Christmas Eve
"Is that about right, Rosemary?" Lee stood on a chair, his arm outstretched as he held up the final garland.
"Up a little." When he moved the garland up, she smiled. "Perfect."
Lee used a pin to secure the garland, finalizing their decorating for the Christmas Eve service tonight.
It was perfect, absolutely perfect! Rosemary clapped her hands and sighed. The school room was covered with red ribbons, bows, garland and the most beautiful balsam tree decorated with red candles, popcorn and cranberry strings, and cut out ornaments from the children. At the tip top of the tree was a bright star, like the one that had guided the wisemen to baby Jesus all those years ago. Underneath the tree were mounds of Christmas presents, although the present they all wanted most, looked as if he would not make it in time for Christmas. The weather had wavered on and off the last few days from a very light snow to blizzard-like conditions. It would be a miracle if a man could make it home in these conditions.
The stove in the corner kept the room cozy and warm, while the snow fell outside. Lee quickly exited through the back door, letting in a cold draft of air, as he must have went out back to bring in more firewood. Rosemary went over to the spare table and busied her hands arranging the cookies that had arrived so far: her very own award winning soft ginger cookies, Elizabeth's gingerbread men, and a tray of assorted cookies Abigail had sent over earlier from the cafe. Elizabeth placed a newly swaddled baby Jesus doll into the manger and then made her way over to Rosemary, her face as gracious as ever. But Rosemary knew better: she was worried.
"I don't know what would be worse- not having Jack home for Christmas or the possibility of him going out in this blizzard." Elizabeth looked out the window and sighed, absently fingering the new heart locket that hung around her neck.
"I know. What a shame, we finally have our Christmas snow, on the year we least want it."
"It's time for me to ring the bell." Elizabeth walked to the desk and picked up Jack's gift to her a few years ago, the cowbell. Rumor had it, Jack promised her an official teacher's bell, which she hadn't received yet. Rosemary walked with Elizabeth out to the snowy porch, their arms clasped tight against their bodies for warmth. The bell rang signaling it was time for Hope Valley's Christmas Eve service to begin. Already, folks were making their way through the snow, from up and down Main Street and every back hill and mountain beyond. Snow couldn't stop this motley crew.
"Look at that." Rosemary pointed to all the horses and buggies, and people making their way on foot through the tufts of new snow while a steady stream of snow continued to pour down from the heavens.
Not ten minutes later, the room was filled with both people and Christmas cheer. The children had hung their coats on the hooks and gathered at the front of the schoolhouse, making sure to pass the Christmas tree and try to spy their name on a gift before lining up in order for the Christmas program. Shepherds rods were to be wrangled, a wiseman's crown was missing. Rosemary darted here and there, assisting Elizabeth were she could. A hush came over the crowd as Pastor Frank stepped on the stage, Bible in hand.
"Dear friends, we are gathered here tonight to celebrate the hope of family, community and most importantly, the hope that was given to us all those years ago, in a stable in Bethlehem through Christ Jesus our Lord. He came to this world as a baby, it was God's way of coming among us. Emmanuel- God with us. The babe grew, not so unlike the children here, then he became a man. A man with no sin. Miracles, signs, wonders were performed. And then, He gave His life, that we might have the opportunity to be forgiven, to be united with God again. On the third day He arose. That is the good news of the Gospel. That is what God started, all those years ago, when He sent His son, Jesus, to be born of a virgin. Please bow with me in prayer."
Pastor Frank led them in a heartfelt prayer. Rosemary kept an eye open, warning any child who would talk, but tonight, they were all on the best behavior, for Santa would be coming soon. Speaking of Santa, Rosemary's eyes sought out Lee. At the end of the prayer, he rose from the back row and gave her a slight wave. He was off to dress as Santa. Soon he would be arriving, not as her Lee, but as jolly Old Saint Nicholas.
She'd like to say the program went without a hitch, but children were children, and quite honestly, their little blunders were about the cutest things she had seen. Opal stood on a chair behind the baby Jesus in the manger, her arms outstretched, her dress made from lace and a bed sheet. Her halo was tilted, but the smile that graced that child's face spoke to them all of the true meaning of Christmas. Cyrus held onto the staff proudly as he put a protective arm around Mary, played by sweet Emily. Cody and several other boys had just walked up to the scene with stuffed lambs in their arms. Rosemary stood next to Robert and the other two wisemen.
"Just a minute more." She whispered as Cody finished his line and bowed before the baby Jesus. Rosemary sent the wisemen on up, where they placed their gifts before the baby Jesus.
Elizabeth stood off to the corner of the manger scene. Her beautiful voice rose and led the children in song, "O Come all Ye Faithful". Soon the congregation joined in.
