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Chapter One-hundred twenty-three

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Grant Family Traditions

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William, Grace, Julie and Hudson arrived while Nathan and Elizabeth were downtown purchasing the last minute groceries.

Bill saw William's vehicle pull in and, noting the time, headed up to the main house. After making the introductions, Carol and Bill ushered the two families into the living room and offered tea or coffee which everyone declined.

Archie, William and Hudson ended up on the floor, zooming cars and trains around the makeshift town Jack had built from books and blocks. Combined with Jack's giggles, the engine noises made a soothing background hum, allowing for comfortable getting-to-know-you questions.

"How was your journey?" Inquired Grace as she sat next to Ruth on the sofa. "Were you able to sleep?"

Ruth chuckled softly. "We were! We are grateful for that sleeping car so we could stretch out. I must confess that now I know why babies fall asleep when rocking! It was quite soothing!"

Grace joined her laughter. "Isn't it? Someone needs to invent a rocking bed for adults! I am glad you slept. May I help you unpack so you can find everything and concentrate on our upcoming events?"

"Thank you, Grace, but Allie helped me and we are all sorted. Have you seen the apartment?" As Grace nodded, Ruth continued. "Isn't it charming?"

"Undoubtedly it is and cozy too. This house has such potential!" Grace looked past Ruth to Carol. "God bless you and Peter again for what you are doing for our children." Grace held Carol's gaze. "We may have birthed them, but they are your children too, you know."

Glancing from Grace to Ruth, Carol wiped the gathering dampness from the corners of her eyes, realizing that these generous women before her had welcomed her into the family, much as she had done to their children. "Thank you, ladies." Carol swallowed as her cheeks pinked. "Grace? When Ruth visited before, I had shared my struggle with my inability to carry children and explained that in some ways Peter and I had adopted Nathan, and now Allie. They have filled a gaping hole in my life and brought great joy. So now, with Elizabeth and that sweet boy," Carol motioned to Jack, "My heart has expanded again."

"I understand that you have opened your heart to dear Zach, Ruth? Isn't he delightful?" Grace enthused and told them about how he had escorted her for Allie's concert and he was a model gentleman.

"He is. I feel as if I have always loved him. I am so happy that he will be with us for the next two days! It is a gift from God…" Ruth added. "A gift to Zach. A gift to Archie and actually to us all."

The three ladies headed into the kitchen to discuss Sunday's menus having decided they would appreciate a cup of tea after all.

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When Bill returned from the Cottage after leaving the cake to cool, he entered the kitchen. "Hello, ladies!"

"A cup of tea, Bill?" Ruth offered.

Bill coughed. "Ahem… Thank you, but I have an aversion to tea due to a certain criminal who always had a cup of tea in his hands. I am a dedicated coffee drinker." Bill declared proudly. "I had plenty of that to get me going down at the Cottage though." He looked from one woman to the other and confessed. "I don't mean to interrupt, but may I assist with the lunch preparations?"

"Maybe in an hour or so, Bill? Just relax with the gentlemen for now, eh?" Carol admonished. "You are not here to run the Collins's Café, although I welcome your culinary skills. We now have an abundance of cooks, so maybe after the big holiday meals we should assign a meal to each family. Maybe you could ask Allie to assist you if we did that?"

"Good idea! We will have fun." Bill grinned. "Well, you know where to find me when you are ready!"

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Entering the living room, Bill nodded to the gentlemen seated on the floor, then sat beside the tree and stretched out his legs. "Anything exciting happening in Grantville here, Son?"

"The Mountie and his horsey just got off the train. They were chasing the bad men, but they got them!" Jack giggled gleefully. "Now the Mountie goes home to the jail and gives candy to his friends."

Catching William's eye, Bill commented, laughing. "We need to tell Nathan about the priorities of a Mountie so he can better educate the Cadets, eh?"

Looking up at his Uncle, Jack paused and questioned. "Can I have a candy now, Uncle Bill?"

"Uh, I don't think we eat candy in the morning Jack." Bill explained. "Your mommy would not be happy if you ate candy that early."

"Then we won't tell her, right?" Jack's logic was impressive, if flawed.

