Jynx felt just a little foolish as she sat at her computer. She hadn't written a letter to Santa in years; not since she was a child and believed in all things make believe or magical. She was really having trouble with her composing this time. She re-read what she had written so far.
Dear Santa:
I know it's been a long time since I've written to you, and yet, every year you never forget to visit me. I must say, I'm surprised that you haven't left the obligatory lump of coal in my stocking before now though, but I'm really glad you haven't! And, I'm sure the elves have told you you should. Thank you for not always doing, or hearing, what they say.
As you may or may not know, Mother passed away in January of this year; so I'm not totally looking forward to celebrating the Holidays. One can't blame me for hardly feeling in a "festive" mood right now.
As you may or may not also know, I've met a most wonderful man in the Spring of this year. He really is a keeper, as the phrase goes. His name is David, but he likes me to call him "D". Due to the nature of D's job, he won't be able to be here on Christmas Eve. We had hoped and made small plans to spend it together, but since he can't make it, I'm not even putting up a tree this year.
The only thing I'd really like to find under my tree this year, were I to have one, would be D. But there's no chance of that one happening.
So I have no "list" to mention. Just that one item on it now. I'll leave some cookies and milk for you, and carrots and apples for the reindeer. Please feel free to stop and rest a few as you go on your rounds this Christmas Eve.
Sincerely, Jynx P.
She had just finished typing her name and had hit the "Send" button when the shrill ringing of the telephone made her jump in her seat. Removing her clip earring, she grabbed the receiver and put it to her ear.
"Hello? Jynx here"
"Hiya Sexy!" That familiar greeting, followed by the sweet sound of soft throaty chuckles, always had the ability to make her legs quake and never failed to arouse a certain hunger in her.
"D! Darling! How are you, Sweetface? To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?" She was smiling as she spoke each word.
"Well, Sexy; I'll come right to the point. You know how we'd had to table our spending the holidays together, right? Well, guess what?"
"What?" She replied almost breathlessly. Jynx could hear the excitement building in D's voice as he continued to speak, but she wasn't about to recklessly build up her hopes. They'd been dashed too often over the years for her to be that foolish. She realized that D was still talking..
"The Captain has just given me the green light to take the time originally asked for; and then he tossed some extra time my way. Are you still interested in spending the holidays together and seeing in the New Year in the style we talked about last week?"
A slight frown furrowed D's brow when his obvious enthusiasm was met by a weighty silence on the other end of the phone.
"Sexy? Are you there? Did you hear me? I'm able to come out for Christmas!"
"T-t-that's wonderful, Sweetface. Yes, I'm thrilled and all, I guess I'm just not getting too hopeful. You know what happens when I get my hopes up unreasonably high."
"Aww, Sexy. I know, and I do understand, really I do. But honey, I'm holding my Vacation request in my hand. The Captain signed it a few hours ago. I'd have called you sooner, but I've been busy doing some last minute shopping and wrapping and then packing."
Jynx could hear the smile in her lover's voice and it made her smile too. She couldn't help but smile when David did. He had this cute deep dimple at the corner of his mouth on the right side, and it always winked at her when he was smiling really big. This was an indication when he was wildly happy about something.
"When are you going to arrive honey? I need to get the house into some semblance of Christmas," she laughed. "Besides," she continued, "I need to tell Glenda and James you'll be coming out after all. They'll be so happy to see you too, but not as happy as I will be. I can't wait to hold you and hug you and cover your face with hisses. I've missed you terribly since you went home after your last trip."
Jynx could hear D laughing when she finally stopped her running commentary long enough to take a breath.
"I'll be there day after tomorrow, Sexy. You'd best have everything ready. Ciao for now honey. See you soon." He closed the call by sending kisses down the wire, which Jynx gladly returned.
With the sound of D's happy voice ringing thru her head, Jynx readied herself for bed and quickly crawled between the covers. She knew her dreams were going to be pleasant ones that night.
The next two days passed in a blur of hustle and bustle. James went and got the tallest tree he and the Nurseryman could find, and they anchored it onto a wooden "X" stand and placed it in the living room. Glenda then went up into the attic and brought down all of Jynx's ornament boxes she could carry down, sending James up for the others.
After James hung the lights on the tree, he and Glenda went into the kitchen to put some coffee on to brew, and then start the baking. There was still a lot left to do and a short time in which to do it.
In the living room, Jynx selected some of her favourite instrumental Christmas Cd's, put them in the changer. Then, with the room lights off and the tree lights on, she proceeded to start with the decorating.
