"It's Christmas!" Jimmy exclaimed as he barged into the spare bedroom. Suddenly he realized his mistake as he saw what looked like clothing tossed about in a way he never has seen before. Then a stern voice still laced with sleep spoke up.
"Jimmy, out," Ken told him loud enough that Jimmy looked over to see Ken sitting up in med shirtless. Beyond Ken, he could see what looked like a pale freckled back.
Jimmy yelped at his mistake and quietly rushed out the door and raced back to his room.
"I think it's time to get up," Ken said leaning down towards Rilla kissing her shoulder as he did. "Though next time we need to remember to lock the door. Though I don't think he'll forget to not knock again."
"He was just excited," Rilla yawned as she rolled her body into a sitting position. She stretched before she stood up and grabbed her nightgown she had never used from the chair and her robe.
"I'll go get Oliver," Ken said after watching her for a moment before he reached for his flannel pants. Pulling them on he went around the room and tossed some of the clothing they had thrown off into another chair. "I'm sure he'll be up by now," he said looking at the clock. It was only six-thirty am.
By seven am everyone was downstairs, adults were drinking cups of coffee. Everyone still in their nightwear as they watched the children open their gifts. George was old enough to understand the concept at this point. Shrieking with laughter as his mother or father holding a gift for him to tear into. Oliver seemed slightly more curious at the whole spectacle that was Christmas around him. All the presents that Rilla helped him open he would stare at, not sure what he was supposed to do with all the toys he got.
Jimmy who hadn't had such a Christmas before was rather shocked at the pile he had acquired from Santa and his pseudo grandparents and aunt and uncle. Books, puzzles, experiment kits were all stacked in a neat pile. Each came with a generous thank you and more often not a large hug.
Ken finally passed a midsized box to him wrapped in gold paper. "This is from Rilla and me," he said.
"It's a camera!" Jimmy exclaimed as he ripped through the paper. He quickly launched himself at Ken's first who was closet and hugged the older man. "Thank you!"
"We thought it is good for you, and we know you will take care of it. You also won't have to ask to borrow mine as well now," Ken told him.
"Can I learn how to develop them as well?" Jimmy looked at him.
"When you're little older," Rilla told him before Ken could answer. "For now we can either send away to get developed or Ken will when he can spare the time."
Leslie laughed lightly into her coffee cup, she had heard both sides about Jimmy's 'big' Christmas gift. Ken thought the boy was old enough and mature enough to learn the process. While Rilla thought it was still too dangerous for him given all the chemicals.
The rest of the morning was spent relaxing as the paper was cleared away and breakfast was finally made. After a quick clean up they went back to Christmas morning until the turkey would be put to roast.
Persis and Rilla both were tossed from the kitchen early on in the day. Leaving them to enjoy the day with the children. Toronto was relatively quiet for Christmas and boxing, no parties in the evening. It was about spending time with family, going to church and just enjoying the quiet downtime. Of course, there were walks in snowy parks as children ran around with new toboggans and sleds. Girls showing off new fur muffs and trimmed gloves as they met up with their friends for daily walks.
Ingleside had always been filled with visiting friends and families. It was never quiet, there were always children running about. Rilla didn't know what she preferred at this point, but she did enjoy the more relaxed Christmas. No worrying about looking put together for constant company.
Instead, she sat and crocheted new lace doilies from a pattern book that Leslie had given her. Along with a new stash with fine cotton crochet thread in various colours that she received for Christmas. It was the one thing that bonded them, beyond silver slippers and pretty things in general of course. They were constantly sending patterns back and forth through the mail. Gifting each other starched doilies, when it made no sense to their husbands. They still ended up with ungodly amounts of doilies that were placed on every table and surface of their houses.
"Why can't I go to the party?" Jimmy asked on New Year's Eve.
"Because you are only ten," Rilla told him as she fixed her hair looking back to him in the mirror at the vanity. "Parties of this sort are no places for children your age. You'll have plenty of parties to go to when you are old enough. Although I have told Ethel that you are allowed to stay up to midnight if you wish it." Rilla told him turning to look at him as she stood up.
"How do I look?" She asked as him doing a small twirl.
"Isn't that a question for Ken?" Jimmy asked her.
