The mall wasn't any different from how it had looked the previous year. Meghan kept her arm around Carly as they squeezed through the bustling crowds and toward the source of excited children chattering up ahead. There, in the midst of cotton snow and glowing reindeer decorations, was Santa Claus; seated on a red, cushioned throne chair. Carly immediately brightened at the sight, a childish grin slipping onto her tired face.

Meghan smiled at her daughter's excitement, not daring to look over at Gordon who walked directly beside her. The line of families waiting between the red ropes wasn't as long as Meghan expected. As they slipped into the line, it didn't take long for them to progress closer and closer to Santa Claus. Meghan's parents had told her when she was a little girl that Santa had duplicate helpers who substitute for him at malls when he needs it. She now hoped that that was the real one, or else, they came for nothing.

Not nothing, she chastised herself. Carly's been looking forward to this. She wished she could think the same about Ryder, but his hands shoved deeply into his pockets and gaze lingering anywhere but on the jolly, old man in front of them made it apparent how he felt. A small frown played at his lips. Meghan couldn't help but feel that it was her own fault that Ryder no longer believed in or cared about Christmas.

"So, are we just asking him about the fawns?" Carly asked, eyeing Santa curiously.

"That's the plan, yes," Meghan responded.

"I still don't see why we're doing this," Gordon sighed.

"Because they were floating fawns, Gordon," Meghan hissed. "That's not normal."

They moved forward as the family in front of them excitedly approached Santa. The lady dressed as an elf took their picture before Santa conversed in conversation with the five kids. Meghan fidgeted nervously. She rememberrd when one of her sisters, Ginger, had shoved her over the red rope and into the decorations, breaking some. Meghan had been so frightened that she would be put on the naughty list because of it - especially since Santa had seen the whole display. But she wasn't. However, after Santa heard what she and her siblings wanted for Christmas, they were escorted out by security. She and her sister were grounded for a week.

"He's so smiley," Carly said.

"He's jolly," Gordon told her.

She rolled her eyes. "Wow, you're so smart, Dad."

He smiled, pretending to flip whatever long imaginary hair he had. "Thank you."

Carly giggled, shaking her head. Meghan laughed too, turning to look back at Ryder. He didn't seem amused. On the contrary, he seemed antsy, switching his weight from one leg to another. "You okay, Ryder?"

He met her eyes and gave a stiff nod. "Yeah, I'm good."

The family in front of them was still talking with Santa, the toddler bouncing on his knee. Meghan turned to Gordon, nodding her head at Ryder when he looked. "When are you taking him out for some one-on-one time?"

"What?" he said.

In her imagination, she slapped Gordon. But, in reality, she slipped her hands into her pockets. "Remember? He agreed to do something with you if he was able to stay home from going on that walk with us."

"Oh." Gordon nodded. "I remember. Um, I could do it this week sometime."

"Talk to him about it," Meghan said.

"Right now?"

She nearly groaned. "Whenever you feel you can. I don't care."

He looked over at Ryder again. Oblivious to the conversation, Carly grabbed Meghan's arm excitedly as the family with Santa began moving on. "We're next!"

Santa Claus's icy blue eyes locked on Carly and he smiled, motioning for them to approach as the elf lady lifted her camera. Meghan inhaled deeply before moving forward. Carly was quicker to do so, rushing to Santa's side and leaning against the large chair. He chuckled loudly. "And what would you like for Christmas?"

Carly looked at Meghan expectantly, quietly seeking permission to speak before Meghan did. She nodded at her daughter. Carly turned back to him. "Well, I kind of want a puppy." Meghan quickly started, her eyes widening. That was unexpected. "But we can't afford one."

Santa Claus laughed merrily. "I'll see what I can do." He turned to Ryder who kept his distance, pressed against a pillar. "And you, young man?"

Ryder shook his head, not meeting Santa's eyes. "I'm good."

Meghan and Gordon exchanged quick looks. Meghan didn't fully stop asking Santa for gifts until she was sixteen. But, everybody's different. Even with that thought in mind, though, guilt gnawed away at her heart. Was it her fault he didn't want anything? Santa looked at her questioningly. She shrugged, swallowing thickly. "Can I ask you something?"

