Uniformed gingerbread men lay helpless upon a cold stainless steel cookie tray as the last of their raw dough brethren was laid down to rest beside them. Staring up emotionlessly as their captor hoisted the festive snacks into the air the group was silent as the oven door creaked open heralding their fate. Rattling as the tray grinded along the rails of the second row over the hot coils the doomed gingerbread men where cast in an ominous red glow as the door shut behind them. Sweet water soon began to sweat off the tortured cookie beings as their dough began to rise and stiffen as they slowly were cooked alive.
Eager green eyes stared through the glass window longingly impatiently waiting for the gingerbread men to finish so their final preparation could begin. Glancing at the kitchen timer counting down on the counter the small white kit sighed as he pushed his bangs out of his face and began to fidget eyeing the dials that controlled the oven. Pushing a chair over to the stove the cub clambered up and reached out a paw to carefully increase the temperature setting thus speeding up the process of making cookies. Stepping into the kitchen a tan furred hare shooed the cub out as he pulled his paw away from the oven and led him out into the living room.
“Don’t play with the stove Collin you might get burned.” Trent said he ushered the boy past the Christmas tree and towards the stairs, “I’ll call you down when they are done, if your bored have your dad tell you a story.”
Giving the retreating hare a long suffering look Collin climbed up the stairs and turned the corner of the landing into the long office space where he found his father. Sitting in front of the computer desk a lanky ferret with a sandy colored pelt was busy plunging in cables between the tower and the family’s hand held camcorder. With a whispered ‘yes’ Collin’s father finally began downloading the school Christmas pageant to the computer so it could be emailed to the rest of the extended family. Creeping behind his dad as he watched Collin hop across the screen in his homemade Rudolph costume the kit stealthily snuck by and into his parents’ room.
Closing the door behind him as quietly as he could the little fox/raccoon began to search for hidden presents. Crawling into the back of the walk-in closet Collin pushed army fatigues and hanging suits aside checking each corner making sure to place everything he picked up back as he found it. Clambering up onto of his dad’s foot locker let the small cub peek over the top of the high shelf which was devoid of packages but laden with hats, an old boot polishing kit, and books. Stepping out of the closet with a sigh Collin got on all fours and wiggled under the bed confident any monsters had taken their leave until night fall.
Lifting the lid of a collection of fancy boxes revealed a number of old fashion suits and customs befitting a long past age. Pushing the antique clothes aside Collin managed to crawl up under the headboard and the only remaining space he hadn’t searched yet. Beside a long black drycleaners bag sat a pair of black army boots that the kit’s father no longer used as they had be phased out of the uniform policy. Oddly enough the left boot had Collin’s dad’s spare prosthetic inside instead of his new desert boot.
Taking hold of the prosthetic carefully the kit pondered why his father had changed out his boot before an idea struck him. Reaching over for the drycleaners bag with a determined face the cub opened the zipper revealing a bright red fluffy coat and pants. Smiling grimly Collin nodded in understanding putting two and two together as he zipped the bag up and returned the boot to its rightful place. Carefully making his way out from under the bed the kit jumped as he heard his name called out from down stairs.
“Collin the cookies are done,” His dad called out as foot steps approached the room, “Where are you?”
Hopping onto the bed as the door opened the small cub feigned sleep as the ferret came in.
“What are you up too?” Andrew asked as he gave Collin a gentle shake.
“Nothing,” The kit replied rubbing his eyes as he acted out his ploy, “The cookies done?”
“Yes,” The ferret answered eyeing his son suspiciously as he helped him off the bed, “Come on before Trent uses up all the frosting.”
Quickly descending the stairs Collin scampered into the kitchen and climbed into his chair as Trent finished placing the last of the cookie toppings on the table. A big bowl of white frosting sat surrounded by small bowls and cups filled with different colored icing, sugar sprinkles, chocolate chips, and candied cherries. Taking a hold of a warm gingerbread man the kit placed his cookie down on his plate and rubbed his chin in his paw as he thought over how to proceed. In a highly stylized fashion the cub slathered a thick coating of white frosting on as a base then drizzled red icing for a smile and hand and leg cuffs.
