Anonemouse: Thanks! Here's another plate of Christmas cheer for you
LynEGib: Thanks Lyn here's the second half
Chacha95: Thanks Chacha, Merry Christmas to you too.
Here is part two of the Quinn 1874 Christmas.
Disclaimer – two lines borrowed from the poem by Clement Clark Moore- A Visit from St. Nicholas
A Boston Celebration
Michaela paused on the curve of the stairs as the voices of her two elder sister's drifted up to her, they were 'admiring' the tree, picking out imperfections just as she knew they would with her when they saw her. Michaela quickly patted her hair to ensure that nothing had fallen loose and readjusted her top, sighing she steeled herself for what was about to happen. She cleared her throat as she descended, forcing a smile onto her face. "Maureen, Claudette, it's so wonderful to see you."
The two women at the bottom of the stairs moved so they could follow her descent, neither returning her greeting until Michaela had reached the bottom of the stairs.
"My goodness Michaela," Claudette gave a tinkling laugh as she took in Michaela's form, "I heard they have big babies in the country but really."
Michaela blushed but was not given a chance to defend herself before Maureen interjected. "Well what do you expect she's barely given her body a chance to recover from the last one, two babies in less than one year." The middle Quinn sister laughed and took Claudette's arm, "We better hurry to supper else..." she turned and abruptly stopped her speech as she came face to face with Penny.
The young bride-to-be gave her aunts a look of pure disgust, a look equal to one they could have earned from Elizabeth. "Aunt Michaela, Grandma was worried where you were," the young woman pushed her way between her two aunts to stand beside Michaela, acting as her guard against the two women, "I also need you for a moment."
"What could you possibly need Michaela for?" Claudette asked curiously.
"I value Aunt Michaela's opinion," Penny told the other woman in pitch perfect haughtiness. "Excuse us," Penny bowed her head in mock politeness matching her aunt's insincerity and led Michaela towards Josef Quinn's old study. "A little diversion," Penny smiled at Michaela, her pretty face falling into her natural expression of youthful beauty. The young girl quickly checked the hallway was empty and pushed open the door ushering Michaela in.
Michaela took a deep breath as she entered the room she had loved so much, the room, save for the empty bookcases where her mother had sent her her father's library, had not changed, the room looked and smelt the same as when she had left Boston, the smell of cold tea, old books and woodsmoke, the smell of her father. She inhaled deeply taking it in, letting the smell of her departed father fill her and wrap round her like a warm hug, holding her in its embrace, her father's hug.
"I love this room" Penny spoke the words that Michaela was thinking "I miss..." she paused and glanced at Michaela, "You know Grandma has Harrison light a fire in here every evening in the Winter," Michaela shook her head as Penny continued crossing over to the cupboard. "I think she does it so she can pretend it's the same, as if Grandfather was out taking rounds. Mother said we have to leave her be with her rituals that as keenly as we feel his absence she will feel it more. She was married to him for fifty years," the young girl lifted a box from the cupboard. "I wanted to know your thoughts on the gift that I have for Mother and Father, Grandma is letting me keep it here until the wedding." Penny rested the box on the corner of her Grandfather's desk, propping it up with her thigh she carefully levered the box lid open. "Do you think they will like it?"
Michaela stepped forward and studied the contents of the box, a painting 15x12 inches, an exquisite representation of what was unmistakably Rebecca's sitting room, in the centre of the picture was a fire and seated either side bathed in the warmth of the orange flames were unquestionably Rebecca and Edward, the painted figure of Rebecca head was bent over her needlepoint while the figure of Edward was reading a copy of the newspaper, his legs folded, the upper leg almost touching Rebecca's knee. The image of marital familiarity and family tradition, charming and lovely, the warmth of the glowing fire eclipsed by the warmth of the two figures in the painting.
"Penny did you paint this?" Michaela looked up from the box at her niece; Penny nodded "It's beautiful!"
"It's my favourite scene of them, my favourite memory. The way they are just so comfortable with each other, how they know each other so well. I hope to be like that with George."
"They will love it," Michaela assured her niece, "Absolutely adore it," she waited until Penny had safely stowed the painting back in the cupboard before offering her niece a hug. "It's truly stunning, it's a wonderful gift. Oh!" she blushed as her stomach grumbled, "Excuse me."
Penny giggled, "I apologise, I'm keeping my little cousin from his or her supper."
"Your little cousin always wants food," Michaela smiled and looped her arm around her niece's back as they made the way to the door. Softly she pushed Penny out of the door making sure the door wasn't open too much in order that the atmosphere inside was not lost, that the essence of her father was not lost, "Goodnight Father," Michaela whispered as she closed the door, "sleep well."
Katie bounced from one foot to the other, clearly bored with proceedings now that her dress was finished. She skipped over to her Grandma, and clambered up onto the chair beside her, "Gamma, when Mama comin back?" Katie repositioned herself so her feet were positioned underneath her making her appear taller in the chair, "I wanna go home to da big house."
"You'll have to wait Katie," Elizabeth told her simply. "Your mother took your Aunt Rebecca to let her have a moments break from the stress of the wedding."
"Ok," Katie hung her legs over the edge of the chair swinging them back and forth. "Mama coming back now?" she asked after less than a minute.
"No Katie," Elizabeth looked down at her granddaughter and sighed, she knew the look on the little girl's face well, it was one her mother used to wear when she needed stimulating. "Katie would you hand me a remnant of fabric," Elizabeth pointed to the wine coloured fabric on the floor.
"Rwem nant?" Katie looked at her curiously.
"The scrap of material on the floor," Elizabeth amended.
Katie complied, wriggling off the seat and collecting several pieces of the fabric that the bridesmaid's dresses were made from. "Dere you are," Katie handed them to Elizabeth with a beaming smile.
