The following Christmas
- Hello, called Mr Molesley, entering the servants' Hall, anyone in there?
- Oh, hello, Mr Molesley, Mrs Molesley! beamed Mrs Hughes, getting up from her seat at the long table. Hello, children! Thank you for coming!
Warm greetings were exchanged between the Molesley family and all the people dwelling in the servants' Hall. Mr Carson had come from the cottage for the Christmas celebration, and the Bates family was expected any minute too. And indeed, no sooner had the Molesleys finished to say hello to everyone, that another call echoed in the long hallway:
- Hello there!
It was Anna's cheerful voice, as she ushered her son along.
- Anna! Mr Bates! Hello, welcome back, beamed Mr Carson.
There was a happy and busy bustling around the servants' Hall and the kitchen, as everyone was getting ready for the servants' Christmas lunch. After having greeted everyone in the Hall, Anna went to the kitchen to say hello to Mrs Patmore and Daisy.
- Oh, hello Anna! exclaimed Mrs Patmore, her hands deep into some dish. How are you? And the little ones?
The formidable cook took a minute from her work to coo over little Elizabeth who was staring around, intrigued, from her mother's arms.
- How big she has become! beamed Mrs Patmore. Look at those chubby cheeks!
- And it's her birthday, too, pointed Daisy. I made a special birthday cake for her.
- Oh, that's so kind Daisy! You shouldn't have! replied Anna.
- Oh nonsense. Can't we spoil babies a little… argued the young cook.
- So, enjoying your last days in service? asked Anna.
With the start of the new year, Daisy and Andy, who had been married for a few months now, had decided to take over old Mr Mason's farm, the ageing man having more and more difficulties to handle the work by himself.
- Yes, said Daisy. I'll miss it though… No Mrs Patmore yelling at me throughout the day, she teased, shooting a crooked smile to her soon-to-be-former superior.
- Ah, ah, very funny Daisy, replied Mrs Patmore. Now would you bring all this to the table if you don't want me yelling at you right now!
Anna and Daisy laughed as the dark-haired assistant cook obeyed.
x x x x
- So, Beckie, how are the studies going? Are you settling fine in that school of yours? asked old Mr Mason to the teenager.
- Very well, thank you Sir, replied the young girl. I made good friends, and the teachers are very kind, overall. I'm very happy there.
- And she brought back an amazing first term report, added Mr Molesley, obviously glowing with pride at his foster daughter's academic achievements.
- Good for you, Beckie, praised Mrs Hughes.
Chatter was merry around the table, and everyone was enjoying Mrs Patmore's Christmas feast. Seizing a moment when there was a short lull in the conversation, Andy got up and called for the assembly's attention.
- Everyone, please, may I have your attention?
When the chatter had completely died down, he looked around, then back to his young wife, with a proud and loving gleam in his eyes.
- Daisy and I will soon be leaving service, and turning a new page of our life, in Yew Tree Farm. We want to thank everyone here at the Abbey who has been so kind to both of us over the years. We are very glad that Mr Mason would welcome us in his home, and to make our happiness complete, we are to be blessed with a baby in a few months' time.
Daisy turned scarlet as the cheers and congratulations erupted all around the table. Soon all men were shaking hands and patting the proud father-to-be's shoulder, and women were hugging Daisy and beaming over her. Mrs Patmore was outright crying, both over the baby's news and sadness of losing her assistant cook, who had come to be like a surrogate daughter to her over the years.
When the conversation had moved on, Mrs Hughes came to Anna and Phyllis and told them:
- Lady Mary has instructed me to have all the children gathered into the Great Hall at three o'clock sharp. I think there is to be some presents giveaway.
- Oh, really? God I hope she has not overdone it…, said Anna.
- I wouldn't be so sure… smirked the Housekeeper.
x x x x
Indeed at three o'clock, the Bates and Molesley families were welcomed in the Great Hall, at the foot of the usual gigantic Christmas tree, by their former employers, and the whole Grantham family. Tom Branson was there with Sybbie and Miss Lucy who was now his official fiancée, and the Hexhams had travelled from Scotland for the holidays too, with Marigold and their younger son, Philip. Happy greetings were exchanged once more, as everyone beamed over how the children had grown up on all sides. The Bates and Molesley children spend a fair amount of time gaping at the Christmas Tree, not used as they were to see such a rich display of lights and tinsel.
