Christmas Magic (3 page)

Finally, Luke arrived at the little blue cottage, where Sadie lived with her parents. It was a cute little house, with white shutters and flower boxes in all the windows.

Gathering up his courage, he strode to the front door and knocked.

When the door opened, he was a little disappointed to see not Sadie herself but a slightly older-looking version—still beautiful but not the woman his heart was beating for.

Sadie’s mother.

Nora Green gasped, one hand over her mouth and the other on her chest.

Swallowing nervously, he stammered, “H-Hello. Is S-Sadie home?”

Nora nodded, finally removing her hand and grinning wide. “I’ll get her for you.” Luke couldn’t help but chuckle when she turned and called loudly, “Sadie, the door’s for you!”

He heard footsteps, and then Sadie’s voice from somewhere inside the house said, “Who is it, Mom? I told Whitney and Lia I’d meet them at Whit’s hou—”

She stopped, stunned, when she came into view. “Luke…” she breathed, her eyes wide.

His heart beating double-time, he said, “Hello, Sadie.”

Luke Taylor was at her house.

The feelings that had come over Sadie that night on the sidewalk flared up again, and she wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around him. Instead, she grabbed a coat and stepped outside, closing the door behind her.

Words tumbled out of her faster than she could stop them. “Wh-What can I do for you? Did you need something? Christmas is over. I have the day off… Was I supposed to work or something?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Calm down, please. You’re going to hyperventilate.”

She took a deep breath. She did indeed feel a little light-headed.

After a moment, he reached out and took her hands, stepping forward until they were mere inches apart. Sadie blinked up at him. It was as if time stopped. Her breathing was unsteady, and she couldn’t hear or see anything aside from Luke. Even though it was achingly cold out, she felt nothing but the heat from where their hands connected.

“I know this is sudden,” he began, drawing a deep breath and holding her gaze. “When I saw you the other night, something inside me changed. My mother said it was Christmas magic, that we’re soul mates. Whether it was magic or fate that put me in your path that night, I don’t know, and frankly, I’m not sure I care. You’re all I can think about, Sadie.”

She nodded, mute, afraid to open her mouth for fear of breaking the spell between them.

“Where were you last night?” he asked, looking sad. “I’d hoped to see you when I got back with the reindeer, but I looked for you in the crowd and didn’t find you.”

“I…” She shook her head, not knowing how to explain that she’d been worried he’d see her feelings written all over her face.

When she didn’t offer anything further, he nodded, as if that alone had been an answer. “I want to know everything about you. I want to share everything about me with you. I have feelings for you, Sadie Green.”

“Luke,” she gasped, shaking her head. “You can’t! I’m just…”

“Just what?” he asked gently, squeezing her hand.

“I’m just…me. I’m a regular elf working in one of Santa’s—one of your workshops. I live with my parents. I’ve never had a boyfriend. You need…” She huffed. “You need someone fit to be by your side.”

“Isn’t that for me to decide?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She nodded slowly. “Yes, but…”

“It isn’t like my life is normal, Sadie,” he said softly. “If you don’t think you can handle what my life now entails, then I’ll walk away and won’t bother you anymore.”

Sadie was shaking her head before he’d even spoken. “No, Luke, it isn’t that. Truly. I just—”

“Answer me one question,” he interrupted. When she nodded, he continued. “Did you feel something when we met? Something you’re still feeling?”

Slowly, she nodded, and the grin that came over him was like sunshine on a cloudy day. She felt warm inside, like her heart would burst.

“Then let me love you, Sadie. Please.”

She let go of her reservations and threw herself into his arms.

“Sadie,” he groaned, and then his lips found hers.

Magic was humming through the air as Sadie stood in the middle of the bedroom. It was her wedding day, and she couldn’t be more excited if she tried. She and Luke had spent the last six months getting to know one another. Oh, they’d been bound from the start—that’s what Christmas magic did for Santa and his Mrs.—but she’d fallen more and more in love with each passing day. When he’d asked her in March to be his wife, she hadn’t hesitated. Word of their engagement had spread rapidly through the village, and they’d been inundated with good wishes everywhere they went. It had been a whirlwind, but she wouldn’t have changed a thing. She felt like she was floating on air, she was so happy.

The wedding was only a few minutes away, at dusk. It being summer, they’d decided to hold the ceremony outside. Nancy and Donald had been married outdoors, as had Donald’s parents. Sadie and Luke had been given the choice of being married in the great hall, where most village-wide events were held, but with Christmas magic lighting up the sky, Sadie couldn’t imagine having held their wedding anywhere else.

“Hold still,” Whitney and Lia ordered at the same time as she fidgeted, trying to get a look out the window. They were trying to put the finishing touches on her hair, curling it down and around her shoulders.

“I’m sorry,” Sadie said with a laugh and then sighed. “I’m just anxious to see Luke.”

“He’s fine,” her mother announced when she breezed into the bedroom. “I just came from outside. He’s overseeing last-minute preparations.”

“There,” Whitney said, stepping back. “Now all that’s left is the flowers.”

