A Snowball Christmas: Chapter 10
- Henry Livingston
- Dec 3, 2025
- 12 min read
SLEIGH BELLS RING - PART TWO
Figgy Pepperfluff stood in front of Peak Mother, being called into her office shortly after arriving at work. This is the first time he has ever been called into her office without the First or Second Assistant by his side. Thoughts of being fired because of the list mistake, or the Ooey-Gooey Sweet Roll note from Nixie, run circles in his head, as he awaits Peak Mother’s words to come.
Peak Mother opens her desk drawer and places Nixie’s slightly crumbled note on her desktop. She then rotates her monitor around to show the transfer lists side by side.
Figgy’s eyes widen, “Peak Mother, I can explain, I - -“
Peak Mother holds her hand up to silence any excuse Figgy was about to make.
He stops speaking.
“How long have you worked for me Mr. Pepperfluff?”
“A little over seven hundred years, Peak Mother, he says softly.”
“And in that seven hundred years would you say that you have learned office operations inside and out, yes?
“I would say that I have learned a great deal, but not its entirety, Peak Mother. There are roles and information I have not been privy to.”
“Really? I have it on great authority that you have trained the last eight and now nine of my First Assistants. Is that safe for me to say?”
“Yes, Peak Mother, that is true.”
“How many await their turn to be First Assistant?”
“Three more, Peak Mother.”
“Always the groom, but never the bride,” Peak Mother gets up from her chair maintaining eye contact with Figgy, “Is that why you did it?”
“No, Peak Mother, it was not on purpose. I - -“
“Did YOU truly think I wouldn’t find out about mistakes being made by MY staff?”
“Honestly,” Figgy pleads, “it was a mistake.”
“One mistake that went against everything I have worked so hard to protect,” Peak Mother pauses, walking closer to Figgy, “one mistake in over seven hundred years. Hiding important details from me about that mistake. Lying to ME. All these things make you unworthy to ever be First Assistant in MY office.”
Embarrassed and ashamed, Figgy, unable to face Peak Mother, breaks eye contact and looks at the floor. To his surprise, he did not see that Peak Mother’s hand was extended out toward him waiting for him to accept a handshake. Figgy looks back up at Peak Mother confused.
“But it does make you worthy enough to be a Second Assistant,” she says changing her frown to a smile, “do you agree?”
Tears begin to form in Figgy’s eyes.
“If that is something you believe you can do, I would be honored to have you as MY Second Assistant,” she adds bowing her head.
Figgy reaches out holding back the tears ready to fall and shakes her hand, “I believe I would like that very much, Peak Mother.”
Peak Mother returns to her desk, “I was wrong about Nixie Snowball, wasn’t I?”
“I wouldn’t say you were wrong, Peak Mother.”
“With all the torture I put that Drift Elf through, he always returned with a smile. He was always so sure that each time he tried, it would be his chance to be a Toy Maker. I was wrong to do that to him. To make him believe that he was not good enough to be what has truly embodied these past few months,” she looks down at the note Nixie wrote to her staff after getting transferred.
Dear Peak Mother and Staff,
I would like to thank you for making my sweet dreams come true, so I will return the favor. Please enjoy these sELFies Ooey-Gooey Sweet Rolls on me. If there are not enough, I will send more, because thanks to you, Peak Mother, and the best staff in all the North Pole, I have achieved my dream. Please enjoy and thank you all!!
Signed A Very Happy Elf,
Nixie Snowball, Toy Maker.
Peak Mother sighs heavily, “what a sweet thank you.”
Figgy walks over and places his hand on Peak Mother’s shoulder, “I would not say you were wrong Peak Mother; I would say that it is possible that you made a bad assessment,” he gently follows softly, “the real test will be ensuring that you don’t ever make that mistake again.”
Peak Mother looks up at Figgy, “that, is a fair assessment,” she says with glee, “welcome to the team, Mr. Pepperfluff.”
Meanwhile, Back at The Departure Zone
Santa shakes his head in disbelief, “Christmas Eve is in two days, and we are down one sleigh,” he adds with sorrow in his voice, “but it is the children I fear that will be hurt the most from this and it is all my fault.”
