A new life in a better way by Soña Binzarmet.
Chapter 8: Christmas, parody, gifts and departure.
Hello everyone, this is a new chapter quite different. I hope you will like it.
Read, review, tell me and take care. With all my love: Soña.
Again I do not own these characters that belong to Margaret Mitchell and Alexandra Ripley.
Harriet was doing a nap when Ashley, Beau and Billy welcomed the Beenten and the Butler for the tea in the New Oaks. The family had arrived from Atlanta early in the morning.
Sensitive to Scarlett's laments and supplications, Pauline and Eulalie finally decided to join everybody at the last second. In , they didn't want to spend Christmas times alone.
Eleanor had came by the last train of the afternoon yesterday in Jonesboro.
Alone, because Ross and Margaret were in Margaret's family for the holidays and Rosemary had definitely moved to Valdosta with the Salazar, her wedding will take place in Valdosta in March.
Waiting for it, she stayed in her pen friend's home, Mrs Rachel Glean a widow of the war which was raising Justine, her only child and Isabella best friend. The two women were noticeably from the same age and cared for each other.
Ross, in a letter addressed to her older brother in Tara's did mention on his wish with his wife to found a family but Margaret couldn't carry babies. So together, they decided to adopt orphans.
Rhett was happy for his brother and his spouse and so was Scarlett. Children were the life!
In more, this adoption was a surprise for Eleanor. She was a so great grandmother!
"Have you a good time in Jonesboro yesterday?" questioned Beau at his cousin.
"Yes Beau, I have."
The boys went on speaking in another piece of the home without grown up to see them.
The girls followed them with as much discretion they were able to show.
In fact he was the proudest grandson, endorsing the responsibility to fetch for his Granny at the station. Rhett had let him take the buggy and go to Jonesboro like a man taking with him his cousins, his sisters and of course Andromeda with her parents agreement.
The fact was not the girls were close fitting as glue but this time they wanted to go with them cause of the Christmas gift. Soon he wills temporary change Tara's stable in Santa's secretly place.
Must I mention the fact the buggy was taking as a donkey with such much people and pound?
Or is it superfluous?
In more than that the freight included some secrets things for the C.S.P.F.C!
Wade Hampton had same succeeded to convince Andromeda to participate at it!
It was hard because she was shy because the project another female presence.
Nevertheless, you can notice it was not girls who miss in the story!
Tara's children had very closely and regularly correspond with Beau and Billy for it.
They were included in it too.
Scarlett, Rhett, had ran too two or three times in Jonesboro without the kids. They wanted give to them the perfect Christmas. They had dissimulated their gifts in the armoury of their room.
Classical but very efficient!
"Harriett, you seem to be so cheerful and a so good health for an excepting woman." said joyfully Scarlett seeing the radiant face of Ashley's wife when she finally wake up of her little nap.
"Well I do my best for it but I will not cry when the pregnancy will be over!"
In Europe, speaking of the future new born was not shocking at all and Scarlett and Harriett had keep this use from when she lived on the other side of the ocean.
Ashley sat down on his smart sofa cleared one's throat a little embarrassed.
The conservation went on:
"How long it's stay before the birth?"
"It's for early February."
"It's great; you're able to share Christmas with us."
"Yes, I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world."
Suellen interrupted them and turned the conversation about Christmas's eve and new Years' eve preparation.
The women jointly decided to do the first together in Tara and the other in the New Oaks.
After half hour, the two sisters decided to leave and went in the garden checking for their respective progenies.
Tara's was so well decorated, garland multicoloured, rolls solidly hung on the fir Christmas's tree.
Candles shinning around each pieces of the home so full of love.
Before the start of the diner, Eulalie insisted to pronounce the usual graces and prayers.
So everyone, inclined their heads listening respectfully Pauline addressed the prayers to God.
"Amen!" chorused and concluded everybody.
"Congratulations Scarlett, your youngest daughter knows perfectly her prayers and so know the older. Ellen, for sure will be pride of you, my dear."
Scarlett addressing a smile to her Aunts chuckled to herself.
Indeed she wasn't very deserving concerning Cat's religious education but her cousin was.
"Thank you Colum." she whispered at Rhett's ears now obliged to control and dissimulate his laughter.