Collin continued to place chocolate chips down the front of his gingerbread man as buttons Trent covered his cookie with red and green sprinkles. On the other side of the table Andrew was strategically placing a cherry on top of his gingerbread man as his created a fashionable hat for his treat. Working diligently through the plate of cookies the family placed their artistic creations on display and critiqued and commented on how cute or funny looking they turned out. Reaching the last cookie Andrew held up the unadorned sweet treat and considered the possibilities.
“Should we make one up special for Santa Claus?” The ferret held the gingerbread man out for Collin to take, “Would you like to do the honors?”
“He’s not real you know,” The kit said taking the offered cookie carefully and placed it down on his plate looking wistfully, “Why bother?”
“Not real?” Andrew said looking mortified and held a paw over his chest, “Not real, how you know that?”
“I just do,” Collin said as he spread icing over his cookie avoiding eye contact, “I’ve never seen him for real and I know the one at the mall was just pretending his beard was a fake.”
“How can you be sure if you never seen him for your self?” Trent asked as he pushed the bowl of sprinkles across the table, “There’s a lot of things you know exist that you can’t see.”
“Yeah but this is different,” The kit said as he tapped a line of glittering sugar granules onto the gingerbread man, “People have been to the north pole nothings there.”
“You don’t believe in magic?” The ferret asked as he popped a candied cherry into his mouth, “How else could reindeer fly? Its magic I say.”
“Magic’s not real ether,” Collin said as he blew his bangs out of his black face masked and gave his dad a condescending look, “People just use it to explain what they don’t understand or can’t prove.”
“So since no one has proved Santa doesn’t exist couldn’t you say there’s a possibility he could?” Trent asked diplomatically, “No one really can say one way or the other.”
“I guess not,” The kit admitted as he played with a few chocolate chips making a necklace for his gingerbread man.
“So just in case I say we leave out some cookies and a glass of milk for Santa,” Andrew said as he scrutinized a finished cookie and licked his lips, “If he does come I’m sure he’ll be grateful.”
“And some carrots,” Trent chimed in as both Collin and his mate looked as him with raised eyebrows, “For the reindeer of course. Hard working little guys deserve a snack too.”
“Right,” The ferret grinned at his partner then gave his son a longing look, “So will you give Santa a chance and leave out some cookies?”
Finishing his cookie Collin placed it down next to the others and looked up at his dad’s expectant face. Weighing what he had seen under the bed and Trent’s argument the kit came to a decision.
“We can leave out some cookies,” The cub agreed but held out his paw before his father with a serious expression, “But you got to promise not to eat them yourself. You got to swear on it.”
“I swear,” Andrew said solemnly as he shook Collin’s paw, “I don’t want Santa upset with me and end up with a bunch of coal in my stocking.”
“Remember you promised,” Collin said as he turned to pick out a good cookie fit for a toy making deity, “Santa will be watching.”
“And no staying awake to catch Santa,” Andrew said sternly, “Remember he can see you when you’re sleeping.”
While Collin nodded affirmative Trent got up and picked out a fancy plate and cup for Santa. As the cub placed his chosen cookie down on it the hare went to open the fridge and pulled out a pair of fat carrots and the gallon of milk. Setting the carrots on the plate beside the cookie Trent poured the milk into the cup and let Collin carry the treats into the living room. Setting the offering on the end table before the brightly lit tree Collin then crawled onto the couch as his dad sat down beside him.
Taking a seat before the piano after depositing the milk next to the cookies Trent leafed through his sheet music and opened the keyboard. Placing his paws on the white and black keys the hare played a variety of holiday songs as Andrew and Collin sang along. As he gazed at the tree and the cheerfully wrapped presents underneath Collin grew tired and snuggled up tight against his dad. Wrapping his arms around the kit Andrew rocked his son as Trent changed keys and he sang.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Let your heart be light From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Make the Yule-tide gay, From now on. our troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days. Happy golden days of yore. Faithful friends who are dear to us Gather near to us once more.
