Page 33 of Santa’s Lawyer

She looked askance at Santa. “But wait. Grandma loved Christmas. How?”

“Like any mortal who leaves here, we tried to wipe her mind,” Santa said. “But her memories put up a fight.”

A loud laugh burst out of Avery. She covered her mouth. Of course, Gram’s Christmas memories would go down swinging.

“After we transported her home, we suspected that her Christmas memories hadn’t been fully erased. And that, if she did start a family, her child might possess her same gifts. So, we decided to keep an eye on her. We set up a base of operations at the Candle Emporium to be close to your house. Just in case,” Santa explained.

“Santa and I remained mostly at the North Pole, with a small group of elves stationed near the candle warehouse full-time. I visited on occasion. As we suspected, your grandmother’s Christmas spirit only grew,” Louis said.

“She won first prize in her neighborhood’s decorating contest the next year, if memory serves,” Ander said.

Avery was reeling. Louis rubbed her back.

“Around 1986, the elves reported some signs of magic, and Louis suggested that I pay the candle store a visit. That’s how I met your mother,” Santa said, tears again welling in his eyes.

She looked to Louis. “Did she—?”

“We interviewed her, too,” he confirmed.

“Oh, I do miss Betty,” Tilly said softly.

Avery whipped around.

“You’re her spittin’ image,” Gregory chirped.

“A fine candidate, indeed,” Ander agreed.

Santa looked to Louis. “How do I…?”

Louis patted Santa on the shoulder. “Betty was here for almost a year,” Louis explained.

Avery shook her head in disbelief, looking to each of them for confirmation.

“In 1987, she joined the team,” Louis continued. “As far as your grandmother Jane was concerned, she was studying abroad. And she was, really. She did a trial run, second-seating Santa that Christmas. They were a well-oiled machine. That might have been our best year—” Louis said, his smile fading as he looked back at Santa.

“I loved her so much,” Santa croaked out.

“You—” Avery couldn’t finish her sentence.

“But we received word that Jane got sick,” Louis jumped in. “There was no one else to care for her. Betty had to go home. It destroyed us to wipe her memory, but she insisted. She—gave it all up, for her mother. To protect us. To preserve Christmas. I think we all secretly hoped it wouldn’t take. It wasn’t until we transported her home that we realized,” Louis explained, inviting Santa to go on.

“That you were on the way,” Santa finally said.

Avery felt faint, and her legs began to give out. Louis magically produced a living room set, and they all sat, Avery between Santa and Louis.

A heavy silence fell on the group as realization dawned on Avery.

“You knew about me?” Avery managed through hot tears. “And you didn’t—”

Everyone began speaking at once in Santa’s defense. Santa held up a hand to quiet them.

“Avery. I am so sorry. Her—her memories were gone. She left. To take care of your grandmother. To protect the holiday. I couldn’t bear the thought of undoing that sacrifice and causing her the pain of remembering me. Remembering us. She had a life she couldn’t leave. So did I. But once I knew about you—”

“He bought the house next door to the candle warehouse,” Stephen explained from the chair beside Louis. “Whenever he wasn’t urgently needed in the North Pole, he was there. Louis and I kept things running here. He made sure, one way or another, that you always had everything you needed. He was there. Every game. Every recital. Every chance he had to see you.”

“That candle store had no idea how good they had it. The real Santa,” Tilly said, shaking her head.

Gregory honked in agreement.