Chapter 137
Allie's Christmas Wish Comes True, Part III
. . .
"Dad! Momma! I've met so many great new friends. Can we have them all over to our house, and I go see them at theirs? Please? Pretty Please?"
Nathan gave Millicent that 'Caution, here we go, again!' warning look that every seasoned parent knows.
But Millicent was already a step ahead.
"Of course, Allie, but we might need to wait till after our Wedding. Remember, you will be in Toronto with your Auntie Margaret, Uncle Richard, and your cousins for a couple of weeks while your father and I go on our Honeymoon. And since we're getting ready for Christmas and our Wedding at the same time, there won't be much free time left for us at all, Sweetheart! There will be very little family time, so we want to spend as much time with you as possible before our Wedding. Then, when we get back, after we've missed you for two long weeks, we'll want to spend all our time with you then, too!"
"Your Momma's right, Allie! Also, we have most of Hope Valley heading in this direction the day after Christmas. You're going to be busy not only with the Wedding but with Uncle Bill and his new fiancée, Uncle Lee, Auntie Rosie, and the kids, who are all staying with us. Plus, all your Hope Valley friends coming for the Wedding will want you to spend time with them, too."
"Yes, Sir! I know, but these kids are so great, and a lot of us are exactly the same age. We all have lost our mothers, too. So that means we have even more in common. Oops, no offense, Momma!" she added quickly, not wanting to ever hurt her Momma. "I'm so sorry!"
"Don't be, Angel! There's nothing to be sorry about. No offense will ever be taken mentioning your beautiful mother! The more times we remember her, the better, Sweet Child!"
"I love you so much, Momma!"
"I love you, too, Allie, so very much!"
"But these are my friends now too, Momma! Do you understand?"
"I do totally understand. And these new friends will always be your friends if you make that happen," assured Millicent as she tenderly stroked Allie's hair. "I know this isn't what you want to hear since there won't be much time for us to visit anyone except your grandparents before we return to Hope Valley, but we'll make time when we return to Montreal before our family Honeymoon. How does that sound?"
"But, Momma, that's not till spring; spring's a long, long way off!"
"You're right, Allie. I know that's true, but time will pass faster than you think. I tell you what, why don't you get their addresses, and you can write them as we travel home to Hope Valley and then again after we get there! We'll buy some postcards before we leave, and I'll bring you back lots of pretty ones from our Honeymoon to use as well."
"That sounds fun, Momma! I can also send them pictures of Cookie and show them where I live and go to school!"
"Now you've got the spirit! Allie, friends don't let distance come between them, not if they're important to each other! Instead, they find ways to keep their friendship going. Look at your father and me through all these years. It took some effort and a little compromise, but we stayed best friends from the time we were children, even though we were apart by many, many miles. And from what I've seen today, you've met many forever friends, too!"
"Really? And I can see them before we go on our family Honeymoon in the spring?"
"Really! I promise! I'll take you wherever you need to see them, myself."
"I guess I can wait then. Thank you! I love you, Momma! I love you, too, Dad! But I better get back to Deborah and Eleanor. Oh, and Blaine, too, I guess!"
Allie hugged her Momma and Dad, then shot off like lightning as Millicent glanced over at her daughter's group of friends, instantly and wisely surmising the real issue at hand.
"Blaine? I've never heard that before. Is that a girl's name, Mil?" asked Nathan with a furrowed brow.
Millicent giggled.
"Could be, I suppose. But my Darling, if that's Deborah standing on the left and Eleanor standing on the right, my deductive skills tell me that the handsome Lad by Allie's side is, without a doubt, Blaine. And he's as handsome as the most stellar puppy in a litter of good-looking males! Tall and dark, just like her father. Bravo! Our daughter has exquisite taste!"
Nathan moaned.
"Not you, too!"
Millicent grabbed his hand and reached up to kiss his cheek but couldn't hold in her escaping giggle.
"Is that what you ladies call a 'dish?'" he asked reluctantly.
"Oh, no! He's much too young," she answered most seriously. "He's just a really cute saucer. Though you're the dish, my Love!"
Nathan moaned again.
"So, I'm the dish? What does that even mean?"
