Posted by Jennifer Ward in A Very Special Christmas Delivery
Zanya, pink curly bouncy hair and purple eyes, was dressed in green with white and red accents. Her shoes curled up to points that had small bells hanging from the ends. She wore a green and white floppy santa style hat, her pink hair only slightly contained by the hat.

“Alfred,” she spoke to the HUEY system in Valkyrja, her shuttle, “open a channel to Judge Kentaira Arroz, Family Court Judge, Federation Courts Sector 293.” After a moment the connection came through. “Good afternoon Judge. I hope you are well today.”

The older, grandmotherly woman smiled. “Zanya! It’s always a pleasure to hear from you. You’ve done such a wonderful job with the orphanage. I take it Karra has spoken with you?”

Zanya nodded, “I got her message a few days ago. We’re going to land in an hour or so. I wanted to make sure you’d be available.”

“Always, anything for the children. This one is somewhat unusual. But I think it’s a good fit and Mr Asam is an amazing man. To take on…well hopefully the children feel the same. But then I wouldn’t approve this if I thought they would say no. So, first chance, give me a call. I’ll send the paperwork now so it will be there, but..” she held up a warning figure.

“I’ll delete it immediately if they say no. Speak again soon Judge.”

Before signing off the Judge glanced behind Zanya and smiled, “And a special thanks to you Santa, for granting such special wishes.” and then the comm went dark.

“Alfred, you have the holo program? And then the torpedo reconfigured for the fireworks display?” Alfred chuckled, “Mistress, of course. Tellek Bog did create me after all.” Casela laughed then, “Bog liked to leave surprises and we don’t want to hurt the village. So be sure to triple check it for fail safes. If you’re ready, I’ll start the descent.” Alfred, in his butler appearance nodded from behind her. “We are ready mistress.”

Taking over for the autopilot Zanya pulled the shuttle out of orbit and started the descent through the atmosphere, once past the initial turbulence they settled over the southern hemisphere and Alfred engaged the holoprogram. 8 full size reindeer appeared harnessed to the front of an old fashioned carriage. The shuttle circled several times going lower and lower. Zanya set the autopilot. “Alright, Alfred, open the hatch.” She turned to Santa and grinned, “Not a word if I break my leg.” She walked over to the hatch and looked down at the ground. “Lower Alfred,” and shuttle dropped again, she glanced at Santa once again, “See you in a few.” and she jumped.

Landing against a snow bank she tucked, and rolled, the snow softening the landing. But not without a groan of “I’m too old for this.” But then there were the sounds of children, and adults watching Santa’s carriage take back off into the sky. There would be several minutes before Alfred launched the torpedo.

Zanya danced out of the snow, looking all the part of a toy making, Santa helping, elf. She had a bell with her that she rang as she walked. “Zanya!” Child after child, and adult after adult, came out having seen her launch herself from the carriage. She walked the village calling to each house to come out and join them. She gathered them with her into the large yard of the orphanage. That left more than enough room for the shuttle to land with the holographic deer still attached. “Shhh….look up!” Parents, children, orphans, Karra, and the rest of the village settled against the walls, chairs, children on shoulders. And littles on the shoulders of the bigger kids. Zanya pointed up, “Wait and watch….” and to Zanya’s trained eye she saw the small mini torpedo shoot off from Santa’s carriage.

The shuttle landed in the middle of the village and the hatch unlocked. “At your leave sir. Your sack of gifts is stored in the after cargo holds beneath the benches.

The children, orphans and all, danced and screamed in excitement as Santa excited the shuttle. Karra and Yarin returned with a large padded chair for Santa to sit in. The children clamored for attention and their gifts. It was rather chaotic until Karra’s soft but firm voice called out and the children settled in the snow around Santa’s feet waiting. Santa had their rapt attention while he passed out their gifts.
Zanya, Patron
Karra, House Mother

Neltus had met with Santa and received a gilded envelope where on the outside it was printed:

Dear Neltus Omad,
This holiday season is all about family. And you have a wonderful one here on Delotha. But I heard you had a special wish this year, and I am happy to tell you that I am able to give it to you this year.
Ho Ho Ho,
Santa