Through the years We all will be together, If the Fates allow Hang a shining star upon the highest bough. And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.
Eyes drooping Collin yawned deeply showing off his canine teeth before resting his head against Andrew’s shoulder and falling asleep. Finishing the melody Trent quietly closed the piano and joined his mate on the couch gently stoking Collin’s hair as he dozed. Shifting in his seat Andrew let the hare take the sleeping kit in his arms as they both headed for the stairs. Tucking Collin in both gave him a quick kiss before turning off the lights and closing the door before heading for their own room.
***
“Twas the night before Christmas,” A figure dressed in a red suit and black boots whispered as he made his way into the vacant office space towards the stairs, “And all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”
Stopping before the slumbering rat tucked away safely in his cage upon the file cabinet the mysterious figure pulled out a new chew toy adorned with a ribbon. Opening the cage door softly the intruder placed the block next to the sleeping pet. Closing the door the festively dressed visitor tip toed on to Collin’s room and peered inside.
“The children were nestled all safe in their beds as dreams of sugar plumbs danced in their heads.” The Santa impersonator said as his amber eyes scanned the room falling on the tightly wrapped bundle under the comforter. Turning away the visitor crept down the stairs and peaked around the corner to take in the living room.
“As I drew in my head and was turning around down the chimney St. Nicholas came a bound.” The intruder whispered as he rounded the corner and crept to the kitchen.
Picking up a chair the visitor placed it under the section tiled ceiling of the living room and stepped up onto padded seat. Pushing up gently he lifted one panel and slide it aside. Reaching in with a gloved paw the Santa impersonator pulled out three gift wrapped presents then stepped off his make shift stool.
“A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,” The visitor said as he placed the gifts under the tree, “And he looked like a peddler opening his pack”
After placing the gifts the Patron Saint of Christmas looked down on the couch and smiled as he saw a small kit dozing in the corner clutching a camera. Reaching over the back he lifted the blanket draped over the edge and laid it carefully over the sleeping cub. Turning back to the chair the visitor replaced the panel to its rightful place then returned the chair to the kitchen. Stepping back into the living room the intruder helped himself to the plate of cookies and milk, even nibbling on the carrots left behind.
Turning to leave the Santa paused to consider the sleeping cub and his camera before heading back upstairs. Reaching down carefully the visitor gently lift the camera out of the kit’s paws and set the time before resting the digital device on the table. Then stepping in front of the lens the brightly dressed figure ducked his head as the camera flashed with a beep. Moaning at the sound the cub roiled over and clutched at an end pillow tight as the Santa Claus returned the camera next to the boy.
“And laying a finger along side his nose and giving a nod,” The visitor whispered as he returned to the stairs, “Up the chimney he rose.”
“He sprang to his sleigh to his team gave a whistle,” Old St. Nick stated as he reached the top of the stairs, “An away they all flew like the down of a thistle.”
Opening the door leading into Collin’s parents’ room the visitor poked his head out and recants, “But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of site Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.”
***
Basking in the peaceful realm of sweet dreams Trent happily rested his head upon his pillow sleeping soundly. The hare’s blissful reprieve was suddenly shattered by an insistent tugging that refused to go away. Blue speckled orbs peered into the dim morning as their protective lids drew back exposing them to the disturbance in the room. Gazing back with wide eyes Collin continued to tug urgently announcing his presence to the groaning hare.
“Wake up,” The kit whispered grinning happily, “It’s Christmas!”
“Your father up?” Trent asked as he sat up in bed rubbing his eyes and looking over at the slumbering ferret.
“No,” Collin said as he crawled into the bed with his dads, “I tried to wake him but he won’t get up.”
