Anna's Surprise

It was Christmas Eve and Anna could not wait for tomorrow. She was so excited, running and jumping around the house. Her mother was baking cookies and her father was watching the news. Anna sat by the Christmas tree and admired the presents already under it.

She was so excited. Her fingers were itching to open the presents but her mother strictly told her that if she touched the presents, she would be in big trouble and that it wasn't too late for Santa to put her on the naughty list.

"Anna?" Her mother called. "It's time to ice the cookies." She said.

Anna ran into the kitchen and stood on the stool so she could reach the top of the table. She grabbed the tub of red icing, and a plastic knife, and started to spread the icing all over the reindeer shaped cookies.

Once all the cookies were iced and set on a plate for Santa, Anna's mom poured a huge glass of milk, and a bowl of carrots for the reindeer, setting them on the table by the tree.  Anna ran into her room and grabbed The Night Before Christmas, they read it every year.

"Daddy! It's time to read The Night Before Christmas!" Anna squeeled, with excitement.

Her father laughed and pulled her into his lap, her mother sat in the chair beside them.

"Okay." Her father said, slipping his glasses on and opening the book.  "Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." Her father read the familiar line to her and she smiled, knowing the rest of the book, almost by heart.

After they read The Night Before Christmas, Anna hurried and got her pajamas on, brushing her teeth and rushing into her room. She climbed into bed and waited for her parents to come tuck her in.

Her parents walked in.

"Goodnight, Anna." Her mother said. 

"Make sure you don't get up at all tonight  unless you really need to, Santa doesn't want to be seen." Her father said.

She nodded and closed her eyes letting visions of sugarplums dance in her head before falling into a deep sleep.

She awoke to sound.  It was the sound of bells and feet on the roof. She smiled and couldn't resist the urge to get out of bed and look to see if Santa was there.  She stepped out into the hallway and peeked around the cirner of the wall. She could see the lights from the Christmas tree shining.

She walked down the stairs and into the living room.  There was nobody there. The cookies were still on the plate and the milk hadn't been touched. Anna was disappointed, she could've sworn she heard bells ringing.

Her shoulders slumped and she turned around, starting her way back up the stairs.

Suddenly, she heard another sound. She whipped around and ran back down the stairs into the living room again.

She stood completely still and held her breath, waiting for Santa to slip down the chimney.  Then it happened. Snow started to fall into the fireplace and she could see the tip of a shiny black boot. Then she could see the whole boot. Then a knee.  Then a belly, and finally the tip of a white beard.

Her eyes shined as she watched Santa climb out of the fireplace. He had soot on his jacket, but other than that, it was exactly like in the books.

He had on a red jacket and red pants with white fluffy trimming. He had a fat, chubby belly and rosy cheeks, with a brilliant white beard. His eyes shined with humor as he took in her shocked reaction.

"Santa?"  Anna whispered.

"Yes, Anna, it's me."  He smiled.

She wrapped her arms around him and he lifted her up.

"You've been so good this year." He said, with a jolly laugh.

"Thank you." She giggled.

He set her down and grabbed his sack. She watched in shock as he pulled out present after present, all with her name on it. Pretty soon the whole tree was surrounded by presents. She watched as Santa ate his cookies and drank his milk, putting the carrots in his pocket for the reindeer.

"Did you make these cookies, Anna?" He asked her.

She nodded quickly.  "Me and my mom." She said.

"They were wonderful." He said, with a bright smile.

"Now Anna, you can't tell anyone that you saw me, okay?" Santa said.

"I promise." She said.

"Okay.  Merry Christmas, Anna, and thank you for the cookies." He said, shimmying up the chimney.

Anna couldn't believe her luck. She ran up the stairs and into her room, jumping into bed.

Tonight would be a night she would never forget.