Andy looked around the room, which was sparsely decorated for Christmas - a few ornaments, a tiny table-size tree and a few Christmas cards. Most of them were from friends, one from his family - who he didn't see at Christmas - a few from co-workers and businesses. In a few hours, it'd be Christmas - big whoop. He didn't begrudge anyone else enjoying the season, but it wasn't one of his favorites, to be sure. Some of his family used Christmas as a chance to show off their opulence, others made him feel small at having chosen his art over a more lucrative career. Virtually all of them wanted to know why he was still single.
He rubbed his slightly-graying goatee and pondered how he'd gotten to this point at the ripe old age of 45. He had never been big on Christmas, but in the last 10 years, it really sucked. He spent Christmas Day with a few friends who were like him, alone at the Holidays, or far from family. However, Christmas Eve still made him blue. He'd been single a long time and there was no one, no kids or wife or girlfriend to spend this night with. He couldn't even go out and have a drink, all the taverns and pubs were closed.
Andy threw another log on the fire, which popped and blazed merrily. Andy drank more Egg Nog, it needed more rum, but if he added much more, it'd be Rum Nog and he been snockered - which would just make him more depressed. One of his friends actually had concocted "Beer Nog" one year, which made him laugh hysterically, even though he was repulsed by the combination.
Andy sat in the big, leather Easy Chair, displacing his cat, Colonel, who voiced his annoyance and trotted off to the bedroom to sleep. It was then that Andy heard a loud commotion that seemed to be coming from the direction of the fireplace.
A cloud of smoke - but not from the fire - appeared - and out of it emerged a figure in a red suit, with a jolly "HoHoHO!!" Although somehow, the voice seemed a bit wonky and off-key.
Oddly enough, the sound wasn't the only thing that seemed off. As the figure stood before him, Andy soon realized the suit was mostly padding and the beard was fake. The twinkle in the eyes was real enough, but not much else was. Andy looked down at the drink still in his hand and wondered if he'd already had a bit too much.
"Santa Claus?" he asked incredulously.
The figure shook its head and walked towards him. "Nope - that's Granddaddy!" The voice was soft, melodic and most definitely feminine!
Andy looked even more confused, if that were at all possible.
"Look, even with all the time zones and nearly 31 hours to deliver presents and magic an' stuff, you don't think Granddaddy can deliver ALL those presents, do ya?" the woman in the suit said to him. Andy shook his head.
"His kids and Grandkids - and there's a BUNCH of us - help out! You're my last delivery, I have the night off now. I'm Chris Kringle". The figure put out it's hand - which felt very light and soft to the touch.
Taking off the hat and disguise, shimmering locks of blonde hair fell loose, framing a face that shone with beauty and radiance. "It's short for Christina. Mom and Dad were traditionalists, y'know! My sisters are Merry and Holly and my brother's name is Noel" she said with a giggle.