Chapter Text
Rita bobbed behind the camera, shaking a set of jingle bells at the small, squawling child in Santa’s lap.
“C’mon sweetie, can you smile for me? Huh? Lookie here!”
The small child swiped one hand across their nose and smled a small, shy smile. FLASH! ‘Rex’ (or so proclaimed his name tag) snapped the picture and just like that, the little one was off Santa’s lap and Juno was up selling the parents on the various photo packages. Ria waved as the little kid toddled off and turned to escort in the next family. She opened the little gates and let in a small, solemn eyed girl followed by the most gorgeous woman Rita had ever seen.
“Uh, uh- hi! Welcome to Santa’s workshop!”
She gestured the little girl towards Santa’s chair and her eyes lit up. She almost ran over and plopped down onto Santa’s lap.
“Aww!” said Rita, “Is she yours?”
“Sarah? Goodness no. She’s my niece.”
Rita was having a hard time speaking clearly, but elf training took over.
“Well that’s nice of you, taking your niece out like this.”
The woman nodded distractedly and then leaned forward.
“What time do you get off?”
“My shift ends at three. Why?”
“Because I’m returning Sarah to her mom at 2:30. Why don’t we meet in that little coffee shop in the food court say 3:00?”
Rtat barely had time to stammer out her acceptance before Sarah and the attractive stranger were drifting back into the crowd.
“Well well well,” said Peter, setting up the camera. “Looks like you’ve got a date.”
Rita resisted the urge to squeal. 3:00 had never felt further away.