All I Want For Christmas Is You
It's the 12 Days of Fictmas! I want to say thank you to @emichelle and @leelee10898 for hosting this event, I'm happy to be a part of it this year! My prompt is SANTA and I came up with this silly idea. I hope you enjoy my spoof.
Book: Open Heart
Characters: F!MC (Casey MacTavish), Sienna Trinh, Bryce Lahela, Ethan Ramsey, Tobias Carrick, etc.
Rating: Teen
Summary: Casey fills in for Santa at the Edenbrook Holiday Party, and she ends up learning a whole lot more than she wanted to know.
Category: Pure silliness and fluff.
Warnings: None, unless you’re afraid of Santa.
A/N: Also participating in ChoicesDecemberChallenge2021 Day 9 prompt: Secrets.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
When Casey stepped into the hospital, it was pure pandemonium. Happy pandemonium, but pandemonium nonetheless. When she turned the corner, an intern carrying bags full of brightly wrapped presents slammed \into her, sending them flying in every direction.
“Oh my gosh!" the intern blushed. "I'm so sorry!"
Casey smiled as she helped gather the gifts. “Not a worry! It looks like we got a lot of presents this year!"
“There are even more out in the truck! We have more gifts than patients this year!"
“Aww, that’s what I like to hear!" Casey beamed. "Lots of happy kids.”
This was one of the most anticipated days of the year at Edenbrook, the annual pediatrics holiday party, followed by a luncheon for the staff. There was always magic in the air and more trays of cookies than anyone knew what to do with. Coupled with The Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies being piped in through the halls, it was almost easy to forget you were in a hospital.
Moments later, she approached the nurse's station, and as much as she wanted to contain her laughter, it proved to be an impossible feat.
“What are you laughing at?” Sienna demanded.
“Nothing. You’re an adorable little elf, Si.”
“Thank you. But, I am not a happy one.”
“Aww, turn that frown upside down! You wouldn’t want to end up on Santa’s naughty list, now would you?”
“Well, therein lies the problem. There is no Santa.”
“Uh, Si. Could you keep your voice down? Or are you looking to destroy children’s hopes and dreams this holiday season?”
Sienna scoffed, “No, silly! I mean our Santa! I don’t have a Santa for our party.”
“What? Doesn’t Dr. Brenner play Santa every year? It’s a tradition!”
“Yes, but he had a conference in New York yesterday, and his plane was delayed. There is no way that he will be back on time. I would be willing to do it myself, but I’m too short for the costume.”
“Did you ask Raf? I’m sure he’d love to.”
“Yes, but he can’t be here on time either.”
Sienna eyed her friend nervously. “What do you think your chances would be if you asked Dr. Ramsey to do it.”
Casey snorted. “Now, there’s a thought!”
“I am serious! This is critical.”
“Well, there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of that happening. But I do have an idea….”
_____
Casey and Sienna made their way to the on-call room where the Santa suit was stored. Casey rubbed the velvety fabric through her fingers as she mulled something over in her mind.
“Does the suit have padding?”
“It does. I mean, Dr. Brenner had his own, but we still have it in the closet.”
“Why don’t I try it on.”
“You? Case, not for nothing, but you don’t exactly soundlike Santa.”
Casey snickered, “Oh, you forget that this girl was the star of every high school performance she was ever in, not to mention my four years of theater club in college. I can do any voice you want… my exes always seemed to appreciate that.”
“OK, I don’t want to know about that last part, but can you do Santa?”
She closed her eyes and got into character, opening them up with a deep, loud “Ho! Ho! Ho! Have you been a good little girl this year, Sienna?”
“Probably more than most,” she said with a look of surprise on her face, “but holy crap, Casey! You may be able to pull this off! But wouldn’t you have to get Dr. Ramsey’s permission to take time off your rounds?”
“Nope. As luck would have it, I came in early for today’s festivities, and I’m not on the clock until two hours after the party ends.”
“I think this just might work!”
“Oh, it will!”
Ten minutes later, Sienna, the Elf, led a very jolly “Santa” down the hall to the reception room. Santa greeted everyone they passed by, and no one had a clue that it was Casey.
