I'm wanting to be a writer in the future and this idea came to me in the spur of the moment. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Word Count(including title)-719 words I'll be Home for Christmas- 719 words "Attention students I have a big surprise for you!"The students turned their heads toward Miss. Noel, "You guys know how you wrote letters to Santa last week, right?"The students nodded their heads in reply. Miss. Noel placed her hand on the doorknob and pulled open the door of the classroom. A few seconds passed before a man stepped in. Now, it wasn't just any man but Santa Clause. He was standing in the doorway in his famous red suit wearing a jolly face and a very large bag swung over his shoulder. All the students’ faces seemed to light up in that moment and their eyes seemed to linger on the bag. Many made small noises of excitement and even the class scrooge, David, seemed to be excited. 　 All the students seemed to be happy except for one, Annie. Everyone knew why she wasn't happy and it was no wonder, for her father wasn't coming home for Christmas. It wasn't that he didn't want to, oh trust me he did, but it was the fact he was a soldier in Iraq that prohibited him from returning. She smiled anyway. It was a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, but it was a smile nonetheless. 　 Many students crowded around Santa as he Ho, Ho, Hoed, all the way to a chair and took children upon his lap. As Annie got in the line amongst the students she fiddled with the small rhinestone keychain clasped around her neck on a chain. Her father had given it to her two Christmases ago. She hadn't quite understood the gift until her father explained it to her. "You see honey, I have your heart and you have mine and they will always find a way to come back to each other." She hasn't taken it off since, it seemed. Annie watched as students filed past her carrying a gift in their arms, their faces crazed with joy.As she made her way to Santa's lap she positioned herself so she was comfortable. "Why hello and what is your name, my dear?" "Annie," she smiled proudly, for her father named her. "Annie." Santa said as he scanned the names on his list, looking for the present she asked for. Annie however knew he didn't bring what she had wanted. She watched as his eyes traveled over all the names and toys the other kids had asked for and stopped on the paper. His smile seemed to waver. "Now, that is a big wish Annie." Annie nodded, "But you’re Santa, you can do anything. That includes bringing my father home for Christmas." Santa laughed and his eyes seemed to twinkle, "Can I?" Annie nodded her head vigorously, "I would hope so Santa." 　 Santa laughed as he held his white gloved hand out and rubbed his fingers together, almost like he was doing magic, and then a small rhinestone appeared in his hands. For a second Annie didn't realize what it was until the glint caught her eye. It was her heart. The one her father bore. Annie peered into Santa's face, "My daddy only has one of those. How did you get it?" Santa's smile grew as he brought his hand up to his face and removed his red hat and then his curly beard and lastly, his white hair. Underneath the costume was a lean man with brown hair and green eyes, just like Annie’s. Annie peered into the man's face and her eyes widened and her smile broadened, one that did reach her eyes, and she flung herself onto the man to give him a hug. 　 "DADDY!" she cried "I'm here sweetie, no matter what I'll always find a way to be here." "I missed you daddy." The man pulled his daughter back and peered into her tear soaked eyes. His daughter was strong and he knew, even before he got permission to come home, that he would always find a way to come home to his daughter, no matter what. "Why are you crying?" he asked curiously "I'm...just...h-happy you’re home." she stuttered. The man held his daughter's heart out to her and she folded his palm back over it, "You keep it daddy because no matter what, you'll always have a place in my heart."