Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 4, Page 36

The Christmas pageant was quite the success and the town was definitely in the holiday spirit! As the people left to go to their homes, Dee, Nathan, Bill, Molly, Elizabeth, Sam, Rick, and Mary all stayed to have a few minutes to relax before they cleaned up.

"Well that went well!" Elizabeth commented happily. "The children were on their best behavior except for a few angels."

"I noticed we had a few angels with their halos on crooked." Sam laughed.

Nathan looked over at Mary, "It is great to see you here with us today Mrs. O'Neill." Nathan smiled warmly.

"Thank you, I felt that I needed to be out of the house and join in with other people again. Rick was quite willing to bring me with him when he rode into town. I was hoping Sean would join us, but he's not quite ready." Mary sighed.

"Your help today was deeply appreciated!" Molly replied thankfully.

Looking over at Dee, Bill commented, "Dee, your solo of "Oh Holy Night" was incredible. I really enjoyed it!"

Nathan walked over by Dee and putting his arm around her gave her a kiss on her forehead and said, "I totally agree with Bill. You were stunning!"

"All of the pageant was top notch," Molly agreed, "and then to have Carson back home was the frosting on the cake! I noticed they left soon after he walked in."

Everyone laughed. "So, I guess we better do the same thing and clean up so we can go home and relax." Nathan winked at Dee.

Rosemary and Lee had to take Paul back to the Orphanage and he didn't want to go, but they told him that when they came to get him next weekend, he could stay longer with school out. This way they could spend Christmas together. Paul had his teddy bear with him and he named the teddy, Ralph. Rosemary and Lee gave Paul, and Ralph too, a big, long hug and promised they'd be back.

As they rode off Rosemary asked Lee, "For Christmas, what should we get Paul? Do you think he'd like a train? Or a wagon? Maybe a scooter?"

"Whoa, honey, what do you say, we go shopping together right now. We can take time to check out Union City and stop for dinner. I'd love to show off my favorite girl!" Lee was scoring points and he knew it!

"Oh, Lee you rascal, you sure know how to make your lady happy, don't you?"

Ned and Flo were glad to go home and put their feet up. The rush of the season kept them so busy that Sunday was their only day off this week. It was catching up with them both and they enjoyed a nice nap snuggled on the sofa in front of the fire, even if they weren't planning on it.

Pastor Joseph, Minnie, Angela, and Cooper were back home and enjoying a hearty late lunch. They were all very happy with the pageant too and Cooper especially was proud of his drummer boy part. "I really like John, he has helped me learn drums and they are so fun to play!"

"You did just fine Cooper!" Minnie stopped eating and looked at her son. "I'm so proud of you."

Cooper grinned from ear to ear and said, "Shucks, it was nothing big."

"It goes without saying, how lovely your piano playing was today Angela!" Joseph beamed. "Your Ma and I are very lucky to have you as our daughter!"

"Thanks! I think the choirs did wonderful too, don't you?"

"Yes, our little town put on the pageant of the Gospel of Luke mighty fine! Praise God! This has truly been a fabulous Advent. How can I deliver an even better sermon on Christmas Eve?" he wondered out loud.

Mary and Rick went home and found Sean sitting on the sofa in the living room as usual. "How was the service?" Sean asked.

"If you had got off the sofa and gone with us, you'd know already!" Mary found her spunk coming back. "Sean O'Neill, it's high time you stopped having a pity party, and do as the Pastor said, love the family that is here right now. Your son Rick is alive and well. I am alive, and we all miss our Timothy, but we still have each other! It's Christmas, Sean, and Timothy wouldn't want us mourning him and not celebrating the birth of our Lord. And if you want to see your son again, then you better start acting like the good man we know you are!"

Sean stared at the floor, let out his breath, and walked over to the phonograph. He looked through the records and pulled out one with Christmas songs. He slowly pulled it out of the cover and played it. He looked over at Mary and a smile melted his face as he walked toward her and held out his hand. Surprised but delighted, she gingerly accepted his hand, then he pulled her toward him and began to dance with her to the tune of "The skater's waltz." As they twirled around the room, they released all of their sorrow and grief out of their souls. They looked into eachother's eyes and found light and joy. Peace was slowly allowed into their hearts and home.

Rick fought back tears as he watched. Feeling the need to let them be alone together he left them dancing, and he too felt the warmth of love and family as the cold in his heart left.

All around Hope Valley, the spirit of Christmas was renewing faith, hope, and love.