“How is this your fault, Santa,” Cheery questions after returning to the group huddle.
Santa continues without knowing who asked the query, “Nixie thought the numbers were not right and I was in so much of a rush that I forgot to talk with the right elves to prevent this from happening.”
“So yeah, it is your fault then,” Cheery returns quickly.
Nixie steps in and politely nudges Cheery out of the way, “not helping, Cheery.”
“But he - -“
“Cheery, could you go to sELFies and get two dozen cookies on my account for the team please?”
“Sure thing. Any particular ones?”
“Anything but Macadamia, Santa isn’t too fond of those.”
“Gotcha Nixie, be back shortly with an assortment of freshly baked cookies.”
“You should hurry before they run out,” Nixie expresses quickly.
“But they never run out,” Cheery states stopping in his tracks.
“This could be the first time ever,” Nixie says acting panicked at the thought of it being a real thing.
Cheery begins to rush to get the cookies, “you’re right. If the sleigh can be damaged and Christmas could be cancelled, they could run out of cookies at sELFies,” he hurriedly dashes off.
“I like Macadamias in my cookies, Nixie.”
“I know, Santa, but Cheery doesn’t and I need to keep his mind occupied at all times.”
“Got it. How can we fix this debacle?”
“Wait here. I will be back in thirty minutes,” Nixie says to Santa quietly.
Santa nods.
On his way out, Nixie stops and instructs a group of Maintenance Division Elves to prepare Bessie for transport back to the Maintenance Depot.
Thirty minutes later Santa is sitting on a bench eating a sugar cookie. A voice from behind asks, “do you have a magic pocket? That is the third cookie you have pulled from that pocket in the past ten minutes,” Santa turns and Aspen Snowball walks closer to The North Pole Boss.
“Aspen Wintera, as I live and breathe. How are you?”
“I am fine thanks, Santa,” then whispers, “and I am Aspen Snowball, remember?”
“Apologies, Mrs. Snowball,” he adds with a wink.
“Have you seen Nixie? I need to talk with him about something important.”
“He asked me to wait a bit, so he will be here shortly. How is your mother?”
“Mother is always fine.”
“And have you talked with your sister yet?”
Sadly, Aspen shakes her head, “I have tried, but she won’t talk to me.”
Santa expresses empathy with Aspen, “Christmas is all about miracles Aspen. If you show her your heart, she will show you hers.”
“She won’t even let me do that, Santa. Believe me, I have tried. But my sister won’t even hear me out.”
“What sister,” Nixie calls from the doorway.
Aspen turns and smiles at her son, “my sister that I haven’t spoken to in many, many years.”
Nixie nonchalantly moves forward toward Santa, continuing with his mission to help Big Red’s dilemma, “you have never mentioned a sister before,” he says escorting Santa and his mother away from the large entry doors.
Aspen answers his question while being corralled off to the side, “well, you already know her, just not as your aunt.”
“This Aunt…,” Nixie adds motioning for a few elves to open the bay doors, “does she have a name, or should I wait for the present of getting a shiny new auntie for Christmas?”
“Nixie, be nice,” Santa says softly.
“Apologies, mother, I did not mean for that to sound disrespectful.”
“I know,” Aspen declares with a smile, just loud enough for Nixie to hear, “you are focused and processing at the same time. So, I will continue because I know you can multi-task. Your aunt’s name is…,”
The bay doors open with a loud siren, covering the name perfectly.
Nixie looks confused and relieved at the same time, so how is that possible? I am a Drift Elf.”
“No, my son, you are not.”
Santa interrupts, “I can come back later for this reveal if need be.”
“Just a few more moments Mr. Kringle,” Aspen insists.
“Prepare to bring her in,” Nixie shouts to a group outside the doors.
“You have to understand that we only wanted you to succeed on your own merits, not from the merits of your lineage.”
“I understand, why it would be done mother, just not the reason or need for it to be done. You and father are the best parents any Elf could ever ask for. I know for a fact that I could have been told about my true lineage and been raised to not take advantage of it. Because I trust everything you and father have ever told me. Even now, with a hidden truth being brought to light, I still trust my parents…, you, with all my heart.”
