A/N A little christmas story for you. As my job involves broadening the minds of tiny little humans, the nativity is pretty much my life right now. I can only hope it all runs smoothely. This one shot follows on from Home is Where the Heart Is.
Rise Up
"Molly….Molls!" Molly groaned as she was shaken awake. She blinked and glanced at the clock. 2.35. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes she sat up, careful not to wake the figure sleeping beside her. "Sam what's wrong? Did Ava wake you?" Molly glanced at the baby monitor on the bedside table. No sound could be heard. "I had a bad dream," Sam whispered, his eyes shifted to the floor refusing to meet Molly's. Through the gap in the curtains Molly could see his lip quivering as he fought back the tears and trying to be brave. "Hay now what's all this mate?" Molly asked soothingly as she pulled Sam into a hug. He simply shook his head and buried his face in her shoulder. Molly held him tighter as she felt is small body shaking. She let him cry for a few minutes before hooking a finger under his chin and brought his face to meet hers. "Does this have anything to do with your Christmas nativity that's coming up in a few days?" Molly broached the subject gently, knowing how stubborn Sam can be when it comes to admitting to his fears. Just like his Dad.
Sam paused for a second, trying to find the right words. "What if I forget my lines Molls? I have to stand up there in front of all those people. What if I get scared at all those faces staring at me under the bright lights and mess up?" Sam's small brow creased in concern as he confessed his fears. Molly smiled gently. "Sammy, you know the play backwards and forwards, you've practically been saying everyone's lines in your sleep mate. Miss Hollis wouldn't have given you such an important part if she didn't think you could do it would she?" Sam thought for a second before shaking his head. "Exactly mate. Shall I let you in on a little secret?" She whispered into his ear whilst tickling his ribs, making him giggle. "What's the secret Molly?"
She grinned and slid out of bed, beckoning him to follow her out of the room. They crept as quite as mice down the hall and into Charles' study. Molly reached into the drawer and pulled out a colourful box. "When I had to give my presentations to the medics in Afghan I was brickin it! I was so nervous that my heart used to race and I was so worried I'd forget me lines. When I confessed to a friend who's a lecturer he gave me some good advice."
"What's a lecturer Molls?"
"A lecturer is someone who teaches adults." Molly said with a laugh, forgetting how inquisitive Sam was. "So…..the secret?" Sam prompted. Molly laughed and tapped his nose. "So impatient! Hold out your hand and close your eyes." Sam did so immediately. Molly reached out and placed something small into the palm of his hand. Sam opened his eyes excitedly before frowning in confusion. "A paper clip?" he asked uncertainly.
"A paper clip," Molly confirmed. Sam started at the paperclip as if it would miraculously reveal its secret. "Molls not being funny, but I ain't got a Scooby how a paper clip is gunna help me remember my lines," Sam explained in exasperation, mimicking Molly's mannerisms perfectly. Molly burst into laughter. "Oh Sam, you better not say that in front of your mum, she'll kill me for turning you into a Cockney." Sam wasn't impressed. Molly sent him an apologetic grin and took the paperclip. "My friend used to say that all our nerves is just excess adrenaline. We have all this nervous energy rushing around our bodies. Now whenever I have to speak in front of people I grip the paper clip real tight. It draws the nervous energy away from my heart."
"What like a lightning rod?" Sam exclaimed excitedly.
"Yeah, that's it. Like a lightning rod. All the energy goes into the paperclip and all that's left is…."
"My lines!" Sam finished excitedly.
"That's right. Your lines that are gunna knock the socks off your audience. Some of the most important people in history used this trick you know… Winston Churchill, JK Rowling… even the Queen," Molly explained, smiling as Sam's eyes grew wide. "But they have to give important speeches all the time!" Sam said clearly in awe that famous people get nervous to.
"I know." Molly ruffled his hair. "Think you're ready for bed now?" Sam shook his head as he fought a yawn. "Come on scamp, I'll tuck you in." Molly led Sam into his room and tucked him in. "Molls?" Sam asked as she moved to the door way. "Yeah mate?"
"Can you check under the bed for scary things, just in case. I know I'm big now but I want you to check, just to be sure."
"Ok mate. But you do know that the only scary thing in this house, apart from the staircase, is your dad's snoring right?" Sam burst into giggles as he snuggled down under the covers. "You are funny Molls!" Molly sent him a wink.
"I know, just don't tell your dad what I said yeah?" she sent him a grin as she eased the door shut and padded back to their bedroom. Charles stirred. "The kids ok?" He asked sleepily. Molly brushed his hair out of his eyes and kissed his cheek. "Yeah, Sam had a bad dream. All sorted now. Go back to sleep." Charles mumbled as he pulled her closer.
