A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth

"Merry Christmas, Maria."

The words breached the outskirts of Maria's consciousness, stirring her from a remarkably sound sleep.

"Maria? Time to wake up." Loveday's lilting voice echoed through Maria's ears.

"Yes, I'm up, I'm up," Maria mumbled, rolling over. Loveday's lips slid into a smile, and she drew open the curtains, letting cold sunlight come streaming in. "Oh!" Maria grunted as the light slammed into her eyes.

"I thought that would do it," Loveday smiled. She was already dressed in a lovely blue church dress and plumed hat. Maria struggled to rise to a sitting position.

"What time is it?"

"High time for you to get up," Loveday retorted. "I've got your white fur-trimmed dress laid out here, and your muff and hat are over there. I brought a pitcher of water for washing your face, but if you don't start moving in a business-like fashion, I may have to splash it out on you right now." Those were the magic words needed to bring Maria to life. She'd had her fill of cold water in her face from the snowball fight yesterday, thank you very much. She sprung out of bed and was soon dressed.

Everyone gathered for a delicious spread of breakfast in the dining room, where it was discovered that Coeur De Noir and Robin had never tasted French toast. When they finished the meal, they assaulted Marmaduke with profuse thanks once he came out again, and then migrated to the piano room in order to exchange gifts. Now everyone sat around the tree, though lack of chairs dictated that Maria, Robin, and Lillian sit on the floor.

"Why don't you sit here?" Coeur De Noir proffered his chair. Lillian waved it off.

"I'm more than happy to sit on the floor. It makes me feel like a girl again, giddy on Christmas morning." Indeed, Lillian was looking remarkably youthful today. Perhaps there was something about Christmas that brought out everyone's inner child, Maria thought. Or perhaps Lillian's radiance was more accurately attributed to her being in love. Maria smiled at the thought.

"What are you smiling about?" Robin raised an eyebrow at her. She laughed.

"It's a wonder you aren't smiling. How can I help it? It's Christmas morning, I'm surrounded by those I love, and Miss Heliotrope is getting married today!"

"Well, save some joy for later. We can't have you collapsing in the middle of the wedding because you drained all of your energy smiling." She flicked his feathers toward his face.

"I'm a bottomless well of happiness today, Robin. Why aren't you more lively? Did you not sleep well?" Her smile taunted him. "Were you homesick?"

"My home is a short walk away. If I were homesick, I'd consider myself pitiful. And I did sleep well, actually. It's just that some of us are better at keeping a tight rein on our emotions."

"But why would you want to?"

"It's so much energy to smile all the time."

"Well, it seems I have a great deal of energy today."

"Heaven help us all." He sighed. She swatted him playfully.

"You fun-hating fiend, you. Now help me pass out presents, please."

"It's not that I'm against fun, mind you," his eyes glinted, and his fingers grazed her chin, "and I especially like a certain kind of fun—"

"Robin De Noir," she rolled her eyes, "you, sir, are insufferable. But really, we need to pass out the gifts and open them. We don't want to be late to church."

"Very well."

They distributed the presents and everyone hurried to open their gifts. Everyone was delighted with the cranberry bread from Maria. Loveday held the baby blanket against her cheek and Maria almost thought she saw tears sparkling in Loveday's eyes. Miss Heliotrope was charmed by the brooch; she did so love antiques. But when Miss Heliotrope and Digweed came across the money Maria wanted to give them for their honeymoon, they protested. Maria knew they'd protest; it was in their nature. But she had thought that they'd accept it a little more willingly.

"But you can go somewhere nice! Rome, and see all the sights, or—or Paris! You—"

"It's not that, y'see," Digweed broke in gently, "it's that we don't need it. We're not going far for—for our honeymoon; we're just goin' to town."

"To town? You mean…you already decided?"

"I'm afraid we did." Miss Heliotrope patted Maria's hand. "And our minds are quite made up."

"Well, please take the money anyway," Maria said, determined. "You may want to go on a trip sometime, if not now."

"It seems she wants us out of the house," Miss Heliotrope cracked one of her rare wry smiles. Maria shrugged impishly.

