Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope you enjoy this next installment after stuffing yourself with all that great Thanksgiving food if you are in the United States! Be safe today and the rest of the shopping days up until Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa!

July 5th, 1933

Dear Hattie,

What a weekend?! And it appears the adventures are still unfolding for my sister and her new family! I have to say this past weekend has been such a whirlwind or maybe I should restate that … this past week, since Annie's arrival in our lives, has been such a whirlwind of change! For the better mind you but still enough to keep all our heads spinning for the next few months.

This weekend alone had me whipping out of my scissors to give each of Annie's friends overdue hair cuts. They all deserved a little pampering after their long run to warn Gracie and Oliver of the Hannigan heist! But, Hattie, I'm not going to dwell on that anymore than I already have this weekend! The trials and tribulations of this weekend have already been covered (wink, wink) in this diary!

Let's see where to start this morning's rendition?! Hmmm … how about I recount the events from my perspective starting with breakfast? Glad you think it's a grand idea, Hattie! Hmmm … well, I can tell you that in the formal dining hall all was well and euphoric for our two love birds and their families; that's right Oliver postponed breakfast until 9:30 and invited his 'family' as well as our family to dine with him, Gracie, and the Roosevelts this morning.

However, it ended up that anyone over the age of one but under the age of 13 ate breakfast in the kitchen, even C.J. Later we learned that Annie's friends, who were also invited to eat at the grand table, were a bit melancholy about returning to the orphanage; and, Annie being sympathetic toward them insisted she eat in the kitchen too! Of course, our two love birds weren't really intuitive about the other moods surrounding the mansion because their heads were still in the clouds!

I could tell Annette and Cecile were very somber and a bit jumpy while assisting with breakfast, and quickly hurrying back to the kitchen once their duties were completed. I know I saw their husbands as well as the other couples in there, I'm sure to spend as much time with the girls as possible before they returned back to that dreary place. I also know I caught Cecile and Annette flicking looks back and forth between each other and then toward Oliver and Gracie during their duties. Cecile even bit her lip, like she was trying to control an impulse to interrupt breakfast for some reason or other … I'll get to their reasons in due time Hattie so be patient!

Hmmm … before I get to the juicy details, I have to say I can tell you that future family events and get togethers are going to be very eventful to say the least. The Taylors, Christian and Annabelle are superb as well as their three children, and that C.J. is a ham and a half. He didn't even blink an eye when he was invited to eat with all the girls as he followed Annie into the kitchen. I think he has a crush on July! FDR even commented on his departure stating, "that's a brave chap to willingly enter a lion's den." His comment had everyone laughing but Twister's comment that followed FDR's had everyone laughing even more with tears streaking down their faces. Twister indicated that he would need to gear up in his football uniform before entering a room full of mostly estrogen of any age especially since watching Evelyn and her friends dress C.J. up as a baby! Ellis then promptly looked at Willis and stated that he would guard him against Annie if she had a mind to do that to him in the near future causing us all to erupt into laughter again.

Anyway, J.B. and the Taylors are just gems! During last night's festivities I saw a small glimpse of their calming effect on Oliver. I also witnessed their wit, charisma, and natural charm and I have to say after getting to know them better this morning … I can truly admit it's the beginning of some beautiful friendships.

Oh Hattie, the most comical moment came just a short while later as the conversation steered toward this coming weekend's nuptials as Annabelle volunteered her assistance for the wedding and Eleanor made a statement about how much fun she had planning her daughter's wedding! At that exact moment, Annie and C.J. came into the dining room which promptly had Annie excitedly volunteering (not quite requesting) the First Lady's assistance as well. We were all a bit flabbergasted by Annie's 'request,' but Oliver's fish face was the best. I don't think he wanted the Democrats in his house much longer!

However, FDR seized the moment and stated that they could shorten their Connecticut vacation and spend half of it with us! He indicated that the first week of their vacation was without their children and grandchildren anyway so it was perfect timing. I also believe, Hattie, he has an ulterior motive this week to twist Oliver's arm until he says 'uncle,' in order to get his support for the New Deal.

Then of course, Gracie had to be all honorable and sweet by graciously giving Eleanor an out, however, the First Lady told her that she would love to assist with the Warbucks nuptials as she gave her a sassy wink! This of course had Gracie all red faced again … I swear Hattie, my sister blushes like a school girl at any innuendo that may be implied about her and Oliver! All I have to say is thank goodness Annie came into their lives because I am sure they would still be going round and around on that same merry-go-round … BECAUSE COME SATURDAY NIGHT, Gracie's modesty and prudence are going to fly out that great big bay window! She's finally going to be a 'full fledged' woman and her man's siren, Hattie! Okay, okay, okay … I've derailed from my thoughts again, I get that, but Gracie and Oliver's silent longing and misery has gotten us all tied up in knots. All I can say is Saturday is not soon enough for several of us, after all the 'ga ga' looks they kept passing back and forth today at breakfast, had a few of us ready to cave into the notion of elopement!

