Santa's Newest Reindeer (22 page)

holding some mistletoe over Grams’ head and gave her a kiss.

It was the kind of fun they needed.

Bill reached into the box that contained Christmas tree

ornaments and gave each of them a handful of lights, tinsel,

or garland.

“We didn’t even think of going to the mountains to cut our

own tree this year. I guess too many more important things got

in our way, but next year . . .” promised Peg, stringing garland

across the mantel.

“Let’s just decorate the fireplace for this year,” suggested Bill.

They followed Peg’s lead and placed the decorations around

the hearth and mantle. They positioned the twins’ pictures by

the large candle and hung their favorite tree ornaments over

the picture frames. They stood back and looked at their efforts.

Although it resembled more of a shrine than anything, they

were pleased with the results. It sure didn’t feel like their usual Christmas, but it would have to do until Ellie and Will returned.

If they wanted a Christmas tree, then the family would travel

into the mountains to cut their own.

“Before we retire for the night, let’s sing ‘Silent Night,’”

requested Peg, nodding at Bill to lead them.

As they sang, Peg was not the only one who struggled with

emotion. The four stood in front of the fireplace, arms around

each other’s backs, and rocked gently back and forth to the

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flicker of the flames. It was not long before only humming

sounds flowed from the four carolers. Calmness embraced each

of them. The gusting winds ceased to howl, leaving ruffled

drifts of snow everywhere. A cloudless sky revealed the heav-

ens, populated with millions of white lights. From the top of

the universe to the floor of the valley, all seemed bright. It had truly become a silent night.

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Santa rechecked his Naughty and Nice List one more time

as several hustling and bustling elves loaded his sleigh with

brightly wrapped toys for all the girls and boys.

Yule, the head elf in charge of the reindeer, and his assistant

elf were harnessing Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet,

Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen to the huge red sleigh. Excitement

was rising as the departure time was nearing. The eight tiny

reindeer fidgeted in place, as if acting out their names. They were eager to fly. Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer stood patiently

waiting his turn. As was the custom, Santa would personally

attach Rudolph’s lead lines, and Mrs. Claus would feed the

red-nosed reindeer a bunch of carrots before liftoff.

“Ho! Ho! Ho! Bring Big Buck out, and let’s get him ready

to go,” Santa said calmly to the elves. He did not want to add

any more to the chaos that occurred every year.

The flatbed sleigh on which Big Buck was anchored mea-

sured as wide as his side girth and from nose to the tip of

his tail in length. It was hewn from a mature Christmas tree.

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Cedar planks created its platform and side rails. Long, soft-

needled branches formed a fuselage with streaming baffles

on both sides. Multiple straps secured it in place and ensured

a stable ride. A forward bench seat built for two small riders

completed the carrier.

“Which reindeer do you want to pul Big Buck?” asked Yule

with a twinkle in his eyes. Yule knew that Santa loved all his

reindeer, especially Rudolph. Yule had previously harnessed

Santa’s favorites to his big red sleigh, but he hoped his pet

reindeer, Cosmos and Astro, would be selected.

“Jeepers tells me that Cosmos has earned the honor tonight

based on his flight performance this past year, and he guided

Jeepers’s sleigh that whisked Ellie and Will to our village,”

Santa announced proudly, nodding to Yule.

“Santa! I think it’s time for Astro to take his maiden flight

outside of the dome,” requested Yule, hoping to gain Santa’s

approval.

“Do you think he is ready for such a long trip?” questioned

Santa.

“Oh, please. Oh, please let him go along,” begged the twins,

siding with Yule.

“That is your call. You are the one who trained Astro. Just

remember the gifts and goodies you will be carrying,” responded

Santa, pointing in the direction of the overly stuffed Big Buck.

Yule wasted no time in sprinting to the Reindeer Residence

and returning with Cosmos and Astro. It was difficult to deter-

mine which twin was more excited. The tiring run proved to be

calming for both Cosmos and Astro, for the elves effortlessly

harnessed the two reindeer and hitched them to Big Buck.

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“Ho! Ho! Ho! It is Christmas Eve when the world begins to

track. It is time to leave, so quickly load my sack,” roared Santa as he harnessed Rudolph to his big red sleigh, kissed Mrs. Claus, and climbed aboard. Mrs. Claus vigorously rubbed Rudolph’s

ears as the red-nosed reindeer gulped down the tasty carrots.

“Ellie and Will, climb up! You’ll ride home with me, and

each of you can take turns holding the reins,” beckoned the

rotund man dressed in crimson. The gifts they had received had

already been stowed securely aboard. The twins complied and

quickly joined Santa. They stood and waved to the countless

number of elves who had assembled for the send-off. The twins

recognized several of the elves they had met—Mayor Noel,

Clarion, Candy, Art, and Orion. Their adopted elf family was

in the front row. They would miss their new friends, but they

missed Dad and Mom and their grandparents more. It was

time to go home.

Jeepers and Yule watched the loading crew, who had been fill-

ing the cavernous bel y of Big Buck with many boxes. Once the

stealth cargo doors were closed and sealed, they made one last

inspection tour around the mammoth reindeer. They tugged on

the guide straps and rechecked the lashings that tied the wind-

streaming tree boughs. Finding nothing amiss, they boarded

the transporter and stowed their gear.

