"It's Christmas Day!" Elizabeth shrieked, shaking Emma awake. "Wake up, wake up!" Emma yawned and glanced at the clock on the wall, protesting that they didn't get up until six. "I know, but Jim Bob and Ben told me to wake you up!" She giggled, glancing over at the laughing boys at the door.
Sending a ice melting glare their way, Emma buried her face in her pillow. "It's four. Goooo awayyyy." Elizabeth jumped on top of her and started shouting about waking up.
Erin stuck her tounge out at the boys. "You got Elizabeth all hiper. I'm gonna get you!" She laughed maniacally, grabbing Jim Bob and tackling him on the bed. Mary Ellen grabbed Jason.
Ben crossed over to Emma's bed. "It's Christmas!" He hollered, tickling Emma. Emma burst into laughter. She rolled about, shoving Ben and Elizabeth off, coming to realise everyone would be very hiper this morning.
Once everyone gathered downstairs for breakfast, the festivities began. Grandpa and Grandma left to go visit Maude Gormley, but the rest of the family plus Curt were there. Olivia, Mary Ellen, Emma and Erin helped with the cooking for Christmas Dinner, while Elizabeth and Jim Bob decorated the tree. The men and the rest of the boys were outside, cutting wood. The radio played all the popular Christmas music, and Emma could hardly stop herself from dancing around the kitchen as she worked.
Curt arrived at the house on the first day of January, 1938 and knocked on the door. Mary Ellen pranced over. They had been seeing each other everyday. "Hi, Curt." She kissed him on the cheek, smiling softly.
Curt smirked. "Mary Ellen. Hey." He waved, crossing over to the family who were eating breakfast. Emma smiled. She had become quite fond of the man. Curt was sarcastic and blunt, but he was also honest and kind to a fault. Emma daydreamed of being a bridesmaid at Mary Ellen's wedding one day. One day. Like a long long time away.
As January flew by, Emma tried to decide what she would wear to her graduation. Of course that was ages away, but she had to at least think of something. Her thoughts were interrupted when Mary Ellen burst in. "Emma, Curt just proposed to me! And I said yes!" Her face was white, and she looked like she was going to faint.
"Mary Ellen." Emma sat her down on her bed. "Are you sure? You are in Nursing School right now."
"I'm sure. We are getting married next month." Mary Ellen smiled happily, despite her white face.
Emma hugged her tightly. "Oh Mary Ellen, I'm so happy! How is my sister getting married? And at the age of eighteen too! I'm not getting married until I'm at least twenty." Emma teased.