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Chapter Text

If it hadn't been clear to Scott before, it likely kicked in that if Quintin wished you good luck while temporarily going into hiding, you should follow suit.  Bernard knew it, thought he rarely had the ability to listen to it, and in this case it didn’t actually affect him negatively.  Instead, he was standing right behind Judy's chair with his arms folded and a stern look toward their current Santa Claus, acting as her back-up and giving her his support.  Judy was sitting forward in the chair with her chin resting on her folded hands.  Scott was just looking completely confused about the entire thing which was fair when one considered that the elves were, in fact, ganging up on him.  "You said you wanted to talk, Judy?"

There was still a trust being built between Scott and the elves.  They went through this with each Santa and this time was no different other than the fact that he did seem to want to trust them and the elves did want to try to trust him.  Unfortunately, Bernard's discovery had put a slight hitch in that plan.  "Bernard informed me of his conversation with Charlie."

"From when he babysat him?"  Scott asked, trying to catch up.  He glanced at Bernard who nodded once, but poor Scott still looked baffled as to what she could be referring to.  Not getting the help he needed, he looked back toward Judy, who supplied him with just two words:

"The turkey." 

"Now, Judy..."

"Please don't 'now, Judy' me, Santa," she scolded.  Bernard was always amazed that the two younger elves he'd grown up with were so different in their demeanors, as well as the youthful appearances that all elves had.  Quintin had chosen to be impish, matching his early teen appearance.  If Bernard mixed the teen and grumpy old man persona, then Quintin matched a child-like impishness with an irreverent uncle.  Judy, on the other hand, played into a more diplomatic role normally but could have the mannerisms of a beleaguered middle-aged mother when she wanted to.  "Bernard and I are concerned for Charlie's sake.  We make certain to handle the cooking while you’re up here, but that doesn't account for when you're watching Charlie.  And safety is our first priority, followed by edible food for you both."

"He said that the flames were rather high, Santa," Bernard agreed.  It was probably for Scott's own good to learn, but it was crucial for Charlie that he did.  Scott leaned back and looked at the two of them with a curious expression on his face.

"Is Charlie your responsibility?"  He asked with no hostility and only a bit of embarrassment from the cooking part of the conversation.  It was also a question that Bernard knew Judy didn't have an answer to because they just didn't know for sure due to Charlie being the first non-stowaway human child at the North Pole.  They weren't exactly sure they wanted to say that to Scott, however, because he would likely worry about it and they were doing that enough for him.  

"I think so," Bernard said with conviction.  If it wasn’t actually true, Bernard wanted it to be.  "His safety and happiness affects yours and part of our job is making sure you're in a good place to deliver the presents,  So I'd say it's an official part of the job."

"But even if it wasn't," Judy said carefully as she still wasn't sure it was to begin with.  "We care about Charlie as a person.  We like him."

Scott softened.  "You're both really worried about him."

"And you," Bernard said.  "We don't need to lose a Santa because he burned the house down making toast."

"I can make toast!"  Scott protested.

"And Judy and I are going to make sure you can safely.  Charlie shouldn't be trying to convince me to make up all of the meals before I leave and I can't be there and here at the same time," Bernard said with more than a hint of exasperation in his voice. 

"It's not that bad," Scott tried again.

"I'll judge that," Judy said.  "Come on, we'll start with the toast you said you know how to make."

Scott looked over at Bernard, hoping for a reprieve, but Bernard wasn't about to mess around when it came to Charlie's safety and the current Santa reluctantly followed behind them. 

***

"I have to ask," Bernard said, looking at the complete mess that Judy was frantically trying to fix.  "How aren't you dead?"

"I don't think it's that bad," Scott hedged.  Bernard just stared at him and even Judy glanced over.

"It exploded," she informed him.  "There's no saving this, Bernard.  Is there a way we can just make sure Santa has plenty of money for pizza deliveries?"

"None of us get paid, Judy," he reminded her before turning to Scott.  "How is it every elf here can cook and you're setting food on fire?"

"That one wasn't on fire," Scott argued.