Before the prayers Scarlett had already some brand and took by surprise she must improvised hiding her brand on Rhett's knees. As Rhett, Colum will enjoy this if he could be here. She missed him much and though many times of him.
Of course she was still in touch with Kathleen and Kevin in Dunsany.
More Christmas coming soon, more all of the children requested very strange things.
And it wasn't technical to guess what Santa's will bring to them.
By example Wade asked an old curtain Suellen doesn't need anymore.
Ella desired ironwork and the permission to borrow and use the sewing-machine in the old pigsty.
"Well, if you want said Suellen for once but I don't understand why you want to occupy the old pigsty. The new one looks more fresh and hospitable. Isn't it?"
"Relax Ella, be cool! She's agreeing!" though in herself the impulsive teenager.
Suellen was still in shock to observe the defying look Ella offered at her every time she became too much nasty.
Fortunately, it wasn't everyday. The middle O'Hara's sister noticed with stupefaction her older niece could have the same killer look as her mother when she wanted it. It was just the colour's eyes who changed. She was also astonished of Scarlett's complicity with her children.
"Sure, it's so that the pigs had already took the place. So I will very well comfortable with the old one."
Cat and Jane asked if she could borrow some ribbons. Scarlett let them choose the five they liked the most.
Susie and Martha was in charge to collect some hairs of Tara's animal which was susceptible to have the same colour than Uncle Rhett's moustache and charged too to verify everyday if some compromising papers wasn't find by the adults.
Adults who finding hard to raise children and teenagers during the period just before Christmas.
They were so excited and strange.
Rhett had surprising Cat speaking to her pictures saying she hoped be able to cope well and the others too.
"What's the devil are you talking about?" asked her father.
"Nothing, my sister and I keep our secret. Silly things not very important."
"I see, I see." be content to say Rhett making know to her daughter she could speak to alive people if she had problems.
They spending their whole time in the old but pigsty which was more little but cleaner than the new one occupied by the pigs.
They did a big noise with hammer and nail in constant effervescence.
Today was 24th December 1880.
All the guys were doing a lot of commotion in the farm, always transporting useless objects and clothes.
Of course without the parents could understand why! Same Andromeda looked more worried and excited than usual.
"Ella, have you seen your blue hair slides? You promise me I could have them for the C.S.P.F.C!
"What an elephant memory this girl. You can take them in our table bed head."
"Sure, I take them? The blue ribbons you have last month for your birthday in your friend Evelyn's home?"
"Sure. I promise you sweetheart. Take the ribbons and hide them in the place you know."
The Wilkes just joined Beenten's and Butler family on the ancient O'Hara plantation with the Kilevan.
Beau and Billy had took too the way of the old pigsty saying hello to Wade and the girls.
Looked all around them, they said to Andromeda: "You can go bring everybody here now."
"As it was planned!"
The blond blue yelled teenager was carrying an enormous wool shawl over her costume and the shawl was hiding the least.
"Hello everybody, how are you?"
"Well fine. We didn't know you're here. What's the matter?" asked Suellen Beenten.
"Every one of us is waiting fore everybody in the old pigsty around half hour when you'll finish your cup of tea."
"What happens in the old pigsty?" said an intrigued Will
"Nothing very important but something you must see." said mysteriously Andromeda.
Going back the old pigsty, Andromeda confirmed that they will come as soon tea's party will be over.
So during, this half hour, Andromeda played hairdresser, dresser and put make up to everyone including herself.
She was anxious and on nerves for once.
"What the hell I'm doing here with you? Wade, your tie is not well knot and Ella please can you do an effort for not crying!"
"Yes, I promise I will not cry anymore but I think I will need another make up session."
"Yes I think so. Damage, the make up is not waterproof one!"
Author's note
I perfectly know waterproof didn't excite on this time but I found the anachronism quite funny and you?
End of author's note
"And excuse me too Cat but you look so much like her. I didn't remark it before. I don't want to compare but..."
"It's all right Ella, I know everybody miss her. You're excused. I know you love me for what I' am and loved her for what she was. And it's the same for Wade and for the parents."
The two sisters held each other. Wade succeeded to smile but a few little Ella had terribly truth.