“Santa!” Harper beamed. “Now, I’ve heard a rumor that Dr. Brenner was unable to be here today, so who do we have the pleasure of having in that costume today?”
“Oh, sweet lady! You are fortunate indeed because this magical little elf here was able to deliver the real Santa to Edenbrook. Now, you better be nice today because Santa is watching!”
With a wink of her eye, Casey, uh, Santa, was on her way down the hall.
The party was a huge success. Those who knew Dr. Brenner was stuck in New York commented on how wonderful this year’s Santa was, several saying he was out of a job going forward. Casey had a wonderful time seeing all the children smile, but as she melted away inside that costume, she kept thinking, this was definitely a one-time thing.
She looked at the clock on the wall as the last young patient was brought back to their room by Nurse Sarah. The jolliest smile came to her lips because she could finally return to being Casey.
“Hey, where are you going, Santa?” Sienna asked.
Casey looked around to make sure no one else would be able to hear, then she answered in her own voice.
“I’m going to get back into my scrubs. Santa duty is over.”
“Well… not exactly.”
“Sienna….”
“See, the staff luncheon is about to start, and, traditionally, Santa stays for that. Any staff member that wants to gets to take their picture with Santa… Uhm, you?”
“Oh, you are kidding me. I am not doing this!”
"It's a tradition, Casey. When you signed up for this, you signed up for the whole gig."
"Yeah, but you conveniently left this part of it out."
"Hey, it's not all bad. Look at them! Everyone is so happy and filled with holiday cheer! I bet they'd be willing to confess some interesting things to Santa."
"I still don't think...."
"I'll make you a batch of snickerdoodles, and we can sit up after everyone has gone to sleep to discuss what they share!"
Casey sighed, confident she would regret this.
"OK, stop! You had me at snickerdoodles."
Santa went to take her place on an oversized chair set up for her in the corner. Being a mischievous little elf, Sienna went around encouraging everyone to take photos, even bribing with cookies when necessary. Her heart was in the right place, though. She figured if she got a picture of everyone with “Santa,” she could put together an album to give to Casey for Christmas. But the white beard covering Casey’s face was not enough to cover her scowl as she stared at Sienna as the line for photos grew and grew.
Bryce was the first to sit on Santa’s lap, and Casey winced. Of course, he’d be able to see it was her, then he would tease her relentlessly. It is was going to be a long afternoon.
“So, young man…Santa wants to know, have you been a good boy this year?”
“Santa, I have to confess…. not always.”
Casey thought back to that time in the shower and started chuckling.
“I’ll bet,” slipped out of her mouth in her own voice.
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, uh, Ho! Ho! Ho! I just said I’ll bet it is hard to be a good boy. But were you good enough to ask Santa for a gift this year?”
“Yeah, I wasn’t that bad. But, I really don’t want a gift Santa. But I could use your help. See, I have this mad crush on this really amazing woman, and maybe you could help me figure out how to let her know.”
Casey’s eyes lit up. Who was this mystery woman? And he better believe Santa was going to help! Once she got this lady’s name, she would be all over her, convincing her that Bryce would be the best boyfriend in the world!
“I can see what I can do. Uh, who is it?”
“It’s my friend, Casey.”
She gulped as her eyes popped out so much they nearly hit the wire-rimmed glasses atop her nose.
“Uh, Casey? I take it this Casey person doesn’t know how you feel.”
“Nah, I mean, we had a friend with benefits thing going on for a while, but….”
“OK, OK, OK… Santa doesn’t need this much information!”
“You’re right. So, should I tell her?”
“Look, kid, I’m Santa, not Dear Abby. But good luck.”
“I’m out of her Santa, thanks for the picture, dude.”
Casey wiped her brow as he walked away. Clearly, she wasn’t expecting that. But at least the worst had to be over. Now she could just take pictures with a bunch of middle-aged doctors and then move about her day. The next person sat on her lap, and this time it was her friend Raf.
“So, what brings you here to see Santa, young man.”
“I come to see you every year, Santa. You know that, and you bring in the magic of the season.”
