Special Holiday Romance (Part II)

The next morning, Santa goes into his son's room and finds him studying a map.

" Where are you planning on going, son?"

Lucas sits and scans the map. He points and says," I'd like to see what it is like to not have snow all the time. I thought that I might go to New Orleans and spend some time."

Santa looks at the map and points." New Orleans has some good people but if I were you I would go here instead." He was pointing at the Mississippi gulf coast. He continued," There is twenty-six miles of beach along the coast there. People from New Orleans usually go there during the summer. I have spent some time there, myself with your mom. I took her there once on vacation."

" You did, Dad? Did she like it?"

" She loved it. I promised her that I would take her back one-day. We took a boat out to a small island. I believe it was called "Ship Island". He pointed at the map and showed it to him." I believe that is it right there. We took long walks on the beach and I guess you can say we fell in love all over again. I looked like a beached whale in a bathing suit but your momma loved me anyways." He held on to his stomach with a smile, " I wasn't always this big, you know. Momma wouldn't have even looked my way if I had. I used to look just like you. Your momma's good cooking did this to me. I thought about losing weight but the kids seem to like me this way. I can't disappoint them."

" I love you just the way you are, Dad."

" Well, I guess I'd better go so you can get packed and ready to go. Have you decided where you are going so I can tell Momma?"

" Yea, Dad. I think I'll go where you took mom. Maybe I'll get lucky and find someone. It sounds like a nice place."

" Your mom will be glad to hear that. I hope you find what you are looking for. I was very lucky to find someone like your mom."

He walks out of the room to let Lucas have time to pack.

The next day, he is packed and ready to go on his journey for a quest for love.

Everyone gathers around to say good- bye.

He goes down the line hugging each one.

By the time he reaches his mom, she is already in tears. He grabs her and hugs,

" I'll miss you, mom. I'll call you to let you know how I am doing. Please don't cry."

" My baby is all grown up now! Please be careful, son. I'm going to miss you!"

" I'll be back before you know it, mom."

He steps in front of his dad. Santa hands him a wallet and says," I had the elves make you this. It has an ID card in it. I leased a condo on the beach in Gulfport for you. The address is on your ID card. You will use my real last name. Your name will be Lucas Kringle. I have transferred funds into a bank on the coast. You will have all the money you need in it. I'll have them check your account from time to time to see that you don't run out. The other card in your wallet is called a debit card. You won't have to worry about writing checks; just use the card when you need cash or want to pay for something. I hope you have a good time and we look forward to your return, son. Your mom and I love you very much!"

He hugs his dad and replies," I love you, too, Dad!"

As they hug, Santa's sleigh pulls up. An elf was driving it. It was the head elf named Frodin. Lucas puts his suitcase in the back and sits down. He waves at everyone as it takes off and lifts toward the sky.

Frodin landed the sleigh near an airport in Alaska. Lucas said good-bye to him and grabbed his luggage. It was a short walk to the airport. He paid for his ticket and got aboard the plane that would take him on his first leg of his journey.

After a few layovers, he finally landed at the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport. His quest had begun.