Chapter Text
Amelia stood in between her fathers while they waited in line to see Santa. It was something all the other foster kids talked about, something she’s never done. When she told her Dad and Papa about it, they looked so sad, in fact her papa even cried a little. Which wasn’t that surprising, papa cries almost as much as she does.
But when her little voice said, “Santa’s never come to my house,” her dads made it their mission to make it happen. They celebrated Christmas as kids so she should too. And she was fine with that! Really! But at school she realized that the people in suits who moved her from her old houses to her new family probably didn’t tell them where she came from. So she had to, but she didn’t know how. Santa’s lap seemed like the perfect place, after all, he did grant wishes.
“Alright, Bedelia, climb on up.” Her dad said. She sat down on the big man’s lap and turned to him with a curious expression.
“What’s your name?” Santa asked.
“Amelia Munson, Mr. Claus.” She answered prim and proper, with all her manors. If he was going to grant her wish, she needed to be nice. That’s what papa said.
“What do you want for Christmas, Ms. Amelia?” Santa asked with a chuckle.
“Well, that’s the thing Mr. Claus. I’m adopted, and I don’t think the suit people told dad and papa.” She began.
“Told them what?” He asked and furrowed his brow.
“I don’t usually have a green tree. I usually have the candle row.” She said. “My mama and dada from before called it a M something said we were Jewish.”
“Ah, I see.” Santa said with a nod. “Is that what you want for Christmas? For your dads to know you’re Jewish?” He asked speculatively. Amelia nodded vigorously.
“But I want to have Christmas too, like they did.” She said pouting a little. “Is it okay to do two?” She asked softly. Santa smiled.
“Sure is, I’ll make sure you get your wish, my dear.” Santa said. Then it was time to take the picture. They smiled and papa came to get her off, Santa’s lap.
“Son, a moment?” Santa asked. Papa nodded and sent her to wait on the side. He leaned over to Santa and his eyes went wide as he listened.
“I understand, thank you for telling me sir.” Papa said and he hugged Santa tightly. Which, made Amelia think.
“Wait! Mr. Claus? Can I have a picture with you, and me, and my dads?” She asked before the next kid came up.
“You want that, honey?” Papa asked her. She nodded.
“Pretty, please?” She asked. Dad sighed, and shook his head. They both knew Papa wouldn’t be able to say no to her, so he was already moving to the jolly man. The three posed for their picture and Santa made them promise to come back next year.
~~~
Eddie walked hand in hand with Amelia toward the food court. They promised her a pretzel if she was a good girl for Santa and they made good on their promises. While she was chewing away, Eddie leaned toward Steve.
“Do you think we can get Chrissy and Robin to babysit?” He asked.
“Probably. You know they love Amelia. Why?” Steve replied. Eddie leaned in and whispered to him what Santa told him. Steve gasped. “We need to get stuff to figure that out.” Steve said nodding. “But we should ask Wayne to babysit.”
“Why?” Eddie figured he would but, the girls were closer.
“Robin’s learning Hebrew, so she might have some knowledge.” Steve said. Right, he forgot about that. Wayne it is then.
“Amelia? You want to go hang out with Grandpa Wayne?” Eddie asked.