I'm glad you enjoyed the last part and I really had a blast with your guesses about what Harm got from Mac and his godsons. Some great ideas you had… and now it's time for you to find out… so here's the seventh part. Hope you like…
A Snowy Weekend – Part 7
Disclaimer - See part one for all important information
6:39 PM
Little AJ was the first one who lost interest in the book when the bedroom door opened and raised his head. With a wide grin he looked at his uncle before he quickly touched Mac's arm, trying to get her attention. "Auntie Mac look, Uncle Harm is back," AJ cried in excitement. Then he jumped up from the couch, ran to his uncle and gave him a bear hug.
Harm chuckled about the little boy's enthusiasm and took him into his arm. "So, what do you think? How do I look, buddy?"
"You look cool, Uncle Harm," Little AJ told him and then turned his head to look at his aunt. "Don't you think so, Auntie Mac?"
Harm followed his godson's gaze, looked at Mac and was greeted by her bright smile. She was still sitting on the couch with Jimmy in her lap. Mac was holding the book she was reading to the boys in her hands, but had stopped reading it as soon as she saw Harm coming out of the bedroom.
Mac grinned at the sight in front of her. Harm was wearing his Christmas gift from Little AJ and Jimmy, a soft flannel pajamas covered with candy canes and mistletoes. "Yes, AJ, I think he looks really cool," she answered and then looked into her partner's eyes. "It really suits you, Harm," she softly told him, trying to not laugh out loud. He looked so cute in these pajamas. Simply adorable.
"Yeah, I think so too," Harm replied with a smile and gave his older godson a hug. "Thanks for the early Christmas gift, AJ. I really love it."
"Do you like Auntie Mac's present too?" Little AJ asked in suspense before he continued. "Now you look perfect for the PJ party," he gladly said as his godfather set him down on his feet again.
Together they moved to the couch, where Harm kissed Jimmy's forehead. "Thanks, Jimmy. You and your big brother really have good taste." Then he turned to Mac and gave her a peck on the cheek. "And I love your gift too. Thank you, Mac. I always wanted to have one of these," he softly told her with a grin and pointed at the nightcap he was wearing. The flannel cap was just like the pajamas, covered with candy canes and mistletoes.
"I'm glad you like it. While we were buying our Christmas PJ's this morning, Little AJ saw this one and was sure it would be perfect for you. Then I saw the appending cap and knew I had to buy it too," she told him and slightly touched the fabric of his pajamas.
"Why don't we bathe the boys now so the rest of us can get ready for the party as well?" Harm submitted and took Jimmy out of Mac's embrace. "I already started to fill the tub and it should be done soon."
"Sounds like a plan," Mac answered and took Little AJ's hand in hers. Then they made their way to the bathroom.
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Mac's kitchen
7:23 PM
Harm was preparing some sandwiches for dinner, while Mac was still taking a shower. The boys were bathed and clad in their Christmas suits, waiting for their godparents in front of the fireplace.
Harm wanted to make something special for tonight and had created a little picnic place in front of Mac's fireplace. A rug was laid out and the light in the living room was coming from the blazing fire, the twinkling Christmas tree and a few candles he'd lit around the room. It was already pitch dark outside and just a few snowflakes were still falling down.
Harm took a quick glance to the living room, making sure the boys were okay. Little AJ sat at the window and watched the snowflakes dancing in the streetlight, while his little brother Jimmy was sitting on the rug, holding his 'best friend' Winnie the Pooh in his arms.
Harm was just filling their mugs with some fresh hot chocolate when he felt a light touch on his shoulder. "Do you need some help?" Mac softly asked from behind.
"No, all is done and ready for the picnic," Harm answered and slowly turned around to look at Mac. He gave her a bright smile. "You look beautiful, Mac. The pajamas look lovely on you."
Mac looked down at herself and blushed slightly. "Thank you," she quietly said before returning her gaze back to Harm. "Let's eat," she continued and took the plate with the sandwiches from the counter. "These look yummy, Harm."
"Thanks. I hope they taste good as well."
Soon they were all seated on the rug in front of the fireplace and enjoyed their sandwiches and hot chocolate. Jimmy was having some milk and scrambled eggs instead. They were having a blast with their picnic while making more plans for the rest of the weekend.
Little AJ most of all wanted to go sledding tomorrow and maybe even build a snowman.
"And what would you like to do when we're done with our picnic here?" Mac wanted to know and took another bite of her sandwich. "Any ideas?"
