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Chapter One hundred and Twenty-seven

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Christmas in the Cottage
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Nathan surveyed the four stockings he had hung on the mantle before he banked the fire's embers and turned off the Christmas tree. His eye caught the cardinal ornament and he paused, staring at it and thinking of how many items Elizabeth would receive referencing the red bird. Reflecting on the assurances of love that they had just shared as they parted tonight, Nathan was pensive. 'It is time. We are pledging our lives to each other with so many vows already. It is time!'

From a tote that he had tucked beside his desk, Nathan lifted out a beautifully wrapped gift as he sat in his desk chair. Carefully, he slid the deep red ribbon off the box and unfolded the golden wrapping, sliding the box from within. Setting it on his desktop, Nathan took out his journal and found the page on which he had written his declaration a few days ago. Extracting a sheet of paper, Nathan cut and folded it into one of those special envelopes, then copied his thoughts inside. Satisfied as he re-read the words, Nathan refolded the page to form an envelope on which he wrote the initial 'E.' Locating a small paper packet hidden in the back of the center desk drawer, Nathan labeled that packet with the initial 'N,' kissed it and placed both envelopes into the green velvet-lined box. Carefully he re-wrapped the box and placed it back in his tote, ready for Christmas morning.

Knowing he would be unable to sleep for a while, Nathan made preparations for the morning's early breakfast snack before going to bed and praying for rest.

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Early on Christmas morning, Bill, Carol and Ruth met in the kitchen to prepare the turkey and stuffing. With three experienced cooks, they moved as if choreographed and soon the turkey was stuffed, basted and in the oven roasting. After cleaning up the kitchen, they each took on a task of cutting carrots and preparing a butter-brown-sugar-ginger glaze, preparing potatoes to boil and mash later, and peeling the sweet potatoes that had been boiled last night. Ruth had a special recipe from Virginia in the United States, so she mashed and added the cinnamon, melted butter, cream and a bit of sugar, scooping the mixture into a casserole dish to heat later. Bill quickly beat the softened creamed cheese with cream, powdered sugar and vanilla, and slowly drizzled it over the unmolded Christmas Carrot Cake he had baked before the birthday celebrations the previous day.

When they heard Jack and Elizabeth stirring they knew it was time to prepare as much of the brunch as possible, so Archie was called into service to assist Ruth in cutting the fruit for a salad. Bill measured the ingredients for cranberry pancakes and shaved some apples to add at the last minute, tossing them with lemon juice and covering the bowl. Carol began frying the bacon as they would need some for the roasted vegetables later in the day as well as strips for breakfast. Counting out the eggs on the counter, she retrieved a beater and set it beside in readiness for scrambled eggs. Since the cooks had made short work of the coffee, they prepared another pot for the percolator and left the grounds and scoop ready for the next batch. Tea strainers were filled and set aside until closer to brunch and scones were covered in their basket and set on a tray with butter and jams. They would bring out the clotted cream just before serving.

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"Dad? Are you awake?" Allie knocked and called through her father's door.

With a low moan, Nathan turned over and glanced at the clock. "I'm awake now, Allie!"

"It's Christmas remember!"

"Oh, is it?" Nathan laughed at her comment, rose and grabbed his bathrobe. "Would you mind making coffee, Honey? I was up a bit later than I expected so I'll go shave and wash up now."

"Sure, Dad. What time are Miss Bess and Jack coming?" Allie turned towards the living room as Nathan opened his door. "Ohhh, look at those heavy stockings! I hope there is room for my gifts! Is that pretty red one with the lace trim for Miss Bess?"

"It sure is. Pretty fancy, eh?" Nathan patted Allie's shoulder, kissed the top of her head and whispered "Merry Christmas, Allie-girl." Leaving Allie to make coffee and distribute her gifts, Nathan entered the bathroom.

Nathan was dressed and preparing the tray with a basket of scones, jams and Neuchatel cheese when excited voices were heard from outside. When the door flew open, Jack and Elizabeth were engulfed in welcoming hugs as they entered. "Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!"

Nathan lifted Elizabeth's chin to share a gentle kiss as he whispered, "Merry Christmas, my Love."

Patting his cheek, Elizabeth answered his kiss and greeting. "And to you, my handsome man!"

