Author's Note: Please be aware that these chapters are about "Christmas miracles" so any basis in reality is forgotten. There will be an overlap of characters from one chapter to the next. Remember that each chapter is separate from any others.
This first one is by special request. I am not a fan of Claudia's character but I do have admiration for the actress. So, this first Christmas Miracle is going to Claudia Corinthos.
My Christmas Wish: Claudia Corinthos
Sonny and Claudia were sitting in the study looking at the Christmas tree when Max knocked on the door. They both heard him enter the room and turned to look at him.
"Spinelli and Maxie are asking for 5 minutes of your time." Max announced.
Sonny started to tell Max to send them away. He had never liked Spinelli; he was too weird for his taste. Sonny had never understood why Jason and Claudia were so fond of him.
"I suppose you wish to see them." Sonny stated as he looked at his wife. She nodded yes and gave him a beautiful smile. He would indulge Claudia by allowing Spinelli in his home this once.
Sonny shook his head in wonder but said to Max. "Show them in."
Claudia began laughing as Spinelli and Maxie walked in the room. They were dressed as Santa and Mrs. Clause. Spinelli was pulling a wagon loaded presents and treats.
"You guys are so adorable!" Claudia announced joyfully.
She had decided this Christmas, like so many before would simply have to be tolerated. She loved Christmas but most of those around her did not and so it soured her outlook as well. Her father had made Christmas a day of hell most of the time. He seemed to take great joy in using that day of hope to torture those around him.
While Sonny was nothing like her father, he certainly wasn't very much into the Christmas spirit this year. They had a tree and would exchange presents but it was a formality really. There was no real joy and laughter involved.
Claudia was excited by this turn of events. Maybe it would lighten Sonny's mood and put him in the Christmas spirit. Even if it didn't, it sure made Claudia feel better to see someone getting into the true meaning of the holiday.
"Ho-Ho-Ho" Spinelli announced as he and Maxie entered the room. "Merry Christmas!"
"Santa Clause asked us to help him this year." Maxie announced as she began setting several containers on the coffee table. "He left us very specific instructions to bring some joy into this house!"
Both Sonny and Claudia were staring at the couple. Sonny was thinking they were both strange. His wife was thinking they were an amazing bright spot into her drab life.
Five minutes later they had unloaded the wagon. Spinelli had placed the presents under the Christmas tree. Maxie loaded the coffee table with delicious holiday treats. Claudia noted with glee that there was egg nog, fruitcake, and frosted sugar cookies. Before her on the table lay all her favorite Christmas treats. Things were definitely looking up.
Maxie and Spinelli held hands and left the study, pulling the wagon behind them. As they left the room they said in unison, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"
"That was so sweet!" Claudia announced happily.
Sonny looked over at his wife and was very surprised to see the tears in her eyes. He felt kind of bad because this crazy kid and his girlfriend had done more to made Claudia happy this Christmas than he had.
"Will you join me?" Claudia asked as she sat on the floor in front of the coffee table and took a bite of a sugar cookie.
"Sure." Sonny said to Claudia's surprise. He took off his suit jacket and sat next to her on the floor.
"I love Christmas," Claudia says as she hands Sonny a cup of Egg Nog. "Spinelli and Maxie really got into the Christmas spirit and it was so fun to see."
"I normally find Spinelli annoying." Sonny admitted. "I am glad that he made you happy."
Claudia and Sonny spent the next hour sitting on the floor, eating the holiday treats, and talking. Claudia was wonderfully happy at that moment. Sonny was talking and laughing with her and they were just being together. It was simple moments like this that made life worthwhile she thought.
"Hey!" Sonny said. "Should we open the presents that Spinelli and Maxie brought?"
"I'll get them." Claudia announced as she practically ran to the Christmas tree to retrieve the presents. Sonny had never seen her so happy.
"Here is yours." Claudia said as she handed him a package. She sat down next to him on the floor again. "Open it."
Sonny grinned at her and began ripping open the package. Sonny was sure it was going to be something really stupid but he honestly did not care right then. Claudia was happy and her happiness was contagious or something. Sonny realized that he was happy and relaxed as well. It was a good day after all.
"Johnny Walker Blue," Sonny announced as he held up the beautiful decanter for Claudia to see. "This stuff sells for $1,000 a bottle. It is the smoothest drink you will ever have in your life. It ages for 100 years!"
"I gather by the wonder on your face that you like your present." Claudia said.
"It is just what I wanted." Sonny said as he shook his head. "These are very hard to get. I ordered a bottle about a month ago and was told it won't be here until after the first of the year."
"Really?" Claudia asked with genuine surprise. "I wonder what I got."
Sonny watched as Claudia tore into the wrapping paper on her present. She was having such a good time. Watching her have so much fun like this made the day special for him as well.
What happened next really surprised them both. As Claudia pulled the last of the wrapping off her present she audibly gasped and Sonny watched as the tears began rolling down her face. Tears of joy, Sonny thought with amazement. Who would have guessed the tough, business-wise daughter of psychotic mobster Anthony Zacchara would be sitting in his living room crying tears of joy as she opened a doll on Christmas Day.
"What is it?" Sonny asked tenderly.
"A Cherry Blossom Doll." Claudia exclaimed. Sonny looked confused so she continued. "I wanted one so badly when I was a little girl. I told everyone who asked that I wanted her for Christmas. The stores were all sold out but somehow John's mother managed to get one for me. I was so happy when I opened up the box and saw her."
Sonny got up and poured two shots of the Johnny Walker Blue. He handed one to Claudia before sitting down on the floor again. He was surprised to see she was still crying.
"I had her for two days. Then my Dad got really mad at me for spilling his drink on the desk. He ripped her out of my arms and threw her in the fireplace. I stood there screaming while she melted."
"That is awful!" Sonny said sincerely as he reached over and hugged Claudia. The move surprised them both. "It takes an especially sadistic bastard to do that to his own child."
Claudia nodded. She continued staring at the doll in her arms. She was stroking her hair tenderly almost like a real baby.
"I never forgave him for that." Claudia stated. "A couple years ago I decided to try and find another one. None of the stores had them. Eventually I tracked down the manufacturer just to discover they had gone out of business several years earlier. I checked antique toy companies and a million other places. No one had one."
"How did Spinelli find one?" Sonny asked out loud.
"How did he even know I wanted one?" Claudia asked in wonder. "I never told him. Even John doesn't know about her."
Sonny set his drink on the table and pulled his wife into his arms. "Merry Christmas Claudia."
"It's the best one ever!" she whispered as he leaned in to kiss her.
Author's Note: Thank you for reading. Please be sure to review. I hope to post a new Christmas Wish chapter every couple of days. Suggestions are welcome.
