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Chapter Ninety-nine
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O Christmas Tree
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Arriving home to the Cottage, Nathan and Allie quickly changed out of their Sunday clothes into warm wools and sweaters. After finding his saw, Nathan joined Allie in the front room to grab his coat just as Elizabeth arrived at the Cottage door.
"Oh! You are wearing the 'wind-storm-beret!' I love that on you." Nathan grinned.
"So my hat is named by the first time I wore it, eh?" She teased Nathan. "Actually I wore it before that. It was just the most memorable time, right?"
"Oh, it was memorable, all right. First you looked adorable checking me out through binoculars, then I got to rescue you as well." Nathan winked and waited for the protest sure to come.
Elizabeth did not disappoint. "Wait a minute here, Constable-Sergeant! I was not checking you out. I was trying the binoculars to see how they worked. You just happened to be in my line of sight!"
"Likely story, Lisbeth. I saw you scan the street and stop. Pointed at me!" Nathan grinned. "Not to mention that as soon as I waved you stopped looking and were flustered. I didn't need binoculars to see that!"
Blushing, Elizabeth knew she had been found out. "Well, I mean, you know… ah..." She swatted Nathan's arm with the end of her scarf and pointed her chin into the air, trying to keep from smiling, but failing miserably.
As they headed towards the brook, Nathan took her arm. "Yes, you are right. I do know!" Nathan directed her to the place where Peter had informed him there were a few flat logs nailed together with a single railing forming a small bridge.
"Isn't this cute, Mrs. Thornton? Our own little bridge! Dad and I never got around to exploring this other side of the brook, so this is fun." Allie was the first to cross to the other side, then turned to watch her father and teacher with a warning. "Be careful." Holding her breath, she only hoped they wouldn't decide to tease each other and fall in, and with that concern Allie was showing signs of adulthood of which the adults were unaware!
Safely on the far side, Nathan pointed to the direction Peter had recommended. Going on ahead as was her custom, Allie soon called out. "I found it! It's perfect. Follow my voice because I don't want to leave it and not find it again. Can you hear me?"
When there was no response, Allie called out again. "You too aren't kissing are you?"
Nathan and Elizabeth blushed. They had purposely decided to approach quietly to tease Allie, but now she had gotten them.
"No Allie." Nathan startled his daughter by his close proximity. "We were not kissing."
Allie shrugged and commented, "Well, it's only a matter of time."
"Allie!" Nathan gasped, surprised by her boldness.
"It's okay, Nathan." Elizabeth grinned. "She's right you know. It is only a matter of time." Turning her attention to the tree, Elizabeth exclaimed. "Allie, you are right! This is perfect!"
"Isn't it?" Nathan gladly ignored the issue of kissing and addressed the issue of the tree. "You do it every year, Allie-girl. We haven't had a bad tree since you started to choose them. Of course some were smaller than others, but this one is perfect." He looked at Elizabeth. "Do you agree? Three votes for this one?"
When the votes were counted, one, two and three, Nathan knelt to cut down the fir, while Allie began to sing "O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum..." and Elizabeth joined in as they continued to sing "O Christmas Tree..." in English. (*58)
"O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are your branches!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are your branches!
Not only green in summer's heat, But also winter's snow and sleet.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are your branches!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, Of all the trees most lovely;
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, Of all the trees most lovely.
Each year you bring to us delight With brightly shining Christmas light!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, Of all the trees most lovely.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, We learn from all your beauty;
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, We learn from all your beauty.
Your bright green leaves with festive cheer, Give hope and strength throughout the year.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, We learn from all your beauty. (*58)
As Nathan crawled under the tree following Elizabeth and Allie's instructions, he let out a sigh. "Hey, now. A little left, then a little right puts it exactly how it was when we started. Are you messing with me?" He leaned away from the tree to find Elizabeth and Allie tilted to one side as if choreographed. Laughing, he asked again. "Which way now? You two look as though you will fall over!"
After more laughter and instructions, Nathan doubled-checked a final time. "This is it now. I am not getting down on the floor to adjust it again you know."
