Christmas Day
Christmas day
Church
It was almost three o'clock and the hall was packed with people: mothers, fathers, grandparents, little brothers and sisters and other members of the congregation, all awaiting the pageant. In the first row Miss Witherspoon sat. The invitation to see how her costumes had found a new home had been very welcome. Mac had only time to exchange a few words; then she was too busy helping sheep, shepherds and wise men into their costumes, showing them their places and making sure they stayed there. Harm and Lennard were ready to change sets and carry props onto and from the stage. Lena would be in the hall, sitting in the front row, ready to prompt any kid who had lost her or his lines.
At precisely three o'clock the big lights went out, the stage lights came on and the minister mounted the stage. She welcomed the people and announced the first hymn.
One of the older children read the story of Christmas and after another hymn it was time for the pageant. Lennard and Harm pushed the first scene decoration on stage, the outside of a Mid-Eastern inn and the boys who played Joachim and his grandfather said there first lines.
Forty-five minutes later twenty plus proud young players took their bows. The minister had praising words for all of them and then called Lena, Mac, Lennard and Harm to the stage to thank them for their hard work. There were poinsettias as a thank-you gift and a thundering applause from the spectators.
Then Lena took the microphone, thanked first Mac and Harm for stepping in and then, to her surprise, called Miss Witherspoon to the stage.
"And now I like to thank Miss Witherspoon, who kindly donated a lot of costumes to us. Can I have a big round of applause for her, too?"
People applauded and cheered and the minister brought another poinsettia. Blushing but pleased Miss Witherspoon took her seat again.
The minister asked for silence to lead the congregation in prayer and then 'Silent night, holy night' was the final song of the afternoon. Slowly the crowd left the building, while Lena and Mac had their hands full getting the kids into their normal cloths and handing out little bags with presents. Lennard and Harm brought the sets and props back to the backroom; Lennard would sort them out later.
When Harm came back in the hall, he saw Miss Witherspoon still standing there. With a "Can I help you?" he approached her. A bit startled the lady looked up.
"I'm trying to call a cab to bring me home, but apparently they are very busy," she said.
"Where do you live? I'm happy to give you a ride."
"But … I'm sure you have plans. I can't hog your time!"
"It would be my pleasure, ma'am."
Mac was ready and had gone in search of Harm. Unnoticed she approached and now looped her arm through Harm's.
"We're going to give Miss Witherspoon a ride?"
"Yes," Harm said, before the lady could object again. He offered her his arm and now Miss Witherspoon surrendered.
But when they reached the car and he held the passenger's door open for her, she protested again.
"Really, I rather sit in the backseat."
"You're sure?"
"Yes, all those cars speeding up on me, especially in the dark, I don't feel that at ease with that. I prefer the backseat."
When the lady was seated, Mac slipped into the passenger's seat.
"Where do I go?" Harm asked.
Miss Witherspoon gave her address and Harm started the car.
"You're going to have dinner with someone?" he asked to make a bit of conversation.
"No, I'm on my own this evening."
"You're welcome to have dinner with us," Harm invited her. "I can bring you home afterwards."
The woman hesitated.
"I'm sure you want to be with your girlfriend. And you didn't count on an extra mouth."
"You're really welcome. And Harm always cooks too much. He always ends up with leftovers," Mac stepped in. She didn't mention those leftovers mostly found their way to her fridge; she didn't want to make the old lady feel awkward, would she accept. Which she was likely to do.
"If you're sure?" she still hesitated.
"We are," Harm and Mac answered in unison, making the three of them laugh.
"Then I'm happy to accept," Maud made up her mind.
As soon as they were at Harm's, he rushed to the kitchen to make coffee and to start cooking, leaving it to Mac to help Maud out of her coat and show her a chair.
When the chicken and vegetables were in the oven and the soup on the stove, waiting to be heated, he set the table with his best china, folded napkins and put a five-armed candlestick on the table.
Next he poured coffee and carried the cups, accompanied with a small plate of bonbons to the coffee table.
In the meantime Mac had lighted the candles on the side board and the coffee table. After that she added her presents to the pile already occupying the space under his tree. She smiled; at least he was having a tree and some other decoration. He didn't have so much trouble with celebrating Christmas anymore, now that he knew the fate of his father.
Leaning back in her chair Maud watched and smiled. Now that she was guest in this warm and inviting place, she truly felt how lonely she would have been in her own house.