Andromeda was indulgent understanding Ella's tears. By Wade, she knows the story relative to Cat's character.
She quickly did again Ella's make up. Just on time!
"Look, they arrive. Is everyone is ready. Andromeda wait everybody is on their sits and then says to Martha and Jane to do their entrance."
Just after the tea, the adults did as Andromeda said to them; the adults took the direction of the old pigsty.
Harriett clamped Ashley's arms. All wondered what the children had prepared to them.
"Oh I understand now why they needed a curtain." said Scarlett.
"It seems to be a stage. Isn't it?" placed Ashley.
"Yes I think so;" replaced Rhett.
"What were they up to?" said Suellen.
"Let see!" contested Harriett.
Eulalie and Pauline was a little frightened because they never been to pigsty before same it's were very proper and clean.
The Kilevan were saying that children having a so much imagination.
Will was content to smile silently.
Eleanor did remark the chairs the children had placed having their names.
So everyone join at least their site.
The show called Children' secret parody for Christmas could start.
In backstage Andromeda hit three times like in a true theatre.
Silent took place in the audience.
Martha and her younger sister Jane could do their entrance and their speech in their most smart dresses.
Martha: "Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Children' secret parody show for Christmas."
Jane: "Our entire artist hard worked hard to present this work.
The both: "And we hope you'll like it."
Martha: "Don't be hurt by what you going to see."
Jane: "These little but fun interpretation of yourself is not for mocking you."
"Jane: "In a fact a little but not too much!"
"Martha: "Shhhhhhhhhhh. It's a secret!" (Laughs in the audience!)
Both: "Of course we're only joking!" (Volunteers embarrassed smiles of the girls.)
Jane: "The first sketch is called: "Ashley, Melanie and Harriett".
Martha: "With Beau as Ashley, Ella as Melanie and Susie as Harriett."
Ashley in the audience: "Oh my God!" He was amused and surprised.
Harriett in the audience (too) quite amused: "Let's see this performance!"
Both girls: "ENJOY!"
Lutie and Pansy have been requisitioned as prop women for the occasion.
So they installed two chairs and one table.
Melanie and Harriett so acted by Ella and Susie were arriving running and singing happily in front on the stage.
Ella-Melanie and Susie-Harriett did the turn of the table distributing kisses with sign of their hands at the audience. They smiled blissfully:
The both: WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS (normal version), WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS (diva's version), WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS (very out of tune). AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!! (with a high pitched female voice first and then with a deep masculine one.)
Audience laughed.
Both did again a turn of the table before to sit breaking up ridiculously on their chairs.
The both: "I'M SO EXHAUSTED!"
Ella-Melanie: "The day was long dear friend!"
Susie-Harriett: "Long and intense, darling" she completed.
Ella-Melanie: "Sorry did däarlingg instead of darling?"
Susie-Harriett: "No I don't think so but you must have say darrrrling instead of darling! Hadn't You?"
Both and quick to herself: "That's little of importance in any case!"
Susie-Harriett: "After all, accents are meaning so few."
Ella-Melanie: "Yes, you're right Harriett and I'm too exhausted to discuss about it, right now."
Susie-Harriett: I'm sure someone we know very well he is not tired for a bit."
Both with a shrew voices: "Of course Ashley, you're not looking very tired. Are you?"
Beau-Ashley with full packets in arms and on his back bend and an ill looking arrived on the right side on the stage.
Beau-Ashley: "Of course I'm not! Can you tell me where I can put your entire Christmas gift?"
Ella-Melanie: "So tell me everything about you. You come from England, is that right?"
Susie-Harriett: "Yes, I was servant in the castle of a count!!"
Ella-Melanie visibly very charmed and interested: "Really? Tell me please!"
Susie-Harriett: "Well it was lovely! English are so charming and...."
Beau-Ashley: "Where can I put..."
S.H and E.M rapidly and together.
S.H: "On the top!"
E.M: "On the bottom."
B.A: "On the center?"
E.M and S.H again rapidly and together.
E.M: "No, more on the left please!"
S.H: "No, more on the right please!"
B.A: "For the love of God, choose where and tell me but don't let me with all that in hands. I will have misery in my back!"
