by Laura Acton
“I said m’sorry. Mommy helped me get it all off. Will I be on the bad list?” Sara’s eyes filled with worry as her lower lip quivered.
He squatted down to her height, feeling awful about teasing her. So much for following what Mom said and being kind. Dan messed up, and he needed to reassure his sister. “No, you were sorry, and you fixed my toys. You’re definitely on the nice girl list.”
“Promise?” Sara bit her bottom lip.
“Yeah, I promise. So what are you going to ask Santa to bring you?”
A bright smile lit Sara’s face. “A fast yella bike. My trike’s for babies. What are you gonna ask for?”
Dan thought a moment. Although he knew Santa was not real, he wouldn’t ruin it for Sara, so he had to come up with something. “That the general comes home for Christmas.”
Sara cocked her head and scolded, “Stop calling Daddy the general. You can call him Daddy when you’re with Mommy and me. Can Santa do that?”
Dan shrugged though the answer was probably no. His father had an important job protecting the country, and he couldn’t be home often. But Dan played along for Sara’s sake. “Don’t know, but I’m going to ask ‘cause Dad’s been gone a long time, and I miss him.”
The general had been away for three whole months. Though his father was very strict and required him to address him as Sir, Dan still enjoyed spending time with him. Dan missed him a lot. A whole lot! Especially after all the time they spent together this summer after Dan got sick with Q fever. Waiting in line, Dan continued to think about his dad.
When I threw up, he didn’t get mad or correct me when I called him Dad instead of Sir. He only held me closer and spoke softly to me. When he rushed me to the hospital in some little town, he didn’t leave me. Getting sick was almost worth it ‘cause Dad stayed home for weeks. He taught me how to play chess when I had to remain in bed and was bored. Chess is fun—someday I’m going to win a game.
Glancing at the play area set up near the Santa line, he saw four boys tossing plastic balls down on others. For some reason, it reminded him of the tree house his father built him while he recovered. I love playing in my tree fort with Scott, Adam, and Jeff—no girls allowed. When they come over tomorrow, we can hide in there and toss snowballs at the girls.
When a boy skipped by carrying with a nerf gun, an image of his rifle popped into his mind. If he didn’t have one already a rifle is what he would ask for this year. When the doctor said he was well enough to leave the house, Dad gifted him with a real rifle and started teaching him how to shoot.
The gun range is loads of fun without any silly girls tagging along. I miss having Dad all to myself every Saturday morning for target practice. Wish he was here so I could spend more time with him.
A solid grin played on Dan’s face, feeling ten feet tall as he recalled his dad’s words the last time they went for shooting lessons before he left for the arctic base. ‘Son, I’m proud of you! Five shots all dead center on the bullseye! You’re a natural, and someday you’ll be better than me.’
Dan shook his head. Nope! Not possible. Dad’s absolutely the best and fastest shot in Special Forces, maybe even in the world. No way I’ll ever be as good as Dad, but it’s fun to go shooting with him.
As Sara tugged Dan forward several paces, she asked, “What we gonna ask for Becca? ‘Cause she can’t talk yet.”
Pulled from his thoughts, Dan answered, “How about a stuffed animal?”
Shaking her head, Sara said, “No.” A serious, thoughtful expression covered her face for several moments then she smiled brightly. “Got it. Becca needs a trike to ride with us.”
Dan stared at his little sister and tried hard not to laugh. He said nicely, “Becca is only a baby. She can’t ride one now. Maybe Santa could bring her a doll or something. That way she could play with it now.”
“You’re the bestest and smartest.” Sara hugged Dan. “My Danny, you gotta ask for a toy. How ‘bout a new sled?” She giggled. “Then Scott won’t run you inna tree again.”
Dan laughed. Last night when all the family was over at the house, Adam told the funny story of Scott’s bright idea, thinking an oil pan with wax on the bottom was a terrific sled, and how Scott and Dan ran into a tree at the base of the hill. Dan only remembered it from Adam’s story, not the actual event because he was just three.
They moved forward again. Sara started hopping around in excitement. “We’re next! We’re next!”
