Mistletoe
by Susan Griffith

As Diana and Etta walked down the street to the cafe for lunch, a cold wind swept over them. Etta shivered and pulled her collar up higher. "I hate winter." she complained. "The only redeeming factor in it is Christmas."

Diana, also huddled in a thick jacket, tried not to react with the bewilderment she felt. So many new things had happened in the few months she had spent away from Paradise Island. And now here was one more. Christmas? Obviously something good, as far as Etta was concerned. Maybe it meant a warm spell? Diana would certainly welcome THAT.

"Have you noticed that the stores are already putting out Christmas decorations? And it's only the end of November! Have you decided what you're going to ask Santa for this year, Diana? I'm going to sit on his knee and beg for a real, live MAN ..." Etta giggled.

"Umm ... no, Etta." Diana murmured.

"No to what? You don't think I should ask Santa for a man? I mean, I've been as good as anyone could be all year! Surely Santa will take that into consideration! A few lapses can't count. I know we tell the children that they have to be good or they'll get a lump of coal or a switch in their stocking, but surely I've been good enough!" Etta grinned. "I wonder when Washington is going to put up the decorations? It's usually around this time. At Christmas, I'm so glad we don't live in England and have a blackout policy! Christmas is such a festive time, and so colorful, isn't it? What's your favorite part of Christmas, Diana?"

"I ... I really couldn't say, Etta." Diana stammered a bit. With relief, she saw they were almost at the cafe. "Have you decided what you're having for lunch? And we can't forget to take something back for Steve. He's working through again."

"That man! I really have to wonder where he gets his energy!" Etta shook her head. But she had been successfully diverted from her original topic of conversation, for which Diana was extremely thankful.

Later that evening, in her apartment, Diana poured over books and pieced together an idea of what Christmas was. At least now she wouldn't be totally kerflummoxed when Etta brought up the subject again. She grinned to herself. She loved learning new slang words. Kerflummoxed was one she had not had much chance to use lately, and she enjoyed the sound of it. So. Christmas was a time when people celebrated the birth of the one they called the Savior of mankind. The Christ. The Messiah. The one supposed to be the Prince of Peace. Diana decided they could really use a Prince of Peace in this war effort! To celebrate, Americans sang songs and put up Christmas trees which were evergreens chopped down and brought inside to be decorated with assorted items and candles or lights. Diana grimaced, unable to even imagine what it might look like. Quite unnatural, she was sure! People also exchanged presents, and a fat little man in a red suit supposedly managed to make it all over the known world (America!) delivering presents in one night -- in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer, no less! With a light laugh at the absurdity of THAT story, Diana put the books away. At least now she knew enough to make some intelligent responses should Etta bring the subject up again.

* * *

Only a few days later, Etta brought in some garlands and bows to decorate the General's office. She told Diana she should bring in some of HER old decorations for her own office.

"My old decorations?"

"Yes, you know, Diana, the ones you think are just too shabby to put up this year. Everyone has some of those lying around. Maybe a paper garland you made in school? A string of popcorn and cranberries that a mouse started eating? You know."

"Actually, I, umm, don't have any with me. I've only been here a couple of months, and, well ..." Diana tried to think of what to say.

"Oh, I forgot. All your old stuff is probably still at your home, isn't it?" Etta nodded in sympathy.

Just then, Steve walked in to the office. "Diana, do we have a file on ... oh, sorry. Am I interrupting anything?"

"No. YOU don't have any old decorations you can donate to the ‘decorate the War Department for Christmas' cause, do you, Steve?" Etta asked.

"I'll check tonight." he promised.

"Maybe some ... mistletoe?" Etta questioned slyly, and she winked at Diana, who remained totally in the dark about the meaning. Why would a rather nondescript plant like the mistletoe be considered a decoration?

"Maybe." Steve was non-committal.

Etta sighed, disappointed that yet again she had not managed to get a rise out of the handsome Major.

"Meanwhile, Etta, we have some work to do, so if you'll excuse us?"

"Oh, of course. I'll see you at lunch, Diana."

"Later, Etta!" Diana waved her off, and turned her attention to Steve and the work at hand.

At the noon meal, Etta leaned across the table and said, "Diana, it's up to you and me this year."

