Chapter Twelve: Christmas Bells

Several days later, Michael woke up to the sound of Sarah inching her way out of bed, head in hand. As she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, keeping her head low, Michael asked in a worried tone, "Sarah, are you okay?"

In response, Sarah shook her head then slowly managed to explain, "There's nothing much you can do. I just have to sit it out." She got up and stumbled into the bathroom, closing the door part way. Michael lay his head back down on the pillow and closed his eyes, waiting silently for his wife's return. He wished he could do more to help her, but he realized silence was best; this way she wouldn't be required to open her mouth.

Sarah sat down on the edge of the bath tub, breathing deeply. It figured that the morning sickness laid off until today- the start of their road trip and Christmas day. It just figured. Letting herself throw up, she flushed the toilet and rinsed her mouth out, waiting for the next intense bout of nausea to come. After ten minutes it happened once more, then didn't return after twenty more minutes of waiting. Sarah stood up from her perch on the bath tub, putting her arms on the counter to support herself. She stood there a while, loosening her tense body and thinking silently. She finally splashed some cool water on her flushed and sweaty face, having to marvel at the small life that was now growing inside her body. It was amazing just thinking about and wondering how such a small life could cause you to be so sick. And yet, bring you so much joy and excitement at the same time. It was simply amazing, a true Christmas miracle, just as the Christmas Miracle Himself. Sarah stumbled back into the bedroom.

Hearing his wife coming back in, Michael sat up and looked at her. Her pretty face was pale, her cheeks slightly flushed. But the thing that stood out was her gorgeous blue eyes. They were radiating pure joy, wonder, excitement, and love. Sliding quickly out from under the covers, Michael went over to her and folded her tenderly into his arms. They stood there a while, just rocking and basking in each other's love. As Sarah's hand moved to rest over her abdomen, Michael whispered in her ear, "The look in you eyes when you came back in made me wonder what you were thinking about. Do you mind to tell me this fine morning?"

Sarah replied quietly, "Nothing much. Just about the little miracle that I'm carrying and will be carrying for six more months. When you stop to slow down and think, you can't help but marvel at the wonder of a new life."

"You couldn't put things in any better words, sweetheart." He gently turned Sarah around so that she was facing him, holding her by her slender waist. "I want to look into your eyes, darling. But are you sure you want to go on the road trip? I'm more than happy to wait a bit longer."

Sarah put a finger to his lips, silencing him. "I won't have any of that nonsense, Michael. I can handle it just fine. I told you that already, the other night." Pausing, Sarah hungrily kissed Michael, then said, "Now enough of this senseless talk. Merry Christmas, darling. Oatmeal and waffles sound good?"

Michael laughed, hugging her tightly and kissing the top of her head. "And just how much of that are you even going to be able to eat for yourself?"

"Ha, ha, ha, very funny." Sarah gave her husband a playful shove. "For your information, Mister Know-it-all, I can handle very small amounts of food in the mornings, so I'm not missing out on a thing." Pretending to be angry, Sarah whipped out of his arms and grabbed her dressing gown, which was lying on the end bed posts.

"Sarah, I was just teasing!" Michael sighed, almost exasperated.

"And so was I, you silly duck!" Laughing, Sarah dodged out of his way as she threw on the dressing gown and flew into the living room. Michael caught up to her, then trapped her on the couch and began tickling his wife.

Gasping for breath as she laughed uncontrollably, Sarah said, "Michael, stop, stop," trying unsuccessfully to push him away. "I don't need any lightheadedness making me sick. I've had my fill for the day." Her words sobered Michael, and he went around and sat down next to her, putting her head in his lap. Stroking her silky hair, he said, "This doesn't feel much like Christmas, yet it does. I don't know why."

"I know what you mean- it does feel somewhat strange, yet this is one of the best Christmases I can possibly remember. It's our first Christmas together as husband and wife, it's quiet and peaceful, and we're expecting our first child over the summer." Sitting upright, Sarah kissed Michael warmly. "To me, it couldn't be more perfect."

"You're right, Sarah. You always are." Michael drew her closer, squeezing her shoulder lovingly with his hand. "Do you want to head over to your mother's after breakfast so we can do the presents together before leaving?"

Kissing Michael on the lips, Sarah replied, "I'll call her now. You get the waffles started." Sarah got up to sit by the phone. As she did so, Michael stood up, smiling at her.

"Yes ma'am," he said, walking towards the kitchen.

"Oh, Mom, this is adorable!" Sarah laid out the little jumper outfit onto her lap. It would be perfect in the warm summer months. Realizing one thing, Sarah began to laugh.

"Sarah, honey, what's so funny?" There was a confused look on her mother's face.

Tears of laughter were streaming down Sarah's face now. Wiping her eyes with her hand, she said, "I'm sorry Mom, really. But we don't even know if the baby will be a girl or a boy, we won't know till it's born. I just love your enthusiasm." Sarah went over and gave her mother a hug. "Regardless of whether or not the baby will be able to wear it, I just love it."

The idea that the baby's sex was unknown dawned on Marsha, and she couldn't keep from laughing herself. "I guess I got carried away. But it was just so darn adorable. I couldn't resist."

Oh, Mom, it's adorable, I love it too. All we have to do is wait for a girl to come along." Sarah's eyes were dancing with remaining laughter.

Michael was sitting on the couch in Marsha's lovely little living room, watching the whole scene, laughing to himself. He really loved Sarah's mother. It was a shame they had to move away from her. "We're really going to miss you, Marsha, when we have to move."

Marsha's head turned to Michael. "I don't think so."

Sarah's eyes flashed at her mother. "Mom! Of course we'll miss you!"

"Perhaps, but not in the way you think. I'm moving to West Virginia with you. I'll get my own little place, much like this one, and start up a clothing shop."

