‘Hello, do you need some help?’ A small voice asks. Noel blinks in surprise when she sees the shadow of a boy, surrounded in rainbow colors!’
Sincere laughs out loud and climbs into his Nana’s lap. “You tell it Nana!” she laughs at his exuberance and hugs him tight.
“Well, having never seen a shadow boy before, I screamed and scared him so badly, that he backed up and fell smack down on his bottom!” Both boys laugh in delight at the idea of their big, strong, grandfather being scared.
“Noel, stares at the boy and the colors begin to fade.” Michael continues, “For a moment he looks normal and she thinks she must have imagined it. He jumps to his feet and says, ‘Let me help you home, my name is Nicholas.’
Noel looks at the beautiful boy and feels ashamed. She doesn’t want him to see where she lives, so she simply says, “No thank you, Nicholas. I can manage,” but her foot has had enough. When she tries to put pressure on it, the pain causes her to gasp. She sits down and her tears are more than Nicholas can take.
‘Please, let me help you,’ Nicholas begs. Then he feels something strange in the small bag the stars had given him. It is warm and vibrating so he lifts it and opens it. Sitting beside her he takes her foot in his lap, and unwraps the cloth. It is bleeding and dirty, he reaches into his small bag and pulls out a ribbon that matches the colors in the sky. He wraps her foot and immediately her pain eases.
‘It feels better, Nicholas! Thank you,’ she says wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
‘You are welcome, but you should let me help you home,’ he replies standing up he offers her his hand.
Noel looks up and behind him, she sees the stunning ribbons of light surrounding the magical boy. She takes his hand and lets him help her. When they arrive at the shack she calls home, she sees her family staring in wonder at the sky. Her mother notices Noel is limping and moves to help.
‘I stepped on a rock, but I’m okay.’ For some reason she does not tell them of the child’s magic. They invite Nicholas to join them for supper. It is a small meal, just soup and bread, by the fire. Suddenly, she feels rich surrounded by her family and the way they love to share. Nicholas smiles at her across the fire as though he can read her thoughts.
‘I should be getting home, now,’ Nicholas says and thanks the family for their kindness. Noel walks him to the door and steps outside the hut to watch him go.
‘Tell me your name,’ he demands.
‘Noel, my name is Noel.’ She answers. ‘Who are you, Nicholas?’ she asks.
‘I am a Saint. I live in a village near here, Noel. I will see you soon.’ With that a door opens in the sky and he runs to it, leaving her staring open mouthed at the spot where he stood.
The next morning, her father wakes up and goes outside to get the last of the wood from the day before. He stops in his tracks staring in shock at the firewood stacked taller than he stands! Inside, Noel’s mother lets out a squeal of delight. The kids come running and find her holding a coat and shoes. Each of the three children discovers the same thing. They stare at each other in wonder and Noel smiles in amazement. She knows the secret, her new friend is a true Saint. In her eyes he is now Saint Nicholas.”
The room goes quiet as the boys imagine the moment.
“Nana, did you ever get to dance among the stars?” Nathan asks.
She stares at him for a moment and smiles, “Oh, many times. As will you,” she says touching his cheek.
Sincere giggles, “I don’t like to dance!” as he shoves another cookie in his mouth.
“No?” Michael grabs his youngest and tickles him, “but you sure can scream!”
Sincere’s laughter rings through the house and Serenity flinches. Slowly she moves her fingers and toes, and struggles to open her eyes. Stars dance behind her eyes and she remembers the feeling of being free to dance among the stars. “Michael?” Her mind calls out.
His head whips up and slowly he lowers Sincere to the floor. Noel stands up and they watch as Michael runs to Serenity’s bedside. He bursts into the room and drops by her side taking her hand, he feels the warmth in it and starts to laugh.
“Open your eyes, woman!” he demands and she flinches.
“Kiss her, Daddy! Hurry!” Sincere demands.
“Yes, kiss me Michael!” She commands him. He feels the love in her mind and moves to obey. Noel and the boys cheer when her arms wrap around his neck and he leans back taking her with him!
“I told you everything would be okay,” Nathan says confidently.
Epilogue
Christmas has come and gone, and Serenity can’t ever remember being so content. Through the bedroom window she watches the boys build a snowman with their father. Michael’s love for her grows stronger every day. But there is a growing fear inside her heart and she needs to resolve it. Slowly she walks to his bedroom and places the letter on his bed. It explains everything, time to go home.
Her hand trembles when she knocks on his door. Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, what do I call him, she wonders worriedly.
“How about Nick?” he says swinging the door open.
Serenity smiles and sighs, “Can we talk, Nick?”
“My door is always open to you, Serenity. Come inside, sit. Would you like some tea, or coffee?”
“No, thank you,” she pauses and takes a deep breath, “Nick, I no longer