With assurances that it was perfect, Nathan stood and joined his girls admiring the tree set up between the two front windows. "So shall I hang the lights while you ladies make hot chocolate? I could use a mug right now."
"Yes! Good idea, Honey, but let me make our beverage while you start to open the cartons of ornaments, Allie." Elizabeth offered. "Sound like a plan?"
By the time Nathan had wrapped the tree with lights and added a red ribbon interwoven amongst the branches and a large bow attached to the top, Elizabeth and Allie had decided which ornaments should go at the top and which at the bottom.
Nathan observed, then chuckled. "You know I am just going to grab any one I want and hang it anywhere, right?"
Laughing, Elizabeth and Allie looked at Nathan. "True, but with two pairs of eyes watching you, we can make corrections at a later time you know…" Elizabeth grinned and batted her eyelashes. "Remember your girls only want to make your tree perfect for you!"
"For me? Right!" Nathan could clearly see their plan so purposely chose a ceramic dove and hung it near the bottom. Then he chose a white lamb and hung it near the top. "Now that's perfection!"
Allie rolled her eyes and Elizabeth giggled. "Oh, Nathan. Do I have to get all teacher-like with you?"
"Ummm… teacher-like? Maybe? I mean I want to get an A-plus in tree decorating." Nathan laughed as he sipped his now lukewarm chocolate. "I think I need to make this hotter, so I'll let you ladies hang the ornaments. My job is done." Unbeknownst to Elizabeth and Allie, Nathan had collected a couple ornaments when their backs were turned so he disappeared into the kitchen. When he returned with his beverage, hot and filled-to-the-top, he had an ornament hanging from each ear and two extra lightbulbs stuck in his nostrils. Nonchalantly, Nathan sat in the chair beside the fireplace, waiting.
All of a sudden, Elizabeth sputtered and squealed, releasing peals of laughter. Her eyes watered and she collapsed on the sofa as she pointed Allie to look at her father.
"Oh that?" Allie grinned but tried not to laugh. "I'm used to that. Dad does it every year, so please don't encourage him, Mrs. Thornton. He did that at church when we decorated the sanctuary! It was embarrassing." Allie grinned again, secretly enjoying her father's antics and her teacher's reaction. It was good to have someone else join the fun this year too.
"What?" Nathan kept the Mountie straight face as though everything was normal. "Is something the matter?"
"You try to drink your hot chocolate and you tell me!" Elizabeth teased.
"Ah. True. That might be a problem." Nathan grinned right back. "My earrings aren't in the way though!" Removing the bulbs from his nose, he sipped his beverage with a satisfied sigh.
"You may think you are finished, Dad, but you are not. The star is your responsibility. Plus the upper branches need something beside a lamb you know." Allie pointed to a carefully wrapped package next to a carton on the coffee table.
"Oh, of course." Nathan stood too quickly and his ornament earrings fell onto the carpet as he moved. "Oops!" He scooped up the fallen ornaments and reached for the package. Allie went to stand beside him, while Elizabeth stilled and watched, inhaling the fragrance of fir as she waited.
Nathan gently unwrapped a well-worn, homemade star, made of cardboard and covered with old tin. Holding it up, he explained. "My parents made this star when they were first married. Their tree was simple and this star was the 'star' of the decorations. We used it for all of my youth, until it was lost amongst moving cartons while I was at the Academy. When Mom wrote me about the loss, I found a lightweight piece of wood and began to carve a star. It took me nearly a year to complete it, but I presented it to Mom when I visited."
"Embarrassed that I had spent so much time and effort, Mom confessed she hadn't thought to tell me, but the original star had been found. She told me to keep my beautiful star for my tree someday, so I did. But when we sold the ranch, she insisted I keep this old one as well. Allie you want to place it on the door?" Nathan handed the star to Allie who disappeared into the kitchen. "We hang that with a ribbon on our back door every year so it has its special place."
Nathan rustled the remaining package in his lap, folding back the paper wrapping. "This is the star we use for our tree now." Nathan held up an intricately carved wooden star. Similar to Welsh spoons that are carved so a pattern is interlocked and unable to be separated, Nathan had carved open, filigree designs that allowed the star to be surprisingly lightweight for its size. He held it up for Elizabeth to see. You could see through from the front to the back, although there was an additional layer within the piece.
