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This is the final chapter...Happy New Year to you all !
Chapter 7
Traditions Part 3 – Georgie
Christmas Day
Georgie awoke early to start prepping for the Christmas Day meal. She moved quietly through the lounge and stopped to investigate the plate of cookies Laura had left out for Santa. Elvis did a fine job leaving crumbs and a wrinkled napkin. She smiled to herself. He did a good job and he liked the cookies too. She moved to the tree then and fingered the ornament Mollie and Charlie gave them. Her hand absently moved to her abdomen. She remembered the joy in their voices when they told her and Elvis that Mollie was pregnant. Georgie smiled and her eyes fell down to the manger under the tree. She relived the moment when Laura gave Elvis the Baby Jesus last night and the joy on his face, especially when he asked her to help him and Laura place the Babe in the crib. Georgie walked over to the sofa and sat down. She was leaning forward with her arms on her thighs and hands clasped together. Then she sat back and with both hands swept her hair back and closed her eyes. Her thoughts transported her to last evening…
….. It was quite a time last night explaining to Laura that even though they didn't actually have a fireplace, Santa would have a special way to enter the flat. Elvis told her that the flat has one of the best roofs for Santa to land his reindeer and he checked with the SAS base assuring her Santa would have a clear flight path. Laura was sat on Elvis' lap at the time and listened intently to him, all the while watching his face and hands as he gestured his information while he spoke. "Alright then daddy. You're the boss," she said decidedly. Elvis' face displayed heartfelt emotion as he planted a sweet kiss on her little cheek. He lifted her up and off of his lap, then stood and lifted her up to carry her to bed. Laura wrapped her small hands around his neck and her legs were wrapped around his middle. Her little feet were covered in pink polka-dotted footed jammies. Georgie moved to them, placed her hand on Elvis' back and gave Laura a kiss goodnight. As Elvis carried her away, Laura poked her head around him and blew Georgie a kiss. Elvis saw what she did and turned toward Georgie. When he saw her face his heart melted and he snuggled Laura closer to him. Georgie had a wistful look and blew a kiss back. Laura giggled and bounced in Elvis' embrace. "Say good night honey," he said softly to Laura. "Good night Georgie," she said. "Merry Christmas," he whispered in her ear. "Merry Christmas!" Laura chirped. Then he walked them the rest of the way to the bedroom, only to turn and look at Georgie before entering the room and gave her an affectionate smile. "Merry Christmas my loves," George answered as she plopped down on the sofa feeling a warm spot growing her chest…..
She came back to the present with moist eyes and she cleared her throat. She pushed her hair back and wiped her face. "I better get moving" she said to herself. "Oh for crying out loud…""Now he has me saying it." She laughed.
Knowing most children do not wait to invade the area and discover what Santa left behind, she got up and went to the kitchen to get things started. Elvis would be helping her but she did have experience with the Christmas turkey dinner. She helped her mother and sisters each year when she could. Moments later the bedroom door opened and out flew Laura calling for Elvis to come quick and calling for Georgie. Georgie stood in the kitchen doorway with a smile ear to ear. Elvis came out of the bedroom shortly thereafter running his hand through his hair and just as amused. He had not seen the joy of a young child on Christmas Day for, well, forever. He and Georgie both moved to the center of the room and knelt down on the floor next to Laura. Her eyes were like saucers and ping pongs all at the same time. "Daddy" she said bubbling, "He did it! Santa did come in!" She ran to the table with the empty cookie plate. "Look daddy, Georgie, he ate my cookies!" "He did!" Elvis exclaimed laughing. "Let's see what he brought you. You've been so very good," Georgie said. With that she moved to a brightly wrapped box with gold ribbon. "Here Laura, open this one," Georgie said. Laura sat down crossed leg and started to tear into the wrapping. As each piece of paper was removed, Georgie grabbed it to set aside. Elvis could hardly contain himself. Once the wrapping was off Laura opened the box and squealed, "A kit! Daddy look! A kit like Georgie!" It was a little kiddie medical kit. Elvis put his face in his hand and grinned so broadly he thought his face would crack. Georgie sat back on her heels with a triumphant look on her face. Laura proceeded to pull pieces out of the kit and once she discovered the plastic stethoscope she began waving it around. Georgie said to her, "Maybe later you can examine daddy." Elvis bust out laughing. Laura looked at him seriously, "Daddy I'll make sure you're not sick." Georgie thought her heart would burst. Elvis said, "I know you will honey."…
After they finished eating the turkey dinner all three felt full and content. Georgie and Elvis cleaned everything up in short order working together. As they did, Laura was sitting on the lounge floor playing with her toys and humming. Georgie was watching her and touched Elvis' arm. He stopped drying a dish and looked at her. "Pretty soon she'll start whistling I reckon." Elvis laughed and kissed Georgie. "It was the most wonderful Christmas Elvis!" she said placing her hands on his chest and reaching up to kiss him again. Elvis put his hands on her waist and said, "Thank you. It truly has been." They both walked into the lounge. Elvis sat down next to Laura and said, "Laura, Georgie would like to share something with us that she and her family would do on Christmas Day." Laura put her toy down and looked at Georgie. With that Georgie asked for them to sit on the sofa with her. Placing Laura between them she explained, "My family always sang Christmas Carols after dinner." Laura looked up at her and smiled saying, "Let's sing 'Joy to the World." The two adults both nodded believing that was how all three of them felt this day. Georgie put her arm around Laura as did Elvis and said, "OK, 'Joy to the World' it is."