'Twas the week before Christmas…
"Bravissimo!" exclaimed Dom, coming out of the Santini Air office to join String and Cait in the hangar. "flights all booked, Italy here I come!"
"That's great news Dom, it will be nice for you to catch up with long lost family." said Cait smiling.
"Yes, it will. I've not seen my cousin, for ooo, let me think, it must be the better part of 20 years. I hope he recognises me at the airport!"
"No one could forget you Dom." joked String patting Dom on the back as he passed him heading for the coffee pot.
"You were lucky to get a flight Dom, you have left it a bit late to book." said Cait.
"I know, I know, but well I've only just decided it's what I want to do that's all. So, that's me sorted and Cait is heading back to Texas, but what about you String. Any plans?"
"Nah, me and Tet will be fine up at the cabin. Bit of fishing, bit of relaxing."
"I do feel bad leaving you on you own for Christmas String…"
"So do I" interrupted Cait. "you know the offer is open for you to join me in Texas right? I know my family can me a bit full on, but Mom has already said you are welcome."
"Quit worrying you two, I'll be fine, I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself." replied String, filling his mug with coffee and walking into the office.
Dom looked at Cait and shrugged.
"Ah Dominic Santini" came a voice from the door.
"Any wise cracks about my virility Cait and you'll be going on Santa's naughty list" whispered Dom before approaching the visitor to greet her.
"Sister Monica, to what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?"
Hearing the voices brought String out of the office.
"I've come to ask a favour, for the children, not for me."
"Well, OK, go ahead." said Dom.
"Our Santa Claus has let us down at the last minute and we have all the children expecting to visit his grotto in this week."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that Sister, the children must've been really looking forward to it." said Dom
"Yes, they are, we haven't told them. I was hoping that you might take on the role of Santa this year."
String nudged Cait as they both stood smiling at Dom waiting for his response.
"Me! Santa Claus! Are you sure Sister?" exclaimed Dom.
"Why yes Dominic, I think you have just the right build for him and the costume will fit you perfectly."
String couldn't help himself and let out a little guffaw. Cait was trying desperately to stop herself from joining him.
Dom glanced at them both before addressing Sister Monica.
"Well, Sister in that case I would be honoured to help you out. Just tell me when and where I need to be."
"That's the other problem I need to solve, we also no longer have a venue for the grotto."
"Well, that's no problem Sister, we can do it here. Cait's a whizz with the decorations, we'll sort out a grotto for you, wont we Cait?"
"Sure, I don't mind helping with Christmas decorations, that job sounds like it has my name written all over it Dom."
"Good, that's settled then. Leave it with us Sister."
"Oh and Dominic, I have the box with the presents in that Santa gives to the children in the car. I take it you will have time to wrap them?"
"Errr, sure Sister, wrap presents, no problem, we can do that."
"Mr Hawke, perhaps you would accompany me to my car to collect the box."
"Sure Sister no problem." replied String putting his coffee down and glancing at Cait who was smiling at him.
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Cait had used Dom's meagre box of Christmas decorations to add some festive cheer to the office, but there was no way she could turn them into Santa's Grotto.
"Say Dom" said Cait coming out of the office carrying a very limp piece of tinsel. "Can you spare me to head to the store for some decorations for this grotto? I'm not going to get very far with this."
"I'll have you know that I've had those decorations as long as I've had this business Cait." said Dom raising his eyes to the ceiling."
"I think I can tell that" replied Cait laughing.
"But, I do see what you mean. Take some of the petty cash and don't be long!"
"Thanks Dom."
"And Cait…"
"Yeah?"
"Don't forget the wrapping paper."
"Sure thing Dom."
Cait found herself smiling as she drove to the store. Sister Monica seemed to know exactly how to handle Dom and String, but then it was kinda hard to refuse a Nun. Cait pulled into the parking lot at the mall and headed inside, she was going to enjoy this. She gathered together everything she thought she would need including, tinsel, lights, coloured paper, decorations to hang from the ceiling and fake snow. She had decided they could use one of the offices as the grotto. All that was needed was something draped around the walls to hide all the office stuff and then decorated it would make a great grotto. Juggling bags and rolls of wrapping paper she made it back to her car. On her way back to Van Nuys she popped into the costume hire store.
"Hey, I'm back, can I get a hand here." yelled Cait as she pulled up outside the hangar.
String and Dom walked out to find Cait, her face almost hidden from them by the strands and strands of tinsel she had wrapped around her neck so she could use her hands to carry all the other stuff. She was trying to catch a roll of wrapping paper which had fallen out of the car and was rolling away.
String and Dom both started laughing.
"Cait, what the hell do you look like?" asked String as he went to retrieve some bags from the car.
Cait had caught the errant roll of wrapping paper and was trying to get bits of tinsel out of her mouth.
"I feel very Christmassy, I've had great fun." laughed Cait.
"I can see that said Dom. Any petty cash left?"
"Errr, no, sorry Dom, but I think I got everything we need." said Cait, tapping Dom on the arm as she passed him.
String watched Cait as she stood and removed all the layers of tinsel she was wearing, smiling to herself whilst she did it. There was something infectious about Cait at any time of the year, her spirit was like a ray of sunshine on a cold winter's day, but around Christmas it was even more noticeable. She was like a big kid and String couldn't help but find it somewhat endearing.