Here are the entries for the Winter Literary Challenge. Please read and vote for your favorite! Poll closes on January 15th. Thank you to all the authors who entered! EWAC is bringing writing back...



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Santa in the Real World

To the children of the world (and their parents),

Every year my job gets tougher, what with the world population going up so fast and all, but the things I see these days takes the cake...er...cookies. It all started when I began stopping at houses in the U.S., because those people are the start of all these newfangled ideas about Christmas. One house in particular this year I remember quite clearly.

So I land on the roof, as I always do, only to discover that there's no chimney. It figures. These days, chimneys are passé, and the newer houses have those fake gas ones, or, what amuses me most, dvd fireplace screensavers. Sometimes I think I should just go FedEx and save myself the trouble.

Anyway, the only entrance to the house that I can fit my belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly through is the front door, which is locked. So being the kind jolly fellow I am, I ring the doorbell. Never mind that it's about two in the morning their time, but when you have to deliver presents on a certain schedule, you do what you have to. I wasn't about to risk getting stuck in jail for breaking and entering. Been there, done that, taught cellmates some carols, but I got an earful from the Missus and a lot less cookies. That was not a happy Yuletide. 1963, I think it was.

As I wait at the door, I decide to take a gander at the list. Little Billy Davenport lives here. He's been fairly good, though that usually passes with me these days. He wants a Wii, a TMX Elmo, a RoboRaptor, and a bicycle. Thank goodness I had a clue to at least what one of those things was, my elves had to clue me in on everything else. Whatever happened to the simple things, like a toy train, or a doll? Everything these days is digital, or runs on batteries. No wonder attention spans have plummeted.

Eventually his dad, Roger, opens the door partway with a security chain still on and tells me to go away or he'll call the cops, or the neighborhood watch. It takes me a while to convince him that I'm the embodiment of Christmas joy and cheer in a big red suit and not a serial psychopath, but showing him the toys and ho ho ho-ing a few times seals the deal. He lets me in and apologizes for the misunderstanding and lack of fireplace, then tells me that they mean to tell Billy I'm not real next year. The kid is five years old! And not real? They think I wear this ridiculous suit every year for my health? Ha, no one appreciates Big Red anymore.

So then Roger leads me into their family room, where they have a fake tree, no, not just a fake tree, an aluminum tree, supposedly all the rage now. I say they should have saved money and decorated a metal coat rack. Honestly, I hardly ever see real trees in houses anymore, I've begun to take a long a pine branch just to be able to smell like Christmas. "It's easier to store and clean up," he says, "it comes with the lights and ornaments already on it." Instead of stockings, there are little gift cards in their place that are shaped like stockings, and all the candy canes are plastic. I almost poke Roger to make sure he's not fake too. The second I get out of this house, I'm going to go hug a pine tree, I think to myself.

As I'm lamenting the loss of true Christmas spirit, Billy's dad mentions something about how Billy insisted on leaving me something. At last, the goodies. The last house I'd gone to had left me a fruitcake, which to be honest, I doubt is truly meant to be eaten. I made the mistake of trying it and it had not been sitting well with me. The prospect of the good old milk and cookies brought the telltale sparkle to my eyes and I told Roger to lead the way.

He takes me to the kitchen and points to a plate on the counter. At this point I was nearly drooling at the idea of food, and so my eyes widened at the sight of those warm, delicious cookies and glass of nice cold milk that...looked strikingly like a low carb salad and shake of some sort. Okay, my diet consists of cookies, hot chocolate, candy canes, any sweet you can think of at Christmas. This may have been the first time I'd ever encountered a vegetable in real life. Hadn't this guy ever seen the Santa Clause? When I looked surprised, he explained that the shake was a power shake with all the essential vitamins and minerals that I'd need on my trips around the globe, to keep my strength up. The salad was because they thought I was getting a bit on the pudgy side and I could stand to lose some weight if I wanted a longer, healthier life. I'm much older than they would think, and if I've lived this long popping peppermints, I think a salad might actually kill me. But I eat the plate full of "health food" anyway, just to be polite, and make a note to stop by a Nestlé factory or something to make up for it.

One salad and shake of disgust later, I decide to make this visit end a.s.a.p. and got out my magic sack of toys to leave little Billy's presents under the tree. As I'm pulling out the Wii and RoboRaptor, Roger stops me and says they're trying to get the kid into Princeton, so could I please leave some educational toys? I thought the college thing didn't start until high school, but apparently the toddlers these days are being pushed into pre-pre calculus and Baby Einstein instead of Barney or Looney Tunes. Luckily I had a leftover Rubix cube, a scientific calculator, and an abacus. Merry Christmas, Billy. And the sad thing is, quite a few of the houses afterwards were much the same.

That hasn't been the least of my troubles. The ASPCA got wind of Rudolph being the leader of my eight tiny reindeer, and they sued under the premise that I was exploiting a natural phenomena (his incandescent nose) for my own gain and not giving him any compensation for it. I'll have you know that those reindeer get the best care at the North Pole, and they're animals, so I thought it was lucky that one of them had a shiny nose. And I gave him a choice, I have evidence in song..."Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight" ring a bell? Anyway, now Rudolph has a condo in Bermuda and they had headlights put on my sleigh.

As for the practice of leaving the "bad" children coal in their stockings, I was contacted by the coal industry and told that I was wasting a precious fossil fuel that they would purchase from me in order to avoid a lawsuit down the line. The leaders of the U.S. educational branch of the government also gave me a call, concerned that "bad" would negatively affect children's self esteem and therefore suggested that I change "good" and "bad" to "satisfactory" and "needs improvement".

Sadly, I no longer get to say "Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen! On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen!". I was confronted on the fact that Dancer could in fact not dance, and it was false advertising, Hallmark disputed Cupid's being present in the wrong holiday, and the cleaner company declared its copyright to the name Comet. My lawyer suggested I rename them something easier and give the existing ones updated nicknames so that people could remember, and also not be offended by the names. And I also needed at least one female reindeer so as not to be sexist. So now Dash, Steve, The Reindeer Formally Known as Prancer, Vick, Ned, Violet, Don, and Blitz lead my sleigh and get health care benefits. That doesn't even rhyme anymore. I don't even want to go into the ACLU's interest in my elves as 'little people'.