Yvonne reached Danny and Sara as the two were heading up to see Santa. She turned to Mary Kingsley who stood behind her children and mouthed a silent ‘thank you’ for minding them.
Mary gave Yvonne a slight nod. She understood Yvonne wanted Dan to believe he was in charge but her friend had secretly asked her to keep an eye on them both as she waited in line with her two youngest kids, Lucy and Charlie. Albert and Harry were beyond the age of believing in Santa.
When Yvonne tried to set seven-month-old Becca into Santa’s arms for the photo, it became a tear fest as her youngest clung to her. That is until Danny asked to hold his baby sister. Becca started to smile and coo as Dan talked to her and sat next to Jolly Saint Nick.
Mary watched the entire scene unfold. What a fine young lad. Yvonne and William are blessed with three beautiful children. When Dan spoke to Santa, Mary noted the expression on the white-haired older man’s face turned pensive. She realized Dan had asked for his father to be home for Christmas.
As the wife of a former Special Forces operative, Mary was well aware of Brigadier General William Broderick’s role and that it was unlikely he would return this Christmas. She was glad Randolph chose to leave JTF2 several years ago and become a lawyer. Randy was home with them every night and no longer left on the spur of the moment.
Her heart saddened for Dan wishing for something he wouldn’t receive. Mary realized Yvonne needed to know so she could prepare her son and cushion his disappointment. Quietly she asked, “Yvonne, do you know what Dan is asking Santa for?”
Turning to Mary as she held Becca and swayed a bit, Yvonne said, “I’ve got a fairly good idea. Danny’s been talking about the Nerf rocket launcher thingy for weeks on end. Every time Scott comes over he tells him about it and how he would like a whole arsenal of them for his fortress.”
Mary shook her head and sadly shared, “No, poor dear. It isn’t a thing but a who. He’s asking him to bring William home for Christmas.”
Leaning close, Yvonne whispered, “He’s gonna receive what he wants then. William’s expected home late tomorrow after the kids are in bed. We’ve been keeping it a surprise in case anything happened to prevent it.”
“I hope he makes it then.” A sincere smile graced Mary’s face.
“Me too.” Yvonne turned back as Dan lifted Sara up into Santa’s lap because Sara insisted he go first. Her two oldest children shared a unique and special connection. One she often thought bordered on being twins because they shared the same birthday two years apart. Dan took terrific care of Sara, and four-year-old Sara adored Dan. He cared for Becca too, but the link between them was not as strong yet. Yvonne was certain as Becca got older the bond between all her children would grow.
Sara squirmed on Santa Claus’ lap and when he asked her what she wanted she said, “My Danny says our baby sister wannas a dolly or stuffed nanimal. I think she like a pony or a kitty cat.”
While the little girl spoke, Santa glanced at the blond, blue-eyed boy again. He had been the best-mannered child to sit on his lap today. This sweet girl was the second. Both started out with what their little sister would want. It warmed his heart—so gratifying to see kids thinking of others at this time of year instead of just me, me, me. “Thank you for telling me what your sister likes. I’ll see what I can do. What is it you want?”
“I wanna yella big girl bike ‘cause then I can ride fast like my Danny. My trike is too slow, and my Danny hasta wait for me.”
Santa grinned at the ‘my Danny’ which evidenced to him she treasured her big brot
her and was a bit possessive of him too. “Well, Sara, you have been a good girl this year, so I might be able to do that. I’ll check with the elves in the workshop.”
Sara’s eyes danced with excitement as she hopped down from Santa’s lap and took Danny’s hand.
Dan led Sara to their mom who held Becca because the umbrella stroller wheel busted when they arrived at the mall. Mom seemed tired. He was getting better at recognizing when she needed help. Shoving his candy cane into his front pocket, he was about to offer to carry Becca when Sara’s unwrapped candy fell onto the floor, breaking into pieces.
Sara started to tear up and her lips to quiver. Dan dug in his pocket for his confection. “Don’t cry. You can have mine.” He unwrapped the peppermint stick and handed it to her.
“Really?” Sara’s glistening green eyes stared up at her brother in awe.
“Yeah.”
