I wanted to ask Santa

Saturday night
Somewhere in Washington
It was late – or early, depending on your point of view – almost two o'clock in the morning and Harm and Mac were on their way back from a late night movie. They were discussing the movie's plot when Mac suddenly stopped walking and turned around.
"Did you see that?"
"See what?" Harm asked surprised.
"I thought I saw a child, a little girl." She scrutinized the street, slowly turning around her axis. Suddenly she spotted a movement. "There!" she pointed.
Harm followed her finger and indeed only fifty yards away walked a little girl. She wore only a jacket over her pyjamas and little wellies on her feet. He and Mac looked at each other. Who would approach her? They didn't want to scare her.
Harm took the first step.
"Hi, little one, where are you going?"
"To Santa Claus," the little girl answered, walking on.
"Why?" Harm said a bit taken about.
"To ask for presents," the girl stated like it was the most normal thing. But now Harm realized she was shivering in the night air and quickly shrugged of his jacket. He scooped the little girl up and wrapped her in it.
"Santa has gone home, to Mrs Santa," he told her. "They are sleeping now."
The girl looked up to him, wide-eyed. Her lower lip started to shiver.
"He is sleeping now?"
"Yes," Mac stepped in. "And you should be in bed as well. Where do you live?"
Her somewhat stern voice scared the girl and she clung unto Harm. He wrapped his jacket a bit tighter around her.
"Don't be afraid," he said. "We will find your mummy. What's your name, pumpkin?"
"Evie," the girl said in a small voice. By now they had reached the car and Harm was glad for it was rather chilly in only his sweater.
"Right, Evie. Can auntie Mac hold you for a moment?"
It was clear that wasn't to the liking of the girl. She pulled a lip and tears welled up in her big brown eyes.
"Looks like you have to drive," Harm addressed Mac. He didn't want the girl to start crying. Mac nodded.
"Where are the keys?"
Harm shifted Evie onto his left arm and pulled the car keys out of his right pocket. Mac opened the door for him and with an effort he managed to sit down with the girl on his lap.
"You better drive to the nearest police station," he advised Mac. "I can't buckle up with her in my arms and she should be in a child's seat."
Mac knew he was right. She turned the car and it didn't take long before she parked in front of the Fifth District Station. Walking around the car she held the door for Harm again and together, Evie still sitting on Harm's arm, they walked inside.
The duty officer stood behind the counter. His eyes widened.
"What do we have here?"
"I'm Commander Harmon Rabb, US Navy, and this in Colonel MacKenzie, US Marine Corps," Harm said. "About fifteen minutes ago we came out of a movie theatre and walked back to our car. That's when we saw this little girl walking on the street. Her name is Evie and she was looking for Santa Claus."
"Okay." The man picked up a phone, said a few words and within seconds a second policeman appeared, beckoning them to follow him. They were led to a small room with a table and a few chairs.
"I'll be with you in a minute," the man promised. "Coffee?"
"Yes please."
True to his words he was back in a few minutes, carrying a tray with three Styrofoam beakers with coffee and one with lemonade. Evie reached out for it greedily but when the man came too close, she shrank back and hid her face against Harm's chest. Mac bit back a smile. 'He really has a way with women,' she thought, 'big or small.'
"What can you tell me?" the officer asked, sitting down as well.
"Not much," Harm replied. "We came out of the movies on Helm Street and were walking east to our car when Mac," he tilted his head towards her, "spotted this little girl. Her name is Evie and she was on her way to find Santa Claus." Against his chest Evie nodded.
"Mummy says there won't be presents so I went to ask Santa," she explained. "But it was dark and cold and uncle Harm said Santa is asleep now." She sniffed. "Santa will bring presents, right?"
"Yes, he will," Harm reassured her, immediately making his mind up that this little sweetheart would have something under the tree on Christmas morning.
"Evie, do you know where you live?" the officer went on.
"With mummy and Jeremy and Laurie."
"That's great, but do you know which street?"
Silently the girl shook her head and again her lip started to quiver. The officer decided not to push. After all, upsetting the girl wouldn't help. Instead he rose and said "I'll notify the other stations. I also call Child Protection; if we don't manage to locate her folks, they will take care of her."
For a second Harm gritted his teeth; he had seen in too many cases involving Child Protection wasn't in the best interest of the child, but he knew it was the law.
The officer left to make the phone calls and they waited. Evie had rested her head on Harms chest once more and slowly dozed off. Harm sat motionless in order not to disturb her. From behind her eyelashes Mac watched them. 'He would make such a good dad, one day,' she mused. She could only hope she would make an equally good mother.

