The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

A thick layer of snow lay on the ground, crunching underfoot as Maisie hurried from the Kommandant's quarters to Barracks Two. The teenager rubbed her hands together furiously after she'd closed the door behind herself. 'It sure is freezing out there.'

'And you wonder why I hate the bloody snow-' Newkirk huffed, glancing up from his card game. 'It's as cold in here as it is out there.'

'Only nice thing is we'll have a white Christmas this year,' Carter said optimistically, dodging Newkirk's cap when the corporal threw it at him.

LeBeau looked up from his mending. 'What about you, Maisie? Are you happy it's snowing for Christmas?'

Maisie sighed as she unbuttoned her coat, Buttons climbing out of her warm hiding place. 'Christmas doesn't really matter to me, LeBeau. I haven't had a Christmas since I was ten.'

'You didn't have Christmas?' Carter questioned, with surprise. 'Boy, I mean, you gotta have Christmas-'

'I spent Christmas in a work camp the year after, and after that with my Uncle's family, who weren't really the most festive people around. Besides, in case anyone's forgotten, there's a war on-'

'We still celebrate Christmas. Last year we even smuggled a tree into the tunnel-'

'With an extra guest tagging along.' Newkirk interrupted. 'A squirrel.'

She giggled a little at that. 'I bet that went down well.'

'Like a hot air balloon with a leak.'

'It wasn't my fault-' Carter protested. 'I didn't know the tree was home to a squirrel.'

'Well you sure aren't going to pick the tree this year,' LeBeau said, crossing his arms.

'You guys are planning on celebrating Christmas?' Maisie questioned, Buttons jumping onto the table to nuzzle Newkirk.

'The G'vnor hasn't said no, so yes.'

'Christmas is only a week away.'

'Well, we better get crackin then, don't we? Are you going to join in?'

'I don't know…'

'Oh come on, Maisie-' LeBeau coaxed hopefully. 'It'll be fun.'

She thought it over for a moment, looking at the men, then sighed heavily as she nodded. 'I guess there's no harm in it. Alright, I'm in.' The barracks erupted in shouts and cheers. She smiled, shaking her head. Prisoners, in the middle of Germany, excited for Christmas… A tinge of pain and grief tugged at her heart. Christmas had been her favorite time of the year until her family was killed a few months shy of the holiday. She spoke up once the room had quietened down again, plastering a smile on her face. 'If I'm going to help out, what can I do?'

'We need more decorations-' Carter spoke up. 'We've made some, but we ran out of paper.'

'How about some wreaths? I'm sure I can get some things for making those.' Maisie asked.

'Sounds like a jolly good idea,' Newkirk agreed. 'You can be in charge of those, then.'

Maisie nodded, thinking for a moment. 'And what about a present for Papa? What does he need?'

'A new jacket, if we could get one,' LeBeau said softly, glancing towards the colonel's room. 'Those patches over the holes still make me cringe.'

I can't argue with you there. 'A new jacket. Sounds easy enough.'

Newkirk raised an eyebrow. 'And just where do you intend on finding him one?'

She grinned, her eyes gleaming mischievously. 'That's for me to know, and you to find out.'

'Can I come in?'

Klink looked up, smiling as he saw Maisie at the door. 'Of course, my dear-' He placed his paperwork down as she walked in.

'I hope I'm not interrupting anything.'

'Only this stack of paperwork that Berlin is demanding.' He sighed, looking at all the papers he still had left to go over. 'But I always have time for my favorite niece. What is on your mind?'

'Well…' She rubbed her hands together, standing in front of the furnace to warm up. 'Christmas is only a week away, Uncle, and I was wondering if we were going to do anything about that-'

'If you haven't noticed, we're in a prison camp-'

She giggled, Buttons crawling out of her pocket and climbing onto her shoulder as she took a seat across from him. 'I know that, Uncle, but that doesn't mean that we can't celebrate it, does it? Father can't be home for the holiday, so I was hoping that we'd be able to do something. The men have invited me to help arrange their Christmas celebration, but I wanted to get your approval first.'

Klink thought about it for a moment, then nodded. 'Alright, I don't mind.'

