Part three: Fulfillment

December 1992

Lee Stetson stood alone in the large crowd of Christmas shoppers. Christmas had never been one of his favorite holidays, just another 24-hour day, but since his marriage to Amanda, he had come to enjoy it more and more.

He felt a tugging on his long black overcoat, and heard a sweet little voice calling, "Daddy, daddy."

Lee looked down and couldn't help smiling broadly at his four-year-old daughter. He bent and swept her into his arms, kissing her soundly on her cheek. "Well, Jenny, that was a quick trip to see Santa." He craned his neck to look for Amanda. "Where are mommy and Matt?"

"They're still in line, daddy. I wanted to come find you."

"Uh, Jenny, sweetie, did you tell mommy you were coming to find me?"

"No, daddy. I didn't 'member to tell her. Am I in trouble?"

"Jenny, you know better than to wander off by yourself."

"But daddy, I'm not by myself. I'm with you."

Lee had to smile at her 'Jenny logic.' "Let's just go find mommy, OK?"

As he neared the line for Santa's village, he spied his tall wife searching the crowds, a worried look on her face, their son Matthew parked on her hip. She caught sight of Lee, and sighed with relief when she saw he was carrying Jenny. She quickly made her way through the crowd to where they were standing. Amanda began to scold her daughter, "Jennifer Leigh Stetson, you scared me half to death. What have we told you about going off on your own? You have got to learn to do what you're told." Amanda looked at Lee and at his wink said, "Not one word, buster, about it running in the family."

Lee put up one hand in mock surrender and grinned. "Hey, I didn't say anything."

"Yeah, but I know what you were thinking," she smiled back.

"I just went to find daddy, so he could see Santa too, mommy. I didn't mean to scare you. Are you mad at me?"

"I'm not mad, but I was scared and I'm glad that you're safe, sweetheart. Now, why don't we get back in line for Santa?"

Matthew smiled at his father and asked, "What do you want Santa to bring you, daddy?"

Lee smiled back and took Matt from Amanda with his free hand, hugging both of his children close. "Well, Matt, Santa doesn't have to bring me anything. I've got all I need right here. All I need are my two wonderful children and their beautiful mommy."

"And Grandma!" Mathew chimed in.

"Right, Matt.  We can't forget Grandma," Lee agreed.

Jenny added, "And Philip and Jamie, too."

"Of course, Jenny.  I have you and Matt, and Grandma and Philip and Jamie, and your beautiful mommy.  Why would I need anything else from Santa?  I have more than I could ever ask for."

Jenny thought for a moment, "But you have to ask Santa for something, daddy."

"What if I thank him, instead?" he asked.

"Thank him for what, daddy?" Matt asked curiously.

"Why, for you of course, Matt. For all of you. Yeah, I think maybe I'll just have to thank Santa."

After a short wait, they had made it to the front of the line. Lee and Amanda stood back while their twins climbed up into Santa's ample lap. "Ho, ho, ho. Who do we have here?"

"I'm Jennifer and this is Matthew. He's my brother. We're twins."

"Those are nice names, Jennifer and Matthew."

Matthew spoke, "I was named after my grandpa. He went to heaven before I was borned, but daddy says he was very special, and so am I."

"Well, I'm sure he's right, Matthew."

Jenny chimed in, "I was named for my grandma. She's in heaven too. Daddy says she was very, very beautiful."

"Just like you, little one. So, have you been good children this year?"

"Mommy says we're the best children ever," Jenny replied smugly.

"She also says we're precosh . . . What does she say, Jenny?"

"Precocious. She says we're precocious."

"That's a big word for somebody so small," Santa replied. "Do you know what it means?"

"No, but it's a funny word, isn't it?" Jenny and Matt began to giggle and squirm.

Santa quieted them down and snuggled the two small children in his lap. "So, what do you two want for Christmas?"

Lee put his arm around Amanda and pulled her close. She put her arm around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. She sighed in contentment as they watched their children with Santa. "We are so lucky, Lee. Look at those two angels."

"Yeah, we are lucky. I love you so much, Amanda. You and our children have made my life complete in a way I never could have imagined."

"I love you, too, Lee." They turned toward each other and moved closer to kiss, when they were interrupted by Jenny calling out, "Daddy, daddy!"

Amanda couldn't help giggling as she grazed his cheek with her lips. "Some things never change, sweetheart."

Lee gave Amanda's waist a squeeze as he answered Jenny, "Yes, sweetie, what do you need?"

"Don't you have something to say to Santa, daddy?"

Matthew chimed in, "Right, daddy. You said you were going to thank Santa."

Lee and Amanda walked up to Santa's big chair. Jenny and Matt scrambled down out of Santa's lap and went to stand next to their parents. Lee seemed a little embarrassed by the attention they were getting from the other people in line. He looked down at his two little ones and said, "Maybe I can do that later. Santa is very busy and I don't think we should take up any more of his time."

"Nonsense," Santa's voice boomed. "I always have time."

Lee looked closer at Santa and saw true joy in his sparkling blue eyes. Something overcame Lee and he sat down at the foot of Santa's chair. "Have we met before? You look so familiar to me."

"Of course we've met. I'm Santa, remember? So, Lee, what was it you wanted to thank me for?"

Lee gaped at the white-bearded man. "How did you know my name's Lee?"

Santa laughed, "I'm Santa. I know everything."

Lee shook his head in disbelief. "No, this isn't possible. You're not real."

I think we've been through this before, Lee. You once told me you were glad I was real. Just think back."

Suddenly, in vivid detail, Lee recalled his visit to Santa when he was five. He glanced up at Santa and murmured, "That was the last time I ever believed in you. You didn't bring me what I asked for."

Santa looked down at Lee with compassion. "Well, Lee, there are some things even Santa can't do. However, I did promise I'd do my best, and I think I did that. Look around, son; you wanted your family, and look at the great one you've got. It might not be exactly what you asked for, but I think you'll agree it's close."

Lee turned and looked back at his wife and his two precious children. He stood and walked over to them. He knelt down and kissed both of his children, then stood and put his arm around Amanda. He looked back at Santa and smiled. "You're right, Santa, and thanks. I'll never give up on you again and I'll always believe."

The End