#pitav3

                Zain smiled. “I suppose if that is what the cards are telling you, I should do as I am told.”

                “It would be very wise,” she nodded knowingly. She gazed at him seriously before breaking into a laugh. His own deep laugh joined hers a moment later. Zain’s work day was over and he was now able to spend a few moments with his sweet Violet. They sat in her room a small round table between them with Violet’s tarot cards laid out. She was reading Zain’s cards, or at least that was the original intent.

                “Oh, I think the cards are saying more,” he said once his laughing subsided. Violet tilted her head curiously, watching as his hands hovered over the cards on the table before flipping one over to reveal it. “It says here, you should wear a red top every day until Christmas. Beginning right now.”

                “Are you trying to undress me, Mr. Zain?” Violet asked, resting her elbow on the table and her chin on her hand. She wore a sly smile as she looked up at him. “I’m not sure you understand how card readings work. How did we go from you to me?”

                “I am simply telling you what the cards say, Ms. Violet,” he grinned. “Right here,” he said, pointing to a card with a nude couple. “I believe they are saying my love will be very happy if she looks in the top drawer of her dresser.” She blinked at such specificity. Zain wore a brilliant smile and it was difficult to ignore the suggestion. She stood, pushing the chair back, and tentatively made her way to the dresser. Inside she found several red sweaters and blouses but she also found a wrapped gold box with a red bow.

                “Zain,” she squeaked emotionally, pulling the small box out.  She bit her lip, attempting to fight off the giant grin from taking over her face. “What is this?”

                “Open it and see,” he instructed, a gentle smile on his lips. Too excited to return to the table, she undid the bow on the box and carefully removed the lid. Inside was a thin gold chain and looped through that was a small, gold lump of a pendent. She lifted it up and underneath laid a note in Zain’s neat handwriting. ‘Because of a small stone, I am now able to say…I love you.’  Her throat tightened as she realized the small lump was roughly the shape of a heart.

                “Zain…” Seeing Violet struggle with her words, Zain stood and was at once at her side, taking her hands in his.

                “You don’t like it?” he wondered. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, grinning into his neck.

                “No, no, I adore it! Thank you so much.” She kissed his neck and then his jaw, wanting to cover him in kisses.

                He smiled and cupped both of her cheeks, leaning down to press his lips on hers. The two stood still, sharing a tender kiss.

                They finally parted but Zain then pressed his lips to her cheek and temple. “I’m so glad you like it,” he whispered, a hint of relief in his voice.

                “I do,” she replied, removing it entirely from the box and holding it up. Wordlessly, Zain took the clasps of the chain and walked behind her to fasten it on. Violet gathered her hair, moving it out of his way. When he finished, she fingered the pendent, a smile on her face. “Zain, you are such a romantic,” she whispered happily. “Your gift is not quite ready and you will receive it on Christmas day.” She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, blissfully happy when he wrapped his around her waist. She leaned up and kissed him again. “Thank you, thank you,” she murmured against his lips. He smiled in turn. “Now,” she cleared her throat lightly. “About undressing me…” Zain chuckled as he kissed her again and again. “I will happily return the favor,” she grinned.

I hope it was an appropriate gift. I loved writing this one. It made me feel warm and fuzzy <3

                “Thank you Santa!” she cried happily once the photographer signaled a successful take. She tilted her head, studying his face closely. “You have really pretty eyes, Santa.” Zain smiled warmly.

                “Thank you. You play the violin beautifully,” he returned the compliment, remembering her from the Children’s Orchestra that had played earlier.

                “You saw that?” She giddily asked.

                “I am Santa,” he reminded kindly, “I can see everything.”

                She grinned from ear to ear. “Okay, then I’ll keep practicing so you can hear me play next year too!”

                “I can hardly wait,” he smiled. The little girl leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek.

                “See you, Santa,” she waved, hopping off his lap. Zain waved goodbye as well.

                Did he realize how adorable he was being? Ms. Katie covered her mouth to hide her expression. It truly was unfair for the butler to be so handsome and easily shift from a perfect butler to a perfect Santa.

                “Next,” a grumpy looking Theo called. His eyes landed on Ms. Katie. “Well?” he asked when she didn’t move. Ms. Katie looked around and behind her for the girlfriend that had insisted they get in line. When else was Katie going to get the chance to sit on her crush’s lap, she had argued. Said friend was nowhere in sight. She was going to kill her, Ms. Katie decided, a new wave of embarrassment hitting her. “Are you going to go or not?” Ms. Katie looked over at the impatient Theo and caught Santa Zain watching her curiously. She mentally cursed as she took the first step up into the mini stage that had been set up. She walked timidly over to Zain.  Perfect Zain. Her pulse quickened at the sight of him even when he was wearing a fake belly and beard. She was completely smitten, she knew.

                When she did not make a move to sit, Zain offered her his hand with a small smile. She shyly pressed her lips together as she placed her hand in his. She could feel his warmth through the glove. When she finally sat, her face was warm. She could feel the muscles of his arm through the Santa suit.

                “Merry Christmas, Ms-Katie,” the Santa corrected himself. “Have you been a good girl?” Her blush grew. She was going to have a heart attack.

“Yes,” she answered meekly.

“That’s very good to hear. Then I should reward you with a present. Tell me what you would like for Christmas.”

“Um.” She had not thought this far ahead. She nervously looked around for an idea. Any idea. Her eyes landed on the line of people waiting. A group of young women were at the front. She remembered hearing them giggle as they imagined sitting on Zain’s lap. I may not want to get off, one of them giggled. Maybe I’ll sit facing him, another added. All I want for Christmas is a kiss from Santa, another said, earning her encouragement and dares. They weren’t looking at her or Santa Zain now; instead they were still whispering and gushing among themselves. The idea of anybody kissing Zain upset her. She watched the ladies build each other’s courage up and her hear beat painfully. “I want a kiss from you.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she had completely ruined everything with Zain. If he hadn’t already figured out her crush on him from the time she spent in the castle, he certainly did now. She glanced up at him and found him staring at her with a surprised expression. She was an idiot, she realized. Of course he wouldn’t fulfill that request. Zain is a capable butler but even he would not kiss someone on demand. Those other women were never going to get their kiss. She had let them get to her and all that she had accomplished was to ruin whatever relationship she had with Zain. She was so stupid. She parted her lips to say ‘Just kidding!’ and laugh it off before it was too late but Zain surprised her when he pressed his lips to hers.

A chorus of high-pitched ‘gross’ came from the young members of the line but all Ms. Katie could hear was the blood pounding in her ears. “Merry Christmas,” Zain said, his eyes sparkling as he smiled at her.

“Merry Christmas,” she replied weakly, still stunned from the kiss. Zain continued to smile until Theo came to help her down. She held onto his hand as he lead her off the stage, still shaken, wondering what exactly just happened. Behind, she could hear the next request. I want a kiss too, Santa.

“I’m sorry,” came Zain’s reply. “I only had one kiss I was willing to give.” Ms. Katie’s ears turned bright red.

I hope this is appropriate with the small interactions Ms. Katie has had with Zain. I had fun writing this one. :)