Santa Who?

Anastasia Rose Steele

Carla Lambert
I gave birth to my daughter, something I never wanted or needed. Frank Lambert married me out of obligation. He was just in time for my giving birth to Ana, but was called back to base. He was killed by a drunk driver and I was left a widow and a single mother. I was devastated and couldn't really look at my baby. I resented her. I saw Frank eyes and my face and I couldn't love her. I had to work hard because we had nothing at all. We ate frozen dinners and baby food. Baby food and diapers are quite expensive, so I made sure to train Ana to potty as soon as I could to save money on diapers. Food I smashed up and fed her that. Milk was necessary as well. I always had to buy her clothing because she would outgrow everything. Even tiny babies grow. People would give me their sloppy seconds for me and Ana like we were a charity case. I kept her from knowing about Santa Clause and Christmas Day and Christ being born that day. I mean why tell her about people getting gifts from Santa Clause. I barely had money to buy clothes to catch a new husband and having a kid thwarts any kind of relationship. Ana became very self sufficient and she learned things quickly. Like cleaning the house and light cooking. She made toast easily and buttered and put jelly on it. When Ana turned three a man asked me out and told me to bring Ana with me. He was a nice man with blue eyes and well built. Military type. Raymond James Steele was a God send. We married six months later and moved into his beautiful home in Montesano Washington. He adopted Ana with help from a client in Seattle Washington. Ana and I were now Steele's.
Raymond Steele
I met Carla at the grocery store I could see she was having money problems and couldn't afford everything in her cart. Her daughter said mommy you need your coffee I can do without my toast and eat saltine crackers instead. I paid for her groceries and invited them to eat with me. Six months later we married and I adopted Ana as my own. What really surprised me is that Ana had no idea what Christians day, Christ and Santa Clause was about. I took her to see Santa Clause and she asked who Santa Clause was.
Ana
My new daddy took me to see an old man in a red suit and he had all kinds of children waiting to see him. I asked who Santa Clause was and daddy told me all about him. He looked like a nice man, but he never came to my house, so I didn't want to meet him since he didn't bring me gifts.
Raymond
I can't believe a four year old doesn't know who Santa is, I am going to change that for her. Carla is always on me about buying gifts for Ana. But she sure likes her gifts from me. I spoke to her about getting a tree and going all out for Christmas and she told me not to start that tradition with Ana and that Ana needs to learn to live on what she has and not expect gifts. I am beginning to think she doesn't care about Ana at all. Ana actually cooks and cleans and Carla orders her about like her four year old is her personal slave. I never noticed it before and it's getting worse. She will go places and leave Ana with me and I know she's not working at all. My paycheck is not enough for her any more. Which is odd since it was more than enough for her before. I caught her with another man and closed out our joint account and filed for custody and a divorce and got it. She left town with enough of my money to buy a home. I hired someone to be with us for Ana and I her first Christmas was wonderful. She cried and said she needed to thank Santa, but he should have gave it to those who were more deserving than she was. Her mother made her feel like she was a hindrance and she needed to make her way in life as soon as she could. Which I am betting it was as soon as she could walk.
Ana
I love my daddy, but miss mommy. Santa decided to give me things this year and I don't deserve any of it. He should give it to those who deserve it and need it unlike me. Daddy took me to see Santa and he decorated a small tree and we had gifts under a tree. Daddy gave me my favorite books and a step stool for when I am learning to cook with Ingrid our housekeeper. Daddy was so lonely without mommy, but he threw himself into his work in his shop behind the house and mad a lot of money for high end clients who asked for certain kinds of furniture.
Carla
Ray caught us and he closed our joint checking accounts. Our divorce was final and my money was gone before we left town. Stephen was a huge mistake. He wanted to try to get n back, but I wanted nothing of her. Not sure why he would want my four year old with us anyway. We had to sell my car when we got to Texas. He wanted me to get the adoption overturned. When I refused he beat me senseless. I ended up in a homeless shelter for battered women. He found me and dragged me back and made me sign paperwork for the adoption to be reversed. I was scare to death of him. So I signed it, knowing he would check my signature. And he didn't so when we made it to Washington I filed charges of assault and battery on him along with coercion. Mr Grey handled the adoption and told Morton it was airtight and couldn't be reversed.
Stephen
We are taking back her kid, I have plans for that brat. I drive up with Carla in tow thinking the housekeeper and Ana were the only ones there. We walk inside and I grab the kid, I feel the barrel of a gun at my temple and Ana bites me and I drop her.
Raymond
You do know you have broken into my house with your victim with you. If you think you are leaving with my daughter you are so wrong. Carla you need psychological help and now. I am willing to pay for it, but you need to get rid of this guy and put him behind bars now. He's wanted in Texas anyway.
Ingrid
I pressed the 911 button when I heard Carla and her scumbag male friend grab Ana . Ray pulled his shotgun out and put it next to Morton's temple and Ana bit Morton and he dropped her on the floor and Ana ran right for my arms. I left and dialed 911 and had the cops on Carla and Morton in no time. Carla was an unwilling participant and they could see the damage Morton had done to her before she got here even under he makeup. They arrested Morton and took Carla to the hospital.