He nodded, shooting Carly a smile when she took a seat on the arm of the chair. "Ask ahead."

"Well," she hesitantly started, "this question might seem strange. But have you, by any chance, lost some...some baby deer...or something?" Her voice grew quieter as she finished the sentence, a small fringe of embarrassment pricking at her pride.

The smile slipped off of Santa's face. He studied her closely, guarded eyes fully alert. "That is, indeed, a strange question. Why do you ask?"

"We've been finding some fawns everywhere," Gordon answered for her. "Well, actually, they've mostly been finding us, but Carly was convinced that they might be yours."

Santa nodded slowly, looking at the lady still taking pictures and the children eagerly waiting in line. "I see." His deep voice rumbled softly. "And I will ask a strange question in return. Would you mind waiting around here until I have seen all of these children?"

The question startled Meghan. She was not expecting that. "Um...yeah."

He nodded. "Thank you." Then a large smile slipped onto his face. "Alright. Let's get this picture taken!"

Meghan motioned for Ryder to move forward. After a look of resilience and plead, her son slowly shuffled over to the large chair and positioned himself on one side. Carly smiled happily, fixing a red curl as the elf lady nodded brightly. "Good! Now, smile!"

Once the flash had gone off and the picture was printed and purchased, the small family moved out of the area and over to some benches set up in the mall. Meghan sat down beside Gordon.

"Now what?" Carly asked, holding the picture up to the light.

Meghan shrugged. "I don't know. I guess we wait."

"For how long?"

"As long as it takes." Gordon leaned back, his eyebrows furrowed. "I don't know if I like this."

Meghan secretly agreed. But she put on a stoic expression. "Well, if if helps us in any way, then it's worth it."

Ryder slouched in his seat, frowning deeply at something in the distance. Meghan had no idea of just how reluctant and disagreeable he was to seeing Santa at the mall. She didn't know it would have that kind of effect on him. Did he really detest this holiday now? Or was he just embarrassed?

Carly yawned, slipping the photo into Gordon's hand. "Can I keep it?"

He laughed. "I don't know. Maybe we'll frame it and put it on the wall."

Ryder turned to look at him coldly. "Yeah, but in whose house?"

Meghan's eyes widened at his sudden snap, but a feeling of frustration found its way inside of her as well. "Ryder, just stop it. Your attitude is affecting all of us. It's affecting the Christmas spirit!"

"Yeah, and the divorce is too," he snapped back. "Doesn't stop you two from torturing us further by acting like it's all okay when it's not!" His words struck hard, bruising some part of her. Ryder quickly closed his mouth. For the second time that month, regret slowly overtook his face. He looked down at his lap and mumbled, "Sorry."

Meghan blinked. Carly was fidgeting nervously in her seat, her eyes looking between them all worriedly. Before anyone could speak, she blurted, "Can we just enjoy Christmas and our time together? Why do you all have to make it so complicated!"

Gordon cleared his throat, looking at her curiously. "Wow, ladybug."

She immediately blushed, covering her mouth with her hand. Meghan didn't say anything in response to her accusation. Neither did Ryder who turned away from them. Carly spoke again through her hand, her voice muffled. "Sorry!"

"It's fine," Meghan said uncomfortably, not meeting Gordon's eyes. "You're right. But we're trying to make this a good Christmas, okay? Just work with us." She turned to Ryder whose back was to her. "You too, Ryder."

He didn't respond. Instead, he stood up and rushed away, disappearing into the crowds of people. Meghan watched in surprise, quickly standing up to follow. Gordon grabbed her arm. "No, stop. Just let him go."

She quickly turned to confront him. "Why don't you help anymore? You just sit in silence! You don't even try to help make it right. You did that first day when you threatened to take down their bedroom door. Why don't you do anything now?"

Gordon rubbed his neck. Carly quickly shifted away from them, hiding her face in her hands. "Because if I speak, it'll be discipline and anger coming out. And you don't like that!"

Meghan huffed softly, looking around. Nobody seemed to be paying any attention to them. "I might not like it, but you're their father and that's your role. All children need discipline. But that's not what I'm talking about. You don't even try to help me get my point across!"

"Because you do fine by yourself."

