My First Christmas, Part 2
Posted on Fri Apr 1st, 2022 @ 5:06pm by Ensign Jonaya Darik
Mission:
*CD*
Location: Earth
Timeline: 4 Years Ago
Jonaya was sitting on the floor in the Hilton home family room. Her legs were crossed and she was talking with eight-year-old Jennifer, the youngest of the six children. The family was decorating an artificial conifer tree. Bowls of snacks were strategically placed on tables.
"So let me make sure I have this right," said Jonaya. "Santa flies all over the world, giving toys to children that are good. He has eight magic animals called reindeer, that pull his sleigh."
"Yes," said Jennifer with a nod.
"But somebody made up a story with a ninth deer named Rudolph, that somehow was born with a glowing, red nose."
"That's right, but there was really a tenth reindeer, though I don't know why she wasn't in the holo movie," said Jennifer.
The family had watched a holo rendering of a show from hundreds of years ago, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Jonaya enjoyed it, but there was still a lot about Human Christmas traditions she didn't understand.
"Are you sure there was supposed to be another deer?"
"Yes!" said Jennifer. "She's in the song the snowman sang."
Jonaya went over the song in her head. "I'm sorry, but I'm not seeing it."
"The song. Olive the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names." Jennifer's face beamed with a smile.
Jonaya squinted her eyes as she thought about what Jennifer just said. When she finally got it, she let out a hearty laugh. "You're messing with me, aren't you?"
Jennifer giggled.
"Come on, you two. Get over here and help with the tree." It was Julie. She was holding a cord that had multi-colored lights attached, each several centimeters apart. "Everyone pitches in. No slackers allowed."
"Yes, ma'am." Jonaya saluted.
Jonaya stood silently staring at the decorated Christmas tree. The colored lights swirled around it from top to bottom. Glass balls with flickering lights inside, were hung on branches by small, metal hooks. Ornaments made by hand by the children, completed the fun. Her people didn't have anything like this, so she was thrilled the Hiltons let her be part of it.
"There's one more tradition we do," said Mr. Hilton. "It's something unique, because we don't get to do it every year. We can now, because we have a special guest in our home."
Jonaya smiled, a warm feeling in her heart. They had done so much for her already. She wanted to say they didn't need to do more, but that wouldn't have been polite.
"The last item goes on top of the tree." Mr. Hilton nodded to Jeremy, the youngest boy.
The lad darted out of the room. In a few seconds, he returned, holding something in his hands.
When she saw it, Jonaya gasped. It was an image of a girl, about fifteen centimeters tall. She was wearing a light blue dress that flowed to a cone-shaped opening at the bottom. She had long, brown hair, and her eyes were black.
"I made it myself," said Jeremy. "It's you."
A tear rolled down Jonaya's cheek. When she was able to speak, it was only a whisper. "Thank you."
"Put it on top of the tree," said Jeremy.
Jonaya took the image, holding it gently. All the Hiltons were watching. Her eyes met Julie's, who nodded. Standing on her toes to reach the tall tree, she carefully placed it on the top.
Everyone clapped.
"Okay. It's time for pie and ice cream," said Mrs. Hilton.
The children charged into the kitchen and Jonathan came to Jonaya's side. He held out his arm. "M'lady."
Jonaya hooked her arm around his and together, they joined the others for dessert. There were still days remaining on break, but it was already a time in her life Jonaya would never forget.