"It wouldn't hurt. But I know you'll have fun taking a little trip, I just know it!" She sat back on her heels, assuming a confident smile. "You're not going to win this battle. I have Merryweather blood in me; I'm as stubborn as they come."

"She speaks the truth," Sir Benjamin chuckled. "Go on and take it, Digweed."

"Yes," Loveday urged, "or you'll make us late for church! We'd better clean up in here quickly." And so, reluctantly, Miss Heliotrope and Digweed accepted the money. Everyone flurried around, picking up wrapping paper and ribbon, and then hauled their gifts up to their respective rooms. Then they all met in the antechamber, faces flushed, ready to go to church. Digweed and Sir Benjamin would be driving the two carriages, since there were so many people.

It was a starkly cold day outside, but Miss Heliotrope insisted on sitting on the driver's seat with her fiancé. This left the coach to Coeur De Noir and Lillian. Loveday wanted to ride up by Sir Benjamin, but he would not have it.

"A woman in your condition needs to stay warm. You don't want to catch pneumonia."

"I don't want you to catch pneumonia either! I'll keep you warm," Loveday countered, "and after all, I'm hardly into my first trimester!" But Sir Benjamin, being a Merryweather by blood, was not to be convinced. So Loveday rode in the carriage with Maria and Robin.

Robin was slightly peeved that he and Maria would not have the carriage to themselves, but of course he did want his pregnant sister to suffer any harm. They endured the ride in relative silence, though Robin found himself tapping his fingers lightly into Maria's open palm while Loveday pretended not to notice.

They made it to the little white church with just a few minutes to spare. Everyone bustled down the aisle to their usual seats, second row from the front. Maria rather disliked sitting so far up front, for they were habitually last-minute if not tardy, and she would rather enter and sit quietly in the back than catch everyone's eye by striding up to their seats. But it was a Merryweather tradition, and of course that could not be questioned.

Robin shifted uncomfortably in the wooden pew. He disliked sitting so much, but then when they rose, he disliked the awkward height of the rail in front of him, which didn't quite reach his waist height. He'd been with Maria to church before, and, aside from the uncomfortable pews, he enjoyed it as a whole. As a pleasant bonus, all the hymns they sang today were ones they'd sung last night at the manor, so they were fresh in his memory. Even Coeur De Noir was able to sing along to most of them.

The sermon was solid and uplifting. Robin and his father hung back while the rest took communion, of course, but then they all joined together for the last hymn: Joy to the World. The organist in the back must be aiming to collapse the church, Robin thought. He could feel the vibrations of thunderous musical exclamation. But he sang along heartily, trying to ignore the quiverings of the small chandelier above him.

And then the service was over, and everyone lined up down the aisle to shake the pastor's hand before leaving. Maria told Robin that some church ladies would be decorating for the wedding later. It wouldn't be much, since it was a simple wedding. But Robin didn't quite catch all of her words; he was too busy studying the organ.

The organist was an average looking man, with short brown hair and a stern profile. Nothing extraordinary. But the unbridled power and dexterity with which he ruled the multiple keyboards astounded Robin. Lillian's piano playing was intricate and flowing. This was infinite authority and command. Hm. Perhaps Robin would learn to play the organ.

Before he knew it, he had shaken the pastor's hand and was swept out the door into the carriage. Maria tapped her fingers into his hand.

"What is it? You look distant."

"Hm? How hard is it to play the organ?" Maria stared at him, and then she began to laugh. Loveday joined in.

"My dear brother," Loveday said, "it requires a great deal of study and practice. Years."

"Well, I'm young."

"So you are," Maria traced her fingertips over the ridges of his knuckles. "So you are. And if you decide to take up organ-playing, I'll support you in that endeavor. Though perhaps it'd be best to start by learning the piano." He cocked his head.

"You could teach me."

"I think Lillian is a far more experienced pianist."

"But she's leaving soon, isn't she?"

Maria smiled knowingly.

"In theory, Robin. In theory."

A/N: Beloved reader,

Thanks for reading this chapter! Moving right along, aren't we? Many thanks to Rahoggy and SilverScarlet626 for your lovely reviews. I hope your day is sunny and kind, just like yourselves! Please continue to read and review not only my stories, but other Moonacre authors' works as well. Love you all!

Ponygirl7