Posted On: Wednesday, 25 December 2002, at 6:15 a.m.

Merry Christmas!

William entered his townhouse shortly after six o'clock, weary and exhausted from a long day of meetings. He'd been unable to keep to his original plan of working reduced hours when he returned from his month of family leave. He'd unwittingly allowed too many things to pile up so that he found himself nearly back to his regular schedule in his first week back in the office. The thought of spending so much time away from his wife and new daughter frustrated William greatly and he planned to devote some time that evening to rearranging his affairs so that he could reclaim some of his time.

"Where's Lizzy?" he asked Mrs. Reynolds as he slipped out of his coat.

"Oh, she ran out for an hour or so to do an errand," Mrs. Reynolds said. She smiled at William's look of alarm. "She ought to be returning any moment. Her sister was with her, if that makes you feel any better."

"It does, slightly," he replied as he mounted the stairs and headed for the nursery. As William approached the open door he heard his daughter's Jamaican nanny singing an old song, and he stood in the doorway for a moment and smiled as he watched her change the infant's diaper. "Good evening, Mrs. Simms," he said when she was done. The nanny looked up and smiled.

"Good evening, Mr. Darcy. Your timing is perfect. Your little angel has just awakened and is ready to welcome her daddy home." William's smile grew as he approached the crib, tugging at his tie. "I was just about to give her a bottle."

"May I?" the new father asked.

"Of course, Mr. Darcy." William slipped off his jacket and handed it to Mrs. Simms before carefully lifting Rachel from her crib and cradling her in his arms. He sat down in the chair he had custom made for Lizzy and accepted the bottle the nanny held out to him. The infant sucked at it hungrily, her brown eyes examining her father's as she drank. "You know," Mrs. Simms said, breaking the silence, "I have been nurse to hundreds of babies over the last twenty years, but I've never seen anyone take more naturally to being a father." William tore his eyes away from his daughter to look up at the smiling woman.

"Oh, I think my cousin could give me a run for the money. He's a natural and he's got twins to deal with."

"Mr. Richard? Perhaps, but I've only seen you in action and it's quite an impressive sight." William blushed at the praise.

"Thank you, Mrs. Simms." The nanny smiled at the pair in the chair and turned to leave the room to give them a little private time, but William's voice stopped her. "Oh, Mrs. Simms? May I ask what you think would be an appropriate gift for an infant's first Christmas?"

"Well, if she's the infant in question," Mrs. Simms said with a wink, "I'd have to say that she doesn't need anything. You and Mrs. Darcy have already given her a treasure beyond measure." William smiled thoughtfully as she turned toward the door again, nearly colliding with Mrs. Reynolds, who had come to the door with a message. Mrs. Simms stepped to one side to allow her entry, and for a moment, both ladies stood and watched William coddle his daughter.

"You know, I can almost remember when he was that small," Mrs. Reynolds said. William looked up and Mrs. Reynolds cleared her throat.

"What's so interesting in there?" a voice behind her said. "I know, it must be the most beautiful baby in the world," Lizzy said as she entered the room. "Ah! As an added bonus, she's in the arms of the most beautiful man in the world."

"I was just coming to let you know that Lizzy has returned," Mrs. Reynolds said crisply. She winked at Lizzy and left the room with Mrs. Simms. Lizzy walked over to William and kissed his temple before bending to say hello to her daughter.

"Hello, gorgeous," she cooed. "You too, bug," she added as she lightly stroked the baby's cheek. The baby released the bottle's nipple to smile up at her parents. "She looks more like you every day, Will."

"I was just thinking she looks more like you every day," he replied as he allowed Lizzy to take Rachel from him. He rose to let her sit down. Rachel wouldn't take anymore of her bottle so Lizzy reached for a cloth and expertly burped the infant. "I still can't do that as well as you."

"Even with all those lessons from Richard?" Lizzy teased.

"She just won't do it for me," William pouted.