Diana experienced a strange, sinking sensation. What was she being pulled into THIS time? "What do you mean?" She took a bite of her sandwich, reflecting that what she REALLY missed from Paradise Island were the delicious hot meals. Nothing so mundane as a sandwich ... especially one with tinned meat on it. At least the bread was fresh- baked that day!

"The office party. Marsha organized it last year, but I'll do it this year if you'll help."

"I suppose I could. When is it to be?"

Etta stared at her in surprise. "Well, Christmas Eve, of course! When else would we have it? Normally, I suppose, we could go out for a meal and dancing any time before Christmas. Wouldn't that be divine? But that's out of the question, of course. So it'll have to be the afternoon of the twenty-fourth."

"Of December, right?" Diana asked, taking another bite.

Etta sighed. "Diana, I REALLY wonder where you have been all your life." Then she brightened. "You're pulling my leg, right? Pretending you know nothing about Christmas?"

Diana laughed. "Is it working?" she said, teasingly. "Can I get you to tell me all about it? After all, this will be my first Christmas in Washington. There must be some traditions which differ from place to place."

"Oh, of course. And small town as compared to city! Last year we just had Christmas Eve afternoon off, and everyone gathered in the briefing room. We decorated and brought Christmas baking to share and had some drinks and sang some carols. It was a nice time. Marsha and Steve disappeared for a while, and I don't THINK it was work ... but that shouldn't happen this year. Not with Marsha, anyway."

"I certainly hope not!" Diana interjected, grimacing with distaste at the thought of Steve's former secretary who had been a German spy. "We'll probably do the same this year. Some of the people will drink more than they should, and sing louder and more off key, but that's an office party! Anyway, I know someone who is going out for his Christmas tree on December twentieth ... I'm sure I can convince him to bring us back some branches as well as a tree. We can set it up and decorate in the room after work on the twenty-first. You will help, won't you?"

"I'd be glad to help you, Etta." Diana smiled.

* * *

The morning of the twenty-fourth, Diana was feeling quite a bit of trepidation as she let herself into her office. For once she had made it before Steve. She had some work she wanted to complete, knowing that Etta would be in a tizzy over the party in the afternoon, and probably she, Diana, would have to take over to calm her down. At least the rooms were nicely decorated with wreaths on the doors, and the sharp, tangy smell of pine from the various branches of evergreen pervaded the building. Diana had found the Christmas tree to be much lovelier than she had pictured. Of course, it hadn't been until the twenty-first that she had found out they were expected to buy a small gift for someone in the department. Etta had apologized for forgetting to tell her the draw had been made a month earlier. Diana was to buy for someone in another office. Etta had given a few practical suggestions, and now Diana's gift was under the tree in the pile of gaily-wrapped presents. She had also bought a brightly- patterned scarf for Etta, and a woolen scarf for Steve as well, not putting her name on any of them. The custom of gift-giving seemed rather strange, too ... everyone giving to anyone they pleased! Etta had explained that the draw was so that everyone would get at least one present. That made sense to Diana ... but not much else did about the whole celebration. She had asked if the war were maybe going to stop for twenty-four hours or more, and Etta had laughed.

"No. I heard that one year on Christmas Eve, I think in the first world war, someone on our side started singing ‘Silent Night', though. After a while, others joined in. Suddenly they could hear the same hymn from the other side — in German! The two sides joined for a few hours that night. They DID have a cease-fire. But it's not likely to happen again. And that was done by the soldiers on their own. The ones in command would certainly not have sanctioned it! Too bad. It would be nice to have, wouldn't it? That would be a REAL Christmas present!"

Diana sat down at her desk, and began to work, losing herself in the process. All too soon, Etta appeared and demanded her help, saying tragically that some of the greenery had fallen down, and WHAT were they going to do if the food didn't show up in time?

A few hours later, Diana stood against the wall of the briefing room, watching everyone mingling, laughing and talking The tree in the corner looked resplendent. Diana noticed a sprig of mistletoe hung in an archway, and after watching for a moment or two, realized that women would laughingly position themselves under it, and receive a kiss on the cheek from a man. Diana felt her brows draw together in a puzzled frown, and she deliberately relaxed her facial muscles. Mistletoe? Kissing? What on earth ...?