'Danke, Uncle.'

'Speaking of Christmas-' He leaned back in his chair. 'What does my favorite niece want for a present?'

'A pony.' She replied, without missing a beat.

~ Hogan chuckled hearing that. First a kitten, then a pony. If she had her way, she'd turn Stalag 13 into Klink's Zoo. ~

'A pony?' He repeated, with surprise. 'I'm afraid that ponies are in short supply this year. Besides, you know we can't keep a pony here.'

'I know, but it was worth the look on your face.'

Maisie- How could he get cross with her with that innocent look on her face? I don't know how Hogan puts up with this rascal sometimes.

'But honestly, Uncle-' she continued. 'I don't really want anything for Christmas. I'm happy with what I have. If you want to get me a present, you could help me organize something for Colonel Hogan.'

He raised an eyebrow. 'You want your present to be something for Colonel Hogan?'

She nodded. 'I-Is that alright? I mean, I know it's silly of me wanting something for the enemy, but I'd like to surprise him. He's a good man, after all.'

'What did you have in mind?'

Pulling her glove from her pocket, she slipped it on, then wrote down a note on a piece of paper to hand to him. 'I know you asked before, but perhaps if you ask again, they might have one they could send.'

He glanced over what she had written, wondering for a moment why she didn't just tell him. A jacket to replace Colonel Hogan's ruined one. He sighed. Yes, Hogan did need a new jacket. When he'd returned to camp, the Red Cross had replaced most of his uniform, but they didn't have a jacket to send at the time, and he'd had to make do with his old one. Maisie had patched it up for him with her sewing skills, but every time he looked at it, he was reminded of what had happened only a few months ago. He glanced back at the teen. 'Let me see what I can do. I'll try my best, but I can't promise anything. You might have to think of something else to give him.'

'I've got a couple other ideas, but I'd really like to get him that, if possible.'

'Leave it with me, I'll let you know how it goes.'

She smiled. 'Danke.' Buttons nudged her ear with her cold nose, and she gave the kitten a pat. 'What do you want for Christmas, Uncle?'

'Me? I haven't thought about Christmas, to be honest. With all this paperwork and the reports, I haven't had a spare moment. I'd be happy with whatever you decide to get me.'

'That's not much help with ideas.' She sighed.

Klink shrugged. 'I'm just not feeling very festive right now.'

'I understand. Is it alright if Sergeant Schultz takes me into town this afternoon? I'd like to do some shopping, if I can.'

'Of course. Go have fun, Maisie.'

'I will.' She grinned, as she stood. 'You have fun with that paperwork.'

Klink rolled his eyes. 'Out, before I change my mind.'

'Going, going.'

~ The coffee pot went silent again after the sound of a door closing, and Hogan's mind began to wander. She'd asked Klink to help her get him a present instead of asking for something for herself, and his curiosity was aroused. What was Maisie up to? ~

'How'd your Christmas shopping go, little mate?' Newkirk questioned, when Maisie waltzed back into the barracks that afternoon. 'Got anything for us?'

'You'll just have to wait and see, won't you?' She replied, with a mischievous grin. 'Is Papa in?'

'In his office.'

'Danke, Newkirk.'

She walked over towards the small room in the corner and quietly opened the door to look inside quickly. When he sensed someone's presence, Hogan looked up as the door opened, smiling when he saw Maisie walking in. 'Hey, sweetheart.'

'Hallo, Papa.' She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, looking over his shoulder at the paperwork on his desk. 'You and Uncle Klink sure are busy with paperwork this time of year.'

'Tell me about it. I haven't left this room all day.'

'Then I guess you don't want to know what's in my pocket, then. It'll only add to your work…'

'What have you got for me?'

Maisie grinned, pulling a note out from inside her jacket. 'Merry Christmas.'

Hogan raised his eyebrows as he went over the information on the note. Details for a convoy headed to the Russian Front. 'Where'd you get this?'

'I might have met up with Matilda while we were shopping. She was going to send it over the radio later, but it was easier for her to pass it on to me. They've got a few radio detection trucks going around, so the Underground has to lie low.' Another note came from her pocket that she handed him, this one containing information on the radio trucks. 'There's one to come here tomorrow morning, so this needs to be gotten out tonight-' A small book was the last item to be pulled from her pocket. 'Merry Christmas to London.'