"Well, let me explain it this way, Love! You are not only the salad dish, breakfast dish, luncheon dish, dinner dish, and dessert dish; you're the dishiest platter out there, too, my Darling!"
Her explanation left Nathan narrowing his eyes and scrunching his face even more, leaving him totally confused while scrambling into unknown territory, trying his best to decipher precisely what all that meant.
Till exasperatedly, he mumbled, "Women! Millicent Bradford, I love you more than this world, but I'm not sure I'll ever understand any of this."
"It's alright, Love! You're not expected to!"
She stood on tiptoe and kissed him, wiping his worries far away.
At least, for now, the beautiful Barrister had expertly and smoothly distracted this overly concerned and wary father's thoughts far away from that attentive and handsome young boy still standing by their daughter's side, named Blaine.
Oh, the things mothers do for their 'dish' or, indeed, 'platter,' especially when they're so fortunate to have one as handsome and loving as Nathan Grant...
Once all the children had selected their clothing and shoes amidst the jovial commotion that harried process wrought, interacted with the Nativity at length, and ridden the Carousel numerous times, Edward rang a loud Christmas bell to get everyone's attention.
"Since our new clothes are now being boxed, wrapped, and made ready for us to take home, I'd like to invite everyone to join me at the front of the showroom for an exceptional pre-parade event! Not my part at all, but you'll see," chuckled Edward, holding up his hand.
Everyone clapped, and the children rushed around where Edward stood, increasingly excited about their coming Parade but even more intrigued about what was happening now.
"I'll sit in this big chair here if you all will sit around me! Do we have a deal?"
"Yes!" everyone shouted. "It's a deal!"
Geoffrey and Hendrix helped the children form a huge, tight semi-circle around Edward, who had found his way to the golden, red-velveted, throne-like chair sitting at the very center of the storefront.
The adults sat in the several rows of chairs placed in a semi-circle behind the children, with Nathan being sure to nab four seats for Richard, Margaret, Millicent, and himself.
Sitting there comfortably, in his element, talking to children, Edward appeared more relaxed than Nathan could remember ever seeing him.
"This morning, we've seen the Living Nativity Scene and learned of the Bible story telling us about the birth of Jesus. Now that story is by far the most beautiful, most important story you will ever hear your whole life through. Keep it with you always and cherish it. But for the next few moments, we have a fun story to tell before we prepare for our Parade."
"Before we do that, though, I want you to meet my grandchildren. Allie, Jackson, and Maggie, will you please come up front and sit with me?"
The three came up, hugged their Grandpapa, and stood as he introduced them individually.
"This is my beautiful, precious Maggie. She's the youngest of the three and the resident photographer of our family, the kindest soul you'll ever want to meet, and the family peacekeeper! Now, this is her older brother Jackson who is studious, enterprising, and a jokester extraordinaire, just like his Dad! The Lad's also doing his best to beat me at chess, as if that's going to happen, even if I have to stay up nights learning my moves!"
Everyone laughed, while Jackson frowned, then laughed, just shaking his head, determining more than ever to master the game of chess just enough to beat his Grandpapa.
"We thought that our family was complete with these two, along with their little brother and sister, Jacques and Margie, who are going to come and watch the Parade with us, but we were wrong. For along came our Allie, completing us just as though she had always been here with us."
"Our Allie is beautiful inside and out, brilliant, and compassionate. Spunky, too! Just like her mother, Colleen was. Oh, how we loved that beautiful girl! And how we miss her to this very day. Always will. You see, Allie's mother went to Heaven when Allie was four years old, just like your mothers have gone to Heaven at various ages in your lives."
There was a collective gasp throughout the room, with the children finally realizing this friendly girl had gone through the exact same loss they had suffered.
"The truth is, though I'd like to take credit for today, I can't. Today was all my granddaughter's idea. Allie wanted us all to honor our mothers today and, at the same time, have an extraordinary, fun day together as we remember all of them and how much they love us still!"
One little boy started clapping, and then all the others joined in.
"To our beautiful mothers in heaven!" smiled Edward.