Trying not to laugh, Archie spoke up. "It is not good to keep secrets from Mommies, Jack. Somehow they find out and you could be in big trouble for not telling. It is always better to do the right thing and tell the truth right from the start."

"Is that true, Uncle Bill?" Having only just met Archie, Jack had to be sure.

"Your Grandpa is right, Son." Bill again tried to keep a smile from forming.

Unable to manipulate a piece of candy from any of the menfolk, Jack returned to his train activities and with all of his playmates, he soon forgot about candy.

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Allie and her Aunt Julie sat at the dining room table, busily creating place cards for the weekend's events. For Jack's birthday party, Allie drew a small locomotive and, using carbon paper, was able to produce multiple matching images. Aunt Julie cut and folded the red paper then wrote the names in block letters at the bottom, while Allie colored the drawings. Together they cut out the engine's shape and glued one to each card.

Once completed, the two artists discussed the decorations for the Christmas Day table, deciding on pure white cards on which Allie drew some holly and berries. With watercolors, Julie added hints of green on the leaves while Allie added red to the berries. Because Allie admired Julie's calligraphy, Julie's task was to write everyone's name, creating an elegant addition to their place settings on Christmas Day. Having a sudden thought, Allie headed into the kitchen to ask a question.

"Gramma Carol, will Miss Collins and Mr. Dan be coming to dinner on Christmas?"

Laughing Carol responded. "I am not certain! We talked about it but it depends on when Dan's family is having their Christmas Dinner. Why do you ask, Honey?"

"We need to make place cards for them. What name should I use?"

"Hmmm. I think 'Miss Claire' and 'Mr. Dan' would be appropriate. I know you call her Miss Collins in school, but here at home can be different." Carol explained, having a follow-up question. "What did you write for Mrs. Thornton?"

"I didn't know what to write, so Aunt Julie said to just write Elizabeth. I wish I could call her something different now that she isn't my teacher and she's courting Dad…"

"Why don't you talk to her and your Dad about that, Honey? Maybe Miss Elizabeth would be good for now?" Carol suggested.

"Or Miss Bess? We used that nickname for her when she was little." Grace contributed, smiling.

"Oh! I like that idea, Mrs. Thatcher! Thank you." Allie turned towards the dining room. "I will ask today!"

"That's a sweet name, Grace. I am glad that Allie will address this concern! I mean Jack calls Nathan, 'Daddy Nathan!' I have a feeling that Allie wants to wait until things are official before calling Elizabeth, 'Mom." Carol looked at Ruth, seated across the kitchen table. "Do you have any hesitancy about Allie using that term eventually?"

Ruth's eyes glistened. "I really shouldn't. Colleen has been gone for so long and Allie called her 'Mama' so she wouldn't replace her mother's name." Ruth ducked her head, then spoke quietly. "You probably think I should be finished grieving the loss of my daughter." Looking up with tear-filled eyes, she searched the faces of Grace and Carol.

Reaching her hand over to Ruth, Grace turned it palm-up. "I don't think we ever 'finish' grieving, Ruth. You lost a beloved child. I haven't gone through that, but I would surely guess it would take a lifetime." As Ruth hesitantly placed her hand in Grace's, Grace continued. "Please feel free to talk to me about Colleen anytime, Ruth. Getting to know about your daughter will allow me to get to know you better and I would like that very much."

Glancing from Grace to Carol, Ruth choked out a soft, "Thank you."

"It is a little public here, but maybe you could visit me in the Hotel apartment and we could spend some mother-time. Carol could join us if you are comfortable with that, Ruth? We all love Nathan and Elizabeth so much that we really are three grandmothers!"

"I would like that very much, Grace. Thank you." Ruth added. "Carol, you are welcome as we have already shared so much, I feel as though we are sisters!"

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"Hello, hello!" Nathan's sing-song voice called out as he and Elizabeth entered with the groceries.

Entering the kitchen, baskets in both hands, Nathan didn't immediately pick up on the atmosphere. When he did, he questioned. "Is everything okay here?"

