Read Yuletide Mischief for Free Online Page B

guys, so no fussing, mijas .”
    Vivi looked around. “Wait. I hear bells. Does anyone else hear them? Maybe Santa Claus is here early.”
    Loki took her cue and created the sounds of bells. The kids began to look around, curious as to where the sound was coming from. He took it even further and caused snowflakes to fall lightly in the room. Not enough to cause a mess but to give a magical effect.
    “It’s real snow and it melted in my hand!” a little girl squealed. Everyone was in awe by that time and even Sandy, who decided that she was going to be angry, couldn’t hide the amazement from showing in her eyes. Loki wasn’t done, much to even Vivi’s delight, because the next thing they saw were elves. Real small pointy-eared creatures in green scurrying around, peeking over the backs of chairs and from behind the food table.
    By the time a child ran over to see one of the little creatures, it was gone and had dug through the presents under the tree. The children were laughing in delight, and even the teenagers looked to be having fun. But nothing could beat the surprise on Sandy’s face when an elf scrambled upon her shoulder and sat down. It plucked a candy cane off the tree and broke it in half, offering her a piece. Sandy took it from him in amazement and the elf smiled at her. Unable to resist, Vivi watched the little girl gently take the small being from her shoulder and sit it on her knee. It sucked the piece of candy cane into its mouth and motioned that she should do the same. By that time, the children were crowded around her and they all wanted to touch the tiny elf that Loki had created.
    “Little elves back to the sleigh. We can play later after the work is done,” Santa boomed.
    The kids turned, looked around, but no one was there until Gavin pointed with a loud little boy yell to where Loki was appearing. He appeared slowly so that everyone’s attention was on him. By the time he was completely visible, the children were rushing toward him, even Sandy.
    “My friend Vivienne asked me to make a special trip today. Not many get to see my magic,” Loki—aka Santa—said.
    Carmen came to stand beside her. “How did he do all this? I mean, how is this possible?”
    “Hollywood effects,” Vivi replied.
    “You were only here a short while last week. There is no way this place could’ve been…”
    Vivi took her hand gently. “Don’t worry how, Carmen, just look at their faces and see that we did a good thing. Look at Sandy.”
    They turned their attention back to the ten-year-old girl. The sullen look was off her face and now her eyes were alight. Loki made a chair appear and he sat down with a groan. The elves were at his feet and two of them ran over to Sandy and took her hand, bringing her up to Santa.
    Loki leaned over until he was nose to nose with her. “I hear that you believe that I don’t exist.”
    “The other guy was not real, and he seemed mean,” Sandy said in a loud whisper.
    “I wish I could be everywhere at once and do this for every child, but this is the season when I’m at my busiest,” he explained. “Those guys sign on to help bring joy to children in my place. I will have a talk with him and tell him that this year he needs to be more patient and jolly.”
    “Thank you…because kids need magic,” Sandy said solemnly.
    Loki tweaked her nose. “You are exactly right. So now for more surprises, I know what you really want for Christmas, but you think you won’t be allowed to have it.”
    Sandy’s lips trembled. “The sign outside says no animals allowed.”
    “I think that means dogs and cats, but I know that the pet you want won’t be much trouble to clean up after and you have to promise Ms. Carmen that you will always take care of it and let your brothers and sisters in this home love it as well,” Loki explained. “Now run over and ask her if you may have this gift.”
    Sandy ran and stood in front of her guardian. “I’m sorry I was mean and angry.