Molly slid into a seat next to Rebecca, oblivious to the glares from the other parents whose legs she had to clamper over to reach her seat. "Bloody traffic's a nightmare." Molly grumbled as she took a squirming Ava from Charles, who was sat next to Rebecca. "He finally let you loose on the roads did he?" Rebecca asked with a smirk, sending a look at her ex-husband. Molly rolled her eyes. "My drivin ain't that bad for Fu…." Molly suddenly remembered where she was "For Fudge sakes. It was one time." Rebecca sniggered. "Yeah where you nearly took out an entire section of the British Army. That's impressive, even for you," Rebeca laughed and patted her on the arm to show she was only joking. Molly rolled her eyes "Oh shut your cake hole. Least I didn't nearly take out half the police force," Molly sot back, smirking in revenge. Rebecca winced. "You told her?" she asked shooting a glare at her ex as she elbowed him in the stomach. "It slipped out. Besides, they were fine," Charles responded whist rubbing his stomach. All three burst out laughing causing the women in front to turn around and glare. "Stuck up mare!" Molly mumbled under her breathe, grinning as both Rebecca and Charles fought to hold in their laughter.
Both sobered as the curtain in front of the stage rose to reveal the pupils of the Lower Key Stage 2 classes, dressed in a variety of colourful costumes. Molly spotted Sam stood at the front to the side of the stage, microphone in hand. He caught her eye and she sent him the thumbs up. Rebecca looked on nervously. "Ohh I hope he's ok, he was soo nervous!" She fretted.
"Nah, he's got this," Molly whispered confidently as the lights went down and the Nativity began.
Sam took a shaky breathe, squared his shoulders and began. "This is the story of the very first Christmas," Sam started, his voice shaking ever so slightly, as two children dressed as Mary and Joseph walked onto the stage. "It happened more than two thousand years ago in a town called Nazareth, where a lady called Mary lived with her husband Joseph. One day an angel visited Mary to tell her some very special news." Sam continued to narrate the play, gaining confidence as the show progressed. Sam was coming to the end of his last speech when it happened. "The three Wise Men went into the stable and saw their baby king. They gave him presents of gold, Frankinstein and myrrh." Sam stumbled as he made his first mistake. A few of the audience chuckled at his slip. Molly, Charles and Rebcecca drew a collective breath, waiting to see what Sam would do.
Sam swallowed anxiously, his hand creeping into the pocket of his costume. His eyes frantically searched the crowd until they met Molly's reassuring gaze. She flashed him a grin and pulled a funny face, gesturing for him to continue. With a grin he did. "All the animals and all the people in the stable knew that a very special baby had been born. They watched very quietly as the baby Jesus slept in the manger." As he finished the children playing the three wise kings moved to stand around the manger with their gifts. One of the children caught his foot on his costume and stumbles, knocking into the other two. The effect was like a domino stack. The children fell forward and the brightly coloured packages tumbled onto the stage and rolled off into the audience. The children playing the three kings froze and looked at each other in panic, unsure of what to do.
Sam suddenly stood up and took the mic. "Sorry about that ladies and gentleman, were only kids ya know. We did it perfect in the dress rehearsal. But you can never tell when it's live. Have no fear, no gold, frankincense or myrrh were harmed in the making of this production. Please join us in our last song of the night Silent Night." The audience paused at the impromptu speech. Then they broke into rapturous applause. Molly, Charles and Rebecca jumped to their feet cheering the loudest of them all. The woman in front looked back in disapproval. "Well, that never would have happened if MY son was made narrator." Rebecca opened her mouth to yell a resort but Molly beat her to it.
"Oh wind your neck in. It was YOUR son who tripped and sent them packages flying in the first place," Molly shot back with a glare. The woman merely looked down her nose at Molly before standing up and moving along the isle to the exit. The three looked back at the stage as the song came to an end and each child took a bow. When Sam moved forward, grinning broadly, he pulled his hand out of his pocket. Sending a thumbs up to Molly he opened his palm and Molly could make out a bent paperclip clutched tightly in his hand. Charles noticing the exchange, sent a quizzical look at Molly. "What have you done now Dawes?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
Molly simply shrugged and winked, hoisting Ava further up her hip. "I'll tell you later, nothing to worry your pretty little head about," She resorted sending him an impish smile. Charles shook his head and looked back at the stage staring proudly as Sam took his final bow before disappearing behind the curtain that was slowly being lowered over the stage.
A/N: The scene with the paperclip was inspired by the film Maid in Manhattan. Thanks for reading.