Ten:
Christmastide (pt. 1)
"Jamie, be careful," Ruth scolded gently. "The biscuits are entirely too hot for little boys to touch."
Jamie pouted and said, "Not fair, mummy."
"You got to lick the spoon, remember?" she countered. "And as soon as they're cool enough, we can put icing and bits on them. Just like last year when you did it with Dannette and Ellen."
Jamie sighed and said, "I miss them. Can we see them for Christmas, mummy?"
"Oh, sweetheart," Ruth said softly. "They live an entire ocean away."
"Can we call them?" he asked. "I want to tell Ellen about Malcom and me putting together the train!"
Ruth was fully aware of all the pain that their leaving had caused Ellen and Dannette. They were Jamie's caretakers, and her friends… and now they wanted nothing to do with them because she'd lied to them about who she was. She couldn't blame them. "Maybe on Christmas, love," she said softly.
The door opened and Harry came through. "It's snowing like the devil out there," he shouted from the entryway. "I called Elise before I left the office and made her promise to stay put till the snow stops. And your mum called me from the train, so I had Mike pick her up at the station. They should be here any time."
Ruth hesitated, then left Jamie to go into the corridor. "Harry, did you tell her –"
"Tell her what? That you're here? No. She knows you're alive; I'm not that heartless. But I never told her we'd brought you home," he said, taking off his boots and his coat. "I thought it might make a nice Christmas gift."
"She's going to be furious," Ruth said.
"Who's going to be furious?" Malcolm asked, coming out of the sitting room. He was thumbing through a computer magazine, and it was obvious he was oblivious to what they'd been talking about.
"My mother," Ruth said.
Malcolm raised an eyebrow. "Ah," he said. "The cookies smell delightful, by the way."
Ruth pinched the bridge of her nose. "Biscuits," she said. "I'm trying to teach Jamie –"
"Ruth, it doesn't matter what you call them," Harry said. "Jamie will learn eventually."
A cry of pain came from the kitchen, and Ruth raced back to see Jamie holding a reddened finger in the air as he sobbed his eyes out. "Oh, love, I told you they're too hot," Ruth sighed, scooping him up and carrying him to the sink where she ran the cold tap over his burnt finger. "Mummy doesn't say things she doesn't mean," she said softly. "If I tell you that it's too hot for little boys, it's too hot to touch."
"Are you mad at me?" Jamie sniffled.
"No, love," Ruth said softly. "Does your finger feel better? Do you need mummy to kiss it and make it better?" He held out his wet finger and she kissed it gently. "Now, go dry your hand off and go see daddy. You're going to need to get ready for bed soon."
Jamie sighed. "Okay," he agreed. He wiped his hand off on a tea towel and ran off, crying, "Daddy, daddy, mummy and me made cookies!"
She heard Harry scoop him up and say, "Oh you did, did you?"
"Uh-huh, but they're too hot," Jamie said.
Harry carried him into the kitchen on his shoulders, and Jamie ducked as they came through the doorway. "Are they still too hot, mummy?" Harry asked teasingly.
"Yes, they just came out of the oven about fifteen minutes ago," Ruth said.
"Oh dear," Harry said. "I guess that means we have to wait, Jamie."
"Yes, daddy," Jamie said.
"Where have your sisters got off to?" Harry asked.
"They went to Ianto and Liam's for a party," Ruth said. "They're due back no later than midnight. Or, if the snow is too bad, they're meant to call."
Harry nodded. "Okay, then –"
"Mummy, I'm hungry," Jamie said. "Can I have a snack?"
Ruth smiled and said, "Yes, love. Let me get your dad's dinner heated and I will make you a bedtime snack."
She was just about to get started on Jamie's apples and peanut butter when the doorbell rang. She stiffened and Harry said, "I'll get it. Come on, Jamie – let's go see who's at the door."
"Is it Santa?" Jamie asked eagerly.
Harry laughed. "No, I don't think that it's Father Christmas," he said. Jamie ducked as they went through the doorway again, and a minute later, she heard him say, "Elizabeth, come in – how was the trip? Hopefully the snow wasn't too awful – thank you, Mike, I'll see you day after Boxing Day."
She heard Malcolm shuffle through and he said, "Hello, Liz – let me take your suitcase up. We've got you staying in Rose's room, and she and Daisy will be on the floor in Jamie's room for the holidays."
"Jamie," Harry said, "why don't you say hello to your gran?"
Jamie said very shyly, "Hello, Gran."
Before it got too out of hand, Ruth stepped into the hallway brandishing the peanut butter covered knife. "I thought you were hungry, Jamie? Your apples are almost ready."
Jamie struggled and Harry released him, swinging him down to the floor. Once he was down, Jamie took off at breakneck speed, running for the safety of Ruth's arms. "Mummy, who's that?" he asked.
