I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause

I don't own Captain America

Christmas Eve, December 24, 1958

Steve & Margaret Rogers Residence, Scarsdale, NY

The snow gently fell from the cloudy skies onto the sleepy neighborhood of a suburb of New York. The trees, baren of leaves and color, were covered with snow, as too were the lawns and rooves of houses blanketed with thick layers of snow. The sidewalks were barely visible, and the gutters of the homes grew icicles like ornaments. The vast snow came from an earlier blizzard that left the town in a winter wonderland. But even in the cold and snowy atmosphere, the neighborhood dazzled with holiday décor and lights, glistening and reflecting off the static and falling snow.

Through the frost-covered windows of a child's bedroom, Peggy, dressed in a short-sleeve green swing dress with a green and red plaid pattern accent, tucked John Steven into bed for the night. She moved a stray lock of hair behind her ear and leaned down, and kissed her son on his forehead. "Good night, my darling," she said sweetly. "Merry Christmas."

John smiled, "Merry Christmas, Mama."

Peggy stood up and turned off his lamp. "Now go to bed." Her shadow from the lights in the hallway now cast upon her son.

John snuggled into his covers, "Is Santa coming tonight?"

Peggy smiled, "Father Christmas isn't going to forget about you, John. You and your brother and sisters have been very good this year."

John giggled, "I'm so excited."

Peggy chuckled, "I know. Now go sleep, Darling. It's past your bedtime." She bent down again and kissed her son on the forehead one last time. "Don't let Father Christmas catch you our you'll scare him away."

John nodded. "Okay."

"I love you, sweetie," Peggy said, stepping toward the door.

"I love you too."

"Good night," Peggy said, silently closing the door behind her.

Peggy now stood alone in the silent hallway, having already put the rest of her kids to bed moments earlier. She smiled from the fun of today's events and anticipation for tomorrow.

As is their family tradition. The Rogers spent the day in the city, shopping, ice skating, visiting the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, and venturing around the city and neighborhoods to look at the different holiday decorations. The family finished the day off with a delicious holiday meal cooked by Peggy and Steve and enjoyed games, hot cocoa, and music. At the end of the evening, the kids were exhausted and were tucked into bed by their mother. Though tired from the day, the kids still had plenty of excitement, for Christmas day was only a few hours away.

Christmas day was always special. The looks on the kids' faces, smiles, and laughter were worth more than anything this world can offer. Though parenting has plenty of hardships, Steve and Peggy lived for the moments like these. The kids may be excited about presents and toys, Steve and Peggy were excited for the moments with them.

Peggy fixed her hair, straightened her dress, and headed downstairs. In a few hours, she and Steve had the delicate task of moving the presents under the tree. The exciting part of that task was not getting caught by the children.

Peggy walked down to the foyer and proceeded into the family room but then suddenly stopped with a look of surprise. Her surprise soon turned into a wide grin. Steve stood in a red Santa costume, complete with a white beard, hat, coat, boots, belt, and white fur on the coat and cuffs. However, the ensemble did look a little loose for him.

Peggy covered her mouth with her hand as she laughed. She walked into the family room with a wide grin. "Darling, what are you wearing? And where did you get that?"

Steve chuckled, "ho, ho, ho. I'm Santa." He coughed and removed the fake beard and hat, "It's getting itchy under there."

Peggy walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Steve, where did you get this?" she said humorously.

Steve shrugged, "Got it from a random store." He smiled, "Surprise."

Peggy chuckled, "You look good, honey. Though, it looks a little big."

Steve nodded, "Yeah, I couldn't find one exactly in my size. Also didn't feel like stuffing the costume full of fluff."

Peggy smirked, "I have to ask. Why?"

Steve shrugged, "Well, I don't have much in my wardrobe in the lines of Christmas spirit. But I know you always look good in the different outfits you wear for Christmas, so I figured what the heck." He raised a brow, "Also. You already look the part for Mrs. Claus if I'm Santa."

