He’s Coming Home This Christmas
By Elaine
“Oh, Mommy, where are all these people going?” young
Jake shouted through the car loudly enough for his mother to hear.
“It’s Christmas time, Jake,” Trixie called back to the
alert little boy sitting in his booster chair behind her that is why the
policemen are directing traffic in the parking lot.
“I hope we can find Daddy the perfect present.” Jake
scratched his red head under his cap.
“Honey, no matter what we pick for Daddy, he’s going
to love it. Don’t worry, we’ll find him the perfect gift, even if it isn’t on
sale.”
“He’s the bestest dad ever,” Jake said sadly. “I miss
him, Mommy. Is he ever coming home?
“Yes, don’t worry; he’s coming home as soon as his job
lets him.”
“Why did he join the Air Force, Mom?” He didn’t know
why his father wanted to be in the military.
“Because, son, his father before him was an Air Force
officer.”
“Grandpa Frayne died, though, didn’t he?” Jake asked.
“Yes, a long time ago.” Trixie quickly steered their
minivan into a parking lot and pushed the button to open the sliding door. Her
8 year old son was already out of his booster seat and standing beside her
while she unlocked the car seat for her infant daughter so she could carry the
two week old child into the store with her.
“Jake, wait by my side and you can ride in the cart. I
don’t want you getting lost today.”
“I will,” Jake nodded at his mother. He was trying to
be on his best behavior; he knew the story that he would only get a lump of
coal for a present if he was bad quite well.
“Katje should have come with us.” Jake looked around
the busy store thinking of his slightly older sister.
“She’s at home making Daddy his present with Aunt
Honey. She didn’t want to come with us this time,” Trixie told her son. “I am
taking her shopping tomorrow instead.” Trixie knew from experience shopping
for presents was better off done separately so that the kids wouldn’t argue
over who got who what present.
She picked Jake up and sat him in the back of the
cart. Jake would only ride in there so he could watch his little sister; he
was protective of the baby.
Suddenly he started singing with the music that was
surrounding them from the store's intercom system.
“Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, it’s the best time of
the year.”
Trixie looked at her son and smiled as she noticed how
he leaned over his little sister's car seat and moved her blankets back to
watch her sleeping; his little gloved hand holding her tiny pink fingers
gently. It was enough to make her stop and take a picture so she could send it
to Jim. With a couple clicks of her phone he’d have that picture and Jake's
little song too.
“Mommy?” Jake noticed her filming them; he blushed.
“Son, your daddy loves presents like these,” she
promised. “He misses you so much and he hasn’t even met Kelly yet.”
He didn’t get what she meant by that. “What present?”
he asked in a high pitched voice.
“You singing that song to your sister,” Trixie
continued. “I filmed that and sent it to him. He’ll think that is the most
special thing of all Jake.”
“He’ll like that?” Jake frowned as he tried to
understand why something so normal would be interesting.
“You’ll understand why when you are a father yourself,
Jake.” Trixie giggled. “Let’s hurry and figure out that perfect present to
send.”
“I’ll bet he’d like a new video game,” Jake said
loudly as they drew closer to the electronic department, “Or a new
fishing pole, Mom.”
“I know you would like a new video game.”
Trixie grabbed his arm to help steady him as he quickly climbed out of the
cart to run and see if they had the game he wanted.
She paused a few moments to get her daughter out of
the carrier and cradled her in her arms. Kelly was so little and so sweet;
Trixie just wanted to hold her close as she pushed the cart along with the
carrier inside.
She missed her husband a lot, and even more so when he
was stationed overseas at Christmastime. Jim was due to get a furlough in a
few days, but she hadn’t mentioned that to her son yet because Jim wanted that
to be a surprise. He also promised her that he wouldn’t reenlist; he was
coming home for good.
“Mommy, this one,” Jake started shouting excitedly
jumping up and down. “They have it. They have it. Get it for Daddy. Get it for
when he comes home. We can play it together.”
Her young son was making a scene but she just smiled
as she motioned for the associate to get the game that her son wanted so
badly. She knew that Jim would prefer something else but she let her son be
the judge of what he bought for his dad. He earned that money in his pocket
fair and square by picking up all his toys before he went to bed and helping
to sweep the front steps of their house after school. He didn’t have a
lot of chores yet, but she was teaching him the value of honest work.
“You know, I’ll bet your father would like a nice new
coat for Christmas,” Trixie said practically.
“He wears his uniform jacket, Mom. He doesn’t need a
new coat. He’d rather have a shiny new bicycle,” Jake argued still thinking of
the things he’d like.
“He doesn’t wear it when he is at home with us and
something tells me it will be cold when he returns. He already has a
bicycle, Jake.”
“Really?” Jake studied her expression. “Do I have
enough money for a coat and this game? You won’t make me put my game back,
will you?”
