David scrambled out of Niles' arms and ran to the pulpit where a small group of children just his age were gathered. Daphne watched as Mrs. Mailer, the church choir
director helped her son slip on a small white choir robe that fell just below his knees. And when David turned around she smiled at how handsome he looked. She was
the proudest mother in Seattle. The organ music continued, growing louder and Daphne was suddenly aware of the crowd that had begun to file into the church.
"We'd better go and find our seats." She whispered.
She took Niles' hand and together they found a pew that would give them a perfect view of their son. Meanwhile, Martin and Ronee sat in the front row of an adjacent
pew on the front row. Daphne had to admit that she was a bit jealous that her father in law had a better seat than she and Niles did, but if it weren't for Martin, they
wouldn't even be here, about to enjoy what was sure to be the most memorable Christmas Eve ever. The lights dimmed, leaving only flickering candlelight and the Father
appeared at the pulpit, signaling for the congregation to stand.
The strands of "O Come All Ye Faithful" began and Daphne held the hymnal in her hands, singing along to the familiar song. Beside her she could hear Niles, his perfect
voice warming her heart. After "O Come All Ye Faithful" came "The First Noel" and then "O Little Town of Bethlehem". And finally, the soft strands of Silent Night could be
heard as twenty angelic children's voices wafted through the sanctuary.
When Daphne turned her head, she could see the children walking in a processional down the center aisle, each one carefully holding a flickering candle.
At first Daphne was concerned that Niles would be uncomfortable with the thought that their child was carrying such a potentially dangerous object. But when she
glanced at her husband she saw him staring at his son, mesmerized.
The image of David, the small blonde haired boy with the bright blue eyes caused Daphne to wrap her arms around her husband, unable to believe that this beautiful
child was theirs.
The children filed into two rows at the front of the pulpit and Mrs. Mailer stood proudly in front of them. "Thank you, parents, grandparents, aunts, Uncles and cousins,
for letting your children be a part of this Christmas Eve service. For those of you who are experiencing this
service for the first time, I hope it's as wonderful to you as it has been to me. And now without further delay, here is our children's choir singing It Came upon a Midnight
Clear."
The music began and the children sang joyfully as though they were the only ones in the sanctuary. Daphne could see Martin taking every opportunity to snap pictures
of her son, no matter how much Ronee protested. When the song was over, applause filled the sanctuary, bringing smiles to the children's faces and those around
them.