What I'm trying to say is, I need a vacation. You can take care of yourselves for one Christmas, I think. Send your lists for the following year to me in Fiji, as I'll be catching up on popular culture via all the For Dummies books and copious amounts of Scene It. Cookies are always welcomed. I'll catch you all in 2008, good luck.

Merry Christmas to all,

S. Claus, also known as Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, Big Red, etc.



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Where are you christmas?

It is christmas eve, and the house is already silent. Elijah just kissed his daughter goodnight and was ready to turn the multiple colored christmas tree off. Next to it, he found the all tradition glass of milk and cookies, along with the carrots for the reindeers. He smiled. It was adorable to see that after all his 6 years old little girl still believed in magic.

He stopped when he saw a new letter next to the plate. He frown, he already had seen Ava’s christmas list and he was afraid she might had changed it. He didn’t want to make her a bit dissapointed in times like this. Turning on the lights he sat down in the white colored loveseat next to the christmas tree.

He slowly opened the pink envelope and took out the Hello Kitty pages and Ava’s drawing of a Santa Claus in their roof. Elijah smiled and started reading, as he kept reading the tears came back from the back of his eyes.


Dear Mr. Claus:

Happy Christmas Mr. Claus. I’m glad you could come to my house for the holidays, at least for a moment. I’m Ava and I live here with my daddy, Elijah, do you know him? You must know him, he told me that he was a really good boy so you must know about him. I’m 6 and a half years old, and my birthdays is just three days after daddy’s birthday, January 31. If you want to come for my birthday party it’ll be so cool! You can invite Mrs. Claus too, my uncles Dommy and Billy will be very happy to meet you. They always tell me that they used to know her very well.

I know that most of the kids write you for presents, Mr. Claus, and I don’t want you to think that I don’t want presents because I really do, but I want to ask you for something more important this christmas. That’s why I asked my nanny Ally to write this letter from me to you. Because she is a grown up and knows how to write letter like adults do.

You see, I know that you most know it by now, daddy always tell me that you see and hear and knows everything I do, so I bet you know that my mommy left us. Daddy told me that she left for a better place, but I’m pretty sure that she got lost when she left to the market. She told me that she was going to pick some milk and some teddy bears’ cookies but she never came back. Daddy cried a lot, and he told me that she wasn’t coming back because she is in a better place, but I know that she is lost. Mommy always told me that I had to be careful of not getting lost, because if I get lost daddy and mommy would be very sad and cry a lot; and daddy was really sad and crying a lot. He didn’t even take my cookies or saw the drawing I made for him. So I think that mommy is lost.

So I wanted to ask you Mr. Claus if you could find her. Or at least tell her to come home, because I really miss her and I get really scared in the nights because daddy doesn’t understand the little light she used to put me to sleep. I love daddy a lot, but he works a lot and sometimes he doesn’t know a lot of things. But it doesn’t mean that he isn’t intelligent or anything, mommy told me he was the most intelligent man on earth because he could be a lot of people without lying! Imagine Mr. Claus! He could be a pirate or a hobbit and he would not be lying, so he’d not be a liar. Isn’t that super? But he can’t find mommy, he told me that even if he missed her a lot he couldn’t go and pick her up. But I believe you can do it, Santa, because you have reindeers and you have Rudolf and a magic sleigh and you know all the world, so you can find mommy.

Do you remember her? She is really pretty, daddy says that I have her eyes, so I suppose that he didn’t mean that I have her eyes, but that they look alike a lot. But you may remember her, I bet she got a lot of presents from you, Santa, because she is really good and nice and never did anything naughty. So if you check out your list, she might still there.

Can you help me Santa? I saw a movie where you helped a little girl, and movies almost never lie, that told me Uncle Peter, he told me that one day he’d take me to Middle Earth and I don’t want to go without mommy. Can you find her? Tell her that I really miss her and that daddy doesn’t cook as she does and that his food is eicky. And that we miss her a lot.

Thanks a lot Mr. Claus. I promise I was a nice girl this year. I was really good, you can ask my nanny or my daddy, they will tell you how good I was.

I love you

Ava Wood

Ps. If you still want to bring me a gift or two, can you bring me a baby doll please? I want a puppy, I love puppies. And I want a baby sister, I don’t know if daddy can take care of the baby alone, so I will help too, but since you’ll find mommy we three can take care of my little sister. Thank you Mr. Santa.



Drying his tears Elijah wondered what he should do. Should he ignore this letter? Should he promise her to look after his dead wife? It hurt him so much to give Ava this christmas, where it felt like everything else but Christmas. Losing a wife, and a mother, just months ago was a tragedy he couldn’t deal with, not a this age, not if he didn’t see it coming. Sophia died in a car accident, when she left to the market. It was instantly, she didn’t suffer but left them alone without an idea of what to do next.

What would she like to do? Sophia always loved magic, she would keep the magic on Ava’s heart. She’d want her to believe that is something else in this world that we can see. She would like to keep her innocence untouch.

So sitting in the dinner table, he took a pair of paper sheets and a pen and doing his best actuation he pretended to be Santa Claus, writing his daughter back. Fighting with the tears he decided to let Ava know that she wasn’t alone and to let her keep, at least, a bit of hope that he already lost in this Christmas eve.



Dear Ava:

I’m so glad I found your letter. Say thanks to Ally for writing this for you, it is a really important letter and I’m glad she helped you. She will get a present from this year because she was such a good girl.

I know where your mommy is Ava, and she is very happy and very sorry she couldn’t come with me. You see, she is in a place where neither of us can’t reach her. That place is called Heaven. And it’s very beautiful. There’re a lot of trees and it’s never cloudy. The little house where your mommy lives is full of the flowers that she always loved. And there’re many animals in there too, and she takes care of them. She lives with Mr. Sprinkle, the cat, and Mr. Chester, the hamster. Do you remember them? They’re all very happy, and they all miss you a lot.

