He found Callie knelt in front of his widescreen TV in awe as she fiddled around with the remote.

"You'LL get square eyes doing that," he said.

"It's sooo awesome! I want one. No, wait, I want three!" She followed that up by opening out her arms to give the TV a hug.

“Ok, but maybe later on after whatever we need to do next?"

“Oh, yeah! Right." She turned and stood up before nodding with fresh determination. "I like your tie!"

"Thanks." He'd opted for his work clothes of a suit and tie, since you never quite knew when you'd need to make a good impression. He might be about to meet the Tooth Fairy or something.

They both walked out together onto the back field and looked at the overturned sleigh with the reindeer still milling about looking distinctly bored.

“Ok, do you want to help me? From that bear hug I'm guessing you're stronger than I am."

Callie's grin had a distinctly impish lilt to it.

“Why don't you give it a try, boss?"

“It looks pretty heavy. I don't think I'll be able to manage it by myself. Maybe if I pull the car around and winch it upright somehow?"

“I'd give it a go the old fashioned way first." Her eyelashes fluttered all-too innocently.

“Alright, but when I get a hernia I'm blaming you."

Walking over to the fallen sleigh, he crouched down and took a deep breath whilst digging his fingers under the earth at the side to get a good grip. Then with a great effort he lifted the thing with all his strength.

He lifted it right over his own head as if it barely weighed a thing.

“Holy shit!" He almost dropped the thing on his face, and it wobbled some in the air before he set it back down, along with the grateful back legs of two of the reindeer that had been hauled up in the air with it.

“Ha! Toldja!" Callie clapped her hands in approval and then ran around to the side of the sleigh to settle in the passenger seat before taking up the reins and offering them to him.

“Oh, I don't know about that. Maybe you should drive. I had a hard enough time driving a manual gear shift. Not sure if I could wrangle nine reindeer in one direction to save my life."

As if they completely understood his apprehension, each of the animals immediately formed ranks with military precision. Then they started shifting their hooves to kick up a few clumps of dirt in a show of wanting to get going.

“I think it's better if you drive," Callie argued.