Chapter 12

The following days before Christmas flew by fast. Everything was made ready to make Christmas and Christmas Eve an amazing celebration. On the 23rd, the men went on a hunt to find a turkey or two for their Christmas dinner. The girls stayed home and prepared for the town Christmas party which was the following evening. At just before dark, the menfolk returned with three large turkeys.

The next day was full of activities. The Christmas party was scheduled to start at five at the town square. Everyone came and had such a fun time! Then at 7, the Sully and Cook families returned home to continue the celebration there. They hung their stockings and they continued the tradition of reading "A Christmas Carol" and the Christmas story. They all sat snuggled up comfy as Michaela sat in her rocking chair, and her beautiful voice rang throughout the room. The fire blazed, and snow softly fell outside. It was the perfect Christmas Eve.

By the time it was 9 o'clock, all the children were fast asleep and had to be carried to their rooms and put to bed. Michaela was very tired. She said goodnight and went up to rest for a few hours before the adults reconvened to finish setting up for Christmas morning. Sully followed her and tucked her in. "Sully, will you stay with me for a minute?" She asked. Sully didn't even say a word. He just climbed onto the bed and held her in his arms. Michaela fell fast asleep, and they lay together like that until midnight when it was time to go back downstairs. They put the finishing touches on the tree, brought down gifts and placed them under it. After everything was ready, they all went back to bed, exhausted, but excited for the activities that would happen the following day.

Michaela awoke the next morning at 6 o'clock when her door burst open and her two daughters and granddaughter came running in and launched themselves onto Michaela and Sully's bed. They both jerked awake with a smile on their faces. Sully sat up and grabbed them in his arms.

'It's Chris'mas!" yelled Brooke. A sleepy Brian walked through the door.

"Mornin'." He said. As Sully wrestled with the girls on the bed, the rest of the family wandered sleepily into the room. The babies were still asleep. When everyone had gathered in the bedroom, they slowly descended down the stairs. The girls gasped when they noticed their full stockings hanging on the hearth. They squealed with delight when they glanced around the rest of the room. Everyone sat in a circle and went through their stockings. After that, it was present time! Michaela gave her presents last. Everyone was so happy and excited! After the last gift was opened, Sully, Matthew, and Brian made her sit in the chair and close her eyes. She heard their footsteps retreating, then the door close. After a few minutes, the door opened and she heard them set something heavy in front of her.

"You can open your eyes now, Ma!" said Matthew. Michaela did so and gasped. In front of her stood a brand new, handmade cradle!

"It's gorgeous!" exclaimed Michaela.

"We thought you might want another one since Katie and Brooke's old cradle is being used so often downstairs. This one can be kept upstairs!" explained Sully.

" I can't wait to put our baby in it!" said Michaela.

"Yes!" everyone agreed. They had a big Christmas breakfast and finished the day by being together as a family cooking for the big meal later that night.

At 7 o'clock, the food was ready. They were just waiting for Cloud Dancing to arrive before they started. Finally, he knocked on the door and came in. Surprisingly, he was accompanied by a woman. She wore a beautiful beaded buckskin dress with matching moccasins. Her long, jet-black hair was straight and hung clear past her waist. She had dark doe-eyes with long eyelashes. She was extremely beautiful.

"Cloud Dancing!" Yelled the girls. They ran up to him. He picked up Brooke, and the other girls hugged him tightly.

"How're my girls doing?" he asked. He greeted everyone else before he shook Sully's hand and gave Michaela a hug. Nobody really had paid any attention to the woman whom he had brought, as she had stood quietly behind him against the wall.

"Who is this lovely lady you have brought tonight?" asked Michaela when she noticed her against the wall. Cloud Dancing stepped aside and gathered the woman in his arms.

"Everyone!" He said, "This is my fiancé́e!"

Sorry for the short chapter! More coming soon! What do you think so far? PM me if you have suggestions etc. Hope you like it!