Dear Santa...it's Little AJ - Part 10/11
See part 1 for all disclaimers
Roberts Residence
9:34 PM
Clay slowly drove the car down the street as Mac smiled at the houses with all their Christmas lights aglow on the roofs and bushes. A few houses had inflatable snowmen and Santa's in their yards. There was one house on the street with a life-size nativity scene and a bright star on an oak tree.
The closer they got to the Roberts house the more excited Mac got. As Mac spotted Sturgis' car on the side of the road her smile got to one hundred watts.
Clay glanced over at her and laughed. "You feel okay?"
"I'm feeling fine," Mac returned. "Do they know I'm in town?"
"I didn't call anyone, but if one of them knows, it would be Chegwidden." Clay pulled the car into the driveway, which surprisingly had an empty spot.
As Clay parked the car Mac turned to him. "Are you coming in?"
"Like this?"
Mac's eyes twinkled as she thought about his attire. "I happen to know there is a little boy in there who would love to see Santa."
"And I'm sure there is a big boy in there who would love to use this against me," Clay responded.
"Just one?" Mac chuckled sweetly.
Clay sighed. "If any of them harass me, I'll put them all on the naughty list."
Mac smirked. "I'm sure some of them are already on it."
Clay removed the key from the ignition and tried not to laugh at Mac's comment. "Come on before I change my mind."
Mac reached and touched his hand and he turned to her. She leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Clay's cheek. "Thank you, Clay."
He warmly smiled. "You're welcome, Sarah."
Clay and Mac exited the car without the knowledge of anyone in the house. Well, almost anyone in the house. Up on the second floor AJ Roberts' small face rested against his cold window, the tears ready to fall from his innocent eyes. He watched the car enter the driveway, but he didn't get excited. He was waiting for a red corvette with Aunt Mac in the drivers seat. A tear was ready to fall as the car door opened in the pale moonlight.
AJ watched as Santa got out of the car, soon followed by Aunt Mac. AJ blinked his eyes in shock as he watched the pair stand in front of his house and laugh. At first he didn't think the woman was Aunt Mac until she smiled.
"He did it," AJ said to himself. He quickly ran out of his room and down the stairs, making a ruckus on the way down.
He reached the bottom of the stairs and was about to turn towards the door when he heard his father's voice. "Did you decide to join us?"
"He did it!" AJ exclaimed.
The adults in the room stared at each other, then at the boy. "Who did what, AJ?" Mikey asked.
"Santa!" AJ stated as he ran to the door. "He brought me Aunt Mac."
"What? AJ!" Harriet said in confusion as she watched her son run out of the house without any shoes on.
"AJ!" A small faction of the adults yelled as AJ bolted out the door.
AJ ran down the snow lined walkway towards Santa and Aunt Mac. "Aunt Mac! Aunt Mac!"
Mac smiled as she watched the four year old bundle of joy run towards her. She knelt down as he got closer and AJ flung himself into her arms. "You're here. You're here." AJ repeated as Mac hugged him as tightly as she could.
"I'm right here, AJ." She kissed him on the cheek and lifted her view to see her friends gather on the porch to watch the reunion. Her eyes quickly moved to Harm and she smiled softly at him.
AJ lifted his head from Mac's shoulder and looked at his new hero. "You got my letters, Santa. And you brought me Aunt Mac."
Clay looked at AJ then briefly at the adults. He took a deep breath when he returned his attention to the child. "Yes, I did, AJ."
"Wow…" AJ awed as he loosened his hold on Mac.
Clay glanced down at AJ's feet and offered a suggestion. "What do you say we move this party indoors?"
"Okay." AJ took Mac's hand and Santa's. He led them towards the porch where Mac was greeted with hugs and kind words.
Harriet quickly took AJ into the house to get him warm. Everyone but Harm and Mac entered the house.
"Is it my turn now?" Harm asked as he pulled Mac into his arms for a hug.
"I hope so." Mac held onto Harm as if he was supporting her.
Harm kissed her temple. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too." Mac kissed his cheek.
They released each other and their eyes caught each other's attention. Harm was about to say something, but stopped as the Admiral cleared his throat. Mac and Harm blushed slightly and walked towards the front door. Harm placed his hand on the small of Mac's back and led her into the house.
"Mac?" AJ said, getting Mac's attention.
"Yes, Sir." Mac smiled.
AJ pointed towards the living room where Santa was talking to little AJ about something. "Is that…. who I think it is?"
Mac's smile grew. "Yes, Sir."
AJ nodded his head as he called towards Harriet. "Lt. Sims, do you happen to have a camera?"
"Yes, Sir," Harriet called from the living room.
Harm and Mac started laughing, as AJ walked towards his namesake and Clay in the living room.
End Part 10