“No!” the creature shouted. Panicking, it turned to face the family. “How is it this stranger has the key?”
The bound woman smiled. “I sent it to her, and the counterpart to my son. Together they will save this kingdom. The key to Christmas is love, and the light will always outshine the darkness.”
Clarity entered John’s face. He bolted to his feet, racing toward Pam while giving the startled figure a jab that sent it airborne. John grabbed Pam’s hand, and they darted from the room, speeding toward the last ten-foot door at the end of the foyer. He flung it open and pulled her inside. Sliding a large piece of wood across the threshold, John locked them in.
He kissed her hard and quick. “You, woman, are a genius!”
Pam did not have time to inform him she had figured nothing out on her own. The knowledge and wisdom had miraculously opened up to her. John led her to the other side of the room. Now it was her turn to gasp as recognition set in. A replica of the grand wooden door that they’d used in the Cedar Springs play stood before them, the identical one that had transported them to this place, complete with the strange aura of glowing magic. John withdrew the key from his pocket and wrapped Pam’s hand around his. Together they leaned toward the perfectly cut lines of ancient days and slipped the gold metal object into the lock.
In the same instant, Pam heard a loud splintering crash, and the strong man entered.
“No!” the creature shouted, but John twisted the key and a fiery red mist filtered into the room. “No!” came the defeated shout. Its charge halted in the middle of the room and the figure bent over in screeching pain. Pam watched while he squirmed, crumbled and with a final shriek of horror, its weakened body wilted and collapsed. The black cloak covered the small muddy puddle on the tiled floor. When the air cleared, so had all traces of evil.
Immediately the building began to shake and John held Pam tightly. She experienced mass confusion, her brain combating her heart, as she clung to the man she’d fallen madly in love with, while at the same time hating herself that she’d surrendered to the magic. Why couldn’t she have found an ordinary man?
As music filled the air, John released her. The tune of Jolly old St. Nick boomed through the sound system, and soon the ebullient figure stood where the dark figure had disappeared just moments before. His wife joined him, but only for a brief moment. She rushed to Pam’s side and gathered her into her arms.
“Thank you for bringing my son home, dear. Santa Ville needs him desperately.”
Pam broke the embrace. “You sent me the ornament?”
“Yes, and you put it to fine use. The Miracle Maker never steers me wrong. You are undoubtedly the perfect choice.”
“Choice?”
“Your heart was ready for Christmas – and our John.”
“His real name is John?”
“Of course, dear. Thankfully, Santa can take his own flesh and blood son’s name off the naughty list.”
Her husband spoke up. “But the Good Lord never erased him from the book of life. The boss would never have allowed the evil one to take that gift from him. It was enough to suffer memory loss. Love works in mysterious ways, don’t you think?”
Mrs. Claus pulled John into her arms. “I must admit that I was growing fearful you would not return.”
“Christmas must go on, Mother, and I’m home to help Father now.”
“Home to stay, son?” asked the jolly man in red attire.
“Yes, Father Santa.”
“And your woman?”
“She will make her choice – to stay or leave. I promised.” John’s solemn expression reinforced to Pam the oath he’d spoken earlier while in the heat of the moment. She saw now, he visibly wished he could retract his vow, but she knew he wouldn’t. John was a man of his word. Of this, she felt confident.
“Let’s not rush the girl. There is plenty of work to do. We must see to the elves and the animals in case any are injured.” Mrs. Claus’ face beamed, her rosy cheeks popping out with renewed freshness. “And aren’t we blessed to have our own doctor in the house?” She slid her arm through Pam’s and ushered her out the door, all the while jabbering about things that the average population professed as a legend.
Legend! She wondered if her last name bore any significance to his new position being offered. Her brain buzzed. This can’t be! She glanced back at John as they turned the corner into the foyer and gathered encouragement from his playful wink.
The night flew by, and Pam dug into what she knew best – doctoring. Many lay on cots within the small infirmary, and the assistant assigned to Pam, sponged up all the information and skills she could take in during this time medical crisis. And Pam discovered that John’s comical heartbeat was actively present in all the patients, no matter their size. Despite the physical wounds from the shifting building, their life-giving-organ played a joyous tune. They were a happy lot.
Pam treated the last patient and began to wash up. John knocked then entered the scrub room. “You look exhausted. I’ll show you where you can sleep.”
“John, we need to talk,” Pam said.
“Yes, we do, but later, after brunch. It will be a grand celebration. We will join everyone
