Chapter 37: A Mouse, a Flask, and a Decision, Part 3

Corey's face fell. "You've made up your mind then?" he asked solemnly.
"Mr. Cane," Serendipity said with a sigh, "my mind was made up before I even left my home, now wasn't it?"
"Yes, of course," he replied, the disingenuous smile spreading over his face. "Will you excuse me a moment? I think I shall go check on Mr. Waddlebug."
"Certainly," Serendipity said, returning her gaze to the fireplace.
As Corey made his way into the kitchen, he let out a heavy sigh. It seemed he was going to have to do this the hard way after all.?"Whatever is taking you so long? And why is that mouse still on the counter?" he asked, eyeing Pozzletot closely.
"Oh, I forgot to release him," he replied, clearly not wanting to let Pozzletot go just yet.?"And then there's a matter of the gingersnaps. The ones I baked yesterday were a bit stale, so I was going to make some more. But then I realized we needed more eggs. So, I went out to the hen house to fetch a few, but there weren't any. So, then I came back in and was trying to determine what else to make, but I couldn't decide. And then."
"Oh, for the love of. Here," Corey cried in frustration, thrusting two eggs in his direction, which he had clearly produced out of thin air.
"Is everything all right in there?" Serendipity called from the living room, obviously hearing the frustration in Corey's voice even if she couldn't make out the words.
"Everything is fine," he assured her, infusing his voice with some fake cheer. "You know what, on second thought." He waved his hands again and the eggs became a plate of perfectly frosted gingerbread men.
"Well, that's all fine and good," Mr. Waddlebug stated sharply, holding the magical silver platter as if it were made of poison. "But if you're simply going to create cookies for your guests, what do you need me for?"
"Mr. Waddlebug, this is no time to debate the necessity of your position," Corey groaned. Taking the flask back out of his pocket, he added, "Just finish the tea, and call me back in when it's ready so I can"
"Are you sure there's nothing I can help with?" Serendipity asked, the closeness of her voice alerting them that she was approaching the door.
"Everything is fine!" Corey repeated, sitting the flask down on the counter and running toward the door to prevent her from entering.
He met her in the doorway just in time. "Are you sure?" she asked. "I haven't been in a kitchen for years, but I do know how to boil water."
She was smiling up at him, a curious expression dancing in her eyes, and he wasn't quite sure what she was up to.?Was she suspicious? Did she not trust him? "Ms. Fizzlestitch, I assure you, Mr. Waddlebug is doing just fine on his own. Now, if you'll return to your seat"
"What's that?" Serendipity asked, looking past Corey's head at the top of the doorway.
Glancing up, Corey realized where they were standing. "Oh, that," he exclaimed. "That's uh mistletoe. I guess one of the elves who decorates my home must have hung that there out of amusement."
"Oh?" Serendipity replied, her eyebrows raised. "What is it for?"
"You don't know the legend of the mistletoe?" Corey asked, surprised. Serendipity shook her head, so he began to explain. "Well, it's tradition, in some parts, I suppose, that when a couple stands beneath the mistletoe the gentleman is supposed to kiss the lady. That's all."
"Oh," she repeated herself, this time her tone completely different.?
She was leaning back against the doorframe, her hands resting behind her waist, her head tilted up, her eyes looking at him intently, and Corey felt mesmerized by whatever magic spell it was she had placed him under. He hesitated slightly, not sure what her intention might be, but then, no longer able to contain himself, he leaned forward and slowly situated his lips just above hers, waiting a second to see if she would pull away. She did not, so he continued in his pursuit and lightly kissed her fully on the lips. Serendipity gasped, but he felt her soft lips leaning into his, so he slid his hand up the side of her face and pulled her toward him, increasing the passion as he did so. She responded by placing her hand on his shoulder and pressing her mouth into his, slowly sliding her hand up to the back of his neck. After a moment, he released her, leaving a small distance between them as he breathed her in.?Her face was flushed, her lips a bit swollen, and she seemed to be slightly out of breath. "Like that," he said quietly.
"I see," she said quietly, slowly drawing her hand away from him.
Corey closely considered the possibility of kissing her again when he heard the teapot whistle from the kitchen. "Will you excuse me?" he asked quietly, still hovering just above her perfect, porcelain face.
"Yes, of course," she replied, a small smile teasing the corners of her mouth.
Corey stepped back into the kitchen, hearing her cross back over to the chair, stopping to rub his face with both hands.
"It's ready," Mr. Waddlebug said, setting the teapot down on a pot holder. "Whatever you decide to do, Mr. Cane, I won't be a part of it."
"You don't understand," Corey said, fingering the flask in his pocket. "I can't let her leave, Mr. Waddlebug."
"Can't or won't?" the old elf asked. "Are you doing what's best for her, or what's best for you?" And without waiting for an answer, he shuffled off out the back door, slamming it behind him.
Corey took the flask out of his pocket and looked at it carefully. It was no longer just about doing his job well, having a perfect record, proving to St. Nicholas that he was worthy of his position. He knew now, if Serendipity were to leave the North Pole, if he no longer had her in his life, he would never be the same. Nevertheless, would forcing her to stay change who she was and how she thought of him? Would he ever be able to convince her that he had acted on her behalf? She would be so much happier here, so much more fulfilled. With a deep sigh, he popped the cork off of the flask and made his decision, pouring the blue liquid into his chosen container.