"Ken will always tell me I look beautiful," Rilla laughed. "You, on the other hand, will always tell me the truth."
"You look nice?" Jimmy said after a minute taking in her long sequinned chiffon dress that was a dark shade of blue with a slip underneath it. It just hit her ankles and for the first time in a while, she hooked herself into a corselet for the evening. The long tubular dress requiring it.
"Thank you," Rilla smiled and kissed the top of his head as she gathers her coat and a small beaded purse from the bed.
"Do be good and listen to Ethel if she asks something of you. I know you are much too old for a Nanny, but she is in charge tonight."
Jimmy nodded and followed her out of the room. Down the hall, Ken was in the nursery in his suit saying goodbye to Oliver who was already being put down for the night. Though he didn't seem to want to as he cried.
"Oh darling," Rilla scooped him up, running her hands over his forehead to make sure that he wasn't sick. He wasn't. She kissed his cheek and used one of the many soft flannel blankets next to the bed to wipe his face and face.
"It's bedtime Ollie," Rilla said as she bounced lightly on the sole of her heels. "Like every other night. Beddabye times," she kissed his forehead. "The sooner you go to sleep the sooner you get to wake us up for playtime." She whispered into his ear. It took a good half hour before Oliver allowed them to leave. After he finally exhausted himself and let himself be put down for the night. Rilla fixed her gown and double-checked to ensure he had drooled or slobbered on her.
The party was well on its way when the Fords managed to make it to the gala. It was like many of the other parties Rilla had attended here in Toronto. Though this one is notably a dry occasion given it had been an advertised ticketed event.
"Kenneth Ford!" Was something they heard often enough given the amount of time he had been away. Though Persis got much of her own from old friends who spotted her. Exclaiming they hadn't seen her since her husband dragged her off to Winnipeg.
Some of the people Rilla recognized from old parties. Some people were new and Ken enthusiastically introduced her as his wife and mother of their son. More than once Ken had flipped open a leather wallet that had a snap shop of Oliver to show him off, but much more Rilla noticed for the first time. He also had a photo of Rilla with both Jimmy and Oliver. "Jimmy while our ward is pretty much our son," he explained quickly. "Rilla knew him as she used to watch when he was young and when his father died we took him in."
It was a simple way to explain the situation, it left out any chance of misinterpretation of who Rilla was to Jimmy. More than once Rilla as seen older women double glance when she was out at the park with Jimmy who was calling her mother. She knew what they thought, especially when Ken was very much Ken. She tried to ignore it, or not have Jimmy pick up on some of the more rudeness that came from it.
Then came three ladies the Rilla knew and remember all too well. She had been walking toward Persis after getting a glass of punch when they stopped her. Alice, Edith and Ethel, ones who thought she had no sense of fashion or beauty all those years ago.
"Mrs. Ford," they said in union and Rilla smiled and nodded her head at them.
"It's lovely to see you once again." She said politely. "It's quite a party is it not?"
"I am sure the after-party will be much more interesting," One of them drawled. "Are you going to be there?"
"Sadly we have a little one to get back to," Rilla explained although she had no care to go to another party. " We also have packing to start as our train leaves early Friday morning."
"A little one?" Another one asks. "I don't we heard the news through the grapevine, what has been three-four years since Kenneth and you got married?"
"Yes, we had a little boy, he's just turned a year last week," Rilla told him as she looked around for Ken. Where was he?
"Well, thank goodness for small blessings, Ken must be relieved to have a son?" another one said her said as she not so discretely looked over Rilla.
"We are merely thankful for him to be healthy," Rilla told them. "I am sure Ken has some snapshots of him if you do see him. Though Persis is waving to me, have a good evening." She quickly sashayed away from them.
"Looked like you were trapped," Persis said quietly. "I never liked those three, they all chased Ken in college it was rather disgusting. I don't even think their husbands like them much." She giggled which Rilla chuckled at as well.
"Where are the men?" Rilla asked still not sure where Ken was and now it seemed like Owen and Joe had wandered off as well.
"I think a few of them went onto the balcony, so most likely smoking," Persis said quietly. "Dad went with him, and Joe."
"I didn't realize either of them smoked," Rilla brow furrowed.
"Dad enjoys a cigar now and then," Persis shrugged. "Joe is probably just out with them for fresh air. We can go look for them if you wish though?"