- Can we have our presents now, Mama? asked an impatient George tugging on his mother's sleeve.
Lady Mary broke from her lively chatter with Anna, and looked at her mother.
- Mama, should we start giving out the presents?
- Yes, let's, smiled Lady Grantham.
One by one, the children were called to the large table on which a pile of all-sized wrapped gifts were laid out. Each one, including Beckie, received a present, and a barley sugar to go with it. Soon the Great Hall was filled with happy exclamations and bits of wrapping paper lying around, as each child discovered their gift. Little Elizabeth was clutching to her new raggedy doll for dear life, looking over all the excitement from the safety of her father's arms, when Lady Mary accosted the Bateses once more, carrying a very fine-looking rocking-horse, adorned with a glittering bow.
- Happy birthday, Miss Elizabeth, said Lady Mary, handing out the second present to Anna.
- Oh, Milady, you shouldn't have! She's already got one present!
- Yes, but it is her birthday too! So she's entitled to a Christmas present, and a birthday one, stated the lady, admitting no argument. Anyway, this was in the nursery, and our children are too big for it now, so you might as well have it for yours.
- That's so very kind of you, Milady, thank you, beamed Anna.
Lady Mary answered with the usual warm smile that she spared for her former maid turned friend.
x x x x
Later that night, in the Molesleys' cottage, Phyllis was coming down from the boys' bedroom, to join her husband who was waiting for her in the sitting-room, with some hot tea.
- Are they all asleep? asked Joseph.
- The boys are. Joseph has gone to sleep clutching his wooden plane, I couldn't make him put it down.
Joseph senior laughed.
- If he is as determined as Beckie, we might end up with an aviator in the family.
- I wouldn't rule it out, agreed Phyllis. And Beckie is engrossed in her new Dickens novel. We will have to check on her when we go to bed, otherwise she's going to spend the whole night on it.
Both spent a moment in silence, quietly sipping their tea. Then Joseph looked up to Phyllis and smiled:
- I love those children Phyllis. I am very happy you came up with a family. I had never thought I'd get to be a father, but each day I thank God for bringing them with you in my home. I love them, and I love you.
Phyllis beamed at him, her eyes shining with happy tears.
- I love all of you too. So very much. Happy Christmas my dear.
- Happy Christmas, he replied, bending to her, until their lips softly touched.
x x x x
A few hundred yards from there, in the Grantham Arms, John was entering his bedroom, and smiled at the sight of his wife nursing his daughter. Anna looked up at the sound of his steps, and asked:
- Is Johnny asleep?
- Yes, I think the excitement of the day has worn him out. He wouldn't put down his little train though.
Anna chuckled.
- Liz only left her raggedy doll when she had to choose between her and my breast…
John came to sit on the edge of the bed next to Anna, and gently stroked the baby's head.
- She's so beautiful. You've given me such beautiful children my darling, I can never thank you enough…
- We made them together, pointed Anna. You're as much responsible for their good looks as I am.
She knew that John always took great pride of pointing that his children had got the best of their mother's features.
- Ah ah, as if, he laughed. Would you like it if we had one more child? he asked softly, putting an arm around Anna's shoulder.
Anna thought for a moment over his suggestion, as she unlatched Elizabeth who had fallen deeply asleep.
- I don't know. We'll have to see what life sees fit to give us. I'm not that young anymore. I'll be happy if it comes, but I'll be as happy with just those two.
John settled into bed as Anna went to the crib to put their daughter down for the night. When she was back into the bed, she snuggled into her husband's side, and started tickling his stomach, giving him a saucy look.
- So, Mr Bates, about that one more baby…
There we are, happy ever after for both Baxley and Banna! My job here is done, I hope you enjoyed the journey. Now I'll try and put an end to Breaking the Waves, and after that I'll start on Carry Each Other part 2. Thank you for reading, and don't hesitate to leave a little review. Cheers!