--Chapter Twenty-Six Part Two--
A/N--This segment I'm not using my Christmas traditions, as most of mine end around noon. Instead, I'm drawing from traditional Americana and also from Season 1, where Carol sings at church on Christmas Day. I'm not familiar with the first Christmas Carol I'm mentioning in the story. I liked the title and it was appropriate to the context.
Lunchtime is approaching and Aunt Jenny and both sets of grandparents are beginning to gather at the Brady house. Aunt Jenny and the Tylers are the first to arrive. Carol answers the door.
Mrs. Tyler: Merry Christmas, baby. She embraces her daughter.
Carol: Merry Christmas, mother.
Mr. Tyler: Kitten, how are ya?
Carol: I'm fine, dad.
Aunt Jenny: Embracing her niece. Carol honey, it's so good to see you. Now, where are those sweet babies of yours?
Carol: Scattered. The twins are asleep and the rest are here and there.
Aunt Jenny: Should you be up and about?
Carol: Sometimes it feels good to be up and about.
Mrs. Tyler: Is there something I can help you with?
Carol: Alice is getting lunch out.
Aunt Jenny: Oh, I'd better go help her. Pad Thai can be very testy if wounded.
Mr. Tyler: I think I'll see what the guys are up to.
Aunt Jenny joins Alice in the kitchen and Mr. Tyler goes to find the older kids. The twins wake up and begin to wail.
Carol: I think someone's ready for their lunch. Excuse me. She turns to leave.
Mrs. Tyler: Would you like some help?
Carol: Sure.
The women go into Carol's bedroom. Carol picks up Ryan and Mrs. Tyler, Carolyn.
Mrs. Tyler: Grandma's got you, little one. She studies her granddaughter. Carol, she's absolutely beautiful. Looks over at her grandson. And he's so handsome.
Carol: Beams and looks at both of her twins. I can't believe they're mine. She gets Ryan situated. Oh mom, I wanted another baby, but when Mike and I tried so hard to get pregnant and then lost the baby nearly four years ago… She looks at her twins and tries to fight back tears that are beginning to form.
Mrs. Tyler: Passes Carolyn to Carol. And now you've got two beautiful babies in your arms.
Carol: I do! It's a dream come true.
Mrs. Tyler: You look happy.
Carol: I am. Sometimes I feel like someone needs to pinch me because this feels like a nice dream, but then I see them lying in their cradles and know it's real.
Mrs. Tyler: I'm so happy for you, sweetheart.
Carol: Thanks. I love my life. The girls are happy and healthy, I met a wonderful man with three great boys and then that wonderful man and I just had absolutely beautiful twins. I feel so incredibly blessed.
The women continue to talk as Carol feeds her twins.
The family begins gathering around the tree. Mike and Mr. Tyler place the gifts underneath. Alice, Sam and Aunt Jenny leave the kitchen to join the family. Bobby's growing impatient.
Bobby: When's mom gonna be finished?
Marcia: You know it sometimes takes awhile to nurse two babies.
Mr. Tyler: Chuckles. Aww kiddo, ready to dive into another round of presents?
The doorbell rings.
Mike: Hey Bob, why don't you see who's at the door?
He does as requested and opens the door. It reveals Mr. and Mrs. Brady.
Bobby: Hey Grandma! Hey Grandpa!
Mrs. Brady: Merry Christmas!
Mike goes to greet his parents.
Mr. Brady: Hey son!
Mike: Gives his parents an embrace. Hey mom, dad.
Mrs. Brady: How are those wonderful babies of yours?
Mike: Growing like weeds.
Mr. Brady: Bob, help me with these packages?
Bob: Sure, Grandpa.
The Bradys join the rest of the family by the tree.
Aunt Jenny: So, Thomas, Agnes, how are you? Spoiling those grandbabies, I suppose?
Mrs. Brady: As often as I can.