"Perhaps it's because you're such a dignified, classy guy," Lizzy said as Rachel burped soundly. "With me she needn't stand on ceremony, as you see." She wiped the baby's mouth and handed her back to William. "My work is done here. I want to go and get out of these clothes," Lizzy said as she headed for the door. William smiled in amusement and watched her go. He played with Rachel for a few minutes and reluctantly handed her over to Mrs. Simms on her return so he could get ready for dinner.

"So I hear you went and did a little shopping," William said as he cut into his veal chop a few minutes later.

"He didn't hear that from me," Mrs. Reynolds said defensively as she placed a carafe of water on the table. She winked at William as she made good her escape.

"I suppose I...supposed," William admitted.

"You supposed correctly," Lizzy replied. "I had a special request to fulfill."

"Oh? May I ask just whose special request this was?"

"Certainly; it was your daughter's," Lizzy replied cryptically.

"What did she ask for?" William frowned. Lizzy suppressed an urge to giggle at his expression. He looked completely confused.

"You didn't know she could talk, did you," Lizzy said conspiratorially.

"Actually, no."

"Oh, we girls talk all the time. But I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to reveal the nature of her request," Lizzy said seriously.

"Swore you to secrecy, did she?" William countered, amused at Lizzy's playfulness. He was just beginning to recognize the Lizzy he knew before Rachel's birth. She was becoming more energetic, more vibrant and more like "his" Lizzy every day. William was intrigued by her metamorphosis; he had watched first Olivia's and then Jane's transformation from woman to mother, but with Lizzy--the woman he knew most intimately--the change inspired awe.

"I'm afraid so."

"How come I've never heard Rachel speak?" William inquired.

"William! Surely you realize that Rachel says 'I love you' every time she looks at you with those big brown eyes," Lizzy said reproachfully. William smiled dopily.

"Yes, I do. In fact, she's very much like her mother in that respect."

"And her father as well," Lizzy concurred. William couldn't argue with that but he was still curious.

"And she can also make special requests with them?"

"Well, no, not exactly..."

"What, then?" William pressed, cupping his chin to listen.

"It's just something between us girls," Lizzy said cheekily.

"And I'm now outnumbered two to one. I can live with that." Lizzy leaned forward to close the distance and kissed him.

"We're rather happy with the current arrangements, too," she said. The couple finished their dinner and temporarily went their separate ways. Lizzy went up to check on the baby. William went to the library to work on his schedule. Lizzy promised to join him shortly with her knitting. She had become quite adept over the course of her pregnancy. She'd begun by occasionally knitting with William's friend Christina at the yarn shop in Greenwich. They invited her to their home one day and as Lizzy's pregnancy progressed the three of them spent many a Saturday together at the house, sometimes with Olivia, Kathleen and Bess joining them. In such company she'd quickly gained confidence and mastered several new techniques. Now, Lizzy was completing a special garment, a bright red dress Rachel would wear on her first Christmas Day.

Lizzy carried her knitting bag into the library where William was already settled at his desk and working. She sat down on the sofa near a lamp and pulled out her work. She began to knit, carefully counting her stitches to make sure that she kept to the pattern. As usual, Lizzy focused closely on her work at first, but she quickly found her rhythm and relaxed a bit. That's when she glanced up. To her surprise, William was typing away at the keyboard wearing a red cap and a white beard.

"William?" she gasped.

"Oh, he'll be back in a moment," Santa William said. "He said it would be all right if I used his computer while he was away. I'm afraid I don't have DSL at the North Pole."

"Bummer," Lizzy said, suppressing a giggle. Santa perused the screen for a moment, then peered over his glasses at her.

"Oh, you're Lizzy, aren't you?"

"Yes, 'Santa Claus.' My name is Lizzy."

"Well, come here my girl. It's been a while since we've had a visit." Lizzy laid aside her knitting and approached William's desk. "Don't be shy! Come and sit on my lap, my dear. And call me Santa."

"I'm not at all sure William would approve of my sitting on another man's lap," she replied, "or my being on a first name basis with you, Mr. Claus." Santa winked and gestured for her to come closer.

"Well, he doesn't have to know, does he?"