“I think we can swing it,” Trixie answered. She just
received a Christmas bonus from work so the extra money wouldn’t be a problem,
but still she wanted him to appreciate Christmas for the special time of year
it was and not for the materialistic things you could buy.
“I’ll pay for that back here,” Trixie told the
saleswoman.
“Yes, ma`am,” The saleswoman nodded politely.
Jake pulled out his money and held it up to the lady
when she called out a price. “Mommy, that is only 50 dollars she said $52.05.”
Jake turned to his mother and stared at her, not knowing what to do about the
fact that he didn’t have enough for even the game.
“So she did.” Trixie laughed. “You forgot about this
week's allowance, Jake; it’s still in my purse.”
“I haven’t picked up my toys and made my bed this week
yet, Mom. Can I really have that early?” Jake wasn’t used to getting it early,
especially when his dad wasn’t home to say just this one time you can have
that.
“Do you promise to do that all week?” She asked.
Jake nodded. “Katje will do her chores too.”
“I am sure your sister will have her own opinion about
chores.” Trixie answered. “Your word is your bond.” Trixie reached down and
found a 5 dollar bill to hand to him.
“Wow, most people just have greedy give-me-this-kids,”
the saleswoman commented.
“Mine get like that too, sometimes,” Trixie answered.
“But I am trying to instill a work ethic whenever possible. It’s not always
easy because their grandparents spoil them rotten.”
“That is a great idea. I am expecting my first child
in April. I hope I have the time to remember that when she’s older.” The girl
handed Jake his change and then gave the game to his mother to hold on to.
The rest of the shopping trip was spent picking out a
toy that Jake thought Katje would like and, with Trixie’s help, he found Aunt
Honey a pretty locket that she could put his picture inside along with the
baby’s picture.
“What about Katje? Doesn’t that thing have a place for
more pictures?” Jake didn’t like that his sister would be left out.
Soon he decided that the electronic locket that ran on
batteries was better because they could upload digital pictures to it and Aunt
Honey could load a lot of pictures.
“I like that gadget.” Trixie said "Oh" as she saw what
it did.
“Mommy, I really need a raise,” Jake said loudly. “I
spent so much money I am already into you for 4 weeks advance on my
allowance.”
“Oh, that is horrible. Maybe you need another
job,” a familiar voice said from behind them.
“Hi Grandpa!” Jake smiled at his Grandpa Belden who
walked up behind his mother. “Hi Grandma!” He got to see his grandparents a
lot since they were his next door neighbors. Trixie and Jim built a house on
the property he inherited after his great uncle died a few years; it was next
to Crabapple farm where her parents still lived.
“Do you have anything you want done?” Jake eyed his
grandpa hoping he’d say yes.
“I guess I could think of a few things,” Peter
answered as he pretended to think, then he clicked his fingers and said,
“Grandma needs someone to help her sample her gingerbread cookies.” He poked
his tummy.
“Dad,” Trixie gasped. “That isn’t a job.”
“Now, daughter you had the job of tasting gingerbread
cookies when you were little, did you not?” Peter frowned at his daughter. “I
also need someone to help me clean out my car.” He held up a 20 dollar bill.
“Wow, I can eat gingerbread cookies all day.” Jake’s
green eyes got wide.
“No, you can’t, you’d get sick,” Trixie warned.
“We are almost finished with his Christmas shopping,”
she told her parents.
“I still need to do mine but not with the munchkin
under foot.”
“Jake can come with us. We have loads of work to be
done. I’ve been shopping.” Helen said to her grandson, “You know my back still
hurts I simply can’t get all those things in the house and gift wrapped by
myself.”
“I can help.” Jake shouted. “I’ll go with them, Mommy,
and Grandpa can drive me home later.”
“Okay,” Trixie sighed. “Don’t run away from them
though if you get lost, this crowd of people will swallow you up.”
“They will not.” Jake laughed thinking his mom was
being silly.
“Such a day,” Trixie sighed as
she fed her baby a bottle a few minutes later. She was exhausted. Jim's
call just came through to her cell phone. He was announcing his trip
back home and that he’d arrive in time for the Wheelers’ Christmas Party.
“Did you get my email of Jake singing Kelly a
Christmas song?” Trixie asked.
“Yes and that is so adorable. I already have it up on
the Internet for everyone to see. He’s adorable, Trix,” Jim said happily. “I
miss you guys so much I could cry. I don’t know how you did it; being in the
military is hard.”
“I did it when I was in there the same way you are
now,” Trixie answered him. “I took it one day at a time. Now you see why I
didn’t reenlist.”
“You couldn’t, you were pregnant.” Jim laughed.
She agreed with that statement. “Can you call me back
in a half hour? I am about to head home.”
