Hi, everyone! While I was writing Autumn in Beallsville, beatrixacs just happened to mention winter and Christmas ficlets. Well, that got my muse thinking again – and this is what happened. :)

This story is a little bit of a sequel to Autumn in Beallsville, although I think it's mostly okay as a stand alone fic.

There are 25 ficlets in honor of Christmas, and since I might not be able to post every day, I decided to start posting now so that I'll be able to finish in plenty of time for Christmas. So if you're not quite in the mood for Harm and Mac Christmas fluff this early, I hope you'll come back to read a little later.

Thank you again, beatrixacs, for the idea. Thank you all for reading, and I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.

Santa Claus

Harriet Sims Roberts was desperately trying to get some of her Christmas shopping done, but it was difficult when her shopping companion was distracted by every Christmas delight that they passed in the mall. Completely enchanted by all of the toys, treats, lights, and decorations, his eyes were wide with excitement and he couldn't stop bouncing up and down.

"Mommy!" A.J. exclaimed. "Look, it's Santa! Can we go see him?"

A.J. pointed eagerly towards one of the shops where several other children were forming a line to greet the jolly man in red.

Harriet sighed. It was almost Christmas after all, and she just couldn't say no to her son. Taking his hand, she waited in line with him until it was his turn.

"Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!" Santa's deep voice boomed as he hoisted A.J. onto his lap. "What's your name?"

"A.J."

"And what do you want for Christmas, A.J.?"

"Lots of presents for my family," the little boy answered promptly.

"Well, that's very generous of you, A.J.," Santa said. "And what does your family want for Christmas?"

"A pretty dress for my mommy," A.J. said. "And a model spaceship for my daddy."

"Well, I'll see what I can do about that," Santa promised.

"And a drawing book for my Uncle Mikey," A.J. continued. "And a baseball glove for my Uncle A.J."

"Well, luckily, the elves will have plenty of drawing books and baseball gloves loaded on the sleigh," Santa assured him.

"And a basketball for my Uncle Sturgis, so he can play against my Uncle Harm."

At this point, Santa caught Harriet's eye, and Harriet could tell that Santa was wondering just how many uncles this little boy had.

"A.J., honey, I think it's time to go," Harriet said sternly. "Santa is very busy getting ready for Christmas."

"But Mommy, I still have to ask for a present for Uncle Harm."

"And what does your Uncle Harm want for Christmas?" Santa asked patiently.

A.J.'s expression turned very serious. "Santa, can you please bring him my Aunt Mac?"