Mike stared at the red, fluffy man in the mirror, with white beards and a set of glasses that sat on his nose. He had no idea what endeared people to this old hag with a really bad taste in fashion, but whatever! He might as well get on with it because the news of Santa being in the building had spread faster than wild fire, and today, he had a few more rooms to visit.

He turned from the mirror and walked out of the men's room of the hospital, still trying to get used to the extra weight of the costume. The boots were uncomfortable, and the red sack he had to carry was filled with nothing but junk, but at least it was better than scrubbing floors and taking out the trash.

He pushed a door open, and immediately stepped into a familiar ward, with a familiar blond six year old boy, and his mother.

“Hey, Gra—” he clamped his lips shut just as Grace’s name threatened to escape, when the kid turned wide eyes to him. Clearing his throat, he tried again. “Ho-ho-ho Merry Christmas!”

“Santa!” Nate squealed, nearly knocking over the weird machine that was connected to him.

“Yeah, that's me.” Mike smiled, walking over to a now beaming Nate.

“I knew you were coming! See, a friend told me. His name's trash-man. You might even know him.”

Mike nodded. “Sure, me and him go way back.” He turned briefly to Grace who still looked like she couldn't tell it was him behind the costume. “So, do you have a wish for me?” He pulled out his notepad.

“Yeah!”

“Well, let's hear it big guy.”

Nate cleared his throat and turned to his mother. “Mum, do you mind?”

“What?” Grace raised a brow.

“I would like to speak with Santa alone.”

“Oh?” Grace opened her mouth as if in protest, but quickly changed her mind. Nodding slowly, she turned her attention to Mike and began making her way to where he stood. “Santa,” she nodded in greeting, before turning to leave the room.

Mike didn't move until she was out of the door. He turned his attention back to Nate.

“She's gone.”

“Good. Okay, here's the thing, I don't really want a toy for Christmas.”

“But that's my job kid, I make toys.”

“Can't you grant this one wish?”

Mike sighed, and made his way over to Nate's bedside. Settling on the edge, he shook his head. It was one of the difficult part of being Santa; he had to tell the sick kids that he couldn't heal them, or make their bodies hurt any less. He had to tell them he could only give them toys —worthless products that would do nothing to ease their pains. And after his conversation with Eden two evenings ago, he was even more frustrated at the thought that he couldn't even give them the worthless toys.

He sighed, dreading his next words. “I can't make the sickness go away, buddy.” It was the truth; he was powerless. If he had the power, he would have made Maddie get better.

“I wasn't going to ask for that, that's what God's for, and you're just Santa.”

Mike heaved a really loud breath, relieved at the kid's reaction. “Great, so what do you want?”

Nate leaned forward so that his little face was only inches from Mike's. A smile curved the edges of his lips. “A smile. I want to see my mum happy again. Could you do that, Santa?”

It was supposedly a simple request, much easier than asking to get better. But so much more than that, it was a selfless request and while Mike didn't think he knew how to make it happen, he was willing to try.

Reaching for his notepad, he drew a big smiley face on the sheet of paper and wrote 'Grace' on the side.

“I just added it to my 'to-do' list.” He lifted his eyes up and offered Nate a smile of his own. “Top of the list actually.”

It was a few more seconds before Mike said goodbye to Nate and made his way to other kids' wards. He did his best to make them smile, and wrote down every request they made, even if he knew some of them wouldn't be granted.

He was on his way out of one of the children's ward, when he caught sight of Eden strolling down the hall. Her hair was pulled to the usual ponytail he had come to know her with, and she was dressed in the familiar green scrubs. Yet, he found himself pausing by the door and watching her. A bright smile creased her face, her hair bouncing behind as she walked. It was evident she was happy about something.

She glanced up from the file in her hands, her eyes immediately coming to rest on him. At the sight of him, her smile broadened.

“Hey,” she paused before him, “Santa.”

“Hey miss, what has got you so happy?”