"Can we read 'The Night Before Christmas'?" Little AJ asked and looked at Mac before turning his gaze to Harm. "Oh, and maybe 'Frosty the Snowman'."
Harm and Mac laughed. "Why don't we start with 'The Night Before Christmas' and go from there?" Harm suggested and ruffled AJ's blonde hair.
"Okay," AJ answered and then looked at Mac with a glimmer in his eyes. "Can we do Smores too, Auntie Mac?"
Now it was Mac who ruffled his hair. "Let me check if I have the supplies for it, okay?" She replied and stood up to make her way to the kitchen.
Soon she came back into the living room. The smile on her face and the supplies in her hands showed Harm and the kids that they could go for it and make Smores in Mac's fireplace.
"Okay, I do have some gram-crackers, Hershey bars and marshmallows of course," Mac told them and laid the supplies down on the rug. "Now I just have to find something we can use as sticks."
"Do you have some wire hangers from the dry cleaners? That should do it," Harm suggested and Mac's smile gave him the answer.
"You bet I have," she voiced her answer and walked into the bedroom to get them.
A few minutes later they were preparing their Smores. Each of them took a gram-cracker and broke it in half, took half of a chocolate bar and placed it on top of the gram-cracker. Then they took two marshmallows and put them on their sticks. Harm had been right about the wire hangers. They just had to burn the paint off the tip and they could use them perfectly for making Smores. They roasted the marshmallows and then placed them on top of the chocolate before putting the other half of the gram cracker on top. Then they could pull the stick out. The marshmallow melts the chocolate and both would ooze out while they took their first bite. Together they had a lot of fun making and eating the Smores.
When they were done with the Smores and well-fed, Harm and Mac brought the dishes into the kitchen and filled the dishwasher. Then they refilled their mugs with some more cocoa and Jimmy's bottle with milk before walking back into the living room.
Harm gave Little AJ his mug before taking place on the rug again. He placed Jimmy in his lap and gave him his bottle.
Mac placed her mug on the coffee table and then walked to the entertainment center to turn off the CD player. Walking to the bookshelf, she looked through her library and finally found Clement C. Moore's masterwork 'The Night Before Christmas'. She smiled and joined Harm and the boys on the rug.
"If it's okay with you, I would like you to read the story for us," Mac told Harm softly and handed the book to him. Then she quietly added. "I love hearing your voice."
Harm smiled at her, nodded and took the book out of her grip. Mac took a place right next to him, shoulder to shoulder, and touched Jimmy's hand, which he'd outstretched to her. She kissed his fist before letting go of it again. Then she opened her arms so that Little AJ could lean on her.
Harm was holding the book so that Jimmy, Mac and Little AJ were able to see the pictures in it without any problem. "All ready?" Harm asked quietly.
"Yes," Mac and Little AJ whispered at the same time and Jimmy quickly followed with a nod of his head.
Harm nodded his head, cleared his throat and opened the book. Then he started to read slowly with a quiet and reserved voice, making several breaks so the boys could admire the pictures.
"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads;
And Mama in her 'kerchief and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap."
Harm stopped for a minute and looked at Mac and then at Little AJ. He'd changed his position a bit and his head was now lying in Mac's lap, but he was still able to look into the book. She was softly running her hand through his hair in a soothing manner. Harm turned his gaze back to Mac and looked deeply into her eyes. He was greeted by a soft smile, which Harm returned in all eagerness. Then he gently kissed her forehead before returning his attention to the book and continued to read the rest of the story.
It didn't take long for Jimmy to fall asleep in his uncle's arms, and it seemed like his big brother would follow him soon into dreamland. More and more he was yawning while listening anxiously to the story his uncle was reading. It'd been a long day for them. A day full of adventure, excitement, laughter and happiness.
"Happy Christmas to all. And to all a good-night," Harm ended the story, closed the book and put it on the coffee table.
"They are out like a light," Mac commented in a whisper and looked down at AJ and then at Jimmy, who was still held safely in his uncle's arms. "We should take them to bed. It has been a long day for them."
"Just like it has for us. Maybe we should call it a night too," Harm suggest and slowly stood up.
"If you're tired, Harm. But if not, then we maybe could work some more on your files. The more we get done today, the less we have to think about it tomorrow."
Harm smiled at her and nodded his head. "I would love that."
"So it's a deal."
TBC…?