Elizabeth stood to examine it closely. "Nathan this is incredible. I have never seen anything like it!"
"Well," Nathan's cheeks flushed slightly, "I guess you could say it is one-of-a-kind."
"It sure is. This is an heirloom, Nathan. I bet everyone who sees your tree admires this." Elizabeth touched it reverently. "Wow…"
"Well, we haven't had that many people see our Christmas trees, so few have seen it." Nathan admitted.
"Well, that will change now. I will point that out to everyone who enters our home. Nathan it is gorgeous!"
Nathan heard Elizabeth's words and his heart warmed, giving him a thrill of hope. "Shall I hang it? Allie, are you ready?"
"I'm here, Dad. Go ahead." With shining eyes, Allie stood back watching her father.
Nathan stretched to his full height plus the length of his arms and just managed to set the star in its resting place on the treetop right above the bow. The uppermost light bulb sat right in front of the star causing beautiful shadow-patterns on the ceiling above. "There. Is that okay?" When he didn't get an answer, Nathan turned to find Elizabeth and Allie facing him but, arms around each other, in tears. "Oh…"
He joined them and the three of them embraced for a few moments before turning back to admire the tree.
"That is a family tradition to keep." Elizabeth declared although quietly.
With a voice still full of emotion, Nathan mentioned supper. "We need to fix something for your supper, Allie-girl. You continue on the tree with Mrs. Thornton, while I rustle up some food! It will be time for me to take you to Youth Group before we know it."
After a simple supper of soup and a fried-egg sandwich, Nathan drove Allie to pick-up Sally and Rachel on their way to Youth Group while Elizabeth washed the dishes and set the kitchen back in order. Setting the kettle to boil she prepared a teapot for peppermint tea and stood, leaning against the sink, enjoying the feeling of being in Nathan Grant's kitchen.
When Nathan returned, the pot of tea and cups were on a tray in the front room and Elizabeth had straightened the cartons, leaving out the remaining ornaments for he and Allie to finish at a later date. She was seated on the sofa and proceeded to pour the tea as Nathan came to sit beside her.
"So, you got the girls to the church?"
"I did. Giggles and all. Honestly I have no idea what they giggle about so much!" Nathan chuckled. "It is sweet to hear, just utterly confusing to me."
"That's because you are a Dad. Dads are supposed to be clueless sometimes. I know mine was." Elizabeth laughed. "I mean three daughters giggling all the time? Maybe there was a reason my father devoted so much time to business!"
"But what did you giggle about? That's my question."
"Boys. Dresses. Each other. Boys. Hair styles. Things adults said or did. Boys. Secrets. Things we read. Boys." Elizabeth giggled herself. "Oh, did I mention boys?"
Nathan looked at this beautiful creature beside him, no more understanding her supposed answer to his question than before he had asked. He sighed, resigned to ignorance, then remembered he had something to discuss with Elizabeth.
Straightening somewhat, Nathan began. "Lisbeth? What should we do about Allie and Jared Blake? Did you notice how often they 'just happened' to find each other this weekend? It was as though there was a magnet drawing them together. And then this morning? Did Allie even hear any of the sermon? Every time I glanced back she was looking at Jared. And I know he was looking in her direction too."
Elizabeth nodded, affirming she had noticed, then gave him a funny look. "Did you hear the sermon, Nathan?"
"What? Of course I did. Why?"
Giggling, Elizabeth nudged his side. "Who were you looking at when you noticed Allie and Jared?"
"Uhhhh…" Nathan blushed.
"That's what I thought!" Elizabeth gave Nathan a flirtatious glance as she confessed. "Because I was looking at you!"
Nathan threw his head back as he laughed. "Caught! What a pair of lovebirds! I mean Allie and Jared as well." Nathan got serious again. "We cannot stand in the way of their friendship, or them getting to know each other. I know I can trust Allie, and from what I have seen and know from Josiah, we can trust Jared as well, but… Is it unfair to impose an age restriction on them? Should we help them have healthy opportunities and events to get to know each other while keeping them supervised to some extent?"