It wasn't before long that the officer returned.
"We found the mother," he declared. "She already contacted the police herself, after she found out her daughter was missing. It seems the little girl slipped out of bed and managed to open the door by herself. She will be here in about ten minutes."
And indeed, ten minutes later a distressed mother rushed into the room. She al but snatched her daughter out of Harm's arms and held her close, smothering her with hugs and kisses.
"O my baby girl, I was so afraid!"
Finally she looked at Harm and Mac. Her eyes were full of tears.
"Thank you so much."
"Why are you crying, mummy?" Evie asked drowsily, patting her mother's cheek.
"Because I was so afraid when I didn't find you in your bed," her mother told her. "It was very naughty of you to go out on the street on your own. Luckily these two nice people found you."
Shifting her daughter on her arm she reached out to give both Harm and Mac a hug. "Thank you very much! I'm so grateful you saw her and took care of her. By the way, I'm Gayle Walker."
"Harmon Rabb and Sarah MacKenzie," Harm introduced Mac and himself.
"What happened?" Mac asked curiously.
"I don't know. I checked on the kids when I went to bed and about two hours later I woke up to find Evie's bed empty. I had one of my neighbours sit with the other children when I notified the police and went out to search."
The officer re-entered the room.
"Ma'am, a Child Protection's worker is here to talk to you."
The mother looked at Harm and Mac.
"Sorry, I have to talk to him."
"Don't worry; we know. We'll be in touch," Mac promised.

Sunday evening
Gayle Walker's house
They came early, at 6.30pm so they could see the children before they would be in bed. When she saw Harm and Mac little Evie rushed to greet them while her older brother and little sister followed at a more quiet pace. Politely Jeremy shook hands when he introduced himself and his little sister Laurie. From the background their mother looked with a broad smile on her face.
Gayle went to get coffee and Jeremy returned to his toys. He was building a little windmill from Knexx but the struggled with the construction and the wheels didn't want to turn.
"Sir, can you help me?"
Dutifully Harm sat next to him and pretty soon he managed to find the flaw and make the windmill work.
"Thank you, Sir. I appreciate your help. Mummy is not good at this."
"Can't your daddy help you?"
"I don't have a dad. Well, I have but he is a marine and is defending our country," the boy told them proudly. Then he looked glum. "I miss him."
"I guess you do. When I was your age, I didn't have a dad either," Harm said.
"Did he write or call?" Jeremy wanted to know.
Harm shook his head. "No, my dad was a navy aviator. When I was five he went missing in action in Vietnam."
"Is he dead?"
"Yes, he died."
"I'm sorry, Sir," the boy said sincerely. Harm had to swallow a lump.
Luckily Laurie came, dragging a tattered book with her and wanted to be read to. Harm lifted her on his lap and started reading. Jeremy and Evie sat at his feet and listened, too. When the book was finished their mother announced "Time for bed, guys."
"Uncle Harm must see my room," Jeremy declared.
"Mine too"!" Evie was not to be left out.
"I'll come and see both of your rooms," Harm said. "And Laurie's, too."
"Evie and Laurie share," Gayle told. She took over her youngest daughter so Harm could stand and follow Jeremy to a tiny room. There was no bed in it; the mattress was on the ground. Harm frowned. The boy saw him look.
"I was jumping on my bed and it broke," he said. "Mummy says I get a new one as soon as she has money for it."
It wasn't before long the kids were in their pyjamas and had washed their faces and hands and brushed their teeth. Gayle gave them a goodnight kiss and all three wanted to hug their new aunt and uncle. Then the lights were turned off and the doors were closed.

