Segments of Clement Moore's poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" are included in this chapter.
The weeks flew by more quickly than Ben and Kate would have ever imagined. They were busy with many holiday preparations which just seemed to take longer with two little girls 'helping.' Yet in those weeks, Hannah conquered the potty, much to everyone's relief. And so, the twenty-third of December came with Adam's family was due to arrive that afternoon. Usually the entire family went to town to greet arriving visitors, but Kate decided not ride into town with Ben and the boys.
"You don't think they will mind if the girls and I wait to greet them until they get to the ranch, do you, Ben?"
"Not at all. Believe me, if anyone would understand, it would be Adam and Cecille."
And so, the Cartwright men were waiting in front of the stage office when Adam, Cecille, Benji and Elizabeth arrived in Virginia City that afternoon. There were hugs and kisses all around as they exited the stagecoach.
"It's so good to see all of you." Ben patted his grandson on the head and gave Elizabeth a squeeze. Let's get you into the surrey. Adam, are all these trunks yours?"
Adam gave Cecille a sly grin."We came bearing gifts."
Ben looked shocked. "Didn't you go a little overboard? Good thing I rode Buck into town!"
"Pa, we're just so happy to be here." Cecille gave Adam an uncertain look.
When they reached the ranch, Kate had hugs and kisses for Adam and his family.
"Adam and Cecille, I would like you to meet my nieces, Mary and Hannah Calhoun."
Adam bent down to greet the girls. "It's very nice to meet you, Mary and Hannah."
Mary like Adam's smile. "Nice to meet you, Mister Adam."
"You can just call me Adam. Mary and Hannah these are my children, Benji and Elizabeth."
"Hi." Benji waved.
"Hi." Mary waved back.
It took several trips upstairs to unload all the luggage. By the time Adam and Cecille had sorted and unpacked, it was time for supper. Benji and Elizabeth were playing with Mary and Hannah in the girls' room when Ben called everyone to the table.
"Time for supper." He shouted from the bottom of the stairs.
Suddenly, a thunderous herd came running to the stairs.
"Whoa there. Easy now. Let's not have any accidents. We need everyone in one piece for supper." Ben signaled with his arms to them to slow down. "Goodness, it's been a long time since I've had that kind of response to calling children to the table." He turned to look at Hoss and Joe.
"We can go up and run down the stairs if you'd like, Pa." Joe gave his father a smirk.
"Very funny, Joseph!"
Once they were all seated at the table, Ben looked at his family with pride.
"I am a very blessed man, and thankful we are all together."
"It's good to be home, Pa." Adam expressed sincerely.
"Alright now, let's get started before we're all crying and ruin those wonderful mashed potatoes." Hoss gave his older brother a toothy grin.
Everyone enjoyed a good laugh, and there were many more before the evening ended.
Early on the morning of Christmas eve, Hoss rode out to the Davis ranch to get the pony. The trip home took a while since he was a very small pony, but as Hoss told Mr. Davis, he was 'cute as the dickens.' When he got back, Hoss stopped behind the barn to make sure that Mary was no where around, and then quickly put the pony inside. Jamie was under strict orders not to let Mary help with chores this evening or Christmas morning. The trick was going to be convincing her not to without tipping their hand or having to deal with tantrums. For now, the little pony was safely hidden in the barn.
The ranch house was a busy place with the addition of Adam's family. Though Hop Sing had his work cut out for him, Kate persuaded him to give herself and Cecille some time in the kitchen for baking cookies with the children. It was an extremely messy operation, and it resulted in some interesting looking gingerbread men, but very happy, allbeit sticky, children. The cookies would also go on the tree with the ribbons and candles, however, Kate and Cecille agreed that it would be done after the children were in bed.
By mid-afternoon, there were snowflakes in the air, adding to the enchantment of the season. Hoss and Joe got the wagon ready to get the tree. Kate and Cecille bundled up Mary and Benji for their adventure. So when the wagon pulled out, Benji was sitting between Hoss and Adam, Jamie and Joe were on their horses, with Mary sitting proudly on Cochise in front of Joe. They laughed and joked and sang "Jingle Bells, and "Over the River and Through the Woods", as the wagon rolled along. Everyone was in high spirits. A grove of fir trees stood about two miles from the house; so it took about a half an hour to get there.
Hoss looked at his old brother. "Adam, it's been a long time since you've picked out the tree; so I guess it would be your turn this year."
"Well, I think we have two expert Christmas tree 'picker outers' in our presence today; Miss Mary Calhoun and Master Benjamin Cartwright." Adam made his pronouncement in his best formal speaking voice. "Thank you very much, Hoss, but I will defer to the experts."
The boys laughed at their brother. Hoss and Joe had missed Adam's silly formality. Taking Benji and Mary by the hand, Adam ran them through the grove.
"What sayest thou fair maiden and good master? Shall it be this fine specimen or that one there? This one or that one." Adam had the children running from tree to tree.
Accustomed to his dramatic ways, Benji just laughed at his father, but Mary eyed Adam strangely not knowing at times what he was saying.
After running about, Adam feigned exhaustion. "OK, Mary, which tree do you like?"
Mary looked around and pointed to the tallest tree she saw.
"That one?" Adam put his hand above his eyes and looking skyward. "Um, well, we do need to be able to get it in the house. How about a wee bit smaller."
Mary looked around and pointed to a more reasonably sized tree.
"That one."
"And what sayest thou, Master Cartwright? Are you in agreement with the fair maiden?" Adam shook his head vehemently up and down and rolled his eyes back in his head.
Benji laughed and pointed to the same tree.
"Hoss, my good man, present the saw."
Jamie grabbed the other handle on the saw, and the tree came down in short order. Joe and Hoss loaded it in the wagon and they headed for home.