"Oh, yes, Nathan. We are just sharing our hearts with each other." Carol assured him, then glanced at Elizabeth. "That looks like more than we had on our list!" Standing, Carol went to the baskets and began to empty them. "Nuts, dates, cranberries, heavy cream, fresh rosemary sprigs and additional cinnamon." Carol named the items as she set them on the counter, then teasingly she questioned, "Um, Nathan? Were peppermint, chocolate and oranges on the list?"

Grinning sheepishly, Nathan admitted. "Well, nooo, but… well, if we have hot chocolate we don't want to run out! Plus, we need oranges for stockings."

Elizabeth giggled. "You should be glad we didn't add even more to the list! We were tempted."

Chuckling, Carol explained. "Be prepared, Elizabeth. When Peter stops at the grocers for one thing on the way home, he usually enters the house with three or four, and at least one of them is a sweet!"

"A man after my own heart!" Concluded Nathan with a crooked smile. "So, do we prepare lunch now or continue with some more cookie recipes?"

"Why don't you go and spend some time with the menfolk, Honey?" Ruth suggested. "There are plenty of cooks right now, but if you gentlemen could crack the nuts please?"

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While Carol and Ruth quickly put together the chowder to simmer, Grace shredded cheese. Around the kitchen table, Elizabeth and Allie made cinnamon star cookies, directing Julie as the official cookie cutter.

Excited for the Grant family recipe his mother would be making, Nathan collected his father, William, Bill and Hudson to join him cracking the walnuts, pecans and almonds. They filled a large mixing bowl, then inquired how much more was required.

Archie spoke up. "These will disappear before you know it, so I say get another bowl, Son, and lets finish the whole lot!"

"Dad's right." Nathan stood. "We can make the recipe again, but if this part is ready it will be quicker on the second round."

In the kitchen Allie called her father to the table to ask if she could talk to Mrs. Thornton and to him for a moment.

"Sure, Allie. Let me take this bowl to the dining room and I'll meet you in the hallway.

Upon returning, Nathan noticed Allie was gripping her hands and appeared nervous. Looking at Elizabeth she could only raise her eyebrows and shrug, so Nathan placed his hand on Allie's shoulder. "What's on your mind, Honey?"

With trepidation, Allie replied. "I... uh... I was wondering if I could call Mrs. Thornton something else since she isn't my teacher anymore? Plus you are courting and, well..." She looked imploringly at Elizabeth. "Could I call you Miss Bess? That's what Mrs. Thatcher suggested."

"I love that, Allie! When did you discuss this with my mother?" Elizabeth was surprised.

Allie explained. "I was asking about names for place-cards and she said they used to call you Bess when you were little. I remember Mr. Thatcher calling you his Little Bessie." Allie asked again hopefully. "Is it okay then, Miss Bess? At least for now." Allie looked slyly at her father.

Responding with a crooked smile, Nathan agreed. "I like that very much, Honey. That can be your special name for Elizabeth for now." He winked at Allie then caught Elizabeth's nod and gaze with a grin.

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"After the weekend you will have to visit Le Chateaux Qu'Appelle and see the place." William extended the invitation to the Grants. "There is a gala on Friday night, but I will be happy to be here to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. I am not going to invest time in Regina's society. It is enough to invest in their businesses! I am not rushing things, but do let us know after this weekend, how we can celebrate the New Year?" William added. "It feels like a momentous, milestone year to me."

"It does. I wish Carol and I didn't need to attend the Gala…" Peter's demeanor failed to disguise his desire to remain with the family. "I must represent the RCMP, so my presence is required. Not sure we will stay until midnight, so you may see us back here early."

"You are sure we can use the house, while you are gone, Peter? Carol?" Nathan asked as he circulated around the living room, offering napkins and serving a plate of the Samuels's fudge, Allie and Elizabeth's Cinnamon stars and Ruth's Meringue cookies.

"It's almost yours, Nathan, so of course you may use it!" Peter reassured Nathan.

The entire family were gathered around the tree in the Collins's living room after a delicious rosemary chicken dinner. They had decided to enjoy desserts around the Christmas tree, so Allie followed her father, ladling scoops from a bowl of Sweet and Spicy nuts.