The both with a strong sound of voices: "Ashley, you already have misery in your back!"
S.H: "It's just an excuse..."
E. M: "To not help us to Christmas's gift preparation!"
The both: "SCANDALOUS!"
B.A: You're maybe truth but I need to know where I have to put all this."
E.M and S.H: "SHHHHHHHHHHHHH Ashley."
S.H: "In England, we drink six cups of tea by day."
E.M: "It's sounds very interesting. I want to know everything about tea. True, it comes from China?"
B. A: Normally tea is my passion but I really need to interrupt your talk to know where I'm putting the gifts!"
The two women looked each other and finally said:
The both: "Finally, in the center it will be really perfect. Could you...?"
B.A with a contract smile: "You know well I will do because everything I do... I do it for you!"
Author's note
I know it is the name of an American or English song. Was or is a Hit? What is the exact title? Name of the singer? It will be great if you contest to me in a review. By advance: thanks you very much!"End of author's note
The both: "O.K Ashley."
B.A: "So you don't mind if I go to the sawmills right now? I will bring Beau and Billy when I'll be back."
The two women without sound going go on speaking between hers. B.A was mouth gapping.
B.A: "So I'd better leave you dears. I hadn't just a chair to sit down."
E.M: "So what about these famous English dresses?"
Jane: arrived on stage and roared:
Jane: "Quitting time!"
So Beau, Ella and Susie obeyed and joined the backstage after having saluted the audience who applauding.
Jane: "Thanks you very much, guys. Now as you could have heard, Ashley is going to his sawmills to work with Scarlett." "
B.A, his head passing weakly of the curtain: "So we hope you will enjoy this new sketch called: "Ashley, Scarlett and the sawmills."
Jane: "Ashley is always acting by Beau; Scarlett is acting by miss Andromeda Hermione Kilevan. Let them perform!"
For this sketch, nothing objects on stage but only the two players who mimed the necessary movement to cut up woods.
During this, everyone couldn't stop their laughs.
Andromeda-Scarlett: "The business is good this time!"
B.A: "It's seems to be Scarlett!"
A.S: "I congratulate myself to have the idea of the sawmills!"
B.A: "It compensate with the handicap you have to come of an inferior plantation to the 12 Oaks."
A.S with a very hurt sound of voice: "Tara is very superior to your 12 Oaks!"
B.A: "Not at all, you're terribly wrong!"
A.S: "Yes it is! YOU have terribly wrong."
B.A: "No!"
A.S: "Yes!"
B.A: "No!"
A.S: "Yes!"
(All this 2 times with crisis of laughs from the audience.)
Martha entrance:
Martha: "Quitting time! We don't want a big fight right here."
Martha: "Better work thank speak because when you work you have less time to argue."
Jane's head behind the curtain: "Stop it; it looked like an idiot philosophical publicity for laundry!"
Again anachronism I know!
Martha: "So O.K I stop it. Go on with the next sketch called "Scarlett, Rhett and the girls. Scarlett is played by Andromeda, Rhett by Wade, Eleanor by Ella and then surprise! Enjoy!"
Pansy and Lutie leaded up an old bed on the stage. Soon after it, A.S and W.Rhett did their entrance on stage.
A.S distorted the brown coverage and set up in it. The sketch could begin.
A.S came of the mattress a doll baby. She smiled and so did Rhett followed by the audience.
A.S: "Isn't our little daughter pretty?"
W.R: "For sure, she's. How do think we'll call her.
A.S: "I don't know, Rhett."
W.R: "Bonnie Blue Butler."
A.S: "Ok, it's a nice name!"
The players roared with laughter which could difficulty dissimulate to an audience contaminated of laughs.
A.S played a bad look. W.R smiled between his false moustache with brown horse's hairs.
W.R: "Don't play the outraged person with me. You just have a baby and you need some rest so you can't go outside."
S.A: "Rhett I said I will, useless to discuss.
W.R: "On the contrary is useful."
S.A: "It isn't!"
W.R: "It is!"
They looked each other with furor's eyes.
Each one turned their heads on the opposite side from the other.
They clamped teethes meaning the waiting. Audience laughing and above all Rhett and Scarlett.