“I have some good news. Some really, really good news.”

“Yeah?” Mike was suddenly excited as he watched her nod in response.

“But it's a surprise, and you're just going to have to wait until tonight, okay?”

He folded his arms. “I hate surprises.”

“Oh Mike, but you're going to love this one!” She giggled, stepping forward. Standing on tiptoes, she placed both her hands on his folded arm and planted a small kiss on his cheek.

Mike felt her lips graze his cheek, and in that second, he hitched a breath and closed his eyes. Her perfume drifted into his nostrils, her warm lips engraving themselves in his skin. His fingers itched to pull her into his arms, his mind assaulting him with images of his lips pressed to hers.

What was the matter with him? He mentally kicked himself as she pulled away, ending the moment. It was an innocent kiss, and his perverted mind had to go and misinterpret it. It was most likely due to his loneliness. He hadn't dated since Maddie passed away a year ago because he hadn't seen the need of dating at the time. And I still do not see the need. He scolded himself, his eyes fixed on her beautiful face. She seemed even more beautiful today than she had been a week ago.

“I'll see you tonight at eight?” she called as she turned and began heading back down the hall.

Snapping out of his silly trance, he called after her:

“Where?!”

She spun around then, grinning. “There, right where you're standing. Same spot.”

Mike didn't really think curiosity was capable of murder, and if it was, he was certain it had only ever killed a cat. Today however, it threatened to kill him. He barely got through the day, his mind constantly drifting back to Eden and the innocent kiss she had placed on his cheek. Not only had her kiss awakened a dark yearning on his inside, it had filled him with something he wasn't even sure of. He could barely do anything but think of her, and the surprise she had in store for him. He trembled with excitement, and glanced at his wristwatch every second of the day. The time ticked by slowly, every second seeming like several hours.

The long arm of the clock finally settled on twelve and the short arm, on eight. Heaving a breath, Mike jumped to his feet from the sofa in the waiting area, and took the elevator to the second floor where he had bumped into Eden earlier that day.

Pausing on the exact spot she said they'll meet, he planted his gaze on the hall, his eyes searching for her.

“Mike.”

He spun around, startled.

“Judie?” Disappointment laced his voice, and apparently, Judie heard it too because a small frown settled on her face.

“Well, at least pretend to be happy to see me.” She rolled her eyes. “Come with me.”

“Oh no, I was supposed to meet with Eden here.”

“Well, she wanted me to come get you.”

“Oh?”

Judie turned and began making her way to the elevator. Silently, and slightly disappointed, he followed behind.

“Here, take this.” She tossed him a sleeping mask. He stared at it, confused. “Well, put it on.” She motioned to it unenthusiastically. It was apparent to him that Judie had no idea what Eden was up to, and was only acting as a favour to Eden.

“Why?” He glanced down at the black mask.

“You're not getting kidnapped or robbed, Mike, you're getting a surprise. Plus, Eden thought it'll be a good idea.”

“Oh.” Hesitantly, he placed the mask over his eyes and paid attention to his environment. The elevator finally stopped moving, a 'ding' sound announcing the opening of the doors.

Judie tucked her hand in his arm and began leading him out of the elevator. Mike was thankful when they finally stopped moving, that he hadn't tripped on anything throughout his trip here... Wherever 'here' was.

There was no change in the temperature —he thought, turning around to try to decipher his environment— which meant they were still indoors.

Something took hold of his shoulders, stopping his movement. Eden. He immediately knew it was her because once again, he smelled her perfume. She leaned forward, his body stiffening as her body grazed his, filling him with unexpected warmth. She took off the mask, and he immediately blinked, blinded by the sudden rush of light. Eden stood alone with him, Judie having disappeared.

“Surprise!” She giggled, motioning to the vast hall.

Mike took his environment, slightly confused; it was no surprise. The vast lobby, decorated for the Christmas season, with a giant Christmas tree that reached up to nearly the third floor almost touching the glass ceiling, was the first thing that was seen when a person stepped into the hospital through the front doors.