You see Ava, sometimes, people leave and we can’t see them anymore, but that doesn’t mean that they stop thinking about us and forget us. They’re always thinking about us. Your mommy is always thinking about you. But she can’t come back, even if I tried to, because you are such a good girl, but they couldn’t make an exception. Do you want to know why? Because mommy is an Angel. She was so good with everyone, and loved you and your daddy so much that when she arrived to Heaven They gave her the whitest and brightest pair of wings that ever existed. And she spends her time taking care of you and your daddy all the time. That’s why your daddy never burns his fingers when he is cooking or why aunt Violet comes and takes care of you two when daddy is really sad. Because Mommy is everywhere Ava. And she loves you so much and worries about you so much that can’t leave you alone. She lives in your heart.

Isn’t that cool?

But you need to be strong. Because your daddy gets so sad sometimes. He worries that you might cry because you miss mommy, and since he doesn’t know where your mommy is, you need to explain him that she is in Heaven and that you won’t cry, because she is very happy and she wouldn’t like you to be crying. And he will believe you. And do you know why? Because everytime he sees you, he thinks of mommy. I remember your mommy a lot. Sophie has the most beautiful green eyes and long brown hair just like yours, and she smiles a lot, as you do. So you need to be stronger for your daddy, and smile a lot so he will think of your mommy too.

I know you will do this Ava because you’re such a good girl.

I’m afraid I won’t be able to come to your birthday’s party but I will tell Mrs. Claus that Dommy and Billy say hello. Don’t always listen to them, Ava, they were a little naughty when they had your age.

I brought your baby doll and some other gifts, but I’m afraid that I can’t bring you the puppy until you talk to your daddy about it. He has to write me a letter where he tells me that he is sure about the puppy and that you’re a big girl that can take care of him. But we’ll see next year, Ava, just be a good girl. And about the baby sister, I’m afraid that daddy wouldn’t be able to take care of a baby sister now, but you can ask aunt Violet if she can get you a baby cousin, and that would be just as cool as having a baby sister.

I love you too baby Ava

Mr. Santa Claus

The next morning, Elijah was awake at 7 am by an excited Ava who stood by his side pulling him out of bed.

“I’m coming Ava, I’m coming”

“It’s christmas daddy! Merry christmas daddy!”

Elijah smiled, hugging his seven year old daughter while he hide the tears forming in his eyes due to memories of the last night.

“Merry christmas baby, merry christmas Ava”




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The Christmas Miracle

Have you ever witnessed a Christmas Miracle? I never had until last year. I didn’t really believe in them, since I had never seen or experienced one, until one fateful Christmas Eve last year………


Ding-dong

My doorbell of my flat rang and I knew exactly who it was, my hobbit buddy Elijah. He was in England, I think near Bath if I remember, filming some film and he was going to spend Christmas with me. I walked over to my door and as I opened the door I was attacked in a hug by Elijah.

“Orlando! Merry Christmas!” He yelled.

“Merry Christmas Elijah.” I said laughing as he pulled away and picked up his duffel bag and suitcase he had brought over since he was staying at my place for the next couple of weeks for vacation.

“So, what’s new?” Elijah asked as he came inside and sat down on the couch.

“Nothing, just broke up with my girlfriend about two months ago. It was going anywhere and wasn’t a relationship I liked being in. So what’s new with you?” I asked getting away from that subject.

“Nothing, just living the good single life. So, what did ya get me for Christmas?” Elijah said going over to my Christmas tree which had presents from my family and friends underneath and some gifts for Elijah under the tree from his family and friends.

“None of your business until tomorrow you little bugger.” I said running over to him and grabbing his gift out of his hands and putting it back under the tree. Elijah giggled and went into the guest room and then yelled.

“Shit!” He yelled.

“What?” I asked going into the guest room.

“I forgot my laptop at the hotel, I need to go back and get it. I’ve got my script and other important business stuff for the record compnay saved on there. It’s only about 30 minutes away from here out in the country. Can we go and get it?” Elijah asked with his face sort of pale with fear of losing his laptop.

“Call the hotel first and make sure it is still there.” I said and he called and they said they had it for him at the front desk. Then Elijah and I got into my car and drove out towards the hotel. Little did Elijah know but his little forgetfulness was the beginning of the Christmas Miracle that was about to happen.

As we drove on the now icy back roads with it beginning to snow, I felt like I could lose control of the car at any moment, so I drove slower than usual. About half way to the hotel we noticed headlights and realized there was a car flipped over in a ditch on the side of the road.

“Oh my God, should we help them?” Elijah asked.

“Yeah, barely anybody travels on this road at night, we should.” I said and we pulled over and got out.

“I hope their ok, who ever is in there.” Elijah said and we walked over to the car and looked in the windows.

“Um, there are two girls in there!” Elijah yelled and I looked in the driver’s window and both girls eyes were closed and I reached through the broken glass of the drivers window and grabbed the girls wrist to try and feel a pulse and then her hand grabbed me. She was cold as ice.

“Help us please, we’ve been stranded for about half an hour.” She said through a raspy voice. She was pale like she was losing lots of blood and her lips were blue from the cold and I looked in her eyes, they were bright blue/green eyes that had a little bit of fire in them of almost like the fire in her body trying to live.

“Is your friend alright?” I asked as I kneeled down next to her.

“Yeah, I’m still alive, just in lots of pain.” She said with a stronger voice than her other friend who was the driver.

“Elijah call 911, their alive and need medical help stat!” I yelled scared for them.

“Ok, you try and get the driver out and I will try and get the passenger out.” Elijah said.

“No, wait, first get the extra blankets I have in the back of my car.” I said.

“Why do you-“ Elijah began to say.

“From my dogs, now just do it!” I yelled and he ran to my car and got the blankets and handed me two and he took two for the other girl.

“Please help me, I don’t want to die yet.” The driver said raspy as she still held my wrist.

“What’s your name love?” I asked trying to calm her down, as I looked to see if I could pull her out.

“My name is Elizabeth, Elizabeth Williams.” She said softly.

“Hi Elizabeth, I’m Orlando, Orlando Bloom.” I said as I smiled at her and she gave a weak smile.

“Hi Orlando.” She said.