"Oh! Look at our stockings, Allie! Do we get to open them now?" Jack was making a beeline to his overflowing stocking. He reached to gently pat the toe then turned to Nathan. "Can we? I mean now. Please?"

"I believe we can do that. Just wait for Mommy and I to bring in the beverages and napkins. We can sit around the coffee table and eat bites in-between our gifts!"

Examining the stockings while they waited, Allie and Jack guessed at the contents. "We always get an orange so I am sure that's what that bulge is. What do you think is in the toe, Jack?"

"Maybe candy?" Jack responded hopefully as the adults joined them.

"Let's give thanks around this table then I will bring down the stockings!" Nathan offered a quick prayer of gratitude and made his way to the mantel.

"Oh look! I got another Mountie toy. That will go with my new train set!" Jack set the miniature on the floor beside him and opened another gift from the collection he had dumped in front of himself. Excitedly, Jack held up another figure. Is this a train conductor? Wow!"

"Oh, this is so pretty!" Allie held up a set of gold hair combs, then found a few paint brushes and pencils and a new toothbrush. "Yummy! I love clove gum and cinnamon too! Thanks for the orange, Dad! I can always depend on you." Motioning to her father and teacher, she asked. "Aren't you two going to open your stockings?"

"I think we are enjoying watching you! Plus, I need this coffee this morning." Nathan grinned at Elizabeth. "I am filled with nervous excitement!" Nathan wiggled his eyebrows as Elizabeth laughed.

"Let me feed you a bite of scone, Honey, then start on your stocking!" Elizabeth prepared a bite with the cream cheese and a dollop of blackberry jam placing it to Nathan's smiling lips.

With lightning speed, Nathan grabbed her hand as he took the bite, then kissed her fingers thoroughly to collect all the deliciousness.

"Mmmm. Very sweet, Sweetie!" Nathan teasingly raised an eyebrow before kissing Elizabeth's nose. "Anything in that stocking you especially like?" He pointed to her velvet stocking.

"Ink and pen nibs, Honey. You are so sweet to encourage my writing!" Elizabeth smiled mischievously. "Anything you like?"

Digging into the toe of his stocking, Nathan realized he had a bottle of ink as well! "Ah ha! Great minds thinking alike! Thanks, Honey. Thank you, Allie-girl for my favorite bar of shampoo and a new bottle of Lilac Vegetal. I will be smelling extra nice now!"

"You're welcome, Dad. Thank you for the gum and goodies as well as the new pencil box, Dad. And is this little compact with the mirror from you or Aunt Julie, Miss Bess?"

"That's actually from Grandmom Thatcher. Aunt Julie gave the lipstick to you!" Explained Elizabeth, suddenly aware of Allie's nervous glance at her father.

Immediately sensing Nathan's concern, Elizabeth placed a reassuring hand on Nathan's forearm. "Honey? Don't worry. Allie will only use the slightest hint of color on her lips. She won't be painting her face or lips at this age." Nodding at Allie, she encouraged Allie to agree.

"Don't worry, Dad. I'll ask you or Miss Bess before I wear it."

Noticeably relieved, Nathan breathed out a quiet, "Whew!"

Giggling and determined to redirect the conversation, Allie inquired about the tiny embroidered sachets she had made for her teacher. "Do you like those?"

"Oh, Allie! I do. You embroidered such a fine pattern and the fragrance is lovely too." Elizabeth inhaled the sweet scent of lavender and roses. "I'll keep these in my dresser drawers."

"Dad? Did you notice the Pomander ball I made for your closet? I'm afraid it might stain your clothes in the drawer, but there is more space in your clothes closet. Doesn't it smell spicy and masculine?"

"It does indeed, except it also smells like dessert, so I may get more hungry now!" Nathan grinned at his family knowing and loving that they were getting to know each other more every day.

Not wanting to wait a moment longer, Allie went to get a few items from under the tree and handed them to Elizabeth, Jack and Nathan. Seated again, Allie searched her father's face as she held up a gift. "I'd like to open this first, please?"

"Sure, Allie. What did he give you?" Nathan watched with interest having been the courier of this particular present.

"Oh! 'Finding Beauty.' (*81) It's a book of quotes, poetry and illustrations." Allie opened the book to find what Jared had written on the inside front page. "'To Allie, Christmas 1920. I hope this little volume is as much of a delight to you as it has been to me. I immediately thought of you when I saw the lovely words and artwork, so had to read it from cover-to-cover! Be blessed, Jared.'"

