Hi, everyone! Sorry I missed posting for a few days - real life has been busy, which is why I wanted to start this story well before Christmas. I hope you like chapter 7 - thanks for reading!
Ornaments
"Grandma, are you sure that you have Christmas lights in here?" Harm asked, his voice deep and muffled as he talked into the closet.
"I'm quite sure, dear," Sarah called. "And since you're the only one tall enough to reach the top of the closet, that's why you're the one in there looking for them. Mac, while my grandson attempts to locate the Christmas lights, would you bring that box of ornaments over here?"
Mac did as she was asked, settling down comfortably on the couch next to Sarah. The beautiful spruce tree that they had picked up at the farm earlier now stood proudly in the living room, and Mac had to admit that she couldn't wait to decorate it.
Inside the box, there was a selection of bright, glittery ornaments, a long garland of red and green tinsel, and a shining gold star. There was also a smaller box with plenty of soft padding to protect its precious contents.
Sarah nodded at Mac to go ahead and open it, and Mac carefully unwrapped a delicate little ornament.
"A Stearman," she realized, holding the little glass biplane in her hand. It was exquisite, the craftsmanship absolutely precise from the wings and the cockpit all the way to the paint that read U.S. Navy along the side.
"It belonged to Harm's grandfather," Sarah explained. "He flew a Stearman, you know. Earned those gold wings in her." She sighed dreamily. "He was devastatingly handsome. Passed that gene on to his son. Along with the flying gene." Her voice cracked. "He was killed flying off the USS Hornet in '42."
"I'm sorry," Mac whispered.
Sarah let out a sigh and quickly wiped her moist eyes. "It's okay," she sniffled. "It was a long time ago now."
"You lost both your husband and your son to flying for the Navy," Mac said softly. "And you still live with that every day."
Sarah pressed a hand to her heart. "They live on in here, dear," she said. She motioned to Harm. "And I see them both every time I look at my grandson."