“Ok, I’m gonna try and pull you out, you look like you can get out fine, nothing broken just nice cuts on you.” I said softly to her as I held her hand, I didn’t want to tell her that she had a huge gash in her side that looked like it was the cause of her losing so much blood and small cuts on her face and arms. From what I could tell her friend had a broken leg and lots of cuts on her arms and legs and face. She would be the one more dangerous to pull out.

“Ok, but don’t let go of my hand, please.” Elizabeth said with tears in her eyes.

“I promise, I won’t let go.” I said and I unbuckled her seat belt and held her hand and grabbed her under her other arm and pulled up, she gave a soft cry of pain but bit her lip and then helped me wiggle her out of the window. She was fine, except for that one gash on her side, but pulling her out didn’t make anything worse. As soon as I pulled her out, I immediately wrapped my two blankets around her and held her close still holding her hand, trying to keep her war.

“Orlando! Give me a hand getting her out!” Elijah yelled from the other side of the car.

“No, don’t move me! That would make my leg worse! Please don’t move me!” She yelled.

“It would be dangerous to move her, just move her upper body some out of the car so the blood doesn’t rush to her head.” I yelled back.

“Ok, now miss-“ Elijah began to say until the girl cut him off.

“The name is Lexi Lipton.” Lexi said.

“Ok, Lexi, I’m Elijah Wood and let me unbuckle you and help you get moved out some and wrap you in these blankets to keep warm.” Elijah said and she nodded her head and moved her some and then wrapped her in the blankets. About 10 minutes later the Medics arrived.

“Look, Elizabeth, the medics are here to help you.” I said and I noticed how pale she had gotten and I knew she had lost a lot of blood and looked down on the ground next to me and saw blood on the snow and my blanket soaked on one side with blood.

“Thank you Orlando, for saving us.” She said softly and noticed her eyes flutter.

“Hold on Elizabeth, hold on. I know you can do it, hold on. Don’t leave.” I whispered to her and her eyes closed. I felt tears burn in the back of my eyes, she just died in my arms.

The medics grabbed Lexi and put her on a stretcher and put her in the ambulance and then another medic came over and looked at Elizabeth.

“What’s wrong with her?” He asked.

“She’s dead. She had a huge gash in her side and I think she just died from loss of blood and-“ I said but then I felt her grip my hand tighter, she was still alive but just barely.

“She looks like she just passed out mate, lets get her in the ambulance and out of the cold. She could still have a chance.” The medic said and I helped him get her on a stretcher and then they drove off to the London Memorial Hospital. Elijah was telling the police about what we saw and what happened. Then I grabbed my keys and ran to my car and turned it on and honked my horn.

“Let’s get to the Hospital!” I yelled.

“I’m coming!” he yelled and he jumped in the car and we sped off to the hospital.

Once we reached the ER, I ran to the front desk with Elijah.

“Excuse me, where are Elizabeth Williams?” I said.

“And Lexi Lipton? They were in a car crash.” Elijah said.

“Are you two family?” The desk clerk asked snootily.

“No.” We both said in unison.

“Then I can’t disclose that information.” She said and she went back to her paper work.

“Look, it’s Christmas Eve and we just save their lives at the damn crash site, now tell us where they are!” I yelled and then a cop came over.

“Are you Orlando Bloom and Elijah Wood?” He asked.

“Yes.” We both said in unison.

“We’ve been looking for you. Miss Lipton keeps asking for you both.” The cop said.

“What about Elizabeth Williams?” I asked.

“She’s still in surgery, they don’t know about her yet.” The cop said, “If you’ll come with me, I will show you to Miss Lipton’s room.” He said and we walked down a cold, green wallpapered corridor with Christmas decorations all over the walls. Then we went into room B312.

There Lexi was lying on the bed with her leg in a cast and dressed in the hospital clothes with her face cleaned up and her light brown hair still up in it’s messy bun from earlier and her brown eyes lit up when she saw us.

“Elijah! Orlando! You two saved our lives!” She said smiling big with tears in her eyes.

“Well, it wasn’t much.” Elijah said blushing, I think the hobbit likes her.

“No, it meant a lot, you two are our Christmas angels. Come closer.” She said and we walked closer to her bed and she hugged us and kissed us on the cheek.

“Thank you so much.” Lexi said.

“No problem.” Elijah said in a dazed tone, just then a doctor walked in.

“Mr. Bloom?” He asked.

“Yes?” I said turning towards the door.

“I’m Dr. Byrne, can I speak to you outside?” He asked as he shook my hand.

“Yeah, sure.” I said and I looked back and Elijah and Lexi and they nodded their heads. Once outside the door, Dr. Byrne turned to me.

“I’ve just come out of surgery on Miss Williams and if it wasn’t for you or Mr. Wood, then she would be dead and Miss Lipton would’ve died in a couple of hours from the cold. Miss Williams’s body temperature was close to 80 degrees and she lost a lot of blood, yet by some miracle she is alive and will only have one little scar on her side from where we patched her up, none of her organs were injured. You performed a Christmas Miracle by finding them tonight.” Dr. Byrne said smiling at me and I felt tears burn the back of my eyes and I gave a tiny laugh and smiled and hugged him.

“You mean she’s alive?” I asked not believing his words.

“Yes, she’s just down the hall in room B320 and she keeps asking for you since she woke up about 5 minutes ago.” Dr. Byrne said and I ran down the hall and went into her room.

“Orlando!” She said sounding happy and relieved.

“Elizabeth!” I said and ran to her bedside and held her hand, “I told you I wouldn’t let go.” I said and she gave a small laugh. She was still really pale and felt still pretty cold but she had an electric blanket around her and warm pajama’s too. Even though she looked weak her eyes didn’t show it, they shone with a new hope and a new light. Her dark brown hair was down curly and messy from the crash, but to me she looked like an angel and one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever met.

“You are my Christmas Angel and you saved my life. Thank you.” She said and I blushed.

“I’m glad you’re alright.” I said and I kissed her forehead.

“Thanks. I’m sorry your Christmas had to be like this.” She said blushing.

“No, it’s fine and I am glad I left my home on Christmas or I never would’ve saved your life and I would rather spend it with you and Lexi, even if it is at a Hospital.” I said and she laughed.