'How on earth did you get this?'

'Oh, I have my ways.'

He grinned with amusement. 'Klink hasn't even got this code book yet.'

'Well, that's his copy, but I won't tell, if you don't.'

'You devil.'

'Mmmhmm.' Her smile widened. 'Once it's sent to London, I'll slip it back into his mail for tomorrow. He won't mind it turning up a day late.'

'Thank you for this, Maisie.'

'Just keep in mind that Christmas is only a few days away. You might be able to return the favor with a couple presents.'

'And you have something in mind?'

'Part of the fun of giving presents is trying to guess what the other person wants. I'm sure if you try hard enough, you'll think of something.' She took the codebook back from him. 'I'll get this down to Kinch so he can start radioing London.'

'Maisie, you've been quiet this evening-' Hogan sat down beside her, slipping his arm around her shoulders. 'Why don't you join in with the stories?'

'I don't have anything to say.' Maisie replied softly, stroking the sleeping kitten on her lap. 'Everyone has great Christmas stories, and I don't have any to share.'

'I'm sure you have something-'

She bit her lip, shaking her head. 'I hate this time of year, Papa…'

'Why?'

'Because I'm reminded of the things I don't have: family.'

Oh sweetheart… He kissed her forehead, holding her tight against him.

Maisie swallowed back the lump in her throat. 'The last Christmas I had with my family, we didn't have much. Mama and Papa couldn't afford to buy us extravagant gifts like we got when we were little. Times were tough. Mama sold her gold broach her grandmother gave her on the black market to buy us presents. I don't remember what they gave my sister, since it was so long ago, but Mama bought me a little musical carousel. I'd been looking at it for months each time we'd go to the store, and she knew how much I wanted it. It was painted silver, red and green with four horses. The horses were painted black, palomino, gray and bay. It would play Stille Nacht. When Mama and Papa were arrested, we weren't allowed to take anything but the clothes we wore. I wish I'd been able to take the carousel. It was the last thing they ever gave me…'

'Lights out, everyone.' Schultz exclaimed, as he walked into the barracks, spying Maisie seated on one of the bunks with the American colonel amongst the complaints of the men. 'Maisie, curfew. Come on.'

She didn't move, and Hogan prompted her to go. 'Go on, sweetheart. Good night.'

Maisie smiled sadly, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. 'Gute Nacht, Papa.'

'You wish to see me, G'vnor?' Newkirk questioned, sauntering into his room the next morning.

'Who's good at woodwork here?' Hogan said, adding the final touches to the drawing he was working on.

He raised an eyebrow. 'Woodwork?'

'Carving, that kind of thing.'

'There's a couple guys in Barracks five who know a thing or two 'bout woodworking. Why?'

Hogan handed the drawing to the corporal. 'Think they can come up with something like this before Christmas?'

'You want a music carousel made? You finally gone off your rocker, sir?'

The colonel chuckled. 'It's a present for Maisie.'

'If it's for Maisie, then I'll see what I can do.'

By the time Christmas Eve arrived, the camp had been decorated for the holiday, and the festivities of the season were in full swing. Thanks to Maisie's help with shopping, the men had been able to source some extra decorations in addition to the ones the Red Cross supplied in their Christmas packages. For the first time in camp history, it actually did feel like Christmas. Despite the cold atmosphere, the camp was warm and cheerful as both prisoners and Germans looked forward to Christmas day with anticipation. A Christmas dinner had been organized from the supplies sent in the Red Cross packages, and the talk of the camp was of the games that had been organized in the recreation hall for the day.

Maisie had kept herself busy over the last few days, finishing off the rest of her Christmas presents. Hogan had made that slightly difficult, nosing around trying to figure out what she was up to, but that was what made it fun. She, too, had been snooping around the barracks and tunnels trying to figure out if they were up to anything. Secrets abounded, that was for sure, and though the holiday had unhappy memories for her, she couldn't help but be swept up in the festivities of the season.