Instead of being sad, the children all wore smiles remembering their mothers, but the adults in the room were all sniffling, so deeply touched.
"We are all so grateful Allie thought of this because we have met the brightest and best children in all of Montreal right here today! And that's been our extreme privilege and blessing. Let's give all of you boys and girls a loud and long round of applause!"
The room erupted, adults and children clapping alike.
"And since Allie has asked me to make our big announcement together, there's one more thing before we get started. Today is our First Annual Allie Grant Christmas Party, but most certainly not the last. Will you finish our invitation, Allie?"
Allie beamed.
"Each of you is invited to attend our Christmas Party every single year from here on out, with Jackson, Maggie, and me!"
The applause grew louder and louder, along with shrieks of joy from the children.
This wasn't just for one Christmas, and then they'd be forgotten. They were going to get to celebrate their mothers and each other with Allie, Jackson, and Maggie every single year. To say they were thrilled to have this party to look forward to annually was quite an understatement!
They felt truly loved and wanted.
Little did they know there was so much more left to come!
"Now, are we all ready for a story? I know I sure am!"
With his grandchildren seated comfortably around him, Edward reached for a large but thinly bound book on the table beside him, with beautiful colored illustrations filling each oversized page. He opened the book, showed the first page to the children, then, in his deep, rich voice, began reading very expressively a book called "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," page after page, stopping to show the children each of the magnificent illustrations on every single page to lots of oohs and aahs:
"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her' kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle,
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."" (*157)
Mesmerized, the children were speechless, but it wasn't for long, as pandemonium soon broke out!
Edward feigned a shocked look on his face as a door opened toward the back of the room, and Jackson yelled out as loud as he could.
"Look, everybody! It's Santa Claus!"
Everyone turned in unison (yes, adults included) to see Santa himself, just like the story had said, as he practically danced into the room, waving his hands and yelling "Merry Christmas! Ho, ho, ho!" to everyone.
Edward nudged his grandchildren to go welcome Santa and bring him to his unique throne-like chair, which they were thrilled to do!
Once there, everyone was in shock (at least the children, but some adults, too), though all believed this either had to be the genuine Santa Claus or the closest of anyone they had ever seen!
He was exactly as everyone had pictured down to his twinkling eyes, long white beard, pink cheeks, and rotund tummy.
As for his attire, he was dressed in red velvet and white fur, from the hat on the top of his head to his black fur-trimmed boots!
Doubtless, he was the jolliest Santa anyone had ever seen.
Everyone quietened as the man began to speak.
"Ho, ho, ho, Boys and Girls! I have it on good authority that all of you have been very good children this year, and though we don't have a lot of time because I have a parade to lead, we have some very urgent business to take care of!"
"Will my first battalion of Elves please come in now to assist me?"
The first group of elves comprised the salesclerks, who appeared wearing the cutest elf hats of red and white fur.
Each entered in a single file on both sides of the showroom, carrying a bright red wooden sled with glistening silver metal runners and a pulling cord, one for each child.
As the children realized what was happening, they were incredulous with shrieks of delight, most of them having never been able to go sledding except on cardboard, which got very wet very quickly!
"These are the biggest and best and shiniest red sleds we've ever seen!" called out Blaine.
A series of "Thank you, Santa!" rang throughout the massive room.
"My children, you are more than welcome. I do believe these have been earned. But I need you to promise me a couple of things. You'll always play safely, right? Because those blades can bang up and even cut legs if misused. Do I have a promise that we will all stay safe first and foremost?"
"We promise," rang out in one loud chorus.
"Next, I need to know that every time it snows and you go sledding, you promise me to just have fun while you continue to stay safe!"
"We promise, Santa!" rang out loud and clear.
He placed his finger to the side of his nose.
"Oh, I hope I get this right. I have so many children to visit, you know! But, ho, ho, ho, I haven't gotten one wrong yet! Well, there was that one time, I suppose, I gave a handsome little boy named Richard Bradford something particularly special when, well, he could have been a little less rambunctious that year!"
All the adults cackled, Richard included, knowing precisely what Santa was talking about.