"You said you had spoken with Josiah and you were both on the same page, right? Having them wait until they were eighteen to be exclusive?" Elizabeth confirmed.
"Yes. He established the rule with his children but with Allie I have just made the recommendation. So, what do we do?"
"I think it would be good to get together with the Blake's and discuss the best way forward. If you want to wait until I return to do that, I will gladly be by your side, Nathan. Maybe in a discussion with them we can all come up with some ideas. Maybe our two families could get together for a game night or an act of community service or to make care-packages to give the residents of the Home for their birthdays or… the possibilities are endless." Elizabeth leaned forward, turning her head to see Nathan's reaction. "We could do things together that offer quality time for Allie and Jared to spend with each other."
Nathan was pensive, listening and considering all her suggestions as he stared at the Christmas tree lights. When he realized she was watching him, he broke his gaze. "Those are really good recommendations, Lisbeth. I am thankful to have your input and to face this challenge together. I mean maybe it isn't even a challenge, but I know I need help." Nathan patted her back and she leaned against his shoulder again.
"You are not alone now, Nathan. We can pray together and He will guide us. Keeping the lines of communication open with Allie is key though, no matter how we deal with the Jared concern."
"Thank you, Lisbeth. Thank you." Nathan squeezed her to himself. "Shall we pray right now? We have a lot of concerns to talk to the Lord about, the children, the move, the timing, God's will going forward…and a lot for which we can give thanks too."
"Yes, Honey. You start…"
Nathan and Elizabeth first prayed for Allie and Jared, then prayed through their very long list of friends, family and future concerns. They prayed for their parents, Jack, Zachary, Julie and Viola and family, then prayed for their Hope Valley family and asked God to go before her as Elizabeth would share her future plans and say her farewells. They prayed for the community God was building for them right here in Regina, for wisdom for Nathan's position at Depot, for Allie at St. Anne's, for them all at church. They prayed, giving thanks for the Collins's, the Samuels, the Blake's, Wes, leadership in the Mounties and for Constable Paul in Hope Valley. They lifted dear Bill and Adeli to the Lord, and gave thanks for Gabe and Lillian…"
Almost an hour later, the couple drew their prayers to a close, having gone back and forth as each contributed their individual thoughts to the Lord. Nathan closed, giving thanks for his beloved Elizabeth and for what God had done and was doing. Leaning his head against the top of hers, Nathan added a paraphrased Bible verse, "The Lord has done great things for us; and we are filled with joy and gladness!" (*59)
"Amen." Added Elizabeth. They sat quietly, united in their faith, in joy and hope, and most of all in thanksgiving.
Needing to add a log to the fire, Nathan stood, reluctantly breaking the reverent moment they had shared. As he added the wood and stirred the embers to encourage the log to catch fire, Elizabeth observed him. Kneeling with one knee on the hearth and the other bent and supporting his arm as he leaned, Nathan's face shone with that particular fire-lit golden-orange glow of the reflected flames. At that moment, Nathan had never looked more beautiful to Elizabeth and there were many beautiful moments to her. She tried to memorize the warm, domestic tableau before her.
As he returned the grate to contain the sparks, he turned, catching Elizabeth's loving glance. Inhaling quickly, Nathan thought she had never looked more beautiful to him than at that moment. Cuddled on the sofa, flickering lights illuminating her uplifted face, uplifted to him! It was all he could do to keep his vow and not take her in his arms and kiss her at that moment. Even as he silently pleaded a prayer of help, Elizabeth broke the silence.
"Nathan? Can we sing together for a while?" Elizabeth pleaded. "Please? Will you get your guitar and play for me?"
With hardly enough time to pray his 'thank you' for the immediate answer, Nathan shook his head. "That's a wonderful idea, Honey. Let me just wash my hands from the soot. Be right back."
Seated on the sofa and with his guitar tuned, Nathan plucked a chord and looked to Elizabeth for direction. "Do you have a request, Lisbeth?"
"Will Ye Go, Lassie Go?"