"Thank you," Elizabeth twisted her torso and took a spool of thread and needle from the table beside her, "I do believe we have forgotten Flo," Elizabeth smiled at her Granddaughter. "We shall have to make her a garment so that she can be part of the proceedings tomorrow."
"Good tinking Gamma!" Katie pulled herself back onto the seat. "What you gonna make?"
"I was thinking a cape," Elizabeth chose the largest scrap of fabric that Katie had given her and studied it, "I believe we can make it from this." Elizabeth began folding and pinning a hem to the fabric, making the rough shape of a cape for Katie's beloved doll. "Katie, have you ever sewn before?"
Katie shook her head, "Nope."
"Now, we make a stitch like this," Elizabeth showed Katie how to do a simple running stitch. "Would you like to try?"
"Yep," Katie turned herself and gingerly took the needle; slowly she inserted the needle like Elizabeth had done making a very haphazard stitch, "I sewin!" Katie exclaimed excitedly.
"You are!" Elizabeth smiled down at the sweet child, "And we shall soon have this cape done."
"and den Mama back," Katie surmised.
Elizabeth sighed, "Yes, I would imagine by the time we have finished this, your Mother will be back."
Michaela walked arm in arm with Rebecca; her elder sister was distant, a million miles away, deep in thought as they wandered through the park near to the dress shop. "Rebecca? Would you mind if we sat?" Michaela asked gently.
Rebecca turned her head to look at Michaela her neck moving slowly, almost if the action was painful, her normally warm brown eyes were dull, full of worry. After a moment the deep brown pools sparked with Rebecca's warmth, "Oh Michaela I'm sorry I didn't think," she quickly guided Michaela to a frosted bench. Michaela sat slowly and exhaled, her breath clouding in the air with the cold. "We can go back to the store," Rebecca offered.
"No no," Michaela shook her head, "I believe you need a little longer to collect yourself. We'll go back before it gets dark," she glanced up at the grey sky, it was already beginning to get dark, the winter night chasing away the day, though Michaela took comfort from the fact that as it was the 23rd of December they were now past the Winter Solstice and the days would begin to get longer again, stretching out to those long summer evenings she enjoyed so much.
"I can't believe it," Rebecca broke the silence. "My little girl is getting married tomorrow, my baby is getting married, it seems so wrong saying it. My daughter won't be introduced as Penny, Rebecca's daughter but as Mrs Carter. She's too young to be a Mrs Carter, George's mother is Mrs Carter," Rebecca slumped slightly in her seat.
Gently Michaela took her sister's gloved hand, "Rebecca, Penny seems very happy and very in love."
"She is," Rebecca agreed.
"I remember seeing you after Penny was born, how excited you were, how excited Edward was." Michaela rubbed her sister's hand, forcing her older sister to look at her so she could make eye contact. "I remember Edward telling Father how he had all these plans for Penny, and you turned round and said she would only do what made her happy and that as long as she was happy it did not matter how many languages she spoke or how many instruments she played. I do believe that you will get to see your daughter at the happiest she can possibly be."
"You're right." Rebecca sighed and then shivered, "It is cold," she pulled her neck into her cloak.
"I suggest we return to the store," Michaela copied her sister, pulling her neck in and pushing her shoulder's up so that her ears were half covered by the trim on her collar.
Rebecca laughed slightly and rose with ease. "Were you like this with Colleen?" she extended her hand to Michaela to help her up.
Michaela rose slowly, cautious of how slippery the ground was, thankful for her sister's hand. "Yes of course. No mother likes the thought of her daughter becoming a woman." Michaela blushed slightly, "I still have to go through it with the Katie and Esmee."
"Perhaps with this one too," Rebecca nodded downwards, "Or do you think it's a boy?"
"I thought Esmee was a boy," Michaela laughed, "I so desperately wanted to have Sully's son."
"Wanted?" Rebecca repeated surprised by Michaela's use of the past tense.
"I realised I already have him," Michaela smiled, she noted her sister's confused expression. "Brian. He may not look like Sully but inside, in his soul and his heart where it matters he is Sully's son."
Rebecca stepped closer to Michaela, the two sisters squeezing close together, Michaela's arm tucked through Rebecca's, "I think that in a few years there will be a very lucky young lady in Colorado Springs." Rebecca laughed as she felt Michaela flinch at the thought, "I see the anxiety is not only for daughters."
"No indeed," Michaela shook her head not wanting to think of her little boy as a married man, her Brian was fine just the way he was.
Sully walked Esmee up and down the hallway, the baby was fussing refusing to go to sleep, the little girl tuning in to the drama unfolding downstairs as the staff dealt with the Christmas and Wedding preparations. He turned again as he heard a thud on the staircase, a small smile formed on his lips as he heard Rebecca's usually stiff husband Edward let out a few choice curse words. Sully rounded the corner, "Need a hand?"
"Oh," Edward looked up alarmed, his face blushing crimson as he realised he had been caught acting in a very ungentlemanlike manner.
"I didn't hear anything," Sully smiled and offered his free hand to take one of the several bags that Edward was trying to carry up the stairs. He was surprised the man was doing it, the servants usually the ones who did all the work while the Quinn sister's and families watched with aloofness.
Edward seemed to catch what Sully was thinking, his face flushing a deeper shade of red. "They are all busy doing far more important things." Sully lifted one of the bags, "Thank you," Edward whispered as he lifted the rest of the bags.
"You staying here tonight?" Sully asked as he waited to be directed to their destination.
"Yes, Rebecca, Penny and I are staying here. The women aren't back yet I see," Edward made conversation, seeing Sully hovering he shook himself, "I apologise, we're in the blue room. Penny is with Colleen, Andrew is part of the groomsmen, support for William a bit of camaraderie from a relation. My nephew's laughed poor William out the room when he asked for support." Edward sighed as he realised he was babbling, "Sorry," Edward pushed open the door to the blue room and unceremoniously dropped the bags. "You have your hands full let me take the bag."