"Mr. Claus! Are you suggesting that I keep secrets from my husband? That would be naughty!" Lizzy said in mock horror as she took a seat on his lap. "I'm afraid I'd not only upset my husband, I'd get a lump of coal in my stocking, to boot!"

"Oh, I think I can safely assure you that you'll see no lumps of coal, my dear. Why don't you tell me what you want for Christmas? I'm in the process of making up my list."

"So late? I would have thought that you'd make your list much earlier."

"I already told you I don't have DSL. In fact, back at the pole I have to make all my lists by hand. This is much more convenient. I'm very glad I ran into William; this computer rocks!" Lizzy burst into laughter. "Now, why don't you tell me what you'd like to see under your tree?"

"Would you really like to know?"

"Yes; I've been looking for your wish list and haven't been able to find it."

"Oh, well, that's because...well, I thought it would be best if I didn't make my request in writing."

"No? Why ever not?"

"Well," Lizzy said shyly, "to tell you the truth, Mr. Claus--."

"Santa."

"Santa--what I want for Christmas...it's rather personal. I don't think it's something you could give me."

"Oh, Santa Claus is all-knowing and all-powerful! Never underestimate Santa," the jolly old elf chuckled.

"I thought Oz was all powerful," Lizzy snorted.

"People often confuse us. It's the darndest thing, really." Lizzy had trouble staying in her seat as William performance worked its gentle magic. "Now, tell Santa what you want." Lizzy whispered something in his ear. "Speak up, child. Santa's all powerful but a wee bit deaf." Lizzy doubled over again and it was a while before she could repeat her request.

"Well, Santa, I gave birth to our first child about a month ago and since then we haven't...well, we have, actually--. You see, Santa, it's kind of hard to feel beautiful and sexy and desirable when you're a new mother."

"I can well imagine! When Blitzen gave birth to Rudolph she was tired and out of sorts for ages! Believe me, I got quite an earful from Donner; more than I ever wanted to know about such things." Once more, Lizzy had to struggle with her composure. "But you're not here to listen to my problems. Tell me what you want for Christmas."

"What I really want for Christmas is to give my husband a very special night--a night where he'd have the woman he fell in love with all to himself, like it was before Rachel was born." William was pensive for a moment. Then he clucked and shook his head.

"Tsk, tsk. Oh, dear, oh dear."

"What's the matter, Santa?"

"I'm afraid I have a problem. You see," he said as he pulled up a screen, "your William left me this." Lizzy looked at the screen and read the note William had written.

Dear Santa.

You asked what I'd like in return for my lending you the use of my computer. I was happy to be of assistance without any recompense. In return for all the joy you have given me throughout my life, a few hours at my desk is hardly worthy of a favor. I am already truly the happiest man alive and want for very little. In fact, you would be very hard-pressed to find anything that could even approach the complete and utter joy I have found within my own family. But since you insisted that I accept something for my pains I make the following request.

I would like to give my Lizzy--the love of my life, the mother of my child, my best friend, the fount of all my happiness, my reason for waking each morning--one very special night. I want her to know exactly what she means to me, how much I love her, how much my existence on this earth depends upon her smile. I fear I have run out of ways to show her how much I love her, yet she never seems to run out of ways to make me love her more. I feel inadequate to express what I feel whenever I think of her.

So what I ask is that you allow me one night of perfect happiness with the woman who has made my life complete. I want her to have the experience of feeling all that is in my heart, a heart that is so full of love for her and the child she has given me that I have run out of ways to say "I love you more than life itself."

Respectfully,

William

Lizzy covered her mouth and read the letter as tears flowed freely down her cheeks. Santa pulled her close and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"There, there child. Don't be too upset."

"Upset? How could I possibly be upset by such a declaration?" Lizzy said tearfully. "That's the most beautiful thing I have ever read."

"The guy's got the hots for you, that's for sure." Lizzy laughed through her tears.

"You know, you're not at all what I expected, Santa. You're quite the rascal."

"You won't tell anyone, will you?"

"Your secret's safe with me," Lizzy said sincerely.

