After being coerced inspired by Journey, I wrote a fun Christmas short story with the crew from YWLA. Obviously this is never going to make it into the book, lol, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Sometimes it's nice to take a break from serious writing and just have some fun with your characters.

Wrapping my hands around a mug of hot coffee, I sprawl comfortably on the worn couch.  I should’ve known a squad Christmas party would be chaotic.  But our author had insisted, saying something about “the fangirls demand it”.  Whatever that meant.

There are interesting noises coming from the kitchen – I think Reg and Rory are arguing about the best way to cook the turkey.  They’ve had far too much sugar already, when they were decorating gingerbread cookies earlier.  Petey just got finished sweeping up the mess the three of them made, and now he’s helping Casey untangle a string of lights.

Cowboy comes in through the front door, carrying the Christmas tree. “All set?” he asks Casey.

“Yeah.” Casey moves a box of ornaments out of his way. “I got the stand ready here.”

With Casey’s help, Cowboy sets up the tree in a corner of the room.  He brushes his hands off and grabs a misshapen-looking gingerbread man from the plate on top of the TV set.

“What’s goin’ on in the kitchen, Sarge?” he asks me.

“Reg and Rory – what else?” I answer. “I think they’re talking about Christmas dinner.”

Cowboy grins. “That, brother, is my department.  They’ll burn the house down if they’re loose in there.” He goes into the kitchen, and a minute later the inseparable duo get unceremoniously pushed out.  I chuckle.

“Aw, Sarge,” Rory grumbles, “we were just tryin’ to help.”

“You can help me with the tree,” Casey tells them. “Rory, you and Sarge can get the top branches since you’re the tallest.”

“Yeah, okay.” Rory stuffs another gingerbread man in his mouth and puts a vinyl on the record player.  After a soft crackle of static, Elvis’s voice bursts through the speakers in the rock-and-roll “Santa Claus is Back in Town”.

We decorate the tree without incident, though Rory nearly drops a box of bubble lights and Petey gets tinsel in his hair.  Somehow the angel tree topper’s head came off, so Reg sits down to fix it with some wire.

A motorcycle drives up outside, and a minute later Kelly comes in, wearing a black leather jacket and a Santa hat. “Whew, it’s cold out there!” he exclaims, stamping snow off his boots. “Nothin’ like ‘Nam or California.” He eyes the plate of cookies. “Gingerbread?”

“It’s got too much frosting,” I warn.

“Ah, one won’t hurt.” He pours himself a mug of coffee and chooses what used to be a star-shaped cookie.  I think Rory tried to make it look like a napalm explosion . . . or something like that.

We all pulled names earlier for a gift exchange.  Now that the tree is up, Petey takes the presents stacked up by the couch and starts arranging them underneath the branches.

“Hey, Kelly,” he asks, “did you bring yours?”

“Mhm,” Kelly answers, through a mouthful of cookie.  He pulls a box from the pocket of his jacket and hands it to Petey.

The rest of the squad shows up soon, crowding into the small living room.  I’m not sure why our author didn’t rent us a bigger house for the party; she knew how many of us there were going to be.

Cowboy comes out of the kitchen with a big bowl of popcorn and another pot of coffee. “Hey, glad y’all made it!” he calls to the newcomers. “The snow wasn’t too bad?”

“Where’s Corbin?” I ask.  The author told him he has to be here too.

“Probably being smart and staying away from this madhouse.” Bush loads a plate with snacks and stomps up the stairs.

Newton shakes his head. “Scrooge.  No, Sarge, Corbin’s coming later with Doc, Benedek, and Swede.”

With the Elvis record finished, I switch to a Bing Crosby one instead.  More presents pile up under the tree, and the smell of Cowboy’s cooking drifts out from the kitchen.  Reg has finally fixed the angel – though it has a couple wires sticking out of its head – and I put it on top of the tree where it belongs.

It’s just starting to get dark when Corbin and the others arrive in a jeep.  Doc comes in wearing a full Santa outfit – minus beard – and carrying a large basket.

“Ho, ho, ho!” he calls as soon as he steps in the door, though it doesn’t quite sound like a warm Santa chuckle. “Everybody’s here now.”

“Ooh, what’s in the basket?” Rory asks.  He tries to open the lid, but Doc slaps his hand away.

“Not yet, idiot box.  You gotta wait.”

“Merry Christmas, sir,” I tell Corbin, trying not to grin – he’s wearing a Santa hat and looking none too happy about it. “Was that Doc’s doing?”

He grunts. “Yeah.”

Cowboy has just called everyone for dinner when the doorbell rings.  I quickly do a headcount – all my men are here, so who is it?  Castello, coming to crash the party?  I give Corbin an inquisitive glance as the bell rings several more times.

He shrugs but goes to open the door.  I hear a happy “Merry Christmas, Corbin!” in a bubbly, all-too-familiar voice.

“Oh, you.” Corbin gives Phoebs a very un-merry look. “You said this was a squad party.”

“Well, you’re not from the squad, and neither are some of the others.  Besides, I’m the one who set this up, and y’all are my boys anyway.” She squeezes past him, carrying a large chocolate cake decorated with holly candies. “Hi, guys!” she greets the rest of us.

The responses are mixed – some enthusiastic, some a little concerned, and one a bit put out.  That’s Bush, who just came back downstairs.  Phoebs puts the cake on the table and takes off her coat.  I’ve never seen her dressed in 1960s style before, but it looks a lot better than the baggy sweatshirt she was wearing last time I saw her.

There’s some chaos as we all scramble to find seats at the table.  Petey pulls over another chair for Phoebs, putting her at the head of the table.  Once everyone is seated, I clear my throat.

“Before we begin . . . Benedek, would you mind reading from Luke 2?”

“Gladly.” Standing up, Benedek pulls out his service Testament and reads the Christmas story from verses 1-20.  He says grace, and then there’s more chaos as all the food is passed around.

“Cowboy, you really outdid yourself,” I comment. “This all tastes amazing.”

“Thanks, Sarge.  I had some help.” Cowboy grins at Iowa.

Once everyone has gorged themselves, we adjourn to the living room again.  Phoebs runs out to her car and returns with a large, stuffed bag.

“Here, for you guys,” she explains breathlessly, opening it and spilling wrapped presents on the carpet.

I turn on Bing Crosby again while Casey and Kelly sort out the gifts.  Doc finally opens his basket, revealing more presents.  That’s just like him, to buy things for everybody.  He’s very devoted to “his” platoon.

As usual, Rory, Reg, and Petey sit together, crosslegged on the floor near the fireplace.  Corbin slumps into a rocking chair, and Phoebs perches on the arm of the couch next to me.  Bush settles, scowling, into a far corner, since I told him he couldn’t go back upstairs to watch TV.  Everybody has to be here for the gift exchange.

“Everybody ready?” I ask once Casey and Kelly have taken their presents and found seats.

“Yes!” shout the three by the fireplace.

“No,” mutters Bush.

Phoebs shakes her head at him. “You Grinch.  Why did I make you so grumpy?”

“Yeah, why did you?” Corbin locks eyes with her for a moment. “Ignore him, Parker.  We’re ready.”

Phoebs nudges me. “You open first.”

“Are you sure?” I ask.  There are several nods of agreement, so I pick up one of the gifts from the pile at my feet. “Okay, here goes.” I smile. “Merry Christmas, everyone!”

I didn't extend the scene because it was already getting long and I didn't have the slightest idea what the guys would get each other. 😂 So, instead I'll let YOU use your brains! What do you think my boys would get?