A Winter Story: The Christmas Present by Halita Wilson

In celebration of Christmas, I invited readers to write a story about the painting below. Enjoy the short stories submitted and have a Merry Christmas!

 The Christmas Present

by

Halita Wilson

“Nicole! We need to get going shopping. I know we have so many people to shop for. Plus, the deals are just outrageous.” Samuel called out to the kitchen where his wife of two years had been baking cookies of all sorts for their local church cookie exchange. 

“Just let me shut off the stove and then we can go baby. You just know how much I love to volunteer for the church bake-off that donates the profits the Asheville Orphanage for little girls.” Nicole brushed the flour off her as she shut the stove off and set the cookies out to cool off. 

“I just wish we could do something a little bit bigger this holiday season. I want to find a way to bless people with more than we have, you know? I would just hate it if it had be our child who is to come. Little Chloe Sophia Holland.” Samuel came close to Nicole’s side who was five months pregnant. 

Nicole blushed as she leaned up on her tippy toes to kiss her husband. It had taken them almost a whole year to try for a baby. This had been one of her Christmas wishes this year. 

“I know what you mean. It would break my heart if anything happened to our baby girl. I know we were meant to be parents. I just wish it didn’t take so long for us to actually be able to create her. But I am so happy that she is coming into our world now. God apparently had different plans. Just shows that He is the one who ultimately has everything in control.” Nicole spoke softly as she hung up her gingerbread apron and Samuel helped her slide on her coat, then handed her her scarf. 

“Nicole, I think God was waiting for the right time in order for little Chloe to be brought into our lives because I know that I had some growing up to do and we are all ready for her when she is born. Lets go over to the shops.” Samuel opened the door and let her go first out of respect to her. 

Nicole knew she was the luckiest woman on earth for someone who truly adored her. She looked at Samuel with love as he drove down the cold, icy mountain to the town below.

Upon reaching the local target, Nicole smiled for she knew there was one thing that she was going to pick up for one of the little girls she saw at the orphanage which was an American Doll that had the shiny black hair with the most beautiful chocolate brown eyes. The doll’s name was Sylvia which was always the name of the sweet little girl who looked up into Nicole’s eyes. 

“What’s the biggest smile about hunny?” Samuel questioned chuckling as he reached for her cheek. 

“Do you remember Sylvia from the orphanage?” Nicole looked at him answering his question.

“Yes, She is from the Philippines right? She lost her parents in the recent typhoon. Is that who you are buy a christmas present for tonight?” Samuel laughed because Sylvia was the most amazing little girl. 

“Yes, Sylvia is who I want to buy the American Doll with the shiny black hair and the brown eyes for. She is the one my heart kinda went out to when we visited the orphanage.” Nicole smiled as they walked into Target. 

“That sounds like a great plan and I figured we could buy a few other toys for the little babies and just really bless the orphanage since I have gotten a job working from home. I wanna be like Daddy Warbucks for the world. I want to share my blessings with them. Come lets see what we can find.” Samuel took her hand and they skipped down the aisle filling up their carts. 

They checked out and as Samuel got the car, Nicole went next door to the pet store. They had just gotten some really cute little baby kittens. There were two twin baby boy kittens that were both orange with stripes. Nicole gently petted the sleeping kittens. She had remembered her old cat Ginger who passed on five years ago. It reminded her of how much joy Ginger had brought into her life. 

Samuel parked the car and walked in to let Nicole know the car was right out front in the expectant mother’s spot. Nicole let out a giggle and thanked Maria for allowing her to play with the kittens giving her a card. 

“Maria, if they do not sell. Please let me know. They are just so adorable and they deserve a home too.” Nicole waved goodbye. 

“I sure will keep you posted and I agree with you about kittens who needs homes.” Maria mentioned as she locked up the pet store after they left. 

Nicole smile stayed warm all the way home as she sang at the top of her lungs to the Christmas songs playing on the radio. Samuel enjoyed singing along with his wife. 

Samuel parked the car once they got home. It was a quarter past nine. Nicole got into the house and put her apron back on and started on the next batch of cookies. These were going to be chocolate chip with mint pieces in it. She knew they were Maria’s favorite. Maria Wahlberg had no one to spend Christmas with. 

Samuel brought all the presents in and start to wrap them up because He knew that Christmas was only three days away. Nicole brought over a cookie for him to try. 

“So how does it taste? Is it good?” Nicole wondered as she skipped back into the kitchen. 

“They are fantastic sweetie. Am I wrapping Sylvia’s present or are you?” Sam spoke up as Nicole stuck her head out of the Kitchen. 