"Good. Now what am I supposed to do? You want to be the woman William fell in love with and he wants you just as you are!"

"So I see. I would have thought--."

"That he'd want to move backwards? Why should he go back? Apparently, he believes that his life gets better every day."

"I understand that now," Lizzy said as she stared deeply into William's eyes. "You are all powerful."

"And to think you had the audacity to doubt me," Santa gently accused.

"Can you forgive me, Santa?"

"Well, maybe...my price is one kiss," he said with a slightly wicked grin. Lizzy shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Santa. My heart belongs to William Darcy. I cannot kiss you, even if it means I'll get nothing but a lump of goal for Christmas."

"A lump of coal and a night of passion with your soul mate? I wouldn't complain."

"Oh, I have no complaints, Santa." Lizzy gave him a chaste kiss on his cheek and rose to her feet. "You'd better finish your list before William returns, Santa."

"I suppose I should," he sighed wistfully as he watched her go back to the sofa and collect her things. "Where are you going?"

"Upstairs to wait for my husband," Lizzy smiled. "Merry Christmas, Santa Claus."

"Merry Christmas, Lizzy."

William was sitting in the parlor reading a financial report the following evening when Lizzy appeared in the doorway. William peered at her over his reading glasses and smiled.

"That's bright and cheerful," he observed. Lizzy looked down at her new robe.

"And warm. Livy is too good to me."

"Olivia gave you that robe?"

"Yes. I've been coveting hers for the longest time, so when she decided to buy a new one she got me this as an early Christmas present."

"I see."

"Of course," Lizzy said opening the robe, "the best thing about having a nice fire engine red Polarfleece robe is that I can still wear this when it's twenty degrees outside." William smiled at the short red silk nightgown she displayed for him. He set down his report, which Lizzy took as a sign that she was welcome to join him. She closed the distance between them and made herself comfortable on William's lap.

"Hello, beautiful," William said softly as he kissed Lizzy's forehead. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly. William ran his hand over the collar of the robe. "This looks rather toasty. Don't you think it's overkill?"

"Come to think of it, I may only need this robe when you're not home," Lizzy conceded. "I'm always rather warm when you're around." William smiled and pulled Lizzy closer. "Rachel is sleeping; Mr. Simms says she was asleep before she was done changing her diaper."

"I know; I went up to take a peek at her while you were in your bath."

"You're such a good father," Lizzy said.

"You say that now, but how do you really like having a little competition for my affection?" Lizzy looked askance at the suggestion.

"Competition? Don't you have enough room in your heart for two gorgeous brunettes?" she teased.

"Indeed I do," William laughed. "My heart has grown so much since I fell in love with you I suppose there's plenty of room for both you and Rachel. Speaking of whom, what does one give a newborn for her first Christmas? It's not as though she needs anything; she's too young for toys." Lizzy bit her lip and thought for a moment.

"Well, I kind of like the tradition that Kathleen and Hugh have adopted. They give all their grandchildren an ornament every Christmas so that when they grow up and leave home they can take a bit of their family with them."

"It is a nice tradition," William agreed. "And they don't just do that for their grandchildren. They did it for Fitz and the twins as well as they were growing up and Aunt Kathy has already informed me that Rachel's collection starts this year, too. But that doesn't answer my question."

"I know. When Jane and I went shopping the other day I bought a few things to put on a little tree in her room. I want her first Christmas to be very special."

"Have you asked Olivia what she and Fitz gave their sons for their first Christmas?"

"Yes. They gave each of them a hope chest and have been putting all kinds of special things in them ever since. I really like that idea. Of course, the minute I said that out loud, Livy declared her intent to order one for her as her and Richard's present."

"That sounds lovely, starting a memory chest. I believe Fitz's paternal grandmother had one that he inherited," William said.

"Yes, and he gave one to Livy as a wedding present."

"Well, all this is interesting, but we're not getting any closer to solving my problem," William sighed. Lizzy smiled.

"Well, actually, I came down here with a problem of my own," Lizzy said as she toyed with a tendril of William's hair.