She smiled. Of course, Raf’s childlike wonder would sparkle even more during this time of year.
“So, before we take our picture, is there anything you would like Santa to bring you?”
“Well, there is one thing.”
“You name it, I have an in with the big guy, you know. Ho! Ho! Ho!”
“I may have a tiny… well, not a tiny… I have a big crush on one of my friends. Maybe Santa can sprinkle some fairy dust so she’ll feel the same way too.”
“Oh, and who is this special lady?”
“Her name is Casey.”
“Casey?”
“Yes, Casey. Do you know her? Tell me you don’t know her. I was told you were an actor who….”
“No. No, don’t worry, young man, your secret is safe with me. But, uh, Santa’s really not a matchmaker, so how about some superhero boxer shorts instead. Is that good?”
“Uh, yeah, I guess. Thanks, Santa?”
“OK, OK, keep the line moving.”
Her friend and roommate, Jackie, sat on her knee a moment later. To say Casey was stunned would be an understatement, Jackie Varma? Santa? Sienna smirked as it was all her doing. She had to provide a doze peanut butter cookies to Jackie by noon tomorrow, but it was worth it.
“So what brings you here, young lady.”
“That little elf over there. She promised me peanut butter cookies if I did this.”
Casey scowled over at Sienna, who no longer cared. She stuck her tongue out at her in return.
“So, anything you want from Santa this year?”
“Other than the promise that I never have to do this again?”
“Trust me, neither am I.”
“What?”
“Uh, nothing… but anything you want from Santa this Christmas. You don’t have an unrequited crush that you’re going to ask me to take care of now, do you?”
“Well, come to think of it,” Jackie bit her lip and stared into her lap. “I would love to get up the nerve to tell my roommate Casey that I’m crazy about her.”
“WHAT?”
“Judgey much, Santa!”
“No, no! that’s not it at all. It’s just… she has no idea, does she.”
“None at all. I was kind of an ass to her last year but considering that she has a crush on Ramsey, that may work to my advantage.”
“She does not….”
“She does. But it’s OK, it works for me if she has a thing for asses.”
“In the physical or proverbial sense?”
Jackie broke out laughing, “BOTH, of course!”
“Well, uh, would you look at that line, I think that….”
“I can take a hint, old man! Moving on! But to be honest with you, I don’t know if this was worth the cookies.”
Casey sighed. Three photos were taken, and three people were in love with her. This would make for some conversation over the snickerdoodles with Sienna tonight.
“Hi, Santa!” Baz smiled, greeting him with all the enthusiasm one would expect.
Casey smiled in relief, finally, someone who wasn’t going to confess his love to her, right? Wrong. The staff members continued… Inez, confession. Elijah, confession. Zaid. ZAID, confession. Casey began to consider transferring to another hospital.
She looked up, and there he was, with that characteristic smirk on his lips, Tobias Carrick. Thank God, that man was never going to have it bad for anyone. At least there would be one person saying they wanted tickets to a Red Sox Game or something reasonable like that.
“Well, hello, Tobias! It’s soo good to see you.”
“Santa,” he said bewildered, “how did you know my name?”
“Uh, well… Santa knows everything,” she stammered, then she eyed his ID badge, pointing it out to him for a quick save.
“So, young man….”
“Not exactly young there, Mr. Kringle.”
“Well, compared to Santa Claus, you are! Ho ho ho!”
“Uh yeah. So aren’t you supposed to ask me what I want?”
“Yes, please. Tell Santa something practical that you would like for Christmas.”
He eyed Santa suspiciously and shook his head.
“What I’d like is really on me, not you.”
“What?”
“I want to ask my co-worker Casey out on a date. Do you think she’d be up for it, big guy?”
“Santa” slumped in her chair, doing her best to contain her exasperation.
“Well, I don’t know.”
“I thought you knew all?”
“I lied.”
He raised his eyebrow, “Santa, lying? Oh, you’re getting a lump of coal in your stocking.”
“You have no idea.”
Only two people left! Naveen and Ethan. Casey shook her head, wondering if she was seeing straight. Ethan Ramsey? On line to see Santa?