Maisie hadn't been the only busy one. Klink, too, had been busy. Much to his relief, two jackets had been sent for Colonel Hogan along with the rest of the Red Cross parcels, and he was delighted they'd arrived. Though Maisie's only request for a present had been the jacket, he'd done a little shopping for other things to give her as well. Those presents were wrapped up and hidden away in his room, ready to be placed under the tree in their quarters the next morning. It'd been his first Christmas ever buying for a child, but luckily for him, he'd had Schultz to help him decide on what to get her.

Hogan's men had been just as busy, making presents for each other, their colonel and Maisie. It'd been a nightmare for them to find time to get them made without the two of them being around, but they'd managed it and couldn't wait to see the look on Maisie's face when she opened her present. They'd decided they were all going to help make the carousel for her, and so, under the instruction of Corporal Miller, one music carousel had been completed.

Not only had presents been made and the camp decorated, but war didn't go on holiday leave just because it was Christmas. Newkirk, Carter, and LeBeau had managed to pull off a little sabotage on the convoy Maisie had brought information of. The convoy had been completely obliterated, much to Major Hochstetter's annoyance. He'd be spending the holiday in his office trying to figure out what on earth had happened to the 'secret' convoy, while the boys back at Stalag 13 kicked up their heels and enjoyed the holiday…

Seated next to the warm stove, Maisie hummed away as she kept knitting the last scarf she had to make, the one for Sergeant Schultz. Buttons contented herself with a little piece of yarn, the kitten leaping and running around the room with the yarn in her mouth. The teen glanced up at her, a smile coming to her face watching her play. The kitten was growing up so fast. It wouldn't be long before she was fully grown…

'Ah, Maisie, there you are.' Klink said, walking into the room with a wrapped package beneath his arm. 'I've been looking for you.'

Oops. She'd been down in the tunnel most of the day trying to find if there were any presents lying around. 'Here I am.' She placed the scarf aside as he came over, and she looked at the parcel he was carrying. 'Is that what I think it is?'

He nodded and handed it to her. 'With a little persuasion, yes.'

She unwrapped the paper, her face lighting up as she saw the new jackets inside. 'They sent two?'

'Well, he didn't have a winter one, so I added that to the request.'

She smiled, looking up at him. 'Danke, Uncle, Danke.'

Klink was a little surprised when the teen got up and gave him a hug, but placed his arm around her in return. 'I'm not that bad after all, am I?'

'No, you're not. Colonel Hogan is really going to appreciate this.'

'I hope so. You wouldn't believe what I had to go through to get them-' He replied, in a sterner tone. After all, he had an image of a stern Kommandant to uphold. 'So he better appreciate it.'

'He will.' She giggled at the change in his voice. 'I'll go wrap them up, then I've got to finish off this scarf. After that, the boys in Barracks 2 invited me for hot chocolate and caroling. You should join us.'

'I've got some other things to attend to, but you go along and enjoy yourself.' He looked down at his watch. If he wanted to get those reports sent out, he had to get them finished before three. 'I'll see you at dinner.'

Maisie nodded, and after Klink left, she ran her fingers thoughtfully over the new jacket. Now she wouldn't have to look at those reminders every time Hogan wore his uniform. The only thing missing was his name patch but that was only a minor detail. A little smile came over her lips as an idea came to mind. Who better to help her then nimble fingers Newkirk?

'Newkirk-' Maisie called out, running to catch up to the corporal as he made his way back to the barracks. 'Wait.'

Newkirk stopped, tuning back to her. 'Ay Maisie, what's up?'

'I need you to do a favor for me.'

'A favor?'

She nodded. 'Can you 'borrow' Colonel Hogan's jacket from his room tonight?'

'You want me to steal the G'vnors jacket?' He repeated, his eyebrows raised. 'Maisie-'

'I'm not up to mischief, promise. It's for his present. Uncle Klink managed to get Papa a new jacket, but it's missing the name patch. I wanted to take the one off his old jacket and put it on the new one.'

'In that case then…' he placed his arm around the teen. 'You've come to the right person. Ol Peter Newkirk can take care of that for you, no problem.'

She grinned. 'Brilliant.'