The both: "I got a plan!"
A.S: "Eureka I find a luminous idea!"
W.R: "Fiddle dee dee. You, a luminous idea since how many time? I didn't notice that my wife."
A.S didn't care of what W.R was saying, she was already howling:
A.S: "MMMMMMMMMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis EEEEEEEEELLLLLLLEEEEEEEANNNOOORR!"
W.R (supplicating voice): NO Scarlett, please not call my mother."
On this moment Ella disguising in her Grandma arrived on stage.
With her grey umbrella hit him on his back.
"Will you let Scarlett in peace? Let her do what she wants!"
She added:
E.E: "You're not a gentleman. It looks you're raised in a miserable farm!"
W.R: "But I want to be sure she's not tired too much!"
E.E and A.S: "But it's you who tired us, Rhett!"
W.R: "But Momma darling don't be mad at me, please (on knee).
The both women: "Don't be silly, you will find a way to wake up Bonnie!"
Cat disguising in her big sister did her entrance on stage:
C.B: "Someone is speaking about me?"
Rhett and Scarlett with eyes out of orbit and it was the same for Rhett and Scarlett's players on stage.
W.B: "It's you Bonnie? But you're four years advancing!"
A.S: "Yes darling, it's not very convenient!"
E.E: "Will you prefer she will be late?"
C.B: "Yes, will you prefer I'm late? I'm a so charging timetable. Riding, Riding, Riding and Riding"
A.S, W.R and E.E: "Of course not!"
C.B: "Momma, you're looking upset, what's happens?"
A.S: "It's happens your father just let me take care about you. I love it but it's too few I'm boring!"
C.B: "Oh true, it's me here in your arms. I'm so little, it's not me, its mini me! May I hold myself?"
A.S: "Yes, if you want!" said her giving the baby doll to the girl with took it just by his back.
W.R: "Be careful Bonnie with your self. Your head!
C.B: "Ok Daddy." (She put the baby right it needed.)
A.S to herself: "I'm boring at stiff! If only I knew my life was gonna be this way after having baby I will prefer my love life D.O.A (dead on arrival!) "
W.R: "I only want to be sure you're safe and O.K."
E.E: "Rhett go on to keep only of your business!"
W.R: "Momma, be reasonable!"
E.E: "And you; be quiet! You made me on nerves."
Suddenly she took a brush and decided to pursue him.
W.R: "Momma, you really worried me!"
She did the turn of the scenic space. W.R jumped over Scarlett's bed and so did E.E with audience applauding.
Cat-Bonnie Blue was sitting on Scarlett's bed in the left. Androméda-Scarlett seized on a piece of paper and a pen.
Ella-Eleanor and Wade-Rhett stopped so their runs and their jumps.
The both: "Scarlett, what are you doing, for the love of God?"
A.S: "It's evidence, like I'm boring, I'm yet working about the next baby."
Jane in Cat did at her turn her stage entrance.
J.C: "Someone was speaking about me?"
Rhett and Scarlett on stage:
The both: "And this one is five years advancing!"
A.S: "Fiddle dee dee. Incredible!"
W.R: "It's a Tempporal revolution!"
W.R and A.S: "Little rebels!"
The girls: "GGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTT!"
Bonnie Cat and Cat Susie began to interpret military music turned around Rhett-Wade
A.S: "I don't need a revolution. I find the key. For the next baby I will act as I will do a nap and then with the sheets, I made a rope and like that I will can escape and go to tea with Melanie and Harriett!"
W.R: "You will never dare this, my pet!"
A.S: "I'm not your pet. You want to bet?"
E.E: "Splendid idea, angel!"
A.S: "Now, get out everybody."
W.R: "Why Scarlett?"
E.E: "Because she said it. Execution! Girls come with us!"
The girls (Charlie's angel's version): "Goodbye Mommy!"
A.S: Goodbye everyone.
The girls, W.R and E.E left the stage.
W.R (behind the curtains: Is Bonnie had take Bonnie with her? Yes it's seems she have! Bonnie where are you?"
A.S in her bed with a wink at the audience:
A.S: "I've a nap to do!"
Audience crumbled with laugths pounds.