To Nathan's delight, his mother had worked with Allie in the afternoon, making one of his favorites, Spiced Nuts, and baking his favorite melt-in-your-mouth Meringue Cookies. Both recipes were traditional Grant family Christmas favorites that soon became favored by the entire family.

"Thank you for the special treats, Mom." Nathan popped a Meringue into his mouth and rolled his eyes in delight. "They bring back memories!"

"You are welcome, Son, although you menfolk deserve our thanks for cracking all the nuts!" Ruth laughed. "That is really the hardest part."

"Well, we will gladly do it again when we run out of today's batches." William offered. "It feels good to take some pride in a Christmas treat I can handle."

Grace looked at Hudson and in a stage whisper inquired. "Did he really pay any attention to what Ruth did after the nuts were cracked?"

Hudson shrugged his shoulders, knowing there was no way he would answer that question between his employers, even if they were also his friends. Laughing he stated, "You won't hear it from me!"

"Did you write down the ingredients and quantities, Allie?" Nathan asked innocently.

"I did! We can make them any time now, Dad." Allie said proud to have another recipe to please her father.

"There you go, William." Nathan chuckled. "You can help us and learn the second part of the recipe!"

"Good for you, Nathan. We men have to stick together sometimes!" William smirked at his wife, unaware that Archie and Ruth were memorizing every look and word to discuss later.

Carol motioned to Allie who nodded and stood. Moving to the beautiful baby grand piano, Allie stood beside the piano bench, lifted out some sheet music and turned to face the family. Coughing, she got everyone's attention. "Excuse me, please? I have a surprise for you, Dad. Well, actually for everyone I guess." Allie ducked her head then raised it to glance at all those assembled, resting on her father's upturned face. "I'm a little nervous, but Merry Christmas!"

Nathan's eyes were riveted on his daughter and he held his breath.

Placing her fingers on the keys, Allie inhaled deeply and began to play a simplified version of "I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In." After playing with both hands, Allie played just the melody, then with both hands the third time.

There was a moment of silence when the music stopped, before Nathan began to clap and hurriedly stood to go to Allie.

"Allie! When did you learn to play the piano?" Nathan questioned as he stood beside his daughter.

"Gramma Carol has been teaching me after school! Are you surprised?" Allie accepted her father's hug.

"I most certainly am! This is wonderful, Honey!" Nathan hugged her tightly. "You did this for me?"

Gripping her father around the waist, Allie nodded her head against Nathan's chest. "I did. Merry Christmas, Dad. I am working on other songs, but this is the one I can play the best." She leaned back and looked into Nathan's face. "It's a real song you know? Maybe someday we can play it together?"

"I would love that, Honey." Nathan's eyes were sparkling as he let go and allowed Allie to bow to the family.

"Can I play too?" Jack asked as he hurried over to the piano, having escaped his mother's arms.

Nathan scooped Jack into his arms. "Someday we will show you how to play, Buddy. Right now though we should clap for Allie. She just gave us her first concert!"

Jack clapped his hands. "That was pretty, Awlie."

Elizabeth hurried over to hug Allie. "What a special surprise, Honey! You played well for your first time in front of others."

"Do you know this song, Miss Bess? 'I Saw Three Ships?'" Allie looked up into Elizabeth's face.

"I do. Do you want to play again and maybe we can all sing a verse or two?" Suggested a proud and smiling Elizabeth.

Nodding, and recovered from her initial nervousness, Allie sat down again, while Elizabeth slid next to her. Still holding Jack, Nathan stood behind Allie with one hand on her shoulder.

"I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three? On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
And what was in those ships all three? On Christmas Day in the morning.

Our Savior Christ and His lady, On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.

Our Savior Christ and His lady, On Christmas Day in the morning." (*73)

Nathan and Elizabeth sang softly, allowing Allie to set the rhythm while the family looked on, all with glistening eyes and each silently giving thanks for what God was doing in this dear family.

At Allie's invitation, Elizabeth played a few carols for everyone to sing and thus began a new Grant family tradition.

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(*73) I Saw Three Ships (Come Sailing In), Origin unknown, but earliest published version is from the 17th century, and later printed by William Sandys in 1833. Public Domain.

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