Aunt Jenny: I remember when Carol was a baby. I'd carry her around for hours, telling her about the latest travel adventure I'd just returned from and the next one I was planning. She was such a cuddle bug. She'd sink into my arms and just smile and smile and smile. Oh, she was such a sweet baby.
Mrs. Brady: Mikey was an adorable baby too.
Peter: Cracks up. Mikey?
Greg throws a wadded up piece of wrapping paper and beans his brother on the head.
Mike: Uhh, thanks Greg.
Bobby: Again, what's taking them so long?
Mike: Gets up and sighs from frustration. I'll go check on them.
Mike knocks on the bedroom door.
Carol: Come in.
Mike: How are you guys doing?
Carol: We're just finishing up. Kids getting impatient?
Mike: Well, two of them.
Carol: Chuckles. Once a kid, always a kid. She gives her husband a quick peck.
Mrs. Tyler: Changing Ryan. Could one of you hand me a diaper and some wipes?
Mike: Sure. Here ya go. He hands her a diaper and wipes.
Mrs. Tyler: Thanks.
Carol: Passes Carolyn to Mike. Here, it's a girl. She gets herself adjusted. I suppose we've got a living room full of people anxiously waiting to dive into the presents.
Mike: Something like that.
Carol: Have your folks arrived yet?
Mike: Yes, and your Aunt Jenny and my mother are regaling our kids with tales of when we were babies.
Mrs. Tyler: Holding her grandson. Why not? Carol was an adorable baby and I bet you were too. Walks past and kisses her daughter on the cheek.
Mike, holding Carolyn and Carol follow.
Mike, Carol, Mrs. Tyler and the twins descend the stairs into the living room.
Mike: So, who's ready to dive in?
Aunt Jenny: Merry Christmas!
Everyone gathers around the tree. The kids dive into the presents while Mike and Carol smile with pride. Bobby opens his present from the Tylers.
Bobby: A skateboard! It's awesome! Thanks!
Mr. Tyler: You're welcome. We thought you could use a new one.
Bobby: I sure could. How'd ya know my old one was falling apart?
Mrs. Tyler: Oh, a little bird told us.
Marcia: Opens her package and reveals an evening gown. Her eyes widen as she admires the dress. Grandma, it's gorgeous! Thank you!
Carol: Mom, it's lovely.
Mrs. Brady: You're so welcome. You're graduating in the spring and going off to college, so I thought you could use a new dress.
Marcia: Thanks, I love it.
Mrs. Brady: Your grandfather picked it out.
Mike: You did?
Mr. Brady: Yep. We were in a store the other day and I said, "That dress looks just like Marcia."
Aunt Jenny: Jan, open that green one.
Jan opens the package and pulls out an artist's kit. Different kids of paints and brushes grace a cherry wood box.
Jan: Her eyes are wide with surprise. Aunt Jenny! She hugs her aunt.
Carol: Aunt Jenny, I think you've rendered her speechless.
Cindy goes next.She pulls out a lamp.
Cindy: A purple lava lamp! How cool is that?
Mr. Brady: I thought you'd like it.
Cindy: I do. She hugs his neck. I do! Thanks.
Greg: Opens his gift. A stethoscope! Okay, someone around here wants me to be a doctor.
Mrs. Tyler: I thought we could use a doctor in the house.
Greg: Smiles. Just so you know, I've declared a major for next semester.
Carol: What?
Greg: Pre-med.
Mr. Tyler: Atta boy!
Greg: Thanks. Nora and I want to open a practice together.
Bobby: Hey, that would be neat.
Peter opens his present next and reveals a set of keys.
Carol: Shocked. What?
Mr. Brady: Jan, open this. He hands her a box.
Jan: Opens it and reveals a set of keys. What?
The Tylers, Aunt Jenny and the Bradys grin.
Mr. Brady: Peter, Jan, go look out that window.
The kids do as instructed. The other kids, plus Mike and Carol rush behind them. Outside are a midnight blue Stingray and a metallic black Corvette.
Jan: Ohmygoshwhat?!