“Why did you and Lexi go out tonight?” I asked curious.

“We wanted a real tree and a good one at that and so we went out into the country to get one but we didn’t find one, so we drove back home and we skidded on some ice and flipped.” Elizabeth said and she shuddered and began to cry thinking about that. I kissed her on the cheek.

“Your safe now, look I’ve got to go take care of something. I’ll be back soon, I promise.” I said and she smiled.

“Hurry back.” She said.

“I will.” I said and I left. I found Elijah down in Lexi’s room and I told him my plan. We then left and drove to a Christmas tree lot near by and bought a real Christmas tree. Elijah also told me about how Lexi had told him that Christmas this year meant a lot to them because they were far from home and Christmas was always a special thing with their families.

So then we decided to help them have the Christmas they wanted. We arranged for Lexi while she was sleeping to get moved into Elizabeth’s room and we went back to my place and picked up my gifts and then we pulled some strings and bought Christmas ornaments, decorations, and gifts for the girls at a little shop. We spent the whole night quietly decorating the hospital room to make it feel like home for them with Christmas streamers, a real Christmas tree with glittering ornaments and lights, lights on the walls, wreaths, and much more. This was going to be a wonderful Christmas.

Next morning…

I woke up after falling asleep uncomfortably in a Hospital chair. I noticed Elijah was still asleep in the chair next to Lexi’s bed which was now in the room with Elizabeth, Elizabeth was still asleep and then I heard someone start to wake up and I looked over and it was Lexi.

“Oh God, I died. I see sparkly lights.” Lexi said.

“No, you’re still alive.” I said chuckling.

“Whoa! What are you doing in my room? And what did you- Oh my God.” Lexi said starting to get tears in her eyes.

“Your in Elizabeth’s room now and Merry Christmas. We decorated your room for Christmas you told us how much Christmas meant to the 2 of you.” I said and Lexi smiled as she began to cry.

“Thank you so much, for everything both you and Elijah.” She said and then Elijah woke up.

“Urgh, is it breakfast time yet?” He asked and then he noticed Lexi awake, “Good morning Lexi and Merry Christmas.” He said smiling and then she grabbed him and kissed him.

“Thank you and Merry Christmas.” She said once she pulled away.

Then Elizabeth stirred in her sleep and then she groaned from the movement.

“Ow, that hurt.” She mumbled and she opened her eyes and they grew about the size of saucers and then she began to cry.

“Good morning and Merry Christmas.” I said going over to her and sitting down next to her bed.

“Hey Liz.” Lexi said from next to her.

“Hey.” Liz said softly, “You did all this for us?” She said looking at me.

“Yes and we have Christmas gifts too.” I said and we handed them their gifts Elijah and I bought both Lexi and Liz necklaces with little angles on them from us.

“This is wonderful, thank you.” Liz said as she tried to sit up to hug me but she winced in pain, “Damn side.” She mumbled.

“Here.” I said and I leaned down and hugged her but then Elijah and Lexi giggled.

“What?” I asked as I pulled away.

“You two are under mistletoe.” Elijah said pointing to the mistletoe sitting on top of the headboard of Liz’s bed. I didn’t put that there… Elijah. Damn wanker.

“You have to kiss her it’s the rule of Christmas.” Lexi said and Liz blushed and I leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. When I pulled away she smiled and I knew I had given her something special, a Christmas to remember………

Present Day

“Merry Christmas!” Elijah said with a silly red Santa hat on his head and Lexi just rolling her eyes at him.

“We brought the goods.” Lexi said holding up a bag with wine and beer bottles in it. They began to walk inside until I stopped them.

“Ah, mistletoe, you have to kiss under the mistletoe, it’s a Christmas rule.” I said and Lexi rolled her eyes and Elijah just wiggled his eyebrows and kissed her. He kissed her so long that I had to kick him in the shin to break away from her.

“Where’s Liz?” Lexi asked.

“Not here yet.” I said and then the doorbell rang and I went to the door and answered it. It was Liz, she looked amazing and she smiled when she saw me.

“Hey, Merry Christmas.” She said, “I brought my mum’s Christmas cookies she mailed me from home, their for dessert.” She said.

“Oooohhh! Did I hear you brought your mum’s Christmas cookies?” Lexi said excitedly jumping up from the couch where she was sitting with Elijah.

“Wait, you two gotta kiss under the mistletoe.” Elijah said as Liz started to come in.

“I guess your right.” I said and I grabbed her and kissed her deeply on the lips, it was wonderful until.

“Orlando! Dinner is ready!” My mum said and we pulled away and giggled.

Ever since that Christmas last year I’ve been changed, I now understand why we all are on this Earth and we each have a purpose on Earth too. Christmas to me has a deeper meaning now to that you should cherish your memories and your life on Earth because you never know when it will be your last.


***************************************************************


December Snow

Christmas Eve, 6:45 P.M.

Indianapolis had received six to ten inches of snow and it made the city sparkle and a young woman was sitting in her apartment watching the snow fall onto the ground. She was alone and trying not to think of him. He was supposed to be home by now, but she knew he was not going to be home in time for Christmas.

He had planned to be home, but instead got told to attend a press conference in London, England so he had to fly out and had been gone for two weeks. She missed him like crazy.

He loved snow. They would always shovel the snow and then have snowball fights; they were in sync with one another. Always knew what the other was thinking and that is why they knew immediately that they were perfect for one another. She sighed both happy that she had found her soul mate, no man like him in the world and upset because they had both hoped that he would be home sometime on Christmas Eve. But that day was today and still no word from him.

Thinking about him wasn’t going to get her anywhere, she knew that. She normally was not this upset around Christmas, but her heart was empty without him there to celebrate this day with her.

She slid away from the window and then flopped on the couch. She glanced at the telephone and smiled when she saw the picture of them from their engagement party. He had proposed exactly a year ago at her family celebration and she couldn’t ever forget the sweet words he had recited to her.

“I love you so much that words can’t even describe how I feel right now. For the first time in my life, I am content and happy. Please make me the happiest man alive and become my wife.”

