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Raphael watched how Leonardo pressed gingerbread mold on the dough over and over again. It was never boring for the old turtle to see his little turtle so happy and joyful during Christmas. And since Leo liked to bake, Raphael allowed those little hands to help him.
However, Raphael didn’t allow Leo near the stove when it was warm and open. Despite the fact Leo felt the heat, Raphael was worried he would burn himself by accident. Closing the oven, Raphael sighed turning to look Leonardo who was happily munching one baked and ready gingerbread already.
”Are they good?”
Leonardo, his mouth full of fresh gingerbread, nodded eagerly while lifting his thumb up. It made the old turtle smile.
When the last set was baked, turtles decided to hit the bed. It was late and they both were tired. After all they had cleaned, baked, cooked and decorated whole day. As Raphael tucked Leonardo in bed, small turtle laid on his shell, eyes bright as he turned his head.
”Papa? Do you think Santa and the elves will like our gingerbread?”
Raphael huffed with a smile, making sure the blanket was all the way up to Leo’s chin. He eyed that small face in dim light, smile still remaining on his face.
”I’m sure they will. Why ya asked?”
”Well, they work hard and then they bring us gifts but do we ever give gifts back to them? We ask, wish and demand but we never reward them. I want to reward them. I want them to like our gift. If they don’t, I will be very sad. I want to make them happy like they make me happy.”
Raphael sat on the edge of the bed, placing his hand on Leo’s stomach.
”That’s very sweet way ta think, Leo. I’m sure Santa and the elves will love and appreciate your fresh baked gingerbread. But you’re right that people ask things from them, never rewarding them for their hard work.”
”Will our home be their favorite place if we keep giving them gifts back?”
There was bright hope in little turtle’s eyes which made Raphael chuckle softly as he stood up.
”Who knows? Maybe. But now, little one, shut those eyes and get some sleep. Santa and elves won’t come if they know ya are awake.”
Leonardo chuckled as the pulled blanket all over his head, still giggling under it. Raphael smiled while shaking his head, knowing perfectly well Leo was way too excited but at the same time Raphael knew Leo was that kind of little kid who fell asleep pretty quick. He would be in deep sleep within few minutes.
”Oh, papa!”
Raphael stopped by the door, looking Leonardo jump to sit up, eyes filled with worry.
”You left the gingerbread on the plate in the living room, on the table near the Christmas tree?”
”Yes, they are there with big jug of juice. Sleep now. Good night.”
”Good night, papa.”
As Raphael was closing the door, he still could hear excited but silent giggling coming from under the blanket.
**
Raphael sat on the floor near his door, keeping the door just slightly open. His eye was observing the living room where the Christmas tree shined it’s colorful dim lights. Everything felt peaceful and still.
Suddenly there was small shadow moving around. At first Raphael thought it to be Leonardo who, at times, woke up to get some water during the nights. That’s why Raphael always left glass of water to Leo in the kitchen where the little guy could get it himself. However, this one was not Leonardo.
Raphael’s eye widened slightly as he saw 3 small elves in his living room, near the Christmas tree. They placed gifts under the tree, noticing the gingerbread and juice jug with glasses. Elves carefully listened before silent whispering started, hands reaching to take the gingerbread and juice. They ate quickly in silence, then disappearing as mysteriously as they had appeared.
Old turtle smiled while relaxing, leaning more against the wall, still keeping his eye on the living room. He always had thought elves were just a fairytale but it seemed he had been horribly wrong.
**
”PAPA! PAPA! Come quick!”
Raphael yawned as he got on his feet, pulling his bathrobe on. He slowly dragged himself in the living room, seeing Leo standing near the Christmas tree. When the small child heard steps, he spun around with bright huge eyes, wide smile going from ear to ear.
”Look, papa! The plate is empty! Elves have been here! They ate and drank everything!”
Raphael smiled as he squatted next to small turtle, petting Leo’s head.
”Indeed they did. I actually saw them last night.”
”YOU SAW THE ELVES!? Tell me, papa! Tell me everything!”
Little turtle was quick and in a flash he was already sitting on Raphael’s thigh, eyes wide, body shaking with excitement.
Old turtle huffed softly with a smile, sitting down on the floor, keeping Leo in his arms. He told the little one everything he had seen in the previous night. Leonardo’s eyes widened even more, little gasps escaping him.
”We had 3 elves in our home!? That is awesome, papa! We need to bake them next year too!”
Raphael smiled while petting Leo’s head.
”We will, kid. We will. But now, don’t ya want ta open your gifts what they left for ya?”
”Gifts! Gifts! Gifts!”
Raphael watched how Leo pushed free from his gentle hold, crawling quickly towards the tree, stopping when he felt a gift hitting his hands. In silence Raphael watched how Leo opened his gifts eagerly, happy screams coming out of him after each gift.
Sitting down on the chair near the child, Raphael kept his eye on Leo, refusing to stop smiling. He felt happy and warm.
Maybe it was part of the Christmas Magic.