"If it involves you and that nightgown, I'm all ears," William said brightly.

"Actually," Lizzy said, pausing to rub noses with him, "I wanted to know what you wanted for Christmas." William responded by tugging at the belt of Lizzy's robe and sliding his hand inside the opening he created.

"Santa gave me all my presents early this year." He drew the robe back a little and began to nibble at Lizzy's shoulder.

"Oh, well last night was just his thanks for the loan of your computer. You're still entitled to a Christmas present."

"Well, then in that case, I want a repeat of last night," William murmured in her ear. "Every last second of it, over again." Lizzy let the robe's sleeve slip off her arm completely, captivated by the sensation of William's kisses along her collarbone. But she abruptly came to her senses and gently pushed him away.

"I--," she paused to clear her throat, which had suddenly become quite constricted. "I was thinking more along the lines of something we could fit under the tree." William turned his head and studied the seven foot-tall tree in the corner of the room. The Darcys would be spending Christmas in Connecticut, where a considerably larger, live tree would grace their living room, but William nonetheless used its surrogate to do a quick calculation.

"You're right. I don't think we'd--wait. No; well, maybe...no, not in any way that we'd--unless... No, no, you're right. We won't fit under the tree." Lizzy laughed at his comments, which were accompanied by turns of his head to different angles and a series of facial expressions.

"So we'll have to think of something else, love," she said. William glanced around the room.

"We won't fit under anything else, either," William said playfully. "Couldn't you just get me a tie or something for show and save my real present for when we're alone?"

"So when Livy and I go shopping for husband presents tomorrow, I'm supposed to tell her that I'm just buying a tie because my real gift to William is a night of mind-blowing sex after everyone leaves the Christmas party?"

"I have to wait that long?" Lizzy kissed William's dimple. "I sincerely doubt that she'd bat an eyelash. Olivia is a very astute and sophisticated woman. In fact, I suspect she'll be jealous that she didn't think of getting that for Richard."

"Really?" Lizzy snorted. "I rather suspect that she's already given that to Richard a couple of times."

"Well, I doubt that he'll ever get tired of receiving it. I know I won't. You can put it on my list for next year and the year after and the year after that."

"Along with a 'show tie'?" William smiled and raised Lizzy to her feet so he could discard her robe entirely. He pulled her back into his lap and resumed his exploration of her newly exposed skin. Lizzy raised her hand to his hair and closed her eyes as he showered her cleavage with tiny kisses.

"You know," he said between tastes of Lizzy's silky skin, "I would like a radio set, now that I think of it. That'd be better than a tie."

"A radio set? You mean like an old crystal set?" William lifted his head to look into her eyes.

"What do you know about those?" he frowned.

"What do you know about them?" Lizzy countered. William pulled away slightly to consider her question.

"Not a lot; what made you bring up the subject of crystal sets?"

"You just asked for a radio set," Lizzy explained. "I wanted to know what kind you wanted."

"Lizzy, no one's used crystal sets in ages--or made any, for that matter."

"Oh, well, what kind do you want, then?"

"I was talking about a set of two-way radios. I think they'd come in handy when we go to flea markets and split up or when you're in the garden and I'm in the office and am overwhelmed by the sudden desire to hear your voice. Fitz and Olivia have a pair and he says they use them all the time."

"I know. Livy told me that they're getting a set for Hugh and Kathleen so they can contact the big house."

"Well, then if we get some they'll be able to talk to us, too."

"I don't understand why; we all have phones."

"Where's your sense of fun?" William asked as he tugged at the neckline of her gown and peered underneath.

"You know, you've been spending entirely too much time with Richard, lately. We keep hoping that something of you will rub off on him, but--."

"The old thing I'm interested in rubbing against is you," William said determinedly, scooping Lizzy up into his arms as he rose to his feet.

"Whoa, there! When you played Santa, I sat and politely answered your questions. When I try to play Santa, you barely answer my questions and try to haul me off to bed at your earliest opportunity!" William grinned at her complaint.

