Hey all!

I had this idea for a story a while back, but I kept putting it off. However, I recently heard about TerinasTiger 's Stocking Stuffer 2020 Event and my inspiration came roaring back! Themes for the pieces of this event could either be Nice or Naughty. This story is decidedly on the Nice side, as it addresses concepts such as self-love and acceptance❣️:

A Baby Doll for Christmas

Christmas morning was exciting for the Perkins family. The kids were getting older, with the eldest Samantha heading off to college soon. The younger son, Jeremy, was already a tween at the age of eleven, and even though he didn’t believe in Santa Claus anymore, he was still happy enough to have his picture taken under the Christmas tree as he opened his gifts. He was particularly excited when he opened one box to reveal a brand, new Military Mike action figure!

All the boys in his class watched the Military Mike cartoon on TV and they had solemnly vowed to have a sleepover once Christmas passed to get together and show off their brand new action figures. However, even the most carefully laid plans can encounter unexpected hitches, and things took a sour turn when Jeremy pulled the draw string coming from his freshly opened Military Mike’s back.

What Jeremy didn’t know was that Military Mikes were made by the same company that made the Droopy Diaper Daisy Dolls, adorable baby dolls that had came with frilly dresses and also had draw strings on their backs, which when pulled, would cause them to say sweet babyish phrases.

Now the company that produced both of these toy lines rarely ever made mistakes when manufacturing their toys. However, this particular Military Mike that Jeremy had received was in the fact the rare exception. When Jeremy pulled the drawstring of his new action figure, he expected to hear some macho catchphrase. However, instead he heard his brand new toy say, “Oopsie, I made a poopsie! Will you change my diapee?”

Jeremy couldn’t believe what he had heard and immediately ran to his father. He pulled the string on the toy’s back once more, and it responded, “I love to take naps in my crib. Will you sing me a lullaby?”

Jeremy’s father chuckled at the humorous effect of such infantile phrases being spoken by the tiny, masculine figure, but he politely covered his mouth when he saw how distraught his son was. Jeremy’s father patted his son’s shoulder and reassured him that they would head to the store the next day and hopefully be able to get another action figure, since this one was clearly broken. Until then, he urged his son to just enjoy the rest of Christmas day.

Jeremy nodded, placated by his father’s promise. He then looked down at the action figure in his hands and with a look of disgust, tossed it away. Fortunately, the Military Mike doll happened to land in an open box. The box had been left out by Jeremy’s mother, who was one of those rare people who preferred to put away the Christmas decorations as soon as presents had been opened, rather than waiting until after New Year’s.

The box she left out was for putting away the tinsel, and thus she hadn’t even looked down into the box when she began packing away the streams of glittery threaded foil. She made quick work of most of the lighter decorations and would leave the heaver decorations from outside for her husband to take care of later that evening.

She then carried the boxes of decorations up the stairs to the house’s attic. The attic was packed to the brim with keepsakes and mementos the family had collected over the years, and even though it would have been a wise decision to just throw most of the stuff up there out, she honestly couldn’t bring herself to do so. So much of her family’s history was contained within the attic’s humble walls that she figured it wouldn’t hurt to hold onto the various odds and ends up here, at least until the kids had moved out. Jeremy’s mother sighed as she pondered how close that day was approaching for her older daughter as she descended the stairs to rejoin the rest of the family.

Something that Jeremy’s mother did not realize, much less most other people for that matter, was that they existed within a world where toys possessed souls. Yes, and with these souls they were granted the ability to move about, so long as humans were not looking. Toys seemed to have an instinctual understanding that humans learning of this ability could pose a problem, so they tended to keep it hidden.

Now that Jeremy’s mother had left, the other toys in the attic turned on a long-forgotten lamp in the corner and began moving about again. However, they were all taken aback when the box she had brought up began to move. Their first instinct was to panic and drop where they were, lest their secret be discovered. However, one particularly smart teddy bear realized that a human would not be able to fit into such a small box.

He carefully shuffled towards the box and then pulled at a loose piece of tape binding the top flaps of the box together. The tape loosened and the box opened as the Military Mike action figure popped his head out and gasped, “Whew, I couldn’t breathe in there!”