“I am wrapping hers. You can make sure the others are wrapped up if you would kind sir.” Nicole sang out as she sprinkled some sprinkles on the sugar cookies. 

“Sounds like a great plan. How are the cookies coming along?” Samuel pondered as he joined her in singing. 

“Almost ten dozen done. The last one is in the oven now. So that makes twenty-five dozen cookies over the past week. I swear so many people would think I am Mrs. Claus or something. But I just love to bake cookies.” Nicole twirled around the living room before heading back into the kitchen, she planted a kiss on Samuel’s cheek. 

“Wow, so many cookies. At least its going for a good cause. Once you are done baking. Come here. I wanna spend some time with you and Chloe. I think we should introduce music to her. What do you think? I bought some baby speakers to go over your tummy.” Samuel blushed.

“I will be right there baby, and I think that is a great idea. I think our little one is going to be obsessed with music just like we are.” Nicole blew him a kiss as she pulled the last batch of cookies out of the oven, turned it off and joined him in wrapping presents. 

Sam placed the headphones over her tummy and gently played the music. Chloe moved around in Nicole’s belly like she was a little figure skater. 

“Sam, she’s moving. Here feel this.” Nicole gasped as she grab his hand laying it on her stomach. 

“Oh my gosh, Hi baby. We created that. Our baby.” Sam wiped a tear from his eye for he couldn’t believe in a few short months that he would be a father. 

They went to bed after an hour of wrapping presents. 

The next evening, Nicole and Sam drove to the Asheville Church of God and helped out with cookie duty. 

“Guys, thank you so much for helping to make our Christmas eve service the best event all year round especially for the orphans of our town and our world.” Robert Perkins chuckled as he munched on some of the homemade cookies as the service began singing all the Christmas songs. 

Sylvia came onto the stage for her solo. She sang ‘Silent Night’ 

Tears ran down Nicole’s face as she thought of the poor little girl who had no family. It broke her heart. 

The service ended and everyone was on their way home when Sylvia grabbed nicole’s skirt and hugged her. 

“I love you Mrs. Holland. Merry Christmas. Its not much but please cherish this. Its all I have.” Sylvia cried out as she handed Nicole a silver tiny ring on a chain. 

“Oh Sylvia, I love this my darling. Hang on, I have a present for you too.” Nicole pulled the box out of Samuel’s jacket handing it to Sylvia. 

Sylvia opened the present and started to play with her right away. 

Nicole smiled with such warmth. 

“I am giving her the adoption papers tomorrow morning. And Maria is getting married to me. I am giving her the ring tomorrow.” Robert whispered into Nicole’s ear. 

“Oh my gosh! Everyone’s Christmas dreams are coming true.” Nicole spun around as the snow started to pour down. 

Sylvia ran over and held onto Pastor Robert’s leg. Nicole just couldn’t stop smiling for she knew that her favorite orphan would be adopted. 

“Lets go home.” Nicole snuggled against Sam’s shoulder as they piled into the car. 

They drove home in the peace of Christmas and went to bed after seeing that all the presents were in front of the tree. 

The next morning, Samuel quietly snuck into the living room and put the two orange kittens in a small little box as Nicole ran down the stairs. 

“Are you serious, Samuel?” Nicole asked.

Sam nodded and walked towards her with the kittens. 

“I know how much you miss Ginger. Merry Christmas baby. These little guys are for you and Chloe.” Samuel smiled up at her as she sat on the floor and the kittens climbed on her lap. 

“Merry Christmas baby. Thank you for making my dreams come true. They are so adorable. Would you like to name one?” Nicole questioned looking into Samuel’s eyes as Chloe jumped for joy in her mother’s womb. 

“I think I will call our little girl’s kitten Tigger because she loves to jump around apparently.” Samuel chuckled as he hugged Tigger close. 

“My little guy will be named Simba. Yeah, I like the names. Simba and Tigger. Merry Christmas hunny. Our family is now complete.” Nicole giggled as snow rained down around their little Christmas Cottage. 

Robert smiled as he walked into the Orphanage and signed the last of the papers. It was official. 

Maria was already there. 

“Maria, I have a question to ask you. Will you marry me and make my family complete by joining me with Sylvia?” Robert looked up at Maria from on bented knee. 

Three months later, Robert and Maria got married and changed Sylvia’s name to Sylvia Perkins. 

 The End

Would you like to learn more about Halita Wilson's writing? Check out her Facebook page about her books! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Megan-and-Halita-Wilsons-Books/401105310011286