He wanted to rip the letter open and read it but not knowing what it said, he was scared. Gilded envelope or not he wanted this to be somewhat of a private moment, one where he was sure he could react without being made fun of or judged by those around him. Neltus looked at Santa as he fidgeted with the letter and said “Thank you sir, I appreciate you bringing this to me.” He bowed softly before exiting the sleigh and heading back to the house. Vedi was out playing with the others as Neltus kicked off his sandals and walked softly into his room, avoiding the nail that had cut him earlier, to sit cross legged on his bed. He tapped his big toe against his leg nervously as he carefully peeled the envelope open with baited breath. He read the letter but it didn’t register. He read it again and again as tears started to flow down his cheeks. The letter read:

To: Neltus Omad
From: Judge Kentaira Arroz
In the case of Tabris Asam vs Pied Piper Orphanage, Delotha, House Mother Karra, the Federation courts have taken into account all evidence provided. After extensive background checks, interviews, and observation, the court has found that Tabris Asam is fit to adopt a child. Furthermore, I, Kentaira Arroz, Family Court Judge, Federation Courts Sector 293, find in favor of Tabris Asam adopting Neltus Omad. Here by this stardate 239612.10 do proclaim that Neltus Omad is now the legal and real son of Tabris Asam and will here by carry the name of Neltus Omad-Asam.
Signed,
Judge Kentaira Arroz

Neltus sat quietly in his bed reading the letter over and over and over again as he was overwhelmed with joy, it radiated from him as he hopped up and ran out of the room clutching the letter, tears still dripping from his cheeks as he went to Yarla to make a once in a lifetime call to his new dad.

As Neltus ran off to make his call with Yarla, Zanya gathered Vedi, Mecona and Julin together. “Come on you three, Santa has a super special present for you this year. She led them, along with Santa and Karra into Santa’s carriage. The privacy screen blocked the cockpit from the children. Zanya activated a view screen where Judge Arroz appeared. “Hello Children. I hope you remember me.” Vedi was very suspicious. He gathered Mecona and Julin to him. One arm around each taking a half step back pulling them with him. Karra and Zanya both seeing this knelt down next to them. “Vedi, you know I wouldn’t let anything scary happen,” Karra soothed him. Judge Arroz looked sympathetic but Julin and Mecona nodded and waved. Vedi wasn’t sure. “I have a very special message for you, that I’d like you to watch.”

On the screen appeared Tabris Asam:
“Vedi, Mecona, Julin, if you’re hearing this message then I want you all to know that in the brief window that I was here to get to know and adopt Neltus that I realized how much of a family he has with you three. Vedi you are the wise brother who cares for your siblings and that you two are basically inseparable. I also know from our conversations that you have a wonderfully caring soul and know that, even at such a young age, that sometimes hard decisions need to be made. I understand you were ready to make the hardest decision of your life. Mecona, Julin, I know that you idolize both Vedi and Neltus, they’re your big brothers and you want to stay with them because that’s what family does, and you want to grow up with them, even if sometimes they can be annoying. Kids I want you all to know that with deep consideration I approached Judge Arroz and House Mother Karra with an idea. That it would be wrong to split up siblings, and that it would be inappropriate for any of those siblings to have to be split apart. I asked them if I could adopt you three as well. Not just because you see Neltus as a brother, but because I love each of you in your own way. Vedi, I love you because you’re a sweet compassionate boy who cares deeply for what’s right even if it’s hard to do. You make sure that your siblings are cared for even if it is at your own detriment. Mecona, I love you because while I’m here you’ve been a constant companion when you could, curious and inquisitive, asking all sorts of questions because the world is a new place and you trust me to teach it to you. Julin I love you because you’re just a little ball of energy that would shoot through the ceiling if you weren’t held down by gravity! You let me play with you and your giggle brightens my day when I make your robot talk or toss you in the air. If you’re hearing this, then that means that their answer was yes, but it’s up to each of you to decide if you think I’ll be able to be a father to each and every one of you.”

Vedi looked at the screen, blinking, he looked at Ms Karra, not sure what to make of it. Judge Arroz reappeared. “Ms. Karra and I have discussed it and if you three want, Tabris Asam will be your father and all four of you, Neltus, Vedi, Mecona, and Julin will be brothers and sister from now on. No one will be able to separate you, and Mr. Asam will always be your father. You simply need to say yes or no.”

Neltus, Arroz, Karra