Michael and Sarah couldn't stop staring. She had lived in Washington for the past fifteen years, ever since Sarah's father had died. Marsha saw that on their faces and said in way of explanation, "I'm ready for a change. I want to go back to the quaint country areas I love so well. This was part of my Christmas gift to the two of you. I just won't be coming down until the end of spring."

"Mom...that's...that's just wonderful! It's more than I could have ever wished for!" Sarah hugged her mother tightly again, giving her a quick kiss.

There was a knock at the door, and Michael got up to answer it. It was Johnathan and his wife. The quietness of the morning was quickly swept away as Johnathan's two young girls came bounding in, rushing to hug Grandma Sherman and Aunt Sarah and Uncle Mike.

Attempting to shrug off his coat and hug his mother at the same time, Johnathan looked over and smiled a greeting at Michael, and said to Sarah, nodding in her direction, "Taking it easy, busy-body?"

Sarah's eyes glowed with deep affection for her brother as she chuckled and replied, "Why, yes of course! If you count working all day at the University and doing the normal housework everyday." She got up and went to hug him when his eyes flashed at her and his stern face replaced the smile. "John, we're on break, remember? I've definitely slowed down quite a bit, ask Michael!" She nodded over at her husband, who was surrounded by his nieces and the piles of presents he now needed to hand out.

"I'll take your word for it this time, Michael's preoccupied."

"As if I didn't notice."

"Sarah-" His tone was reprimanding.

She cut him off. "Now, really, you're just as bad as Michael. Neither of you seem to be able to separate a joke from reality this morning. I swear I've slowed down, okay? I really, really don't feel like starting up one of our childish arguments, not on Christmas." She grinned at him. "Remember that one argument we had, over that ball? I was six and you were ten."

"I still say that ball was mine, yours was the one that flew into the pond."

Sarah looked at him hard, seemingly boring her deep blue eyes into his blue-gray ones. "I think I'll forget that and advise you to come into the kitchen and help set the food out on Mom's dining room table." She gave him a playful punch on the shoulder then led the way into the kitchen.

The early Christmas meal was served as a lunch, since Michael and Sarah would be leaving for their road trip soon. All of the adults had quickly made their present exchanges, then watched in delight as Laura and Ruth tore open their own presents excitedly and gave cries of joy at what they found. Sarah had to smile tenderly at the innocent question that five year old Laura asked her when there were no more presents for her and her sister to unwrap.

"Aunt Sarah, are there any more? It's great fun ripping up all that paper to see what's inside!" Hearing her sister's remark, six year old Ruth turned to look at Sarah too.

Picking her young niece up and setting her on her lap, Sarah began to rock her gently, stroking her silky hazel hair. "Well...there's no more to unwrap, darling, but Uncle Mike and I do have one more little surprise for you two." Sarah dropped her voice to a whisper and murmured something into Laura's ear.

The little girl took in what Sarah whispered to her, then stared up into her aunt's pretty face, her green eyes wide, excitement etched all over her face. "Is it for real and true, Aunt Sarah?" When Sarah nodded, revealing her perfect smile, the child squealed in delight. She quickly hugged Sarah, and then Michael. Next, the little girl ran over to her bewildered sister, then whispered in her ear what Sarah had whispered to her.

The adults all looked on with huge smiles, watching the two girls. Johnathan's wife, Eva, gently prodded her girls, purposely using a questioning tone. "Well, what did Aunt Sarah tell you two?"

Ruth looked up in wonder, then replied, as though hardly able to believe it, "Laura and I finally get to be cousins!"

Laura stomped her foot, pouting. "No! Aunt Sarah's going to have a baby! That's what she told me!"

Michael had taken in the entire scene quietly, watching Sarah interact with their nieces. She was a natural with children. But when Laura made that comment, he chuckled and pulled her to him, setting her on his knee. "Both of you are correct. Aunt Sarah is going to have a baby, and when she does, he or she will become your and Ruth's cousin. And you will become cousins to our baby."

"How come Ruth always uses such big words? I don't like when she does that because then I don't understand her." The child crossed her arms.

Michael laughed, hugging Laura close. "It's a part of growing up, sweet pea. You learn more things and get to use bigger words. Fair?"

"Fair!" She grinned at her uncle then jumped down from his lap and began to play with the dolls she and Ruth had received. Sarah looked over warmly at her husband and went to sit on his lap.

Caressing his neck and kissing him, she whispered in his ear, "You were amazing, darling. I love you."

Michael kissed her back, replying, "I love you too, sweetie. But we're going to have to get a move on if we're even going to consider getting to West Virginia."

Marsha looked quietly around the room, her mind reeling over the whole scene that had just taken place, a content smile on her lips. The girls were playing happily with their new dolls. Johnathan and Eva were sitting together on the couch, arms close around each other, pouring over a book Sarah had given them. Sarah had gone to sit on Michael's lap, and they were now sharing a tender kiss. Sighing, she glanced at the clock, disappointed to see how late it was. She cleared her throat. "Michael, Sarah, I do believe it's time you took off for West Virginia."

Sarah was now leaning her entire upper body against Michael, melting in his arms, rubbing his hands as she looked over at her mother. Sighing, she said, "Michael was just telling me that, totally ruining the kiss of the moment." She smiled, standing up, pulling Michael with her.

The good-byes were hurried, since they wanted to reach West Virginia before night fall.

Helping Michael into his coat, Marsha said, "Now, neither of you worry about a thing, I'll drop everything off at your apartment. And I'll keep my fingers crossed that you don't get stuck in any Christmas blizzards." She kissed her son-in-law and daughter good bye, hugging them tightly. "Merry Christmas, darlings. Drive safely."