Life Goes On 2
Chapter 37
Throwing beds into the mix of last minute Christmas shopping, the Castles were pleased to discover that sleeping facilities were not nearly as popular an item as the newest phone or smart streaming system. Letting his nimble fingers walk the keyboard first, Castle had uncovered a local showroom that could ship to Albany out of a centralized warehouse. With deep breaths and fingers crossed, he and Kate took all three kids with them. The boys fell in love with Deep Space Defender spaceship beds. Approaching the end of her princess phase, Lily was more interested in an enclosed bed with connection for her keyboard and other music systems, than in frilly canopies. While Kate was primarily concerned with comfort and space, Castle was entranced with the latest in sleep technology, taking the opportunity to check out the newest developments in control of firmness, angle, temperature, and massage. Keeping her voice low, to avoid little ears, Kate informed Castle that any massage taking place in their bed would have to be performed personally, but she was willing to compromise on the rest. The twins had only attempted to bounce on three beds by the time delivery dates were arranged, and Kate and Rick thankfully ushered their horde back to the Castle castle.
Rick had used the delay in his trip with Kate to Albany, to get the tree and the decorations up inside the house. Loathe to brave the weather to install the outside display, he accepted Kate's proposal to enlist professionals to construct one that would match his vision for that year. Lily had suggested something musical, and animatronic carolers filled the bill, with led lights disguised as Dickensian era street lamps creating a melding of past and present. A local TV station asked to do a puff piece on the extravagant tableau, but Kate had politely but insistently demurred, resisting any more complications to the Castle family holiday.
With the burden of all the preparations being made for the splitting of Kate's life between New York and Albany, Rick and Kate agreed to avoid parties. Lily did, however, have a concert the afternoon of Christmas Eve, with the Young People's orchestra. It would be attended by her parents, her grandparents, and her sister. Along with taking care of Bernard, Sergei had volunteered to watch the twins, who had pledged to behave, in anticipation of generous reward from Santa Claus. Following the concert, the plan was for a gathering at the Castle home for a dinner that had been mostly prepared ahead, and the distribution of presents acknowledged to have been provided by mortals. Exploration of Santa's bounty would take place with just Rick, Kate, Lily, and the twins, on Christmas morning.
Nothing went as planned for the Castles, or any of the other residents of the eastern United States. A blackout hit much of the seaboard and extended back through Pennsylvania and Ohio. Through what media channels remained, theories flew of terror attacks. First responders were put on high alert and citizens were urged to stay off the streets except in case of emergencies. Not only was Lily's concert canceled, Broadway was dark and most businesses were closed. In his enduring paranoia about a zombie apocalypse, Castle had made sure the Fieldston home had a whole house generator, but the city was at a standstill. Christmas Eve would be celebrated by Rick, Kate, and the children, within castle walls.
Eventually the news was spread by whatever media could function, that there was no terrorist connection to the blackout. Power lines at a substation in Ohio had been chewed through by squirrels, creating a cascading event through the grid. The alert level was lowered, but it was doubtful that power would be restored in time for Christmas.
Most of the houses that surrounded the Castle residence were dark. Rick and Kate took turns knocking on doors in the neighborhood telling people that if they needed emergency refrigeration, a shower, or a hot meal, they were welcome to seek it at the Castles' home. The natural reticence of New Yorkers made the Castles' neighbors hesitant to take them up on their offer, but as the darkness stretched on, the Castle house began to fill. Castle was grateful for a well stocked freezer, and with contributions and extra hands from neighbors, prepared large pots of chili, hearty soups, and stew, to feed people as they arrived. There were also a number of donations of Christmas cookies, chocolate Santas and candy canes. The washer and dryer were kept running to accommodate the volume of wet towels generated by the high traffic flow through the bathrooms.
As a substitute for her concert, Lily provided entertainment for the visitors, playing Christmas carols that she had learned for the performance. A flash choir formed around her spinet as some of the drop-ins began to sing along.
Conversation groups formed to tell stories of other Christmases that had gone awry. The tales lasted well into the night, long after the children had been firmly reminded that if they didn't go to bed, Santa could not make his deliveries. Castle was in his glory with tales of Christmas murders that he and Kate had solved.
Kate and Rick were finally left alone well after midnight, having assured their neighbors that if the power was still out the next day, and they needed anything, they could come back. The couple sank onto their bed together. "Castle, what did we say about keeping it simple and not having any parties this year?" Kate moaned.
"Kate, that was hardly a party," Castle countered. "We were rendering emergency aid and assistance - like the Red Cross, only with music and most likely a better grade of cookies."
"Yeah those chocolate dipped shortbread ones the Swensons brought were spectacular," Kate agreed.
"And if anyone has earned a visit from Santa, it is the Castle family," Rick continued. "When we wake up, the stockings will be full and there won't be an inch of space left under the tree."
Kate gasped. "Castle, as full as the house was, we haven't filled the stockings or put out most of the presents. Jake and Reese will be looking for their stuff the minute they open their eyes. I'm not sure if Lily really believes in Santa anymore, but she'll be looking for her share of the booty anyway. We need to get back out there."
"No rest - or anything else - for the weary," Castle sighed. "I'll get started. But you need to wait fifteen minutes before you come out. I need to get things out of my secret hiding place."
Kate rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "Okay Castle, I'll set the timer on my phone."
Castle hurriedly made his way to the basement to dig around in the bins marked summer clothes. He retrieved bags of presents for Lily and the twins, but also what he had hidden away for Kate. He took the time she'd be staying back, to fill her stocking first. He stuffed in a cashmere scarf and butter soft fur lined leather gloves, and one thing he'd had specially commissioned for her. Giving the matter a second thought, Castle retrieved the last item and slipped it into his pocket instead, before returning to their bedroom."
"You okay Babe?" Kate asked. "I thought you'd be doing your thing as Santa's elf."
"I was, and I will be," Castle replied. "But if the blackout continues, we may have a houseful tomorrow, and I wanted to give this to you in private. He pulled the velvet box out of his pocket and handed it to her." Kate opened it to see a finely wrought gold necklace bearing the image of a knight of a very feminine form, knocking a vane off a windmill with her lance. "Kate I want you to know how proud I am of you and your battles against the giants."
Kate had no words, but pressed her thoughts into a kiss.