Chapter 11
A crowd gathered around Robert E and Grace. Everyone wanted to see the newest member of the town. Nadine was gently passed around the arms of the townsfolk and people oohed and awed at her. She truly was a beautiful baby. After Nadine was back into Grace's arms, the music resumed.
"I believe we got interrupted on our way to eat." Matthew told Mabel, "would you still like to do that?" Mabel nodded and grabbed Anna Rose by the hand.
"I think we'll follow you guys." Sully said as he picked Katie up, " we're hungry too, aren't we, Katie?" Brian, along with Sara, met up with them at the food table.
"You look lovely," Michaela complimented Sara.
"She sure does, doesn't she Ma.: Brian said impishly. A blush lit up Sara's face at Brian's words.
"Thank you, Dr. Mike. So do you." She giggled. Just as the group finished eating, the party turned to caroling, signaling it was almost time for the tree lighting. Roughly half an hour later, the Reverend asked that the townsfolk start to light their candles and gather at the door. Once everybody was finished lighting, The Reverend, with Loren at his side, began the procession. Michaela, Sully, with Anna Rose and Katie, as well as Brian and Sara were amidst the first people after the Reverend. Mabel and Matthew waited until the end. Mabel filed out the door, and Matthew followed behind her. They each had their respective candles in their hands. Halfway through their trek to the tree, Mabel lost her footing on some ice. She gasped as she almost hit the ground, but luckily for her, Matthew caught her and pulled her to him. Their candles dropped to the ground, hissing as they were extinguished by the contact with the snow. Matthew's face was so close to Mabel's. He searched her eyes briefly, and then… he kissed her.
Matthew's kiss was unlike anything Mabel had ever known before. Goosebumps graced her whole body as if she were cold, but in reality, a warm heat spread throughout her whole being. This was what she had dreamed of! It was happening. Her arms came up around his neck and she laced her hands behind his neck. He placed his hands on either side of her face. The last thing Mabel's heart wanted to do was break the seal of the kiss, but her brain screamed at her that she needed to. She couldn't get involved with him! They released each other and clumsily bent down to retrieve their candles, knocking into each other with their heads. Matthew chucked and Mabel nervously giggled. What did I just do?! She thought
"Here. I've got a match that we can use to relight our candles." Matthew pulled it out of his pocket and soon enough had both of the candles once again lit. Mabel hurried to catch up with the crowd, leaving Matthew staring out after her. Shoot! I might've just blown it completely.
As soon as they arrived back at the Homestead. Mabel took Anna Rose and scurried up to her room before undressing and redressing them both, and gently hanging the gowns back in her closet. A short while later, a knock sounded at her door and Michaela stepped into the room. "We're gathering in the living room shortly to partake in our annual Christmas traditions. You are more than welcome to join us."
"Okay," Mabel answered. She picked up Anna Rose and swung her onto her hip, before following Dr. Mike, and grabbing a throw blanket from the foot of the bed on her way out. Everyone took their positions in the living room. Michaela and Sully sat in their matching rockers, and Brian, with Katie on his lap, and Matthew were on the couch, leaving a chair by the fire open for her. She sat down and placed Anna Rose on her lap. Once everyone was settled, Michaela began the reading of the Christmas Story. A few minutes into the story, Anna Rose slid off of Mabel's lap and tottered over to Matthew. She sat looking up at him with her doe eyes until he noticed her. He looked down and a look of startlement crossed his features. Once he recognized that she wanted to sit on his lap, he smiled and reached down to pick her up. She cuddled into his chest and he tucked a blanket around her, before making himself comfortable once again. Mabel's heart melted as she watched the interaction between her handsome rescuer and her cherished daughter. It seemed as though Anna Rose had fallen deeply in love with Matthew, and vice versa. They made quite a pair, Mabel did have to give them that. Mabel shook her head, casting out thoughts about her feeling the same way as Anna did, and refocused herself to listening to Michaela's radiant voice project the wonderful story of Christ's miraculous birth. Once they were through reading the Christmas Story, they took a quick intermission, while Sully popped some popcorn on the stove. With that completed, everyone bedded down once again, and Michaela continued on with their tradition of reading "A Christmas Carol." They had been reading for roughly twenty minutes when Sully cocked his head towards the door as if hearing something in the distance. Michaela paused briefly, thinking she had heard something also, before dismissing the thought, and continuing. A minute passed, and this time Sully got up from his chair and walked to the window. Michaela stopped once again and put the book down in her lap.
"Sully? What is it dear?"
"It sounds like bells. Do you hear that?" Michaela listened and then answered him.
"Yes! It does sound like bells. Matthew, do you hear it? What about you Mabel?" Mabel listened carefully, and then she too heard it. It sounded like bells that would be attached to a horse-drawn sleigh.
"Who could it be, pa?" Brian asked.
"I haven't a clue, Brian. It's ten o'clock. Who would be about at this time?" The whole family stood up from their seats and walked to the window. With the full moon being just a few days ago, it still lit up the night sky, and within a minute or two, the shadow of a sleigh being pulled by two horses could be seen. Half a minute more passed and it became clear that there were two people in the sleigh. Once it reached the house, the driver pulled the sleigh right next to the steps leading into the house. He stepped down and helped the woman get down. The family, with Sully and Michaela at the head, moved to the door. Sully opened it and light spilled onto the front porch. The woman and man turned towards the door and the family gasped…