Joe made sure to drop Mary off by the porch when they got back to the house. He did not want her to even think about going to the barn.
"Congratulations, Miss." Adam pretended to kiss Mary's hand. "And congratulations, Sir." Adam shook his son's hand. "You have just completed your very first Christmas tree expedition. Now let's go get some hot chocolate!" He shouted and shooed them into the house.
Hoss carried the tree inside and set it in the stand, holding it firmly while Joe tightened the bolts, the scent of evergreen filling the room.
Kate placed her hands on Mary's shoulders. "Oh, it's a lovely tree."
"Adam was getting out his coat and scarf. "You can thank Miss Mary and Master Benjamin for the selection of the tree."
Ben ruffled his grandson's hair. "You did a fine job, Mary and Benji. Fine job!"
"Time for hot chocolate." Hop Sing came from the kitchen carrying a tray full of steaming, fragrant cups.
Hoss rubbed his hands together. "Mmmmm, mmmmm, that smells good!"
They were enjoying their hot chocolate when two sleepy-eyed little girls appeared at the top of the stairs, the happy commotion waking them from their naps. Elizabeth looked at Cecille and Hannah looked at Kate, both trying to make sense of a tree in the house.
Supper was a noisy, happy affair. After that, the decorating began. Kate and Cecille had made many red ribbon bows to put on the tree and the men were responsible for placing the candle holders and candles. Then it was time to put the angel on top.
Ben and Kate looked at each other, knowing that the placing of the angel could be a problem.
"Maybe Benji and Mary could put the angel on together, what do you say kids?" Ben gave them a hopeful smile.
Benji agreed. "Sure."
Mary just shrugged.
"Well let's try. Adam, Hoss hoist them up."
Ben handed Benji the angel, holding it so Mary could grab on to it as well.
"Ok, here you go. Be careful boys."
Together Benji and Mary managed to get the angel on top of the tree, only slightly off kilter. Everyone clapped and cheered.
Then Kate and Cecile placed the skirt around the base, and the tree was complete, all but the gingerbread men, of course.
Kate held up four red socks with names embroidered on them. "Time to hang your stockings children."
Mary and Benji were just able to reach the hooks that hung at each end of the mantle by standing on the base of the fireplace. Adam helped Elizabeth and Ben helped Hannah hang their stockings.
"Alright, now it's story time! Come sit down and I'll tell you a story." Ben motioned the children to come and sit down.
Benji, Elizabeth, Mary, and Hannah sat lined up on the settee and Ben in his chair.
Ben began in his rich, resonate voice,
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there...
...He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
By the time Ben had completed the poem, Elizabeth and Hannah were sleepily leaning on their siblings.
Kate picked up Hannah. "I think it's time for bed."
Ben gave them all hugs and kisses."
The men bid the children goodnight. Adam kissed Elizabeth's cheek and the top of Benji dark hair as they passed by on their way upstairs. It took some time but eventually Kate and Cecille came back downstairs once the children were tucked in bed, their excitement for the next day hindering their cooperation. Then the ladies began hanging the gingerbread men on the tree, minus one that Hoss snatched.
"Shoo now." Kate scolded him playfully. "These are for tomorrow!"
"Just had to make sure ya weren't poisonin' anybody." Hoss laughed.
Kate gave him a stern look that broke into a hearty laugh.
"Git." Ben motioned, looking like his Pa from days gone by.
When the decorating was complete, it was time to bring out the gifts, which began appearing from all over the house and storeroom. Finally, Kate put a few pieces of penny candy and an orange in each stocking. The family stood back and admired the tree and the many gifts.
Adam slipped his arm around his lovely dark-haired wife and kissed her cheek. "It's been a full day, and tomorrow all the more. I think we'll head to bed. Goodnight all." He took Cecille by the elbow and led her up the stairs.
Ben waved to them. "Goodnight. Rest well. Pleasant dreams."
"Well, I need to check on the little fella in the barn before turning in." Hoss headed for the kitchen.
Ben moved Kate toward the settee, sat down and put his arm around her.
Joe sensed that Ben and Kate wanted some time alone in front of the fire. "I think I'll call it a night."
"Me, too. Night." Jamie ducked into the bedroom off the dining room, having given Adam and his family, his room upstairs.
Ben leaned over and placed a kiss in Kate's hair. "Well, now, that worked out nicely."
She snuggled into his shoulder and laced her fingers into the hand over her shoulder. They sat watching the flames dance, reveling in the peaceful, quiet moment.
Out in the barn, Hoss was petting the pony. After several training sessions, which included using a small saddle with some sandbags for added weight, the pony was much calmer and accustomed to Hoss. He knew that he would just have to take things slowly with Mary, which would most likely be more of a challenge than training the pony.
"Brought ya a little somethin', boy." Hoss smiled and offered the pony a piece of carrot. "Hop Sing will never miss it. Well, tomorrow's the big day. Wonder what she'll name ya? Sleep good little fella." Hoss ruffled the pony's mane.
When he came back into the house, Hoss saw that Kate and Ben were still sitting in front of the fire; so he quietly turned down some of the lamps, ducked up the stairs."
"Night all."
"Goodnight, Hoss."
"Goodnight, son."
Ben tipped Kate's chin and brought his lips to hers.
"Kate, this magical time of year...this moment in time...being here with you...having my whole family together under one roof...the love that is in this house..." His voice faded, overcome with emotion.
"I know, Ben...I know. It's about as close to heaven as we get here on earth." Kate's green eyes glistened in the firelight as she looked into his dark eyes.
They sat in the glow of the fire for a long time, savoring the precious moments, then finally climbed the stairs and retired for the evening.