Glancing at his mate in mild irritation Trent lends over and extends his tongue licking Andrew’s ear. Twitching at the sensation the ferret pulls an arm over his face hiding his sensitive ears and mumbles something incoherently. Giggling at his father antics Collin ducks as Trent gives his mate a sharp prod to the ribs.
“Get up you lazy bum!” The hare states loudly refusing to be the only adult awake at this hour.
“Don’t wanna,” Andrew mumbles as he roils over, “Too tired.”
“But you got presents,” Collin squeaks as he jumps on top of his dad, “Don’t you want to open them?”
With a loud oomph as the kit lands Andrew opens his eyes and retaliates with tickles. As Collin squirms in his arms the ferret finally sits up and yawns.
“Fine you win I’ll get up,” Andrew said as his son giggled and wiggle around, “Now hop down and help Trent make up some hot chocolate while I get ready.”
Once his dad stopped tickling him Collin crawled out of bed and joined Trent who had gotten up and tied a bath robe around his waist. Stepping out as Andrew sat up to strap on his prosthetic the cub followed Trent down stairs into the kitchen. Opening the fridge and pulling out the jug of milk Collin placed the gallon on the table as Trent filled the coffee maker with water to heat up for hot chocolate. As they waited the hare lifted the kit up so he could pull out bags of marshmallows and coco packs from the cabinet.
After the water was hot Trent filled the cups then let Collin tipped the contents of the coco bags in then add a splash of milk before stirring them until the powder dissolved completely. Placing the cups on a tray Trent carried the mugs out to the end table as Andrew finally made his way down stairs stretching as he went. Glancing at the cookie crumbs left on the plate set out the night before the ferret smiled knowingly at his son. Taking a seat on the end of the couch Andrew motioned for Collin to join him as Trent bent down to inspect the gifts under the tree.
“So who’s first?” The ferret asked as sipped his hot chocolate.
“To Collin,” Trent said as he inspected the name tag on the package, “From his Grandma Molly.”
The kit took the package from the hare and pulled the green wrapping free from the box. Lifting the lid revealed a large Lego box set full of classic multi colored building blocks. Admiring the thoughtful gift from his dad’s own adopted mother Collin placed his present on the table as Trent pulled another package free from under the tree. Passing it along to Collin who held it out to his father Andrew opened his own gift from Molly.
“New riding gloves,” The ferret said showed off the leather works as he pulled them on, “Can’t wait to break them in.”
Open his own gift form the old mother hen Trent displayed Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Complete Works for Piano. Moving onto the gifts from Trent’s own parents Collin received a set of First Readers books while Trent and Andrew both got matching sweaters. Pulling out one of the larger gifts shaped in a circle turned out to be an aluminum snow disk that Collin’s dad promised to show off some killer moves much to Trent’s prophecy of misfortune. From Andrew Trent received a new stylish metronome while the ferret received a new leather riding jacket from the hare.
Soon enough the only gifts left under the tree were the presents left be Santa Claus. After Trent handed the kit his present Andrew gazed at the colorful package expectantly as Collin began to open his gift. Pulling the wrapping off the present the kit revealed an old fashion brass pocket watch with chain. Laying the watch down on the table carefully the small cub looked a bit disappointed as he sat back not saying a word.
“What’s wrong honey,” Trent asked as he picked up the watch admiring its craftsmanship, “Is it not what you wanted?”
“I didn’t ask for anything,” Collin said as he stared at the watch, “I told him not to bring me anything.”
“Sweet heart why not?” Andrew asked looking at his son in concern. He had assumed the kit wanted a pocket watch from all the times he caught the boy playing with his own.
“Cause I didn’t want anything,” The kit said fidgeting in his seat staring at his feet. “Cause I know he isn’t real.”
“But your gift and the empty cookie plate,” The ferret pointed out the physical evidence, “Don’t they count for anything?”
“You got the gift and ate the cookie,” Collin said as he reached under the couch for his camera, “Here I can show you.”
Standing up and behind the couch Trent bent over to watch giving his mate a dirty look for being caught so easily. As the trio watched the screen on the digital camera Collin pulled up the picture showing someone dressed as Santa bent under the tree.