"Well, there's the fact that you aren't wearing a scratchy old beard," he began as he stopped by a lamp and bent so Lizzy could turn it off. "And the fact that your scent is intoxicating, your eyes are alluring, you lips ripe and swollen, your skin like silk... Let's face it, Lizzy. You make a lousy Santa." Lizzy pouted as he carried her up the stairs. As they reached the top, they heard the distinct cries of the newest addition to the Darcy family. Lizzy pointed toward the nursery and William set her down. The pair quietly made its way into the room to peer at their tiny blessing.

"She's so sweet," Lizzy whispered as she began to unwrap the swaddling.

"I suppose she'll need to be topped off before we can go to bed," William said. Lizzy lightly elbowed him in the ribs before she plucked the infant from the bed and changed her diaper. William went into the master suite while Lizzy sat down to breastfeed the baby. He changed out of his clothing and got into bed, where Lizzy found him about fifteen minutes later. He looked up as she entered the room and laid his book aside, laughing.

"What's so funny?" Lizzy said in a slightly muffled voice.

"I hope those are pillows in there. Your first pregnancy took much longer," William chuckled. Lizzy walked over to the dressing room mirror and examined her reflection. She was wearing her red robe, which she had plumped out with pillows, along with the red hat and beard William had worn the previous evening. She smiled at herself and returned to the William.

"Still not convincing, eh?"

"Not a bit," William said as he took off his glasses and extended his hand and pulled her closer so he could undo her robe and remove her disguise. "Now, that's my idea of a lousy Santa." He pulled Lizzy into bed and turned off the light.

When the last of William and Lizzy's guests left their spacious Connecticut home, Lizzy went upstairs to change and check on the baby. William stayed below to speak with Mrs. Reynolds, who was supervising the post-party clean up and the departure of the caterers. He then headed for his study, where he sat down at his desk and pulled two small packages out of a drawer. He laid them on the desk side by side and gazed at them for a moment before he smiled and stuffed them into his pockets. He rose and returned to the living room, where he picked up another small package from under the tree and headed for the kitchen.

"We're all done in here. The other rooms will be done in a few minutes," Mrs. Reynolds reported. "Why don't you leave this to me and go on up to your wife?"

"I've got a few things to take care of before I retire, not the least of which is seeing to it that you get this," William replied as he gave her the box from beneath the tree. Mrs. Reynolds looked up in surprise. William had already, as always, given her a generous Christmas bonus as well as a gift at the tree-trimming party. "Don't look at me; Lizzy found it and insisted that you had to have it."

"In that case, I'll have to call tomorrow and thank her personally." She reached up to give William a warm hug.

"Have a safe trip back to the city," he said, "and have a Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you, too, William." She kissed his cheek and released him. She fetched her coat and went out to the van where the rest of the party staff was already loading up. William secured the side door, turned out the lights and went back into the living room. There was one last member of the party staff still there, taking one last look around the room to make certain that everything had been taken care of. He started to reach for the knob to turn off the gas-fueled fireplace, but William intervened.

"No, no; please leave that on."

"Sure thing, Mr. Darcy. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Paul." William followed the man to the door and locked it behind him. He returned to the room and admired the tree for a moment. He recalled his first Christmas with Lizzy. But this, his fourth, would be the most special of all. He reached into each of his pockets and produced the two small packages. After fluffing the ribbons a little, he nestled each package amid the boughs of the tree. He was smiling at his cleverness when he heard noises coming from the direction of the stairs.

"William?" A few seconds later Lizzy appeared in the doorway. "William, are you in--oh, it's you, Santa," Lizzy smiled as she entered the room. He didn't answer immediately, absorbed as he was in admiring her emerald green peignoir set. When he realized his mistake, he made a show of scratching his beard and frowning.

"It's Lizzy, isn't it? You look very different with your hair down like that." Lizzy smiled at his excuse.

"I must say I'm rather surprised to see you here tonight. I would have thought you'd be out making your rounds about now."

"Oh, I'm right on schedule. The eastern hemisphere is done and as soon as the team has had its elevenses we'll complete the western hemisphere."

