“Violet! Come give Auntie Karen a hug!”

The four year old girl came bounding down the stairs moments later and rushed into the woman’s arms.

“Bye Auntie!” she exclaimed as she squeezed the woman back. “Merry Christmas!”

Erin smiled at her daughter as they said their goodbyes to her sister and her family. Stepping into the cold air, she asked, “Violet, do you want to ride back with me or with Daddy?”

“Mommy!” the little girl exclaimed. Her husband threw up his hands.

“Always second class,” he joked as the parents unlocked their cars.

Erin laughed. “See you at home, Ellis.”

Erin opened the door to the car and helped Violet into her car seat. Giving her a small kiss, she got into the driver’s seat and started to drive them home.

“Did you have fun with your cousins?” Erin asked as she drove.

“Uh huh!” Violet said with a smile. “We played dinosaurs, and princesses, and dinosaur princesses and...and...princess dinosaurs!”

Erin laughed. She was just happy she was able to make it: she had been working a lot of overtime recently due to the latest project. She had been at work today, on Christmas Eve...something that she hasn’t had to do in years. She had been worried that they may not get out in time for her to make it to her sister’s, but the VP had forced things to a close earlier than expected, giving her more than enough time to make her way out.

“Mommy, you work a lot,” Violet said, almost as if she could read Erin’s mind in some way.

“Yea,” the mother said as they pulled off onto a side road.

“Yea.”

They arrived soon, pulling into the driveway just after Ellis did. As they approached the door, Erin could see that something was bothering him.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“It’s...uh...three of the other nurses called off tonight. I...said I’d help to cover.”

She frowned. “It’s Christmas Eve.”

He sighed as they walked in. “I know, but it’s important. Someone’s gotta’ be there, even on Christmas Eve.”

Erin hung up Violet’s coat as the little girl ran upstairs to wash her hands.

“Look, if I get there soon, I’ll be home by 10. We can have Christmas brunch.” He smiled, and Erin smirked.

“Okay honey. I know it’s important. I’ll handle everything until then.”

“Thanks sweetie,” he said, kissing her. “Merry Christmas.”

Ellis changed his clothes and headed back downstairs. While putting on his shoes, Violet asked, “Where is Daddy going?”

“To the hospital, honey,” he answered, “They need another nurse for tonight.”

“Awww,” Violet said with a frown. “More working? Mommy’s always working, and now you have to?”

Erin felt a small pang of guilt as she knelt down.

“It’s important...people get sick on Christmas too, and Daddy needs to be there to help them! Don’t worry, you and I will have a great night! We’ll eat cookies and read books and get ready for Santa!”

Violet’s eyes lit up and she grinned. “Okie!” she said, “Bye Daddy! I love you!”

“Love you too,” Ellis replied, “Both of you.” And with that, he left, closing and locking the door behind him.

Erin made good on her promises to her daughter: they shared some cookies and read some books and, right before going to bed, put out a plate with cookies and a glass of milk for Santa right by the fireplace. Sneaking upstairs (despite the fact that there was no reason to), Erin helped her daughter into bed and turned out the light.

“Mommy?” Violet asked as Erin was about to close the door.

“Yes sweetheart?” the mom replied.

“Are you going to work tomorrow?”

Erin smiled. “No sweetie, Mommy has the day off tomorrow.”

Violet smiled back. “Good...you work a lot, Mommy! I miss you sometimes.”

Erin was slightly taken aback. “I...miss you too, honey. But working is just something us big people have to do. Now try to get some rest.”

“Mommy! Look at that!” Violet said, pointing out the window. Erin looked and spotted a very bright star in the sky.

“Oh! That’s the Christmas star! Don’t forget to make your Christmas wish.”

Violet’s eyes lit up. “A wish?”

Erin smiled and nodded. “What are you going to wish for?”

Violet made a face. “Mommy, I can’t tell you or it won’t come true!”

Erin laughed, “Okay, okay, I’ll leave. You can make your wish then.”

This seemed to please the child as Erin leaned forward and kissed her daughter.

“Merry Christmas, honey,” she said.

“Merry Christmas, Mommy,” answered the little girl. Erin left the room and headed to her own. She would have a little time to herself before her daughter was asleep. Then, she’d have to do the all-important task of being Santa Claus.

Shortly after she left, Violet turned to the window and put her little hands together.

“Sometimes, I wish that Mommy wasn’t a big person. That way, she wouldn’t have to work so much and we could play all the time.” The little girl turned over in bed and soon fell fast asleep.

Erin waited around an hour before creeping down the hall and checking in on her daughter. Seeing the little girl fast asleep, Erin went back to her room and took the presents out of the closet. She snuck down the stairs and gently placed the wrapped boxes under the tree. She ate one of the cookies, placing the rest back into the tin, before drinking down the cool milk. Wiping her lips, she turned around to grab the Shelf Elf. It was a tradition of hers to place the Elf on top of the presents for Violet to find in the morning.

Except, the Elf wasn’t there for whatever reason. Erin placed her hands on her hips.

“Hmm, where did I put it….” she whispered to herself. She turned slowly, scanning the room for the little bugger. When she reached the Christmas tree, she finally spotted the little doll sitting on a big branch.

“Huh, how’d you get up there?” she whispered as she reached for it. She grabbed it and immediately received a tiny shock.

“Ouch!” she exclaimed as she drew back her hand, holding her fingers tightly. They were tingling from the shock. The tingling grew in strength and began to run down her arms.

“What’s…” she started to say as the tingling travelled down her back and legs and all the way to the tip of her toes. It was the strangest sensation she’d ever felt before.

“I need to sit down…” she said. As she stepped back, she became acutely aware that she was stepping on her pant leg. Looking down, she gasped as she watched her feet pull into her pants, the legs beginning to pool on the floor. At the same time, she felt her top shifting, falling over her shoulder as her belt loosened, allowing her pants to sag. She grabbed at her clothes and looked at the tree. It looked bigger, as did the Elf who now appeared to be rising up before her as the entire room expanded. She began to feel light headed. As she looked at the Shelf Elf, the little doll turned and winked. Moments later, Erin lost consciousness, feeling herself fall into a gigantic pile of soft garments.