"It's no bother," Sully pushed past him and set the bag on the polished table. "Used to carrying things while I'm carrying Es."
"I wish I could still carry Penny, keep her safe. You just wait till it's her," Edward looked helplessly at Esmee. "You can't imagine what it's like being father of the bride, knowing your daughter is about to be someone's wife and everything that goes with that," he blanched at the thought of his daughter's consummating her marriage.
"I have been there," Sully told him gently as he repositioned Esmee in the crook of his arm, the baby finally drifting off to sleep, "Colleen."
"But she isn't your daughter not really," Edward sank to the bed, his shoulders sagging under the weight of the enormity of his daughter getting married, "you didn't lose your little girl to a man, Colleen was already a teenager when you married Michaela."
"I love her the same as I love Katie and Esmee, just coz we ain't got the same blood don't mean we ain't family," Sully sighed. "Don't think of it as losing your little girl, think of it as gaining a son."
"A son from a very wealthy powerful family," Edward frowned. "I only hope we're good enough for them..."
"Ain't if your good enough for them," Sully interrupted. "It's is their son good enough for your daughter," he cocked his head to one side. "Well is he?"
"George is a lovely boy," Edward conceded. "Penny loves him very much."
"Then there's no problem," Sully shrugged.
Edward studied Sully for a few moments before he spoke again. "You are a wise man Mr Sully."
"No I ain't and just call me Sully," Sully sighed, "I look after children most of my days, they got a way of seeing things how they are, uncomplicated. Guess it rubs off."
"That is probably a good way to think," Edward smiled slightly. "Sully, I have to give a toast tomorrow, a speech. I'm not really much of a public speaker, more of a back office type of man. Would you humour me and listen to what I've prepared? Point out any glaring errors."
Sully nodded and pulled out the chair, "Sure."
"Oh thank you," Edward looked relieved and pulled several sheaths of paper out of his jacket. "I fear it may lack brevity," he glanced at Sully and smiled, "be too long," he amended. "See this is precisely why I need your assistance."
"Ya reckon we can get through this before the women get back?" Sully set the challenge with a smile.
Edward smiled, the stress he was feeling finally leaving his face, "I do believe I can."
Brian paused on his journey to the dining room as he heard a faint yell of annoyance; he turned and poked his head into the sitting room. He watched his cousin curiously as Penny held her arms in the air and took a few steps backwards, turned and then let out a grunt of exasperation. He stepped into the room fully and spoke her name alerting her to his presence.
"Oh Brian," his older cousin smiled sheepishly at him. "You caught me practising."
"Practising what?" Brian looked at her curiously, "Supper is ready."
"I'm too nervous to eat," Penny sighed. "I've never been so nervous in my life, and now I can't remember the steps," she held her hand out indicating that she was talking about what she had been doing. "I've been dancing since I was three and I've known how to do this dance since I was about eight, yet I find the steps have completely vanished from my mind," she ran her fragile looking hand across her temple, sighing with the terror at not being able to perform properly at her wedding.
"If it would help I could be ya partner," Brian offered with a smile.
"Do you know how to dance?" Penny looked at him hopefully.
Brian shook his head, "Not really, but I can walk, all ya need ta do is tell me which direction to walk, maybe having someone ta drape yourself on would help."
"Drape myself," Penny stifled a laugh.
"That's what it looks like to me when people dance," Brian grinned. "It couldn't hurt."
"What about supper?" Penny pointed in the vague direction of the dining room.
Brian shrugged, "I reckon that Martha would save me some, you as well if you want it," he held out his arm, adopting a stance that he had seen when there had been dances in Colorado Springs.
Penny smiled and slipped into his grip, she quickly repositioned his hand into the correct place on her back before she took his other hand, she inclined her head to him. "Now take two steps forward, then turn to your left then take another two steps forward then one back," she giggled as Brian took a lurching step forward, "You're supposed to be graceful!"
Brian snorted as he performed the steps she described, "I ain't really done graceful before." They came to a stop "Now What?"
"Turn to the right, take a step back, take two steps forward then pause and lower and twist me slowly," Penny gave him the next sequence of steps. Brian performed them and then nearly dropped her, "Slowly!" Penny laughed.
"Huhum."
The two teens looked up at the sound of Harrison clearing his throat, "Mrs Quinn was wondering if you two would be joining the rest of the family for supper?"
Penny glanced at Brian and giggled as he gave her a hopeful look. "Fine. Yes Harrison though I won't be able to eat a bite."
"Your Grandmother anticipated the problem," Harrison told her as he took a step back to allow them from the room. "Which is why she had bananas ordered."
"Bananas!" Penny gave an excited squeal.
Harrison smiled indulgently at the young woman. "She thought you may be able to persuade Martha to make some banana pancakes," Harrison closed the sitting room door. "Shall I request a batch?"
"Oh yes please," Penny grinned like a small child, she turned to Brian. "Martha makes the best banana pancakes. You look confused," she gasped. "Don't tell me you've never had banana pancakes before!"
Brian shoved his hands into his pocket, "I don't think I ever had banana before, we don't get em in Colorado."
"Two orders of banana pancakes," Harrison smiled and ushered Penny and Brian towards the dining room, Towards Penny's last evening meal as a single woman.