The phone rang interrupting her thoughts and she glanced at the Caller ID and sure enough, it was him. She smiled slightly, wishing he was in front of her instead of across the ocean over a phone.

“Hello honey.” she greeted making him smile on the other side of the phone.

“Hello sweetheart, how are you?” he asked sounding exhausted.

“Fine I suppose, I miss you like crazy.” she replied.

“Yes I know, I miss you too dear. I have some bad news.”

“Let me guess, you aren’t coming home?”

“I am so sorry sweetheart, there is nothing I can do. Heathrow’s flights are full and the next one to Indianapolis isn’t until tomorrow. I am so sorry…”

“I knew this was going to happen, it is fine.” she replied trying to fight back tears, but they were being victorious so far.

“No it’s not fine. I feel like such a jerk for leaving you there around Christmas time. Especially with your family and everything you have to deal with right now.”

“There is nothing you can do about either thing or me, so do not worry about it. I’ll just see you when you get home, whenever that will be.”

“Don’t be mad with me, it is not my fault everyone leaves for home today. I’m just as upset about this as you are.”

She sighed and pulled the phone away from her ear. She didn’t want him to hear her being weak, even though he had held in his warm, safe, and gentle arms whenever she did cry. She could hear him repeating her name, each time his voice raising. Then she heard him singing into the phone, her favorite Christmas song.

“Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king. Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconcile. Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies. With angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king.”

“Thank you.” she whispered as she wiped away her tears and glanced outside the window, it was still snowing.

“It was nothing dear, now I am sorry sweetie, but I need to go. I love you with all of my heart and soul. Please don’t be upset okay?” he was pleading.

“I love you too.” she only replied before hanging up the phone and cried to herself. She couldn’t believe he was not going to be home.

After all, she did have that surprise to tell him.

***
Christmas Morning 7:30 A.M.

He had felt terrible for lying to her, but he wanted to make this the best Christmas ever. However, he knew it was going to be tough especially since the year prior, he had proposed. He slowly opened the door to the apartment they shared and slowly closed the door trying to not make a lot of noise. He knew she would be asleep, she was not a morning person.

He lit the Christmas tree and slowly reached down to the box that he had set down when he had arrived. He slowly picked the wiggling kitten in his arms and held her close to him as he slowly made his way into the bedroom he shared with her. He slowly opened the door and smiled when he saw her sound asleep snuggled into the covers, knowing how cold she could get at night.

The kitten looked at him in wonder and he kissed her head softly as he slowly made his way over to her and slowly sat next to her. The bed moved and she groaned in her sleep and moved so she was facing him.

He leaned down to kiss her lips softly and she moaned softly while opening one eye.

“Merry Christmas love.” he said to her softly and hearing his voice, both eyes came open and she gasped.

“You’re here.” she replied as she slowly sat up and hugged him tightly as their lips met once more. A loud “Meow” interrupted them and she pulled away and glanced down, while gasping.

“Merry Christmas sweetheart. She is only a few weeks old and the sweetest kitten they had at the pet store.” he said knowing how much she loved cats. Even though he couldn’t stand them, but someone had told him that once he fell in love, he would become blind to anyone else.

She slowly picked up the small cat and smiled as the kitten nuzzled her head against her face.

She smiled and kissed the kitten’s head.

“She’s so beautiful honey. Thank you so much.” She smiled giving him one softer kiss on the lips. He smiled and kissed her back groaning in protest when she pulled away.

“I have something for you too.” she whispered as she carefully leaned over and pulled out an envelope with a small bow on it.

He glanced at her in confusion as he carefully tore the envelope and pulled out a small piece of paper. His eyes went wide at the realization of this picture, it was an ultrasound.

“Are you?” he asked softly, not sure of what he was about to hear was true or not.

She only smiled in response.

“Yes dear, we’re having a baby. I’m due August 4th.” she replied with a huge smile. His smile matched hers as he leaned over and kissed her once more on the lips, only deeper and more passionate.

He pulled away and smiled as they leaned their foreheads together.

“Merry Christmas Katie.” he said softly with a smile.

She smiled back before kissing him once more.

“Merry Christmas Elijah.”


***********************************************************

Dear Santa


Dear Santa,

How are you doing? I’m pretty fine, thanks. Things are crazy here in this time of the year, and I think you can relate, too, right?

Anyway, I’ve been thinking quite a lot about what I want for Christmas this year. Do you know that *awesome* orange Lamborghini from Mission Impossible 3? Gosh, it’s such a cool car!! Definitely, I watched the movie three times just for that scene. Not the one where the car blows up, though, that one made me just a wee bit sick. How can you even *think* about it? Anyway, you should definitely watch it, it’s such a cool movie, and Tom Cruise is so good! Not that I’m ogling over him or anything, really, just good in the professional sense of the word.

Anyway, yeah, do you think it’s possible for you to get me that car? I’m not asking you to deliver it at home, it would be a mess to carry it down the chimney, and I couldn’t drive it out the dining room anyway. Just leave the keys under the Christmas tree, and it will be all good! Thanks, you’re the best.

Good work!

Yours truly,

Elijah Wood.


Dear Santa,

I’m sorry to write you again, but this presents thing is bothering me more than usually this year. I was wondering if I could change my request… I hope you didn’t get the car already! Because I was driving down Rodeo Drive yesterday, and I saw the *best* Ducati 999 ever! Seriously, man, I’ve never been into bikes that much, but that one is just, well, whoa! So, if it’s not too late, can I get the bike instead of the car? I mean, the car is good, but that bike is so… manly, if you know what I mean. Not that I got anything to prove on this matter, you know… they say that guys dig cars and bikes when they are not confident in their sexuality, but I can assure you it’s not my problem, really. Granted, I still think Tom Cruise is good, but again, just in the professional sense of the term, I swear.

So, if you manage to get me that bike, it would be awesome! Just let the keys under the Christmas tree, I am not sure I could drive the bike out the dining room, anyway.

Thank you!

So long,

Elijah Wood.

PS. Did you watch Mission Impossible 3 already? Isn’t it the best movie ever???


