he began taking her slowly, pulling almost all the way out of her and then bringing himself down on her once more. She moaned and began to rock her hips in rhythm with his own, strengthening the sensation.
It wasn't long before he began to unconsciously speed up. His hips pumped furiously and his thrusts became harder. They both began moaning every time he slammed his hips back into her.
Each new thrust brought Serena closer to the edge. "Bernard!" she screamed, holding him tightly as her orgasm engulfed her.
For Bernard, feeling her tighten around his length and hearing her scream his name like that was too much. He plunged after her into the abyss, throwing his head back and groaning as the initial wave hit him, before burying his face in her neck and moaning her name softly while he filled her insides up with his warm liquid.
They stayed like that for a while, both basking in the feeling of the other's skin against their own. Finally, still gasping for air, Bernard propped himself up with his arms so that he could look at his lover's face. Serena smiled up at him tenderly, a look of immense joy on her face and a few tears in her eyes.
He wiped them away with concern and asked, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she said, laughing softly. "It was just so wonderful. Besides, you're crying too."
"Am I?" Bernard asked, reaching up to feel a few tears of joy that had gathered on his cheeks. "That was amazing. I had no idea love could be like this."
"I love you, Bernard," she whispered.
"And I love you," he returned, kissing her with his heart on his lips.