Half an hour later Harm bade his guests to the table. Graciously he held the chairs for first Maud and then Mac and pushed them in when the ladies were seated.
He put the terrine of mushroom soup on the table and bade Maud to take as much as she liked. The soup was followed by the chicken with several vegetables, applesauce and mashed potatoes. For dessert Harm had made trifle and when the bowl went back to the kitchen, it was as if it had been polished.
Mac shoved back her chair and let out a contented sigh.
"Harm, you have outdone yourself. It was delicious."
"Amen to that," Maud agreed wholeheartedly.
Harm smiled.
"You're very welcome."
After he had cleared away the dishes, he made tea and then joined the ladies. Maud nodded at the pile of presents under the tree.
"Aren't you going to unwrap?" she asked.
Harm hesitated. That had been the plan, but he didn't want the elderly woman to feel excluded.
As if she read his mind, she said "I'm fine with it. I already have my Christmas present: this evening with you."
"Well, if you really don't mind," and with that he took the first present. It had Mac's name on it and contained a book, the last one of a series she was collecting. Mac smiled broadly; this was one of the things she had hoped for.
Now Harm came up with a fairly large square package. Since it has his name on it, he unwrapped it and his eyes lit up. Grams had sent him his favourite cookies. Immediately he opened the box and presented Maud and Mac with one.
After the first bite Maud closed her eyes in bliss.
"These were my childhood's favourite. It has been ages since I had those."
"Then you must take some with you," Harm declared. He already was on his feet to find a smaller tin for Maud to take home and when he had found one, he transferred a generous helping into it.
"But you can't," Maud protested. "These are yours and your favourite, too."
"I'm fine with it," Harm told her, putting another handful into the tin. "And you won't have an opportunity to have them any time soon."
It was clear the temptation was big, but then Maud shook her head once more.
"I can't do that, can I? Your grandmother …"
"She won't mind a bit," Harm stated calmly. "Besides, I spoke to her on the phone this morning …"
"Not about this, I guess," Maud interrupted him.
"No, about going to the farm – she lives on a farm just outside of Bellville – with New Year's Eve. When I tell her, I'm sure she'll be most happy to make me another batch. She loves baking and cooking and will be delighted to have another excuse. She was my first teacher in cooking."
He turned to Mac.
"By the way, she invited you, too." Mac gaped, but before she could react Maud said "Well, if you're really sure …"
"I am sure. Grams is a very generous woman; if she was here, she would insist, too."
"Then I'm happy to accept. And you can tell her you did here proud, both in cooking as in generosity."
Harm blushed. To hide his awkwardness, he stooped to pick up the next present. It turned out to be another book for Mac and from then on present after present was opened until they both had a small pile. Mac was especially touched by the present she had received from his family. She placed her hand against his cheek, caressing it softly with her thumb.
Maud had been watching smiling and now started to chuckle.
"He, you two, you can kiss; I won't be shocked."
Framing her face Harm leaned in and gave Mac a soft kiss. Her eyes went dazed, but when he pulled back, she wrapped her arms around his neck and answered his kiss with her own, only slightly shorter one. Only the knowledge they were not alone kept Harm from declaring his love there and then.
Mac too realised they had a guest. With a bit of an apologising smile she rose to pour the three of them another cup of tea. When she tasted it, Maud made an approving sound.
"It has a nice flavour. What kind of tea is this?"
"A kind of Christmas tea," Harm told her. "I found it in a little shop in Hyattsville, when I was there to interview a witness. It's flavoured with orange peel, rose petals, cinnamon and almonds."
"It's really good," Maud repeated, taking another sip. Harm smiled, already making his mind up to give her some to go with his Gram's cookies.
Placing her cup back on the table, Maud spotted Harm's bible.
"Can I ask you a favour?" she asked.
"Of course," Harm replied, a bit surprised.
"Can you read the story of Christmas?" She tilted her head towards the bible. Harm nodded and reached out for the book. A moment later his voice sounded, "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world."
When he was finished, Maud sighed.
"Thank you. To me Christmas isn't complete without the story of Jesus' birth."
It was silent for a while, all contemplating the story, until Mac's eye fell on Harm's guitar, sitting in the corner.
"Harm, can you play some carols? I would love it and I'm sure Maud would enjoy it, too."
She made puppy-eyes and he knew he would grant her her wish. After all, she was telling the truth. He knew how she enjoyed him playing and singing.
"Only if you sing along," he winked. He took his guitar from its stand and started to strum the strings, fiddling with the keys till the instrument was well-tuned. Then he looked at Maud.