Mr. Tyler: The blue one's yours, Jan, and the black one's yours, Peter.
Peter: Looks at the cars, and is just about speechless. Wow! He whispers.
Mike: Mom, dad, you shouldn't have.
Mrs. Brady: We know you've got the twins and the older kids are going from here to there and need transportation.
Carol: But such extravagant cars.
Aunt Jenny: We got a good deal on them. We had a star dealer.
Greg blushes at the compliment.
Mr. Tyler: We know Peter's already driving and Jan will have her license soon too.
Peter: C'mon Jan, let's go!
Jan: Right on, bro!
The kids go out to check out their new cars.
Cindy: Checking out the interior of Jan's car. Wow, it's so cool! Leather bucket seats. Check out that stereo! Crank it up!
She does so.
Marcia: Ooh! Jan, you're so lucky!
Jan: I can't wait to drive it.
Mr. Brady: Perhaps after lunch, we'll take a drive.
Jan: Dad?
Mike: We'll see.
Carol: Is over at Peter's car. This is a powerful car, so you know you've gotta be careful.
Peter: Yes, I know.
Bobby: This is so cool!
Peter: Sure, I'll drive you around in it sometime.
Bobby: How 'bout now?
Carol: It's almost lunchtime. After lunch.
Peter: Oh, okay.
The family goes back inside and finishes opening presents. Mike and Carol open the presents for the twins while the grandmothers hold the babies.
Carol: Pulls out an assortment of clothes. Oh mom, they're so cute!
Mrs. Tyler: I especially love the little purple dress and the blue romper. I saw them and had to get them.
Mike: Pulls out a couple savings bonds. Mom, dad, thanks.
Mr. Brady: Well, we gave the boys bonds on their first Christmases, so we went down to the bank and got one for each of the kids.
Mike: But two hundred dollars each?
Carol: Her eyes just about bug out. What?! Two hundred dollars? That's too much!
Mrs. Brady: Nonsense! That's what we got each of the boys and so that's what we wanted to give the twins. It's not the twins' fault they're twins.
Mike: Thanks mom, dad.
Mrs. Tyler: Carol, this is for the twins.
Carol: Opens up the package and reveals two "Baby's First Christmas" picture frames. One has a Santa and the other a Snow Angel on it. Mom, they're so pretty!
Mrs. Tyler: I thought you'd probably have a couple pictures on hand.
Carol: Thank you. I do.
Alice and Aunt Jenny prepare lunch.
Alice: Lunch is about ready. We need a few of you to set up tables, put dishes on the tables and help bring in the food.
Mike: Okay guys. You heard her. The extra tables are in the garage. Can you set them up please?
The boys do as instructed. The girls set the tables.
Aunt Jenny: We need the Pad Thai, mung bean cakes, and hot and sour soup to put on. Anyone bring out the chopsticks?
Cindy: Got 'em.
Alice: Bowls?
Marcia: Check!
Aunt Jenny: Glasses?
Jan: Roger that!
The family gathers for lunch. Mike begins to pray:
God of all gifts, we thank you for the many ways you have blessed us this day. We are grateful each of those who are gathered around this table and we are thankful for the safe delivery of Ryan and Carolyn. (Carol smiles and blushes) We ask you to bless us and our food. In our gratitude and love, we remember your humble birth into our lives and pray for those who are without enough to eat. We remember the stable in which you were born and pray for those who have no place to live. We remember your challenging message of caring and giving and we pray for peace in families and nations throughout the world. We bless you and give you thanks in your Spirit who brings our hearts to life the Christmas Day and forever. Amen.
That evening, the family is getting ready for church. Carol is dressing the twins.
Carol: Mike, can you hand me that red dress with the white lace trim?
Mike: Retrieves the dress and smiles. I hope you're not putting my son in that.
Carol: Smiles. You're such a kidder. She gives him a peck on the cheek. You can dress Ryan in either that blue suit or the green one.
Mike: Okay?