Scarlett murmured at Rhett ears how it could be possible the children guess she really had did what they were saying on stage. Rhett was unable to believe this story same it was perfectly Scarlett's style.
Martha arrived.
Martha whispering: "Auntie Scarlett is sleeping so silently see the last sketch called "Pillow problems!"
The bed was still on stage but other people occupied it: Billy and Susie as Will and Sue.
The both were installed in it:
B.W: "Today looks like a great day. Isn't it Suellen?"
S.Suellen: "Yes it is."
S.Suellen gets out of the bed and shake out her pillow.
Big problem the pillow was broken and white plucks invaded the stage.
Laughs on the audience.
B.W: "S.O.S: AN ATTACK! Suellen, where are you? I can' see you?"
S.Suellen: "I HATE PLUCKS!"
Suddenly S.Suellen barrelled Dallas generic song! Another anachronism! Burst of laughter of the audience.
W.R: "Suellen: Are you drunk?"
S.Suellen: No Will darling I sing it just because what's happening is J.R!
B.W: "J.R? What's that is meaning, you're speaking as the girls, with an incomprehensible way!"
S.Suellen: "J.R as Jovially Romantic!"
B.W: "Jovially Romantic! Really? You'll go to see!"
B.W engaged a pillows battle:
B.W: "Take that!"
S.Suellen: "You too!..... Oops I wanted to say U2!"
Both going on their battle.
Martha and Jane arrived on stage: "Quitting time!"
Jane: "Stop act as child and come to join us!"
Martha: "To salute with the others players our dear audience!"
The both: "The show is over now I hope you had enjoyed it!"
Jane: "Let's welcome the others performers!"
Susie: "Wade as Rhett."
Billy: "Andromeda as Scarlett."
Martha: Cat as Bonnie."
Wade: "Ella as Melanie and Eleanor."
Andromeda: "Beau as Billy."
Martha: "Jane was the presenter assistant and Cat"
Jane: And to conclude Martha was the principal presenter."
Everyone: "Thanks you very much everybody!"
Applauding of the audience and final salutation of the actors after having singing finally "Jingle beels Bells".
After Andromeda removed the make up everyone went to Tara's living room to eat a cup of cacaos.
Of course everyone commented the artistic performances of the actors.
"What a surprise." said Suellen.
"Really charming!" added Eleanor.
"Lovely idea!" completed Scarlett.
"A little too dare maybe?" asked Eulalie and Pauline.
"So much fun!" replaced Rhett. That was the sentence which resumed perfectly each of one thought.
The man was surprised by the humour sense of Scarlett; the Scarlett he knew before would hate this parody but right now she was joking about the scene between her and Ashley in the sawmill, saying too that the sketch of Bonnie's birth was very excellent. Indeed it was the first time she laughing thinking at her middle daughter instead of crying. It was better.
By the way was it true, she escaped of her bed after Cat's birth? wondered Rhett.
The Kilevan took leave of and went celebrated Christmas in family and privacy. Wade was impatient to be tomorrow in order to see if Andromeda will love his gift for her.
"I hope is not yet a ring engagement." had said Scarlett with a humoristic voice when her son came to see her for speaking about Andromeda present.
"No, not yet but soon!" had contested Wade, given tit for tat.
The New Year's Eve was a success. The soup was delicious, so was the turkey, the potatoes, the salad and the foie grras
Rhett made come from France.
Like wanted the American Tradition, the children were authorised to look at their socks once Midnight.
Of course, the gifts were put a long time before in front of the Christmas three.
Now it was eleven and teenagers and children were excited. To make patient them, everyone sang Christmas song.
Ella usually complained about Tara's piano put out of tune same if like her regretted Aunt she could do miracle with it but not this time. Christmas's respite! So she interpreted Joy to the world, White Christmas, Jingle Bells, Holy Night, Silent night, Hallelujah Chorus, Must be Santa, In Excilis Gloria, etc.
"Lalalalalalalala Lalalalalala " chorused everyone whereas they joined their room, going upstairs with a candle in sign of joy, happiness and hope for everybody, whereas the Wilkes joined the New Oaks in their carriage.
Of course, the candle were too for everyone could go to sleep safety seeing something in the dark.
The lamp just cease to burn.
