Chapter 4: A Few of My Favorite Things

The few weeks following the tree trimming passed in a blur at a speed that only December manages to achieve. Pastor Canfield had announced his plans for Christmas Eve service by mid-December. His plans were originally much simpler until he found himself in the cross-hairs of their resident former actress—Rosemary. She was itching to direct a performance and introduce her two month old infant twins to her love of the stage. Before Joseph knew what happened, he found himself hosting a live nativity for the Christmas Eve service.

Rosemary and Lee Coulter had welcomed twins in October—a son named Patrick Leland and a daughter named Evelyn Rose. As the only new babies in the valley for the moment and with their mother at the helm, Patrick was already cast in his first headlining role as baby Jesus.

Assuming that Rosemary would prefer the starring female lead—especially with her own son—Elizabeth was surprised to learn that she had been volunteered (more like volun-told) to be Mary. She certainly looked the part.

Nathan was less surprised to discover then that he had been cast as Joseph and had secretly wondered if it was payback for being able to dodge her previous attempts to make him Santa Claus.

Rosemary also had elaborate plans for the school children to all be in costume with roles. The girls would be dressed as angels, and the boys would be dressed as shepherds—with the exception of the three boys who would get to be wisemen.

Jack was overjoyed to get to be a shepherd despite being younger than school age. Allie was also happy to learn that not only would she be an angel, but she had the only speaking part among the children.

The only other speaking role in the nativity scene went to the angel Gabriel, which would be an adult male role. Sensing what was coming, Lee deliberately dodged his wife's gaze reminding her that he should remain available to hold and soothe either Evelyn or Patrick or maybe even both should the need arise. Rosemary had cast herself in the solo for the Christmas carol "What Child Is This?" The scripture that inspired the hymn would be the basis of verses for Joseph's Christmas Eve devotional.

Much like her hunt for a Santa volunteer over the years, Rosemary secretly had the town's trumpet player within her sights for a last minute addition to the play with only a few days left before Christmas Eve. She had left rehearsal at the schoolhouse early hoping to finally run into him. Mike Hickam, having no idea of her intentions greeted her warmly outside Henry's office. "Good morning Rosemary! Beautiful day we're having."

Rosemary smiled her famous stage smile which immediately put Hickam on high alert, and he became increasingly uncomfortable about her unexpected visit.

"Mike! So good to see you." She overemphasized the greeting causing Hickam to step back against the door—unconsciously putting more space between himself and Rosemary.

She sized him up in her mind quickly taking his measurements for a robe and halo. Hickam noticed and swallowed hard.

"Mike, I don't know if you've heard, but Pastor Canfield is having a live nativity on Christmas Eve. The school children and I have been practicing their parts this week and we simply must have your trumpet playing to announce the birth of Christ. Can you play for us?"

Relief flooded his features as he let out the breath he was holding and his shoulders slumped forward. "Oh…ok. Yeah… I can do that. You scared me Rosemary. I was afraid you were going to ask me to act a part." He chuckled nervously to himself until he realized Rosemary wasn't laughing. He swallowed again—suddenly nervous at the look in her eye.

"Funny that you mention that Mike, because I am looking for someone to play the angel Gabriel. You already play trumpet so you really would be perfect for the part, wouldn't you?" Rosemary's persuasion was smooth as silk. Hickam knew he was a goner.

"Oh…I don't know Rosemary… I don't really do a lot of acting I…" he stammered out searching for something…anything to be a good reason to get out of here now.

Rosemary saw right through it. "Nonsense. I'm a trained actress and I can direct you into the perfect angel Gabriel so don't you worry! Well, that settles it. Thank you Mike. Oh, this is shaping up to be a great little play already!" She hugged him tightly, but his arms remained stiff at his side in shock at what had just happened. She turned on her heel and marched off happily towards her next unsuspecting victim.

"How do I get myself into these things?" Hickam lamented to himself as he slumped against the office door. His question was answered by a chipper knock on the door behind him and the friendly face of Fiona sympathetically smiling at him. Motioning that she was coming out, Hickam held the door for her.

"She found you, huh?" Fiona asked with a raised eyebrow and a compassionate smile on her lips.

"You knew?!" Hickam asked his friend incredulously.

"Mike, it's Rosemary…she isn't exactly subtle. She's been looking for you for weeks." She said with a laugh earning the intended smile from Hickam as well.

Meanwhile, Allie was still buzzing with excitement that afternoon on their way home from the schoolhouse. Final rehearsals with the students took place before the class's Christmas party that afternoon and then Christmas break following after the bell.

"So Anna said that her mom is going to braid her hair to look like a halo. Can you do that too, Mom?" Allie looked up to her mother with pleading eyes.

Elizabeth smiled to herself remembering how important hair styles and fitting in with peers felt at this age. "Sure Sweetheart. We'll have to practice a bit, but I have a pretty good idea on how we can braid it. You know that you'll get a halo with your costume too though, right?"