Seeing that it was another toy amongst them, the Teddy Bear breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Welcome to the attic stranger. How the heck did you end up in a decoration box? Did little Jeremy downstairs misplace ya?”

Mike clumsily exited the box of the tinsel, dusting himself off before responding, “Well, not exactly. I was supposed to be his Christmas gift. He looked so excited when he first saw me, but then he pulled my string. I said some stuff and he looked so... unhappy with me.”

The Teddy Bear scratched his chin pensively and said, “Well, let’s give that old string of yours a pull and see what the problem could be.”

The Bear walked behind the soldier doll and gently tugged upon his string. Mike’s mouth moved as the words, “Cuddles are always the best way to end a diapee change,” poured out of him.

The Bear chuckled and scratched his head as he said, “Yelp, no wonder you’re having trouble there, bub. It looks like you’ve got a malfunctioning voice box.”

“Malfunctioning?” Mike repeated curiously, not seeming to understand what the Bear had meant.

“Well, that means not working properly. You know, like, broken.”

“So, I’m… broken?”

The Bear flinched as he saw the sadness wash over the toy soldier’s face. He quickly added, “Fear not, lad! There might be a way to fix you yet!”

Mike’s head perked up and he eagerly asked, “Oh, how so?”

“You’re a Christmas toy, right? That means that Santa Claus made you at the North Pole, and sent you here to be Jeremy’s toy. Well, every year on the evening of Christmas Day, Santa Claus ends up in this very attic!”

“Really?”

“Yep. I don’t know why, but he shows up here once Christmas Day is over. Maybe you can talk to him once he arrives. He might be able to fix your voice box, and then you can go back to Jeremy.”

“But if he changes my voice box, does that mean I won’t say babyish stuff anymore?”

“Of course! Isn’t that what you want?”

“Well, I don’t know. I kind of like the idea of doing some of that stuff. Diaper changes and cuddles don’t sound too bad, do they?”

“Maybe for a baby doll, lad, but I’m not sure if that’s a good idea for you. Jeremy didn’t seem to like you saying things like that.”

“I guess you’re right. Maybe if Santa Claus can fix my voice box, then Jeremy might like me, and I can be his toy.”

“We can only hope. Any who, it’s getting to be pretty late so Santa Claus will probably be here any minute.”

Sure enough, the attic door’s handle began to jiggle and the toys quickly moved back to their previous positions, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. The door opened and Jeremy’s father came in, lugging in the larger Christmas decorations that had been left out. He placed various boxes and bags into their familiar corners. Finally, the last decoration the man brought into the attic was a full body decoration of Santa Claus that came up to his knee.

Jeremy’s father placed the decoration on a large pile of boxes and said, “Well, despite a few hiccups along the way, I’d say we had a Merry Christmas this year. See you next year, St. Nick!”

He then playfully tipped his hat to the plastic decoration before he turned around and exited the attic. Perhaps it was the playful nature in which Jeremy’s father had addressed the decoration that allowed it to be considered a ‘toy,’ but either way, it didn’t matter, for the previously still Santa Claus decoration let out a yawn and said, “Another Merry Christmas comes to an end. It’s such a jolly time. Too bad it only comes once a year! Ho ho ho!”

Mike and the Bear listened from below as Santa chuckled at his own musings and the other toys began moving around again. The Teddy Bear pointed towards Santa and said, “There’s your guy, lad. You better climb up there and ask him to fix that ol’ voicebox of yours.”

“Are you coming with me?”

“Nah lad, it won’t seem like you really want it if I’m holding your hand along the way. I think it’d be best if you talked to the ol’ man on your own.”

Mike nodded and looked up at the pile of boxes before him. He then took a deep breath and began to scale the boxes, not unlike a mountain climber. He was pleased to find that his action figure body was quite suited to the trek, able to easily grip onto any loose ends on the boxes as he climbed higher and higher.