"That's not the point!"

"Alright!  Alright," Judy said, trying to calm them both down.  "We're just going to need a different plan that we can all agree on and that is fair to Charlie which means not just peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Bernard."

"It's safer," Bernard said, rubbing his temples.

"What about reheating food?"  Scott asked, somewhat accepting that they weren't buying his 'it's not that bad' response.

"You'd have to carry it on the back of a reindeer unless Bernard teleports you every time," Judy said.  "Which is possible, but..."

"Harder for longer trips," Scott said.  "Okay, we'll mark that as a plan B."

Bernard really wanted to know when 'use Bernard as a taxi' had become the go-to plan B, but that wasn't as important right now.

"What are you three doing?"

They all turned to see Curtis and Quintin just staring at the mess with complete confusion on their faces.  Curtis had been the one to ask with Quintin adding in after:  "Is this why Abby looks ready to cry?"

"Oh poor Abby," Judy said, looking at Bernard and motioned for her to go check on the younger elf.  He sighed.

"I was watching Charlie," Bernard said.  "And he was hungry, so I made him some waffles and syrup…"

"Was it the waffles you make with the strawberry syrup?"  Curtis asked.  Bernard glared at him considering that wasn't the point.  "They're really good waffles."

"I’m with Curtis," Quintin said.  "Somehow, better than Judy’s.  Judy even says so."

"Stop exaggerating," Bernard scolded.  "The point is, he was worried I didn't actually know how to cook.  Stop laughing."

Both of the younger elves weren't even trying to hide it.  Scott looked at them.  "You two knew he could cook?"

"Bernard cooked for us all of the time," Quintin said.  "Judy just enjoys it more."

"I used to try to stump him when I was little," Curtis agreed.  "Never worked."

"Well, Charlie didn't know because someone kept burning his food.  Including a turkey," he said, glaring at Scott.  Both of the other two stopped laughing and looked at Santa.  "Apparently, the 'flames were real high'."

"I really wish he'd stop telling that story," Scott muttered.

"You set his holiday turkey on fire, Santa!"  Bernard said, folding his arms.  He didn't miss the sound of the other two sucking air through their teeth as they winced, nor Curtis' quiet 'yikes'.  At least now, the other two knew how serious the situation was.  "So, Judy and I were trying to teach him to cook so that Charlie isn't trying to convince me to make up meals for him before I go.  This is the result of that."

Both of the younger two elves looked at each other and then at the mess.  They seemed to be having a conversation without words, not unusual for members of Research and Development, before looking at Bernard.

"You're trying too hard," Quintin said and Bernard blinked.  "Judy and you are great at this, but Santa is... uh..."

"Not," Curtis said.  "He is a cooking disaster!"

"What Curtis said.  The point is, what does Charlie like that's easy to make and doesn't involve holidays?"  Quintin asked.  Both Bernard and Scott shared a look that agreed that the other two were on to something.  "Sandwiches aren't enough for a dinner, but I bet we can teach him to make some simple sauces for dino nuggets that you can heat up.  Grilled cheese and a simple soup from a can, maybe?  Salads are easy.  It doesn't have to be a lot, but Charlie is nearly eight.  He'll appreciate that."

"Drinks too," Curtis agreed.  "Make up shakes or smoothies.  Kids love those."

Both sides of the cooking debate relaxed dramatically.  "I can teach him to do that."

"Hey, I just want Charlie to be happy.  And not beg Bernard," Scott said.  Both of the younger elves scoffed.

"Give that up right now," Quintin suggested.  "He's had Bernard's waffles.  That's all you're going to hear about."

"Until Judy gets to cook for him," Curtis agreed.  "Then you're only going to hear about both."

"But," Bernard said, giving both a look that they weren't helping.  "You're also going to hear him tell his mom about how you made him a special sauce just for him.  Or how he got to have a shake with dinner."

Scott nodded approvingly.  "Alright, when Judy gets back, let's try that.  Bernard?"

"Yes, Santa?"