"Sure. A good old Scottish-Irish folksong." Smiling, Nathan began to pluck the melody and a few chords, then began to sing, nodding to Elizabeth to join.
"Oh, the summer time is coming, And the trees are sweetly blooming
And the wild mountain thyme Grows around the blooming heather
Will you go lassie, go?
And we'll all go together To pluck wild mountain thyme
All around the blooming heather. Will you go lassie, go?
I will build my love a bower Near yon pure crystal fountain
And on it I will pile All the flowers of the mountain
Will you go lassie, go?
And we'll all go together To pluck wild mountain thyme
All around the blooming heather. Will you go lassie, go?"
Instead of singing the traditional verse, "If my true love she were gone I would surely find another," Nathan changed the lyrics to:
"If my true love she were gone I would never find another,
though wild mountain thyme grows around the blooming heather.
Will you go lassie, go?
And we'll both go together To pluck wild mountain thyme
All around the blooming heather. Will you go lassie, go?
And we'll both go together To pluck wild mountain thyme
All around the blooming heather. Will you go lassie, go?" (*60)
Elizabeth joined Nathan weaving a harmony on the verses, loving how their voices melded together.
Nathan chose the next song, staying with the Celtic theme. As he strummed and picked the melody, Elizabeth recognized so was again able to join in singing 'The Skye Boat Song.'
[Chorus]
"Sing me a song of a lad that is gone, Say, could that lad be I?
Merry of soul he sailed on a day Over the sea to Skye.
Mull was astern, Rum on the port, Eigg on the starboard bow;
Glory of youth glowed in his soul; Where is that glory now?
[Chorus]
Give me again all that was there, Give me the sun that shone!
Give me the eyes, give me the soul, Give me the lass that's gone!
[Chorus]
Billow and breeze, islands and seas, Mountains of rain and sun,
All that was good, all that was fair, All that was me is gone."
[Chorus] (*61)
Taking up the theme of the Jacobite rebellion in Scotland, Nathan moved right into chords for 'The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond.'
"By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes, Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomon'
Where me and my true love will never meet again, On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon'.
O ye'll take the high road and I'll take the low, An' I'll be in Scotland afore ye
For me and my true love will never meet again On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon'.
'Twas there that we parted in yon shady glen, On the steep, steep side o' Ben Lomon'
Where in the purple hue the Hieland hills we view, An' the moon comin' out in the gloamin'.
O ye'll take the high road and I'll take the low, An' I'll be in Scotland afore ye F
or me and my true love will never meet again On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon'.
The wee birdies sing and the wild flow'rs spring, And in sunshine the waters are sleepin'
But the broken heart it kens nae second spring again, Tho' the waefu' may cease frae their greetin'.
O ye'll take the high road and I'll take the low, An' I'll be in Scotland afore ye
For me and my true love will never meet again On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomon'." (*62)
Nathan chuckled as they ended the song, breaking his gaze of the Christmas tree. "You would think all of Scotland and Ireland was heartbroken by these melancholy songs!"
"They have a lot of history to mourn though." Elizabeth commented. "Can we sing some Christmas Carols now, Honey?"
And so they sang, blending their voices and harmonizing on music they knew from the previous night's concert and other carols that were their individual favorites.
When Jon dropped off Allie at home, she could hear the music of 'The Holly and the Ivy'' as she stepped onto the porch and turned to wave at the Samuels. Although tired, Allie perked up and joined in singing as she hung her coat and sat in the chair opposite her father and Mrs. Thornton. When they finished, Allie had a special request. "Dad, Will you please sing 'Baloo Lammy' (*47) for me? When we sang this for the concert I kept forgetting to ask you to sing it to me again, even though I was little when you used to sing me to sleep!"
"Of Course." Nathan watched as Allie sank into the chair. She stared at the tree lights until her eyes closed as he sang and he was uncertain if she had fallen asleep. When the last notes died out and Allie didn't stir, he knew. His very tired daughter had succumbed to dreamland. Setting his guitar to lean on the sofa, Nathan rose and motioned to Elizabeth.