'And I'll only take two chocolate bars as payment.'

The teen rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. 'One.'

'Two.'

'Fine. But only because it's for Papa.'

'I'm kidding, kid-' Newkirk replied, with a smile. 'But I gotcha there for a moment, didn't I.'

'Haha, very funny. The only thing Santa's going to bring you this year will be a lump of coal.'

'At least we can put that in the fire to warm the barracks up. It's warmer out here than it is in there.'

One thing was for sure; the socks and scarves she'd knitted would definitely be put to good use. 'I tried to get extra blankets for all of you, but I couldn't get any.'

'Don't worry 'bout it, love. You tried, at least.'

'I guess things could be worse. At least there are stoves in the barracks. We didn't have one of them in the work camp.' She glanced up at the sky, thick dark clouds bringing the promise of more snow. 'It's a good thing you guys took care of the convoy yesterday. Looks like we're going to be in for another thing of snow.'

'Bloody charming, that will be.'

'Oh come on, Newkirk, at least we'll be able to build snowmen and have snowball fights instead of slopping through this slush-' She motioned down at the ground they were walking on. With the snow melting a couple days before, it had turned the ground to mud. 'So there's that, at least.'

'I'll be thrilled if it snows.' He rolled his eyes. 'I don't know how you always manage to find somethin' good out of a bad wicket.'

Maisie grinned. 'Someone has to be the sunshine around here, because it sure isn't you.'

Newkirk rolled his eyes again, playfully cuffing her up the side of the head as they started back to the barracks. 'Bloody charming, Maisie, charming.'

The night of Christmas Eve arrived, and with it came another snow fall. Inside Barracks Two, the men gathered around the stove with warm cups of coffee in hand, exchanging stories and singing carols as the wind howled outside. Schultz joined them for a while to inform them there would be no roll call for the night, thankful for the chance to get out of the horrible weather.

Maisie was snuggled up beside Hogan, his blanket from off his bed wrapped around her shoulders.

'You warm enough, sweetheart?'

She smiled up at him, patting her sleeping kitten. 'I'm fine. Danke for bringing the blanket in for me.'

'Hey Maisie-' One of the other men in the barracks spoke up. 'We've all been telling stories, why don't you share one?'

'Me?' She questioned, in surprise. 'You wouldn't want to hear my stories-'

'Oh come on ma petit,' LeBeau added. 'You must have one story you can tell.'

Maisie shook her head. 'I don't have many memories of Christmas with my family. Good ones to share, at least. Not like the stories you all have shared. You have such wonderful traditions and memories… I don't have that.' She looked up at Hogan. 'I don't have to share a story, do I, Papa?'

'Not if you don't want to, sweetheart.' He replied. 'But it's not a competition to see who has the best story. Exchanging stories is a way of us getting to know each other better.'

She thought over what he said for a moment. 'I guess I do have one Christmas tradition my family used to do that I can share. My Mama loved to sing. She used to sing for a while when she lived in America and continued that when she came to Germany. It was at one of her performances that she met my Papa. Ma never intended on living in Germany permanently. She wanted to travel around the world, and she would tell me stories of the places she had seen. When she met Papa, though, she decided that she'd settle down and stay. After she had my sister, Mama gave up her career, but she kept her love for singing. She was always singing. When she was cooking, when she was cleaning, all the time. On Christmas Eve we would gather around the tree, and while we decorated it, Mama would lead us in Christmas carols. Since she was American, we had both American and German carols each year, and Mama would make up things like pumpkin and pecan pie in addition to the German traditions.'

She paused for a moment, a little smile coming to her lips as the good memories came to her. 'Every year, for as long as I can remember, Mama used to bake up angel cookies. They were like shortbread, but cut into the shape of angels and dusted with icing. She also made Lebkuchen. Gingerbread, in English-'

'Sounds delicious.' Carter interrupted, feeling hungry just hearing her speak of the treats they enjoyed.

She giggled. 'It was. We'd have the angel cookies and Lebkuchen after carols when Papa would read to us The Nutcracker fairytale. Every year those were the traditions that never changed. Even when the war started, Mama made sure we had enough rations to make our special treats.'

