This started as an attempt to write an advent story, where I'd update every day in December. That quickly fell through. But I am not giving up on the story.
Enjoy, and R&R if you like it. :)
1.
Packaging was sprawled across the tent, contents from the box lay across the floor, the cot. They had outdone themselves this year. Charles wouldn't have to even eat the swill in the Mess tent come Christmas day, he had enough to last him a few days.
He'd also had a box delivered full of items for the orphans so his own personal stash wouldn't get raided.
He was delighted with the haul he'd received. It seemed he'd overlooked something though.
Another package tucked in the corner. He picked up the last box remaining and took off the note attached to it and started to read.
In the mess tent, Christmas eve morning and everyone still seemed to be pouring over the letter they'd received the day before.
"My Mother-in-law is doing Christmas dinner. What I wouldn't give for some of that. Her stuffing is divine." BJ looked up from the letter at Hawkeye who was just staring at him. "What?"
"Do you have any idea what you just said?"
"Oh Hawk, it's Christmas Eve. It's a time to celebrate. I mean I know it sucks we can't be with our families, our loved ones, but it's still special day."
"You're right, Beej. I'll keep my thoughts clean. Especially as Father Mulcahy is heading this way."
"I mean, it's not like Erin knows any different than Christmas time without her Daddy..."
"Hello Hawkeye, BJ. Mind if I join you?"
"No Father, please sit with us." Hawkeye enthused.
"..it would be stranger for her if I were there. Some stranger she doesn't even know trying to hug her and kiss her. She'd probably cry through the whole thing..."
"Is everything okay?" Mulcahy asked Hawkeye, looking at BJ and his slightly demented ramblings that were increasing in volume and anger.
"It's just..." Hawkeye started.
"It's just BJ realising that his daughter is probably having a better Christmas without me there!" Bj said, getting up and storming out the room.
Hawkeye watched him go. He sighed. He expected BJ to bow up at some point over the holidays. Probably better now than later. "I'll give him a while to cool off."
"Probably for the best."
"So, how are you today, Father?"
"Oh, can't grumble. I'll be off to get the orphans later. Do you think you can arrange for medical check-up's while they're here?"
"Of course. Who's organising the party this year"
"Well... it's supposed to be Margaret and Klinger but it doesn't seem to be going very well if the shouting coming from the pair of them is anything to go by."
"I'm sure they'll sort it out." Hawkeye lamented with little conviction in his voice. Mulcahy raised his eyebrows.
"Cap'n Pierce," Radar said as he approached the two men.
"Oh, hello radar," Mulcahy greeted warmly.
"Hi Father. Hawk, I got a package for you right here."
"For me?"
"Yes Sir."
"I thought you did all the mail yesterday."
"I did most of it Sir, but there was so much I had to sort the rest out first thing. I hope you're not too mad, Sir."
"I'm especially not mad because it's not mine, Radar."
"Oh, well.. yeah it is. It's from Peg. See, it says so here." Radar pointed to the sender details. "Really Sir, I was just waiting for BJ to not be around you so I could give it to you." He pointed to another part of the package that instructed that it wasn't for BJ Hunnicutt's eyes.
"Intriguing." Mulcahy commented.
Hawkeye opened the package and pulled out a note. "'Dear Hawkeye, I have sent along a special gift for BJ to open on Christmas Day. I wanted to surprise him so I hope you don't mind that I send this to you and if you wouldn't mind keeping it from him until then. I'd be so grateful, Peg & Erin.'"
"Oh, how wonderful," Mulcahy beamed.
"Gee, she sure is swell."
"I just hope I can keep this out the way of BJ."
"Hawkeye, would you like me to hold onto it until you can collect it later?"
"That'd be great Father."
"I'll put it in my footlocker. Feel free to help yourself if I'm at the orphanage when you need it."
"It's fine Father. I'll trust that you'll take good care of it. I best go make sure BJ's doing okay."
"Yes, Colonel?"
"Radar?" Both men said at the same time as radar wandered into the office. "I'd really appreciate if you could put a call through to Mildrid, son. I'd love to hear her voice, wish her a Merry Christmas not on paper for a change," Potter said, holding up the letter she'd sent him.
"Oh I think that's a great idea, Sir. I'll get right onto it."
"Thanks, Radar."
"Klinger! No one wants a themed Christmas party! The theme of it is Christmas, you moron!"
"Major, I just thought..."
"No! No one will want to do 'High heels and tiara's' as the theme for the Christmas party. Can you imagine the Colonel in a tiara?"
"Sure can, Major. He looks fantastic."
"NO!"
"Fine!"
"We stick with a simple Christmas party and I want you to be high heel and tiara free too!"
"Why now, stifle all my creativity."
"Ugh, Klinger, what possessed me to agree to help you with this? Well, besides I knew you'd make a hash of things?"
"Because you lack sparkle, Major? Fine, Christmas is the theme of the Christmas party."
"That's better. Now, I want you to find out what food we can get. We need something special. Can I trust you to sort it out?"
"Sure thing, Major."
"Thank you, Corporal."
TBC