"Any song in particular?"
"I love 'Hark the herald angels sing' and 'Once in royal David's city' and 'Away in a manger' and of course "Silent night, holy night'," she said.
Harm had his playlist, but he started with a song he knew was one of Mac's favourites 'Ding, dong, merrily up high', followed by 'Joy to the world'. Mac tuned in and Maud was humming along and beating the time on her chair's arm rest.
After twenty minutes he ended with 'Silent night, holy night' and then put his guitar down.
"I can use another cup of tea," he announced and dutifully Mac stood up to provide them with the beverage.
Tea gone Harm threw a quick glance at their guest. He thought she looked tired.
"I don't want to offend you, or give you the feeling you're in our way," he started, "but I feel you might be …"
"That I'm ready to call it a day? You're right," the old lady said. "The past weeks have been tiring. I would be grateful, if you could bring me home now. Can I use the bathroom, please?"
She rose to her feet and headed for the bathroom.
Harm turned to Mac.
"Do you want me to bring you home, too?"
Mac thought. It would make perfectly sense for him to bring her home now, too, for she didn't live far from Miss Witherspoon's new apartment and it would spare him a second ride. But at the same time she didn't want to leave. Too bad she hadn't driven her own car, for her sea bag lived in the boot.
"What do you want?" she asked.
He caressed her cheek.
"You know what I want," he answered.
Suddenly an idea flashed her mind. She sat straight, reached for her handbag and fished out her car keys.
"Can you drive by my house and get my sea bag from out of my boot?"
His eyes widened, but he didn't comment, just nodded.
"Will do that."
When Miss Witherspoon returned, he stood up and got her coat for her. Mac collected the tin of biscuits, the tea and the poinsettia in a bag and walked them to the door. The old lady gave her a hug.
"Thank you," was all that she said, but her eyes spoke volumes about how much she had enjoyed the evening.
"It was our pleasure," Mac said, returning the hug.
In the car only soft Christmas music sounded, until Miss Witherspoon started to talk.
"You don't have to pity me. I don't have a family of my own, but I had a good life. Teaching has always been my life; you could say I was married to the job. I don't have regrets. I have quite a few nephews and nieces living in the area and I'm always welcome."
"But why …?" Harm hesitated. After all, it wasn't his business.
"Because I was old and foolish. I take it Mac told you why I donated all the costumes?"
"Yes, she told you were downsizing before moving into a smaller place."
"That's true. Well, things went faster than expected. Instead of my new place being ready in February, it was ready three weeks ago. So I moved two weeks ago. I didn't have time to sort out all my belongings and decide what was to stay and what to go, so a lot is still in storage. Including my Christmas decorations. It was a very exhausting period, both physically and emotionally. It was me cancelling staying with one of my nephews and his family. I didn't feel up to it. And it was me declining my church family's offer to pick me up this morning to attend the service. I really wanted to attend the pageant this afternoon and was afraid two things would be too much. I was convinced it wouldn't matter, to skip the festivities so to say. But I was wrong. I now realise that being alone, because you chose to, easily can turn into being lonely. And I would have been lonely tonight, hadn't it been for you."
"Were there no people to help you move?" Harm asked in a soft voice.
"Yes, enough who offered. But again, old and foolish and stupid pride. It's hard to have to admit your age is getting the better of you and you need help. Plus it's the busiest season, just for the holidays. I didn't want to be a burden."
She sighed.
"I made a wrong decision. But tomorrow I'm going to call some people, to make arrangements for them to come over and help me go through the rest of my stuff. I know they will be happy to help me. Let me tell you this, Harm, don't ever let pride stand in the way when it comes to interaction with the ones who are dear to you."
"No ma'am," Harm promised.
"Too bad I forgot to keep the box with my Christmas stuff with me. I have candlesticks, but the candles are in there. And it's just the night to burn candles."
"It is," Harm confirmed. An idea sparked his mind.
"Maud, would you mind us making a little d-tour? Only a couple of minutes. I promised Mac to pick something up from her home."
"Of course not."
A few minutes later Harm stopped in front of Mac's apartment building.
"Just a few moments," he promised, already half out of the car. He rushed inside, took the stairs two steps at the time and used the spare key to let himself in. He knew where Mac kept her stash of candles and quickly grabbed a handful. Then he hastened downstairs again and walked over to Mac's car, where he retrieved her sea bag from the boot. Back in his own car he dropped it on the back seat and then handed Miss Witherspoon the candles.