She scowled. "Well, I don't feel like I do. And maybe I'm tired of doing it by myself. Did you think of that? You're here now, so, I need you to be here and help! This drama is your fault too. Not just mine."

Gordon nodded, seeming to keep calm. She knew he wanted to snap out. "Fine. I'm sorry. I will. You're right."

Meghan opened her mouth to speak again, but a small sob from Carly redirected her attention. Her daughter still had her face buried in her hands, but when she sensed the silence, she looked up, tears streaming down her face. She looked between them angrily. "Why can't you just stop fighting? Now I see why Ryder doesn't like this. You won't stop!"

Meghan swallowed. She looked at Gordon who put an arm around Carly, pulling her into a hug. "We're sorry."

She shook her head. "Then why won't you stop?"

Meghan slowly sat back down. She tried to search for the right words. "We really are sorry. It's just hard sometimes. Adults get mad at each other too." Meghan forgot how much stress that could be putting on Carly. She was so good about it - never complaining or arguing - that Meghan lacked in realizing it was affecting her daughter's life too.

Gordon rubbed her back silently, listening to her sobs slowly cease. She wiped her tears away and looked at them with watery eyes. "Well, Ryder and I get mad at each other sometimes, and we never divorce each other."

Meghan cracked a smile. "Divorce?"

Carly blinked before frowning. "You know what I mean."

"Disown?" Gordon offered humorously.

"Yeah, whatever," she mumbled. "We never do that."

"Technically, you can't," Meghan said. "And adults divorce because the marriage isn't working out. If they stayed together for too long when it wasn't working, then they would be fighting all the time."

"But you still fight," Carly said.

Meghan took her hand, feeling her own tears prick her eyes. "I know. And I'm sorry."

After that, Meghan and Gordon barely spoke. The lines for Santa lasted until the mall closed, so they had to get dinner at the food court. After the mall closed, Ryder sullenly joined them as Santa Claus told them to wait in the parking lot for him.

Despite the thought that they could be found in the parking lot by the thing following them, Meghan agreed. Now, she glanced around. Very little cars take up any space in the large lot. The sun was already setting beyond the clouds, taking away the glisten in the snow and leaving it looking more like powder. Carly waited impatiently, kicking clumps of snow across the road with her hands shoved into her coat pockets.

"I don't think we can trust this man," Gordon finally breathed to Meghan, keeping his voice low enough as to not attract attention from their children. "We don't even know if he is the real Santa Claus or not."

Meghan nodded in agreement. "I know, but let's just wait and see. We've waited here all day anyway."

Carly looked up and her face brightened. Meghan turned to see Santa walking toward them, still in his red coat and hat. He stopped in front of them. "Now, down to business. You've all been on the nice list most of your lives so I'm sure I can trust you." He glanced between each of them slowly. "You mentioned finding fawns and wondering if they're mine. I inform you now that they are, indeed."

The breath hitched sharply in Meghan's throat and she coughed to release it, her heart racing. Gordon nodded slowly. "And how do we know you're not playing us? You could be fake and just want them to get some money."

Santa nodded as well. "And how do I know you're not playing me? None of us do. We're acting on faith and belief right now. You believe I truly am Santa Claus, and I believe that you really are a poor family helping baby animals."

"Are you Santa Claus?" Carly asked curiously, studying him up and down.

Meghan watched him smile, his face wrinkling kindly. "If you believe I am."

"I do!" Carly said, balancing on the heels of her feet.

"Well, then, there you go."

Meghan stepped forward, getting closer to the older man. "We need your help. Not only are we finding your fawns - if they really are yours - but something is following and threatening us. It's already harmed us to a point where we were in the hospital."

Santa's face darkened slightly. "I see."

"We think it wants the fawns," Meghan continued, shuddering slightly. "Actually, we're sure it wants the fawns. And we don't know why. But if we don't give them to it, it will kill all of us. And we don't even know what it is."

Santa sat on a bench, heaving a heavy sigh. "I do." Meghan furrowed her eyebrows, glancing at Gordon who had his furrowed as well. "I'm sorry this is happening to you."

"Well, if you could just take the fawns back, then-"

"I can't," Santa interrupted. "I'm sorry."