Sully smiled as Michaela smoothed Katie's head for seemingly the twentieth time that morning. The little girl before them looked like a blonde haired angel, her white blonde hair cascading down her back in a glorious sheet of pale gold. Her dress was different to the wine coloured gowns of the four bridesmaids, her little flower girl dress made from a fine white satin with a shimmering voile over the long skirt that almost hid her feet, cinching the waist was a belt of the wine satin fastened at the back in a big bow. To keep her warm in the church Katie had been given a wine coloured cape that had been trimmed with white fur. Not to be left out Elizabeth had had a dress equally as beautiful made for Esmee, though it was different enough that it no way detracted from her sister's important task of scattering perfectly colour matched rose petals. While the elder of their daughter's was buzzing with the excitement of Christmas Eve and being a flower girl Esmee seemed confused by the chaos around her and extremely perplexed by the loss of her feet in the numerous folds of fabric that made up her dress. Sully helped his younger daughter out by peeling back the fabric to show her her feet. Content that she still had her feet Esmee gave him a beaming smile before turning her head to watch her mother and older sister intently.
"Miss Michaela, Sully," Harrison moved silently up to them, the butler acting like an unseen master of ceremonies silently pushing the right people into the right place at the right time. "I need you to take your seat we shall begin shortly," the butler smiled as he noticed Michaela's look of apprehension at the thought of leaving Katie. "Don't worry ma'am," he kindly patted her hand, "Martha will watch her."
"I surely shall," Martha appeared out of nowhere, the older woman smiled kindly at Michaela. "She'll be sitting with you in a moment."
Seeing that the servants' words were having no affect on Michaela, Sully placed his free hand in the small of her back and gently but forcefully began guiding her into the nave of the church. He guided her to the end of the front pew and waited for her to sit before he joined her, pressing in tight against her so that she could take some of his warmth in the cold church. Michaela reciprocated turning her body towards him, her left leg pressed firmly against his right. Sully gave her a soft kiss on the temple before handing her Esmee, knowing that the baby would provide her a distraction and that with her rapidly shrinking lap there would be more space for Katie on his. As he hoped Michaela instantly began fussing over Esmee, ensuring that the little girl was warm enough and cuddling her tight to her bulging torso so that she could kiss Esmee on her chubby cheek.
A hush fell over the congregation as Elizabeth led Rebecca to her seat a positive indication that the wedding was about to begin. Sure enough, the organ began to play the wedding march and the congregated well wishers rose to their feet. Sully looped his arm around Michaela as she stood, hugging her tightly as he took note of the nervous groom taking up his place at the front of the church. He smiled; he remembered how he had felt when he had been in that position four and a half years ago, how nervous and excited he had been, excited to be marrying the other part of his soul, nervous to let her down. He placed another soft kiss on Michaela's temple, his mind drifting to the moment he had pushed back her veil revealing her beautiful excitement filled face, her two tone eyes flashing with anticipation and love. It was the happiest he had ever seen her except for maybe when she held the girls for the first time, but he would happily let the honour of making Michaela the happiest she could possibly be sit with them. Sully could feel Michaela's nervousness, feel the worry she felt for their little girl who at this very moment would be walking down the aisle in front of the seemingly hundreds of people who packed the church. Finally he caught sight of a petal falling on the stone aisle and he felt her relax, moments later Katie appeared into view. The little girl was beaming with excitement, her cheeks flushed, a scattering of snow on her cloak where the bridal party had ventured outside to move round to the front of the church. Katie scattered the last of her petals and ran for her father, jumping into his arms with a huge smile on her face. Surprisingly she kept silent as the rest of the bridal party made its way down the aisle instead focusing on the two red petals which she had saved in the palm of her hand. The delicate petals were creased where she had held the basket but still looked as beautiful as when they had been plucked from the flower that had bore them. Katie's smile widened to an almost impossible representation of happiness as she handed one of the petals to her mother and tucked the other into Sully's breast pocket. Sully kissed her in thanks and bent his knees slightly so that Katie could do the same to Michaela. Katie kissed Michaela's cheek, kissing away the happy tear that had slipped from her brown eye. Sully copied Katie's caress on Michaela's cheek as the music came to its climax and the Priest at the front lowered his hand to indicate the congregation could sit and the service would begin.
Michaela clapped her hands and then playfully brought Esmee's hands together helping the baby add her applause to the finished music. The ensemble band struck up their next song and Michaela rocked from side to side, softly humming along, so that Esmee could enjoy the music as much as Katie who was out on the dance floor with Sully, the little girl stood on her father's feet as they rocked from side to side while the dancers who knew the steps moved around them.
"Michaela."
Michaela looked away from her husband and daughter to smile at the familiar voice. "Hello Signe," she greeted the woman she had met in Colorado Springs a few weeks after Esmee had been born. "It's good to see you." She paused as she remembered that Signe had been a few weeks away from her own nuptials during her visit. "How was your wedding?"
"Lovely," Signe sank into the chair beside Michaela. "Though nowhere near as grand as this!" Michaela returned Signe's smile, "Congratulations!" Signe inclined her head towards Michaela's bump, "When is the new baby due?"
"The beginning of April," Michaela smiled down before looking up and steering the conversation away from her pregnancy, not wanting any awkward comments about her size to be uttered and for her to end up a topic of conversation with her caustic sisters floating around, especially as she was still experiencing a growth spurt, which had increased her bumps size dramatically over the past few days. "How are you enjoying married life?"
"Well enough," Signe smiled wistfully. "I miss the hospital, but Eliz...your mother has been a great help. I've missed her this week were she's been so busy with the wedding preparations, are you staying long?"
"We leave on the 28th," Michaela sighed at the thought of the trip back to Colorado Springs, "Brian has school, he graduates this year."
"Will he go to College?" Signe asked making conversation.
Michaela glanced at her son, admirably holding his own amongst his cousins, "I'm not certain, as long as he is happy I don't mind." Michaela turned back to Signe and smiled, she could see in the woman's eyes that she was not concerned about Brian's plans for the future and that her real concern lay with Hank back in Colorado Springs and how he was coping with the revelation that Signe had brought with her when she was there. "He's fine," Michaela softly touched Signe's gloved hand. "He's doing well," her comment was so innocuous that no one would know who she referred to, all except Signe who beamed at the news.