With the kids in bed it was time for the adults to sit and talk. Sitting on the couch Gayle started to tell.
"I want you to know Greg is a good man. The only thing, he is not a family man. He loves the Marine Corps; it's his life. I met him when I was eighteen and he twenty-five. My parents and I had moved to a house on the same block as his parents. He was on leave and we had a fling. We both knew it was a fling and that was fine with both of us. But after he had returned to his unit I discovered I was pregnant. We did have safe sex but sometimes things don't work out," she shrugged. "When he came back after six month and found out, he did the right thing and married me. First we lived in his parents' basement and when Jeremy was six months we moved into a house on base. At first it was fine but after a while … let's face it, I'm not a military wife. I hated the cliques, the fundraisings, the forced closeness. I had to like my neighbours, just because we were in the same boat. I tried, I really did, but I just didn't fit in. We moved again, to a place just outside base but still I felt trapped. We went into counselling and for a while it went better. We even went for a second child and Evie was born. But then Greg was promoted to special ops and with that came relocation. And another relocation and another. He loved his job; but each time I had to quit mine. I felt disconnected from my family, my friends, my life. Divorce was only a matter of time but then we found out I was pregnant again. We tried counselling once more but he was away so much it didn't work out. Seven months after Laurie was born we split up."
She sighed.
"Jeremy thinks it's his fault. That he isn't the son his dad wanted, too dreamy, not a son to rough and tumble with or to play baseball. That's not true. They don't have much in common but Greg loves his children. All three of them. He made sure I get child support and a bit of alimony. He even moved back into his parent's for he doesn't make enough money to support two households. The money is put in my account right from the military so he doesn't have to worry about it when he is on an assignment. If, God forbid, something happens to him, we'll get his benefits. He calls when he can and he sends the kids postcards and letters and gifts as much as possible but being in special ops that can be nothing for weeks and then a stack at once."
She rose to pour more coffee.
"I have to say, we are better friends now, than the last months we lived together."
Stirring her coffee Mac asked "Did Evie tell you why she went out last night?"
Gayle sat down again.
"Yes. You have to know, even with child support and alimony and my wages money is tight." She waved around. Although the room was neat and clean, you could see the furniture was old and the carpet needed replacement. In a corner there was a small tree with only three or four presents under it and the rest of the decoration were mostly children's drawings and crafts. Gayle went on.
"The previous months both my fridge and my car broke down. There were some medical costs the insurance didn't cover. Evie overheard me talking to a friend expressing the fear there would be no presents with Christmas. That morning we had seen Santa at the Mall and she decided to go back and ask him to bring presents."
"Wasn't the door locked?" Mac couldn't help asking.
"It was, but the key was in it. I always worry something will happen at night, like a fire, and I don't want to have to search for the key then," Gayle explained. "I checked on the children before going to bed and they were sleeping, or so I thought, but two hours later I woke up with a start. In hindsight I must have woken up from the door banging. I went to check again and found Evie's bed empty. It was still warm. I ran outside but didn't see her. That's when I called the cops and asked the neighbours to help me search. Lilian stayed with the Jeremy and Laurie and Patrick helped me canvas the neighbourhood. I was so relieved when the phone call from the police station came."
"And now?" Harm wanted to know.
"This morning I had a visit from Child Protection. They spoke to me, the neighbours and to Evie but they were fine with the situation. The only thing I have to do is install an alarm that warns me when the door is opened. In a week they will check on me." She blew out a breath.
"Well, it's another expense I didn't count on, but little compared to losing your children. And of course, I have to buy Jeremy a new bed. I'm going to ask around whether someone has one to spare. Laurie will need a bigger bed soon as well."

