I had a notion to write something for Christmas, and subsequently decided to enter it in the Holiday Contest.
As always, comments and ratings are most welcome!
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Christmas Eve. Truly the most wonderful time of the year,
thought Marie Haynes as she pulled into the driveway of her modest suburban Denver home.
Her three kids were in the back seat, merrily singing Christmas Carols at the top of their lungs. Actually it was more like hollering than singing but their enthusiasm was contagious. They'd had too much sugar that afternoon, but Marie simply could not bring herself to reign them in when they had been given s'mores at the mall, candy canes at the bank, and hot chocolate at the evening church service.
Dennis, being the oldest at ten-years-old, quickly assumed command over his two siblings.
"Hey, you guys! We gotta help mom with the groceries or Santa won't give us any presents! C'mon, Kenny! C'mon Mindy!"
Marie watched in delight as the kids each snapped up a bag or two out of the back of the SUV and scampered into the house. Mindy, being just three-years-old, struggled with her lone grocery bag scarcely being able to clear the ground with it, but she was determined to do her part. Maybe the whole 'too much sugar' thing wasn't so bad after all!
Marie collected the last of the parcels and made her way inside. The kids had dutifully brought the bags inside, but rather carelessly plopped them down where they spilled half their contents onto the kitchen counter. Mindy's bag was carefully laid on the floor right in front of the stove.
Marie sighed as she began straightening the various items on the counter and managed to catch a jar of pickles just as it rolled over the edge. She couldn't be cross with the children. At least they had made an effort to help.
At that moment the sound of the Pointer Sisters singing
Fire
wafted from her purse. It was the unmistakable ringtone for her firefighter Husband, Stan.
"Hi, honey!" she said into the phone. "Are you going to be home soon?"
"Not as soon as I had hoped. There's one more children's home that needs our help tonight. But it's way up in Greeley. Their local station was supposed to take it, but they got called out on a fire. I hope you understand. I just can't bear the thought of those kids not having a Christmas."
Every Christmas Stan's fire station brought what holiday cheer they could to the area orphanages, hospitals and foster homes. Marie loved that they were able to put smiles on the faces of kids who had precious little to smile about.
Early in the evening they would arrive with gifts and treats for the older kids, but then they would make a second round after bedtime so that the kids would have gifts 'from Santa' to open on Christmas morning.
"Of course, honey. It makes me sad to think of those kids not having a great Christmas! Do you know when you'll be home?"
"It'll be pretty late. If the roads are good I should be home about midnight. Maybe a bit later if there's snow and ice."
"OK," Marie sighed. "You drive safely and I'll get everything ready here after I get the kids to sleep. Hope I see you sooner than later! Love you!"
"Love you too, hon. I'll see you at home."
The kids were fairly bouncing off the walls, the ceiling and even one another as Marie tried to get them ready for bed. Bath time was particularly challenging with a lot more splashing than usual, leaving the bathroom a sopping mess. The excitement of Christmas Eve combined with the afore-mentioned sugar rush took its toll, but at last, the kids settled in and after about an hour drifted off to sleep.
With the house finally quieted Marie set about the task of making ready for Christmas morning.
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The fire burned low in the fireplace, savoring its last log of the night. The only other light in the room, and indeed in the whole house, was from multi-colored Christmas lights strung around the periphery of the room, adorning it with a soft, diffused glow. The heavenly scent of the pine tree combined with a sachet of cinnamon for the perfect holiday aroma.
Marie placed the many gifts for the family beneath the tree, arranging them just so. Each one was a picture in and of itself, perfectly wrapped with a shimmering bow perched atop.
And as would be expected in any holiday painting, the stockings were perfectly spaced across the width of the fireplace's mantel, each bulging with untold goodies and trinkets.
Marie sighed and stepped back to admire her handiwork. Yes indeed, it was as perfect as a postcard.
She yawned deeply and looked at her watch. Twelve forty-seven.
As she was preparing to retire for a few hours of much-needed sleep she remembered one last thing. Mindy, her youngest, had insisted that mommy put out some milk and cookies for Santa. She was earnestly concerned that Santa should be well provisioned for his annual mission of gift-giving around the globe.
Marie padded softly into the kitchen and retrieved the last few props to complete her Christmas scene. She took a bite of one of the cookies and sprinkled some crumbs across the small plate. She took a sip of the milk and started back toward the living room, flicking off the light switch as she went.
Imagine her surprise when she entered the room to find none other than Santa Claus himself, hunched over his proverbial sack, rummaging about within it! Her gasp of shock caught the round red figure's attention and he turned to face her.
"Well, hello there, Marie! I see you've been busy doing most of my work for me."
His voice was indeed jolly, with a commanding presence, yet at a low enough volume as to not wake any of the sleeping children upstairs. A subtle smile crossed her lips.
"Well, yes, I suppose I have. Everything has to be perfect for Christmas, right?"
"Yes indeed! I'm sure you know that Christmas Eve is the most important night of my entire year!"
Marie walked slowly up to Santa and stood directly before him and looked up into his sparkling blue eyes.
"Well, since I've put in all this effort, does that put you ahead of schedule? Can you stay for a little while?"
Santa's grin grew broad and his famous chuckle filled the room.
"Yes, Marie, I can stay awhile. And I can tell you that I know for a fact that your name appears on my 'nice' list. Would you like me to give you one of your gifts now?"
Marie's eyes lowered demurely. Instinctively she bit one of her nails.