"Good," Signe breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh Hello," the blonde woman greeted Katie as the young girl appeared beside them.
"Lo," Katie smiled, "You sleeped at my house in Colwado Sprwings," she looked thoughtful. "You Siggy."
"Close, Signe," Signe smiled, "and you are Katie."
"Yup!" Katie grinned at her. "Papa says can you watch me an Esmee, he needs Mama for somethin portant."
"Certainly," Signe held out her arms to take the baby from Michaela.
Michaela hesitated, glancing at her husband who stood just out of earshot with a gentle smile upon his handsome face. "Did he say what he needed me for?"
"Nope," Katie pulled herself onto the chair beside Signe and looked hopefully at the bowl of sugar lumps in the centre of the table. "Djust its portant."
Knowing she would not get a straighter answer than that from anyone apart from Sully, Michaela handed Esmee over to Signe and rose. She quickly scurried across to Sully, "You needed me?"
"Yep," Sully smiled and then kissed her softly on the cheek, "mistletoe," he pointed up where a bushel of the wiry green plant was hanging from a light fitting. "An I would like ta dance with my wife at least once."
"I can't dance Sully," Michaela shook her head before glancing nervously around the room.
"Why not?" Sully placed his hand on her waist and took her hand, "I seen ya dance plenty of times."
Michaela looked around the room as she brushed his hand from her waist, "In Boston society, pregnant ladies are not supposed to draw attention to themselves."
"This ain't Boston society. This is a family wedding." Sully tried to reason with her, "It's a slow one."
"Sully I can't," Michaela's cheeks bloomed red.
Seeing her embarrassment he relented, "Ok," he lowered his hand but still held on to hers. "Come with me." He led her quickly from the elegant ballroom into the equally elegant hallway outside. Nervously he checked around them for anyone watching them and led her down the hallway of the Parker House, the luxurious hotel were the wedding breakfast was being held. He grinned as he found a tiny alcove, close enough to the room that they could hear the music but far enough from the room that none of the perceived important guests would come across them. "Now will ya dance with me?" he looked hopefully at her.
"Alright," Michaela stepped in as close as she could, allowing Sully to place his hand on her waist while she placed her hand on his shoulder.
With the lilting music just audible Sully slowly began to sway in time to the music pulling Michaela with him so that they were both swaying in harmony together. "I like this type o dancing," Sully whispered craning his neck forward to kiss her, "I don't have to focus on the steps, focus on you instead," he kissed her again, "Happy Christmas Eve."
Michaela laughed, "Happy Christmas Eve."
"What time do ya wanna get ta bed ta night?" Sully asked as he gently twirled her. "Quicker ya get to bed, quicker Christmas will be here." He grinned like a naughty school boy at her.
Michaela bit her lip with anticipation, "Do you have something planned?"
Sully kissed her, his lips pushing against hers as he pulled her into his embrace as far as he could without hurting her, "One or two things," he whispered breathily as they broke apart. "Think ya might like them."
"Oh, well in that case..." she stopped mid sentence as the music stopped and the lack of noise distracted her.
"In that case?" Sully pressed her.
Michaela smiled coyly at him, "I think I would like to get to bed quite early."
Katie slid from the bed onto the cold polished wooden floor; she easily opened the door which led out into the hallway. The room were her mother and father were sleeping was just down the hall, their own door open a fraction so she could easily get in should she get upset about being in a different bed. Katie in these early hours of the morning was in no way upset; she had heard the clock downstairs chime the hour of 5, indicating to her that it was her favourite day of all. It was Christmas. She hovered nervously unsure if she should go in, she could hear her parents were still asleep their breathing slow and steady.
"Good morning Miss Katie."
Katie spun as she heard Harrison's gentle greeting. "Merry Kistmas!" she greeted the butler with a huge grin.
"And a Merry Christmas to you," the old man smiled down at her. "Your grandmother is awake."
"See is?" Katie gave a soft excited squeal and ran to the double doorway of her Grandma's. She stared at her nemesis, the door handle, she narrowed her eyes at the brass knob as she bid the metal to do as she wished and open when she seized it in her hand and turned. The door gave and she slipped into her Grandma's bedroom. The huge room was dark, lit only by a low burning fire and a lamp besides which Elizabeth sat in a large armchair staring out onto the snow covered Beacon Hill Street.
"Harrison I don't need anyth..."Elizabeth spoke before she turned to look at the doorway, "Oh Katie!"
"Merry Kistmas Gamma!" Katie scampered to her Grandma and rested her little hands on Elizabeth's blue velvet dressing gown.
"Merry Christmas Katie!" Elizabeth held her arms open, welcoming the little girl onto her lap.
Using the footstool as leverage Katie climbed up onto her Grandma's lap, "You not sleep coz you excited?" Katie asked as she threw her legs over the arm of the chair as she flopped into a comfortable position on Elizabeth's knee.
"I didn't sleep all that well," Elizabeth admitted as she wrapped her arms around her granddaughter.
"You have bad dream?" Katie looked sadly at her Grandma. "I need ta give ya hug. Hugs make dreams better," Katie twisted on Elizabeth's lap and shoved her arms between Elizabeth's torso and the side of the chair. She hugged Elizabeth tightly before pulling back slightly, "Gamma!" Katie gave a squeal of surprise as she caught sight of the long plait sat on Elizabeth's left shoulder. "You got long hair!" Katie stared in awe at the silvery plait, surprised that her grandmother's hair was long having never seen it styled any other way but styled but pinned up on her head.
Elizabeth laughed, her mood buoyed by the little girl's surprise and wonder, "I do!"
"It curly, it like Aunty Marjewies hair," Katie lifted the end of the braid and studied it.
Elizabeth tightened her grip on the little girl, "Of all my daughters Marjorie looked most like me."
"I look like Mama," Katie told her proudly. "Sept I got bond...blonde hair."