"O Come let us adore Him,
O Come let us adore Him,
O Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord."
The final chords rang through the church. Rosemary sighed at the peace that settled in her heart. Gone for the moment were all the fears of motherhood, of her past, of things to come. She was in this moment, here and now, celebrating the One who came to give the world peace.
Momentarily Santa Claus should be making his way through the door. Rosemary's heart thumped when she heard the stomp of boots on the porch. Santa Claus peeked through the door. Children's whispers escalated until they shouted, "It's Santa!" Santa Claus trudged down the middle isle of the church, the black bag piled high with presents.
"Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas!"
Rosemary lifted a hand to stifle the chuckle escaping her. Lee truly did make a wonderful Santa.
Santa Claus set down the bag at the base of the tree and had a seat on the chair Elizabeth graciously provided him.
"I heard there are plenty of good children in Hope Valley who are expecting a gift tonight." He said in a cheerful, low voice.
The children nodded, their hands clasped to their chests, their eyes hopeful.
Santa Claus pulled the first gift from the bag.
"This one here is for Cody."
Cody stood up and raised his hand. The present was passed to the back where Cody took it and held onto it until all the children received their presents. Santa Claus continued to pass out presents until every child had a present in his or her possession.
"Children, what do we tell Santa Claus?" Elizabeth asked once all the children were clasping their gifts.
"Thank you!" The children chorused.
Opal, with her wrapped present under her arm, came up to Santa and whispered in his ear. Rosemary was close enough to overhear.
"Santa, thank you for the presents. Did you happen to bring anything for Miss Thatcher? You did get our letters right?"
Rosemary saw Santa Claus visibly swallow.
"Yes, dear, I did. All I can say is: it is not quite Christmas yet. Christmas miracles still can happen."
Opal nodded, seemingly satisfied with that answer. With a brief look at Miss Thatcher she smiled, then hopped off of Santa's lap.
After a countdown, all the children tore into their presents-"oooh's" and "aaah's" echoing through the small, warm, and festive church. Children smiled as they held onto their Christmas treasures: new wooden trains, baseballs, penny candies, and rag dolls.
Soon word got around the schoolhouse that the storm was intensifying. The families quickly started to gather coats, cookie plates, and the gifts received. Santa Claus had chorused a hearty round of "Ho, Ho, Ho's" and had said a final good-bye to all the children, dismissing himself through the back door of the church building where he could escape to nearby housing without being spotted.
Rosemary continued to serve cookies and punch to those still gathered near the refreshment table. She spied a lonely Elizabeth up front, collecting leftover presents from under the tree. If only she could get away from her duties at the table. Oh, wait, what a stroke of genius! Rosemary quickly abandoned her post and walked up to Hickam and asked him take her place at the refreshment table. Once he was well on his way, she made her way toward her intended target: Nurse Carter. After mentioning the cookie table was in desperate need of help, she watched as Faith made her way to the table and began talking to a flummoxed Hickam. Rosemary smiled. Perhaps the New Year would bring a budding romance for those two. Who knew? But now, a dear friend needed her attention.
Elizabeth bent down to pick up the last presents, which must have been for the few families who lived further out and were not able to come tonight because of the snow. Elizabeth noticed Rosemary's approach and smiled, but her eyes lacked life.
Rosemary side stepped around the Christmas tree and stooped down to help Elizabeth gather the last few gifts and put them into a large basket. "I know he's thinking about you, too, tonight."
"Oh, I was hoping I wasn't that obvious." Elizabeth placed a hand on her cheek.
"I am sure he is missing you, and did everything possible to be here, tonight with you. If not for that blasted snowstorm. I'm sorry. Elizabeth."
"Every minute, I keep hoping he will come through the door."
"I know. But there will be a time soon the two of you will not have to be separated anymore."
"And I live for that day." Elizabeth fingered the angel ornament hanging on a large bough of the Christmas tree. "I just wish there was a way for me to know he is safe tonight."
Rosemary nodded.
Elizabeth must have shook off the dark mood, for she picked up the basket and smiled. "Look at me, thinking only of myself. Here you are with your first Christmas as an expectant mother. You do know I am so very glad for you. I can tell Lee's astonished with the news."
"Oh it is just a relief it is all out in the open now. What an ordeal that was." Rosemary rolled her eyes.
"It was an ordeal. I don't think it is every day a lady makes her husband dress up like Santa to tell him the news of their first baby." Elizabeth giggled.
"I sure will never look at Santa Claus the same way again!" Rosemary and Elizabeth shared a giggle.
A moment later Rosemary placed a hand on Elizabeth's forearm. "Don't you worry, Elizabeth. He," Rosemary pointed upwards, "isn't forgetting you. Your time will come. I'll be just as happy as a peach for you when it does."