"That's my mum," Ruth said softly. "Go sit at your table, love, and I'll finish your snack." She finished up the apples very quickly and set them down in front of Jamie. She leaned down and gave him a kiss. "I'll be right back, love."
When she went into the hall, Harry was hugging her mother and assuring her that it was true, and Ruth was really there. "Mum?" Ruth said softly. "I didn't know he hadn't told you I was home." Her words were lost as Elizabeth threw her arms around her and held on for dear life. "Oh, mum, I'm sorry – "
"That little boy –"
"That's Jamie – James," Ruth said softly. "He was born while I was gone. He's the sweetest little man, and he's smart as a whip, and he loves as fiercely as his father does."
"He looks just like you did when you were little," Elizabeth said, pulling back and looking Ruth over. "My goodness, you've changed –"
"It was eating all that bloody American food," Ruth joked. "Though, pumpkin pie is absolutely delicious and we will be having some tomorrow with the turkey."
Harry said, "My love, is my dinner heated through?"
"Oh, yes," Ruth replied. "It's on the counter cooling – mum, do you want anything? Wine, a snack?"
"I'll take a brandy if you've got it," Elizabeth said. "To steady my nerves."
Harry smiled. "Of course we have brandy – Malcolm likes a bit of brandy in the evenings, don't you?"
Malcolm blushed a touch and said, "Yes –"
Ruth took Harry by the arm and marched him into the kitchen. "What on earth are you playing at? She's married."
"She's widowed and she and Malcolm get along famously," Harry said. "I'm not playing at anything."
"You're naughty," Ruth sighed. She ruffled Jamie's hair while Harry moved on to get his dinner. Elizabeth followed them into the kitchen and Ruth headed to the cupboard to get the brandy. "Apricot or blackberry, mum?"
"Apricot, I should think," Elizabeth replied. "How long have you been home?"
"Eh, going on three weeks," Ruth murmured. "Not long enough to raise a flag, but enough to get Jamie settled and forge new bonds with the girls."
"Where were you all this time?"
Ruth watched Harry eating his food, then looked over at her mother. "I can't tell you. What I will tell you is that I settled down in New York – lived in Brooklyn, taught at a posh private school on the Upper West Side. We were happy there – could have been happy there for the rest of our lives if circumstances had necessitated it. But I am glad to be back in London, with my family."
"I'm quite glad to see you," Elizabeth admitted.
Ruth fiddled with her necklace, then said, "And Jamie…"
The little boy lifted his head. "Yes, mummy?"
"Love, you've got peanut butter all over you," Ruth sighed.
Elizabeth laughed and set her brandy aside to get a wet wipe from the canister on the counter. She went over and cleaned Jamie up rapidly and without a fuss. The little boy looked at her warily, then smiled. "Hi, Gran," he said.
"Hello, Jamie," Elizabeth replied.
"I've never had a gran before," Jamie said.
"Well, we'll just have to do things together, then," Elizabeth said. "That's what grandmothers do with their grandchildren."
"Okay," Jamie agreed. "But tomorrow, acause mummy says I've got to go to bed soon or Santa Claus won't visit."
Elizabeth's mouth twitched in amusement. "Okay," she agreed.
Jamie said, "You wanna come see my room, Gran? Uncle Malcolm and me put stars on the ceiling, way up high. He says they're consellasions."
"I'd love to see your room," Elizabeth said. "Let's go get you into your pajamas and ready for bed. And you can tell me all about the things you like."
"Will you read me a story?" he asked eagerly. "I like stories the best, Gran."
"I'd love to read you a story, Jamie," she replied. "Now, let's let your dad eat his supper and your mum will be up soon to tuck you in. Won't you, Ruth?"
"Of course," Ruth replied. "I have to make sure he's tucked in nice and tight so he doesn't get up and try to catch Father Christmas."
"I can't wait till tomorrow," Jamie said. "Mummy, if I go to bed, who will decorate the cookies?"
"Your mum and I will do it," Harry said, his mouth full and muffling the words.
Ruth gave him a suffering look. "Harry, I thought you were meant to not teach him bad habits," she scolded.
"Sorry," Harry replied, not sounding very sorry at all. He swallowed and said, "Your mum, Malcolm, your Gran and I will do it, Jamie. And we can have the biscuits tomorrow."
Jamie sighed. "You won't try any without me, will you?" he asked.
"No," Harry promised.
Ruth knew he was lying, but fortunately, Jamie was still young and sweet enough to think that everyone at least tried to keep their word. Which is why she had more unmade cookie dough in the fridge – so Harry could have his cookies, too.
"Okay," Jamie chirped. "Come on, Gran."