Anyway, back to the dining hall after Annie and C.J.'s grand entrance, and after the shock of Annie's 'request,' Oliver was finally able to find his voice to inquiry about their original reason for their presence. C.J. piped in stating that some guy from the orphanage was here to retrieve the other girls, but he also wanted to talk with Oliver and Gracie before his departure. Annie then chimed in, after giving C.J. a silent warning that she could speak for herself, stating that their was also an older lady with him as well. C.J. of course boldly stole the thunder away from Annie again, earning a slight elbow to his arm, after supplying the remaining information, that in addition to the lady being with Mr. Donatelli it appeared she also brought along two large trunks and a small dresser too.

Of course after Gracie saw Annie's elbow connect with C.J.'s arm she swiftly caught Annie's gaze then quickly used her 'mother stink eye' to scold her for her behavior. It was quite entertaining to see the 'cousin rivalry' as well as the 'mother-daughter' bond/nonverbal communication continue to develop in such a short time. Annie's response was swift, as she slowly deflated from annoyed, to sorry, and finally back to her jubilant self, especially after Grace acknowledged her behavior change with her own nonverbal encouragement and support.

Oliver took the whole scene in stride as if it had been a natural occurrence within the household for years. I can definitely say that Annie's presence, in the last week, has turned this cold and sterile mansion into a warm and loving home! Oh, Hattie, I know the mansion has always had a lovely cloak about it due to all the household staff's hard work, but it was missing charm and warmth especially when the man that owned it set the undertone! He's definitely lost 10 years off his appearance already due to his newly found happiness! I know 'Papa William,' has worried about Oliver's health over the years due to all the stress and demands he puts on himself. 'Mama Esther' has also voiced similar concerns as well, that his self-demanding drive for financial security, especially after the crash, could and surely would send him to an early grave. Now, 'Papa William and Mama Esther' have never voiced their concerns in front of Gracie, thank goodness, otherwise, I'm not sure what drastic measures she would do to prevent his early demise! Knowing her she probably would have or would go back to night school for her nursing degree!

Anyway, I derailed again, there's so much I want to tell you yet I don't know the whole story. If only I had been a fly on the wall earlier and/or my husband would share more information with me instead of just the facts! Men can be so dense sometimes!

Hmmm … so what do I know of the day? Well, I know that once Annie and C.J. delivered their news, Oliver and Gracie excused themselves from the table, but insisted that the rest of us continue without them, after all they had consumed the majority of their breakfast already as they had listened to everybody else's favorite moments from last night, some politics, and wedding plans from the ladies before the kids interrupted us. Most of us looked down at our plates and realized we hadn't even finished half of our meals. J.B. burst out laughing at that moment stating that if we quizzed them later about our conversations they probably wouldn't have a clue as to what we were discussing because they were in their own little world the whole time. This caused all of us to join in as we realized that it was true, they hadn't uttered a word during our morning dialogue.

It was about an hour later when Gracie came to retrieve Annie, who had attached herself to FDR and Eleanor after her parents' departure. Then after their departure from the dining room we all adjourned to two different rooms; the women to Oliver's study to discuss and plan more of the wedding as the men headed toward the cigar room. It was about an hour later when we saw a few of the footmen carrying two large trunks and what appeared to be a small dresser toward the elevator and about five minutes later Gracie carrying a crying Annie. As I saw Gracie pass, a stray thought entered my mind, "thank goodness she decided to wear her comfortable flat shoes today!"

Then we saw Drake enter the cigar room to retrieve 'Papa William' and Ellis to follow him back toward Oliver's office. Then just as we were about ready to return back to our planning, after speculating on the recent events, Mrs. Pugh and Mrs. Greer dashed into the room to fill us in on all the drama that just occurred in the entryway. It appears that the girls' caregivers this weekend became quite smitten with them and sought Gracie and Oliver's assistance with their adoption. Hattie, that's the reason Oliver sent for 'Papa William' and Ellis.

Of course Mrs. Greer and Mrs. Pugh weren't able to supply what occurred prior to the Allens, Craigs, Harts, and Jenkins' request. All they were able to say was the older lady, Mrs. McGuire and Mr. Donatelli, along with all the other girls, were escorted out of the house by Annie, Oliver, and Gracie, but quickly after saying her goodbyes Annie darted back into the mansion, I imagine before all of her friends could see her tears. Apparently, Annie plowed right into Mabel, as all the 'caregivers' stood in the hall after sending the girls back to the orphanage, evidently they were waiting patiently for Gracie and Oliver's attention. Mabel's surprise and Annie's 'oof' stopped Gracie and Oliver's hot pursuit as well as Mr. Donatelli's immediate departure when he entered the mansion to see what caused the sudden flight from his hosts.

