Thank you to everyone who has read this story and for the lovely comments.
I truly appreciate the feedback and hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!
Elvis lived an interesting life in the SAS. He loved his work, but sacrificed a lot that most of us take for granted.
Chapter 6
Christmas Eve
Traditions Part 2 – Elvis
Elvis and Georgie decided to share both of their family traditions with Laura and hopefully create new ones of their own together. His family celebrated Christmas Eve attending Mass then returning home to enjoy an Italian feast. He found a Parish which had an early evening Mass and also a Children's Nativity Pageant during the celebration. He hoped Laura would enjoy seeing the live characters and learn more about the Christmas story. His mind was buzzing as he gathered all of the ingredients for his home made spaghetti sauce. Everything was laid out on the counter: onions, garlic, olive oil, and spices. Eventually he had the meat browned and ready to go into the sauce pot along with the tomatoes. He was whistling and stirring, every once in a while tasting, followed by the addition of another ingredient. The aroma in the flat was without a doubt, delicious.
Georgie was helping Laura get ready for the day. It was a nice way to spend some personal time with her. Georgie was used to doing things like this with her sisters in the past, so despite being a bit nervous about how Laura would react to her over an extended period of time, they were for the most part getting along nicely. Elvis tried not to interfere so that they could find their way together. It tickled Georgie how much alike Laura and Elvis were. Not only in looks but in demeanor as well. Georgie could almost visualize Laura standing there dressed in camouflage kit and little combat boots. She had a sudden surge of concern as she thought of the possibility of Elvis buying Laura such an outfit. Well, the boots would be OK she supposed. She was summoned out of her musings when she heard, "Georgie! Daddy's making spaghetti!" Laura said as she crawled onto the bed. Georgie smiled at her, "Yea, I know he is." "I like daddy's spaghetti," Laura said as she twisted a strand of hair around a finger. Georgie took a hair brush and gently began to run it through Laura's fine hair. "I like it too," Georgie said. "He puts the sauce in a big pot," Laura said watching herself and Georgie in the mirror. "Yea," Georgie said smiling at her in the reflection. Laura scrunched her nose, "Mummy's sauce is in a jar."
Georgie grinned, "So is mine," she thought to herself. "Georgie?" Laura said. "Yea honey?" Georgie answered with an encouraging expression. "Do you know my mummy?" Laura said.
Georgie's eyes looked up into the mirror, "Oh, no!" she thought, "I knew this would be coming." "No Laura, not really," Georgie answered honestly and intently watched her reaction.
"Why not?" Laura said looking directly at Georgie with eyes so much like Elvis'. "Well…" Georgie started to say when she was interrupted by a knock at the bedroom door. "You ladies about ready?" Elvis' voice was heard from behind the door. Georgie let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and Laura slid off of the bed grabbing for the door knob. "Daddy! Look at the pretty jumper Georgie gave me!" Elvis crouched down and touched her little shoulder . "It's lovely. You look beautiful!" he said and kissed her forehead, then looked up at Georgie, "Couldn't wait then?" he said ginning. Georgie returned the grin, "Nope…" "Daddy I smell your sauce!" Laura said excitedly and kissed his cheek. "Can I have a taste?" she added. Elvis stood up holding her hand and laughed, "No honey, I'm still working on it." Laura turned to Georgie, "Are we done?" Georgie smiled at her and said, "yea, we're done. Time for breakfast. We have a busy day today young lady." Laura returned the smile and said to Elvis, "Girl's day daddy." And skipped out of the bedroom.
"Don't touch that pot!" Elvis called out to her then looked at Georgie, "She likes the jumper," he said smiling as he moved toward Georgie and kissed her temple. "yea," she said. Elvis touched her arm, "Are you alright?" he asked with concern creasing his brow. "I'm fine, yea," Georgie answered as she busied herself putting her make-up away. Elvis said, "Didn't mean to break up your time, but you said you wanted to get an early start." "That's right," Georgie said "We were done, I was just brushing her hair." Georgie stopped putting things away and looked up at Elvis. "She asked me if I knew her mum." Elvis looked sympathetic, "And?" he said. "And what? Someone knocked on the door that's what." she said tightly, keeping her voice low. "I told her no, I don't know her." Georgie said "and she asked me why? Well, that's actually when you knocked, but bloody hell Elvis! It felt awkward!" Georgie lamented. Elvis put his arms around her. "Don't worry babe. I think you two are getting along well. We'll talk to her about it. Laura knows why I don't live with her and Debbie. She may not understand the details but she knows she has two parents who love her. And you love her as well." Elvis said with a smile, rubbing Georgie's back with his hand. Georgie sighed, "Yea, I do love her and she's so much like you." Elvis laughed, "Really? You really think so?" "Without a doubt," Georgie said and tapped him on the chest. "Do you need anything else from the grocer's?" she asked as they both walked out of the bedroom. "No, think I'm good." He said. Laura was sitting on the floor looking at the tree and manger. "Attention!" Elvis said, "Time for breakfast." Laura giggled and jumped up taking her daddy's hand and walking into the kitchen. Georgie walked in behind them grinning and said out loud, "Attention." Elvis pulled out a chair and helped Laura sit down, she said to Georgie, "No Georgie, it's time to relax." As Elvis pushed the chair in, he almost doubled over with laughter. Georgie tried to remain composed as she thought about those damn boots again. Laura said to her, "Daddy's captain." Georgie said, "I know. And he's a good one." Laura's face lit up and she looked at Elvis. Georgie leaned toward her and said, "Do you know another name for captain?" Laura looked at her with a little pout, "No." Georgie said, we call the captain 'boss' also." Laura said, "Boss. Boss. Daddy are you a boss?" Elvis touched her head gently and said, "Yes, sometimes they call me boss." As he looked at Georgie good naturedly.
