Christmas Day Part One

Morning

Oliver enjoyed the quiet of mornings. Before the pace and bustle of the day, there was peace. He knew that he needed to face the hubbub of the busy Christmas Day that awaited him, but first he wanted to spend a few moments in prayer, thanking God for this blessed day that would be spent with family and friends. He couldn't contain the smile that spilled from his heart to his face. Shane, his beautiful wife who slumbered in his arms, was the reason he smiled. She was the reason for his peace and contentment. Oliver's smile grew as he took in their matching ensembles, Shane's way of reminding everyone, but especially him, that they were a family. He smiled because he knew that before Shane, he would no more have worn matching pajamas with a partner, let alone a parent, than have walked into work barefoot. Absent-mindedly, he leaned to kiss Shane's cheek. Time to begin the task of convincing sleeping beauty that she needed to stir.

Going to Church

Generally, the O'Toole family attended the smaller church where their wedding had been held. For major feasts, however, Shane had encouraged Oliver to attend his old church, where he could keep up with friends and sing in the choir. Shane found the stained glass and stone a little formal, but she had agreed that the parish did pageantry well, and that celebrating Christmas in such beautiful surroundings, with glorious music, as well as old friends, would be a wonderous experience.

Oliver walked with Shane and Joe to a pew about a third of the way down the aisle. Shane was excited to see that the seat was not empty, but rather, was occupied by the man Dale had recently begun seeing. Shane was delighted to get a chance to interrogate him, hoping to assure herself that he was good enough for their dear friend Dale. Oliver turned to Joe, telling him to save Marcus if Shane became too much.

Shane feigned hurt, but then giggled. 'Hurry, Oliver,' she said. 'You need to warm up with the choir. Marcus is perfectly safe with me.' She fluttered her eyelashes at everyone, and the three men laughed. Marcus might think she looked harmless, but he was about to find out that he was very much mistaken. Shane began her very polite, but thorough investigation.

For an hour before the service began, the choir sang a selection of Christmas carols. Shane watched as a boy of no more than eight years of age began the carols, singing the opening verse to 'Once in Royal David's City' acapella. His true treble voice soared amidst the rafters before he was joined by the rest of the choir. She thought that 'Still, Still, Still' was beautiful, as was 'O Come Thou Long Expected Jesus'. The one that most filled her heart the most was the sublime 'In the Bleak Midwinter', sung by an unaccompanied sextet of choristers (including Oliver and Dale). It was so profound that she found herself brushing tears from her eyes.

Exchanging Gifts

Oliver, Shane and Joe sat in the living room. The fireplace was lit, coffees were in hand, and they were ready to exchange gifts. Rita, Norman, Bill, Ramon, Dale and her friend would join them for lunch and more presents, but for now, the O'Toole family were ready to share gifts with each other.

'Do you want to play Santa, Joe?' Shane asked with a grin.

'Do I need to wear a hat? Or a beard?' Joe laughed.

'I really don't think we need that yet,' said Oliver. 'Why don't we wait for everyone else before we need Santa.'

Shane went to the tree, and pulled the letters from its branches.

'First, she declared, 'letters from the tree.'

She gave the missives to their intended recipients, and the trio read, laughed and in some cases, cried over the heartfelt words.

'Alright,' Shane said, wiping her brimming eyes, 'Presents!'

Joe selected a gaily wrapped box for Shane. 'Merry Christmas honey.'

Shane took the gift, then carefully (but speedily) unwrapped it. She laughed as she saw the gardening apron and gloves that it contained. Watercolour pots and watering cans in blues and yellows covered the apron and the gloves. 'Shane: Head Gardener' was printed across the apron's top. She was just about to stand when she realized that there was more to the present. A gift card, letting her know she was now a member of the 'Chocolate of the Month' Club. Shane stood, walking to Joe, giving a giant hug and kiss. 'I love all of it!'

'Okay. I am next,' Shane cried. 'Oliver, this is one of your gifts.'