"Maybe in a few minutes," Rilla nodded looking around the room. "Ken does owe me a dance though."
"Come on then," Persis grinned and grabbed her hand. "And don't go, I shouldn't be dancing," she warned Rilla, though her face was far from the stern. They were also far from the only females dancing with each other on the dance floor. "I'll be his substitute for now."
Rilla laughed and followed her sister in law. Both laughing as neither of them knew quite how to lead as well as Ken did.
They made it through two dances before Rilla spotted Ken in the corner of her eyes. All the men appeared with pale faces. Joining them was Ken's uncle Benjamin, who hadn't even been over for Christmas dinner. Excusing himself as he had other plans, which Rilla learned was going to visit the hospital his son was in. He hadn't even been planning on coming to the gala, and certainly wasn't dressed for it either.
"Rilla," Ken said through the crowd. "Come with us," he asked. "Don't worry about a cloak, we aren't going outdoors," Ken told her.
Rilla blindly followed them, as she noticed that Joseph stayed behind with Persis. While Leslie materialized once more.
"What is going on?" Rilla asked as they stepped into the lobby of the hotel they were at.
"Frederick passed away this evening. I didn't want to ruin the party but I know you are leaving for Kingsport soon enough." Ben explained to Rilla more than anyone.
"Oh!" Rilla let out. "You have my heart and my support," she told the older man. Over the years she had realized that one day moving to Toronto wouldn't be the end of the world for her.
"Now this changes nothing about living situations right now. I still have a good few years left in me. I just need to Ken first thing in the morning to go over a few things and set up a plan for when everything switches over one day."
"I thought this was all figured out already?" Rilla said confused thinking this had all been worked out four years ago.
"We wanted to wait until," Ben said with a wave of his hand. The poor man just lost his son. It was a long time coming, he most likely lived more years than what had been expected. Yet these things always hit hard.
"Of course," Rilla said sympathetically. "I'll have him ready first thing," Rilla told him. "Why don't we all just go home? We can ring in the new year with a bit more respect for Frederick?"
"Of course," Owen quickly nodded. "I will go find Leslie and Persis," he said before leaving the group. Before his brother could object to such a suggestion
The ride home was quiet Rilla held Ken's hand in her own as they all sat in silence.
Death comes in three. Rilla thought with a sigh. It took longer than she thought, she almost thought they had escaped it as a family.
How wrong she was.
It was almost eleven when they arrived back at the Ford residence. The ladies took off their wraps and leather gloves as the men shed their long overcoats.
"What's going on?" Jimmy asked as he stood on the staircase, he was in his pyjamas.
"The party was a little crowded and Uncle Ben got some news," Rilla quietly to him. "We'll explain more later to you when we know more." She told him as she kissed his head.
"Can I at least come downstairs?" Jimmy asked.
"You can come downstairs," Rilla said after a moment. "It will be boring adult talk though."
Jimmy just shrugged. "Thats fine, I'll just read by the fireplace?"
"Very well," Rilla told him and kissed his hair. "Put on your robe though? I am going to go change and check in on the nursery." She told him as she waited for him to go back upstairs with her. She left him in his room before she headed to the nursery where Persis already was looking in.
"Still asleep like the babies they are," she whispered to Rilla. She fixed her son's blanket and bent to kiss his mousy brown hair.
"They grow too fast," Rilla sighed as she looked over Oliver who is snoring lightly on his stomach.
"Are you planning on more?" Persis asked cautiously.
Rilla looked down at Oliver once more before nodding her head. "Not necessarily an easy decision given everything I went through with him, but for some reason, I need to. I need to know, to try again. I know they said it wasn't my fault, but it was my body that made that choice." Rilla sighed.
"You seem well enough now?" Persis looked her over. "But I haven't seen you since my wedding, you seem about the same. Maybe even a touch more mature?"
"I was advised to try and gain some weight before trying to have another, not that we were trying to begin with," Rilla explained to her sister in law. "But I took their advice, I was about ten pounds lighter in October." She said stopping at the door to her room."I am going to change out of this dress."
Persis nodded getting the feeling that Rilla wasn't up for such conversations, but she knew what a small amount of weight could do on a body. "I'll see you downstairs."