"You're making waffles for everyone.  Charlie didn't save me any," he informed him.  Bernard sighed.

"It's not that great, Santa."

"He's a liar," Quintin pushed.

"Seriously, some of the best stuff I've ever eaten," Curtis agreed.

"What are we talking about?"  Judy asked as she headed back in.  Quintin looked at her.

"Bernard's waffles and strawberry syrup," he said.  Her eyes lit up.

"You're making us waffles?"  She asked.   Bernard sighed.

"I guess I'm making waffles," he grumbled.  "Curtis and Quintin had a good idea for Santa.  We're going to teach him little things like how to make sauces and basic soups that he can make dinners more special with."

Judy relaxed.  "I think that might be for the best."

"So when do we get waffles?"  Quintin asked.

"Quintin."

"Tomorrow."

"Santa..."

"I'll make sure we have everything!"

"Judy."

"I'm already working on a schedule!"

"Curtis... Fine.  I'll just take tomorrow off."

He just sighed as his most trusted elves and literal boss cheered like excited eight-year-old children.

Chapter Text

Bernard stood on the chair at the head of the table where Santa usually sat as he looked at Quintin and Judy.  Granted, Quintin was looking at him with a sense of determination while Judy was just babbling quietly on Quintin’s lap, but they wanted to include her because this was important.  After a very tumultuous beginning, the other elves had stayed for the time being.  This meant that Santa had more help, but Bernard was still in charge and they’d realized that they needed to set this up properly if it was going to work.  Okay, Bernard had realized this and easily convinced Quintin who had grabbed Judy and now they were having a meeting about it.  The fact that the other elves found Bernard amusing more than anything else didn't help even if he had Santa's backing at every turn.  He had to show that he could do this.

"Okay," he said.  "The three of us are Santa's most trusted elves.  We need to figure out everything he's going to need and then put it into practice.  So, toys is a big one."

"There are different types of toys!"  Quintin said trying to sound important.  "Judy can't play with the same toys that Santa makes us."

Bernard nodded.  "Alright.  Different groups then.  We'll have to figure out all of the things he makes and split them into groups with different elves working on them.  What else?"

"New toys and things to help!  Otherwise, kids will end up with the same thing every year.  And what if his sled breaks?"  Quintin asked.

"Good idea," Bernard said approvingly.  "Any ideas, Judy?"

Judy reached for her bottle and both boys beamed at each other.  "Food!"

"Good job, Judy," Bernard cooed at her.  Even when they weren't sure she was actively trying to help, both acted as she was to make sure the Agreement continued to be observed. 

"Bernard?"  Quintin asked and Bernard looked at him.  "Do you really think they'll listen to us?"

Bernard shrugged.  "I think they have to."

Liking them was another matter, but as long as the other elves didn't try to take them from Santa, he didn't really care what they thought anyway.

***

It had been a few centuries since Bernard had taken the ideas that they’d come up with and gone to Santa to let him know what he felt they needed to do.  Santa had gotten him a chair to stand on so he wasn’t as small as Bernard went through it.  Santa had praised all three of them and helped Bernard to set it up.  It had been extremely difficult to get all of the elves on board, mostly because they were still irked at having to listen to an elfling, but they had a better idea of how things worked now.  Bernard understood the basics of each of the area and tackled one area at a time to learn how to build all of the current toys at that point.  He had sat in with Research and Development a couple of times since it was the smallest group, but he was obviously outclassed and chose to mostly just let them do what they wanted, glancing at Quintin every so often to make sure that it was going as smoothly as possible.  That left the food.

At first glance, it could have been seen that he was avoiding the area out of some belief he didn't need to learn, but Santa, Quintin, and especially Judy knew better.  None of them had bothered to fight the rumors, they had other things to do, but it was something that they knew circulated.  So when Bernard showed up to the kitchen holding Judy's hand and looking determined, the staff looked surprised.

"Bernard?"  The head of the kitchen asked carefully.

"Judy and I are ready to start learning how to make the food and treats," he said firmly.  They all blinked.  "We needed to wait until Judy could safely participate."