"You do," Elizabeth touched Katie's chin, "and you are a very lucky girl to have such a beautiful Mother."
"Yup!" Katie nodded, "You fink I get presents?"
"I'm certain of it," Elizabeth smiled at her granddaughter, "but we must wait till your Mother and Father are awake, well we must wait until everyone in the house is awake before we open presents."
Katie sighed heavily, "We have ta wait fo church?"
"You may open some of your presents before Church and some after lunch when your aunts are here," Elizabeth told her, stifling a laugh as she took in her granddaughter's excited yet frustrated face. "I have an idea. Could you get me that box," she pointed to a shelving unit in an alcove of the room. Katie slid from Elizabeth's lap and trotted to the shelves. "That box by your hand," Elizabeth pointed again. Katie carefully lifted the simple wooden box from its place on the shelf and carefully brought it to Elizabeth. "Thank you," Elizabeth opened the lid, the polished oak lid creaking on its hinges as she did, indicating that the box had not been opened for a long time. "My father, your great Grandfather bought this for me when I was five years old." Elizabeth drew out a green leather jewellery box, "It was my very first piece of jewellery." Carefully she snapped open the box to reveal a tiny emerald chip on a slender gold chain, "It's Emerald which is the birthstone for May."
"Your birfday in May?" Katie asked, staring at the stone in awe as it sat glistening in the firelight on its white satin cushion.
"Yes," Elizabeth nodded as she removed the necklace from its box, letting it dangle from her fingers. "As is yours and I believe that the time has come to pass the necklace on," slowly she split the two ends of the chain and positioned it around Katie's neck to refasten it.
"For me?" Katie tilted her head as far as it would go so that she could see the tiny gem sat on her chest, "Gamma," the little girl was genuinely shocked to receive such a gift, jewellery the type of gift that only her parents or big sister received, not something she got. "Gamma," Katie repeated and hugged Elizabeth's legs tightly, "Ta-thhhhank you!"
"You are most welcome," Elizabeth rubbed Katie's back as the little girl continued to hug her, "You must take good care of this chain, it's almost as old as me."
"Yes Gamma," Katie nodded earnestly, "Gamma dis best kistmas present!"
"You haven't seen what is under the tree yet," Elizabeth lightly teased the little girl.
"No Gamma," Katie shook her head, "dis da best. Dis da best kistmas present!"
Michaela stirred as Esmee protested to the wetness of her diaper, she shifted slightly as Sully rose, the bed instantly losing all comfort as her husband moved. Slowly she opened her eyes as he heard Sully speak softly to the baby, going about the morning ritual that she had not taken part in since she found out she was pregnant and placed on partial bed rest.
"Hey look Es," Sully lifted the infant up when he had finished pinning the clean diaper on her, "Ya Ma is awake. Let's go wish her a Merry Christmas, whadya think?"
"Ba," Esmee answered her father responding to his jovial tone, "Ahuh Ba."
"Merry Christma,s" Michaela smiled at them as she held the cover open for Sully to sink back into the bed.
"Ah aha Aaaaaa ba," Esmee responded, smiling at her mother as Sully set her on the bed. Esmee crawled slowly, her balance almost non existence towards Michaela before losing her battle to stay upright and listing into the side of Michaela's stomach. Esmee giggled and then abruptly stopped her face transforming with alarm as she was kicked from inside her mother by her unborn sibling.
Michaela couldn't help but laugh at the look of pure shock on the baby's face. "That is your younger sibling. I don't think Bean liked being hit!"
"Ya know," Sully lifted Esmee onto his lap as he crept in closer to Michaela, "You were in there this time last year," he pointed at Michaela's belly then at Esmee and then back at Michaela's belly. "You were in there."
"Aaah ba arrrrrrrrr ruh ruh ruh ruh ba ah," Esmee babbled.
"This time last year," Michaela sighed and rubbed her itching stomach, "This time last year. So much has happened in the last year."
"Always stuff happening in our lives," Sully leaned in and kissed her, a deep warm kiss one which would have normally been a prelude to their enthusiasm this time stopped with the simple words, "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas." Michaela repeated, her chest heaving, Sully's magical lips working in tandem with her compressed diaphragm to leave her breathless.
"Can I give ya one of ya presents now?" Sully looked at her hopefully.
Michaela smiled. "That kiss wasn't one of my presents?" she whispered playfully.
"Nope our kisses are too special to save for presents," Sully kissed her again. "We need them every day. Hold Dancer a second," he handed Michaela the baby and retreated to the trunk pulling a black bag out of the pocket that she had thought held his socks. "I got this a while ago," Sully explained as he returned to the bed, "the day we found out about Bean," he tenderly stroked her belly.
"You've had it all this time?" Michaela looked at the black bag curiously, wondering what could be inside it.
"Yeah," Sully grinned sheepishly as he fiddled with the strings of the bag. "I was gonna give it to ya then, but I figured ya just needed me, and I kinda didn't want this to get lost in another happy moment, I wanted ya face ta be happy because of the gift."
"May I have the gift?" Michaela asked smiling at her husband's nervousness, her interest peaked all the more due to his reluctance to hand it over to her. Sully shrugged and passed the black bag over to her. He sat down and held his hands open for Esmee, who started to crawl back over to him before sprawling out on the bedspread as she lost her balance. Michaela opened the bag pulling the strings loose to get to the contents inside. Her slender fingers came into contact with the cool metal band as she reached inside, and she slowly pulled out the solid silver bangle from its packaging.
The bangle was chunky yet at the same time slim enough that it would not dwarf her tiny wrist. It was a made from a continuous circle of silver, Celtic designs engraved into the surface in honour of her families heritage but the outside was not what Sully was really interested in. "Look on the inside," he urged watching her face as she studied the bracelet with mild pleasure. She tilted the bracelet so she could read what was inside rotating the band so she could read the full inscription her eyes getting more and more watery as she did.