"Now, what would you like for breakfast Laura?" Elvis asked as he put flatware on the table. "Cereal." She chirped. "Cereal it is then," Elvis said lightly. "Fruit Loops!" Laura said cheerfully. Georgie's brows shot up and she looked at Elvis. He made note of the reaction and ignored Georgie. He brought a bowl and box of Fruit Loops to the table, then retrieved milk from the fridge. All the while Georgie was watching him completely amused with her elbows resting on the table and fingers interlaced together. Laura meanwhile had opened the box of cereal and was just about to pour some into her bowl then stopped. She said to Elvis, "Where's your bowl daddy?" Georgie put her head down on the table. Elvis looked at Laura, then Georgie. "Its right here honey," he said, taking another bowl out and glaring at Georgie. Laura said to Georgie, "Are you tired?" Georgie lifter her head and said, "No, no, I'm fine, just waiting for my bowl too, " winking at Elvis. He grinned and placed a third bowl on the table.
Georgie and Laura spent the late morning enjoying the Christmas Markets and going to the grocers. It was important for them to spend time together especially now with the distance between their homes. Tonight they would be together as a family. Georgie thought it will be so much fun watching Elvis and Laura together. He was so looking forward to it and so was she. He was home preparing the Italian feast for tonight. Tomorrow he would help Georgie with the turkey dinner.
Elvis ensured they arrived early to church so as to secure a seat up front. Laura was stood, leaning over the pew and intently watching the Nativity story unfold. "Baby Jesus!" she cried out when the babe was placed in the manger. Georgie leaned forward and gently stroked her hair as she clutched Elvis' hand. He beamed. Laura turned around with a huge smile and looked right at Georgie who in turn patted her back and said, "That's right." Elvis noted the exchange and looked from one to the other, then quizzically at Georgie when she caught his eye. Georgie said, "She looks so darling in her jumper! I'm thrilled she wanted to wear it instead of her red jumper." Then looked straight ahead. Elvis' eyes narrowed then he smiled and shook his head. He lifted his and Georgie's hands and kissed hers softly. Georgie looked up at him and mouthed, "I love you." Elvis returned the same, "I love you too." And smiled. Laura sat back then and squeezed in between the two adults. She was swinging her legs and smoothing her skirt. Elvis said to her, "Did you like it?" She leaned against him and said, "Yes. I liked the baby and the angels." Elvis and Georgie looked at each other and smiled. After the final hymn Elvis helped Georgie put her coat on then helped Laura. The three of them walked out of church hand in hand with Laura in the middle. As they walked Laura looked up at Elvis and said, "Daddy, will Santa come here too?" Elvis stooped down and was eye level with her. "What do you mean honey?" he said. "He knows where I live with mummy." Elvis bit his lower lip and glanced up at Georgie. "Santa comes to Hereford as well," he said looking at Laura warmly. "He knows you're here." "How does he know?" She asked, "Did mummy tell him?" Laura asked with her eyes searching his. "Yes." Elvis answered. Georgie stooped down then as well, "Laura, Santa knows where all of the children are." "That's right honey, he'll know how to find you," Elvis added. Laura looked from one to the other, her eyes widening, "Then we better get moving!" she announced. Georgie could not stop the chuckle that escaped her, "Wonder who she got that from?" she said eyeing Elvis. He grinned from ear to ear.
Once back at their flat, Elvis began final preparations on the meal. Before they were ready to begin, Georgie called him into the lounge. Georgie and Laura were standing by the tree. He felt his heart lurch at the sight of the two most precious people in his life. "Merry Christmas daddy!" Laura said brightly. Elvis knew that it would not be long before his emotions gave him away.
Georgie knew how much this meant to him, never having had a Christmas with her or Laura before. He hadn't really celebrated holidays with family for some time. Georgie felt her eyes glistening. She touched Laura's shoulder and said, "It's time."
Laura had been standing with her arms behind her. Now, on Georgie's cue, she revealed a small box from behind her. She walked over to Elvis, who immediately knelt down. "Daddy," Laura said, "This is from me and Nonna." She handed him the little box. Elvis could not take his eyes from hers until he looked up at Georgie. He took the box and opened it reverently.
Inside was the Baby Jesus for the manger . "Nonna said I should bring Him to you daddy."
Elvis closed his eyes and sat back on his knees. He reached for Laura and held her close.
"Thank you honey." He said, his voice cracking. Georgie moved to hold them both. For the rough road their relationship had travelled, tonight was Christmas and all was well in the world.