“Tank yous.” Smiling, Sara wiped at her eyes and reached for the candy.
Yvonne pulled Dan close, hugging him, her emerald eyes as bright as her daughter’s. “Danny, how very sweet of you.”
Dan grinned then bent down to pick up all the broken bits and pieces. He hurried over to a trash can and dropped them in. When he returned, Dan noticed Sara had broken the red and white cane in half. Holding her palm out to him with both pieces on it, she said. “Pick a one.”
Choosing the smaller piece, Dan had his answer to whether giving or receiving was better. Giving made him all gooey and warm inside. He popped it into his mouth, and a small, lopsided grin grew. Mom was right, the spirit of Santa was in him and Sara too.
Yvonne’s heart swelled with warmth and pride. Proud of both her young, caring, children. She hugged Sara and said, “That was kind, Sara.”
Remembering what he was going to ask before Sara dropped her candy, Dan peered up at Mom. “Can I carry Becca, so you don’t get too tired? It’s a long way to the car.”
Her son’s generosity and kindness never ceased to amaze Yvonne. He was a rare one to be sure. The grin on his face almost made her tear up, so like William’s. “That would be lovely. Thank you. After naptime, we can bake cookies together.”
Sara squealed with delight. “Can we make sugar ones and use all the color springles?”
Yvonne’s smile grew at Sara’s mispronunciation. “Yes, sweetie, we can use as many sprinkles as you want.” She handed Becca to Dan and grasped Sara’s hand. She couldn’t wait to tell William about today.
A Christmas to Remember
21
December 23
Broderick Home – Library – 7:30 p.m.
Danny sat on the couch with both sisters next to him and all three wearing comfy pajamas with a warm comforter over them. Mom lit a fire in the fireplace, and the tree lights twinkled. Dan read Christmas stories to his sisters, not that Becca understood, but she was quiet when he read to her.
Yvonne sat enjoying the view of her three children. Definitely, a Christmas to remember! We had a splendid afternoon making cookies together.
Little Becca had fun watching from her small bouncer seat. Danny picked her up at one point and helped her decorate a few cookies by holding the sprinkles bottle in her hand and shaking it over the cookies. Becca happily giggled when he did. Danny had such a grand time making his baby sister smile that he ended up dumping tons of sugar sprinkles on each cookie. A special memory Yvonne would hold forever.
Sara’s cookies were works of art for a four-year-old. Yvonne adored spending time in the kitchen with Sara—her daughter would surely be her baking buddy. For now, Yvonne gave Sara mixing, measuring, and decoration jobs when they made things together.
Although Danny laughed a lot with them today, he didn’t much like cooking, but he helped out, especially when it came to making the oatmeal raisin walnut cookies. His eyes brightened when she added extra raisins and walnuts to the dough. For the most part, Danny preferred to entertain Becca for her when she cooked. Yvonne left her reminiscing and tuned back into her children on the sofa.
“My Danny, read again,” Sara begged as Dan closed the book. She stared at the illustration on the front, wishing she was Karen in the story.
“But don’t you want me to read Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?”
Sara shook her head. “If we make a snowman will it come to life?”
“Only if we find a magic hat.”
“Can we look for one?” Sara’s emerald eyes widened with expectation.
“Not tonight. But tomorrow we can.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” Opening the gently worn cover, he read Frosty the Snowman again. When he finished, Dan turned to Becca who lay next to him on the couch and showed her the two books. “Hey, Becca, Rudy or Grinch?”
Becca babbled, attracted by the bright red nose on the reindeer and her little hand reached out for it.
“Rudolph, awesome choice.” Dan’s grin grew as Becca jabbered.
Dan opened his favorite book and started reading. Halfway through the story Becca was sound asleep. By the end, Sara struggled to keep her eyes open.
Yvonne stood and walked to the sofa. “I’ll take Sara if you’ll carry Becca for me. After they’re tucked in bed, you may stay up a little later tonight.”
After carrying the girls up to their rooms and tucking them in, mother and son strolled hand-in-hand downstairs to spend some quality time together. Dan would never mention it, but Yvonne felt the absence of having one-on-one time with her son since Becca’s birth.