Shane passed a gift bag to Oliver. He opened it with meticulous care (driving everybody else slightly crazy). He exclaimed over the Shakespearean Trivial Pursuit, as well as the bottle of personalized Shakespeare Elderflower and Quince Gin. Shane knew that he was about to get swept down a Shakespearean rabbit hole of trivia, so she took it from him and put it on the table. He raised an eyebrow at her, then standing, embraced her, whispering, 'Thank you. I love it. I love you.' Shane laughed, then said, 'Your turn, Oliver.'

Oliver selected a present for Joe from under the tree. 'Merry Christmas, Dad.'

Joe hugged his son, then sat to open the gift. Shane sat on the edge of her seat, excited to see what Joe thought of the items. He took a box from the gift bag, puzzled until he deciphered the contents of the box. Contained in the box was a kit to build a lap steel guitar. Joe looked at the gift in delight. 'Son, this is great! I've always wanted one of these, and building my own is great!'

Oliver encouraged his father to keep looking. 'There is a little more to the gift, Dad.'

Joe found the card inside. Inside were instructions for joining a guitar building course.

'Wow! Son, this is amazing!'. Joe wrapped his son in his arms. 'Thank you, Ollie. Love you son.'

Shane sat, looking at her wonderful husband and the father of her heart. This was certainly the best Christmas ever.

She was not surprised that she didn't have another present under the tree. I mean, the tennis bracelet was obviously expensive, so she didn't expect anything else. There was still her main gift for Oliver though. She looked meaningfully at Joe, then said, 'Joe, can you give me a hand?'

Shane and Joe returned with a large box, covered in an acre of wrapping paper. They placed it on the coffee table before Oliver.

'Oliver O'Toole,' said Joe, 'You have 30 seconds to unwrap that, or I am doing it for you!'

'Too late!' said Shane, starting to tear at the paper.

Oliver moved Shane gently out of the way. 'This is my gift, I believe?'

'Yes, but are you ever going to open it?'

Oliver finally removed the wrapping, then sat exploring the travel bureau and writing desk. Delightedly, he opened drawers and lifted inlaid trays. Behind one of the panels, there was a letter. Shane sat next to Oliver and took his hand. 'Honey,' she began, 'Do me a favour? Maybe don't read the letter out loud.'

Oliver took the letter and read.

Darling Oliver,

This writing desk is my gift for you. I hope that as you use it, you will think of the one who gave it to you with so much love. The one who will be beside you, forever. Finding this desk was providential, much as finding you at the coffee cart, and then later in our second home of the DLO was providential. While this desk is a gift for you, this life we share is the greatest gift of all, and I thank God for you and for our story that we are writing together, every day. Oliver, on this most wonderful Christmas Day, accept this Christmas gift for you. With it, I give you all of the love that fills my heart, and all of the support for your hopes and dreams that I can provide.

I love you, with all of my heart,

Shane

Oliver blinked, willing himself not to cry. His wife certainly knew how to get to him. He wrapped her in an embrace and kissed her temple.

'I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.'

Joe, laughed. 'Are you practicing for your trivia game Ollie? I know that one. It's from Twelfth Night.'

Coffees refilled, and gifts exclaimed over some more, the trio sat, delighting in each other's company. Eventually, Shane lifted her head from Oliver's shoulder, remarking that it was just about time to get organized for lunch.

'Don't you want your present, Shane?' Oliver asked with studied nonchalance.

'What? But I already received my gift …'

Well, if you don't want it..'

The look that he was thrown was withering.

'Dad,' said Oliver, 'Do you want to lead the way?'

Joe and Oliver led Shane to the stairs, then once she had made it to the hallway, led her to the spare bedroom.

Shane noticed that the French doors had a red bow around the latch. Puzzled, she looked from Oliver to Joe. Both smiled at her, giving no clue. She went to the doors, and turned the handle.

'Merry Christmas, Shane,' Oliver said as she walked out into a magical space, all for her. Oliver and Joe watched as she wandered around the greenhouse, gasping at benches, pots and gardening equipment. At the centre of the space, spying the chair, she sat in it and sobbed. Oliver looked terrified. 'Shane,' Oliver began, 'If you don't like it, we can …'

He got no further. Shane launched herself at her husband. 'I love it! You wonderful, wonderful man!'

Joe tactfully took himself downstairs and tidied up wrapping paper and coffee cups.