Christmas Dream
Michaela was up before the sun, too excited and nervous to sleep, she made a pot of tea. She was about to bite into a cookie that Marie had left when she heard her name being called from the front of the cafe. Michaela tighten her robe as she walked out into the cafe. "Captain, your early."
"I could not sleep and I saw the light on." Dietrich removed his cover, "may I come in for a moment?"
"Please do, would you like some tea? Marie left some delicious cookies for the party." Micaela lead the way to the kitchen. "Captain if today is going to be uncomfortable for you....."
"Nien, I was worried about you." Dietrich sat down and took the cup from her. "Come sit and drink your tea. I talked with one of our cooks, he is going to be here after he serves breakfast to get you dinner cooking." Holding up his hand to stop her from speaking, he continued. "This is my present for you, to be able to enjoy the day without having to worry about the meal."
Michaela was holding back the tears, "Captain..."
"When are you going to start calling me by my first name?" He placed his hand over hers.
"Hans, I don't know what to say, everything has happened so fast, I don't think Aunt Margaret could of pulled this off." Laughing she handed her guest the plate of cookies.
After talking about past Christmas's for an hour, Hans stood up, "I really must go she you can get ready for your guests." Taking her hand he kissed it, "Till later?"
"Yes of course Cap... Hans." Michaela felt giddy for the first time. She watched leave, picking up the cups and placed them in the sink. She bounced up the stairs, laughing, yes, today was going to be perfect.
Michaela dressed in her long black skirt and the white sweater with pearl buttons that Aunt Margaret had sent her. Brushing her hair she heard voices from downstairs. Carefully making her way down the steps she could hear Jack speaking in German to Hans' cook in the kitchen. Troy was instructing Hitch on were to place their packages of treats they brought to share.
Bursting throught the door Michaela called out "Merry Christmas boys." Before she had a chance to catch her breath, Troy lifted her up and kissed her.
"Merry Christmas, Michaela. Bet you didn't know you were standing under the mistletoe?" Sam pointed up to where Tully hung it.
"Look at what you done. this is wonderful. Sam, I hope Jack told you about my guest list for today." Michaela nervously twisted one of the buttons on her sweater.
"Yes, he did. Don't worry kid, it will all right. There is a truce on, no reason to be worried." Sam took her hand and removed it from the button, "Careful you might lose it."
"Well, there she is, our hostess. You all ready? I just spoke with the cook, the goose is in the oven, vegetables are cooking nicely and I got slapped on the hand for touching his strudel." Jack laughed and walked behind the bar to check on the wine stock.
"Serves you right." Michaela shook her finger at him. Yes this was going to be a good Christmas, family and close friends to share it with. A good time to finally break from the past and enjoy the day. Michaela checked the tables one more time, counted the sliver ware and her fingers one more time, yes there is enough.
Dieter arrived with Shari on his arm. Michaela introduce Troy and his men to them. Hitch and Tully took Dieter to the side, instructing him on the custom of misletoe. Yes he knew about it, "We also have this same custom." Dieter laughed and took Shari's hand and lead her over to it.
Captain Dietrich was not to far behind Dieter with his arms full of packages. "I hope you don't mind, I brought a few things to share."
Troy jumped up from his chair, "Here Captain let me help you. Merry Christmas, sir."
"Merry Christmas to you too Sergeant."
Michaela took a deep breath, yes it was going to be a good day. There was a war on, but here in this little cafe, it was peaceful.
Everyone sat down, Jack passed glasses of wine around to all, "A Christmas toast. May next Christmas we are sitting at home in front of our hearths with our loved ones, thanking God for the peace in the world."
Everyone raised their glasses, a few Amens were said, and all drank to the toast.
"Now my turn," Dietrich stood up and raised his glass. "Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to thank each and everyone of you for making today a happy one. No one wants to be away form home, especially on Christmas day. At least we are here enjoying each others company and not..." he stopped and looked down.
Troy stood up next to him, "Captain, we know," and clicked his glass on Dietrich's. "After that toast, I believe Captain, you said it the best and what is in all our hearts and minds."
Everyone drank up. Michaela stood, "well I just want to thank everyone for coming. Jack you know Christmas has not always been my favorite day, but I think from now on it will be. Let's eat." Michaela and Shari, helped the cook place the meal on the table. Taking a look over at Hans, he was watching her, what a smile he had on his face. Michaela felt like her heart was gong to bounce out of her chest. The cook served everyone the goose and made sure everyone had plenty to eat. Twice he had to bark out an order for Michaela to sit down and relax. Everyone sang praise to the cook for the wonderfull meal he prepared, the Captain made sure he was able to get something to eat also. Michaela stood to clear the table when Tully told her to sit, he and Hitch would take care of cleaning up. Not to be left out Dieter and Shari joined them.