Peggy giggled and kissed his lips tenderly. "I'll always be your Mrs. Claus, Mr. Claus." She gave him another peck on the lips. "You can continue to wear the costume on one condition."

Steve chuckled, "And that is?"

"But You have to wear the hat and beard."

"Okay," Steve smirked.

"You wear the whole thing when we put the presents under the tree," said Peggy with a grin.

Steve laughed, "well, that was always the plan."

Peggy laughed, "Oh, I see. Pulling out all the stops."

Steve nodded and kissed her, "You know it."

A few hours later, now one in the morning, after Steve and Peggy sneakily moved the presents under the tree, the couple relaxed on the couch. Peggy lay in comfort, enjoying a nice cup of tea while listening to Christmas music on the radio. While still in costume, Steve sat across his wife on the sofa, unwinding. The room was dim with the lights low, fireplace burning and flickering an orange hue in the room, and the Christmas tree lights shining. After a long day and a grueling few hours, it was good to be unwinding in such an atmosphere.

Peggy took a sip of tea and smiled, "I say, that's mission accomplished. And we got it done before one in the morning."

Steve nodded at the beard and hat he dropped on the floor. "Mhmm. Well worth it." He chuckled, looking at the tree. "Look at all those presents."

Peggy smirked, "You sure love to spoil our kids. Especially our girls."

Steve laughed, "What can I say? I love being a dad."

Peggy smiled, "I know you do, and I love it."

Steve raised a brow, "You know the night doesn't have to be over."

"Oh?" Peggy smiled, putting her tea down on the table in front of her. "What do you have in mind."

Steve nodded to the radio, "Want to dance the night away?"

Peggy chuckled, "I'll be Mrs. Claus?"

"Mhmm," Steve smirked.

Peggy giggled and stood up, "Okay, let's dance." As Steve stood up, she pointed to the fake beard and hat on the floor. "Beard and hat too. If I'm going to be Mrs. Claus, you have to look the part."

Steve laughed, "Okay, okay." He said, bending down and getting the last two items of the costume off the floor.

As Steve got his beard and hat on, Peggy heard the song Baby, It's Cold Outside, come on, prompting her to smile. She turned the volume up on the radio, hoping it wasn't loud enough to wake her kids, and walked over to her husband with a seductive sway to her hips. Steve chuckled at the timing of the song. Peggy walked into Steve's arms and wrapped hers around him, and the two of them began to sway and dance to the music.

Steve smiled, "Merry Christmas, Peggy."

"Merry Christmas, Steve," replied Peggy, resting her cheek against his chest. "You look so silly, darling," she said with a chuckle.

"Ho, ho," Steve joked.

Peggy looked up at him and rolled her eyes, "What am I going to do with you?"

Steve smirked, "love me forever."

"Probably," Peggy laughed.

In John's room, the five-year-old twisted and turned under his warm sheets, unable to go to sleep. He flopped onto his back and let out a loud sigh, staring up at his toy F-86 Sabre jet plane he had hanging down from the ceiling. He looked over toward his door and stared at the darkness. As John lay there, he thought he heard music for a moment. He squinted and strained, wondering if his mind was playing tricks on him. After what seemed like a while, John flung his sheets off, hopped out of bed, and quietly approached the door. As he got to the door, John quietly put his ear up against it and instantly heard the unmistakable sound of music. John even heard his mother laughing. Then suddenly, the distinct laugh of Santa Claus came through the closed door.

A muffled, "Ho, ho, ho," came through the door, causing John to jump in surprise. Did he hear what he thought? or was he mistaken? John put his ear up against the door, hoping to hear Santa again. Another "ho, ho, ho," came through the door, making him beam excitedly. Santa was here. He couldn't believe he was awake to catch him delivering presents. John didn't wait any longer, swung open the door, and rushed out into the dark hallway.