'Well, there you go. That wasn't so bad, was it?' Newkirk questioned, then turned back to the rest of the men. 'Have I told you fellows 'bout the time my family…'

Maisie tuned out to Newkirk's story, her head resting against Hogan's shoulder. Yes, those were the good memories. The ones she treasured. The ones she kept hidden away deep inside were ones she didn't wish to repeat.

'You alright, Little Bear?'

She smiled sadly at him. 'I'm okay, Papa. I just miss my family. Hearing everyone talking about theirs and thinking of my own just hurts a little. Do you miss your family?'

Hogan nodded. 'It's been four years since I last saw my folks.'

'About as long as I haven't had mine.' She mused. 'What is your family like?'

He chuckled. 'My mother, well, she's a lot like how you speak of your mother. It used to drive me crazy when I was younger. Robert, make sure you're home before ten. Robert, don't forget your lunch. Robert, put another jacket on. You'll catch your death of cold.' The teen smiled a little at his imitation of his mother's voice. 'But she's the best mother I could ever ask for. My father is a pretty good one, too. He rose to a Lieutenant General in the Great War. He was a fighter pilot. The reason I wanted to become a pilot in the first place.'

'Have you got any siblings?'

'Five. One brother and four sisters, three of them married. I might be an Uncle by now. I don't know. It's been a long time since I got a letter from home.'

'That's a big family.'

'And that's not including any aunts, uncles, cousins or my grandmother on my mothers side.'

Maisie raised her eyebrows. He did have a big family. 'That sure is a lot.'

'Let's just say that Christmas at home was a big thing. Especially when it was my folks' turn to play host. Each year we'd all gather at one home, then us children would get up to all kinds of mischief. Especially if we were at Grandpa's farm.'

'Sounds like it was a lot of fun.'

'It sure was.' He fell silent, the men laughing at another story someone else was telling. 'Maisie, I know this is your first Christmas you've had since losing your family, and I know it's not in the best of places, but I hope that you'll make some good memories.'

She smiled, looking up at him. 'I am. I'm not alone anymore. I have you here with me. And Newkrik, and Carter, and Kinch and LeBeau. You're my family, now.'

'What about 'Uncle Klink'? Does the Kommandant get a look in?'

She giggled softly. 'I guess he's kind of growing on me, like a fungus.'

Hogan laughed. 'That's one way of putting it.'

'He's alright, I guess. I can't complain. I could be in a way worse situation, so I'm thankful I'm right where I am-' She was cut off by a tired yawn.

'And I think that signals it's your bedtime.'

'I'm not going to argue with you there.' She rubbed her eyes, Buttons stretching out on her lap. 'What time is it, anyway?'

He glanced at his watch. 'Almost ten thirty. At least Klink was kind enough to let us have extra electricity tonight, but it's almost curfew, anyway. I better get you back over to your room. It sounds like a howling blizzard out there.'

'Alright.' She yawned again as she stood. Quick goodnights were exchanged between her and the men, Newkirk giving her a glance to confirm with her he'd take care of getting Hogan's jacket to her. With the blanket wrapped around her, she stepped out into the night, Hogan keeping his arm around her as they hurried to the Kommandant's quarters.

'Sure is coming down tonight,' Hogan said, once they'd made it to Klink's quarters.

'I hope it doesn't turn into a blizzard,' she said, with concern, shaking off the snow from the colonel's blanket, then handing it back to him. 'Danke for escorting me over here, Papa.'

'My pleasure, Maisie-' Klink walked into the room, and he offered a lazy salute. 'One niece, safe and sound.'

'I was just about to come and get you, Maisie. I see you saved me the trip, Hogan.' Klink replied, pulling off his gloves again. 'Thank you.'

'Anytime, Kommandant. Merry Christmas.' He started out the door and into the storm again. 'Good night.'

'Gute Nacht, Colonel.'

'I was worried about you-' Klink said, as the teen took off her hat and gloves, hanging them on the hat rack beside the door. 'Don't you realize what time it is?'

'I'm sorry, Uncle. I lost track of time.'