"Oh Sully," she managed to whisper before the tears claimed her, she shifted trying to sit upright but found that she needed her arms to help push her into a sitting position. Where she usually would have lamented this development, today it had no effect on her. All that mattered was reaching her husband and pulling him into her arms, "Thank you!"
"Ya are ya know," Sully whispered as he hugged her, his large hand stroking her soft hair. "Ya are my best friend."
Michaela sat back slightly, "and you are my family," she ran her thumb across the engraving on the inside of the bangle her smile widening as the pad of her thumb brushed the words they had spoken to each other a week before their wedding on the steps of their home. "You've given me such a wonderful family," she reached to stroke Esmee's cheek with her right forefinger.
Sully smiled and helped her lie back down before he reached to place his hand upon the growing mound of her stomach that contained their child. "I think you done most of the giving."
Michaela grinned and brought her hand down to join his on her bulging middle, "You helped."
"A little."
"A lot," Michaela amended her husband's words. "Creating babies is a two person job."
"Speaking of babies. Do ya think Katie is up?" Sully asked with a knowing look on his face.
"I up!" Katie's voice drifted into them. There was a clattering noise as Katie evidently fell over something and their little girl scampered into the room. "Merry kistmas!" she greeted her parents. The little girl bumped the door closed with her bottom and then used the door as a pushing off point launched herself at the bed. Sully reacted quickly, leaning over his wife and catching their little girl so that she didn't career into Michaela. "Easy there Twink, watch ya Ma and sister, you're a lot bigger then her."
"I not bigger then Mama!" Katie frowned and looked pointedly at Michaela's tummy.
"I meant Esmee," Sully grinned he kissed the child, "Merry Christmas!"
"Love you Papa," Katie kissed him back before seeking out her sister who was on her back her legs still in the air where she had tipped over by her father's quick motion making the mattress move. "Essssmmmeeeeee," Katie lunged for her sister grabbing the baby tightly and smothering her in kisses. Esmee started chuckling, at her sister covered her in tickling kisses. Finally Katie finished kissing her sister and dragged the baby into a sitting position her arms tight around Esmee's chest.
Sully watched nervously, ready to jump in if Katie got too much for her sister, but Esmee seemed to be enjoying the attention from her sister, smiling happily away. "Merry Kistmas Esmee," Katie finished her season greeting with her sister and let the baby slide from her lap. Lastly Katie focused her attention on her mother, Katie shuffled her way across the mattress on her knees, flopping down beside Michaela and curling in gently for her Christmas hug, "Merry Kistmas Mama!"
"Merry Christmas Sweetheart," Michaela kissed her eldest birth child.
"Mama," Katie nestled her forehead against Michaela's cheek. "You gonna have baby in you next kistmas?"
Michaela smiled, "I don't think so, Bean will be your last brother or sister."
"Kay," Katie wriggled slightly. "You need more love?" she raised her head and looked at Michaela seriously, "You big gain."
"I always need your love," Michaela cupped her daughter's cheek; the glint of the chain round Katie's neck caught her eye. "What's this?"
Katie smiled and pulled the slender chain to reveal the emerald chip that she had tucked safely into her nightgown, "Gamma gived it to me, was hers when see was little, her Papa gived it to her."
"Did you thank your Grandma?" Michaela touched the tiny stone, surprised that her mother would give something so grown up to her daughter, but at the same time pleased.
"Yup," Katie tucked the necklace back down her nightgown. "Told her bestest kistmas present," the little girl lay back down beside her mother. "Gamma said we open present before church and den after lunch." Katie snuggled in close to Michaela, "Gotta wait for real bestest present dough," her little hand coming to rest on Michaela's tummy. "Love you Mama."
"And I you," Michaela whispered tearfully as she felt the baby softly kick Katie's warm hand.
"Dis one fo Colw... Colleen," Katie read the label on the present from under the small tree in the sitting room. It was her job to hand out the presents, she had received most of her own gifts before the trip to Church as most of her presents had made up an outfit that she was now wearing. The beautiful blue dress was from her Grandma, while the black patent leather slip on shoes had been a given from her Aunt Rebecca. Andrew and Colleen had given her the comb that now held up her pale gold tresses, while her white tights had been a gift from Matthew, the family pulling together to make the little girl look like a European Princess. Katie delighting in her new clothes and her task scampered across to her older sister and dropped the gift in her lap before running back to the tree to get the next gift. "Dis one fo... Papa wat dis one say?" she ran to her father as she was unable to read the name.
"Claudette, that's ya Ma's sister," Sully nodded in the direction of one of Michaela's sisters.
"Really Mother!" Claudette gave an exasperated sigh. "Must we proceed with the gift exchange in this tedious manner, the child can't even read!"
"I can," Katie protested, she put the gift on the table and folded her arms, "Mama teached me, I learnin!"
"Perhaps you should learn to speak when it's your turn," Claudette sent the stinging barb back at the little girl.
"Claudette!" Elizabeth shot at her daughter, glancing at first Katie who seemed unaffected by the comment and then Michaela and Sully on the two seat settee. Sully was scowling but Michaela looked close to tears.
"Well really Mother, must we endure Michaela's country bumpkin daughter," Claudette continued on her rant. "There is a very apt saying that Children should be seen and not heard!"
"Claudette!" Elizabeth rose at the same time as Sully did.
"Katie come here," Sully urged his daughter. He held his hand out to bring the little girl into him. "We're gonna go someplace else."
"Sully," Michaela whispered pleadingly, struggling to rise from the cushiony seat.
"You don't have to leave," Rebecca tried to soothe, concern rising for her sister.
"I do," Sully lifted Katie so he was carrying both his daughters, "I gotta leave before I lower myself..." he stopped short of finishing his sentence, his eyes drawn to his wife's burning red face.