Carol: Well, I just want my babies to look good for their Christmas pictures at church.
Mike: I've got just the outfit.
Carol: Oh?
Mike: Retrieves an outfit out of a box. This is the outfit each of the boys wore for their first day at church.
Carol: Admires it. Oh Mike, it's beautiful.
Mike: Mom made it shortly after Greg was born.
Carol: Ryan will look so handsome in it.
Mike dresses his son in the outfit. There's a knock on the door.
Mike: Come in.
Cindy: Mom, can you zip me up?
Carol: Sure honey. Do you want me to clasp the necklace too?
Cindy: Yeah.
Carol: Zips her up and clasps her necklace. Is this the necklace Aunt Jenny gave you?
Cindy: Yeah. I thought it went well with this dress.
Carol: It looks really pretty on you.
Mike is speechless as he can't believe how grown up she looks.
Cindy: Daddy?
Mike: You look really pretty.
Cindy: Thanks.
Greg knocks on the door.
Greg: You guys ready?
Carol: Yeah. We'll be down in a minute.
Mike and Carol gather the twins and descend the stairs.
At the church, the family sits together, taking up three pews. Carol holds Carolyn and Mike holds Ryan. Carol's beautiful soprano voice fills the auditorium. It is time for the anthem and Greg gets up to sing.
Carol: Leans over and whispers to her husband. I didn't know Greg was singing.
Mike: He wanted it to be a surprise.
Greg begins singing "A Boy is Born in Bethlehem." Carol looks at her babies and tears well in her eyes.
Mike: You okay?
Carol: Yeah. I'm just really happy.
Mike gives her hand a loving squeeze. Soon, the minister delivers his message.
Minister: At the close of this special service on this special day, let's listen to our songbird Carol Brady sing "O Come All Ye Faithful."
Carol passes Carolyn to Jan, walks up to the stage and sings.
After church, the Bradys return home. The Tylers, Aunt Jenny, and Mike's parents return to their respective homes. The Bradys enter through the living room. Carol is carrying Carolyn and Mike has Ryan.
Carol: Oh Greg, your solo was absolutely glorious.
Greg: Thanks. So was yours. Marcia, why didn't you sing tonight?
Marcia: Oh, I wasn't really comfortable with my song.
Carol: What were you going to sing?
Marcia: "Coventry Carol."
Carol: That's such a pretty song and deceptively hard.
Bobby: Whaddya mean, mom?
Carol: It looks like it would be really easy to sing, but actually, it's a bit difficult.
Cindy: Yawns. I'm beat. I'm going to bed.
Jan: Me too. Good night.
Mike: I think I need to get this little one to bed.
The kids go to their respective rooms, Greg to the family room. Mike and Carol take the twins to the bedroom. Mike and Carol dress the twins and get dressed for bed.
Carol: What a wonderful day.
Mike: Kisses her on the cheek. I'm glad you had a good day.
Carol: I did. It was the twins' first Christmas and the first Christmas we had both our parents and Aunt Jenny with us at the same time. Picks up Ryan. C'mere little man. You and your sister need topping off before bed?
She sits on the bed, adjusts Ryan, and he quickly latches on. Mike picks Carolyn up and hands her to Carol. Carolyn quickly latches on as well. Mike gets in beside his wife.
Mike: Looks at his twins. I'm the happiest man on the earth. I've got a beautiful wife, (Carol blushes), three handsome sons, three gorgeous daughters and now two absolutely perfect twins. I love you.
Carol: I love you too.
Mike: Gives her a peck on the lips. Merry Christmas.
Carol: Merry Christmas, darling.
The twins finish up. Mike and Carol place their babies in their cribs, and then fall asleep in each other's arms.
--End of Chapter Twenty-Six--
A/N--This concludes "Welcome Aboard." I'm still working on "The Bradys" and when that's done, will either start on a prequel or "Welcome Aboard Part Two" which will cover spring semester, 1975 through Marcia's graduation. Thanks for reading.