Christmas 2017
For this story, I used some of the little ideas that I had where I didn't think I could write a whole story so there are a lot of Christmas references woven into the chapter. I've highlighted them and added where they are from at the bottom. The first is from the movie Elf where Bob Newhart plays Papa Elf. Anytime I wrote any of the Papa Elf bits, I imagined Bob Newhart speaking, made it more fun.
Papa Elf began, "Oh, hello. You're, uh, you're probably here about the story." Today, I'm going to tell you a story about Caroline. She's sometimes naughty and sometimes nice but always a little different. Different isn't bad, it's just different and we are all different in different ways and different is okay. We will get back to Caroline in a few moments but before we do, our story begins in Manchester, for those of you that don't know, it's a city in England, just a hop, skip and a jump from where Caroline lives.
She waited by the luggage carousel as countless bags traveled around while she looked for hers, a black bag, one of many but the bright green luggage tag always made it easy to spot. There was a long line at customs where she answered questions on why she was traveling, what she was bringing with her and after the officer decided she wasn't here for malicious reasons, her passport was stamped and she was officially permitted to enter the country.
She made her way out where she was greeted by her favorite people, the youngest of which held up a sign 'Grandma.' Each 'a' in the sign was replaced with a heart colored in by a child who wasn't quite able to stay within the lines but done with love none the less.
As Ginika approached, Flora jumped up and down, burning some of the energy that little children always seem to have in excess. Ginika knelt down for her hug and despite not sleeping well and sheer exhaustion; it was a hug that energized her. "Grandma, I told Santa that I want a hippopotamus for Christmas but Mummy said Santa doesn't bring those. Did you bring me a hippopotamus for Christmas?"
"I didn't pack a hippopotamus but maybe one jumped in my bag when I wasn't looking, what do you think?"
"Nooooo, he's too big to fit in there," said Flora.
"I'm sure Santa will bring you other gifts."
"I asked for a baby brother or sister."
"Did you," Ginika smirked.
"Mama said that would be a…," but unable to remember the rest, she looked up at Caroline.
"It would be Christmas miracle," replied Caroline.
Ginika looked up at Kate and Caroline and the three women shared a bit of a chuckle.
A few minutes later and they were on their way home.
When they arrived, the house was empty; Celia and Alan offered their bedroom for Ginika, with Celia making a fuss that they'd have to stay with Gillian for three whole weeks during Ginika's visit.
"Papa Elf here again. I forgot to tell you a few things, when I said Caroline was different, well, it wasn't just her, her family growing up was different. Sure, her parents loved her but it was often used as a way to shield them from the other. The real love and warmth that others had in their homes, she never experienced it. Over the years, she saw friends, extended family and other relationships where that warmth existed. She tried her best to give her boys that kind of upbringing and she succeeded but it was always foreign to her. Ultimately, much of that came down to the man she was married to, John or 'that nitwit' as Celia sometimes called him. Anyway, eventually Caroline and Kate got together and Kate helped her but even now, years into their relationship, Caroline still retreats to that place she did back when she was married to 'that nitwit,' Celia's words not mine. Okay, now back to our story."
It was Saturday night, just a few days before Christmas and Ginika and Flora were Home Alone. Thanks to multiple transatlantic trips and video calls over the years, Flora and Ginika were inseparable during visits so there were no tears shed when her mother's were leaving for a Christmas party. "Do we have to go?" whined Caroline.
"Yes," said Kate. "I love staying home with Flora but until I go back to work, I don't get nearly as much adult interaction as I should, so we are going and you will have fun..."
Caroline interrupted, "or…we could stay home and have our own form of adult interaction and I promise, it will be a lot of fun."
"First, we are going to the party…"
"You're a Mean one Mr. Grinch," Caroline replied.
"You're the one that doesn't want to go to the party, that makes you the Grinch and me Mrs. Grinch and as I was saying, we are going to the party and then we'll try out your plan when we get home."
Despite her initial misgivings, Caroline did enjoy herself but was very much looking forward to the second half of the evening.
They walked in to find Ginika asleep on the couch, "Mum, wake up, we're home."
A groggy Ginika said, "After I put her down, I thought I'd watch some television before bed but she tired me out."
"And you loved it," said Kate.
"You know I do. I used all of my Grandmother privileges and we ate some of the chocolate chip cookies we made yesterday, we worked on making some homemade Christmas gifts, we had hot chocolate, with marshmallows, then we played some Christmas music and we were Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree and finally up to bed, later than we should have and we read some but we didn't even get through the first book before she was asleep."