SFTB Yukon – Brigadier General Broderick’s Office – 1800 Hours
Brigadier General Broderick closed a report and drank the last dregs of his cold coffee. He would be pulling an all-nighter so he could arrive in Ottawa by twenty-two hundred tomorrow. “Enter,” he said at the knock on his door.
Colonel Sutton sauntered in with a tray of food, set it on William’s desk, and sat down. “Brought you some dinner. Flights are arranged and your bird leaves here for Fort McPherson at zero seven hundred. I took the liberty of having Corporal Ramirez pack your bags.”
“Thanks. Damn, that’s a long flight time. Worse than being in London.”
Tom nodded. “Yes, fifteen hours. Comes with being so remote, but at least the Whitehorse to Ottawa leg is a non-stop flight. Do you need any help?”
Leaning back, William grinned. “No. I’ll finish up tonight and sleep on the plane. You’ll have my notes for the guardian unit training briefing before I leave. I appreciate you for covering for me so I can go home this Christmas.”
“Your kids are at the magical age for Christmas,” Tom said with a smile.
“Yes, they are. Yvonne told me Daniel no longer believes in Santa. I hoped for one more year, but Yvonne gave him a beautiful explanation.”
“What did she tell him?”
“She told him we all carry the spirit of Santa. She said he smiled. I wish he’d do more of that around me, but ever since I reestablished his disciplined routine, which I let go lax when he was ill, Daniel’s been rigid with me.”
Tom sighed. “William, we’re good friends, and it isn’t my place to tell you how to raise your child, but if you want him to relax around you perhaps you should treat him more like your son than a soldier. I understand the desire to prepare him for a soldier’s life, but Will, he is still just a little boy.”
William bristled. “Daniel will face a hard road when he joins the service. I know what it’s like to join with a high-ranking father. Daniel must be better, tougher, and more disciplined if he’s going to survive.”
Tom shook his head. “Will, you say you want him to laugh and smile, and in the next breath, you say he needs discipline and to be tougher. Do you hear yourself? Those two things are opposites. He’s a boy, let him be a child now. There will be time enough to learn to soldier.”
Seeing the ice in William’s eyes, Tom knew his friend had closed his ears. “As I said, these are only my observations. Do what you will with them. Any burning issues or pass downs I need to be aware of?”
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William shoved his irritation down. Tom didn’t understand what it meant to be a Broderick. The expectations were enormous. William was raised the same way he was raising Daniel, and he turned out fine. He must prepare his son for the harsh realities of military service. Preparation begun early would ingrain habits which would serve Daniel well in the military.
After blowing out a breath to calm and refocus on his duty, William said, “No, everything should be routine. I’ll leave the reports on your desk by zero six hundred, and you’ve got my direct line should any problems arise.”
Standing, Tom said, “Enjoy Christmas with your family, William.”
“I will. Thanks again, Tom.” William eyed his empty cup and the coffee machine. He stood and went to start another pot. Thank God, for caffeine.
Broderick Home – Library – 9:30 p.m.
Cozily curled up on the couch, Yvonne softly carded her fingers through Danny’s hair as his head lay in her lap. She let him stay up much later than usual for some one-on-one time. They sipped hot cocoa and enjoyed a couple of his favorite cookies. Danny lay down a few minutes ago, tuckered out by their busy day—and nine thirty was late for a six-year-old. As she gazed at the twinkling tree lights, Yvonne smiled.
Their time together tonight was something special just for him for all he did lately. She had been having more spells of tiredness. They came out of the blue, and the doctor had no clue what caused them. Danny helped much more than a little boy should have to, but he always did it with a smile.
Dan shifted his gaze from the angel on the tree to peer up at his mom as she massaged his head. He felt so loved, safe, and warm cuddled up in Mom’s lap. He enjoyed spending some time alone with her. It rarely ever happened.
“Mom, do you think angels are real? Or is that like Santa Claus too?”
Yvonne gazed down into his innocent, sapphire blue eyes. “I truly believe there are angels, but I have no way to prove it.”
Dan looked back at the angel. “Does Dad have an angel? I mean like one that keeps him safe.”