In the car back Harm was silent and subdued. Finally Mac decided to ask.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Haaarrmm," she trailed his name. "You hardly said a word since we left."
He trough her a sideways glance. It was clear she wouldn't let him get away without an explanation.
"I was thinking about Greg."
"You struggle with it, don't you?
"What?"
"A father leaving his children."
Harm was silent for a few moment, to gather his thoughts.
"Yes," he confessed. "I think, being a father you have to be there for your children."
"Are you angry at your own father because he wasn't home, with you?" Mac asked softly.
Harm shut this mouth with an almost audible clap.
"No, I was proud of him. You know that! And we were at war!"
"We still are," Mac stated. "War on terrorism. That man Greg is doing exactly the same thing as your dad was doing."
Harm felt silent once more. He hadn't looked at it that way.
"Yes," he admitted after a while. "Guess you're right."
They drove on.
"What's next?" Mac wanted to know after a while.
"I was thinking, those kids need new beds. There's not much space in the girls' room but I think enough for a kind of bunkbed. You know, half high and in a 90 degree angle. A friend of mine has one he wants to get rid of and I'm going to call him whether it's still there."
Mac frowned. "I don't understand."
"I mean, in a normal bunkbed you have one bed low to the ground and another straight above, about shoulder high." He looked at her to see whether she understood and when she nodded, he went on "With this kind of bed the one is low to the ground but the other one is about midriff, I guess, and they overlap." He held his flat hands in a 90-degree angle to illustrate his words.
"You mean, one child's feet are below the other child's feet?"
"Yes."
Mac nodded. "Good idea. And I was thinking, maybe we can play a bit of secret Santa?" she hesitated.
"Sounds like a plan," Harm agreed smiling.

Later same evening
"Hello Samuel. It's Harm"

"No, I was thinking, do you still have that bunkbed you told about?"

"Great. Yes, I have a candidate, someone I think your wife will approve of. Single mum, ex in the military, three kids."

"No, he does, but sometimes the expenses outweigh the income. You know, some unexpected setbacks."

"Right. Then I come and collect it, let's say, this Friday, at five, if that's all right with you?"

"Okay, see you then."

Friday evening
Together with Samuel Harm hauled side panels, headboards, bed bases and two matrasses up the stairs. Inside Gayle was waiting for them, a broad smile on her face. She already removed sheets, blankets and pillows and both children's rooms were waiting. First the two men dismantled Evie's bed, to rebuild it in Jeremy's room. Then they started to set up the bunk bed in the girls' room. The last thing to do was bringing Laurie's little bed and Jeremy's old matrass to the car. The matrass was going to the dump; for the little bed Samuel had a good destination, a young immigrant couple with a one year old and little money. In the meantime Gayle made the beds again, 'helped' by the overexcited children.
Afterwards she poured a hot drink.
"I'm so happy and grateful," she told them. "I already installed an alarm and with the new beds I have complied with all the requirements of Child Protection. I know I probably will be under surveillance for a while but for now …" She looked at her children, playing in a corner.
Jeremy looked back at his mother, abandoned his toys and walked over to them.
"I am very happy with my new bed," he told them with a serious face. His mother gave him a hug.
"What have you guys been doing?" Harm wanted to know.
"Making a wish list for Santa," the boy told him, walking to the side table and grabbing a few sheets of paper, which he showed Harm. On his wish list were fairy tale Playmobil, a sword and shield, pencils and a sketch book and several books. Evie list contained doll's clothes, a doll's crib and games while Laurie would love large beads, a jigsaw and a stuffed tiger. The girls also listed a few books. Thinking about the agreement he and Mac had made to play secret Santa, Harm did his best to memorize them, but it was hard because Jeremy was talking to him and telling him about school and playmates.
Luckily it wasn't before long Gayle called it a day for the children. Evie stood in front of Harm, her little arms stuck out to him to indicate she wanted him to lift her up and carry her to the bedroom. Here Gayle helped the children into their pyjamas and Harm was told he had to read them a story. Then there were kisses and cuddles before Gayle closed the doors behind them and the kids went to sleep.
Walking back she threw a look at Harm. He was a nice man, attractive and good with kids. A man to fall in love with easily. But she had also seen the way he and Mac looked at each other, especially when the other wasn't looking and the way they were in sync. She supressed a sigh. It was clear Harm was not the man meant for her. Well, a girl could always dream, couldn't she?