"Sounds like you had fun," said Kate. "Hopefully she'll sleep late tomorrow but if not, I have a feeling she'll climb into bed with you in the morning, again."
"Snuggling in bed with Flora, what could be better?"
"Oh, hello, Papa Elf here again, so not much happened the next morning, just the usual boring stuff like people eating breakfast and eventually lunch and then dinner. William and Lawrence both arrived but not much to report there. Flora was bouncing off the walls with excitement for Christmas and presents from Santa. A few years back, they had started the new tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve so just before Flora's bedtime, they gathered around the Christmas tree and Flora was given the first present to open."
"Here you go Flora, open it," said Caroline.
It took her no time at all to tear open the paper to find a stuffed purple hippopotamus. She let out a high pitched squeal and hugged her new toy.
"Since Santa couldn't bring you a real one, you can cuddle in bed with this one instead," said Caroline.
Ginika didn't want any presents but Kate made up a box of all of her mum's favorite treats that are hard to find in New York. William and Lawrence were happy with a gift card each. When asked what they wanted, they'd always reply "Father Christmas, give us the money." Kate and Caroline's were practical, new slippers for Kate and a new robe for Caroline.
By this point, Flora was asleep so Caroline picked her up to take her to bed and everyone else decided to turn in early, they knew they'd be awoken very early by a very excited little girl.
A few hours later, Kate and Caroline were downstairs admiring all the presents Santa brought. With her new long maroon colored robe, in the glow of the Christmas tree, Caroline almost looked the part so Kate grabbed a red Santa hat and put it on her wife's head. She pointed up at the mistletoe, "Now you have to kiss me."
"I'd be willing to do that even if we weren't standing under…" replied Caroline before her lips were otherwise occupied.
The morning came earlier than any of them wanted as Flora was shouting, "It's Christmas, it's Christmas, it's Christmas."
Kate jumped out of bed to get the child and bring her into her bedroom before she woke the entire house. "It's still too early Flora. See, look at Mummy's clock. The first number on the clock is a '4' and we told you it needs to be a '6' before we open presents. Let's cuddle for a while and when it's time, we'll go open presents."
"But I want presents," whined Flora.
"I know, but while we wait, I'll tell you a Christmas Story," said Kate, trying to soothe her daughter and buy some more time.
While time seemed to flow backwards for both Flora and Kate, the clock eventually hit 6:00 and Kate let Flora wake up Caroline. The bundle of excitement was bouncing on the bed, "wake up Mama, it's Christmas, time for presents, wake up, wake up, wake up."
The rest of the morning was a blur as presents were opened; food was eaten and eventually they packed up and headed over to Gillian's.
They were about to start a game when Celia commented, "No John and Judith this year?" Not that I mind."
Caroline replied, "No, Judith's publisher sent her to America for some book tour and like a little puppy dog, John followed so they decided to spend the holiday in New York."
"I bet John blabbered on with some poetic nonsense about Christmastime and the Fairytale of New York."
There were a few snickers but the reference was lost on both the older and younger generations.
Caroline went to see what wonderful toys Calamity and Flora were playing with when Flora whispered, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."
"Did you, when?" Caroline asked.
"I heard Santa and got out of bed so I could see presents and Mummy was kissing Santa."
She bit her lip to hold in a chuckle, "I think mummy was just giving him a hug and a kiss to say thank you for the presents, what do you think?"
"I think so," agreed Flora.
When they arrived home, Caroline took a sleeping Flora up to bed while Kate tidied up some of the toys that were strewn about. Caroline came down the stairs, already changed and wearing her new robe. "Kate, I have it on good authority that you were kissing Santa last night. Flora told me she snuck down and saw you."
Kate walked away for a moment and put the red Santa hat on Caroline before kissing her.
"Guilty as charged," said Kate.
"So you've been naughty," said Caroline playfully.
"Oh, Santa Baby, I've been an awful good girl."
"Come on Mrs. Claus, let's get you to bed because All I Want For Christmas Is You."
Note:
Elf – released in 2003, directed by Jon Favreau
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas – Gayla Peevey
Home Alone – released 1990, directed by Chris Columbus
You're a Mean one Mr. Grinch –Thurl Ravenscroft
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
Father Christmas – The Kinks
Christmas Story – released 1983, directed by Bob Clark
Fairytale of New York - The Pogues
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – Jimmy Boyd
Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
