Chapter Nine
Four Simple Wishes

DECEMBER 2004

1800 EST
ROBERTS RESIDENCE
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

Harm, Mac, and Mattie were sitting on the sofa in Bud and Harriet's living room when Little AJ came walking up to them carrying a small stack of printer paper. "Here you go," he said, passing out a sheet to each of them. Harm, Mac, and Mattie each took a paper, exchanging puzzled glances.

"What is this for?" Mac asked, looking at the paper to see if there was any writing on it. She was dissapointed to see it wasn't another drawing she could hang on her office refrigerator.

"So you can write your letters to Santa," Little AJ explained. Harm and Mac both chuckled.

"But Santa isn't-" Mattie stopped talking when Harm nudged her.

"Thanks buddy," Harm said. "That's very thoughtful of you."

Little AJ nodded. "Your welcome. I think my mom has some pens somewhere. I'll go get them."

As Little AJ walked away, Mattie nudged Harm on the arm. He looked over at her. "What's up?" he asked. Mattie was looking at him like he had two heads.

"What are we supposed-to write about?" she asked, lowering her voice. "Santa Claus isn't real."

"So?"

"Who are we writing to? The postman?"

"No one has to read it, Mattie," Mac told her. "Just write about whatever you want."

Soon enough, Little AJ returned with the pens and Harm, Mac, and Mattie started writing.

Dear Santa,

There are a lot of things I want this year. Getting a new brother and sister soon is cool, but I don't think that really counts as a present. I want a puppy really bad, or a kitten-I haven't decided yet. I'd also like to lose some teeth, because Tommy from down the street lost two teeth and he got money from the tooth fairy. And I want a car like my Uncle Harm has, but my mom says I have to wait a really long time before I can get one. You'll have to talk to her about it.

I hope you and your reindeer are doing well. I'll leave out some carrots for them

Love,
AJ Roberts

(P.S-I had to have my aunt write this for me because I kept misspelling everything)

Dear Santa,

I don't really know what to say, because I know you're not real. I haven't written a letter to you since I was like...five. But anyway, here goes.

I want a pink mini-skirt, like the one Rachel McAdams wore in Mean Girls. I'd also like a straightening iron, because I can't deal with these curls sometimes, and maybe some makeup, too. Getting a car would be awesome, but I think Harm would freak out if I got one now. You could also send me Orlando Bloom-Harm would definitely lose his mind at that.

-Mattie

Dear Santa,

For Christmas this year, I don't really want any small things, so your job might be difficult. This may sound cliché, but I want a home for next Christmas. I know, technically I already have a home, so I guess what I'm getting at is...I want a place that feels like home by this time next year. That's all I want.

Thanks in advance,
Mac.

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is for something to finally happen between Mac and me.

Thanks,
Harm

After everyone was done writing, Little AJ insisted they put their letters into envelopes and give them to Harriet so she could mail them.

"What did you wish for?" Harm asked Mac as they headed back to the sofa.

"Oh, nothing much," she shrugged. "What about you?"

Harm smirked. "Nothing much."

Little AJ came running up between them. "I wished for a car!" he announced gleefully.

"Really?" Harm reached down to ruffle the little boy's hair. "That's cool."

"I wished for a car, too," Mattie said, and Harm's eyes widened. "And Orlando Bloom."

Mac saw Harm's expression and smirked. "That's not so cool, huh?"

"No," he shook his head. "No, it isn't."