An assassination in Uruguay had fomented unrest in that country that UNCLE Intelligence had ascertained was being exacerbated by THRUSH in the hopes of inserting one of their puppets into the seat of power. So, instead of spending Christmas with Leona Nicole as they had planned, they were flying to South America the day before Christmas Eve.
"Tovarisch, I don't much like it either," Napoleon was saying, "I was looking forward to spending the holiday with Leona Nicole, but what are you gonna do?"
Illya shrugged as he closed his suitcase. "I am happy that the Greers are home for the holiday and we can drop her off on the way to the airport. I do not know what we would have done if they had gone out of town."
Napoleon was about to answer when the sound of heartbroken crying reached them. Both men immediately stopped what they were doing and went down the hall to their daughter's room.
They entered and saw Leona sprawled on her bed, clutching her teddy bear, Rollo, to her chest as she sobbed. Illya sat on her bed and pulled her to him and said, "Why are you crying, Leona? What is wrong?"
"I'm not going to get any Christmas presents! Santa won't be able to find me!"
Illya looked at Napoleon as if to say, This is your area of expertise! He slid over and handed Leona off to his partner who kissed and hugged her to give her comfort.
Napoleon said, "Of course Santa will be able to find you! Santa always knows where the good little girls and boys are! Don't worry, Baby, Santa will find you, I know it!"
Leona Nicole just cried harder. "You're just saying that, Daddy, because you and Papa have to go. But Santa thinks I'm going to be here!" She sniffled and held Rollo closer to her chest. "It's alright, Daddy. Papa, I know you have to go; it's OK that Santa can't find me. I'm OK, I'll be good." She took a deep breath and then blew it out and put on her stoic four-year-old face.
Napoleon looked over her head at Illya and shook his head. It was killing him that Leona was so upset, but she was right; they had to go and soon. Obviously, I can't tell her that most of her gifts are at Rosie and Lamont's anyway since we didn't know we would be here. He kissed her head again and said, "I know you think I'm wrong, but don't worry. Santa will find you."
They finished packing for themselves and for Leona. The Section III agent assigned to drive them arrived on time and helped load the suitcases into the trunk. He knew that he had to stop at the Greers' to drop off the little girl before taking the two agents on to JFK.
When they arrived at Leona's second home, both agents got out and walked her to the front gate of the Springfield Gardens, Queens home. Lamont came out to get Leona and her bag which basically contained Rollo and some books since she had an entire wardrobe in the house. After they kissed her goodbye, she ran inside to play with Paige and Napoleon took advantage of the opportunity to tell Lamont about their last conversation with her.
"Don't worry, guys," Lamont said, "Rosie was planning to take Paige to have her picture taken with Santa tomorrow so now she'll take Leona too and she can tell him where she'll be Christmas day. It will work out. Go do your jobs; everything will be fine here."
The two Section II agents smiled as they got into the sedan and headed off to John F Kennedy Airport. They trusted the Greers enough that if one of them said it was going to be fine, it was going to be fine.
Fortunately, they were not only able to identify, capture and turn over to the Uruguayan authorities the THRUSH operative who was stirring up trouble, using Veritol 19* they were able to record the dirty bird confessing to assassinating the Vice – President. The President was so impressed with how efficient they were in uncovering the truth, he applied to UNCLE to become a member nation.
Illya sighed, "I will be so happy to pick up Leona and take her home. We were not with her for Christmas, but it is only December 27th so it is not too bad." They were heading to Passenger Pickup to meet Agent Stollen of Section III. Illya saw the man and waved for him to pull up.
They both got into the back seat and Napoleon said, "I have an idea. Why don't we…"
The Russian listened to the plan and nodded. He caught Stollen's eye in the rearview mirror and said, "Do not tell Agent Greer that we are back in town. I will not be happy if you do."
"You have my word, Mr. K."
"Good."
The next day, Napoleon called Lamont to tell him that he and Illya were back in town and could he please call Rosie to let her know they were on their way to take her home. When they arrived, Leona was so excited to see them that she opened the front door and ran straight into their arms.
"Daddy! Papa! I'm so happy you're here! Come look!" she shouted as she got in between them and grabbed their hands to lead them inside. "Aunt Rosie took me and Paige to see Santa and I told him where I would be and he said he would remember and he did! Look at all my presents!" She was so thrilled, neither man had the heart to correct her grammar.
"I knew Santa would find you, Sweetheart," Napoleon said. He looked at Rosie, winked and said, "Thanks again, for taking such good care of our daughter and taking her to see Santa so she could know for herself that he would know where to find her on Christmas Day."
Illya took Rosie's hand and squeezed it gently. "Yes, thank you. Leona could not have a better aunt."
"If you boys make me cry, I will pinch both of you! Leona, get your things, please, so that you all can go. Unless, you two would like to stay for dinner."
The unlikely parents gathered up some of Leona's gifts and deliberately left some there. Illya had driven Napoleon's car, so they placed everything in the trunk and then Leona jumped into the back seat with her Daddy.
Traffic was light and they were able to make it back to the Upper Eastside record time. After the Russian parked in the underground garage, they got Leona's things out of the trunk and got on the elevator that went straight to the penthouse. When they got to their front door, Napoleon said, "Leona, when I unlock the door, please go turn on the living room lamp because our hands are full." She didn't see the smiles Daddy and Papa exchanged.
"Yes, Daddy." They watched her go down the hall to the living room. They heard her gasp. "Daddy! Papa! Come quick! Santa was here! Santa was here!"
They walked to the living room and feigned surprise. They had spent the entire day before decorating the living room, putting up and decorating the tree, wrapping the presents and placing them under the tree.
"There appears to be a letter on the tree," Illya said as he reached for an envelope tucked up near the top. "It is addressed to you, Leona. Would you like Papa to read it to you?"
"Oh, yes, Papa! Please?"
He sat on one end of the couch and patted next to him where he wanted her to sit. Napoleon sat on the other side of her.
Papa opened the envelope and pulled out a green sheet of paper. "Dear Leona," he read, "I appreciate you telling me where you would be for Christmas even though I already knew. I appreciated it so much that I decided to leave a few presents here for you because you were such a good year and I though you deserved it. I also left some gifts for your Daddy and your Papa so they would not feel left out. I hope you enjoy your presents. See you next year! Sincerely, Santa Claus."
Napoleon whistled. "Wow, Santa must really think highly of you to do such a thing!" He leaned over and hugged her close. "I have an idea: Why don't I make us some hot chocolate while Papa turns on the tree lights and then, we'll open our presents before I start dinner? How does that sound?"
Leona smiled and said, "That sounds good, Daddy!"
So that's what they did.