"Yessssss." Relief flooded Allie's features. "I know I get a halo…but…all the girls are braiding their hair so…." she trailed off.

"I understand Allie. Yes. I would love to braid it for you. I actually want to make sugar cookies and gingerbread tomorrow with your dad home, but I was thinking it would be fun to make a batch of snickerdoodles tonight to surprise him. Would you help me?"

Allie nodded—delighted to be involved in the surprise.

They arrived home to the door flying open and Jack running out on the porch hopping up and down, "Mama, cookies?!" She climbed the first step which put Jack at the perfect hug height and enveloped him in a warm hug. Laura looked out from the doorway and was relieved to find Jack in the arms of his mother. She smiled and held the door for them.

"We're supposed to be baking tomorrow, sweet boy, but do you want to help me and Allie surprise Daddy with some snickerdoodles tonight?"

Jack's eyes lit up, and he shook his head eagerly. Jack, Allie, and Elizabeth climbed the steps together—taking the door from Laura.

"Hi Laura, how was Jack today?" Elizabeth greeted warmly.

"He was just fine Mrs. Grant…except for his mastery of the locks just now. He has had a good day and he ate all of his lunch." Laura reported.

"Wonderful. Let me get your pay and I have a little something for you for Christmas."

"Oh, thank you Mrs. Grant. I brought some cinnamon bread with me and some jam from the farm. I hope that you like it. Merry Christmas!"

"Oh, thank you. Merry Christmas Laura." Elizabeth ascended the stairs to her bedroom and returned with two packages—a larger flat box and a smaller square one tied together with a red velvety bow.

Laura opened the smaller square box first to find a carved wooden triangular plaque that read Miss Campbell. Laura smiled with realization, "is this for my teacher's desk?"

"It is. I know that you have been working hard to finish your classes, and I asked Nathan to create your first name plate for your desk…assuming you don't elope between now and next year." Elizabeth teased with a wink to her former student.

Laura giggled at the prospect. "No M'aam I don't see that happening just yet. Thank you. This is very thoughtful and special coming from you." She set the gift down and began to open the other package.

"This one is from Jack." Elizabeth looked down warmly at Jack whose chest puffed out in pride watching his nanny unwrap his handiwork.

Laura smiled as she unwrapped a beautifully carved picture frame holding a very colorful drawing of a young boy with exceptionally long arms holding a very tall woman's hand with long brown hair. They both looked very happy together as they were surrounded by several red hearts.

"Thank you! This is very kind. Merry Christmas Jack." She stooped down and encircled the boy with a hug. Jack hugged her back affectionately.

"Wuv you Miss Warwa. Merry Christmas." He nestled his little head into her neck before pulling back abruptly and going back to his toys as if the moment didn't even happen.

"Oh, Jack." Elizabeth shook her head amused at the little boy's antics. Social norms are a hard thing to grasp for a nearly four-year-old, but at least he tried and gave his nanny a hug. "Here's your pay Laura. Thank you so much for the bread and jam. We will all love that. That was very thoughtful of you."

"You're welcome Mrs. Grant. See you Sunday for Jack's birthday party?" Laura took a step towards the door while keeping her attention on Elizabeth.

"Yes see you Sunday. We'll start the party around noon with church services Sunday night instead. There should be plenty of time still before Christmas Eve service."

"Sounds good. See you then. Bye Mrs. Grant! Bye Allie! Bye Jack!"

Allie looked up from her spot in the kitchen preparing for cookies and called out, "Bye Laura!"

"Byyyyyeee Miss Warwa!" Jack answered from his pile of toys as she slipped out the door.

Elizabeth glanced around the living room quickly tidying up the stray coats, hats, and mittens before joining Allie in the kitchen. She washed her hands as well preparing to cook.

"Ok Mom. I washed the counter and I found the recipe for the snickerdoodles. I got out the cinnamon, flour, and maple sugar. Can you grab the rest while I wash my hands up from school?"

"Sure Allie." Elizabeth rummaged through the pantry and ice box to locate the remaining eggs and baking items. While there, she also grabbed the ingredients she needed for a simple soup for tonight so they could focus primarily on baking.

Allie returned to the countertop donning an apron and looked reflectively at the recipe. "Mom? How did snickerdoodles get to be so special to you and Dad?"

Elizabeth smiled at the memory. "Well, I made them before your dad and I courted. We went riding up the mountain to the valley with the lake and all those asters."

"Oh that's right! Dad brought home your bag and let me have the one you sent home with him."

Elizabeth's eyebrows crinkled in confusion and she put a hand on her hip turning to her daughter for clarity. "The one I sent home with him? Allie, he had a whole bag full of cookies."

"Not by the time he got home he didn't. There was only one cookie in there." Allie shook her head and rolled her eyes—knowing her father and his sweet tooth all too well.

