Now that Sergeant P and Red had returned back home… it was time to get the house ready for Christmas Day. Normally… Sergeant P takes the lead on this… but Red felt it would be a good opportunity to surprise his mentor. Before starting his project… however… he needed a little help. Fortunately… Tigger and Anna Belle had both just finished their morning naps.
Of course the first order of business was setting up the Christmas tree. Having spent years training on rappel ropes as a member of the United States Army Special Forces… Red was able to quickly navigate through the branches… hanging lights and ornaments with expert precision. After Tigger nodded with approval… Red called the room to attention and pronounced the tree “good to go”.With limited time for Red’s plans… he needed to get really busy. That meant he had to bring out the big guns… and we’re talking serious power tools here. After chugging a cup of Sergeant P’s special bland of coffee… a recipe he originally picked up in the jungles of Panama… Red grabbed some wrenches and screwdrivers… and raced into the family room.
Quickly scaling the fireplace… Red fired the stocking holders into their exact locations. He also managed to put the final decorations on the mantle when… out of nowhere… he heard a sound. Not familiar with the noise… Red was startled. He thought he heard some bells (perhaps from one of Santa’s reindeer)… and maybe even a hearty “Ho Ho Ho” (from the big man himself).
As Anna Belle and Tigger darted to their rooms… Red didn’t know what to do. He hadn’t planned on Santa’s early arrival… as he hadn’t even had a chance to put out some cookies and milk yet. Relying on his training in the art of camouflage… Red dove into his stocking on the end… and decided to wait things out.
After what seemed like an eternity… Red fell into a deep sleep. With visions of sugar plums and gingerbread men dancing in his head… he was literally out cold. Just as he was about to taste a fresh cookie… he began to feel as though he was falling. Opening his eyes… he saw his friend and mentor… Sergeant P… lifting him out of his stocking. And as Red looked around the room… and realized that Santa hadn’t visited him quite yet… he let out a big sigh and whispered “it was all just a dream… just a dream.”
