Chapter 2
Lisa had slept late on Christmas Eve Day and was awaken by her maid's knock on her door.
"Mrs. Douglas, your Mother in law called and said to remind you that lunch with Cynthia and her husband is at 12:30."
"Oh vell I better get up! Its 11: OO! I'm sorry you have to start my room so late. Olivah and I stayed up late and I had the most vonderful night. I vas so tired. Remember, you can leave an hour early to be vith your family, Mary. ,said Lisa
"Thank You Mrs. Douglas.I hope you have a wonderful first Christmas in America", said Mary.
"Oh I know I vill. Vell I better get ready to go to Olivah's Motha's",said Lisa as she proceeded to get ready while singing along to her Bing Crosby Christmas record.
She enjoyed spending time with her sister-in law even though like her mother, she was a bit snobbish. Cynthia's husband Edward was a CEO of a large banking corporation in Chicago. They had only met at Lisa and Oliver's wedding and Thanksgiving.
"Lisa I'm so glad you could join us for lunch. It's a shame Oliver would chose lunch with a law school classmate over lunch with his mother", said Eunice.
"Motha he sees you every veek. Bob lives a long vays avay and they only see each other once a year. You vill be vith Olivah all day tomorrow", said Lisa.
"Well I still wish he would spend more time with me. His father hardly ever spent any time with me when Oliver was young!" exclaimed Eunice.
"Mother let's not talk about dad over the holidays. On Christmas Eve and Day I want to remember the good times. I have some very exciting news to tell you, exclaimed Cynthia.
"Really what is it dear?" asked Eunice.
"I'm expecting, Mother", said Cynthia smiling.
"Oh you are! How far along are you dear?" asked Eunice
Four weeks, Mother", said Cynthia.
"We've already decided that we will name the child Charles if it is a boy", said Edward.
"If it's a girl we'll name her Charlotte", said Cynthia.
"Congratulations Cynthia, but good heavens, this means I'll be a grandmother. You must find an exclusive nanny agency of course", said Eunice. As soon as Lisa heard the word grandmother, she realized what Cynthia was expecting was a child.
"Oh of course mother, and the best private schools", said Cynthia.
"Oh of course dear", said Eunice.
"Congratulations Cynthia", said Lisa.
"Thank you Lisa. Soon after the child is born I hope to arrange a trip to New York City again", said Cynthia.
"Yes I'm sure we could arrange something", said Edward.
"Lisa how are you enjoying the Christmas season in America?" asked Cynthia.
"Oh it is very nice. Olivah says that the Christmas Eve Service at church is vonderful!" said Lisa.
"Well, have enjoyed the parties?" asked Cynthia.
"Oh yes they have been vonderful. I'm looking forward to the Opera New Year's masquerade ball!", exclaimed Lisa.
"Those are always wonderful!", said Eunice.
The rest of the lunch was spent gossiping about New York City's elite, Eunice giving Cynthia advice on how her grandchild will be raised and Christmas plans.
When Oliver arrived in the afternoon Oliver and Lisa made sure that all the presents had been wrapped and were under the tree. They also listened to a Bing Crosby concert on the radio. After a romantic dinner they went to the Christmas Eve service at their church. It was a beautiful service. The choir sang beautifully and the sermon reminded everyone of the true meaning of Christmas. When the minister talked about how God sometimes sends people who are like angels into our life, Lisa got teary eyed when she thought of how her husband was like an angel when he rescued her. Lisa was able to talk to some of her church friends who were also some of the families who Eunice was friends with after the service.
That night after church Lisa and Oliver opened gifts from each other as well as from friends and co-workers of Oliver's. From Oliver Lisa received a diamond ring and a Hungarian-English dictionary.
"Olivah I love the ring, but do you not like my English?", asked Lisa.
"Oh honey, I know there are some words you struggle with. This is for if you don't know a word in English then you can look in here and see what it means", said Oliver.
"Thank you dahling!"'said Lisa before giving Oliver a kiss.
Oliver was thrilled with a gift of a new guitar and a beautiful new watch. He was so grateful that he had rescued and married Lisa. He loved her with all his heart. The next day would be spent with his family who he loved dearly, even though they got on his nerves at times. But with tomorrow being Christmas, he hoped his time would be full of peace and love.