Perhaps this was what he had been meant to do all along, but then why did still feel so uncertain? The Teddy Bear had said that if he had come with Mike to see Santa, then maybe Santa would think he wasn’t being sincere about wanting to fix his voicebox.

Was Mike really sincere about having it fixed though? He thought about it for a brief moment. He had been built as an action figure and he seemed to be good at being one, but somewhere deep down inside of him, he kind of liked the idea of being a baby doll. He wondered what it would feel like to wear diapers, wear cute babyish clothes, and to be cuddled and lovingly rocked within someone’s arms.

These thoughts raced through Mike’s mind as he finally arrived at the top of the pile of boxes where Santa was. The Santa decoration was facing the other way, so Mike called out, “Um, excuse me, Santa Claus?”

Santa turned around and looked down to see the action figure standing before him. The Santa decoration wasn’t quite big by human standards, with Jeremy being much taller than him, but to Mike, he was quite large in comparison. Santa knelt down and replied, “Well, what do we have here? Hello, little fella! How can Santa help you?”

Mike took a deep breath and explained, “Santa, I think there was a mistake when I was made. I was given to the boy of this house as a Christmas present, but when he pulled on my string, I could only say babyish things. Since you make all of the Christmas toys, could you please fix me?”

The Santa decoration’s eyes widened upon hearing the toy soldier’s request. He then replied, “Oh dear. Oh dear, me. You think I’m the real… Oh no, my boy, I’m just…”

However, before he could reveal the truth, he looked into Mike’s eyes. The toy soldier had a pleading look in his eyes, a look of desperation. Santa knew that telling him the truth would do nothing to ease the fear held within those eyes.

Santa sighed and then smiled softly. He sat down and said, “Well, if I’m going to be hearing a Christmas wish, then I’d better do it properly. C’mon little fella, sit on old Santa’s lap and tell him what you’d like for Christmas.”

Mike was caught off guard by this, but he obliged, approaching the large decoration and yelping a bit as Santa picked him up and softly placed him on his lap. Mike felt so small sitting on Santa’s lap, but rather than feel scared, it actually felt quite nice. Despite himself, Mike found himself resting his head on Santa’s chest.

Santa took note of this and smiled, glad to see that the action figure seemed somewhat more at ease. He then asked, “So what’s your name, my boy?”

“Mike, sir. Military Mike.”

“And why would you like me to fix your voicebox, Mike?”

“Because sir, I-I’m broken.”

“Broken? Now whatever do you mean by that?”

“It’s just that I was supposed to be a Christmas present for Jeremy. I was supposed to make him happy, but because of how I was built, he didn’t want me.”

“Oh Mike, my dear boy. It is sad that Jeremy did not want you as his toy, but that doesn’t mean that you’re broken. It just means that you and Jeremy were not a good fit.”

“It’s not just that though, Santa. I’m not only saying babyish things, but… I think part of me likes that I’m saying things like that. Like maybe I wouldn’t mind doing to the things I say when someone pulls on my string.”

“Well, what’s wrong with that then, Mike?”

“Look at me, Santa. I’m an action figure. Action figures don’t want to have their diapers changed, wear baby clothes, or be cuddled. That’s not how we’re supposed to be played with.”

Santa itched his snowy beard with his gloved hand as he pondered upon Mike’s words before responding, “Mike, let me tell you a secret. There is no proper way to play with a toy. Yes some toys are built for action, and some toys are built for cuddling, but that doesn’t mean an action toy cannot be cuddled. Every toy is unique and that’s what makes each one of them wonderful.”

“So, you’re saying I’m not broken?”

“Yes, Mike. As a matter of fact, I’d say you’re very special. I know a lot of toys in this attic who haven’t been played with in a long time, especially as Jeremy and his sister have gotten older. An action figure might not be too much to them, but a baby doll on the other hand… Well, babies play with toys all the time, and I’m sure there are a lot of toys up here that would love to be played with.”

“Are you sure that they would want to play with me? I don’t look much like a baby doll.”

“Mike, it doesn’t matter what you look like. All that matters is what is inside of your heart.”

Santa then stroked his beard pensively for a moment before a gleam of inspiration flashed in his eyes. He then said, “Then again, if you would like to look like a baby doll, I think I might be able to help you with that.”