But as John got to the top of the stairs, he suddenly paused. He could hear his mom laughing downstairs and with Santa. What was she doing down there with him? He thought. John's excitement turned into caution, wondering what was going on downstairs. John slowly but quietly tip-toed down the steps to the foyer. Once on the ground floor, John hugged the walls and inched his way to the arching entrance of the family room and kitchen.

After what seemed like a while, John finally reached the edge of the family room. He then stealthily peeked around the corner and almost gasped at what he saw but quickly put his hands over his mouth to not make a sound.

John's mouth dropped when he saw his mother dancing happily with Santa Claus. He couldn't believe his eyes. John watched in utter disbelief as the two danced around the family room. His mom looked like she was having a great time. With the big red suit, hat, white hair, and beard, it had to be Santa. John had no doubt. He just couldn't believe his mom was dancing with him. But his mom did something that John never thought would happen to someone other than his dad. He saw his mom kiss Santa Claus.

John had his jaw hanging low in utter shock at what he saw. It's one thing to dance, but it is a total shock to kiss someone who isn't dad. What would Dad think? What about his brother and sisters? Someone else had to see this to believe it. With that, John dashed out of the room and up the stairs to get his brother and sisters.

After John flipped on the lights, Sarah jolted awake and violently shook her arm. The ten-year-old brown-haired girl sat up in bed and yawned. "John? What?" Sarah grumbled, squinting and looking down, trying to get her eyes to adjust to the bright lights. She slowly looked over, caught a glimpse of her clock, and saw it was almost two in the morning. "John, it's almost two in the morning!" she expressed angrily.

"Santa is here! Santa is here!" John yelled.

"W-what?" Sarah shot up, suddenly awake. "Are you sure?"

"I saw him! He's dancing with mom, and she kissed him!" John said, hopping toward her door.

Sarah looked at him in disbelief, "What?"

John ran over and took her arm, "I saw her! I saw her! I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus!"

Sarah threw off her covers, "Is Santa still downstairs?"

"Yeah!" John expressed.

Sarah nodded, "Okay, okay." She headed out into the hallway, "Wake up, Angela, and I'll get Michael."

John nodded, "Okay." The two kids then ran and quickly woke up their siblings.

Michael walked out of his room, slouching, his brown hair messy with a definite cowlick and a tired frown on his face. He groaned, "Are you sure you saw him and Mom?"

John nodded, "I'm sure of it."

Sarah spoke up, "I believe him." She turned to Angela, who was half awake and still looked asleep. "Angela," she called.

Angela waved and stretched, "I'm up."

Sarah waved to the stairs, "Come on. We can probably still catch Mom and Santa."

As the kids sneaked down the stairs, Michael whispered. "Shouldn't we get dad too?"

Sarah shook her head, "No time. Come on," she said, reaching the ground floor.

As the four kids approached the family room, they heard the music on the radio get louder and louder. Sarah was the first to peek around the corner, followed by Michael, Angela, and, last but not least, John. What they saw was not what they were expecting.

They saw their mother and father cuddling on the couch and no signs of Santa anywhere.

Peggy caught them in the corner of her eye. She looked over her shoulder and smiled. "Children, what are you doing up at this hour?"

John spoke up, stepping out of the corner, "We thought we'd catch, um, Santa."

Steve smirked, "Santa came and gone." He pointed to the tree with stacks of presents under it and the full stockings over the fireplace.

Sarah stepped out and saw the presents under the tree. She then jumped with joy. "Presents!"

Michael furrowed his brows, "We thought Mom was dancing with Santa Claus." He was more concerned about his mom and dad's relationship than presents.

John nodded, "I saw her kissing him too?"

Sarah calmed down, focusing on the original thing at hand. "Yeah."

John nodded, "I'm sure I saw her kissing Santa."

Angela didn't respond since she already knew Santa wasn't real. She figured that out naturally when she was six, but her parents told her not to ruin it for her siblings. Angela figured John saw her parents dancing. Like they always do.

Michael spoke up, "Mom?"

Steve tried to keep a straight face, only letting out a light chuckle.