"You don't want them?" Carly asked, shocked.

He gave an empty chuckle. "No, child, it's not that I don't want them. Now that they are no longer in my possession, I can't have them."

"What do you mean?" Meghan asked.

"Well, there is a bound enchantment down at the North Pole. If you lose something and somebody - or something - else finds it, you can no longer attain it unless it is given back."

"Elaborate, please," Gordon said.

Santa shook his head, running a hand through his white beard. "My reindeer bred the new generation that will be pulling my sled. You see, they're getting tired so I need new reindeer to help me out. But not too long after these fawns were born, I had taken them out to practice their flying, and I only turned away to drink some of Mrs. Claus's delicious hot cocoa. But when I turned back, they were missing. Lost. And that thing had been waiting for that moment. The moment that I lose the fawns would be its moment to take them. They are no longer mine. But they are also no longer its, as I take it, because they seem to be finding you after that thing managed to lose them."

"So...you're saying that the fawns are now ours?" Meghan asked, disbelieving what she heard.

"Because you are taking them in, yes, they are now yours. Which is why that thing cannot just reach out and grab them. It can only take them back if you give them back, or it can redeem them again if you lose them." Santa leaned back, watching their reactions as they all differed from one another.

The fire. It was trying to get them to lose the fawns. And they did. But the fawns found them again. Meghan frowned deeply, wrapping an arm around Carly when she leaned into her. Ryder only stood silently, staring absently at a pillar.

"Well, why don't we just give them back to you?" Gordon suggested.

Santa shook his head again. "Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that. It must go back down the chain. You can only give them to the thing that is following you, and then I can only receive them again if it gives them to me...which it will not."

"There isn't any other way to get them to you?" Meghan demanded.

Santa met her eyes with his icy blue ones. "Only if you eliminate what stands in your way."

Meghan stared at him, her mouth slightly agape. Gordon shook his head. "You mean we have to kill it?"

"That's precisely what I mean. It is the only thing standing in your way of giving me the fawns."

Carly bit her lip. Her wide eyes were full of fear. "Why don't you kill it, Santa?"

Santa sagged slightly. Seeing the man Meghan idolized as a child acting the complete opposite of the words in the songs she would sing about the jolly old man he supposedly was caused a prick of pain to stab at her chest. "I cannot kill something from my own bloodline."

It only needed a second to sink in before the realization hit. Ryder looked up, his eyes wide, finally snapping out of his trance. "You...you mean you're related to it?" When Santa nodded, he demanded, "How?"

"Good to see you talking," Santa chuckled, earning a sour look from Meghan's son. "That thing is my brother."

"You have a brother?" Carly gasped. And just like that, Meghan realized that Santa Claus was not exactly how he was portrayed in movies and stories.

"Indeed," Santa sighed. "Unfortunately, at birth, he was touched with darkness and mutilated. He is an evil being whose only thought is to completely destroy Christmas and anything standing in his way. He is no longer human. He's a master of darkness. And to help his cause, when I lost something very valuable as a teenager, he took it and - with it - all of its powers."

"What was it?" Meghan quickly asked.

Santa hesitated only a second. "A diadem that can take you both back in time and into the future."

A throbbing began to set in Meghan's head. She rubbed it, all of the information to process blocking her own thoughts. "You...a...you...you have something that can make you go back in the past and into the future?"

"Had," he corrected. "How do you think I get to every place on Christmas Eve night?"

"Following the sun," Carly answered, her face pale. "But...this is...well, cooler, I guess."

"Wait, so how do you do it now?" Meghan asked.

"I have a spare one," Santa said. "But now my brother has this one and most likely uses it to his advantage. However, if you change just one thing in the past or future, nothing else is affected. So, it isn't the most efficient and complete piece of time travel, but it works."

"So," Gordon started slowly, "the bottom line is that we have to kill this thing - your brother - in order to return the fawns to you. But we have to do this before it kills us like it's been trying to do."

Santa nodded. "I'm so sorry this has fallen onto your shoulders."

"Wait," Carly said. "What about those tiny things I saw with him? They were helping him."

"My elves," Santa answered. "But evil versions. My brother goes back in time to touch them with his darkness so that they join him."

"Touch them with