The chilly evening air seeped through the alleyways surrounding the neon-lit block of cul-de-sacs where little Jimmy's twelve-themed birthday party was set to occur. Molly adjusted her beanie and peerlessly unlocked a slim smile alongside Bill, the spotlight illuminating his untamed beard. "Molly, you ever sport a tiara and capes with me?" Bill quipped, eyeing the stream of children skipping past. "Suit and tie, Bill. We're in a fit of royalty tonight. Remember, we're here to claim the kingdom's treasures," she retorted, mimicking the crouch of a jungle cat about to pounce. "And our cargo?" Bill asked, his voice a blend of curiosity and mischief. "Those under-the-tree boxes. And tonight, it's Operation Yule Thievery." "Or Yule Thievery Lightning. I like the prescience," Bill conceded, nodding his approval. The party buzzed behind them, kids darting in a merry blur of color. Molly slipped a hand-me-down tiara atop her head, its bejeweled crown nearly brushing against her nose. "Remember, Operation Yule Thievery Lightning. Play it cool," Bill whispered, donning his wonky cape. "Oh, we're as cool as the mint on a million-dollar bill," Molly snickered, adjusting her tiara. "How do I look?" Bill played along, eyes wide with admiration, "La reine de la noël. The queen of Christmas herself." With billowing tail of cape and crowned head, Molly swayed to imaginary orchestral notes, tiptoeing closer to their "castle." "Check that poster by the gate," Bill intercepted, pointing to a pirate-themed poster. "The Jolly Pirate? Aye, it's a ruse to distract guests." "Perhaps we could deputize in those peg legs and eye patches..." Molly teased. "Only if we snag a good treasure, queen," Bill continued, flexing his fingers in anticipation. As the last hints of daylight evaporated, the sparkling fairy lights turned on, sequins of childhood joy. Pampered pets on leashes trotted past, some gripped by tiny fountain cake hands. Molly suppressed a giggle, steeling herself before the gate. "You ready, Bill?" Bill reached for Molly's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Finest queen I know, brace yourself. Operation Yule Thievery Lightning is a go." Flashes of lights and occasional ear-piercing laughter filled the noisy tunes of the soon-to-be "theft-en-throne." They sidestepped, unfazed, placing themselves around the main table. Their eyes fell on the mountain of gifts—oak boxes adorned with ribbons of vibrant hues. "Which is the king's chest, Bill?" Molly asked, quickly scanning the mountain of gifts. "Oh, Molly. Any regular among them. We're here to free all the kingdom's treasures." Baroness of Boxes had to contain herself, her fingers itching to unwrap the mysteries—a race car, a LEGO castle, a princess doll adorned with princess dreams. Bill, on the other hand, looked ready to bust open a jar of Voldemort-sized pickles. Humming an imaginary tune, Molly started, "Dolls for the princesses, guns for the knights, music for the bard..." She hummed animatedly, scurrying across the table, grabbing, collecting. Bill followed, "Vehicles for the squires, science kits for the wizards, action figures for the royal guards." Before long, the once-crowded table now held a bare specter of leftover chocolates, slices of half-eaten cake. The queen and her loyal knight bore the prizes of their victorious mission. Exchanging a triumphant glance, Bill hollered, "Huzzah! Operation Yule Thievery Lightning was a success, though the night is still young and the party lively." "Shhh, Bill. Don't draw their attention," Molly cautioned, securing her newfound loot. They melted into the surrounding chaos, disappearing as easily as they'd arrived. Long story short, the kingdom's treasures were delivered past midnight, adding a mite more sparkle to some children's Christmases, and a humongous tale to Molly and Bill's banquet table of misadventures.