Before, Scarlett valued to respect the Irish tradition wanting that the youngest child of the house put a candle in the biggest window on Christmas's eve. Jane wanted absolutely did it but Cat was the youngest from one year.
Nicely, she invited her cousin to do it with her. What Jane accepted and so what they done.
"Midnight children, you can open just a gift in the sock." said the adults.
Jane received a Christmas sugar cane.
Martha: Beautiful red mitten
Susie: warn and comfortable slipper.
Cat: Christmas sugar cane too.
Ella: grey-blue gloves.
Wade: A black cape for going outside "and especially to see Andromeda." Laughed together Ella and Cat.
Beau: white shirt "for going to BAL and courting girl" joking Harriett with an affectionate sound of voice.
They all said how much they loved their gift.
"And it's just the starting! You will see the others presents tomorrow!" announced Rhett.
"Now Christmas song!" announced Will.
Since 2am O'clock, the house resounded of all Christmas song hits interpreted by Ella and followed by the others.
"Rhett, have you forgiven one thing in the living room?" Scarlett said once they were in their room when she noticed Rhett didn't change his costume for his night clothes.
"Not at all my pet, I have something to do for tomorrow morning. Give me a favour darling: be on the look out. If someone get out of his room, please whistle."
"All right Rhett but can I know what you are fabricating with this stupid red yarn?"
"Yes, you can know but not until tomorrow morning." he laughed.
He, silently and stealthily get out of the room.
Near the Christmas tree, he fixed a cardboard named after Ella on the first extremity of the yarn and from the other an envelop. He arranged the long yarn so that he brilliantly elaborated a little track game.
Then, he came back in his room without a word but with a smile of satisfaction.
25th December: On Daybreak.
Rhett, Scarlett, Suellen, Will, Eleanor, Eulalie and Pauline sacrificed a good night sleep to wake up teenagers and children for the traditional ceremony of Christmas gift opening.
Suellen became overcast to hit at every rooms, saying:
"It's 6:30 am: Unless you prefer sleep, you're authored to open your gifts!"
Useless to say, it was stampede from Tara's stairs since the living room and the full of gifts Christmas tree.
Suellen has a beautiful necklace from Will, a smart feminine coat from Scarlett, a notebook and a little painting by and from her daughter.
Will: two trousers. One for the field, the other for the city when he will be in Covington. A costing knife by the Butler family.
Rhett: a tie from Will and Sue, a gold cover for his cigars from Scarlett, a smart clock from all his children, elegant shoes by his mom, a costume by Ross and Rosemary. "I'm too spoiled!"he said.
Scarlett received parings and ears ring, perfume and writing papers. "It's so lovely." She commented.
Eulalie and Pauline had two very feminine clock and gloves to go in high Savannah society. "So adorable!" they exclaimed.
Eleanor presents were bracelet, writing paper too and a hat. "Charming!" was her comment.
In the socks, teenagers and children found biscuit, sugar cane again and coin of money.
Wade's present were: a costume, a pocket watch with his initials W.H.H, money and a new saddle for Simpson.
Will offer symbolically Tara's keys in a packet with his words: "For you because I'm sure one day you will take over it!"
Ella has perfume, partitions of Mozart and Tango by her parents, slides and silk girdle by Eulalie and Pauline and her first Bal dress by her Granny. This one was all in silk incrusting with gem.
The packet conteined a letter: "To my beautiful older of my granddaughters. This year to come will be important for you, music academy and first bal. A little clothe for it. I hope you'll enjoy. With all my love: you devoted Grandmother."
Ella rushed towards Eleanor thanked her at less hundreds of time saying the dress was beautiful. "That's nothing!"
Ella looked the three Charlestonians women: "You arranged this plan together! Both of your gifts are in silk!"
The women laughed.
Susie received a charming pen and winter dress by Will and Sue and her first ear ring by Scarlett and Rhett. Painting by Eulalie and Pauline.
Martha was very happy with her cook guide specialized in desert and a duvet for her bed.
Jane wanted absolutely have a new winter dress and she got it with her first porcelain doll and ribbons.
Cat got a splendid winter dress too with two lovely bracelet and paintings.