“Ho! Ho! Ho! Oh what fun we’ll have,” bellowed Santa,

whistling to Rudolph and snapping the reins.

The wide glass doors opened into the frigid North Pole atmo-

sphere. The jolt snapped the riders’ heads back as the four-legged engines accelerated, pinning them in their seats. Close behind,

Cosmos’s and Astro’s hooves scraped atop the cobblestone.

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Clickety! Clickety! Clickety!
Ellie and Will bounced from side to side as the tandem reindeer strained to gain traction. Big

Buck’s antlers barely cleared the sliding glass doors’ top beam.

The elves’ measurement had been precise with not an inch to

spare. As the glass doors closed behind them, the spectators’

thunderous cheers were replaced by a deafening quiet.

The two crafts, Santa’s sleigh and Big Buck, taxied onto a

short runway and awaited clearance from the control tower. The

runway beacon changed to green followed by a verbal command

from the head elf in charge of air traffic.

BOOM!
Santa and his bright-red sleigh, including Ellie,

Will, and toys for girls and boys, rocketed into the heavens, led by Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and eight tiny reindeer.

ZOOM!
Jeepers and Yule hung on for dear life as Cosmos

and Astro ignited their powerful afterburners, sprinting to catch Rudolph and the eight reindeer. Cosmos and Astro loved to race

each other whenever they could. Moreover, both loved to win.

It was bragging rights until the next opportunity to race again.

Rudolph was leading the eight reindeer, Cosmos and Astro

were second, and Big Buck followed a close third. It was like

a menagerie of animals, elves, and humans.

The sleighs banked to the left so the twins could have one

last glimpse of Santa’s Village far below. Then, with the nine

reindeer at full speed, Santa’s bright-red sleigh streaked upward, causing vapor trails to stream from the sleigh’s undercarriage.

It leveled off upon catching the jet stream and locked its global positioning system in a southerly course.

Jeepers directed Cosmos and Astro to mimic the celestial

path created by Santa’s sleigh. The flatbed cutter settled as it rode

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smoothly in the draft of its leader. Big Buck dwarfed the two

celestial cradles, but it was itself merely a dwarf in the universe.

Ellie and Will pulled the heavy comforter tightly to their

necks and snuggled closer to Santa, whose suppleness pro-

vided additional warmth. They recognized the constellations

and specific stars that Yule had chartered on their journey to

Santa’s Village.

“Look to the left. Do you see those satellites? They are used

specifical y to track my progress as I travel the world delivering toys for the girls and boys each Christmas Eve. Let’s listen to

what is being broadcast,” Santa said, tuning in the satellite’s

frequency.

“Santa Claus, Rudolph, the eight tiny reindeer, and a bright-

red sleigh filled with wrapped presents have left the North

Pole. An unidentified flying object is following Santa. We are

not sure what it is, but it looks like an asteroid. We will track it more closely to make sure it does not endanger Santa’s ride.

In the meantime, be sure the milk and cookies are placed by

your fireplaces. Now it is time for boys and girls to nestle all

snug in their beds, for Santa Claus is coming to town.”

“Ho! Ho! Ho! Oh what fun we’ll have. They are tracking

Santa Claus and Big Buck, the biggest reindeer in the world,

and Cosmos and Astro,” roared the jolly old man, causing his

belly to shake.

“By the way, what presents did you two request in your letter

to Santa?” quizzed the white-bearded sleigh driver.

“Santa, we have never had a Christmas like this one or such

a wonderful gift as everything that’s happened the past two

days,” offered Ellie.

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“And we’ll never again have such a wonderful Christmas,

except with our parents and grandparents. You and Mrs. Claus

and all the elves at Santa’s Village are our second family,” interjected Will.

“We have received the best Christmas present in the whole

wide world! Nothing could ever be better than this year’s gift—

celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve and being home with

our family and friends!” Ellie had never spoken so forcefully.

“But we know that you exist, as well as Mrs. Claus, Rudolph,

eight other reindeer, Cosmos, Astro, Big Buck, a bright-red

sleigh, a cutter, elves galore, our host elf family, and Santa’s

Village. We know where you live because we were there and

met you,” boasted the twins.

“Seeing is believing! And we have seen you, and we will

believe in you for as long as we live,” promised Ellie and Will.

A smile broke through Santa’s frost-laden beard. “You are

always welcome at Santa’s Village. Ho! Ho! Ho! Oh what fun

we’ll have when you visit us again,” promised the sleigh driver.

To the right, the Milky Way spilled across their route, and

Mars rolled on its creamy pathway, as if bowling over starry

pins. To the left, thousands upon thousands of pinpoint lights

winked repeatedly at them.

“Whenever you gaze at the stars, remember you are look-

ing at the souls of previous elves who have lived and worked

at Santa’s Village. While they are no longer physically with

us, they will always be with us in our hearts and minds. Once

an elf, always an elf. As long as you believe, Santa Claus,

Mrs. Claus, and all his elf family and the reindeer will be

with you.”

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“Wil we always be elves, or at least considered elves?” ques-

tioned Ellie.

“As long as you believe,” promised Santa.

“Can we live with Dad and Mom in Holly Valley and still

be elves?” Will had to know.

“Let’s talk about this another time, okay?”

The twins braved one more glance at the stars, closed their

eyes, and drifted off to sleep hearing their Mom humming,