“Jack found a special flight, booked his ticket, and arranged everything,” Kai gushed.
Marina turned to her sister. “Did you know about this?”
“Not until I had to apply his beard and fit his costume. I was as surprised as you are.” Kai grinned. “I had to use extra padding—that kid has some serious abs now.”
When Santa opened a bag of candy, Leo and Samantha followed the younger children. Brooke’s sons—Alder, Rowan, and Oakley—joined them, too.
“Well, what do we have here?” Santa boomed, settling into a lawn chair Blake had quickly placed near the fire. “It seems I’ve found all the good girls and boys of Summer Beach. Gather round, everyone.”
Ethan’s gray-blue eyes glittered beneath bushy white eyebrows, and he winked at Marina.
“I never would have imagined,” she said, blowing a kiss at him. “I can hardly wait to hear how he’s doing.”
Jack put his arm around her. “Soon. He has a very important job to do first.”
Oliver leaned close to Ginger. “Did you have any idea about this?”
“No more than Marina,” Ginger said, touching her heart. “What a thoughtful gesture.”
Oliver winked at Jack. “I knew you had it in you. This is far better than your other idea.”
“What are you two talking about?” Kai asked, looking at them suspiciously.
“Just guy stuff,” Jack said, chuckling.
With her husband’s arm around her, Marina watched as Ethan produced candy canes with a flourish, passing them around. He continued his performance, making each child feel special.
A happy thought dawned on her: This was Summer Beach at its holiday finest. Where real magic could happen on a winter beach, where a golfer could become Santa Claus, where family meant more than blood, and where love, like the tides, could sweep in and transform everything.
Still watching her son, Marina sighed happily. “He’s such a natural in this role.”
“I coached him a little,” Kai said, folding her arms. “He needed a few lines besidesho, ho, ho.”
Soon, helper elves brought bags to Santa’s side and began to pass out gifts to the children: Frisbees, floaties, volleyballs, and beach toys for sandcastle building. Santa posed with the children as their parents took photos.
“Oh, my gosh, I have to get a photo of Stella up there with Cousin Santa,” Kai said, waving to Brooke, who was holding Clover. “Let’s go.”
Marina couldn’t imagine a more perfect Christmas bonfire. Her sisters took their little ones to stand in line with other parents. When it was their turn, they hammed it up with Santa, and everyone laughed.
After taking photos and giving gifts to the children, Santa motioned for them to join him. “And what about you, Heather? Have you been good this year?”
“You know I have been,” Heather said, punching her brother playfully in the arm. “I have to return to the food truck, but I’ll see you later. If you stay at the cottage, don’t walk around in your underwear, Santa. Ginger has another guest.”
“Oh, yeah? Who?”
“Another elf named Holly.” Heather grinned, clearly relishing teasing him. “You’ll meet her soon enough.”
Marina was next, playing along. “Santa, I don’t suppose you have any pro golfers in that bag of yours?”
“You’re in luck. There’s one left.” He wrapped his arms around Marina. “Merry Christmas, Mom. Were you surprised?”
“Completely,” she replied, hugging her son. “I’m so happy to see you.”
A few minutes later, Marina stood with her family, waving goodbye to Santa as he drove his sleigh away into the night.
While the bonfire burned brightly, Marina enjoyed being with her family and friends. They continued to celebrate, bound together by love and the magic of Christmas by the sea.
“Happy?” Ginger asked, leaning in.
