"The same as I did when you called this morning Steed, and when you stopped by last night. And when you came by yesterday morning. Fine." Tara smiled as she sat up.
"Good. Listen, I can't stay long. Your husband thinks I'm on a paper chase while he spies on the bad guys."
"Steed! He's not alone?"
"Of course not love. Saunders is with him. Don't worry. The bad guys I mean are politicians. There is to be a debate this evening and our assignment is to make sure they have appropriate accommodation See what happened when you left the agency? We've been assigned to babysit and be secretaries."
"Good. So all I have to worry about is...ahh.."
"Tara? What's wrong?"
"Nothing. The baby just kicked. Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I think he's going to end up being a football player."
"Or she could end up a secret agent."
"Maybe. Anyway, why are you here?"
"Oh. I came by to drop off the gift you asked me to pick up for you for Roger. That's a beautiful sword you chose."
"I thought so too when I saw it. Roger loves swords and though he's only started off his collection, I thought this one might be nice." Tara took the long box Steed handed to her and opened it. Inside, nestled in cotton batting, was a long silver sword with leather sheath and jewel encrusted handle. It was by no means a collectors item, but it was handcrafted in old school style and it's slight imperfections made it even more beautiful when the light from the sun reflected on the silver. She looked back up at Steed with a lovely smile.
"It's even more beautiful than what I saw in the advert. Steed, thank you so much for everything you've done."
"It's been my pleasure. So are you ready for the invasion tomorrow?"
"Yes thanks to you. Steed, you must let me pay you for the food at least."
"Now not one more word about that. My family coming over is outnumbering yours four to one. It's only right that I should provide the meal. Besides, my sisters insisted on doing their part so it hasn't cost near as much as you think it would. Anne is making the goose, Laura the pudding, and Amy the pies. With what your housekeeper is adding as well as my small contribution, I think you'll have more then enough food for everyone. Now is there anything else you can think of that might be needed?"
"No. The gifts are wrapped, the cards sent out long ago, the house looks immaculate, the decorations are up. I think we are as ready as we can be thanks to you. I don't know how I can ever repay you."
"You could name the baby after me."
"We have every intention of doing so if it's a boy."
"Tara, I was joking!"
"I'm not. Roger and I talked it over. We want to do this for you for being such a wonderful friend to us. And we want you as godfather."
"I'm touched and deeply honored."
Tara lay on the sofa and surveyed the colorful chaos surrounding her with extreme pleasure. Despite her modern day beliefs, she still enjoyed old fashioned Christmases and this one was one of the best she could remember ever having. Steed's younger nieces and nephews were running around the house playing with their new toys, the older ones reading books or playing and talking over chess sets and other board games. His sisters, the housekeeper, and Roger's mother were all in the spacious kitchen cooking up a feast while all the men of the families were either setting the table or putting together various models and other toys. She looked towards the kitchen when she heard an uproarious sound of laughter come from it. Steed came out with a cup of hot tea and a smile. He came over to Tara and set the cup down on the table in front of her and helped her sit up. He sat down next to her and handed her the cup.
"How are you holding up love?" he asked as he kissed her temple softly.
"I'm fine. Just a little tired and very hungry. What's going on in the kitchen that has everyone in such a jolly mood?"
"You'll see soon enough. Suffice it to say, your husband is behind it all."
"I figured as much." Tara smiled as another round of laughter came from the kitchen again. She looked towards it and laughed out loud when Roger came through the door wearing an Indian head dress and his "fashionable" apron. Roger looked at her with a hurt look.
"What's so funny? You wouldn't buy me a chef's hat for my birthday, so I had to compromise. I thought it looked lovely on me. It brings out the blue in my eyes."
"Your eyes are hazel darling." Tara reminded him with another laugh. Roger came over to her and kissed her while Steed got up and went over to help the women bring out the food.
"Do you still love me even if my eyes aren't blue?"
"Keep kissing me like that and I might become reconciled with it." Tara said as she put her hand on his neck and brought him closer to her for another kiss. They were interrupted by a faked cough from behind the sofa.
"Roger dear. Please act appropriately. There are children here." Mary said with a grimace. Two of Steed's youngest nieces giggled behind her.
"Uncle John, Uncle Roger was kissing Aunty Tara. Ewww." They said simultaneously and giggled again. Their older sisters rolled their eyes at them as Tara blushed and hid her face in Roger's neck. One of Steed's nephews laughed out loud.
"Look girls. I'm going to do it again. Watch now." Roger backed away exposing Tara's face and kissed her again before she could react.
"Ewww!" The two girls fell on the floor laughing.
"Now it's your turn!" Roger said as he released Tara and went after them. The got up and ran to Steed with delighted screams, hiding behind him.
"John old chap. Have you seen two little girls, about so high, hiding around somewhere? They looked like they needed a good kissing."
"Sorry Roger. Can't help you. Have you checked inside the goose?" Steed asked as he pretended to hide the girls from Roger's view with the pies he had been carrying.
"Yep. No go."
"What about that enchanting lady over there. Maybe you could kiss her instead."
"Kissed her already."
"Ewww!" the girls giggled again. Before Roger could go after them, Tara was behind him, holding him back.
"Roger, behave yourself and stop teasing those girls."
"But Tara, I've always teased the girls, ever since I was a little boy. Ask my mum."
"I'm telling you to stop. Or else."
"If I'm good, can I wear the head dress at table?"
"We'll see."
"Can I kiss you again?"
"Ewwww."
"I'm glad I listened to you love. Today has been absolutely wonderful." Roger said as held Tara in his arms that night. She touched his face softly and kissed him.
"I thought so too. Just think love. Next year at this time we'll have our own baby to celebrate with."
"It will be incredible. Tara, next year, wonderful as this one was, let's not have any guests over. I would like it to be just the three of us. You, me, and Tara junior."
"Tara Junior?"
"Yes. When we were in the kitchen earlier one of Steed's sisters asked me if we had decided on a name for the baby. When I told them we had decided on John for a boy they were greatly pleased of course, but my mother questioned it, thinking we should name the baby after me. I told her no, I was under the same belief as my father that children should have their own names and that if we had a son it would not live under the auspicious banner of Junior, or a roman numeral. Anne, then asked about if it was a girl and Steed popped up with Tara Junior."
"He would. We are not going to name it Tara Junior. You said yourself no Juniors."
"Now quote me correctly darling. I said if it was a boy there would be no Juniors. Quite frankly I think Tara Junior is a lovely name."
"Oh you do not."
"Do too."
"Do not." Tara laughed.
"All right. You win. Can I wear the head dress now?"
"No, but you can kiss me again."
"Ewww.."