Some links may be affiliate links. We get money if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these links on our site.

Christmas All The Time is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I’ve got my own personal superhero. What could go wrong?

“Aye.” Mary said. “Twould seem this Krampus fellow has taken an unfortunate interest in ye, Mistress Montes. Twill be m’pleasure te keep ye safe until the police catch the miscreant.”

“I know you’re a superhero and everything, but you’re even smaller than Bryce.” Veronica said.

“Hey!” Bryce said angrily.

“There’s a lot more to Mary than meets the eye, Ms. Montes.” Detective Masi said.

“Thank’ee, Detective. Tis hard te believe at first glance fer most people. Even so, I am more than capable o’ keepin’ ye safe.”

“Pardon my skepticism but Krampus is freakishly strong…” Bryce started.

“Tis no m’role te engage with him. I will be takin’ steps te keep the young lady safe.”

“So, the other Sentinels are hunting for Krampus?” Bryce asked.

“As time allows.” Mary said. “What is that enchantin’ aroma?”

“Coffee?” Veronica offered.

Mary giggled. “No, I know the scent of coffee. Tis sweeter.”

“Baklava?” Bryce asked.

“What is baklava?” Mary asked.

“Pastry, nuts and honey.” He replied nervously.

“Sounds wonderful! May we join ye?”

“Absolutely.” Bryce said with a smile. He stood and offered his chair. “My name is Bryce Wescott.”

“Thank’ee, Mr. Wescott.” Mary sat in the chair offered. She waved her hand and two more chairs sprouted up from nowhere.

“Detective, would ye join us?”

“Don’t mind if I do. Please, have a seat, Mr. Wescott.”

“Please call me Bryce.” He said as he took a seat on one of the newly appeared chairs.

“And you might as well call me Veronica. No point in being so formal.”

“Splendid.” Mary said. “M’name is actually pronounced May-ra. Meirhe Kryzthnyz is m’given name but people here seem te no be able te pronounce it right.”

“Is that a common name at the North Pole?” Bryce asked.

Meirhe’s jaw dropped. “Why does everyone think I come from the North Pole? I was kidnapped from another dimension several years ago.”

“Another dimension?” Veronica’s eyes went wide.

“Tis a long story.”

“I’ll bet. Anyway, we’re glad you’re here now.” Bryce said as he waved for the waitress.

“Thank’ee, Dear Bryce. D’ye live together?”

“No.” Veronica said a little too quickly. “I’m staying with my cousin over in Sunnyvale.”

“O’er in Kanarsy?” Mary asked.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“En ye, Dear Bryce?”

“No, I’m down on 34th.”

The waitress arrived at the table. “Can I get you some menus?”

“I’d just like a spanakopita and some coffee.” Detective Masi said.

“A menu would be helpful but I would like te try baklava te start.” Meirhe said.

“I’ll bring that right out.” The waitress said. She grabbed a menu for Meirhe and headed for the kitchen. Meirhe bumped her fist on the table and a pewter tankard appeared.

“I’ll bet that comes in handy.” Bryce observed.

“Aye, te be sure.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Veronica asked.

“I will be yer protection until the miscreant is brought te justice. I go where ye go.”

Veronica’s face blanched. “Even the bathroom?”

“No, Dear Veronica. Just places. I believe Krampus will stick te droppin’ coal. I doubt he’d be able te act on his intentions in a bathroom. He seems te be a creature o’ habit.”

“All of his actions have been public. He seems to want to take credit.” Detective Masi added.

“I think yer phone’s ringin’, Dear Veronica.” Meirhe said.

“You could hear that?” She unzipped her purse and dug for the phone. “Luz? Yeah, I’m fine. It’s on the news? No, I’m fine. It totally missed me. Yeah, I’m with the detective now. No, Luz, seriously. I’m fine. Yes, they assigned me a body guard. I’ll tell you later. Yeah, I just got done dinner. I’ll be home in a little while. Luz, stop freakin’ out. I’m fine. I don’t know.” Veronica held her phone away. “Are you staying with us?”

“No, I’ll see ye home. If ye need te get somewhere, signal me en I’ll take ye.”

“Luz? No. She’s not staying over. I don’t know.” She held her phone away. “What happens if he attacks the house?”

“They’re going to assign a detail from the One-One-Eight to keep an eye on your place.” Detective Masi said as the waitress brought her coffee. “Thanks.”

“Luz? The cops are going to be watching the house when Mary’s not there. What do you mean, Mary who? Mary Christmas.”

The phone began screaming wildly. Veronica held it away from her ear. “She’s a fan of yours.”

“Twould seem.” She nodded a grateful acknowledgment as the waitress delivered her baklava.

“Luz, chill! I’ll be home in a little while. Yes, she’ll come in and say hi.” The phone began screaming again. She pressed the red button to hang up. “Hopefully, she’ll be calm by the time we get there.”

“Tis a treat te be appreciated.” Meirhe said as she dug her fork into the baklava. She scrunched her eyes tight and took a morsel.

“Is it okay?” The waitress asked.

Meirhe sat there with her eyes closed. “I’m feelin’ about the same as yer cousin feels about me. I’m tryin’ te keep me cool.”

“That good, huh?” Bryce asked.

“I’ve been on yer world fer almost thirty years en I’ve never tasted anything like this. Tis every bit as amazin’ as the first time I had cookies.”

“They don’t have cookies on your world?” Veronica asked.

“No, some varieties o’ bread but nothin’ with chocolate chips er icin’. I nearly lost me mind. This is every bit as phenomenal.”

“I guess I’m going to get going.” Bryce said. “Unless you need me for a statement or whatever.”

“Don’t rush off on our account.” Detective Masi said.

“No, it’s been a long day. I’d better get home. Looks like Veronica’s in good hands here.”

“Bryce, do you have to go?” Veronica said.

Detective Masi stood up and said, “Meirhe, come on over here a minute. They’ve got a display of the deserts for you to look at.”

“Sounds delightful.” She followed the detective away from the table.

Bryce leaned in and asked, “Are you going to be alright?”

“I’ve got my own personal superhero. What could go wrong?”

“That’s a very good point. I guess I’ll head home, then.”

They looked into each other’s eyes. The murmur of conversation in the restaurant seemed to melt away. She leaned in slowly.