"Yes, sir," the elf said, waving him off to an area. 

Slowly and carefully, they learned how to cut up the food and other basics.  Then how to cook basic items.  As time moved on, they were both able to help out when necessary and Bernard gained a good understanding for what they were doing.  And everyone thought that would be the end of it.

***

"Aren't we behind?"  Judy asked as Bernard slipped in next to her.

"We're behind on a lot of things so I might as well still make it to our monthly cooking adventure," he told her with a grin.  She shared it and handed him half of what she was working on.

"Bernice did the visit you wanted.  She's still complaining about it, but we have new recipes," Judy said and Bernard beamed at her. 

"Anything interesting?"  He asked, swiping a sip of her hot chocolate.  "It's getting there."

"I'm not done until it's perfect," she said stubbornly and he just quietly laughed.  "We found a new way to make sweet cakes.  We can even put little designs on them.  I took it to Quintin the minute Bernice got back to show us."

"Show me," Bernard said and she took him over.  The two stubbornly went to work learning to use them properly as Quintin had made various winter designs for them.  "He couldn't make anything more elaborate?"

"One, he's still learning too, Bernard," she scolded.  "And two, he said too much and you'll ruin the treat.  We'll get the hang of it."

"Shouldn't take us that long," he agreed and there was silence for a moment.

"He would have loved these," she said quietly, and Bernard didn't have to ask who she meant.

" This Santa will like them too," he answered, reminding her that they still had someone who could appreciate what they made.  She smiled back at him.

"Well, let's try to make sure we don't burn them before we see how he likes them.  I think we'll also need some sort of sauce.”  

“Strawberries?"

"Over there in the bowl," she answered, waving him over to them.  "What do you think, Bernard?  How should we mix this?"

He could see her glancing over at the patterns again, feeling a little melancholy.  He playfully grabbed ingredients in a way that probably shouldn’t have been possible, using a little Christmas magic as a flourish as the snowflakes sparkled around them.  "I think you are going to make the snack cakes sad if you keep frowning like that."

"Bernard!"  She said with a giggle.  "We're behind and you're being ridiculous."

"I'll get the dough and sauce ready, you figure out how to cook them," he teased.

"Yes, sir," she said with a grin.

It was a frenzy later for them as most of the elves adored the snacks.  Bernard literally had to order all of them to share, apologized to Santa for their outburst, and then had to deal with Santa also trying to get more.  He hoped that his Santa was watching somewhere and laughing.

***

Curtis was definitely sulking and as much as Bernard wanted to make it better, he knew he wouldn't be able to.  It was the anniversary of when they'd found the young elf a couple of years before.  He sighed and sat down next to his younger brother, knowing full well that he wasn't going to be able to make it better, but he might be able to at least keep him company.  Curtis was quiet for a minute before he looked at Bernard.

"We've never talked about it, but do you remember Father?"  He asked.  Bernard paused.  He hadn't thought about his birth parents in a long time.

"More than Quintin and Judy remember theirs," he answered.  He could tell by the look of frustration on his face that Curtis didn't appreciate the half answer.  "Yes.  But it was a long time ago for me, Curtis.  I mourned them both a long time ago."

"You did?"  He asked and Bernard was reminded of how young Curtis was.

"It was in the middle of a lot of things," he admitted.  "But I still had to say goodbye.  I thought both of them were dead.  Turns out, only Mother was.  I loved them, but most of my memories are with the first Santa.  Since you didn't get that, it's probably good that you got Father longer."

"Why don't you call the first Santa 'Dad'?"  He asked.

"Because he wasn't our parent," Bernard said and Curtis scoffed.  "Things were different in those days for humans and he was human, Curtis.  More or less.  As he once said to Mother Nature, he was simply keeping an eye on us.  A guardianship.  But he did teach us a lot.  I don't think I'm going to be able to help you with this as much.  At least not the same way.  But I can tell you what Mother Nature told Judy."

"Not you and Quintin?"