"But really, I can't …" she protested.
"Don't worry. It's nothing. Mac would have been the first to give you some, had she known," Harm laughed.
"Why, thank you very much."
Ten minutes later they reached Miss Witherspoon's building and Harm stepped out of the car , walked around it and helped the elderly lady out of the car. Carrying the bag with the candles, plant, tin of biscuits and the tea, he accompanied her to the door. She gave him warm hug, too.
"Thank you very much. I had a wonderful evening."
"You're welcome."
When Harm came home, twenty minutes later, he found Mac curled up on the couch, cup of tea on the table in front of her, reading one of her new books. She had tidied the kitchen and a soft rumbling noise indicated the dishwasher was doing its job. When he came in, she looked up.
"Hi. Miss Witherspoon home safely?"
He dropped Mac's bag under the coatrack.
"Yes." He proceeded by filling her in about the conversation they had had on the way, ending with "I hope you don't mind I gave her some of your candles."
"Of course not. She is such a nice lady. You like another cup of tea, too?"
"Yes please."
When she returned, he pulled her next to him. She looked up to him, her brown eyes softly mirroring the light of the candles and the little lights in the Christmas tree. Her beauty tightened his throat, preventing him from speaking. Her lips were very inviting and he couldn't withstand the lure. They kissed, long lingering kisses, until they finally came up for air.
"I love you," Harm softly said. "So much."
She only could nod fervently. He tucked her head in the crook of his neck and they sat for a long time. Finally Harm reached for his now cold tea.
"I talked with AJ, about us, yesterday," he said. Mac looked up at him.
"What did he say?"
"He is happy for us, but wants us to keep a low profile. Like, completely under the radar, both at work as well as personal. Now one is to know, yet."
"That's a bit harsh, isn't it? Why?"
"Because of Mic. You know he is spiteful. Towards me, for he blames me for ruining his relationship with you. Towards you, for breaking up with him. And towards AJ, for giving him a few chew-outs and having our back, or at least so he feels. For now it's just accusations and suspicions but AJ is afraid he'll raise a stink, if he finds out we're together now. Then he might be forced to act and tear us apart."
Mac hadn't thought about that, but she knew the men were right.
"Let's hope he does the decent thing and stays in Australia," she mused.
"I hope so, too, but when he comes back … As long as he behaves and doesn't give AJ a reason … AJ won't want to insult a friendly country by sending an officer back without a good reason. I happen to know he is trying to find a way out, but until then, it's low profile for us."
Mac nodded. She caressed his cheek and he caught her hand in his and brought it to his lips.
"You know, back then in Sydney I asked you for time. I needed time, to figure out why I reacted the way I did. Now I'm asking you again for time. Time to date you, time to pamper you a bit, time to build a strong relationship as significant others, instead of just working partners and best friends. Just a bit of time before I pop the question."
"Time granted," Mac sighed blissfully, before pulling his head down for another kiss.
The clock chimed half past eleven and Harm stretched.
"I think we better call it a day."
Mac readily agreed; she looked forwards to sleep in his arms. Harm stood up and gathered the used cups to bring them to the kitchen. Then he picked up the bible to replace it in its rightful spot on the shelf. Mac followed his movements with her eyes.
"You know," she suddenly said, "when Lena gave me the bible verses of the stories she was going to read, she gave me another one, too."
Harm sat next to her again.
"I don't get it," he said.
"I mean, Lena read the children a Bible story each week, before rehearsal, right? I realised that not only the children didn't know them that well, I didn't either, so I started to read them for myself. When I dropped off the costumes, - that was just after Mic and I broke up - I asked Lena what stories she was going to read next and she gave me the bible verses."
Harm nodded encouraging, not knowing where she was going to, but eager to listen.
"She then asked whether she could give me another verse and when I said yes, she wrote down 1 Corinthians 13."
Harm opened the bible and quickly scanned said verses.
"It's about love," he said a bit surprised.
"Yes, about perfect love. At first I didn't understand why she wanted me to read them, but then I realised she wanted me to have good look at what I felt for Mic and if that came even close to those words."
She took his hands.
"It didn't. But when I thought about what I feel for you, it's so much more. I know there will be bumps on the road; we both are strong-headed people and have our share of baggage but … when I read those words, I thought, this is what I feel for Harm."
Harm was too touched to utter a word. He only could pull her close and hold on tight. It didn't matter; Mac understood.
The end
A Merry Christmas to all of you!
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