"Indeed! All my reindeer are happily munching on carrots. Tell me, young man, where can I find my chair?"
"Oh, it's right over there, Santa. I'm just waiting for my friend to come out."
Amusement filled me. I loved that Angelo played along, but I couldn't tell if he was joking right now. Did he think I was still inside and that this Santa was a different person?
"Am I not your friend, Angelo?" I asked in Santa's voice.
"Wait... Karl?" he said in a small voice.
I winked and pulled down the fake beard to show him my real jaw. "Who else?"
Angelo blushed profusely. "You look completely different!"
I chuckled. "Did you think the real Santa manifested in front of you?"
"Kind of..."
My heart melted. How was he so adorable?
"Sorry to disappoint you, but it's just me," I teased.
"I'm not disappointed," Angelo cried eagerly. "You look amazing, Karl! Seriously, I loved working with Bill, but you look like a storybook Santa. The kids are going to love you! Come on, Santa, let's get you to your chair."
I warmed at his praise. If the kids were anywhere close to Angelo's enthusiasm, I was going to have a great work day.
Three
Angelo
As soon asthe Santa Meet and Greet opened for business, families packed the lines. Minnie did the admin work and made sure everything ran smoothly, while I was on standby to help Karl should the need arise. But he was a total natural and there wasn't a single hiccup. I spent most of the day mesmerized by Karl's performance as Santa. His appearance, way of speaking and mannerisms were all perfect. I had to periodically remind myself that he wasKarl, not the actual Santa come to life.
After the last family left, I leaned to whisper in Karl's ear. "Do you need anything? Water, a snack?"
"I'm quite all right, young man," Karl-Santa said with an ever-present twinkle in his eyes.
The most jarring difference in Karl's appearance wasn't the lack of leather or chains, or the giant Santa belly. It was his eyes. He wore bright blue contacts while he worked, covering up his usual black-and-silver eyes I found so stunning.
"Okay," I said, nodding. "Just let me know if you do."
"SANTA!"
A little girl about six-years-old shrieked and ran up to the platform like a determined lioness on a gazelle. When I looked around for her parents, I saw the couple running frazzled towards the meet and greet area.
"We're so sorry, she saw Santa from across the market and made a break for it," the omega said breathlessly.
"That's okay," I said, smiling.
"Hello, little one. What's your name?" Karl asked in his Santa voice.
"Stacy!" the girl exclaimed.
"That's a beautiful name. What would you like for Christmas, Stacy?"
She didn't even need to think about it. "A pony!"
The alpha and omega couple exchanged a glance.
"Er, I don't think Santa can fit a pony in his sleigh, sweetie," the alpha said.