"We mostly knew, but I think she explained it better," he answered.  "That pain is going to stay with you a while, Curtis.  Eventually it will hurt less and you won't think about it all of the time.  You won't look at me and think about it."

"I think you don't look that much like him."

"I took after my mother," Bernard admitted.  "But there will be a day when you'll wake up and you won't feel just sad anymore.  And then another.  And another.  And there will be days when the pain just hits you when you're not expecting it, but you'll get through that too.  Listen, I can't make it better, Curtis, but how about I make you up some sweet cakes and a topping?"

He held out his hand to his younger brother, which the other took, and led him to the kitchen.  Judy looked over, curious on what was going on.  "Bernard?"

"I'm making sweet cakes," he answered.  She looked somewhat excited, saw Curtis and understood.  Thus, her voice was a lot more hesitant when she spoke up again.

"Just for Curtis?"  She asked.  He rolled his eyes.

"Go get Quintin.  He'll throw a fit if he missed out," Bernard grumbled.  She did so and Bernard gave his brother a sardonic look.  "One day, this will all be yours."

"Gee, thanks, Bernard," Curtis snarked back.  "Why are they so excited?  Can't Judy make them?"

"That's what I've been asking for years," Bernard answered.

"We don't know what he does, but Bernard somehow makes them better than everyone else," Quintin answered as he made his way over with Judy following.  "He learned how to make them with Judy."

"It pairs well with her hot chocolate," Bernard said with a shrug.  Curtis beamed.

"Judy makes the best hot chocolate!"

"It's not..."

"Perfect, we know," all three said together.  Bernard rolled his eyes again.

"One day, Judy, you're finally going to decide it's done and I'm going to be so old when you say it, I'll probably have a coronary and die right then," he informed her.  She stuck her tongue out at him.  Bernard ignored her and went to work.  He had to admit he was a little pleased when they started to eat and Curtis forgot that he was upset for a bit.

"This is amazing!"  He exclaimed.

"We know," Quintin and Judy agreed.

"It's hard to get him to make them, so enjoy it," Quintin warned.  Bernard huffed.

"I'm busy," he grumbled.  "I have other things to do."

He ignored them again when they rolled their eyes.

***

The day that Judy admitted to perfecting her recipe, Bernard pulled the three aside, ignoring how nervous they looked.  "I'm going to say this once.  Judy, you know the supplies I need.  Quintin, I know you were planning on giving me a new waffle iron to try to bribe me to make more for Christmas.  I'm getting it early this year.  If any of you aren't in my room an hour after work, I'm eating your share."

They giddily rushed off to make sure that they'd be done by the deadline and Bernard held back his sigh.  He did stop by Judy's station.  "Part of the deal is you make that hot chocolate."

She didn't protest.  He did his own work efficiently, grateful when Santa didn't have anything extra for him to do and slipped into his room where Judy was already waiting with everything both of them needed.

"You don't need to make such a big deal about it, Bernard," she said quietly.  Bernard paused in what he was doing and just walked over, kissing her forehead like Santa did when they were young.

"He's not here to," he answered.  "So I'll do it instead.  Now get over here.  We have work to do."

She didn't protest a second time, likely not wanting him to take back the offer of making his side of it.  Just as they had when they were learning, they made the dishes side by side but Bernard didn't need to pause to check on her like he had when she was young.  The Kitchen Department Head knew exactly how to work the kitchen and was showing that off now.  Quintin and Curtis both slipped in before the assigned time, patiently waiting for everything to be done.

"And one large stack of waffles and syrup," Bernard said, setting it on the table.  "Only take even shares!"

"Yes, Bernard," all three said with as much fake sweetness as they could employ before they were eating.  He just grumbled as he took his own share, making certain to compliment Judy on her finished product as the other two did the same, and relaxed with his family.

Chapter Text

"What are you doing?"

Charlie jumped as Judy asked from behind him, looking completely puzzled.  "Hey Judy.  Am I breaking a rule?  I can try to come back later..."

"No, it's okay as long as you're on break," she assured him.  "I just wasn't expecting you in here.  What's going on?"