"If I recall correctly, he longed for an authentic Cree Archery set. And he did get it. Although I'll admit, the whole thing was questionable for quite some time. However, he made up for his teensy bit of naughtiness by becoming the best archer I've ever seen. Now, where was I?"
"Oh, yes! The sleds, they're only for winter, you know. And good children, big and small, must play all year long. Whatever should I do? I know! Will my second battalion of Elves please come in now to assist me?"
In walked the entire Bradford Security Team, each wearing an elf hat on top of their head, but it was what they were wheeling in that brought shrieks of delight!
Or should I say, screams of pandemonium and commotion beyond belief?
Each security guard was wheeling in a shiny new bicycle, one sized for each of the children.
They were lining them up alphabetically just as the salesclerks had done with the sleds, so in a few moments, each child could run to see them, then thoroughly inspect their own from top to bottom.
"In just a few moments, we'll take a break to let you go inspect your sled and bike a little more closely!"
Those words brought a resounding round of applause and shouts of pure joy from the kids.
"You know, normally, I travel everywhere in my big sleigh, but this year I decided to give the reindeer a break and use a new mode of transportation. Can any of you guess what that transportation might be?"
"A car?" asked one very young little boy named Andre.
"A truck?" asked an older boy who wasn't at all sure he believed in Santa, but what could you say? The man had just brought them brand-new bikes and sleds!
"No, couldn't find one big enough for the presents and the reindeer!"
"A bus?"
Santa just shook his head no.
"A boat?"
"Now, that's an idea, but not sure how I'd get to those chimneys from the water! Hmm!"
"A train?"
"No, no, no! I did that in 1905! Arrived at Union Station and made my first pre-Christmas Eve tour through Toronto before I went anywhere else! Ah, that was a special night! One I won't ever forget. The trains even carried my sleigh for me when I ran into some snowless spots in Canada, not to mention the US!" (*158)
"Oh, I know! A bicycle?" offered one adorable little girl.
"Great guess, my Sweet, but no, afraid not. My legs would get mighty tired peddling all over the world with that big pack of toys!"
"Our sleds?" asked another little child.
"Great guess, too. Goodness knows there's enough snow in most places. But then, what would I do for all the tropical islands? Well, you all have made some marvelous guesses. All of them! But, ho, ho, ho, I must go get ready for the Parade! Watch for the big guy in the red suit! And remember, Richard Bradford, Santa Claus always knows, no matter your age!"
Santa searched high and low for Richard, the grown man, then gave a nod and a wave and continued his admonition to include everyone.
"So be good, boys and girls! I'll see you at the Parade, and then again next year, too! And remember about those sleds and those bikes, what is it?"
Santa cupped his ear to make sure he heard their response, which was resounding!
"Safety first!" yelled everyone in the room in unison.
Laughter erupted as the jolly old man in red began to leave just as he came, along with clapping and shouts of goodbye, all for this cheeky Santa who wasn't about to travel to the Parade in any of the traditional ways, at least not for this particular year.
And not a single person anywhere had yet guessed…
. . .
157. "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," written by Clement Clark Moore, was published in his book "Poems," Barlett and Welford, 1844, but earlier, it was published anonymously in the "Sentinel," the local newspaper of Troy, New York, on December 23, 1823. At a time when Santa was depicted as thinner, less jolly, and a horse-riding disciplinarian based on various mythologies about the British Father Christmas, the Dutch Sinterklaas, and the fourth-century Bishop Saint Nicholas of Myra, this poem, as you can see, paints a very different picture: Santa is now his cheerful, even jovial, and jolly self, plus he's given 8 reindeer to power his sleigh. This cherished poem is now well known worldwide as "Twas the Night Before Christmas," and reading the poem to children everywhere has been and is a much beloved Christmas Tradition. Public Domain
158. Historical Note: Toronto's Annual Pageant predates the famous Macy's Parade of New York City by almost 20 years. In 1905 for Toronto's very first Santa Claus Parade, Santa arrived via Union Station by train, where the Parade float (and yes, there was only one float in the entire Parade that year) picked him up and delivered him to downtown T. Eaton and Company's store (the Parade's sponsor); from there he made his first pre-Christmas Eve tour through Toronto. General Information, Public Domain