Looking at her approving father, Allie questioned. "Do you know this book, Dad?

"I do not, Honey, although I may want to borrow it someday! This looks like a lovely keepsake though, and a thoughtful gift too." Nathan glanced at Elizabeth. ""Are you familiar with it, Lisbeth?"

"I'm not, but it does look beautiful! Maybe we could read portions of it together sometime?"

"That might be a good idea." Looking back at Allie, Nathan questioned. "What do you think of it, Honey? Is it different than you expected?"

"I didn't know what to expect, but it means a lot to me that he wanted to share something meaningful to him." Blushing, Allie admitted. "See, this is why I didn't want to open this in front of everyone, Dad."

"I understand, Honey." Nathan smiled, proud of his daughter's forethought. "Who is that small box from?"

"Ellie Blake gave it to me on the last day of school." Allie unwrapped the box to find a small gold cross. "Oh, this is perfect!"

"That was very thoughtful of Ellie to give you. Now, what's that big gift that Uncle Bill brought on the train?"

Allie opened a couple gifts sent from Hope Valley. Aunt Rosemary had gifted a pretty green plaid, long, smocked flannel nightgown with a white eyelet trimmed collar, perfect for winter. Emily and Opal had each embroidered a handkerchief and Angela had sent a small wooden cross she had made with the help of Joseph, her father. She had sanded the smooth, round edges so it fit in your hand and could almost be described as soft! In Cooper's handwriting, Angela had sent a note and called it a prayer cross.

From Rosemary and Lee, Elizabeth opened a beautiful fabric-covered bound box, that was tied with two attached ribbons. As she opened the cover, Elizabeth read, 'This is a special container for your manuscripts-in-progress, Elizabeth. We look forward to your next published work! Love, Rosie and Lee."

"Isn't this unique? So thoughtful too. I can keep all my notes and pages in one place, one very pretty place, and not scattered all over. Thank you to Rosie, and Lee of course!" Elizabeth added. "What did they send to you, Nathan?"

Unwrapping his gift, Nathan discovered a similar box although covered in a rich blue fabric with matching ribbon closures. A note from Lee explained that Nathan's box was to contain his 'various poems and writings on their way to become another book! Miss you, my friend, Lee and Rosie'

Allie nudged Jack, asking, "What is in your package, Jack? Can you guess?"

"Nuh uh." Shaking his head, Jack tore off the paper to reveal a navy blue, wool messenger cap, with ear flaps, and a pair of matching mittens. "Oh! Nice hat." Jack put it on backwards as the shape was difficult to figure out causing the family to chuckle.

"May I help you with that, Son? It's hard to know what is the front and what is the back!" Nathan adjusted the cap and patted Jack's head. "There you go, Buddy. All ready for winter!"

Once he wore the hat correctly, Jack turned his attention back to his Daddy Nat'n's stocking gifts. "Do you like the bookmark I made? Aunt Julie helped me on the train and we made one for everybody!" Jack pointed to his creation, announcing, "That's the letter of your name. 'A' for Awlie!"

"Oh really, Jack?" Nathan held up the colorful bookmark. "I see this initial isn't an 'N,' it's 'D.' Can you tell me why?"

Nodding vigorously, Jack responded. "Yours is a 'D' for Daddy."

With tears gathering in his eyes, Nathan reached out for Jack to come to him. Burying his face in Jack's shoulder, Nathan spoke hoarsely. "Thank you for this, Jack. This means so much to me!"

Leaning back, Jack patted Nathan's cheeks. "Don't cry. I love you!"

With watery eyes, Allie made her way to the sofa to sit beside Elizabeth and threaded her hand through her teacher's arm. "We make a really good family, don't we?"

With that comment, tears spilled down Elizabeth's cheeks and she bent to kiss the top of Allie's head. When she could speak, Elizabeth answered. "Oh, we sure do, Honey. A beautiful family."

As they heard a car horn honking, Jack ran to the window. "It's Grandmommy and Grandaddy! Aunt Julie and Uncle Hud and Uncle Zach! Everybody is here now. Can we go up to see them? I'm ready for our big Christmas!"

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(*81) "Finding Beauty" by E.M. Hunter. A fictional title that, along with quotes, may allow me to share more of my poetry and writings from a woman's perspective!

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