"Well, Lucy is visiting," he said.

"I saw her."

"And Buddy got upset because now I have to be the older brother to both of them," he continued.  "He's not used to it and he's five.  So, I asked Lucy to watch him while I made them a snack."

"Your solution to both of them wanting your time was to run away?"  She teased.

"I didn't run away," Charlie said, rolling his eyes.  "I know both of them like what I'm making, so I'm distracting my siblings and bribing them to get along."

"Do you really think that will work?"  She asked.

"Considering they aren't in here telling on each other?  Yeah, I think it's working," Charlie answered.  She took a seat next to him, glancing behind her for a moment as if she expected the teen and child to burst in at any second.  He knew better.  They could get along just fine given the right incentive, but Lucy just felt she was a little old to be playing with a five-year-old and Buddy, as stated, didn't like to share Charlie's attention which he only noticed if Lucy was here so it was just minor sibling rivalry that he needed to help them with as the only adult of the siblings.

"What are you making for them anyway?"  She asked, looking over, and Charlie looked a little sheepish.

"You're going to laugh," he said, feeling and probably looking a little embarrassed about it.  Judy gave him a look.

"I taught you to cook, Charlie," she reminded him.  "And, thank Christmas, you're good at it.  Why would I laugh?"

"Because it's not something that you taught me to make," he said.  She looked a little surprised, but far too amused.

"You made your own recipe?"  She asked.  "Why haven't you let me try it?"

"Well, because I didn't make my own," he said.  "And it's silly, but it makes me feel better and I got the other two hooked on it a while back.  So, I try to make it when we need a pickup or they're driving me nuts."

"I think that's a good reason to make something," she said.  "Can I try it?"

"I mean, sure, but it's not going to taste as good as the stuff you make," he reminded her.  "I haven't had 1200 years to work on it."

She just laughed.  "Charlie..."

"I'm not going to stop you, but with everything you make, you really want to eat a couple of waffles?"  He asked.  When he didn't get an answer, he turned to her quickly, worried that he'd said something wrong.  "Judy?"

"Charlie?  When did you start making them?"  She asked instead, carefully.

"After Bernard babysat me that first time," he said and shrugged.  "He was pretty gentle about it and showed me how to do each step.  I just... remembered it.  Why?"

She looked over and pointed at the syrup.  "May I?"

"Uh, sure.  You okay, Judy?"  He asked, giving her a clean spoon, and breaking off a piece of the waffle he was snacking on.  She gave him a thankful look and waited for the syrup to cool before eating it.  Her eyes widened.

"How?"  She murmured to herself.

"Seriously, Judy, are you okay?"  He asked.

"I'll be right back," she said, rushing out.  Charlie shrugged.  Maybe it was a weird elf thing that they hadn't told him about.  He still had a weird feeling though and set another waffle to the side.  He was found to be right when Quintin came back with Judy.

"Judy said you're making waffles?"  He asked.

"Okay, seriously, guys.  Is there a rule that says I can't or something?  Are waffles like drugs or something for you guys?"  He asked, starting to feel a little stressed over it.

"It's not like drugs," Quintin said, rolling his eyes.  "It's just...  Look, can I try a bite?"

"Already set one aside.  Hold on, I'll break you off a piece," he said, doing so.  He had already started another pot of syrup.  He had the feeling he'd need it.  Quintin looked at Judy dubiously but she was just nodding wildly.  The elder elf shrugged and took the bite.

"Christmas holly!  You're right, Judy," Quintin said.

"I told you.”

"You're the head of the kitchen.  Can you make Charlie make them?"  He asked and Charlie gave him an annoyed look.

"If I made them all the time, they wouldn't be special anymore.  What's the big deal?"  Charlie asked.

"That's what I want to know," Bernard said from the doorway, arms folded as he looked at the three. 

"I'm on break, Lucy is visiting, I'm just trying to make my brother and sister something they like so they won't fight," Charlie answered.  "But Judy and Quintin are acting weird."

Bernard looked between the two elves and chose the one he was going to get an answer he likely wanted from.  "Judy?"

