"I am going to give Bella her life back" she replied with a determined face.
Though Saint Nicholas had an idea of what Evelyn was thinking, he still was surprised to see there was no hesitation in her face or voice. It had never happened before that she was so adamant about breaking the rule.
As the leader, she had always been strict to others. But more than that she had been strict to herself, which no one can see, but he had. He felt bad for the girl who had wasted her life in serving him and the festival unnamed Christmas.
And it was the first time since he remembered that the girl was so determined to think about others. Though she always followed the rules and helped him in distributing happiness, he knew very well that she had lost her belief in the festivities a long time ago. She did her job mechanically there is no happiness on her face when she spread happiness which finished the whole reason to do the thing.
He tried to grow her happiness in his way, but she always shrugged it off, or cast it off. Now just by spending a day with a human family and getting support form a demon had changed her so much.
Now he did not have the heart to deny her. If this could bring even a small change in her then he was ready to give her the present named Bella this Christmas.
"Very well my child, have you thought about it well?" he asked, confirming if she was sure or it was just at the whim of the moment.
When she stayed silent he continued, "if it is just because you are feeling sad, then you would be fine for a while. You always had been Evelyn, you are a strong woman.` `He encouraged her to make her feel better.
"I know what you are trying to say, Saint Nicholas. but I am sure, I want the demon to be alive again.
It is not in the spur of the moment. Even if she had not died, I would still have helped her. I know you think we should not help; a demon, but father Bella is different.
She had more positivity then even I had. She lived there genuinely. I even saw her crying.
It was a miracle for a demon to fell the human emotions. So I want to give her the chance to do so. Maybe she could just bring a new change to the earth.`` She continued her convincing as much as she could without even knowing that the man was convinced even before she opened her mouth to explain, he was just testing how strong her will was.
"Alright I will help you," he replied with the same kind smile. But the girl was too lost to notice it.
"No saint Nicholas, you are not understanding, she is not like other demons." she continued her rambling to convince him more.
He laughed, a hearty laugh after so much serious discussion, "my child, are you even listening to me."
"But Saint Nicholas, huh! What do you mean?" she asked, finally noting him laughing.
He should not laugh in the middle of serious discussion. Should he?
"I said, 'I am ready to support you in your decision.' ``He repeated his words for his lost child.
"Really?" she tried to confirm but the gleam in her eyes and the joy in her voice was already evident.
"Oh ho ho. Now even do not trust this old man. Huh?" he complained but his throaty laugh indicated that he was only teasing her.
She flustered as she turned red as denied, "no, father. That's not it. I completely trust you."
"So at last, you called me, the father again. So now you will only call me father when I do your bidding," he complained again, this time his face was looking a bit serious as he was not laughing anymore.
Since the immemorial time she knew, Saint Nicholas was always laughing, was he angry with her nose?
So she immediately shook her head as she denied, "no father, it's just I was a bit sad and lost. I apologise my father."
But before she could continue the man laughed again. As the whole place was filled with his fascinating laugh, she also smiled with a red face.
"I was just teasing you, Evelyn. It's okay. You have the complete right or get angry with me sometimes." he smiled as he moved towards the last body which has remained even after the absorption of dark energy by his light.
Mother elf followed him with her small steps as they moved towards Bella.
They both swatted as they sat there. Saint Nicholas took the hand of the demon whose whole body had turned black and blue, her hands were as hard as charcoal, fully stiff.
"So, you know that well I can't turn her into a human. Right?" he asked, confirming in case she had doubts.
Evelyn nodded, "yes father, I know. But don't worry about that, she had human emotions and I am sure she would not behave like demons." she assured again as she knew it was a very difficult decision even as the Santa Claus.
He could not use his powers, recklessly. As he had responsibilities to fulfil.
"Alright then." he nodded as he touched the head of Bella.
A faint white light coming from his hands that was getting absorbed by the limp body of Bella in his arms.
Soon, the light started decreasing as the sweat started to form on his forehead.
What felt like an eternity he finally stopped the light and let the girl lay down back on the ground.
Mother elf bit her lip, as she held her dress tightly in anticipation when finally the lifeless hard body twitched. Slowly Bella's finger twitched and her eyes fluttered.
Bringing a smile on her face, Bella finally opened her eyes again