"Should we stay for the funeral?" Ken asked as Rilla came back downstairs. The men had shed their jackets, waistcoats and tie as the stood in the kitchen as tea was being made. Leslie was at the stove watching over a pot of milk she was heating for hot chocolate.
"It will be small and private," Uncle Ben shook his head. "Don't delay your trip, he'll rest alongside his mother."
"As long as you are sure." Ken as he grasped Rilla's hand and squeezed it as she came to stand next to him.
"Do you need help with anything?" Leslie asked.
"I don't think so," He shook his head. "Most of it has been arranged along with his will."
"If you need anything, please don't hesitate," Owen told his older brother.
They all sat in a quiet conversation waiting for the new years. Jimmy had come in yawning as leaned against Rilla.
Rilla wrapped her arm around him. "This is Ken's Uncle Benjamin," She told him. "This is Jimmy,"
"Of course, Ken has told me all about you," Ben said. "It is nice to meet you, young man."
Jimmy nodded and shyly shook the man's hand. "It's nice to meet you too," he told the older gentleman.
"Why don't we all go into the living room and relax for the next hour?" Leslie spoke up as she grabbed another mug from the cupboard. She poured Jimmy some hot chocolate sprinkling in a few marshmallows.
When the clock finally rang out, everyone subduedly wished everyone a happy new year. Ken grinned as he drew Rilla in for their first kiss of the new year. The other couples following as Jimmy made a face at all of them.
It was twelve-thirty when Ken stood up. Looking at Jimmy who was sleeping curled up on the corner of the sofa next to Rilla. "I'll bring him upstairs," Ken said to Rilla.
"I think I'll head up as well," Rilla told him, as she saw Persis ready to dose off as well.
"Sleep well," Owen told her with a quiet smile, getting up to bid her goodnight. He gave her a short hug.
"You as well," Rilla told him, as she moves on and hugged her mother-in-law before she followed Ken up the stairs as he carried Jimmy in his arms. They placed him back in bed and Rilla tucked him in and gave him a soft kiss on his forehead. She wondered how much longer he would allow such things as they went to their room down the hallway.
The morning was quiet when Jimmy knocked on their door. Ken opened it and Rilla patted the middle of the bed as she held Oliver in her lap.
"What happened last night?" Jimmy asked as he crawled into the bed, stealing Ken's spot who in turn laid across the end of the bed on his side.
"My cousin passed away, he's been ill for many years at this point and while it was expected. It was unexpected at this time," Ken told him. "What it means to us as a family is that one day I will take over the company when my uncle decides to retire."
"Don't you already run a magazine?" Jimmy titled his head confused.
"I do, which is part of the company my family owns. Ford Magazine, I run the maritime division at the moment. It was a way for me to gain some experience and decide if it was something I wanted to do." Ken explained. "Which I do," he added on looking at Rilla and Oliver.
"Why?" Jimmy asked him, he saw Ken at work occasionally, he also saw how relaxed Ken was when he was taking photographs.
"Well, as much as I love taking photographs and writing," Ken started. "It wasn't always steady work and I had Rilla to take care of and a house. This was more reliant steady income, and allowed us as a family to grow."
"Will you have to move here?" Jimmy asked another question.
"One day, another five to ten years maybe?" Ken told him honestly as he looked at Rilla. "It might be good for you, there are more high schools, colleges around. At the same time, you might be old enough to make your own choices if you wanted to stay in Kingsport. Especially if you find yourself a sweetheart and thinking or wanting to get married."
Jimmy made a face at the thought of girls or marriage, which Ken chuckled at.
"You'll always be welcome in our home," Ken told him. "Actually Rilla and I have been talking something."
"Talking about what?" Jimmy titled his head and looked at Rilla who was still taking it all in, it was something she had put too the back of her mind in recent years. Four years later she found her not so afraid of such a thing. So much had happened, changed in her life since that trip where she first found out about the Magazine. She broke out of her thoughts at Ken's words.
"Well, we were wondering if you would like us to formally adopt you?" Rilla said to him. "Make it proper and permanent, you would be our child and not just our ward?"
Jimmy merely looked at them with an open mouth. "Adopt me?"
Thank you for the lovely comments.
Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian Reader, may your pumpkin pie be tasty and you whipped cream be generous!
Tina