She noticed Etta stopping under the arch frequently, getting many kisses on her cheek. Then, as Steve came by and glanced up, Etta shut her eyes and presenting her lips. Diana gasped involuntarily. Then Etta was by her side, all smiles.

"Diana, I haven't seen YOU under the mistletoe yet! Don't you want to be kissed? I'm sure you could manage to be seen by Steve ..."

Diana shook her head firmly. "No, thank you, Etta! I'm quite happy standing here."

"But it's traditional!" Etta protested.

"Not MY tradition." Diana said. She did not even have to wonder what her mother would say about the mistletoe and kissing tradition! The thought of the certain expression which would be on the Queen's face made Diana smile.

"Hmm." Etta said no more, but it was obvious she was planning something.

One of the secretaries sat down at the piano, and in a few moments, everyone was gathered around the piano to sing carols. Diana stood beside Etta and Steve, who both sang heartily. Steve looked over at Diana.

"Why aren't you singing?"

"I can't sing." she said hastily. She couldn't say that she didn't know the words, because everyone there had no trouble. These Christmas songs were obviously well known.

"Nonsense! With your speaking voice, you should be able to carry a tune quite well. Sing! That's an order." Steve's eyes were twinkling down at her.

Smiling back, Diana obediently began singing softly ... a split second behind the others, so that it appeared that she did indeed know the words and the tune. It was an ability she had learned as a youngster, and she blessed her music teachers anew.

"You have a nice voice, Diana!" Etta said. "Whoever told you you couldn't sing?"

"My mother said it was not one of my better talents." Diana explained. "She never said I COULDN'T sing, but ..."

"Oh, Diana," Etta interrupted, and pointed to the other side of the room. "Maybe you could go check to see if there is still enough to drink?"

"Of course." Diana made her way across the room. As she got to the arch with the mistletoe, she realized Steve was behind her, having been nudged by Etta to follow. Then Diana heard Etta calling her name, so she hesitated, then turned back.

Steve grinned. "Caught you, Diana!"

Slowly she raised her eyes to where his were uplifted — the sprig of mistletoe! She felt a wild tremor of fear along her spine. She, Princess Diana, feeling fear! It was unlike anything she had known before. She could sense danger — a danger that thrilled and fascinated her.

"Shut your eyes, Diana!" Etta called out, laughing.

Diana obeyed, wishing herself anywhere but here ... then Steve's lips covered hers. Diana felt her body go strangely weak, and felt a sudden, unexpected surge of emotion sweep over her, leaving her trembling. She pushed back and opened her eyes. She felt confused. Never before had she had to battle such conflicting emotions. Diana stood very still, hoping Steve would not see how affected she had been by his kiss. Her heart beat an unsteady rhythm in her chest. So THIS was what mortals called a kiss! She could not deny that Steve's simple touch had set her aflame. What magic did he possess, that he could cause this weakness in her? No wonder her mother had tried to erase all aspects of sexual relationships from life on Paradise Island! For an Amazon to lose control or feel weakness was unthinkable.

Then Diana became aware that Steve was eyeing her strangely, his hands still on her upper arms. "Are you all right, Diana?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Yes. Yes, of course, Steve." Diana was faintly surprised that her voice did not betray any of her inner turmoil.

Then Etta was there, laughing. "Got you, Diana!" she crowed. "But if you don't want another kiss, you'd better get out of the line of fire!"

Diana hastily took a few steps back. Both Steve and Etta laughed, then Steve turned and was gone. Diana stared after him, and her hand unconsciously strayed to her lips. Etta noticed and leaned forward to whisper to Diana, "Merry Christmas! Maybe you and Steve will be closer than ever after this..."

"Oh, Etta, really!" Diana brushed off the comment. "Now, are we sure we have everything we need?"

With a trace of disappointment in her voice, Etta said, "Diana, I really have to wonder about you sometimes. You're so devoted to work!"

"Isn't that the way it should be?"

Shaking her head, Etta turned away. "Oh, Diana!"

Left alone in the crowd of merry-makers, Diana hugged her memories of this first, bewildering Christmas to herself. She, too, wondered what might come about in the new year.