Editor’s note: This is the final chapter of a 12-part fictional holiday tale that has been running daily. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children. If you missed any of the installments, find them at www.vindy.com/news/christmas-story/.

“Are you here to take me home?” Juniper sniffled as she looked up at Santa, still clinging to Katie. “I don’t want to say good-bye!”

“No, Jasper will be here soon. I just had a little something to discuss with Katie here.”

Katie stared at him, still shocked by what he had said. She thought about what she’d written in her journal, that she wished more than anything she and Kellan would remember this experience. She couldn’t believe he was trusting them enough to grant her wish.

Santa pointed behind them. “Wow, look at that. That’s some fancy ice sculpture over there!”

They all whipped around but there was no ice sculpture in sight.

“Where?” Kellan asked. But when they turned to Santa, he was gone.

“There are no footprints,” Katie noticed, and Juniper chuckled.

“He’s good like that,” she said with a grin.

“Juni!”

The three of them looked over to where Jasper was running down the sidewalk toward them. He grabbed Juniper and tossed her in the air. “I’ve missed you, little sis.”

Juniper laughed and hugged him tight. “I missed you too! But I’ve had so much fun! I can’t wait to tell you everything.”

“I can’t wait to hear it.” He smiled over at the twins. “We don’t really have time for long goodbyes, I’m afraid. It’s crunch time at home. There’s so much to do today.” He looked down at Juniper. “Everyone can’t wait to hear about your adventures and welcome you home.”

Juniper beamed at him, and he turned his attention back to Katie and Kellan.

“Thank you so much for taking care of her, for making her dreams come true. You two are famous now at the North Pole. We have elves petitioning for ‘rotation vacations with the twins’ each Christmas. You never know, maybe we’ll see each other again,” he said with a grin.

“You never know.” Katie grinned back.

“But … we won’t remember you guys after today,” Kellan said glumly.

Jasper’s grin grew wider, and Katie knew he must be aware of Santa granting her wish. It made everything so real and full of possibility, but with it also came so much responsibility.

“Well, actually,” she said, looking from Kellan to Juniper, “Santa is allowing us to keep our memories. Forever.”

A series of whoops and cheers went up as the four of them jumped around and hugged each other. Pulling back, Katie looked at her brother seriously.

“But this right here, the four of us, this is our circle of trust. We must never ever tell anyone else what we know. Santa is trusting us. We can’t ever let him down and regret giving us this amazing gift. We have to protect Christmas.”

“He’s never done this before,” Jasper added.

“For Christmas!” Juniper cheered and placed her arm out in the center. Jasper, Katie and Kellan all laughed and repeated, adding their hands to the pile and making a pact that they knew would last forever.

The twins hugged Juniper at least a dozen more times before watching the elf siblings walk away, waving as they went.

Later that evening, Katie sat on the top step of their back porch. She looked up to the sky and shivered as the back door opened and Kellan came out.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked.

“Nothing really. Searching, I guess.”

“For what?”

Katie sighed, worried maybe she didn’t believe after all. Maybe Santa had made a big mistake giving such a precious gift to her. “Nothing I guess.” She slapped her hands on her thighs and smiled up at her brother. “I’m ready to go in and get some cocoa.”

She turned to go in, but Kellan had stopped and was looking at the sky. “Look at that,” he said, pointing. “I’ve never seen that star before.”

Katie’s eyes widened and she gasped. Up in the sky, brighter than any other star, was the Star of Hope just as she remembered it. A single tear fell down her cheek.

“I bet you’ll see it every Christmas Eve now.”

“What? How do you know?” he asked in wonder.

“Come on.” She put her arm around his waist and he her shoulder. “I’ll tell you all about it over cocoa.”

“Merry Christmas, Kat.”

“Merry Christmas, Kel.”

She glanced up over her shoulder one last time. “Merry Christmas Juniper, Jasper and Santa.”

Kellan opened the door for her and they went into the warmth of their home, filled with joy, thankfulness, and hope — and the spirit of Christmas.