A Christmas Story
Chapter 1: The Story Begins
Out in the countryside of Georgia sat a rather large and nice home. Snow fell quietly as a family sat around the fireplace talking, laughing and having fun. Come with me and we shall begin our story…
"Tells us a story," a little girl said while sitting next to the fire in a small sitting room.
"Yes, please tell us a story," another little girl's voice came, while she sat next to her half sister who was just a few years younger than she.
"Alright, but I think I told the story last year," a deep voice came from a man wearing a black and white tuxedo who sat on a nearby couch with a cigar in hand. The smell of homemade cookies filled the air as the sound of sleigh bells rang out in the night sky. Red candles sat in the windows shining the way home for all of the soldiers that had been lost and forgotten.
The fire began to crackle as the moon rose higher in the night sky, reflecting off the nearby lake, which had turned to ice for the season. The fresh pine tree, which was known as the Christmas tree, stood in the corner of the room with an assortment of ornaments decorating it, an angel wearing a red velvet dress overlooked the tree so no harm would come to it.
"What if mother told us the story this year?" the youngest girl said as a smile came across her little face.
"Yeah, mother you tell the story this year," the other little girl said clapping her hands together. This would be a change, for their mother never told them a Christmas story before.
"I don't know," the lady replied as she took a seat next to her husband. She had never really liked doing such things. She really didn't like having children either, but it was a God-given burden so she accepted it.
"Come Scarlett, the children have heard a Christmas story from me for the past two years now." Rhett said as he put his arm around her slender shoulders.
"Uncle Rhett is right mother," Ella said, agreeing with her stepfather. Ella was Frank Kennedy's daughter from Scarlett's previous marriage. Frank had been shot in the head on the night of a Klan raid. Ella looked like her father. Gold ringlets were held up in a simple ponytail by a purple bow. She wore a lavender dress with white trim all around and little black shoes with white tights to match. Ella was now six and a very smart little girl at that.
"You know I don't care to do things like this." Scarlett whispered to Rhett as she leaned over to speak into his ear. Her lovely red dress moved gracefully as she leaned over to her husband.
"My pet, I'm sure you can make up some kind of story for the children." Rhett said as he laughed softly into Scarlett's ear, his moustache tickling her ear.
"Yes, I suppose I could." Scarlett sighed as she gave into her children and husband's request. She really was not very talented at coming up with stories.
"Make it like Uncle Rhett's," Wade's voice came as he sat next to his half siblings. Wade was Scarlett's son from her first marriage to Charles Hamilton. Scarlett had only married Charles to make Ashley Wilkes jealous. Look how it turned out. Melanie was with Ashley and they had a little boy of their own, Beau. Wade also looked like his father. Light wavy brown hair and dark brown eyes to match. He was dressed in a dark green suit that made him look much taller than he really was. Wade was the oldest out of all three of Scarlett's children. Wade was nine and a half.
Taking a deep breath Scarlett began her story…
"Once there was a girl…" Scarlett began as she looked up at Rhett who winked at her for he knew what story she was about to tell. "And she said she couldn't tell a story." Rhett thought to his self as a smile came to his lips.
"A girl! What about a boy?" Wade asked in a loud voice. He was not pleased, not pleased at all, what kind of story was this?
"Yeah," little Bonnie said in excitement as she clapped her small hands together, not really knowing what she was being so excited about. Bonnie Butler was Scarlett's youngest child, as well as was Rhett's daughter. Her black hair lay in ringlets just like her sister Ella's, only her hair was half back and tied with a blue bow. Bonnie wore a dark blue Christmas dress with gold trimming around the waist, neck, wrist and base of the dress. She also wore white tights and black shoes just like Ella. Bonnie was only four and half, and Rhett knew this would be the first Christmas she would remember.
"Now Wade, if you don't be quiet I won't tell the story at all." Scarlett said very stern like as she pointed her index finger at her eldest son.
Wade sat back down, joining his sisters near the fireplace once more. They sat together eagerly awaiting the story to be continued. Noticing they were settled and quiet, Scarlett continued her story.
"Once there was a girl. A very pretty girl, she had chestnut hair, the smallest waist in three counties! Eighteen and a half inches! And eyes that shined like two emeralds. All the boy's just loved her so."
Rhett nudged her, letting her know she was getting a little out of hand. "This girl had everything she could want, from the best dresses, shoes, bonnets and many other things. Sadly, the one thing the girl wanted but could never get back were her parents. Her parents had died when the war had broke out, so their Aunt Pittypat was raising her sisters and her. All this talk, I bet you are wondering what this girl's name is."
All three children nodded their heads with smiles on their faces.
"Katie Scarlett was the girls name, her two younger sisters were Suellen, Carreen, and she also had a younger brother as well his name was Alexander who was off at school but would come around during Christmas…
"Scarlett, child, come away from the window the guests will be here any moment," Aunt Pitty's voice came as she made her way into the sitting room.
Scarlett looked from the window to her aunt. This girl was no longer a little girl, no; she was now a young woman. Sixteen and still becoming a lady, walking away from the window Scarlett went over to the Christmas tree and saw that her favorite ornament was still sitting there. "That was odd," Scarlett thought to herself she thought she had placed it on the tree already. Placing it on the tree yet once more, there was a knock on the door.
"See the guests are already arriving." Aunt Pitty's voice came again.