“Where are you?” Jim asked as he heard the loud
speaker announcing a sale in the shoe department.
“I am at the store,” she answered. “Kelly is going to
need a diaper change in a few minutes. Jake’s got his Christmas shopping done
and he’s with my mom and dad now. Honey is bringing Katje home in a few
minutes.”
“Okay, I’ll call back in an hour. I am just getting
ready to leave for the airport. I’ll be home in about two days. I love you,
Trixie.”
“I love you too, Jim.”
In the next hour Trixie managed to make it home, clean
up the baby, and wrap the gifts that Jake bought before Honey brought Katje
back from her house and left again.
It would be the longest day ever keeping the secret
from her kids that their dad was coming home, but she went about her day
washing clothes and cooking dinner, tending to the baby and keeping Katje out
of her latest presents under the Christmas tree. Tomorrow would be a repeat of
today so Katje could go Christmas shopping as well. She was grateful for one
thing, and that was that the maternity leave that she was allowed to take
after the birth of her daughter meant she could spend much needed time with
her kids and her husband once he got there.
As she lay in her bed that night she kept wishing for
a perfect Christmas, hoping she’d get everything she always wanted. Kelly
could meet her daddy and her older children could see him too.
Two days would pass quicker than she realized. The
morning Jim was due to return, Trixie helped Honey and her parents prepare for
the Wheeler annual Christmas party at Manor House. Decorations were arranged;
fires were raging in the many fireplaces throughout the mansion. He’d be
there in a few minutes and the excitement was beginning to make her really
feel anxious.
“What has you so worked up?” her brother Mart asked as
he studied her almost pacing the floor.
“Nothing,” Trixie answered. “The kids are excited
about the party and seeing Santa Claus. It's Christmas. Why shouldn't I
be?”
“Everyone is going to be here, right?” Mart flashed a
suspicious smile; he already guessed what was making his sister so anxious.
Suddenly, Mart’s two boys entered running through the
huge entryway followed happily by Jake and Katje.
“Wow, those kids have enough energy to light up every
Christmas ornament on the place,” Mr. Wheeler commented..
“I am sorry they are being a bother. Jake, enough!”
Trixie warned loudly.
“Oh Mom,” Jake whined.
“Boys,” Mart warned his own sons.
“Sorry, Dad,” his oldest answered.
“Hey, have you seen Tom lately?” Celia interrupted.
“Not for an hour or so.” Matthew answered the maid.
Tom was Celia's husband, but he was also the Wheelers' chauffeur. At a party
such as this one, though, he was always someplace close.
“Okay, that snow outside just has me worried,” Celia
answered. “Did you send him somewhere to pick up someone?”
“He had to run to the airport,” Mr. Wheeler said
casually. “He should be back any minute.”
Trixie kept watching the front door as everyone
mingled. People were singing Christmas carols by the piano while others
were watching Santa giving out presents to the many children. Still others
were eating the Christmas cookies and candies.
Suddenly it was as if the entire house went silent at
the same moment when a blast of cold air flooded the room. Tom carried
in several duffle bags. Another man entered with his arms full of
presents piled so high that you couldn’t see his face.
Trixie’s face broke into a huge grin. She
quickly handed the baby to her mother and started towards the person with all
the presents.
“Hey, more presents.” Jake nudged his sister Katje.
“Did Grandpa send out for more from Santa?”
“I don’t know,” Katje answered just about the time the
man with the bags of presents put them on the floor and stood back up.
He wore a uniform.
Jake screamed. Then Katje screamed.
Trixie approached him, still smiling brightly. Jim
reached out and grabbed her up for a gigantic bear hug, twirling her around in
circles as he kissed her hello.
“Oh Daddy!” Katje shouted as she ran to hug his left
leg. Jake got his right leg.
“Okay,” Jim laughed as he nearly fell over. “Kids,
just a minute.”
“No, when did you get home? How long can you stay? Did
you bring me presents?” The kids were asking loudly. Soon all his nieces and
nephews wanted in on the action.
“Wow,” Trixie stood back watching as she approached
her mother.
“It looks like he surprised more than one person,”
said Helen.
“I know. It’s all I ever wanted for Christmas.”
“Show him his new daughter,” Honey urged.
“Oh.” Trixie looked down at the baby dressed in a
beautiful green velvet dress. She looked so cute.
“Kids, I want to meet Kelly, just give me a minute,”
Jim said loudly. He pulled away from the kids.
“Trixie?”
“She’s awake.” Trixie held her up.
“Oh my baby,” Jim gasped. He took her from his
wife and hugged her. He started to cry. “I am home to stay.” Jim grabbed
Trixie up for a gentle hug, too.
The rest of the party took on a whole new reason to
celebrate Christmas. The coming year was destined to be a happy one.
The End