Santa then stood up, holding Mike up in the crook of one of his arms. Mike could have sworn he felt his plastic cheeks flush as he realized that Santa was holding him like an adult would hold a baby in their arms. Just the thought of it made him smile, and he almost didn’t notice as Santa began to descend from the pile of boxes.

Climbing the boxes had been like scaling a mountain for Mike, but for the much larger Santa, it was like hopping down a low hill. Santa reached the floor and began to head to the far end of the attic. There he found what he was looking for. Nestled among the older keepsakes of the attic was a baby doll playset. There was a table with a little china tea set, a miniature trunk filled with baby clothes, a classic baby pram, and a bassinet, both decorated with ornate lace and ribbons.

Mike was astounded at the sight before him, and as Santa placed him on the ground he walked towards the babyish accouterments before him, gazing at them with a mix of wonder and desire.

He turned to Santa and asked, “Who do these belong to?”

“They belong to a baby doll that Jeremy’s mother had owned as a girl. That doll was accidentally broken years ago but the family never ended up throwing away the play set that had come with her. I always felt it was such a shame to see such lovely little things go to waste but now I see that they were just waiting for the right toy to come along.”

“You mean me?”

“Well, that all depends. Would you like them to be yours?”

Mike nodded shyly and said, “Yes Santa, I would like that very much.”

“Well then, kiddo. Let’s get you dressed into something more fitting then.”

With that being said, Santa proceeded to help Mike out of his soldier’s uniform. Off went the black boots, the camouflage jacket and pants, the white vest underneath, and the dog tags from around his neck. Santa then held a piece of white cloth up and Mike immediately recognized what it was. It was a diaper.

Mike scrambled to the floor, seemingly unable to wait for what was about to come. Santa chuckled at the doll’s eagerness and then instructed him to raise his hips as he slid the cloth under Mike. With a few quick folds and a large safety pin to secure it upon his hips, Mike rose off of the floor wearing the diaper.

Mike tried to find the words to describe what he was feeling, but somehow words didn’t feel like enough. Instead, he toddled over to Santa, as the diaper had spread his legs out quite a bit, and wrapped his arms around his leg in a warm embrace. Mike then quietly whispered, “Thank you.”

Santa smiled and patted the doll’s head, happy to see how much joy such a simple act had given him. Santa knew that they weren’t quite finished as he separated himself from the doll’s embrace and headed over to the trunk where the baby clothes were being kept. Santa reached in and pulled a little sailor suit from inside, asking if Mike would like to wear it.

Mike, however, seemed taken with another outfit. It was a pink satin baby doll dress, accented with lace and white ribbon. The sleeves were short rounded puffs and the skirt was a tutu, made of pink tulle. Santa held up the dress and Mike approached, gingerly running the silky material between his own plastic fingers.

Santa asked, “Mike, would you like to wear this dress instead?”

“Y-yes Santa. Is that okay?”

“Of course it is. Here let me help you, just lift up your arms for me.”

Santa then took the dress from Mike’s hands and then lowered it down over the doll’s outstretched arms. The dress wasn’t as long as either of them had anticipated, so the dress did nothing to hide his diaper. In fact, the fanning out of the tutu immediately drew one’s eye to it, but Mike didn’t seem to mind at all.

Santa then rummaged through the trunk and held up a few more articles of clothing that seemed to be a part of the same set as the dress. Among them was a pair of booties, mittens, and a bonnet that had the same ribbon and lace accents as the sleeves of the dress.

Mike approached and Santa lowered the bonnet onto his head, carefully tying the ribbon into a neat bow under his chin, and then repeating the process with the mittens upon his hands, and the booties on his feet.

Mike wrapped his arms around himself, awash in the sensations of the soft fabric against him. He was embracing himself, both physically and mentally, as he finally felt right for the first that he could remember. All of this initial hesitation was gone. This was him, this was who he was.

He then did a quick twirl, a momentary expression of the joy he felt inside. However, he still wasn’t used to the bulk of the diaper around his waist and quickly fell on his bottom. Santa immediately hurried over, looking ever bit like a concerned parent who had just watched their toddler take a spill on the floor.