Ruth watched them leave and turned to Harry. "Well…"
"I can't wait to decorate the sweets with you, Lady Pearce," he teased, taking another bite of pie.
"I love you dearly, but you're not quite right in the head," she sighed.
"Nothing better to do on Christmas Eve with a three year old in the house," he replied with a wink. "Next year, I'm sure you'll drag us all to Midnight Mass –"
She made a face and sighed. "Don't feel much like going back to church now," she admitted. "You can have faith outside the church."
"Who are you and what have you done with my Ruth?" Harry questioned.
"I grew up and grew inward," she said softly.
He abandoned his pie to give her a kiss. "I love you," Harry said very softly. "Now, I'm going to finish this and we're going to decorate the biscuits… and then I still have to put together Jamie's bookcase."
She smiled and returned his kiss lazily. "That's the most beautiful gift you could give him," she murmured. "A bookcase of his very own and new books."
He was about to say something else when the doorbell rang again. He frowned and got up, ignoring the rest of his dinner. Harry went out to the front door and Ruth could hear his exclamation of, "I thought I told you two to stay put until it stopped snowing!"
"Oh, Harry," Elise sighed, "we were very nearly here already. Now, where are my granddaughters?"
"At a party," Harry replied. "But you can come through to the kitchen and we'll get you something to warm you up."
Ruth hesitated, then made for the kettle to warm up some water for tea. She didn't know if Harry had told Gareth's parents about her return; hell, she didn't even know why Harry kept them as a part of his life when they were her late husband's parents. Who knew?
"So, um, I put the kettle on," Ruth said softly as Harry came back into the kitchen. "But we've got whiskey and brandy and wine if you want something else –"
Rob was the first to react to her presence. "Aren't you dead?" he quipped wryly.
"Reports of my demise have been highly exaggerated," Ruth replied with a bit of a smile.
Elise let out a whoop and swooped in to hug Ruth tightly. "Oh my goodness!" she cried. "I'm so happy to see you, Ruthie, love!"
"Happy Christmas," Ruth whispered, smiling. "Harry clearly was hellbent on surprising everyone."
"Where have you been?" Elise asked.
"Most recently, New York," Ruth said, honestly. "Before that, lots of places."
"How long have you been back?" Rob asked.
Ruth shrugged. "A few weeks. Like I said, Harry was bent on surprising everyone." She met his glare with a small smile. "Mum actually reacted pretty well to having her feet knocked out from under her. She's upstairs putting Jamie to bed."
"Jamie?" Elise echoed with interest.
"Ruth had a baby when she was overseas," Harry spoke up. "Our son, James. He's quite a good boy, you'll love him straight off."
"Oh dear!" Elise said. "We didn't know, or we'd have brought a gift for the lad –"
"Don't worry about it," Ruth said brightly. "You and Rob conspired with Father Christmas to bring him a bookshelf and some new books, okay? Pretend you know Santa Claus," she added softly. "We've done that often enough with the girls, haven't we?"
Elise and Rob laughed. It was at that moment, finally reunited with her family, Ruth really felt like she'd come home. And for Harry to keep Elise and Rob as part of his family, despite there not being blood between them, it was a beautiful thing. It was very clear he had affection toward them as if he'd taken them on as pseudo-parents, despite their age not being much more than his own. She was happy; Ruth was content. Now, if only her daughters would come home…
But the phone rang and it was Rose. "Mum, the roads are getting really bad," she said. "Daisy and I are going to stay here at Ianto's and come home when they're better clear in the morning. I don't want to crash the Rover on the way home."
All of Harry's joking aside, when the Service had forced him to upgrade the cars, he'd all but given the good old Rover to Rose to putter around in. It was something Ruth was incredibly grateful for, now, given the circumstances. "All right, love – your grandparents all got here in one piece," Ruth said with a smile. "We're going to decorate cookies."
"Take away all my fun," Rose teased. "I'll see you all in the morning. Love you."
Harry looked at Ruth questioningly once she'd hung up. "They're staying put," she said, "so we'll see them in the morning after they've partially cleared the roads."
Harry pulled a face and sighed. "She does have 4-wheel drive. She can drive through the bloody snow and have traction," he muttered.
"Yes, but if she doesn't feel confident in her ability to do it, or if she's had a couple of drinks, I'd really rather she stay put," Ruth shot back. "Now finish your dinner so we can get to work – I'd like to get some sleep before we open gifts in the morning."
Harry gave everyone a suffering look and said, "Remember how nice and easy last year's Christmas was? This year, we've got a three year old and Ruth and it's like wham-bam-complicate-everything." He reached over and squeezed her hand affectionately when she gave him a dirty look. "I love you, dear," Harry added.
"You're going to love putting that bookcase together yourself," she shot back.
He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Yes, dear."
END PART TEN