The Beenten got too a dog Saint Bernard they named "Ulysse!"
They got too a telephone like had Eleanor and the Butler. Eulalie and Pauline planned to have one too.
"What that?" exclaimed Ella seeing her name on the cardboard. She began to drag the yarn still Suellen and daughters laughter. The others were too surprised and took in the suspense to laugh.
"Oh a letter!"She opened it.
"Dear Ella, I'm sorry to say that your main gift is not here. You'll get it once in your new home in Atlanta. I love you so much my lovely daughter. So turn the letter and see. Overleaf, Rhett had stuck the picture of the big piano he bought for Ella.
"Is it what I believe?" she said shyly.
"If you think that is your future own piano it's what you think."
She hurled on Rhett's arms. "My dream, my own piano, my dream for always! Thank you I love you."
Rhett was so much rewarded by Ella's reaction.
"That's nothing, just promise me you'll play for me everyday!" he laughed then he observed intrigued faces of Jane and Cat. He suddenly understood.
"You must thank Santa's after all the piano is his gift!" he winked. The faces of Cat and Jane looked much better.
Everyone was happy.
The afternoon after have eaten a delicious meal, they went to the new Oaks to provided the gifts to the Wilkes.
It was wine, porcelain service, cigars and books for Ashley and Harriett. Cow boys and Indians disguising for Billy, books too for Beau.
The Wilkes offered books, clothes and fruit from the ancient plantation to each of their guess. They offered to themselves telephone too. So they picked out the others phone numbers. Harriett tidiness noted it on her new black notebook she just received by Beau and Billy. "Merry Christmas everybody" said everyone.
"Suellen, can you copy Ashley and Harriett numbers (Atlanta and the New Oaks). I haven't my note book here and I count about recopy it in Tara later when we will be back just before dinner.
"It's already done Scarlett."
Coming back in Tara, they enjoyed the season, waiting now for the New Year. 1880 was dying now.
So waiting for it, Cat was with her brother in the wood riding Simpson.
Ella, conscientious did her school essay about the following theme: "Brother and sister relationship."
Knowing by heart the subject, she hoped to have for once except in Maths, an excellent mark.
She also studied her Bach, Chopin and Mozart partitions.
The Beenten girls played between hers at dolls.
Passage from 1880 to 1881 was a total success. The party in the New Oaks was great.
Same Harriett looked up to scratch. She same dared a little cup of champagne!
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" said everybody once Midnight.
The euphoria of the seasons let away now.
The Kilevan prepared the packages and Wade was blue.
Coming back from the Oaks Christmas day, he had offered the necklace to Andromeda.
She offered him a wonderful white jacket.
Henry and Adeline let them in front of the Christmas tree alone.
The teenagers thanked each other for their mutual gifts and then joining their lips they kissed.
« Do re mi fa sol la si do » teaching Ella to her little sister who wanted absolutely do the same as her.
Ella was pride of it.
"Ok I understand. Let me do it now!"
Cat overjoyed succeeded.
4th January.
In two days, Rhett, Wade and Scarlett will move to Atlanta for good.
But for now, it was Kilevan departure.
Andromeda in the carriage, Wade outside, the young man holding his girlfriend arm.
"I will write and telephone to you."
"Me too Wade!"
And she whispered:
"I love you!"
At his turn to say:
"Me too!"
The cabby installed Henry and Adeline and joined his place ready to go.
"Please wait!" said the girl.
She leaned over Wade and kissed him who gave back her kiss.
On the dumbfound but indulgent eyes of the parents.
The cabby clapped the reindeer, the carriage could go.
Andromeda looked behind her, looked Wade during the entire alley.
The carriage disappeared behind the dust fumy.
Wade didn't want to cry.
He will do like he as planned.
He had promise to his mother he will be strong; he never let Tara's dying.
After all it was just a question of 2 or 3 years. And what's that in a complete life?
Everyone after had saying goodbye returned to Tara, Wade, the first on the way.
"Wade, I'm so proud of you" murmured Scarlett.
She collected herself after all packages still waited for her.
It was too Suellen and Will occupation.
They, too, will move late January.
End of chapter 7: Free to review, to send suggestions!
Did you like this chapter? With all my love: Soña.