"Oh! I had no idea that reindeer got tea breaks."

"I didn't either, till our last collective bargaining agreement. They were willing to concede a dental plan for it so it was no skin off my back. Come sit by the fire with me. You must be quite cold in that flimsy little get-up you're wearing."

"Oh, no, I'm quite comfortable. My husband is my best insurance against a cold night, however. You haven't seen him, have you?"

"William? Oh, he said something about getting Donner's autograph and went out back." Lizzy fought to contain her laughter as she took a seat on the edge of an ottoman.

"You still haven't told me why you're here, Santa," she reminded him.

"I'm delivering presents! That's what I do for a living, you know. In spite of all those romantic notions people all over the world may have of me, I'm nothing more than the world's oldest delivery boy."

"Oh, you're much more than that to us, Santa," Lizzy assured him.

"I doubt it. But if I'm more to you, Lizzy, then all my labors are worthwhile."

"Need I remind you that I'm a happily married woman, Santa?" Lizzy asked archly. Santa muttered something about William having pointedly reminded him earlier.

"The reason why I'm here, my girl, is that there were two special presents on William Darcy's list this year. You know, for a successful business man, he has an admirable lack of avarice. Even as a child he asked for things like a doll for his sister, a quick recovery for his cousin Richard's broken leg--now that's one little boy I thought might end up owning my entire coal mine!" Santa paused to chuckle. "But William was different--he always wanted to spread his Christmas cheer..."

"I get the impression that William was a favorite of yours," Lizzy said.

"Wonderful boy, that William! Did you know that he--?"

"I know William very well," Lizzy said. "Now, if you'll excuse me," she said rising to her feet, "I need to go and find him." She turned and headed toward the door amid a swish of green silk and lace.

"Don't you want to see your present?" Lizzy turned back.

"Shouldn't I wait till Christmas to open my presents, Santa?" Lizzy teased. Santa tapped lightly on the face of his Rolex.

"It is Christmas, my girl; has been for some sixteen minutes now."

"Well, in that case," Lizzy said, returning to her seat, "Merry Christmas, Santa Claus."

"Merry Christmas to you, Lizzy." He reached in amid the boughs of the massive spruce tree and plucked out the two boxes. "Here; one is for your daughter, but you'll have to open it for her." Lizzy took the packages and examined them. They were identical, as far as she could see.

"Which is which?" Santa glanced at the boxes and pointed to the one on the left.

"That one is yours."

"How can you be sure?" Lizzy challenged, even as she began to tear at the ribbon.

"Santa is all-knowing, all-seeing."

"Oh yes, how could I have forgotten?" Lizzy smiled as she opened the box. "Oh Wi--! Why Santa," she quickly recovered. "This is beautiful!" She gently fingered the locket which was suspended from an ornate pin. The box also held a chain so that she could wear it as a pendant. What most impressed Lizzy, however, was the image on the face of the locket. It was a blue agate cameo of a mother holding an infant. She put her fingers to her lips to suppress a gasp. "Where did you find this?"

"Oh, one of my elves--Elvin his name is, believe it or not--dabbles in jewelry making during the off-season," Santa said, although he, too, was slightly moved by the sight before him. "Why don't you open it?" Lizzy smiled and did as she was bidden. She gasped unabashedly this time as the tiny images of her beloved husband and infant daughter Rachel came into view.

"Oh, Santa, this is the loveliest present I've ever received," she said through tears, "aside from the originals of course," she hastily amended. Santa smiled and nodded.

"Why don't you open the other?" he said softly. Lizzy sniffed back tears and quickly unwrapped the other package. Inside was another locket, this time bearing the image of a little girl. Lizzy beamed at Santa and opened the locket to reveal images of herself and William.

"I'm sure Rachel will adore this. Her father is so very handsome," Lizzy said, with a wink at the tiny photograph of the man she adored.

"Her mother's a real looker, too." Lizzy looked up and cleared her throat as she closed the locket and secured it in its box.