Peggy slyly gripped her husband's thigh. She smiled at her kids, "I was dancing with him, children. And I did give him a kiss." John gasped. "But it was on the cheek," Peggy added with a smile. "It's a friendly kiss. Like greeting old friends and family. It was a kiss on the cheek like I give your Aunt Angie and Vickie."

John jumped, "So you did kiss him!"

Sarah frowned and looked at John, "She's right. She does do that with Auntie Angie."

"Oh," Michael responded.

Angela raised a brow, "What?" she asked emotionless.

Steve smirked, "Sad you missed him?"

Michael nodded. "Yeah. John got to see him." He looked at his mom, "Sorry, we thought you kissed Santa in… the other way," he said, referring to the romantic act of kissing.

Peggy waved her hand, "I appreciate you're making sure we stay together." Steve smiled.

Steve nodded to the mantel of the fireplace, "Well, he ate the cookies and milk we left for him." He waved them over, "Come see."

The four kids ran over to the mantel and saw the empty glass and the plate with crumbs left behind. John beamed happily, quickly looking at the presents under the tree and back at the empty plate and glass.

Michael bounded with joy, "He was here!" He expressed excitedly.

Steve chuckled, "Mhmm." He leaned back into the couch, Peggy instantly cuddling up to him. "Merry Christmas, kids."

Sarah smiled at her parents, "Merry Christmas, Mom, and Dad!"

"Merry Christmas!" the other three kids said in unison.

Sarah walked over to her parents, "Um. How do you know Santa, Mom?"

Peggy smiled at Steve then back at Sarah. "Well, who do you think protects him?"

"You do?" John answered.

Peggy nodded, "Mhmm. My team does. We look out for him and protect him on his journey."

Michael smiled, "Wow," he said quietly and in astonishment.

Sarah and John didn't say anything more and only stared at their mother with admiration.

John looked at his dad, "Dad, how do you know Santa?"

Steve smirked, "well, about the same as your mom. When I was still working under her." John, Sarah, and Michael all grinned at their parents.

Angela chuckled and her siblings. "Mom, Dad?" she spoke up.

"Yes, sweetheart," said Steve, leaning toward her.

"Can we open presents now?" Angela asked with anticipation.

"Yeah!" John chimed in eagerly.

"Can we?" added Michael.

Peggy laughed and shook her head, "No, I'm sorry Darling. Go back to bed, and we'll open them first thing in the morning, okay?"

"Aw!" the kids all expressed in disappointment.

Steve smirked, "And besides, don't you want to be awake and alert in the day to enjoy all your gifts?"

"I suppose so," Angela responded quietly.

Steve chuckled, "Well, you heard your mother. Off to bed with you." He smiled at his family, "And Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas," replied the kids.

Peggy leaned forward and hugged John, kissing him on the side of the head. "Good night, children," she sweetly said.

"Good night, Mom," he responded.

After the kids got a hug and a kiss goodnight from their parents, they began to slowly make their way out of the room. Peggy glanced at them from the couch, "Sleep tightly, darlings."

"Sleep well," added Steve.

"Good night, Mom, good night, dad," the kids said one last time as they left the room.

After they left, the two parents heard their youngest call excitedly, "I told you I saw Santa!" That earned a grin and a soft laugh from the two adults.

Peggy grinned, giving her husband that adoring smile. "Well, Merry Christmas, my love."

Steve leaned over and kissed her, "Merry Christmas."

Peggy laughed, "Goodness, that was close." Steve laughed and shrugged. Peggy shook her head, "John really thought I kissed Santa. Like I was unfaithful to you."

Steve chuckled, "Kid has his heart in the right place. He's just making sure we stay together."

Peggy leaned into him, "And we always will." She closed her eyes and hummed in contentment. "Every Christmas, we will spend together."

Steve kissed the top of her head, "Always."

Well… LITTLE Late. Happy New Year, everyone.

Hope this little and short one-shot finds you well.

Cheers to 2022 and another year down.