"Well about this time, back home, us men would go into the living room to talk about the latest political happenings." Troy took out a cigarette and handed to Captain Dietrich.
Taking the offer, "Yes, we would be doing the same." Dietrich smiled. "Now, what is missing?"
Michaela could not help but speaking up, "A real Christmas tree and snow." Everyone laughed
"I was thinking in more of the lines of a Kris Kringle." putting his cigarette out, he walked over to the packages he had brought in. "Well maybe I will have to do." The other came back in and sat down. "Sergeant Troy, I hope you will accept this gift, it is not much." Laughing he continued, "I saw this at a market stall sometime ago, I bought it with you in mind." Hans walked over and handed the gift to Troy.
"Thank-you. I have something for you also. When I knew we were coming here, I dug into my trunk for this, sorry, I never was any good a wrapping presents." Both men opened their gifts. Hans had given Troy a beautiful carved handle knife, and Troy gave Hans a bottle of whiskey he had been saving for the end of the war. Troy gave Jack, Tully and Hitch gifts that he had his mother get and send over from the states.
Jack stood, "Now it is my turn, Michaela, I had mum send this for you. Troy, this one is for you, and Captain for you, Hitch and Tully these are for you. Dieter I apoloigize I do not have anything for you."
"Sergeant Moffitt, you have given me the best gift of all, the privilege to know you and your freinds as something besides enemies. I wish for you all long life and health." Deiter put his hand out and shook hands with everyone.
"Well, I was not expecting you all to be here. So I had no time to get anything for you boys." Before Michaela could finish Jack took her by the shoulders.
"You gave us a wonderful meal, good wine, and a good day. Now sit and open your gift."
Michaela did as she was told. Opening the small box she started to cry, inside was a silver locket, opening it was a picture of her mother and father. "Oh, Jack how did you know. I kicked myself a million times for not packing their photo."
"I know, last time I was in your room I noticed that there was no picture of them. Here let me help you put it on."
Tears were falling freely as Jack fasten the locket around her neck. "Now enough of that, this is a happy day."
"I know Jack, that is why I am crying," she threw her arms around Jack and gave him a hug.
Troy stood and broke the two apart. "Michaela, this is from me and the boys." He handed Michaela a box with a nice bow on it.
Opening it Michaela found a tissue wrap shawl, it was black, lacey with long fringes. "It's beautiful, thank you guys." Michaela threw it around her shoulders, then gave Hitch and Tully a hug, Troy got a hug and a kiss. "Hans, last time I was in Cairo, I found this, I hope you will enjoy it." Michaela handed Hans her gift and sat back down.
"Let see, it's heavy, square, and heavy.'' Tearing it open his breath was taken away, "How did you?"
Michaela stood and place a hand on his arm, "I saw the book thinking of Uncle John. Remember the night you told me about Ancient Rome? I knew then that this book was perfect for you."
"Now Fraulein, sit. Before I left Germany, my mother gave me this and gave special instructions for it." His hand was shaking as he handed her the small box.
Michaela shook as she took it. All eyes were focus on her, gently opening it her hand flew to her mouth. Hans took it from her and removed the ring. "Mother told me that if ever I found the woman that was right for me to give her...you this. Michaela will you accept this ring? I have been thinking of nothing else but you, us. Sergeant Moffitt, as the closest male family member, I ask permission for Michaela's hand in marriage."
"Well, I guess this calls for champagne, but knowing Maurice's wine stock, there is none. Captain Dietrich, you are asking the wrong person. The one you need to ask is sitting in front of you crying."
"Yes, Hans. Yes." Michaela felt herself being lifted up and twirled around the room. The room was filled with shouts of joy and congratulations for the couple.
A noise statled michaela, sitting up she looked around her room. Nothing was out of place. Walking to the window she raised her hand, the ring? Where was the ring Hans gave her? Back at her bed, she threw the covers off, crawled under the bed, no it was nowhere. Hearing her name being called, Michaela opened her door, "Marie? your home."
"Of course where else would I be? Come down and have some breakfast. Maruice and I want to talk to you about Christmas."
Michaela sat on the top step. It was a dream, only a dream,