"That's enough of that, Santa," she said reproachfully. She rose to her feet and placed both boxes at the foot of the tree, modestly covering her cleavage as she bent forward. Santa sighed his disapproval. "Now, if you don't mind, I really should find my husband, and I believe you have a few presents to deliver."

"A few? You call 275, 636, 482 presents 'a few'?" Santa got to his feet. "And that's not even counting all the coal in the boot of the sleigh. I suppose I should get going." Lizzy stood on her toes and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you Santa. Have a wonderful Christmas," she said solemnly.

"I will dear, as soon as I get rid of my load, head back to the pole, feed and water the team, do an inventory check with Elvin, handle a few complaints and returns--those ingrates will call on a holiday, believe it or not. Santa Claus does not carry batteries! Everyone with half a brain knows that!" he grumbled. Lizzy stood on her toes and kissed his other cheek.

"You are too good." She walked him into the front hall. "If William's still out there chatting up Donner will you ask him to come in? Tell him I'll be upstairs warming the bed for him."

"Need help?"

"Santa!" Lizzy smacked him on the butt and headed upstairs. He smiled and watched her go.

"No cookies?"

"You've had enough sugar from me, Mr. Claus," Lizzy said pointedly before turning on her heel and heading down the hall to the master suite. She entered the room and went straight to the dresser to check her reflection in the mirror, wanting to create the perfect image when William appeared.

"Lizzy?" a voice called from the other side of the room. Lizzy started and spun around to see William lying in bed regarding her curiously. "Where have you been?"

"Very funny, Mr. Darcy! I suppose you're going to try and convince me that you've been up here all along, aren't you?" Lizzy smirked as she approached the bed. William frowned at her from underneath the comforter, which covered him to his neck.

"Not 'all along,' but for the last ten minutes, surely. Why?"

"Did you just get Donner's autograph or did you manage to get the whole gang to sign something?" William sat up, revealing a pair of bright red flannel pajamas.

"What on earth are you talking about?"

"How did you--wait a minute; where did you get those pajamas?"

"They were on the bed when I came in. I assumed you left them for me. I'm not the red flannel type, normally, but they are rather cheerful and appropriate for the season."

"No, seriously, William; how did you get up here and changed so quickly?"

"I came up right after Mrs. Reynolds and the crew departed. You were in with the baby and Mrs. Simms. I heard that remark about my daughter's derriere resembling her daddy's, by the way. I'm not at all sure Mrs. Simms needed to hear that." Lizzy's mouth dropped open.

"How could you have possibly--?"

"Lizzy, stop gaping like a fish and come to bed," William said as he turned back the covers and patted the sheets.

"But you were downstairs playing Santa." William patted the sheets again and Lizzy went to the bed and slid under the covers.

"Sure I was," he said doubtfully. "Never mind that now; I have something for you." William produced a box from under his pillow and handed it to Lizzy. The wrapping was identical to that of the presents she opened downstairs.

"Another one?"

"What do you mean another one? Lizzy, should you have breastfed the baby in your--?"

"I am not drunk!" Lizzy practically snatched the box from him and tore off the wrapper. "Don't tell me; it's a locket," she said as she lifted the lid.

"How did you know?" William said with a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

"'Santa' gave me a clue," Lizzy said playfully, but when she opened the box she was stunned. The locket she found in the box was of Victorian silver embossed with marcasite. Lizzy opened it and found a picture of William holding Rachel along with tiny locks of their hair tied with blue and pink ribbons, respectively. "Oh William!" was all Lizzy could manage.

"I was going crazy trying to think of something Rachel and I could give you together," he said. "I finally came across this in a little shop and had to have it."

"This one is an antique, I take it," she said.

"This one?" Lizzy opened her mouth and closed it again. She found her voice and opened her mouth once more, but William touched a finger to it. "It'll keep till morning. Merry Christmas, love." He leaned over to kiss her briefly and then reached out to turn off the lights. He settled himself beneath the covers and pulled Lizzy into his arms. She lay there for several minutes trying to make sense of it all. When she could stand it no longer she raised her head.

"But--?" William was fast asleep, so she kissed his cheek and joined him.

The End.