'It's alright. It is Christmas Eve, after all. You better get to bed. Der Weihnachtsmann won't come to visit if you're still awake.'

She smiled with amusement. 'Uncle, don't you think I'm just a little old for that? Besides, I know der Weihnachtsmann isn't real. I only wished for Colonel Hogan to get a new jacket. I didn't want anything for myself.'

'If you don't get off to bed, then you'll never know, will you?'

He's really gotten into the Christmas spirit, now, she thought, with a slight grin, hanging up her coat. 'I get the message. Off to bed I go.'

'Alright, who's touched my jacket?'

Newkirk glanced over as Hogan walked out of his room, the men in the barracks in various stages of getting ready for roll call. 'What do you mean, Colonel?'

'I mean, I left my jacket on the door of my wardrobe, and it's no longer there.' He looked around the men in the barracks, folding his arms in front of his chest. 'You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?'

'Who? Me, G'vnor? Never.'

'Roll call-' Schultz announced, as he opened the door. 'Schnell schnell.'

'We're coming, we're coming.' LeBeau grumbled. 'Can't you cut us a little slack? It is Christmas after all.'

'Jolly joker.' The guard rolled his eyes, watching as the prisoners filtered out into the cold morning. 'Colonel Hogan, where is your jacket?'

'That's what I'd like to know.' The colonel replied, taking his spot in the lineup. 'Hurry up with the count, Schultz. It's freezing out here.'

'We're all going to turn into bloody icicles.' Newkirk remarked, noticing Maisie hurrying from the Kommandant's quarters with a package beneath her arm. She disappeared behind one of the barracks as Klink stepped out of his office.

'Report-'

'All present and accounted for, Herr Kommandant.'

'Disssssmisssed.'

'Newkirk-' Hogan turned to the corporal as the men started back to the barracks. 'You know something about my jacket, don't you?'

'Why don't you take another look in your room, G'vnor? You might find it's turned up now.'

He raised an eyebrow, then headed to his room with his team following along behind.

'Merry Christmas, Papa.' Maisie grinned, as Hogan walked into the room. 'This is from both me and the boys-' She pulled the wrapped package out from behind her back and handed it to him. 'We hope you like it.'

'So you have been up to something, then.'

Her grin widened. 'Guilty as charged.'

A moment later, the parcel was unwrapped, and he looked at what had been continued inside with surprise. A brand new bomber jacket with the name patch from his old jacket sewn on the front. How on earth- 'I don't know what to say.'

'You can thank Maisie for it.' Kinch spoke up. 'She might have pulled a few strings with Klink to get that for you.'

So that's what the conversation he'd overheard between the two of them had been about.

'Put it on, Papa.' Maisie encouraged. 'I hope it fits.'

He slipped it on over his shirt, then nodded. 'Like it was made for me.'

'Looks good on you, G'vnor.'

'Très magnifique,' LeBeau agreed.

'Sure is a nice jacket,' Carter said, with a smile. He then looked at Maisie. 'Where's mine?'

She laughed, playfully jabbing him in the ribs. 'Took enough trouble to get me this for Papa. Do you know how hard it is to get an American bomber jacket in Germany these days?'

Hogan chuckled, giving the girl a hug and kiss on the cheek. 'Thank you, sweetheart.'

'I've got something else for you, too-' she said, when she pulled away, going over to his bunk where she'd hidden the rest of the presents beneath a blanket. 'This is also for you, from me.' She handed him another wrapped parcel, then brought another one out and pretended to look at the nametag. 'Hmmm, have you been good this year, Carter?'

He pretended to be horribly offended, trying to take the present from her, but she held it out of his reach. 'Of course, I have been.'

Newkirk rolled his eyes. 'Stop teasing him, mate.'

'Alright, alright. Here you go.' Carter took the present eagerly, going over to the colonel's desk to open it. 'LeBeau, this one's for you-'

'Merci, Maisie.'

'Kinch, you're next-'

'Hey, what about your old mate Newkirk?'

She giggled, shaking her head as she picked up the last present. 'Do you think I'd forget you? Here you go.'

'Socks, scarf, mittens and chocolate,' Carter spoke up with excitement, turning back to the teen. 'So that's why you didn't have time to come join in on our snowball fights; you've been busy making these all week.'