Lia held them up. “I’ve got them.”

Lia reached up and placed the ring of delicate white flowers on Sadie’s head, securing it into place with a few bobby pins. Interwoven with the white buds were strands of gold adorned with clear beads, which twinkled like stars under the lights.

“Beautiful,” her mom said, sounding breathless, and Sadie looked up to see tears shimmering.

Glancing into the mirror, Sadie caught her breath. Her dress, which had been specially made by a few of the elves in the North Pole’s clothing workshop, fit her figure perfectly. The white ball gown was strapless, with a sweetheart neckline. Layers of tulle gave it a full skirt, which fell perfectly to the tops of her matching white heels. Beautiful lace overlaid the entire dress, while a wide, dark-green sash—covered in shimmering beads that matched the ones in her hair—wrapped around her waist and led to a large, draping bow at her back.

“You look almost perfect.”

Sadie turned and smiled when she saw her almost-mother-in-law standing in the doorway.

“You’re just missing one thing,” Nancy continued, holding up her hand. Dangling from her fingers was a pair of earrings. “These have been handed down in our family for Santa’s bride to wear, and it’s my absolute pleasure to give them now to you.”

“Oh, they’re beautiful,” Sadie said honestly, gingerly taking them from her. A pearl, diamond, and crystals hung from each silver hook, a stunning complement to the beading on her sash and flower crown.

Sliding them into her ears, Sadie stepped back and gazed at the full effect. The earrings finished off the look perfectly.

“Thank you,” she told Nancy. “I love them.”

Her dad cleared his throat as he stepped into the room. “Sadie-girl, I’ve never seen you more beautiful. It’s time. Ladies, Dalton is out there waiting to take you to the clearing. We’ll follow behind you with Cooper in the wedding sleigh.”

“We’ll see you out there,” Lia said, taking Whitney’s hand and tugging her out the door.

With one last quick hug and kiss on Sadie’s cheek, her mom and Nancy followed them out.

“Shall we?” her dad asked, his voice gruff with emotion. “Our carriage awaits.”

Sadie nodded, swallowing back her nerves and excitement as she took his arm and let him lead her from the room.

Aurora Borealis illuminated the sky in green, purple, blue, and pink as Luke slipped his hands into the pockets of his trousers and looked around. The display was one of the most magical things about the North Pole, as far as he was concerned. The rest of the world wasn’t able to see the Northern Lights as far north as the North Pole, but what they didn’t know was that the lights originated here in Santa’s village. Christmas magic worked in such a way that while the residents at the North Pole could see the village and the lights directly over it, no one else in the world was able to. But the lights extended a great distance and were visible to anyone far enough north. Of course, the rest of the world had some scientific explanation for the spectacle, but those at Santa’s village knew the truth. They truly were magical, and they came out anytime there was a celebration, such as Luke’s wedding to Sadie, which was due to begin any moment.

Some of the elves had worked hard to make the clearing where they were holding the wedding into a beautiful winter wonderland. It might have been summer, but with snow still covering the ground and trees, it was a picture-postcard vision. Boughs of evergreen and holly lined the sides of the aisle, which was covered with a red carpet runner that stood out beautifully on the bright-white snow.

There were carved wooden benches to seat two hundred elves, but looking out at the crowd standing behind those lucky enough to have gotten a seat, Luke knew everyone in the village had come to see the wedding. There was a buzz of excitement, just as there was every time anyone in the North Pole got married, but when it was Santa, the magic in the air made the anticipation that much more electric.

To accompany the Northern Lights were thousands of fireflies floating through the sky. It was like a thousand strands of twinkling Christmas lights, only magically lit. No one knew how they survived in the cold climate of the North Pole, but Luke felt it was more Christmas magic at work, which was a good enough explanation for him. He loved seeing the fireflies lighting up the night in red, yellow, and green, whether here or outside his bedroom window.

Finally, there was a small group of elves off to the side, keeping everyone entertained with lovely music from their violins, flutes, and other instruments. They would accompany Sadie’s walk down the aisle and then play during reception, as well.

Everything came together for a beautiful, romantic atmosphere, and Luke wished he could fast-forward time until Sadie was by his side.

Just as Timmons, one of the oldest elves at the North Pole and one who performing the ceremony, stepped up beside Luke, two elves, dressed in red-and-black uniforms, suddenly snapped to attention at the end of the aisle. They raised their trumpets, signaling the arrival of the first sleigh, which Luke knew carried Sadie’s friends Whitney and Amelia, as well as her mother and his. He shifted on his feet excitedly. His bride-to-be was right around the corner.

Amelia stepped out first, pretty in a shimmery silver dress. Her husband, Blake, escorted her down the aisle to sit behind Sadie’s parents. Luke smiled when Lia winked at him, any nerves he had slowly dissipating.

Following Lia was tiny little Whitney, her gold dress a beautiful contrast to Lia’s silver. Evan reached out and took her hand, helping her down from the dark-green-and-black sleigh. She nearly skipped down the aisle, a big smile on her face as she beamed up at Luke before taking her seat.