Dear Santa,

I know, I know, I’m sorry! I promise this time I’ll keep it short.
It’s just… I was thinking about that motorbike thing, you know? And well, honestly… I know and you know that I don’t want it because I am not confident enough in my sexuality, but I realized that everybody else doesn’t. So, if I start going ‘round on that thing, people think I’ll do because I have issues, you know, with *that*. So I’d rather not. I don’t really need a bike anyway. Plus, I read on the last issue of Cosmo that Tom Cruise said he doesn’t like bikes that much.

Could I get a speedboat instead? Like the one you see in Miami Vice. You should watch the movie, by the way, it’s great! And Colin Farrell is so good… not as good as Tom, but very good, really.

Just let the keys under the Christmas tree, thanks.

Love,

Elijah Wood.

PS. Okay, I know you’re busy, but you should definitely find the time to watch Mission Impossible 3! It’s so worth it!!!


Santa,

Woo-hoo!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!! Gosh, you really are the best.

When I woke up this morning I ran to check under the Christmas tree, and I must admit, I was pretty disappointed not to find any keys. I mean, you’re Santa after all, I knew a tiny speedboat was a joke for you to get! Yes, I was quite upset. But then I took a shower and I checked myself in the mirror, and I noticed there was something different. You see, I keep my aftershave on the highest shelf and I always have to get on my tiptoes to reach it… but this morning I didn’t have to.

Two inches!!!! I’m two inches taller!!!

Seriously, how you did it? Okay, you’re Santa and you can do everything you want, but still… two inches!! I couldn’t believe it! It’s so cool, man. I look so hot and masculine now, and I’m sure it shows! I hope that Tom cruise will notice it.

Seriously, thank you. This is the best Christmas present I ever got in my life. You rock, man!

Lots of love,

A very thankful (and now taller!!) Elijah Wood.

PS. I hope you enjoyed the Mission Impossible DVD I sent you.

************************************************************


Holly Matrimony

Have a holly jolly Christmas...

I am a serial bridesmaid.

Five weddings down, one to go. I am a bona-fied expert when it comes to other peoples’ bonds of holy matrimony. I know the routine by heart, I can gauge any bridal situation and run through it with the smoothness and finesse of the martyred bridesmaids of yore.

Okay, alright, maybe I am exaggerating. I suppose it is the fact that I have been in so many of them that I have faced nearly every type of wedding you could have: indoors, outdoors, traditional church, gothic, beach. I have been to every form of shower that is feasible: bridal, honey-do, couple, lingerie, recipe, pantry, bachelorette, the list goes on and on. I have suffered through all possible rehearsals with the horrid wedding planners that could ever be imagined. And, worst of all, I have worn the most hideous dresses that have yet been sewn together…scraps of material that had no right to be forged into a gown.

Seriously.

Since weddings have been my religion in the past few years, I have grown more knowledgeable than any unmarried woman should possibly be. I dream about flying bouquets and I perpetually hum the wedding march beneath my breath. I have even started to classify brides into strict categories. To begin, there is the controlling bride, affectionately known as Bride-zilla, and then there is the meek and mild “I am so in love that I don’t care about any of the details” bride. I would definitely prefer the former. Sure, you get yelled at and bossed around, but at least Ms. ‘Zilla has her shit together. With the whimsical, on the wings of love bride, someone else is always stuck with the last minute issues and problems that inevitably arise.

And, as luck would have it, that someone is always me.

I have had no life in the past twenty-four months…how could I when every waking moment is consumed with tulle, white cakes, flowers, and frilly invitations? If I see one more bridal magazine, I am going to take a flying leap off a ten story building. But, it ain’t over yet.

The worst of all fates has befallen me…not only have I been saddled with a Wings of Love bride for wedding #6, she has also done the unthinkable. Oh yes, she has managed to pull it off in a devilish, clever fashion. A Christmas wedding. The horror!

Thus, not only has Christina sucked up the past two months of my life, she is also taking away my holiday, as well! No family get-togethers for me, no leisure lounge fest in my pajamas as I slowly open presents, no wishing upon Christmas stars, no stockings hung by the fireplace with care!

Maybe I sound selfish or petty, but I want my life back, please. My Christmas morning is going to be spent having my hair bobby-pinned into ringlets and curls while I try and calm the frazzled nerves of a soon to be wedded woman. I can just feel the warm and fuzzy holiday spirits washing over me.

Taking a hairpin curve at record speed, I ponder over my own weakness when it comes to being a bridesmaid. I can never say no, though I suppose I should. I could save myself so many headaches and problems if I politely declined. But, these girls are my friends and I can’t disappoint them.

So, suck it up and drive on…I’m on my way to the rehearsal and mind-numbing boredom.

After parking my car and traipsing through the snow in my smart high heels, I wrench the door of the church open and am greeted with a warm rush of air. Immediately, Christina bombards me with her bouquet of ribbons and bows that we made from the wrappings at her bridal shower. Her mahogany eyes are wide with alarm as I understand that the Wings of Love have finally drifted her back down to earth. Now, I shall have the worried and completely nervous bride-to-be.

“Geneva, I think the flowers don’t match the dresses at all, and maybe the cake is not going to be the way I imagined it, and what if my veil gets caught while I’m walking down the aisle, and I think that I forgot to order a meal for someone tonight at the rehearsal dinner, and…”

“X-tina, that is enough!” I call out firmly, grabbing her shoulders and giving a little shake, “Everything is going to be fine. You leave it to me.”

A whoosh of air exits my friend’s lungs as she shoots a grateful smile my way, “I knew you would manage it…you’re always so capable.”

Therefore, the capable one calls the restaurant on her cell phone and orders one more dinner, followed by checking in with the bakery to make sure the cake is coming along well, ending with a speed dial to the florist to be assured that the flowers are, indeed, ruby red.

My work is never complete.

With a tired smile, I take my scolding from the wedding planner for being late, and line up for the routine practice march down the aisle. Glancing around, I feel an irrational surge of anger as I link arms with my paired groomsman. He is most likely fifteen years old with a wide, suggestive grin covering his face.

Great, I get the one who has barely sailed past the flags of puberty. Never mind that the only handsome, single, and legal aged groomsman is two couples behind me. Why couldn’t Christina have paired me with the hunk-o-rama? Isn’t that supposed to be the benefit of being a bridesmaid…you should have your choice of the hot men!