Maisie nodded. 'And let's just say my hands are glad I'm finished.' She smiled, watching them try on their new scarves and mittens. She turned back to Hogan, surprise evident on his face as he pulled out a thick winter bomber jacket. While his men chatted away, she snuck over to him. 'Do you like it?'

He smiled, looking down at her. 'Thank you, Maisie.'

'I just wish it was more, Papa. I know how cold you must be with only that thin jacket.'

Placing the jacket on his top bunk, he gave her another hug. 'I really appreciate it, my girl. I do.'

'I made you new socks and mittens, too. I was going to give you a scarf as well, but I ran out of yarn.'

'Where did you get the yarn in the first place?'

'I've been saving up my allowance. I was able to buy enough to make these and also some for Schultz and Langenscheidt. I had enough left over for the chocolate and some of Uncle Klink's favorite cigars.' She glanced over at his men, Newkirk and Carter arguing over the kind of chocolate she'd given them and giggled. Apparently Newkirk liked the peanut version that she'd given Carter, and he didn't want to trade for the almond one. 'Mama said it was better to give than to receive. I just wish I'd been able to get all of you extra blankets-'

'You've given us more than enough, sweetheart.' He interrupted softly. 'Why didn't you buy yourself something with what you'd saved up?'

A smile was on her lips as she motioned to the men. 'That's enough of a present for me. I just want others to be happy. I know how much you miss your families, and I wanted to make it a good Christmas for everyone.' Her smile faded as her thoughts turned to her own family. 'Partly because I've been trying hard not to think about the people who aren't here.'

Hogan kissed her forehead again, his arm around her shoulders. 'They'll always be with you in your heart.'

'I know, it's just hard…' She sighed softly. 'Well, I better get back to Uncle Klink. I haven't given him his present yet-'

'Just wait a minute.' He turned to his men. 'Alright, quiet down.' After a moment, the room fell silent. 'Newkirk, would you mind getting Maisie's present out?'

'Of course, G'vnor.'

She raised her eyebrows as she looked up at him. 'You have a present for me?'

'Well, we weren't about to let our favorite girl go without something,' the corporal answered.

Newkirk opened Hogan's foot locker, pulling out a wrapped box from inside. 'Here we are. One present addressed to Maisie. That would be you, I believe.'

'Maisie-' Her mother said, picking up a small present from beneath the tree. 'This one's for you.'

'Danke, Mama, Papa.' She replied with a smile as the present was placed in her hands. She pulled off the wrapping paper so it could be reused later, then opened the lid on the box. Her carousel! The one she'd seen in the window of the little store in town for months. 'Danke, Mama, Papa! She stood, giving them both a hug and a kiss on the cheek. 'Danke.'

'I'm glad you like it, dear. Why don't you go see what song it plays?'

'It plays music?'

Her father chuckled. 'If it doesn't, then I think the store clerk lied to us-'

'Are you going to open it?' Hogan prompted, after the teen had been holding it for a moment.

Maisie nodded, placing the present down on his desk to open it. Her hands shook as she unwrapped the paper, the room silent as she opened the lid on the box. Inside was a little carousel with four horses that had been painted red, green and silver. The horses were each a different color, one black, one palomino, one gray and one bay. Tears came to her eyes as she gently pulled the carousel out from the box, almost identical to the one her parents had given her. She bit her lip as it began to play Stille Nacht, struggling to hold back the emotions that came with hearing the song.

'Do you like it, honey?' Hogan asked.

'H-how did you get this?' She questioned softly, her voice wavering as the music died away.

'Colonel Hogan came up with the idea,' Kinch said. 'All of us helped make it, with Corporal Miller's help. He does wood working as a hobby and gave us a hand to put this together.'

'It's beautiful…' Maisie was at a loss for words, a couple tears trickling down her cheeks as she gave each of them a hug in turn. 'Danke, you have no idea what this means to me.'

'Oh, I've got an idea,' Hogan said, with a smile, wiping her cheeks dry. 'Merry Christmas, Maisie.'

'Frohe Weihnachten, Papa.'