“Well that could be anyone including Santa Claus,” Andrew retorted as he pointed at the screen, “You can’t make out a face.”
“But look at his boots,” The kit said as he zoomed in close, “The laces are tucked in the cuff of the boot.”
“How’s that prove that’s not Santa?” Trent asked a bit confused hoping to salvage the situation some way, “Maybe he’s just tidy.”
“But it’s the same way dad wears his boots,” Collin pointed out looking up at his fathers, “And I found dad’s other black army boot on his spare leg under the bed. So that proves it was you.”
“You went snooping under our bed?” Andrew said defensively, “That’s cheating!”
“So is pretending you’re Santa Claus,” Collin huffed out and looked back down with his ears lying flat, “I knew his wasn’t real.”
“Oh honey don’t say that,” Trent said rubbing the cub’s back helplessly, “You never know sure.”
“You really didn’t want anything?” Andrew asked feeling depressed his kid already didn’t believe in Santa, “Is that the only reason you didn’t ask because you didn’t believe in him?”
“No,” Collin said softly and looked up at his dad with round eyes, “I already got what I want for Christmas anyway. I got you two what else would I want?”
“Well it’s not a total loss then.” Andrew said as he pulled Collin in for a tight embrace.
Giving Collin’s shoulder a squeeze Trent joined the hug as the kit cuddled with his adopted fathers. As the kit settled down in his mate’s arms the hare sigh sadly as he made his way to the front door remembering to unplug the outside lights. Shivering a bit as a cold draft invaded the house Trent glanced down as something fell loose to the floor as the door opened. Lying between the storm screen and the wooden door a package wrapped in brown paper rested waiting to be picked up.
Lifting the odd parcel in his paws the hare turned it over noting it was addressed to Collin. Returning to the living room Trent held it out to Andrew with a raised eyebrow.
“Package for Collin,” The hare announced sounding confused, “Want to open it?”
“That’s odd,” Andrew said as he took the bundle inspecting it closely, “Post doesn’t deliver on the holidays.”
Passing the ferret’s scrutiny the parcel was held out for Collin to unwrap. Taking the package and ripping the covers off revealed an old photo album bearing the name Sarah Conway on the front in gilded letters.
“It’s my mom.” Collin breathed stunned at the find and slowly opened the cover.
Inside safely guarded by plastic leafs photos of a female raccoon with brilliant green eyes of every age stared back up at the gawking kit. The same raccoon was seen surrounded by birthday presents marking the years as well as the girl in her high school graduation uniform. Later on in the book there were pictures of the young woman standing in line with a bunch of other students that had to be college friends. Near the end there were pictures of Collin’s mother in her nurses uniform posing with a friend that worked with her at the hospital.
“Oh mom,” The kit whispered as he teared up running his paw longingly over the pictures, “How? How did you find it?”
Andrew gazed down in shock as Collin looked up expectantly with the ferret at a loss. Even Trent looked at his mate clearly mystified at the albums origins.
“I really don’t know kido,” Andrew said honestly at a complete loss, “I never saw this book before. Someone must have left it.”
“But who?” Trent asked looking over the photos with Collin uncertainty in his mind.
“I don’t know but I can take a guess,” The ferret answered as he made out Sarah’s friend’s name on her uniform, “Maybe Santa Claus.”
“Maybe.” Collin whispered as he continued to page through the book grateful to whoever had delivered it even if it had come via flying reindeer.
The album is a widget of plot device. It's going to bring up some of Collin's origins and all the trouble that can rummaging through personal history can bring.
The album is a widget of plot device. It's going to bring up some of Collin's origins and all the t
hmmm that sound really cool cant wait for the next part the. but i have to say eve if it is a plot devise getting a rando. present from outside is still kinda creey hopeyou write who exactly sent it and if you do im guessing it is going to bring in a new character
hmmm that sound really cool cant wait for the next part the. but i have to say eve if it is a plot d
