Christmas, one of the favorite holidays at the Evans’ household, was almost around the corner. Chris had talked with your daughter about a week ago about writing Santa a letter in order to let him know what she would want as a present this year. She seemed to be thinking about it thoroughly, because she hadn’t given him anything yet. That was until a moment ago.
“Hey honey look at this!” Chris said bursting into your office and closing the door right behind him.
“What happened?” You asked pulling your eyes away from your computer screen, as your husband handed you a pink piece of paper. Probably ripped off of one of your daughter’s sketchbooks.
“Dear Santa,
Since you’ve been giving us presents every year, this year I ask for nothing. I have toys, a home, family, Dodger and love. So this year I want to make you something. Tell me what you want this year and I’ll make it.
Love, Y/D/N.” You read.
Lifting your gaze from the paper, you were met with a pair of expectant blue eyes and a proud smile on Chris’ face. A similar one already on your own.
“Did she write this?” You asked him.
“Yes! It’s all her.” Chris told you. “She just handed it to me asking if we could send it earlier to Santa this year so he would have time to give her an answer.”
“That is so sweet.” You said, moved by your daughter’s gentle heart.
“What should we… sorry, what should ‘Santa’ write back?” He whispered.
“I think I have an idea…” You said opening one of your desk drawers and pulling out a white sheet of paper. Grabbing the pen you were just using you started to write, as Chris’ head rested on your shoulder reading every word you were writing with an elaborate ‘Santa-ish’ calligraphy.
***
“Y/D/N! Love, look what came in the mail today!” Chris yelled a few days later, walking back inside the house with the mail after taking Dodger for a walk.
“What is it daddy?” She came running, her eyes filled with curiosity.
“I think it’s a letter from Santa!” He said handing the little girl a red envelope with what seemed to be two North Pole stamps.
“Ma look! He answered!” She told you screaming with excitement.
“Open it.” You told her, sitting down on the couch. “I’m eager to know what he wrote.” Kneeling before the coffee table she began reading.
“So? What does it say?” Chris asked joining you.
“It says he was very happy to receive my letter and that he doesn’t need anything either. Instead he proposed I did something else.” She said as she finished reading the letter.
“What did he propose?” You asked her.
“He said it’d make him very happy if I did something nice to somebody else this Christmas.” She told you.
“That’s very nice of him.” Chris commented, but your daughter seemed to be too deep in thought to hear her dad speak.
“I need some time to think…” She told you standing up a running towards her room, leaving you two alone.
“I better go finish making lunch, before everything gets burnt.” You announced giving Chris a kiss before standing and walking to the kitchen.
“I’ll help set the table.” He added wrapping an arm around your waist and walking with you.
About twenty minutes later everything was ready. Chris had already called Y/D/N, and you were now placing the food on the table. A strange sound came from the next room, making you both stare at each other in pure confusion. A couple second later a tiny figure appeared before your eyes carrying a big plastic toy storage box.
“What’s that?” Chris asked.
“They some of my toys I don’t use anymore. They’re still good tho.” Y/D/N said sitting on top of the box, her legs dangling. “I was thinking… I know how mommy and you are always helping people and visiting different organizations…” She started not knowing how to explain what she had in mind. “I’d like to help too.” She stated. “I thought maybe we could give them to any of those organizations? They aren’t much but maybe we could buy a few more?” She asked you.
“I think that’s a great idea.” Chris said kneeling right beside her, kissing her forehead. “Can we arrange that?” He asked, and four of the bluest eyes you’d ever seen stared at you waiting for an answer.
“I’m sure we can.” You smiled.
***
“Y/N, Chris; Welcome!” The organization’s director said as you walked in. “And you must be Y/D/N.” She added shaking her tiny hand.
“I’ve been told you’re here to see our children…” She told her.
“Yes! We brought toys!” Y/D/N said bursting with happiness, impatient to start giving them away, making the three of you laugh.
“I’m sure the kids are gonna love it.” The woman said before guiding them. “Over here please…”
A loud series of screams resounded in the room once she opened the double wooden door. About fifty kids of various ages had been patiently waiting for them, but as soon as the doors opened they ran towards them. A little intimidated by that, Y/D/N wrapped her arms around Chris’ legs. ‘Is that Captain America?!’, you heard a little boy ask his friends making you smile.
“Merry Christmas!” A guy who worked for the organization told you. “The kids are very excited to have you here.”
“We’re happy to be here as well.” Chris told him, and felt his daughter pulling his jeans.
“Tell him we brought presents.” She intended to whisper, but everyone was able to hear her.
“Would you like to help hand them out to the kids?” The guy asked and she fervently nodded.
Opening some of the boxes they started giving away, one by one, each of the wrapped presents to the kids. Y/D/N seemed to be enjoying herself as she chatted with the kids and gave each of them a present. She always talked and made new friends with incredible ease; but today she seemed to glow with joy and Chris and you couldn’t help but stare longingly at her.
“I made this for you.” She told one of the kids. “I’m not very good at wrapping. As you can see it’s a little bit torn, but I made it with love. I hope you like it.” She said.
“You look happy.” You told Chris as you approached him with an extra cup of hot chocolate. Everybody had already received a present. The kids were playing, Y/D/N among them having the time of her life.
“I am.” He admitted taking the cup you were offering him and planting a kiss on your lips. “I didn’t think it was possible to love someone this much.” He told you staring into your eyes and wrapping his free arm around your waist.
“She’s adorable.” You said turning your head to look at you daughter.
“You’re everything I could’ve wanted and more.” He said planting a kiss on your forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” You told him.
***
“Did you have a good time?” You asked your daughter as you fastened your seatbelt.
“I had a great time.” She told you.
“Maybe we should do this every year.” She commented. “Everyone seemed so happy, and I got to play with the kids. We had lots of fun.” She added.
“I’m so proud of you.” Chris told her.
“It was Santa’s idea really I just made it happen.” She shrugged.
“Santa has some of the best ideas.” Chris commented placing his hand over your thigh; your daughter agreed.
The car fell silent for a moment, and you thought Y/D/N had fallen asleep. It had been a really active day for her, filled with anticipation and playtime afterward. Running around and playing with the other children. She must’ve been really tired you thought, but she wasn’t. She wasn’t sleeping, she was thinking. And a question suddenly popped in her head; more of a request maybe.
“Mom? Dad?” She spoke from the backseat.
“Yes honey?” You both replied in unison.
“Can I have a sibling?” She simply asked staring outside the window. Making you stare at each other with a surprise that was quickly replaced with smiley faces. Maybe Santa would bring them something after all.
