Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 5, Page 42
Christmas morning! Paul opened his eyes and scrambled out of bed. He ran to Rosemary and Lee's bedroom and rushed in, jumping on the end of their bed. "Oh, I'm sorry, I just meant to see if you were up. It's Christmas morning!"
Rosemary and Lee laughed. "It's all right Paul! There's nothing to be sorry about, we want to get up and see too." Lee assured him.
As Rosemary giggled, she and Lee both quickly shoved their feet into their slippers and grabbed their robes. Paul had Ralph with him as he patiently waited, and they all walked down the stairs together. "Look Ralph! Santa was here! He ate our cookies and left us presents under the tree!"
"I didn't hear anything did you Lee?" Rosemary faked her surprise.
"What have we here?" Lee was pointing to the stuffed Christmas stocking.
"Oh boy! Can I look?" Paul asked.
"Yes, yes, of course."
Paul's eyes were wide as he pulled out little cars, an apple, an orange, candy, and a game of tiddlywinks and a sack of marbles.
"How did Santa Claus know what I wanted?" Paul asked.
"He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when your awake," Rosemary began to sing.
Then Paul waited for Lee to hand out presents. Some of the gifts were from Santa and a few were from Mrs. Rosemary and Mr. Lee. Paul never saw so many toys, clothes, and books. The laughter was throughout the room as they enjoyed watching Paul's reactions to every gift he opened. He ran over to them both and said thank you with big hugs.
"Paul, can you please reach over the other side of the tree and get that gift wrapped in blue for me please?" Lee asked.
When Lee had the gift in his hands, he read the tag that said, "To Mrs. Rosemary with love from Mr. Lee." Paul giggled. Lee handed it to Rosemary who was smiling from ear to ear.
Rosemary untied the ribbon and opened the small box to find a locket. When she opened it was a picture of Paul and inscribed on the left side was Christmas 1918.
"Oh Lee," Rosemary was misty-eyed as she hugged Lee. "I love you darling! Thank you!" and then kissed him.
"You're welcome, I had to convince Lillian to give me Paul's picture from his file so I could put it in this locket." Lee confessed.
With that Rosemary reached under the sofa cushion and pulled out a package for Lee and handed it to him. Paul urged Lee to quickly open it. Inside was a framed picture of Rosemary with Paul. "For your office desk." Rosemary was excited.
"How did you get the picture?" Lee asked.
"I borrowed Carson's camera when I went up with Dee to help teach and had her take our picture. Neat surprise, yes?"
"Great, just great. I love you, thank you!" Lee gave his favorite girl a big kiss too.
"Paul, I asked Mrs. Elizabeth and Mr. Sam to bring Jack over for Christmas dinner later today. I'd love it if you could please let Jack play with some of your toys with you, okay?"
"All right, but right now I want to build with my erector set please?" Paul pleaded.
"Sure Paul, we'll just relax today and take our time. What do you want to build?" asked Lee.
Faith and Carson called on Jesse and Clara. They were both awake this time and glad to see them. "Merry Christmas!" Jesse greeted them as they walked in.
"Merry Christmas to you too! How is the Flynn family doing?" Carson asked.
"We're just enjoying eachother and trying to get some sleep!" Jesse laughed. "Of course, you want to see Clara and Michael. Would you like to go on up?"
"Yes," Faith answered. As they walked quietly in the bedroom, Clara was smiling and ready to see them. "Merry Christmas!" Faith greeted her.
"Oh, it is Christmas, and this is the little bundle of joy that we are blessed with. What a special gift God has given us!" Clara gushed.
"How are you feeling?" Carson asked as he took Michael and was checking him out.
"Oh, still sore, but we've spent most of the time in bed and just relaxing, so now Jesse has to do some laundry!" Clara laughed. "It's hard to walk nevertheless go downstairs, so he's also cooking."
"Not cooking really," Jesse rolled his eyes. "That dinner you brought over last night Faith, really hit the spot. Thank you."
"My pleasure, and I'm sure you'll be getting leftovers from the rest of the families so not to worry!" Faith reported.
"Little guy is doing just great!" Carson congratulated Clara. "He is getting stronger, and you are doing exactly what he needs!"
"Men, please allow me to check on Clara," Faith suggested.
While the guys stepped out in the hallway, Faith stayed with Clara and when she went to help Clara back up, Clara noticed the ring on Faith's finger. "Oh, Faith is that an engagement ring?"
"Yes, Carson asked me last night after Christmas Eve service!" Faith was beaming. "I had no idea. He wants us to get married soon, very soon."
"This Christmas is just one to remember for sure! We have a healthy baby boy and you two are engaged!" Clara gleefully declared.
Dottie was busy getting her ham dinner ready for Fiona, Bill, Molly, and Henry. It had been such a long time since she been in Hope Valley that it felt really great to have her old friends over. There was so much to catch up on. She had her place all spiffed up and decorated with a Christmas tree, a fire going, music on the phonograph, and even a sprig of mistletoe hung up! The ham was baking in the oven, along with the au gratin potatoes. There were cranberries, green beans, and Christmas cookies that she had ordered from Emily too.
The doorbell rang and Dottie opened the door to Fiona, Molly, and Bill who brought some bread pudding and biscuits with them. "Oh, how deliciously sweet, and Merry Christmas! Please come in."
Right behind them came Henry with the wine. Dottie asked the men to get the glasses out of the hutch and pour them each a glass. Fiona and Molly helped bring the food to the table and then they all sat down. Dottie asked Bill to say grace and then they all began to fill their plates.
Henry spoke, "I'd like to make a toast to Dottie welcoming us here to celebrate Christmas and hopefully to stay!"
"Yes indeed. Merry Christmas!" Fiona joined in.
Everyone enjoyed the delicious dinner and when it was time to clear the table, both men offered to do it so the ladies could relax. They moved to the living room and had coffee and dessert. When Dottie and Henry both crossed the room, they laughed when they bumped right under the mistletoe. "Ah Dottie, I think that means something," he looked a bit apprehensive.
"Yes, it sure does," Dottie replied as she tiptoed up and gave Henry a kiss on his cheek. "Merry Christmas Henry!" and walked away while slowly a smile crept across Henry's face.
Back at Nathan's house Allie finished opening up her gifts she found in her stocking. "Thank you, Dad!"
"Dad?" Nathan looked confused. "Those are from Santa Claus!"
"Dad, really?" Allie laughed. "I haven't believed in Santa for a few years now, you know that."
"That's right, okay, next year, let's just skip hanging up your stocking since there's no Santa, deal?" he joined in her laughter.
"Well, let's take all our gifts to the car and get ready for our trip to Brook Springs for Christmas dinner with the Gleixners. Thank goodness Lee is letting us borrow his automobile.
"Can't wait!" Allie was excited.