Naveen sat on her lap first.
“Well, hello there, Jolly Old St. Nick!”
“Hello, Jolly Old… uh you’re name.”
“Dr. Banerji, but friends call me Naveen, and of course, Santa is a friend!”
“Well, Naveen. Please tell me you don’t want to get up the nerve to ask Dr. MacTavish out for Christmas.”
“What? Oh, heavens no!”
“Oh, thank God.”
“If I were twenty years younger, perhaps, but….:
Casey dropped her head into her hand. Sienna eyed her, reminding her to stay in character, but Casey honestly didn’t care anymore.
“So… Naveen, what do you want for Christmas.”
“I want Ethan and Casey to get together.”
“You do?”
“Yes, I’ve been pushing for it, but it doesn’t seem to happen. I think I need some holiday magic to help.”
“You do realize he is her boss, right?”
“And how do you know that?”
“Santa knows everything.”
“So, can you help me?”
“Yeah, well, Santa is a toymaker, not a matchmaker… please move on.”
“Uh, OK. They said you were Jolly.”
“I was. Ten confessions ago.”
Finally, Ethan stood next to her, looking miserable as he stared into space.
“Well, young man, aren’t you supposed to sit on Santa’s lap?”
“Yeah, I think I will pass. I’m only doing this because Naveen is forcing me to.”
“Oh… good. Then I suppose you want to just take a photo and get it over with. No need to tell me what you’d like for Christmas….”
“Yeah, that’s not exactly my thing…,” but he stopped as he saw something warm, familiar in Santa’s eyes. As if the magic of the season possessed him, he suddenly felt like telling Santa what he truly wanted. Casey’s eyes opened wide when he sat on her lap, earning gasps from onlookers as well.
“What I’d really like is a do-over with Casey.”
“A… do-over?”
“Yeah. I really screwed things up with her in Miami years ago, and since then, we’ve been friends at best. But, now that her residency is winding down, I think it’s time….”
“It is! It’s time… it’s time for Santa’s break, but thank you, young man! This whole afternoon has given Santa a lot to think about.”
Casey stood up, ready to all but run out of the room when Nurse Sarah came back in.
“Wait, Santa! You have one more visitor!”
Casey smiled as she saw a familiar four-legged friend running her way.
“Jenner! What are you doing here!” Sienna laughed.
“I had him certified as an emotional support pet,” Ethan explained. “He has been visiting elderly patients this morning, but you can take him to see the kids now if you’d like.”
“I’d love that!” She squealed, “but why don’t we let him take his picture with Santa first?
“He’d like that,” Naveen grinned as he scratched Jenner’s belly.
Casey called Jenner over, and he jumped up on her lap.
“Wow, it’s as if he knows you!” Ethan smiled. But his smile could not begin to match the brightness of Casey’s.
THANK GOD! She thought. FINALLY, a visitor who would NOT confess his love for her!
“So, you good boy, what can Santa get you for Christmas!”
Jenner barked and ran off. Leaving Casey confused.
“Maybe he doesn’t want anything,” Santa laughed.
But moments later, Jenner returned and jumped into Santa’s lap again, dropping something into her lap.
Casey’s ID badge.
He retrieved Casey’s ID badge. She threw her head back in disbelief. This couldn’t possibly be happening. She pinched herself. She had to be dreaming. While she wasn’t paying attention, Jenner took the opportunity to start licking her face, causing Casey to giggle uncontrollably. Onlookers looked up. That giggle sounded too familiar to them. Jenner playfully pawed at her until he ended up knocking her beard onto the floor. A collective gasp spread over the room, but none were as loud as the one that came from Casey herself. If she could have a wish from Santa right now, it would be for the floor to open up and swallow her whole.
“Oh, shit…” Ethan muttered.
“You can say that again,” Jackie added.
“Yeah, no one should be saying that more than me!” Casey yelled as she marched toward the door.
“Wait? Where are you going, Sant ah… Casey?” Sienna asked.
“I hear Tufts has openings for residents. I think it’s time for me to apply.”
“No matter,” Tobias winked. “Same thing is bound to happen to you there.”
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