As I walk down the aisle with perfectly timed precision, the child next to me keeps trying to loop his arm about my waist so that his fingers rest on my rear end. Nice, being felt up by a minor. Must I…must I really put up with this?

“It’s only one more day…” I mutter beneath my breath, wishing and hoping and planning and dreaming that after X-tina’s Christmas wedding I will be free and clear from this drama for many years to come.

A serial bridesmaid can hope!

***

The name of the game is how many glasses of champagne I can suck down before the reception is over. The conclusion is I know I will empty the fountain before the night is out. I have mastered this technique well.

So, the wedding went off without a hitch. No one tripped, nothing crazy marred the ceremony and I have one happy bride dancing on the floor with her husband. Somehow, I feel like it is my accomplishment…after all, I smoothed her nerves, held her hand while she freaked, and brought her down to earth when she forgot about all the minor details. I’m like a proud parent watching a child totter away on her own.

A proud, drunk parent.

“Genevaaaa!” a childish wail is produced, dragging my name on and on. Glancing down, I realize a pint-sized flower girl has attached herself to my leg as though she were a barnacle…the production from the first marriage I was ever a part of cementing. Little Lucy is three years old now, and I can remember her parent’s wedding as though it were only yesterday.

Dragging the wee burden out to the dance floor, I do a couple of rounds with her before finding myself way too dizzy to keep it up. Surveying the room with drunken clarity, I spot the sexy groomsman in the corner talking it up with a cousin of Christina’s. His dark eyes glance up just as I am drooling over his cheekbones and I flush a bit to be caught staring. Wracking my brain, I manage to produce a name to go with his lickable complexion…Orlando.

Wish I would have persuaded Christina to set us up, but when did I have the time? I have been stuck in wedding showers and the bustle of Christmas for too long. The sex bomb is out of my reach and I am stuck with the under-aged…a tiny child dancing partner and a teenager who is still leering at me from a distance.

Making the rounds, I get the customary speeches and phrases about how beautiful the bride is, how lovely the ceremony was, how this shade of red on my dress rather flushes my skin out. Wonderful. Why must people always be so damn blunt?

Things are going well, things are going smoothly…wedding #6 is almost in the bag. Meandering over to refill my champagne glass, I immediately feel a presence behind me. Turning suddenly, my eyes meet an old friend, one who is grinning and reaching her newly engaged hand out to me.

“Geneva, how are you, darling?” Mandy gushes, her blue eyes gleaming in the dim lighting, “I have been meaning to get you alone all night. There is something I have been dying to ask you but every time I call lately all I get is the busy tone.”

Oh, snap. She is about to ask me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding! Sheer panic takes over my form as I feel a cool sweat begin to cover my face. I can’t do this again, I am not about to be in wedding #7. Abort, abort, abort!

“Mandy,” I gasp out quickly, backing away from her with the suaveness of an oversized wildebeest, “I will be right back. I just see someone over there that I must talk to before they leave the reception!”

Her face falls a bit in disappointment as I dash away, losing myself in the crowd. The game of this wedding has changed…no more champagne, I must be sharp and have all my senses around me. Avoiding Mandy is the name of the new game, and I will win at all costs.

Ducking and weaving, I delude my poor friend for half an hour before the danger zone surrounds me. I spot her headed my way, a determined glint in her gaze and I lose all control. Turning around and falling into a full sprint, I run face first into a solid chest that is clad in a black tuxedo.

Looking up in surprise, I realize I have collided into Mr. Sexy Pants himself. Not caring about anything at this point, I glance over my shoulder and realize Mandy is still on her trek towards me.

“Listen,” I screech wildly at Orlando, grabbing the collar of his suit jacket and tugging like the hysterical, overwrought bridesmaid that I am, “She is on her way, she is going to make me be in wedding #7, I can’t handle it, I can’t take it, I need a life of my own, the weddings suck me in, I can’t buy another hideous bridesmaid dress! You have to help me! Hide me…shield me…I don’t care how you do it, just stop her from sealing my doom!”

The plan of getting myself sober obviously didn’t work.

Orlando’s chocolate eyes widen a bit as he places both hands on my shoulders. He looks beyond me and assumedly focuses on the determined picture that Mandy makes. Pity glimmers in his gaze as he looks back down to me, an amused grin creeping up on his lips.

“You’re Geneva, right?” he questions softly.

“No time for that now!” I yelp nervously, fidgeting beneath his fingers, “She is almost upon us!”

“Mistletoe,” Orlando states simply, nodding his head in a serious fashion that causes his curls to fall a bit from their slicked back state.
“Huh?” I inquire just as he leans in and presses those delicious lips against my own.

Suddenly I see…I see everything. Who gives a rat’s ass about Mandy and that question she was going to ask me? Who cares that I will most likely be stuck in wedding #7 against my will? What does it matter that I just made a complete and utter fool of myself in front of one of the hottest guys of all time?

The only thing that comes close to being important in my little world is the feel of his lips upon mine and the way my legs have immediately turned to limp linguini. Who knew a kiss could be like this, so gentle and smooth and yet intoxicating at the same time…wedding #6 has just become my favorite of all.

When Orlando pulls away, he smiles down softly at me, his thumb rubbing against the side of my face. My eyes dart up for just an instant to study the blessed mistletoe that is hanging over us and I thank the stars that I convinced Christina to decorate with the holiday plant.

“She’s gone,” I sigh, looking over my shoulder and feeling a bit disappointed.
“Nah,” Orlando answers with a mischievous grin, “I think I see her coming back.”

With those words, he kisses me again and I feel the Christmas spirit surging through me with ultimate clarity. I love weddings, I could be a bridesmaid forever. Was I actually complaining before?

“You know,” Orlando breathes into my ear when his lips stop their motions, “I have been wanting to talk to you ever since this wedding nonsense began…but you’re always running the show and too busy. Glad I finally caught you, hopefully you are free from wedding obligations now, free on Friday night, perhaps?”

And so, twelve months later, wedding #7 finally caught me in its trap…but, this time, it was my own.


*******************