Sometimes Aunt Pitty made things much harder and worried more than she needed to. Oh, well she took Scarlett and her siblings in when they had no one. Hearing a warm and lovely voice at the door Scarlett turned to see a very familiar face.
"Cousin Melanie," Scarlett said going over and giving her cousin a hug. Even though she wasn't really her cousin Scarlett treated her as if she were.
"Scarlett, why how much you've grown," Melanie said as she returned the hug.
"Why, Melly how you go on. I haven't grown since the last time you saw me." Scarlett laughed. "Tell me, how was your trip…with Ashley." She forced herself to say his name. Oh, how she loved Ashley, but sadly he was married to Melanie.
"Just wonderful in fact I have gifts for all of you." Melanie said as she hung her hat up. "Where are your sisters and brother?"
"Upstairs, getting ready for tonight," Scarlett answered coming out of the room. "Alexander just got in this morning."
"Oh, how wonderful it will be nice to have the whole family together for Christmas," Melanie said clasping her hands together.
"Carreen, Suellen, and Alexander your Cousin Melanie is here." Mammy yelled up the staircase. Feet could be heard coming down the steps as well as laughter moments later.
"Melanie!" they said giving her hugs and kisses.
"It's good to see you all," Melanie said with a smile. Melanie began handing out the gifts.
"Cousin Melanie, I don't know how to tell you this, but…we aren't children anymore." Alexander said as he looked down at his toy soldiers.
Scarlett looked down at her nutcracker doll, which sat in a box. The nutcracker was somewhat dressed like a soldier. Blue pants with a white strip down the side, with its arms and chest painted the same color like a jacket with a black hat upon his head while his hair was jet black. She could hardly believe Melly had given her a nutcracker of all things.
"Alexander," Aunt Pitty scolded him as she looked at him crossly.
Alexander shut his mouth rather quickly and kept quiet.
"Oh, I'm sorry I guess I forgot you four aren't children any longer," Melanie said realizing her mistake.
"Don't worry Melanie the children love them, don't you?" Aunt Pitty asked turning toward the four O'Hara children.
"Yes, Melly, we do," they replied in unison. Even though Aunt Pitty could sometimes be a little out there, but she knew what to say when it came to things such as these.
Taking the doll out of the box Scarlett held it in her hands. Looking over at her sisters who had received necklaces, she could not understand why she and her brother had received toys. After all, she was the oldest of all four of them. Oh, well it could be worse.
Still in her thoughts, she barely noticed her brother take the doll from her.
"Give that back," Scarlett told her brother as he began playing with his toys. "Alexander, you are much too old to play with such things."
"Scarlett, I'm twelve I'm not sixteen like you are…and besides shouldn't you be looking for a husband soon anyway?" Alexander asked sticking his tongue out at his sister.
Why that little brat. How dare he say such things? Not addressing that question Scarlett reached for the doll. "Give it here."
"No."
Scarlett got a hold of the doll and tried getting it back. Before she knew it, Alexander let go of the doll and it went flying through the air. Hitting the ground, a crack could be heard from the other side of the room.
"Alexander!" Scarlett yelled as she picked it up. Even though she was sixteen she still wanted to seem grateful to Melly for the gift. Looking down at the doll she noticed the arm was broken. Scarlett went and sat down by the fireplace. Before long Scarlett had fallen asleep and was drifting into a dream.
The clock struck eleven as the snow continued to fall.
"I think it's time someone goes to bed," whispered Aunt Pitty as she looked at Scarlett.
"Let her sleep I'm sure she has had a day." Melanie said in a whisper. "Besides I'm sure she's having a good dream."
"I suppose so. Scarlett hasn't had a good dream in such a long time. Ever since her parents died she's been having a recurring nightmare," Aunt Pitty said looking at Melanie with worry in her old eyes. "However, Melanie, she needs to be looking for a husband. It's that time you know."
"I know Aunt Pitty. She will come a crossed a husband in due time. We can't rush something like that." Melanie said looking up from the couch at her aunt. "I married Ashley just this past spring and I'm seventeen."
"I know you are dear I know you are." Aunt Pitty said. "Its just, Scarlett is different. She likes to flirt with all the young men and talk to them, but she doesn't seem interested in marrying any of them."
However, there was one person she had thought about marrying, Ashley Wilkes. But it was quite clear she couldn't have him.
Aunt Pitty and Melanie talked as the candles were put out and they headed for bed for the night. Scarlett tossed once or twice when all of the sudden the clock struck midnight and a loud noise could be heard.
Scarlett sat up rather quickly and looked around. The lights were out and no noise came from the house. Looking around rather slowly, Scarlett found the source of the sound.
"Scarlett," she heard her name being called. Turning around rather quickly she faced the fireplace. Nothing was there, that was rather odd.
"Scarlett," the voice came again. "Down here."
Scarlett looked down and saw her nutcracker. "You're alive?" Scarlett asked with a gasp. This couldn't be happening. She was having a nightmare. She just had to be she had those often.
Nodding his head yes, "You've got to help me."
"I'm not helping you out. Fiddle-Dee-Dee I must be going crazy." Scarlett said shaking her head while her arms lay a crossed her chest.
"Scarlett, you're the only one who can help me." The nutcracker said looking at Scarlett.
A/N: Okay, here is the other Christmas story I've wrote for this year. The other one is A Childhood Christmas. What do you think? Review!