The sharp smell of warm spices had only just begun to fade into the scent of crisp green that filled the house. Eva and her mother had spent what seemed like forever, staring at the oven just waiting for their cookies to bake. She loved this time of year.
Peeking out of the white framed door, eyes the color of molten chocolate slowly trailed the polished oak slats leading down the hall to her parents’ door. Satisfied that it wasn’t opening anytime soon, Eva’s fuzzy-socked foot slid over the slick floor as she only just eeked through the doorway.
The floor groaned in protest and the little girl froze, even her thick curls seemed suspended in time, completely unmoving. Years passed before she took a breath and sank to her flannel-covered knees. She slowly crawled along the floor, using the posted banister as her guide. If she’d reached out just a little to her right, she would have had a hand full of fresh pine needles.
Her father had brought the splendid tree home a few weeks earlier and it was the most grand thing she’d ever seen. They decorated it as a family with popcorn balls, peppermint sticks, ornaments, lights and tinsel. Eva stared open-mouthed for nearly an hour at the shimmering star perched atop the two story fir. Now, it served to light her way while she crept downstairs. 
Sliding her legs around in front of her, she’d reached the top of the stairs. With one last furtive glance down the hall, Eva began scooting inch by inch, stair by stair downward, following the curve. She’d made it to the landing and paused to watch the heavy snowfall whiten the landscape around their home. Fat flakes built on the tree boughs and the barren land making a promise of the perfect snowman.
After a few moments reprieve, she’d remembered her mission and scooted the rest of the way down the stairs, running into a particularly large package that she didn’t quite remember. Since the day they decorated the tree, she’d kept meticulous records of the presents. She’d memorized every stylized reindeer, every curled bow, every “To:” and “From:”. Turning her little head, she scrunched her nose and sounded the phrase out in her head. “To: Eva, From: Santa.”
Her small hands wrapped around the lathed banister pole, pulling herself to her feet. Santa? Each step she took, carried her closer toward the elegantly decorated living room. A rustling sound made Eva pause, eyes wide as she scanned the dimly lit furniture she knew so well. A large shadow danced against the far wall, darkness outlined with orange from the dying fire.
She pressed herself against the wall, her little mind racing. Gathering her courage, she slowly peeked around the corner. 
Eva was met with the sight of a tall, round figure, sporting an old burgundy jacket, the fur lining the collar and sleeves had begun to turn the color of eggshells with its age. Long salted gray hair curtained his head from front to back, long stocking cap keeping the wild curls atop his head under some semblance of control.
He had her stocking in hand and was carefully placing something inside it before he paused. The figure glanced over, sensing he now had an audience. Eva’s eyes widened still further as she was met with a kindly and wizened old countenance, the burden of years sitting in heavy lines around a pair of twinkling eyes. His rounded cheeks and nose were bright red from the cold outside she’d guessed. It seemed all that hair wasn’t much a deterrent for snow. His thick beard and mustache blanketed his chest, hiding the lower half of his face save a broad smile.
“Merry Christmas, Eva,” He whispered, grabbing up a heavy cloth sack. Touching the side of his nose, he disappeared in a twinkle, leaving behind only the joy and magic of the best Christmas ever.