He spun around, his eyes searching the place for something surprising. Unless he was missing something, there was no surprise here.

“What am I supposed to be looking at?" he couldn't help but ask as he turned his attention back to Eden who was now standing by the giant tree with her arms outstretched.

“The North Pole.”

“What?”

“Can you imagine if this was the north Pole?” She giggled, doing a small jump and clapping her hands in delight.

He smiled, her little display reminding him of Maddie, when she got excited. While her little display of excitement was pleasant to watch, he was still as confused as when the blindfold was taken off. “I'm sorry doc, but I don't understand.”

“Oh Mike!” She hurried over to him and took his hand in hers. Pulling him forward, she stopped in the center of the room. She grabbed his shoulders and gently turned him around. “Look around,” she whispered against his neck as she stood behind him. “Do you see it now?”

Mike frowned, mostly at his sudden reaction to her closeness, but also at the room. What exactly was he supposed to be looking at? Her reference to the North Pole in relation to the room made absolutely no sens-

Realization struck him in that second as Eden’s intentions began to sink in; she was going to turn the room into the North Pole! He gasped then, turning so sharply around, she stepped back and lost her footing. Her eyelids widened in shock, his arms shooting out to grab her. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against himself. She gasped as her body came to rest on his, their eyes immediately locking. He stared into her widened blue eyes, before moving his gaze slowly down to her cheek. A light pink color dusted her cheeks. He moved his eyes down once more to her lips, and paused. They were lovely, he thought, staring longingly at them. They were a pale pink, and devoid of lipstick. They were slightly parted, the warm breath escaping them brushing his chin.

He felt something move on his chest, and when he glanced down, he realized for the first time that her hand was pressed to it.

He tore his eyes off of her hand that was on his chest, and back to her face, his skin now crawling with warmth. He knew he was required to pull away. Heck, common sense screamed at him to pull away. But Mike wasn't sure he could heed to the voice of wisdom, not today anyway. Today, he desired to press his lips to the woman's who stood nestled in his arms.

He searched her eyes for signs that she didn't want him to, but he found none. Although there was a hint of hesitation, there was also a small glimmer of light in her eyes.

Expelling a soft breath through his nostrils, he inched forward and closed his eyes in anticipation of their lips merging.

“Eden?”

Eden pulled away so suddenly, Mike was thankful he didn't fall forward. Tearing his eyelids apart in protest, he watched her pale face.

“Phil?!” She whispered breathlessly, her eyes fixed on something behind him. “Wh-when did you get back?” Her lips —her beautiful, desirable lips, he thought, smiling— trembled.

“I came back for the fundraiser we talked about to raise money for presents for the kids?” An unfamiliar voice laced with annoyance, called from behind.

Mike could barely hear the conversation after then, his eyes still fixed on Eden. She turned to him after a while, the light in her eyes gone.

“Mike?”

“Hm?” The word barely formed on his lips.

“I would like to introduce you to Phil.”

He didn't care, he thought, reluctantly tearing his gaze off of her long enough to stiffly turn around.

A good looking man stood a few feet from them, his expensive clothes and accessories seeming almost out of place in a hospital. Phil eyed him, his eyes running condescendingly down the length of Mike. Folding his arms, he allowed himself be examined by a man he decided there and then that he didn’t like.

Once Phil's eyes finally came to settle on his face, a challenging smile creased Phil’s face. Taking a step to Mike, he nodded.

“I'm her fiancé,” Phil said.

Mike didn't know why, but it felt like he had been slapped hard across the face and dragged back to reality. Of course Eden was engaged! What on earth was he thinking?! He had only a few days ago, gone with her to try out her dress.

“Philip, this is Mike,” Eden said.

“Come on babe, let's go grab a fancy dinner and you can tell me how the wedding plans are coming.” Philip took Eden's hand and placed it in the crook of his arm, before leading her out of the building, and away from Mike.