Later that week Harm and Mac had a meeting to discuss their secret Santa-plan. Harm had written down the items the kids wanted and had done some searching on the internet. As Mac felt you never could have enough, let alone too many, books, she had decided to buy them each a book and she also would be looking for doll clothes for Evie. Harm told her he would go for some Play Mobil and the stuffed tiger, and, so he said, paper and pencils or felt tip pens for all of the children. They decided to put the receipts into an envelope so Gayle could return things, just in case.
"But will she accept?" Mac pondered. "She might be too proud; not everyone likes to be a … I don't know how to explain it. Maybe she feels like she is some kind of a charity project."
"She will," Harm said quietly. "I discussed it with her. Of course she would prefer to be able to buy gifts herself but … "
"You did? When?" Mac had asked before she could stop herself. After all, it wasn't her business if he spoke to Gayle without her being present. Still, it made her uncertain.
"I stopped by to drop off a little bag with spare screws from the bed yesterday." He said like it wasn't a big deal.
"Okay, when you're sure she won't mind."

The next evening they went on a toy-hunt and after that Harm bought Mac dinner. They had arranged with Gayle to visit her later that evening, when the kids were already sleeping. They still were firm believers in Santa and they didn't want them to see who delivered the presents. So an hour later they knocked on her door, both carrying a large bag. They had had all the purchases gift-wrapped and placed them under the tree immediately. Then they sat down with a cup of cocoa.
"Thank you very much," Gayle said. "It will mean so much to the children. I feel a bit embarrassed at you stepping in but …"
"Don't," Harm interrupted her. "We offered. Every child deserves some presents und the tree."
"But …"
"But nothing," Mac stepped in. "It's like Harm said. Every child deserves some presents und the tree."
Cocoa gone Harm and Mac rose to leave. Gayle showed them out and gave them both a warm hug, Harm's lasting a bit longer than Mac's. Which didn't go unnoticed by Mac.

Christmas Day
Harm's place
16.00
The phone rang and Harm went to pick it up.
"Hi Gayle," he said, a bit surprised. "Wait a sec; I'll put you on speaker."
"Just wanted to call you to tell you the kids were over the moon with their Christmas presents. Laurie hasn't let go of her tiger and Jeremy is engulfed in one of his new books." She chuckled. "And Evie already decided to try her felt-tip pens on the wallpaper in her room."
Harm laughed out loud.
"Sound like the Evie I know."
"And the biggest surprise, Greg is here!"
"What?!" Harm and Mac yelled simultaneously.
"Yes, he knocked on the door yesterday evening late. His assignment went smoothly and his group was sent home for the holidays. He likes to talk to you, too."
For a moment there was silence and then there was a male voice.
"Thanks for looking after my family. Gayle told me all about it."
"You're welcome. How long to you stay?" Harm asked.
"I have to report again first week of January. I would love to schedule a visit with you, if that's alright with you."
Harm looked at Mac and she nodded.
"Fine with us. What about us visiting you let's say, the 28th? Early in the evening?"
"It's a deal. I look forward to meet you. Thanks again and a happy Christmas to you."
Then there was Gayle again.
"And thanks again from me, too. It you were here, I would give you a big hug. Happy Christmas!" Her voice sounded soft and almost tender.
"Happy Christmas," Harm returned. With a smile he placed the receiver in its socket. He walked to the kitchen and came back with two cups of tea, one of which he handed to Mac.
"That was nice of Gayle to call," she said. She laughed. "Looks like she likes you."
He didn't need to know she felt insecure about the attraction between Gayle and him. But to her surprise he shrugged her comment away.
"She is a nice lady and a fine mother but …"
"You're not looking for a ready-made family?"
"No, but if I felt attracted to a woman, kids wouldn't be a deal-breaker. I love children." He turned towards her and smiled. "But I have everything I could wish for, right here."
At the look in his eyes Mac swallowed
"Everything?" she whispered
Harm nodded slowly but deliberately. "Yes," he said, placing his cup on the table. He leaned in and looked her in the eyes. When she didn't pull back, but instead seem to lean in too, he softly let his lips touch hers.
When the he finally pulled back, they looked at each other in awe. Then Mac scooted closer and rested her head against his shoulder, while Harm wrapped his arms around her.
"Yes, I have everything, right here in my arms," he whispered in her ear.

The end

Happy Christmas, everyone.