"He's, umm, making waffles," she said, sounding just as embarrassed as Charlie had when he admitted it earlier.  Bernard groaned.

"The rest of you make them all the time," he said.

"Yeah, but he didn't learn from me," she said.  Charlie's face was heating up slightly as Bernard headed over to see.  Recognition filled his eyes and he looked at Charlie.

"It's a comfort meal.  And I kind of shared it with Lucy and Buddy, so it’s one of those things we can eat together," he said.  "Dad just thinks it's funny."

"Santa..." Bernard groaned and the other two winced.  "That's because he knows I taught you.  Because I was ordered to make them once."

"Really?"  Charlie asked with a slight smile.

"These two made a ruckus about it," he said, rolling his eyes.  "You remembered how to make them?"

"It was a really nice time.  Mom still thought I was a little young and I hadn't shown any interest, so I hadn't cooked with her before.  Dad... well, you know.  But you were patient and let me help.  So, I remembered and practiced," he said.  "I didn't know it was that big of a deal.  Like Bernard said, I was assuming you can all make waffles."

"Charlie, Judy can't replicate Bernard's waffles.  She's tried.  For years," Quintin said.  "We literally don't know what the difference is, but there is one.  And you just mastered it in fourteen years."

"You're not mad, are you?"  He asked Judy, knowing how much she prided herself on her job.

"Of course not!"  She said.  "And no, I'm not going to try to force you to make them."

"Quintin!"  Bernard snapped.  The other elf just gave a lazy shrug.

"If you'd make them more often than once a decade..."

"It's been a fight for a long time," Judy said.  "Bernard and I can make other foods that only the two of us can make, but since I'm in the kitchen, he gets asked about them less."

"Except for the one food you can't make," Charlie said.  "That makes sense.  Alright, well, I made more so you can all have some.  You don't have to if you don't want to, Bernard..."

"I'll get your siblings," he said instead.  Judy looked at Charlie.

"You know..."

"That he wants them?  Yeah, I can speak fluent Bernard," he said with a grin.  After a few seconds, the grin died down.  "He's not upset that I can make it, is he?  I didn't know it was special."

"Well that's a lie," Quintin said and Charlie went to protest.  "You knew it was special to you, right?  You just didn't know the history behind it.  All you cared about was that your big brother made it for you."

"And then you made it for your younger siblings without a second thought," Judy said.  "Quintin, go make sure Curtis is with Lucy and Buddy.  We'll never hear the end of it if he misses out."

Quintin nodded and headed off.  Judy headed over to Charlie.  "I'll get the plates ready.  We'll eat in Bernard's room.  That way, we won't have to worry about the other elves."

"Isn't that a little unfair?"

"Santa made Bernard make it for everyone ," Judy emphasized.  Charlie's eyes widened.

"So, Bernard's room?"  He asked and she gave him an approving nod.

***

The others were eating were mostly eating.  Lucy and Buddy had seemed to overcome their animosity toward each other for the time being and had dragged Curtis into their conversation.  Judy and Quintin were discussing something and Charlie was pretty sure it was about him, but they weren’t obvious about it if they were.  Bernard had finished his and was sitting in the window.

"You're not mad, are you?"  Charlie asked as he came over.  "I mean, you had this special food that only you could make and I kind of ruined that."

Bernard moved over so Charlie could sit down.  "No, I'm not mad.  I was just thinking that I think I know why Judy couldn't make it."

Charlie looked at him in surprise.  "Well, she'll probably want to know."

"I think she'd hate and love the answer," Bernard said.  "So I'm not sure that I want to tell her.  I learned how to cook because Judy wanted to learn and I felt I should.  Judy was feeling down because she knew Santa would love the idea of a waffle and I just wanted to make something to cheer her up.  Then I made it for both of Quintin and her when they needed a little cheer and for Curtis when he was having to deal with our father’s death.  I just wanted something that made them happy."

"I think you did," Charlie said.

"And that's all you wanted too.  You were upset, so you just wanted something to cheer you up.  And then you wanted..."