He picked up Mike and saw that rather be hurt or upset by the fall, he was instead giggling, having have reveled in his moment of silliness. Santa breathed a sigh of relief and said, “I’m happy to see you’re enjoying yourself, although I must ask, does your outfit here mean that you would like to be addressed as a girl?”

Mike thought about the question for a moment before replying, “I don’t think so. I think I’m a boy who just likes to wear dresses… Does that make me a sissy?”

“Perhaps, but even if it does, then as long as that you enjoy it then that’s all that matters.”

Mike rested his cheek against Santa’s chest with a blissful smile upon his face. It felt so good to ask questions about who he was and not be shunned. It was even a bit of relief to learn that the answers weren’t exactly clear. That just meant that he could learn more about himself as time marched on. It was a journey he was very much looking forward to.

As these thoughts raced through Mike’s mind, Santa carried him over to the open bassinet. Even after all the years that had gone by, the pillow within was fluffy and blankets were still soft to the touch. Santa gently placed Mike within and then reached into his suit’s pocket to reveal a toy baby bottle that he retrieved from the trunk.

Mike looked curiously at the bottle and said, “But Santa, there isn’t any milk in there.”

“Ho ho ho, I know my boy, but this is where you learn a very important lesson. I am going to teach you about the joy of playing. As I said before, there are many toys in this attic that haven’t been played with in quite some time. Playing gives us life, and through play, we can experience things that would otherwise be impossible. Here, let me show you.”

With that, Santa lifted the bottle to Mike’s lips, and he cautiously accepted it into his mouth. Mike began to nurse upon the bottle and to his surprise, he felt warm milk enter his mouth. It was so rich and creamy that he felt his own hands within their mittens slowly rise and cup the bottle within them.

After a few moments, Santa slowly pulled the bottle from Mike’s lips, causing the doll’s eyes to flutter as he pulled himself from his dreamy haze. Mike gazed at the bottle and saw that it was still empty, as it had been when it had first entered his lips.

Santa then explained, “It felt real didn’t it? The warm milk passing through your lips and entering your little tummy? Well, that is the joy of playing. There is no greater gift one can give a toy, and I believe you will be the one to give that gift to quite a few of the fine toys that live up here.”

Mike’s brow furrowed in worry as he asked, “But what if I don’t do a good job, Santa?”

“Like I said my boy, there is no right or wrong to play with a toy. You’re living proof of that! Besides, if you are ever in a pickle, ol’ Santa will be here to help you out.”

Mike’s fears seemed to fall away as he was struck by a sudden sense of sleepiness. Even if drinking the milk had been only been in his imagination, it seemed to have the very real effect of tuckering him out, just as like a real baby.

He let out a yawn and said, “Santa, could you please pull on my string? When Jeremy first pulled on it, I said some things that made me feel ashamed. I don’t think I’m ashamed anymore. I’d like to say them again, but this time I would like to say them proudly.”

Santa obliged and gently pulled on Mike’s string. Mike then cheerfully said, “I love to take naps in my crib. Will you sing me a lullaby?”

Santa chuckled as he replied, “Ho ho ho! Of course, m’boy. Of course.”

Santa marveled at how happy Mike looked as he had said his lines, completely different from the sad, fearful doll he had met early that day. Even though Santa knew he was nothing more than a decoration, perhaps this was the Christmas magic he had heard the Perkins family sing of as they caroled downstairs.

He gazed down lovingly and saw the Mike had fallen asleep in the bassinet, softly nursing upon his thumb. Santa beamed warmly at the doll before bending down, tucking him under the sheets, and tenderly kissing him upon the forehead.

He then began to gently rock the bassinet back and forth as he mused upon what adventures would await Mike when he would go to the play with the other toys in the attic. But that is a story for another day.

~The End~

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Well, I hoped you all enjoyed this story! If you did, would any of you be interested in seeing these characters in a sequel story? If you would, please let me know in the comments below!

Happy Holidays❣️✨