Aspen exhales emotionally and hugs Nixie, “how did I ever get the honor of raising a son as smart as you?”
“My guess would be luck. In fact, the odds of…”
Aspen covers Nixie’s mouth with her hand, “just let this one go without a diagnosis, sweet child.”
Nixie nods and hugs his mother again.
Cheery sniffles next to the embracing family members with two dozen cookies, “that was so beautiful.”
Nixie opens his eyes seeing Cheery only a few feet away, slightly disturbed at his sudden arrival, “could you make sure everyone gets one please?”
Cheery opens one of the boxes preparing to give one to Nixie and his mother, “yes, here is one for…”
“Please, start with the Elves in the breakroom,” Nixie cuts in.
“Gotcha,” Cheery heads off to the breakroom.
Aspen and Nixie laugh and gesture for Santa to come closer. Aspen smiles, “your father and I will fill you in on the finer details after you’re done working.”
Nixie acknowledges his mother and she leaves.
A Maintenance Elf walks over to Nixie with Santa’s belt, “we found this in the sleigh.”
“Thanks, Rudy.”
“Is that MY belt,” Santa questions.
“Yes, I had to alter its numbers to adjust for your weight allowance. It was still set to Cheery’s weight.”
“Oh great, you told him,” Cheery says returning.
Nixie winks at Cheery, “yes, please ENSURE this gets back to Santa’s Ready Room.
“Will do, Nixie,” Cheery winks back.
As Cheery leaves, Santa looks at the Nixie, “had to adjust for my weight, huh?”
“Let me show you what I have to help you get Christmas back on track,” Nixie adds laughing nervously whilst trying to change the subject, “Okay,” Nixie yells again to the group outside the bay doors, “Bring Her in!”
Through the large bay doors, a shiny new version of Bessie enters the zone. Her chassis gleaming in a ruby red elegance. Her runners, reflecting the light around their chrome face, seem to glow without effort. On each side in a fancy font are the words Bessie 2. Four fixed hover jets are at the four corners of her chic, grace. Her interior, decorative leather seats of exquisite design in a deep camel color with three rows of seating, as well as a dissemination bay in the rear.
Santa’s eyes widen, “wow, Nixie, you have outdone yourself. I cannot even hear the engines.”
“She has a whisper mode, Sir.”
“HO, HO, HO,” Santa says with a jolly laugh.
“She is a prototype and was made using Bessie as the template,” he says to Santa as a remote is handed to Nixie, by another Elf, “Thanks Cliff,” Nixie presses a button and out of each engine a set of wheels appear, then Bessie 2 quietly lands on the ground.
“Secondary landing gear,” Santa replies, letting out a whistle as he moves over to get a better look, “You are amazing.”
“Yes, she is.”
“I meant you, Nixie.”
“Sir?”
“You did all this in the short time you have been in the Toy Making Department.”
“Yes, but I was only the designer, Santa. She is a product of the hard work, and many Elves come together as one. She was never meant to ever be flown long distances, but with a few modifications, she can and will be ready.”
“Duly noted. Let me check on production and let you start working on those modifications.”
“You got it, Big Red.”
Christmas Eve
All the Elves have gathered to see Santa spread joy to all the children of the world. Peak Mother, for the first time in over a millennium has made an appearance to see the Jolly Old Elf embark on his yearly journey.
“Wynter?”
Peak Mother turns around quickly. No one calls her that in public, but those closest to her. To her surprise she is face-to-face with a familiar person from her past,
“Snowland…,” she whispers with anxiety in voice, “Snowland Hollypants?”
“It is nice to see you out and about again,” he bows greeting her formally.
She returns the bow, “I felt it was time to,” she adds pushing her hair behind her pointy ear, “it is very nice to see you again as well.”
“You look radiant as always.”
Wynter blushes.
“May I ask you a question without being too forward?”
“Of course, Snowland. Please, ask away,” she says with a slight giggle.
“Do you believe in second chances to make a first impression,” he questions reaching out to hold her hand.
She receives his hand in her own, “most definitely,” she opens with the brightest smile she has ever shown in her entire life.