"Lower yourself?" Maureen piped up, she laughed.
"Maureen!" Elizabeth chastised her middle daughter she moved to the centre of the room.
"Oh Mother," Maureen waved her hand dismissively. "No amount of dress up can hide what they really are. He's all but turned Michaela into a broodmare. I mean look at her," Maureen pointed at her youngest sister as Michaela finally managed to stand straight.
"That is enough!" Elizabeth snapped. "I wish to speak to my daughters alone."
Instantly the rest of the assembled family rose and rushed out the door, they all knew the tone well. All knew that Elizabeth had reached her breaking point and none of them wanted to be in the room.
Elizabeth stared at her daughters in turn. "This has got to stop. Claudette, Maureen your father and I did not raise you to behave in such a manner. From now on I will hear no more mean-spirited or uncalled for remarks about Michaela's size, shape, pregnancy, profession, home, husband or children. I will hear no more barbed comments about Penny's wedding, and I will hear no words spoken to Katie in the manner that you just spoke to her Claudette." Elizabeth took a deep breath. "There will be no more taking sides, Michaela and Rebecca you are just as guilty of this as Maureen and Claudette are. You are sisters. You came from the same place," she rested her hands on her stomach. "I carried each and every one of you for 9 months. Each and every one of you was given the opportunity to thrive, none of you are better than each other so I want this sniping and bickering to stop!" Elizabeth moved to stand next to Michaela, "I have already lost one daughter, you have lost your sister and we have all lost our wonderful Josef. This baby is a blessing; all my grandchildren are, as are you, my little girls. We all know how fragile life is, money and finery does not protect us from death and our time on this earth is too short to spend it hating each other, too short to be annoyed by sweet children." Elizabeth placed a comforting arm around Michaela. "Now it is Christmas there are gifts under the tree and a very eager little girl who wants to hand them out. May she continue?" she looked pointedly at Claudette and Maureen.
"Yes mother" the two women mumbled duly chastised.
"Good!" Elizabeth strode back to her chair. "KATIE!" she called out to the child "You can carry on now!"
"Mother?" Michaela slipped into her parent's room.
"Aren't you supposed to be in bed Michaela?" Elizabeth looked up from her book.
Michaela blushed, her hand falling to rest on her stomach. "I had to..." she fell silent hoping that Elizabeth would get her meaning.
"Ah," Elizbaeth understood, slowly the old woman rose from her chair and crossed to her daughter. "Did you want to sit?" Michaela nodded surprised that her mother gestured towards the bed and not the chairs that she had just risen from. "Here, let me help you."
"I'm not an invalid mother," Michaela smiled.
"I know," Elizabeth held Michaela's hand as she guided her daughter to the bed. "But that baby has grown an awful lot while you've been here and if you are anything like I was I'm sure your skin is suffering!"
Michaela sat down with a sigh and nodded her head in agreement. "At least I'm smaller then I was with Esmee," she smiled as Elizabeth rested her palm on her stomach, her lips pulling wider as she watched her mother's expression of pride and wonder deepen as Elizabeth felt the baby. "Thank you for what you said earlier. Maureen was actually complementary of me afterwards."
"As she should be," Elizabeth sat down beside Michaela. "I apologise for what Claudette about Katie. I believe that little girl is quite possibly the sweetest child I have ever had the pleasure of meeting."
"Is that why you gave her the necklace?" Michael looked expectantly at her mother. "Emerald is the birth stone for May. Why did you give it to Katie and not Claudette?"
Elizabeth smiled, "Katie appreciates it more." Elizabeth took Michaela's hand and held it tightly, her thumb moving warmly over the back of Michaela's hand. "Katie has never received anything like the necklace before; she will treasure it the same way that I treasured it when my Father gave it to me."
"Katie said you had trouble sleeping," Michaela changed the subject.
"Ah, the true meaning for your visit and why you are jeopardising your own health," Elizabeth sighed resigned. "I struggle to sleep on important days, Christmas, our wedding anniversary, his birthday, you girls' birthdays. I miss him," a lone tear trickled down her cheek, "my wonderful man, I miss him."
"I do too," Michaela admitted.
"But sometimes I think it good that he left us so early," Elizabeth told her quietly. "If he was still with us, then you would still be here. You never would have gone to Colorado. I never would have been Grandma to your wonderful children; you never would have met Sully." Elizabeth raised Michaela's hand and kissed the back of her hand before lowering both their hands onto the baby filled mound in Michaela's lap. "He is a good man, your Sully, the best."
"Thank you," Michaela whispered her own face wet with tears.
"Thank you," Elizabeth wrinkled face pulled into a warm smile. "Not only have you given me my grandchildren but you gave Marjorie her spirit back, let her experience that Quinn fire again, the fire she lost when she married that dullard." She softly kissed her youngest daughter on the forehead. "Now," she rose and held her hands out to pull Michaela upright and at the same time hug her. "Let us get you to bed. Far be it for me to contradict a doctor's order," she walked Michaela to the door and out onto the dark hallway, the two paused outside the room where Michaela and Sully were staying. "Merry Christmas my not so little one," Elizabeth tenderly kissed Michaela on the forehead again, before resting her hands on her daughter's swollen abdomen, "Merry Christmas Michaela."
"Merry Christmas Mother," Michaela whispered as she slipped inside the room.
Elizabeth watched the wooden door close before she turned and retreated back to her room. As she reached her own door she paused and stared down the darkened passage her eyes falling on the doors, which contained two of her daughter's and four of her grandchildren, her house full again. Elizabeth sighed before whispering a few choice lines from her favourite Christmas poem, despite it being aimed at Christmas Eve, the sentiment the same, "all thro' the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse," she opened her door and took a step inside before turning back and staring into the darkness a small smile on her face. "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night."
Merry Christmas Everyone, have a great time!
Kate x