Both ladies laughed to themselves as they readied the bowls and measured out the ingredients for their recipes. Elizabeth chopped and peeled potatoes and leeks, tossing them into the pot, and covered them with chicken broth and leftover chicken pieces from the ice box. She brought the soup to a boil before leaving it to simmer. Allie folded together the wet and dry ingredients for the cookies.

The kitchen warmed with the scent of cinnamon and maple as Allie scooped out balls of dough and Elizabeth rolled them in the maple sugar mix before depressing them slightly with a clean thumb.

Two little nostrils seemed to float through the air rounding the counter to reveal Jack with his nose high in the air sniffing his way to the kitchen. With pleading eyes, he asked his mother, "Can I hep?"

"Yes sir. Would you like to wash your hands so you can help Allie and me smoosh the cookie balls?" Elizabeth requested—trying to hide the smile at the sight of Jack's nose leading the way. Apparently, it was true that the way to even a little man's heart was through his stomach.

The trio had baked several trays of cookies before the familiar sound of their favorite boots hit the steps. Nathan opened the door and was immediately assaulted by the smell of baked cinnamon. His eyes lit up in recognition as he took in the scene of his wife, daughter, and son working together at the countertop lightly dusted with flour.

"Daddy!" Jack rounded the countertop ready to maul his father with a bear hug. Nathan caught him at his arm's length holding him out stiffly to protect his serge.

"Hang on there Mister you look like a little snowman!"

Jack giggled profusely. "Isss me! Jack! I hep Mama and Awie wif dis…cookies!"

Allie and Elizabeth laughed to themselves at Nathan's predicament before Elizabeth swooped in and peeled Jack's flour covered shirt over his head giving him a quick wipe of his face before he latched onto his daddy.

"It is you, Jack!" Nathan held him tightly and gave Elizabeth a grateful wink as he buried his son in kisses to his neck and exposed abdomen causing Jack to squeal in delight.

Jack wiggled free from his father's embrace and Nathan stood mere inches from his wife whispering in her ear at her flour-covered appearance. "You look lovely by the way, flour really suits you." He kissed her cheek tenderly right next to her ear. His words from long ago flooded her heart, sending the familiar feeling of butterflies. "Thank you for the cookies, Wife."

She turned slightly to better face him capturing his lips this time like she wished she could have back then. Keeping the kiss short with two pairs of ever watching eyes, she whispered huskily, "welcome home Constable. We wanted to surprise you."

Allie smiled at the sight of her parents noting their warm greeting and hoping to find a similar love for herself someday. "Hi Dad. We made you something." She kissed her father's cheek regretfully having to lean away from him for the sole purpose of keeping him clean with her flour covered apron.

Nathan's eyes danced. "So I see…hmmm…well I'll just have to make sure these are fit to eat…" he filled his large hands with a handful of selected cookies.

Elizabeth turned and washed her hands at the sink before she returned to the stove, and stirred the simmering leek and potato soup. She poured in the cream stirring it together. She grabbed a few bowls from the pantry and ladled out four bowlfuls topping them with chives. "Jack, can you grab the spoons for us?"

Jack nodded and dutifully set the table. Nathan finished off the last of his handful of cookies and took the stairs two at a time to grab a new shirt for Jack.

With everyone dressed and ready, the family joined hands and prayed together before eating their soup and catching up on each other's day. It had been a thankfully slow day at the office for Nathan, but he was able to catch up on some recent paperwork after a busy few days of helping people during the last snowstorm.

With the dinner dishes cleared, Nathan and Jack washed and dried the dishes together which allowed the girls to finish cleaning up the counters and get the last batch of cookies in the oven. Once the cookies were stored safely away in their tins, the final pan washed and put away, and the floured aprons hung for tomorrow, the Grants collapsed together on the couch in one warm heap.

Allie and Jack each nibbled away on a cookie while Nathan grabbed the family Bible and opened to their nightly devotional reading. With only one more day before Jack's birthday, tonight's reading featured the camel. It told of the wisemen seeing a star in the East and how they followed it for months on end to find the promised king.

A few verses of singing We Three Kings had lulled Jack and even Allie close to sleep. Nathan and Elizabeth readied them both for bed and led them upstairs choosing to call it an early night for everyone with a full day of baking coming in the morning.

A/N:

Quick little update today. Thank you to nebula2 and pn1thrasher who pulled me out of the writing ditch I fell in looking for the way forward.

"Deliberately dodged" is a quote from Disney's Robin Hood with the fox. Prince John says it to Sir Hiss and I just love it.

The live nativity was inspired by my childhood church dressing all the little girls as angels and little boys as shepherds creating a mass of cuteness on Christmas Eve.

Hope you caught the Easter Eggs from But Now I See of Jack running out the door, the flour covered Elizabeth and Jack (and this time Allie too), flour "suits you," the snickerdoodle memory and the new peek into Nathan devouring that bag of cookies from the lake spot. If you watched carefully, there is also some foreshadowing into You'll Always Be My Little Girl. ;) with Allie watching her parents greet each other.