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Chapter 2

Father and Daughter

The children were gathered in the sacristy waiting for the go ahead to venture out to their marked locations. Laura was one of four angels. She was a bundle of energy and torqueing herself this way and that watching her wings flap. "Laura hun, angels are very serious." The director said to her.

"Angels are 'appy!" The child responded. "They fly over Beflam and sing!"

"Well the angels tonight will not be flying. They are already in Bethlehem you see."

Laura looked at her with intense brown eyes and captured her lower lip between her teeth obviously sizing up the situation. "Will they sing?"

"Yes Laura, you will be singing. Now settle yourself and be ready." Miss Fleming turned away and smiled. This little one most assuredly was a hand full.

Debbie had commandeered seats up close to the performance area. Her parents were there and she was stood watching the door for Elvis and Georgie's arrival. This would be the first meet up between her parents and Georgie. The Simms felt awkward but realized this was the reality that their daughter chose to live with. They could never deny the fact that Elvis stepped up to the plate and accepted Laura as his daughter and truth be told, he was an exceptional father, despite his required absences and disinclination to marry their daughter. It became harder with his move to Hereford and although he remained on home soil he was not in London any longer and the distance was an issue at times. He had a new position and a wife now, but he never neglected his responsibilities to his daughter. He and Georgie would most assuredly have children of their own one day and the Simms felt fairly confident that Laura would always remain an integral part of Elvis' life.

It was starting to snow gently and Georgie pulled the hood of her jacket up over her head. Elvis adjusted his collar for warmth and they both headed towards the front door of the church. It was just one year ago when Elvis and Georgie walked Laura into church on Christmas Eve. He had wanted her to see a Christmas Pageant and now she was participating in one. He could not believe how time had gone by. There was a respectable crowd of folks attending the service and they bobbed and weaved their way through. Programmes were being passed out upon entry and Elvis' eyes missed nothing. The Hartes made their way to the center aisle doorway and were soon greeted by an expressive arm wave close to the manger. Elvis caught sight of Debbie and reached for Georgie's hand. "This way." He said. Georgie looked around then locked on the direction he was taking.

"Alright you two!" Debbie said moving quickly to the couple. Elvis smiled and gave her a pleasant hug and Georgie did as well but her eyes eventually looked beyond Debs to the two adults already seated with their gazes riveted on the new comers. They were a handsome couple. Olivia and Brandon Simms were decidedly wealthy and prim, but seemed open to the evening's festivities. Georgie felt their stares wash over her. It was uncomfortable but nothing she could not handle. She had nothing to feel bad about. This is just the way life played out and everyone seemed to be happy and getting on well. It was Christmas Eve and a very young lady's angelic debut. Debbie took Georgie's hand and led her to her parents. Elvis smiled and followed behind with his hand at Georgie's waist. She briefly leaned into him and then moved forward with Debbie.

"Mum, dad, this is Georgie …..ya know Elvis."

They all lightly chuckled and both parents stood up. Georgie extended her hand and moved closer. Brandon Simms locked hands with her first followed by Olivia. "Pleased to meet you Georgie." They both said.

"Pleased to me you both as well."

"Debbie told us how you helped her and Charlotte after that dreadful explosion. We are very grateful." Olivia said smiling warmly but eyeing Georgie at the same time.

"You are welcome. I'm glad I was there and able to help."

"It's luck you were there!" Debbie said. "You were so brave!"

Georgie smiled and blushed a little, tightening her grip on the shoulder strap of her bag.

"How are you Elvis?" Brandon said reaching a hand towards Elvis.

"Good sir, and you?" Elvis responded gripping the older man's hand.

"Well, quite well. By the way, thank you for your service in London."

Elvis nodded his acknowledgement and gave him his undivided attention.

"The little one is, might I say, wound up!" Brandon said placing his hands into his trouser pockets.

"Is she then?" Elvis said grinning and looking down at Georgie.

She leaned into him and said, "Seems she's not the only one."

Elvis grinned all the more. With solemn features, Olivia Simms watched the exchange between the two. "I can't wait to see the costume you made for Laura!" Georgie said to Debbie as the four eventually seated themselves.

"Oh she looks soooo cute!" Debbie said happily. "And she loves her wings!"

"Flying everywhere?" Georgie asked laughing.

"Constantly!"

"So Georgie, how are you feeling? Debbie told us about your Ricin exposure." Olivia asked, leaning forward past Debbie.

"I'm feeling well. Thank you for asking."

"Charlotte will be coming over for Christmas dinner tomorrow along with her boyfriend Clayton, and of course Reginald will be attending as well." Olivia said as she meticulously adjusted the gold bracelets on her wrist. Elvis heard everything that was being said, but his ears particularly pricked at that last statement. Reginald Gawain was Debbie's new boyfriend. Elvis knew about him but had not met him as yet. He was happy for Debbie. She seemed to like the bloke well enough, it just felt peculiar to have another man walk into Laura's life. Georgie could feel Elvis bristle. She knew him like a book and knew that in no uncertain terms Elvis Harte would be conducting a thorough background check on Mr. Gawain if he hadn't done so already.

"Rrrrrreginald. Sounds like a knight from the round table." Elvis smirked under his breath. Georgie's eyes became like saucers and she pretended to almost drop her program so she could nonchalantly elbow Elvis in his side. He jumped and stared at her with questioning eyes but he knew exactly what that well placed elbow meant and he smothered a laugh in response. He looked over towards Olivia but she was absorbed in a conversation with Debbie. Georgie looked at him.

"You are unreal, Ya know that?"

"Well, I do 'ear it loads from you anyway." He said with a lop-sided grin.

"You are going to meet him tomorrow." Georgie said in all seriousness.

"Briefly. Yes. But then we will be making an escape, or rather, exit, as I recall."

Georgie sighed. Elvis smiled and looked inside of his program. There in print was his little angel's name and he felt his heart soar. Georgie watched him. This man who dealt out death and destruction, who kept his countrymen safe without question, was deep down, a loving man, a good father, and the only man she ever wanted as her husband.

The chimes on the organ began to play "O Come Little Children" softly and the interior lights began to dim. All those in attendance made themselves comfortable in their seats. The drone of quiet conversation faded away and the lights dimmed further. The children began to process in. Their ages ranged from four to ten and they were carrying little battery-powered candles. Elvis shifted in his seat and Georgie squeezed his arm lovingly. Soon he caught sight of Laura and Georgie could see his chest swell. The child looked absolutely adorable in her white long-sleeved gown. The golden halo bobbed on top of her head as she walked and the white wings shown brightly as the gold glittered borders captured the available light. Elvis was taking pictures with his mobile. Laura was processing like a little soldier. She was trying so very hard to be serious but all could tell she was thrilled to be doing this. When she caught sight of her daddy the smile that exploded on her face rivaled the light from the candles and Elvis thought his heart would burst. Georgie looked at him. The smile on his face matched Laura's. The love between this father and daughter was priceless. Debbie was taking pictures and Georgie whispered to her.

"She looks beautiful! The costume is lovely!"

Debbie was beaming. Laura was beautiful. She was happy the little one settled herself well enough to process in without much ado, she had been so excited about being an angel tonight.

Elvis and Debbie smiled at one another. "Thanks Deb." He said. She smiled broader in response and nodded her head. Olivia was taking it all in. The children moved into their respective positions and led the congregation in "O Come All Ye Faithful." Everyone was now stood and the lights brightened and Elvis never took his eyes away from Laura. She was singing her little heart out and starting to torque back and forth. She looked over at Miss Fleming once, and then looked at her daddy. She was an angel in Bethlehem tonight and she would be flying over the stable while she sang.