Not too far away Nixie and Icelynn are awaiting Santa’s arrival next to his Ready Room. Nixie is preparing to give the secondary remote for Bessie 2 to the Elf of the Hour. Icelynn gives Nixie a peck on the cheek, just as Glacia and Noella Wintera walk up.
Nixie and Icelynn bow and they exchange greetings.
“Nixie, I heard you helped make all this possible,” Noella starts up.
“I am only one of the factors is all,” Nixie says smiling back.
“Oh, Peppermint sticks, you designed the new sleigh, didn’t you?”
Nixie looks a bit confused.
“Sorry,” Noella quietly laughs, then apologizes, “that was supposed to be a secret, huh?”
“Yes, but how do you know that,” Nixie questions.
“COOKIE,” Santa roars with excitement bursting out of his Ready Room, “it is good to see you! Are you back?”
Noella hugs Santa, “it is good to see you too, Sir.”
“Ho, Ho, Ho! No need for the Sir, we have moved way past that, Cookie,” he looks at the group, “it is good to see you too, Glacia,” Santa moves in close enough to whisper to her, “you should give your sister a call. She’s been asking about you.”
Glacia, shocked, looks at Nixie, then back to Santa, “soon,” she replies quietly.
Nixie moves in closer and gently turns Glacia toward his mother in the crowd, “how about now, Aunt Glacia?”
Aspen waves at her sister. Glacia awkwardly smiles and waves back.
“So, you already knew,” Noella asks already knowing the answer.
Nixie smiles, “found out the other day.”
Noella ushers Aspen to join them next to Santa, who is beaming with the love happening so very close to him. As soon as Aspen is close enough, Santa gathers all of them together for a giant group hug. In the middle of the group, Icelynn is the only one not knowing what is happening.
Nixie whispers in her ear, “I’ll catch you up later,” then kisses her back on the cheek.
Icelynn nods and smiles.
“HO, HO, HO, I almost forgot what time it is,” Santa blurts out and heads to the center of the room. Everyone quiets down and all eyes are on Big Red as he begins to speak, “this year has been a bit of a challenge for all of us and Bessie being damaged hurt us in a way we didn’t think possible,” he walks away from the center of the room and stands next to Nixie, “but out of the issues, came solutions and Nixie Snowball was at the center of it all.”
The crowd applauds.
“And tonight,” Santa continues, “we launch the maiden voyage of Bessie 2!”
Suddenly, the floor in the center of the room opens up, and Bessie 2, along with the team of eight harnessed reindeer, rise up into the Departure Zone. After the floor secures, Santa walks over to his new sleigh, “something tried to stop our Christmas mission of hope for the children across the globe, but we, will… ALWAYS....”
“DELIVER,” the crowd shouts in unison.
Santa laughs and climbs into his sleigh and grabs the reins. The landing gear support wheels draw into their engine housing, as the four engines ignite and lift the sleigh into the air, immediately going into whisper mode. Her chrome runners, this time, reflecting the happy faces of the elves all around her.
The reindeer start to move in anticipation for the long ride to come, as the Catch and Release Elf Team climb aboard and prepare for the journey as well. Santa raises one hand and shouts with glee, “let’s get this Christmas Eve started!”
The crowd cheers as Santa takes off into the night sky. When he is no longer in sight, they report to their assigned Christmas Eve Divisions and to work their one night a year magic.
That Christmas was the first of many for Nixie and his family being in the spotlight and one year after Nixie and Icelynn married, Icelynn gave birth to twin girls.
Peak Mother Tannenbaum and Mr. Hollypants rekindled their love and are living happily in their home on the edge of the town. Peak Mother has assessed many Elves since and has been fair to their placement, and Figgy has been promoted to Office Manager of Peak Mother’s Office.
The Twins, Minnie and Mara Tinseldust, found love at sELFies.
Lumi works at North Pole Personnel with Icelynn.
Nova still protects Nixie and his family and...
“Hey Narrator,” Nixie interrupts.
“Yes, Nixie.”
“I think they got it.”
Of course.
Nixie smiles at you, “hi there, reader. I hope that you have a very, Merry Christmas this year and may all YOUR dreams or wishes come true.”
THE END
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