All I Wish for Christmas

Tilly had certainly fallen, physically and emotionally, head over ceramic heels for Captain Tinsel the day he’d saved her from certain death at the foot of the candle. And by the end of Christmas, their friendship had deepened with resounding trust as they spent much of their time together over the holiday season.

The tiny skating children had learned a valuable lesson—the exact lesson Tilly had hoped they’d learn by the end of the year—and were much better-behaved after Tilly’s big scare. George had been mortified thinking that he’d almost gotten Tilly hurt or worse, and he often brought her little gifts to make it up to her. Of course, she forgave him and their relationship blossomed even more. Unlike Mary, who had the eternal baby Jesus, Tilly was sure she’d never have a child of her own, so deep down she imagined that these motherless children were hers. This prompted her to keep up after them, entertain them with stories, and teach them all she knew about Christmas.

Conversely, the children were still a bit frightened of the Captain, who maintained a stiff attitude with them. He just couldn’t tolerate silliness, and Tilly couldn’t persuade him to do otherwise. In the end, she simply determined that it might take them a few Christmases to warm up to each other. But that would be a task for next year she surmised.

Christmas Eve arrived and Alexa was heading home to her parents, so no Santa Claus this year, and Tilly wondered if she’d ever get to see him again. Taking Captain Tinsel by the arm, Tilly told him all about that first Christmas in which she’d met the magical gift-bringer, while he listened with deep interest.

“Since no one lived at the bookstore, I’ve never actually met him, and I guess I never expected to live anywhere else, so had never thought that I might have the chance to see him. It would be something to have the opportunity,” Captain admitted.

“I promise I’ll introduce you personally,” Tilly proclaimed and he smiled down at her tenderly.

“That would be very gracious of you, Miss Tilly.”

With sunrise nearing, Tilly explained Olivia’s Christmas Wish tradition as the pair stood outside of the manger waiting for their turn to see baby Jesus. Captain Tinsel had read many books about Jesus during his tenure at the bookstore, to include the Christian Bible, the Muslim Qu’ran, and Flavius Josephus’ Jewish Antiquities. But the Christmas Wish tradition was a new one to him and he was game to give it a try in the spirit of Christmas.

This year, Tilly hadn’t spent nearly as much time with Mary and Jesus, or the rest of the Nativity set as she usually did, and she frowned.

“What’s wrong, little one?” Captain asked.

“Oh, I guess this December just passed so quickly. There just wasn’t enough time to spend with everyone.”

“Mmm,” he mused. “It may sound a bit selfish, but I’m glad you spent a good portion of your time with me this year.”

She perked up at that, beaming brightly at him, “I’m glad, too.”

When it was Tilly’s turn, she knelt next to Jesus’ crib, tucking his tiny curls back and smiling down as he babbled up at her. “Oh Jesus, you’re such a sweet baby. She glanced quickly back up at the nutcracker who was waiting his turn and nodded to her as he caught her stare.

“Jesus, I think you’ve already granted me my wish. You know, the one I’ve been wishing for each year? I think I’ve fallen in love! And I think the handsome Captain might just be on the verge of loving me back! He gives me the sweetest compliments and treats me oh so kind. So, now I don’t know what to wish for.”

She paused, wracking her brain for something she needed or wanted. “No, dear baby, I think I will take a pass on a wish this year. I can’t think of a thing I want. Instead, I’ll just give you my love and promise you that I will dance with you more next year.” And with that she kissed the baby on the forehead and whispered, “Merry Christmas, Jesus. I love you.”

But the following two years proved to be equally busy for the tiny angel, and she was unable to fulfill her promise to the ceramic child that everyone held so dear. In fact, she felt that she had less and less time to spend on many of the things she used to enjoy. Not that she complained, as most of that time was now spent with Captain Tinsel, who she loved more with each passing week. He was so caring and kind to her, and was always full of some interesting information. Every time her heart fluttered by something he did or said, it was apparent to Tilly that she and the nutcracker were meant to be together.

So, she found herself doing everything she could to ensure that their relationship continued to grow. If he wanted to read Shakespeare, then she’d hurry off to find it on Alexa’s shelf. If he wanted to see the peppermint ball soccer game, she ensured they got the best seats possible. It wasn’t that he made the rules or was demanding in any way. In fact, it was quite the opposite much of the time. He would ask her what she wanted to do first, and Tilly would simply reply with a resounding, “Whatever you’d like to do is fine with me!” So, after a while, Captain quit asking.

