Chapter 17: The Christmas They Chose
849 Words
For the first time in his entire life, Nicholas Claus woke up happy.
Not just content. Not just satisfied.
Happy.
And that scared him.
Because happiness meant having something to lose.
And he had never had that before.
The North Pole was still asleep when he stepped outside.
Fresh snow blanketed the workshop, the rooftops glistening under the soft morning light.
It was quiet, peaceful in a way that made him feel… restless.
Because he knew this feeling—this dangerous, vulnerable warmth in his chest.
It was her.
And now, he had to keep her.
Alina found him in the main hall, pacing near the Christmas tree, his expression unreadable.
She crossed her arms, leaning against the doorway. “You’re thinking again.”
Nicholas exhaled sharply. “I do that sometimes.”
Alina smirked. “It’s cute.”
Nicholas shot her a flat look. “Careful.”
But there was no real bite to it.
Because one look at her, and his chest tightened.
Damn it.
He was gone for her.
Completely.
Alina stepped closer, watching him carefully.
“You’re worried.”
It wasn’t a question.
Nicholas sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t do this.”
Alina raised an eyebrow. “Do what?”
He met her gaze, serious now.
“This. Relationships. Love.” His jaw tightened. “I don’t know how to be—”
“Good at it?” she finished.
Nicholas nodded once.
Alina studied him for a long moment.
Then, she smirked.
“Good.”
Nicholas blinked. “Good?”
Alina stepped even closer, wrapping her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his chest.
“It means we get to figure it out together.”
Nicholas stilled.
Because of course she would say that.
Of course, she would make this easy.
Of course, she would choose him anyway.
He let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, his arms tightening around her instinctively.
“Alina,” he murmured.
She hummed in response.
And for the first time, Nicholas Claus understood something about himself.
He had never been built for love.
But somehow, he had found it anyway.
A Year Later
Christmas Eve came faster than either of them expected.
The workshop was alive with energy, elves running from room to room, checking the final shipments, adjusting the reindeer harnesses, preparing the sleigh.
Nicholas, as usual, was at the center of it.
Barking orders.
Double-checking logistics.
Keeping the chaos under control.
But something was different this year.
Something had changed.
Because this year, Alina was here.
And this year, he wasn’t just doing it for the kids.
He was doing it for them.
Bernard nudged him as they loaded the sleigh. “You’re in a suspiciously good mood.”
Nicholas scoffed. “I am not.”
Bernard smirked. “You are. And I know why.”
Nicholas narrowed his eyes. “Careful, Bernard.”
But Bernard wasn’t intimidated.
He just grinned, gesturing toward the balcony above them.
Where Alina was standing.
Watching him.
Waiting.
Nicholas swallowed hard.
Because this was real now.
She was real.
And for the first time, Christmas didn’t feel like an obligation.
It felt like something he chose.
He found her later that night, wrapped in her coat, watching the sky.
She turned when she heard him.
And smiled.
That smile destroyed him.
It had been a year.
A year of learning each other.
A year of fighting and loving in equal measure.
A year of making the North Pole feel like home.
And Nicholas had never been more certain of anything.
So he took a deep breath.
And pulled a small velvet box from his pocket.
Alina froze.
Her breath caught as Nicholas stepped forward, his expression serious, steady, sure.
“Nicholas…” she whispered.
But he just took her hand.
And knelt.
Alina forgot how to breathe.
“I never thought I’d have this,” he admitted, voice rough. “I never thought I’d want this.”
He swallowed hard.
“But you changed that. You changed me.”
Alina’s eyes burned.
Nicholas exhaled.
“I don’t do promises. I don’t do forever.” His lips twitched. “At least, I didn’t. But you…” He let out a sharp breath. “You made me want both.”
Alina couldn’t speak.
Because this was Nicholas Claus.
This was the man who had spent his life avoiding love.
And now, he was offering it to her.
A promise.
A forever.
Nicholas smirked slightly. “So? Are you gonna make me wait all night?”
Alina laughed through her tears.
And then, she dropped to her knees too.
She kissed him before she even answered.
And when she finally pulled back, breathless, shaking, she whispered—
“Yes.”
Nicholas grinned. “Damn right.”
And when he kissed her again, the world melted away.
Because this was theirs.
This Christmas.
This life.
This love.
And for once, Nicholas Claus wasn’t just giving Christmas.
He was keeping a piece of it for himself.
Forever.
- Writer