"Something special for Lucy and Buddy," Charlie said as he realized the answer.  "It's Christmas magic, isn't it?  But Judy cares about everyone.  Why didn't it work for her?"

"Two reasons:  One, that's not why she was making it.  Two, we were making it for people we felt we needed to take care of," he said.

"What about when I made them for myself?"

"Well, I made them for you first, right?  Magic is irrational.  It's why I can make them for all of the elves too," he said.

"Because you feel you have to take care of all of them," Charlie said.  "And I was making them for Lucy and Buddy, you guys just managed to benefit."

"Exactly.  I think that Judy might be able to make them for the three of you," he said.  "But relationships are complicated, Charlie, and the intention was there first.  The magic is going to know that."

"But Bernard, why was I able to make them at Mom's?"  He asked.  Bernard snorted.

"With all of the elves coming and going, you don't think we left Christmas magic all over that house?  Not enough to do any damage, but enough to do small things?"  He asked.  "I didn't know it meant that much to you.  I knew that you were happy to have food that wasn't literally on fire, but I didn't realize that the rest of it meant something to you."

"Everything you guys did meant something," Charlie said instead.  "Especially you.  You should remember that for the next kid."

"I'm still dealing with you," Bernard said.  "Why are you trying to make my life more difficult?"

Charlie just grinned at him.  "So, are you going to tell Judy?"

"No," he said.  "Eventually, she might figure it out.  Or she might do it unintentionally and figure it out, but if I tell her, it feels like cheating."

"Charlie!"  Buddy called from the table.  "Lucy's being mean!"

"I was not!"

"Hey!  I didn't make you two waffles just for you to fight once you were full," Charlie scolded.  He noted that Bernard had followed him back, arms folded, with an equally annoyed look on his face.

"Great," Lucy said quietly to Buddy.  "Now both of them are mad at us."

"We're not going to be mad if you stop bickering," Charlie said.  "You're worse than Bernard and Curtis get."

"You take that back, Charlie!"  Lucy protested.

"Are not!"  Buddy said, wide-eyed.  Charlie glanced at Bernard to see the elf's eyes were sparkling in amusement behind the stern frown.

"How did I get dragged into this?"  Curtis demanded.  Judy and Quintin were both giggling on the other side of the table from the whole thing as Lucy, Buddy, and Curtis continued to protest.  Bernard just nudged Charlie gently, giving him an approving look before sitting back at the table and helping himself to the waffle Curtis hasn't finished, which caused more protests and Lucy and Buddy both quickly wrapped an arm around their own plates.

Charlie sat down next to Judy and Quintin, the latter looking at him with amusement.  "Good talk?"

"Usually are," he answered.  "I'm not making you extra waffles, but I'm also not a centuries old elf so I'll probably naturally make them more often than Bernard does."

"I'll take it," Quintin said.  "You can't have him in the kitchen, Judy, I already called him."

"It doesn't work that way!  And he wouldn't be happy there with me anyway," she protested.  "Though you're welcome anytime."

"Thanks, Judy," he said. They looked over to see that Curtis had finally tackled Bernard out of his chair, while Lucy and Buddy cheered him on.  Bernard easily pushed him off, shoving the rest of it in his mouth as Curtis called him out for cheating and not following the ‘equal portions’ rule.  Lucy quick concurred that that was absolutely true, Buddy behind her agreeing.

“You know,” Quintin said from across the table to the two youngest members.  “You’re leaving yourself open to him taking yours.”

“Don’t you dare, Bernard!”  Curtis called out.  Bernard grinned and pretended to head toward Lucy’s plate, only for all three to take him on.

“It’s nice they’re learning teamwork,” Charlie said to the other two.  Quintin nodded his agreement.

 "Have you two ever wondered what it would be like to be part of a normal family?"  Judy asked with a slight sigh.  Things settled slightly as Bernard surrendered, and both Lucy and Buddy each shared a bit of their own waffles with Curtis.

 Charlie and Quintin looked at each other and shared a grin as they spoke.

"Nah."