"You are a good friend, Rosemary."
"Well—what are friends for? Now let's get these gifts together. Too bad it's so blizzard-like out there tonight, or we could have had Santa help us make the rounds to deliver these last gifts."
At that moment, the door opened letting in a drift of frigid air and snow. Santa stood in the doorway.
Rosemary smiled. "Oh look at that. Perhaps Santa is available to help us deliver a few more gifts. Santa!"
Elizabeth's eyes went to the door taking in the stranger who did look like Santa, but not the Santa who was here before, instead a man in red, a man with icicles hanging off his whiskers, a man who looked like—
"Jack!" She ran into his arms.
Jack's teeth were chattering. His suit frozen, but he held onto her as if she was his life. "Merry Christmas, my Darling." His voice shivered.
"Oh, you're half frozen! Come to the fire. Abigail, can you get some dry clothes?" Elizabeth kicked into gear. She practically dragged Jack over to the fireplace, her hand entwined with his.
"I'm on it." Abigail rushed to the back of the room too locate some warm dry clothes.
The rest of the room stood in shock. Did they truly just witness a Christmas miracle? Jack was back! And half frozen from a trek through the snowstorm. Only a man in love would attempt such a feat. The room soon burst into action: someone grabbed a chair and put it near the fire for Jack to sit in, another went to gather dry blankets, still another tried to help him peel off his frozen layers. Many just stood with their mouths a gape, wondering at the miracle before them. Rosemary busied herself heating water by the stove where she could overhear what was being said.
Bill and Jesse were the first to welcome Jack home.
"Good God, man. You made it!" Bill shook Jack's hand. "And in this weather!"
"Jack, what a great risk you took." Jesse patted Jack on the back. "Are you all right?"
"Will be once I warm up." Jack moved closer to the fire and slowly rubbed his hands together.
"Here, let's get you out of this." Bill helped Jack out of his frozen red sergeant jacket.
While the snow gathered in drifts outside the door, Elizabeth tended to her Christmas Eve Miracle. She couldn't stop kissing him, feeling him, loving him. Rosemary couldn't help but watch their interaction through her lower lashes as she heated the coffee. What a testament to true love! Not even a horrid blizzard could keep them apart.
Elizabeth kept a hold on Jack's hand but seemed to be looking for someone. "Is Doc Carson still here?"
Doc Carson lifted his doctor's bag and made his way toward the stove and their unexpected visitor.
"Thank God. Would you please check Jack? He's shaking. I'm afraid he's got frostbite."
Carson stood next to Jack and clasped his hand in a handshake.
"Good to have you back, Jack. Only a man in love would attempt to come home during a blizzard. Let's take a look…" Doc Carson motioned for Jack to have a seat near the fire. After Jack had sat, Carson felt Jack's fingers then unlaced his boots and ran his hand across Jack's toes. "Can you feel your fingers and toes?"
Jack smirked. "Just about as much as I can feel every other part of my body."
Florence slipped a warm blanket over his shoulders. Jack nodded his thanks.
"Let's just keep him by the fire and give him some time to thaw out. Can you get him some dry socks?" Doc Carson tossed out the request.
"Coming!" Abigail brought a spare pair over to Jack and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Jack, we are so glad you are safe."
Jack nodded and smiled.
"And here's some coffee. Careful, it's hot." Rosemary handed it to him and then shook her finger at him. "You foolish man! You could have frozen to death, then what would Elizabeth do?" Then satisfied he understood how risky his actions were she softened into a smile. "But aren't we so glad to have you home, Jack."
"Thank you, Rosie." Melted snow dripped off Jack's whiskers and onto the wooden floor. Elizabeth approached at the end of their exchange with another warm blanket to put on his legs. She gave Rosemary a smile.
"Oh, Jack- Lee and Rosemary have good news!" Elizabeth motioned to both Rosemary and Lee. "Tell him!"
Lee stood up from where he was stoking the fire and shook hands with Jack. "Welcome back, old friend. We hoped we'd be seeing you in time for Christmas."
"Thank you, Lee. What's this I hear about good news?"
Lee reached for Rosemary's hand, his smile a mile long. "I'm going to be a father!"
"And me, a mother. This coming June." Rosemary chimed in.
Jack's face softened. "Oh Lee, Rosie. I'm so happy for you two. Imagine that, a baby and a wedding" he glanced as Elizabeth who had the grace to blush, "all coming this next year. We have a lot to look forward to. There is nothing like home and the love of family."
"You can say that again!" Elizabeth snuggled up close to her man, her smile as wide as the heavens on that first Christmas night.