A/N: Christmas 1904.

Samantha sat in the parlor with Grandmary, Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia. It was frigid outside in the city of Mount Bedford, New York; but because of the fire Mr. Hawkins set, the parlor was warm. She sat with her feel pulled into the chair listening to them talk about the drive from the city. Samantha smiled listening to Grandmary. She didn't like automobiles and she hated that Uncle Gard had one.

"They are safe mother," He stated. Grandmary didn't look at him, but she sighed.

"Gardner, you will never get me in one of those contraptions, you and Cornelia may do as you please." She responded and they laughed. He turned to Samantha and smiled. There was a spark of mischief in his eyes.

"How about Sam," He smiled, "would you go for a ride?"

"It is much too cold for her to go out there. She could get sick," Grandmary stated.

"Please Grandmary," she pleaded, "I'd love to go Uncle Gard." She looked between them. Grandmary nodded.

"You may go, but you'll drink cider and work on your needle point when you come home." That sounded more like a punishment than a compromise, but Samantha would accept that. She was starting to like her needle point. She put on her winter coat with the help of Aunt Cornelia. Then Samantha turned to hug her.

"Don't you want to go?" She asked and Aunt Cornelia shook her head.

"You enjoy the ride with your Uncle. It's too cold for me to go riding."

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Samantha," Grandmary scolded, "it's not polite to do that. Go on with Gardner, we'll be here enjoying each other's company with Mrs. Hawkins cookies and cider." Samantha smiled. One time Uncle Gard had asked her if she wanted to move to New York City and live with him and Aunt Cornelia; but she didn't want to leave Grandmary all alone. She had Jessie, Elsa, Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins, but Grandmary never counted her cook or driver as guests in the house because they were working. Samantha leaned back and sighed. Uncle Gard looked over at her.

'What are you thinking about?" He asked.

"Do you remember my mother and father?" She questioned.

"Yes, I remember them very well Samantha."

"I wish I did. All I have are these pictures," she held the locket in her hand, "and the stories I've heard. I don't think I really remember them," she sighed, "can you tell me about them?" Uncle Gard nodded. He was the brother of Samantha's mother.

"Your mother was beautiful and mischievous just like you," he smiled, "you remind me of Lydia more every day."

"I do?" He nodded.

"She even hated the needle point too." Samantha laughed and sat back with her eyes closed.

"Thank you Mrs. Hawkins." Samantha said as she came in with a plate of cookies.

"Samantha," Grandmary frowned, "you don't talk to the help."

"But Grandmary-" Samantha started.

"I told you no Samantha." She sighed. Mrs. Hawkins walked out of the room without a word.

"Grandmary, can you tell me about my mother," Grandmary looked at her, "please?" Grandmary nodded.

"Have you told her the story of her first Christmas, mother?" Uncle Gard asked. Grandmary shook her head. "Why don't we tell her?"

"Gardner," Grandmary said. He smiled at her.

"You were only 7 months old, but you were the prettiest baby."

"What did our Samantha look like," Aunt Cornelia asked and Uncle Gard smiled.

"She had brown eyes and curly brown hair," He winked making her smile, "I won't forget Lydia bringing her to Mount Bedford that Christmas.

"Mother," A tall, beautiful, brunette Lydia walked through the door, "thank you Hawkins." He closed the door behind her.

"You're welcome Mrs. Parkington. I believe Miss Edwards is in the library, but I'll show you to the parlor."

"Oh it's quiet alright," She held Samantha close to her chest, "is Gard here?" Hawkins nodded.

"Mr. Edwards is sitting in the parlor," he replied. Lydia and Samantha walked through the parlor to be spotted by Gard. He smiled as he arose. At eighteen years old, he stood tall and proud. He had joined the military after his father died in the war between the states.

"Hello Lydia," Gard hugged his older sister, "Sam," He said gently.

"Samantha," Lydia corrected.

"Where is James?"

"He is helping our horses be put with mother's."

"You need an automobile now that you have Samantha," Gard insisted.

"We have had wagons for long enough that I feel safe. I don't want my child in one of those things," she wrinkled her nose.

"One day you'll appreciate it. I'm sure Samantha will even learn to drive one some day."

"Don't think such things Gard."

"She must learn to get around in New York. You don't live here in Mount Bedford with mother."

"As if you are any better Gardner." They turned to see their mother standing there.

"Hello mother."

"Mother," Lydia said quietly. Grandmary hugged both Lydia and Gard. She took Samantha in her arms.

"My beautiful granddaughter," Grandmary cooed. Lydia took out her sketchpad and began to draw the picture of her mother and daughter.

"Your drawing," Gard laughed. Just then, James walked into the parlor. Everyone looked up at him because they heard his footsteps and he put his arm around Lydia.

"Hello Mary."

"James," she looked at Lydia, "have you finished yet?"

"Yes," She replied and showed her the picture.

"Do you still have that picture?" Samantha asked and Grandmary frowned.

"It might be in the sketchbook in her hope chest in the attic," Gard said. Grandmary nodded.

"We haven't touched that chest since-" She stopped. Samantha knew she was going to say since she died. Grandmary feels it's unladylike to talk about death in front of other people. You cry behind closed doors and in private.

"Uncle Gard?"

"Yeah Sam?"

"Could you help me find that sketch? It would really make it feel like Christmas if I had that," Uncle Gard nodded.

"We'll go through the attic."

"I'll help you. It sounds like a wonderful picture," he nodded again.

"It really was."

Hawkins helped Samantha, Aunt Cornelia and Uncle Gard into the attic. When they were up there, they found a lot of boxes marked "Lydia." They each got to work searching through a box and Samantha smiled seeing the things her mother loved most. It was the best way to spend Christmas. She felt like she'd become closer to her mother. After a while, she heard Aunt Cornelia laugh.

"I think I found it!" Uncle Gard and Samantha walked over to her. They looked at the picture and he smiled.

"That's it." Samantha held it to her chest.

"I'll never put it down again. This was the best Christmas I'll ever have." Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia laughed as he hugged Samantha.