This didn’t seem to hinder their friendship, though, and Tilly was sure that soon the Captain would find that he was head over heels for her, too. She’d read enough of Alexa’s romance novels to know that love couldn’t be forced, yet she felt awkward about asking him directly if he had feelings for her. She thought he did. Every time he presented her with a little surprise, or made sure to remember something special about her, she was sure he felt something deeper than friendship.

Yet, he never made a move to hold her tight like Joseph did with Mary. Or, heaven forbid, tell her that he loved her outright and kiss her, though she’d dreamed about it all the time. She knew she should tell him how she felt, but deep down inside she was afraid that he wouldn’t love her back, and she didn’t know if her little ceramic heart could bear such news. At the end of their third year, Tilly vowed that next year she would bare her heart to him once and for all.

As the sun set on the first of December of the fourth year with Captain, Tilly awoke to a new Christmas and a new set of bulbs, lights, and garland on the tree. Alexa had exchanged the red and blue theme for lush golds, rich pinks, creamy white. It was beautiful, and she couldn’t wait to see it all from Captain Tinsel’s table top view. How spectacular it must be.

“Captain,” she whispered under her breath with excitement. He wasn’t difficult to find, positioned in his usual place on the table in front of the window, and Tilly was grateful that Alexa had placed her on the window-side of the tree. Her heart fluttered as soon as she saw him in the glow of the Christmas lights. Then, when she realized that he was gazing up at her with the most handsome, dreamy smile, her heart and stomach fluttered some more—surely he was thinking of her.

She gave him a small wave as she began unhooking herself from the tree, but he didn’t seem to notice as he simply stood there looking in her direction. Then she realized that his handsome green eyes weren’t looking at her, but instead were trained a little too far upward to be on her. Trying to see what it was he was looking at, Tilly finally got herself off the limb and turned around so that she could look up the tree herself. But before she could make anything out through the branches, Glint whistled loudly, “Looks like Alexa upgraded the tree topper. A very pretty upgrade at that.”

“I can’t see a thing,” Tilly murmured as she moved along the branches, running into the Grinch. “Oh, excuse me Grinch. Merry Christmas. Have you seen the newcomer yet?”

“Newcomer? I don’t give a hoot about a newcomer! Now leave me alone!” The bright green grump frowned at her before making a face and slinking back into the branches, closer to the trunk.

“You know I love you anyways,” Tilly winked at him, then scooted out of his territory. Finally, she decided that Captain Tinsel probably had the best view anyways, so she fluttered her wings and landed effortlessly next to him. “Hello Captain! Merry Christmas!” she warmly smiled at him.

“Merry Christmas, Tilly,” he happily, but matter-of-factly replied, not taking his eyes off whatever it was that had his attention so trained. In previous years, Captain Tinsel would award Tilly with at least a hug or smile on their first day back together, and the little angel was beginning to feel a bit slighted.

But, this was soon forgotten as she turned to see who everyone around the room was beginning to talk about. There, at the very top of the tree, replacing the traditional glowing, yellow star, Tilly laid eyes on the most gorgeous angel she’d ever seen. About eight inches in total, the beauty, taken right out of Alexa’s novels, had flowing blonde curls and an equally flowing silk robe, the same dusty rose color of the new bulbs. In fact, it looked as though the bulbs and garland were made to match her perfectly.

“Wow,” Tilly whispered, suddenly feeling a bit too cute for her own title of ‘angel.’ This woman was so beautiful, surely she hadn’t come from a store at all, but straight from heaven above. Jealousy had never been one of her attributes, but once she took another look at her Captain, Tilly suddenly felt the unknown emotion. Unsure of what it was, she was sure that it pained her right in the center of her heart.

“Uh, Captain?” Tilly tried to get his attention. Her heart beat loud and heavily, but lacked the usual excitement and rush of joy it usually did when around him. Suddenly, she knew exactly what was happening and fear crept into her heart. She’d read about it in nearly every romantic story in Alexa’s library. Her love, her soldier was falling. And he wasn’t falling for her, but instead for the gorgeous angel atop the tree.