You know what they say, better late than never.. I was hoping to get this done by Christmas… But oh well! Enjoy nonetheless!
Chapter 33: The Coming Christmas..
Mildred had never felt so at home, and so full of wonder. The Hall was decked out fully in roses and tinsel, a real winter wonderland. Miss Tapioca had even pulled out all the stops for a banquet fit for a king! It was strange to think of it as cackles at all with how it looked. No party had ever been this spectacular!
Mildred and friends had danced, danced and danced! So much so, Mildreds poor feet hurt.. Practically killed! Yet when Rothbart asked her to dance, she could hardly say no. The look on ethel's face was priceless.. She looked positively green with envy. But at last the day had come to an end, and Mildred had waved goodbye to Maud and Enid as the holidays began..
Mildred hadn't known what to expect from a Hardbroom Christmas.. Truthfully she hadn't known what to expect from a Witch Christmas full stop! "Oh you'll love it Mildred!" Mr Rowan-webb had told her before he left for his honeymoon.. Mildred had taken to being very helpful before they left, joining them in moving suitcases around. "Has anyone ever told you the tale of Jolly ol' nick?"
"Sure" Mildred had said, "They taught it in normal school, He was a man that went around giving gifts-" She was cut off by Mr Rowan-Webb, to witch he informed her, that Nick was actually a Wizard who got caught one day and had to play it off as giving gifts out.. And it just stuck. It made Mildred wonder just how many tales did she hear as a child, that was just a witch or wizard mucking about!
With all the excitement over, the next exciting task was Christmas.. Thankfully, the days just rolled by.. And soon, Christmas eve was upon them.. Mildred had decided to do some drawing in her room before bed.. Back home.. No, No.. At her old home, she'd be watching some cheesy Christmas rom-com with burnt popcorn, courtesy of Juile.
Soon, A Knock came at her door. "Come in!" She yelled, watching as Hecate entered, closing the door behind her. She held out a mug of hot chocolate.
She placed it down on Mildreds Side table "Finish up, you require sleep." She said it so clinically, it made Mildred pause, taking a good look at her face.. She looked rather calm.. Maybe even content.
"Thank you, Hecate." Mildred said, smiling up at her motherly figure. She expected to feel lonely, and sad.. But instead, Mildred felt.. At peace. Hecate paused, looking down at Mildred before nodding.
"Don't stay up too late.." she confirmed in true hardbroom awkwardness, she smiled down at Mildred, rather sweetly. Well, as sweetly as she could, before walking out. Mildred finished her drink before deciding to get some sleep. Normally Juile would wake her at the crack of dawn.. But she wasn't with her mothers anymore.
She'd already wrapped the gifts for Hecate and Pippa.. She guessed that Pippa would give her something in return. But from hecate? She hadn't a clue what to expect.
Come morning, Mildred woke up to Pippa shaking her shoulder slightly. "Wakey Wakey, Rise and shine.." She smiled brightly at Mildred. "Take a look outside, and come join us in the living room.." After that, the witch left. Letting Mildred to stretch and wake up, wandering over to the window to gaze upon the courtyard. The once green grass was covered in a thick white layer of Snow.. A True white christmas. It was like a gift from above.
After a moment, Mildred remembered there was something she had to do. She ran out to the living room, pausing in her step as she noticed the gifts wrapped neatly under the tree.. More than one in fact..
"Good Morning, Mildred." Hecate said, as she saw her. "Tea?" Mildred nodded in response. Watching as Hecate and Pippa fixed up three teas, while Mildred went back into her room, picking up the gifts she had gotten, and moving to place them under the tree. Her Gifts were not as neatly wrapped, but it'll do. Hecate placed the tea down onto the table, looking at mildred briefly. Truthfully, Mildred felt both Awkward and excited. She had no idea what to expect..
"Alright, Millie! I just got hold back anymore!" Pippa practically squealed! Clapping her hands together. Hecate sent her a look, one Mildred couldn't quite figure out. Nonetheless, Pippa lent down and picked up a gift, bringing it over and placing it on Mildreds Lap, it fit it completely. Mildred looked at the sticker on top. 'Miille, Merry Christmas, Love Pippa', It was cute and simple.. "Go on, Dear. Open it up."