Gracie always being perceptive to others' feelings and undertones, instantly picked up on Cecile's brokenheartedness and hand ringing along with all the other crestfallen faces and fidgeting, and knew immediately something was causing their fretfulness and trepidation. However, her 'mama bear' gene was in full bloom now as well as Oliver's 'papa bear,' so they briskly shared a nonverbal conversation that he would attend to their daughter in that moment while she sweetly inquired about everyone else's undercurrents.

Supposedly, she cut to the chase quickly (most likely due to her wanting to comfort Annie), asking in the entryway, instead of Oliver or her office, like the pre-Annie business decorum dictated, allowing for others in the mansion to overhear their tete-a-tete. Her sweet but curt query had the desired effect because Michael hastily stepped up as the groups' spokesman and stuttered their request to pursue adoptions for all the other girls. Evidently, Oliver instantly used his signature eyebrow quirk to silently inquire about their sudden desire to be parents as well as what purpose they wished for him and Grace to fulfill; but, before Gracie or Oliver could respond Annie quickly turned her head which had been tucked under Oliver's, as a shield to hide her silent tears and in comfort, briefly perked up stating that it was a grand idea and that Daddy Warbucks would gladly help them.

This spurred Mr. Donatelli into action who had witnessed the whole scene in the doorway. He indicated that with Oliver's endorsement and their steady employment with him, he didn't see any reason as to why the adoption for all the girls wouldn't be a shoo-in by the end of the week once legal documents were drawn up and background checks occurred on each of the couples. Unfortunately, his response did not match the wishes of the four soon-to-be mothers which spurred my sister into action as she quickly solved all the issues suggesting that they seek out Ellis and 'Papa William's' legal services, use everyone's recent background checks (because Oliver insists on six month background checks on all his personnel), then instructed all the men in the entryway to ascend to Oliver's office to iron out all the legal mumbo jumbo while the women retrieved their future daughters, and kindly asked the Asp to return Mrs. McGuire back to her boarding house all while relieving Oliver of his precious cargo.

If anyone thought to contradict or question her instructions, they sure didn't have a chance to voice them as Gracie headed toward the elevator with a silently crying Annie in her arms. Apparently, Oliver was a a bit shocked and mystified at Gracie's orders but followed them anyway with all the men in tow. Supposedly, per Mrs. Greer and Mrs. Pugh we saw the tail end of it all as Gracie passed the study and Drake went to fetch my husband and my 'father' from the cigar room.

When we inquired about Annie's tears, Mrs. Pugh and Mrs. Greer stated that the tears should have subsided after hearing about her friends' futures; but, after seeing her pained look and her short resolve crumble as Gracie took her from Oliver's arms, they knew something else must have transpired during the meeting with Mrs. McGuire.

BUT, THE QUESTION NOW IS WHAT?! I know I've been stewing over this question for over three hours now! The boys finished up their business with Mr. Donatelli over an hour and half ago, and the 'new papas' rejoined their families in the garden. The news and reunions were quite heartwarming and if someone was unaware of what transpired in Oliver's office, peered into the study suddenly, they would have noted not one dry eye was among us, as we all witnessed, via the window, the new families rejoicing together!

Of course, the wedding planners continued to plow on during today's excruciating wait, what can I say Hattie 'curiosity has definitely killed the cat' tenfold already! However, once the boys returned to us, they shared what little information they knew about the meeting with Mr. Donatelli and Mrs. McGuire. It was infuriating that they didn't question Oliver prior to his departure from his study once the 'ball was rolling.' Evidently, he slipped out of the room to find Gracie and Annie once it appeared all was in order for the adoptions to be pushed through today!

So, now, it's way past lunch time and the trio has yet to come down, and 'Mama Esther' won't let anyone near Annie's room to inquire about her 'sorrows.' This totally surprises me, Hattie, 'Mama Esther' loves to know all the scuttlebutt revolving around her 'children' and 'grandchildren.' UGH! You know what she said? She said, "Abigail, they'll share all the details in good time … patience is a virtue, my dear!" REALLY?! Then why is she wearing a hole in one of Oliver's Persian carpets, HMMMMM?!

After all, most of the wedding planning is completed or at least the portions not requiring the bride's input because their already her preferred caterers, musicians, event rentals, and designer companies. So, now we wait, I hate waiting especially when the 'cat' is dead! Ugh, ugh, ugh! I could rant all day long, but mother duties are calling me, now! Hopefully, Hattie, tonight I will have more juicy details to share! I know I can't wait to hear what transpired in that office hours ago!

Until next time!

Yours truly,

Abigail