As he lifted and carried his sleeping girl, Elizabeth quickly moved ahead of them into the bedroom and folded down the sheets. Nathan gently placed Allie in the bed and tip-toed to her closet to get her flannel bathrobe. Elizabeth had begun to unbutton her blouse while Nathan removed her shoes. He motioned to Elizabeth that he would step outside and he moved to the hallway. After removing Allie's outer garments and wrapping her in the bathrobe, Elizabeth covered Allie with her blanket and quilt, then went to the doorway to summon Nathan. Together they held hands and prayed silently as they watched her peaceful slumber. They blew kisses so as not to disturb her and, turning off the light, they silently stepped into the hallway and shut the door.
Back in the front room, Elizabeth and Nathan whispered and decided it had been a full day so they would say goodnight. As they buttoned their overcoats and donned scarves and gloves, Nathan asked, "You will come for breakfast in the morning, right, Lisbeth?"
"I would love to. I'll set my alarm so I can come over to help, so don't worry about fixing it all yourself." Elizabeth was curious. "What's on the menu?"
Arm-in-arm they walked the path to the main house. "I thought I'd make a Dutch Baby pancake. Maybe some eggs and bacon too. I can heat some jam to pour over the pancake. Sound good?"
"Sounds very fancy and delicious, Nathan. Remember though, my tastes are simple and porridge is always fine with me!"
"Not for tomorrow. It's our last full day together and I want to begin it by making it as special as we will end it." He quietly opened the door to the sunporch. "Good night, my sweet Lisbeth. I love you." Nathan opened his arms to hug her, kissing the top of her head as she fit into his embrace.
"Good night, dearest Nathan. I love you too. Thank you for a lovely day and so many beautiful memories. I'll see you in the morning." She reached up to kiss his cheek, loving that it was rough with the stubble of his beard.
As she walked to her bedroom Elizabeth touched her lips, remembering the feel of his roughening cheek. Elizabeth reveled in the fact that this was real life. No pretense. No airs. Just daily life.
Snug in bed a short time later, Elizabeth was praying when she realized that the best parts of these wonderful days together had been fitting into daily routines. Although she was looking forward to their special dinner date, Elizabeth gave thanks for the everyday moments they had shared, remembering Nathan's poem. 'Jesus transforms the routine into treasured moments…'
Indeed, God had done just that.
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(*58) "O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum" English translation "O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree." German song, written in 1824 by the Leipzig organist, teacher and composer Ernst Anschütz. A Tannenbaum is a fir tree and, although not a Christmas song, the lyrics describe the the quality of the evergreen fir symbolizing constancy and faithfulness. Public Domain
A.N.: To read both English and German lyrics sung by a choir, I recommend online viewing: O Tannenbaum [German Christmas song][+English translation] Dr. Ludwig
(*59) Psalms 126: 3, Paraphrase.
(*60) Known as "Will Ye Go, Lassie Go?" or "Wild Mountain Thyme" Traditional Scottish/Irish folksong. A variant of the song "The Braes of Balquhither" by Scottish poet Robert Tannahill (1774–1810) and Scottish composer Robert Archibald Smith (1780–1829). Public Domain.
A.N.: Recommend online recording by Jim McCann - Will Ye Go Lassie Go, The Dubliners Official Artist Channel
(*61) "The Skye Boat Song", A late 19th-century Scottish song. Robert Louis Stevenson's 1892 poem has been sung to the air collected by Anne Campbell MacLeod in the 1870s. Public Domain.
A.N.: Recommend online recording The Skye Boat Song: Main Title (From Outlander) San Fernando Symphonic Assembly
(*62) "The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond." Scottish folksong. Some claim the song is a Jacobite adaptation of an eighteenth-century song. The lover dies for his king and takes the 'low road' of death back to Scotland. One of many songs emerging from the Jacobite political culture in Scotland. Public Domain.
A.N.: Recommend online recording: The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond - Ella Roberts, Ella Roberts Official
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Author's Note: My apologies for this very long chapter, but the 100th chapter will include a very special and long-awaited event for Nathan and Elizabeth. Stay tuned for the planned and surprise moments to come! New Year Blessings to you all and thank you so much for reading! Eilie
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