Mildred did as instructed, opening up the gift with gusto. Under the wrapping paper was a beautiful box, Purple and orange swirled together with a glimmering shine. Mildred took the lid of the box, finding many things.. A Pen with a uniform head on top, Some bags of sweets and chocolates, some gingerbread, some bottled pop and a keyring with an "M" On it . They didn't have those types of things at Cackles, and Mildred didn't really get care packages, so this was a delight. Mildred's smile widened with every bit she looked at. "Pippa.. Thank you so much! It's brilliant!" Pippa leaned down, picking up the next one, only to get stopped by Mildred. "I think you should open mine now.. It's only fair." Truthfully, Mildred was rather eager to know what they thought of her gift picking.
Mildred placed the box down next to her before getting up and grabbing a box of similar standards, holding it out to Pippa. Pippa took hold of it, Shredding it off its coat, and taking the lid off the box. She took out a beautiful pale pink hat, with white Two-Tone Velvet 'Janet' Hat flower decorating it. Pippa placed it on her head.. It made her look so elegant and classy.. "Oh, Thank you, Mildred. It's beautiful!" Pippa looked to Hecate for approval, getting a small smile and a nod in return.
Pippa took a moment to appreciate the beauty of her hat before grabbing the next gift for Mildred, passing it along. Mildred took note of the sticker on top, clearly written by Pippa, 'Mildred, Enjoy. Love Hecate and Pippa'. Mildred opened it up, revealing two books. One on Magical Painting, and another on the History of Witches.. Perfectly fitting for her choices of studies next year.
Mildred smiled widely at them. "Thank you, These will serve me well!" She looked forward to curling up in bed, eating her sweets and reading her books. Not that she was wishing away the day, but she was looking forward to it later on.
Mildred placed down her books with her box of goods, before moving to grab Hecate's gift. It was only a small box, but she'd hope she enjoys it nonetheless.. She'd wait patiently as Hecate slowly opened the gift, her eyes opening as she looked upon the silver Bat brooch, paired with a shiny Onyx taking up most of the bat. When Mildred had seen it at the shop, she instantly thought of how well it'd suit Hecate. It took her breath away, and was the perfect colour for her. Hecate took it in her hand with a smile, a genuine small smile, "Thank you, Mildred." She spoke in a hushed tone, laced with emotion.
Pippa in the meantime, picked up the last gift under the tree. Holding it out for Mildred, the sticker reading 'Mildred, I hope it comes in handy. Hecate'. It was another box, though a little thinner. When she took off the paper, she discovered it to be a briefcase-like wooden box, within it, was art supplies. Paint, Ink, Pencils, Pens, paper, water colours.. The whole works! "Oh wow! Thank you so much!" Mildred beamed a smile at Hecate, who still seemed fixated on the brooch.
Pippa petted Mildred on the head "I need to contact my parents.." Her response seemed more directed at Hecate, who lifted her head to Pippa before she left.
Hecate placed the brooch down gently before looking at Mildred. "There is one last gift.." Hecate took hold of a small box from besides her, it wasn't wrapped, it was just a neat black box. Mildred took hold of it, Why was this one different to the others? And why did she wait until Pippa had left to give it to her? It made Mildred anxious to open it, but she did in the end. Within the box was Hecate's watch, still on its necklace chain.
"I-It's your watch?" Mildreds head was swarming. She'd been allowed to wear it briefly during Halloween, but she'd never imagined actually having it.. Did this make her its owner.. Did this make her every bit a Hardbroom..? Maybe. It definitely made her feel like one.
"It was given to my mother on her thirteenth Birthday by my Grandmother..." Hectare spoke from beside her. "She.. Passed when I was Twelve, and as such, it got given to me." It was probably the most Hecate had spoken of her mother.. "Now I'm giving it to you."
Mildred felt her eyes water. Hecate was intrusting her with a prized artefact, one that has been passed down.. From the grandmother, to mother, to hecate.. To Mildred. Mildred was startled as she felt Hecate take hold of the Watch, and place it over her head. Mildred looked up to Hecate, tears of joy flowing down her cheeks, making hecate look rather startled. Mildred smiled wide as she wrapped her arms around hecate's neck, crying gently into it. "Thank you.. Thank you…" She felt Hecate wrap her arms around Mildred, simply holding her close.
"You're most welcome, Mildred." Hecate spoke in response. Mildred had never imagined her Christmas going this well, let alone to bring her to tears. Christmas was something meant for family, even without Juile by her side, she had a family she could spend it with.. Nothing made her heart swell with joy more than this very moment.
What do you think of the gifts given? Make sure to leave a review!