Chapter V: Merry and Bright

December 22-25 2011

The next morning, Christmas celebrations kicked off in earnest with the arrival of the out-of-towners. Aunt Susan and Uncle Martin came up from Cedar Brook with Jeff, Amy and their kids, while Lauren, Travis, and their kids followed along in their own car since no one had a vehicle large enough to hold the whole contingency. Heather had met all of the Cedar Brook family, but had not seen some of them for several years, so lots of chatting took place to bring everyone up to speed on all of the family happenings, new babies, etc.

Over at the bunk house, there were McCall family members arriving from Nebraska who Heather and some of the others had never met. They had not wanted to take the risk of traveling during the war, but came now, anxious to see everyone.

Every year, it seemed there were more family members needing rooms, and less rooms available. After some discussion, it was decided that the children could have a sleepover in the basement monitored by Natalie Duncan and Katie McCall. Babies would stay with their parents, and the older children were allowed a little more latitude than they were used to. Who knows, it might be the start of a new tradition, Heather thought to herself.

Thursday night went well with regards to the basement sleepover, and the children were so excited for the Friday edition that the other children clamored to join them. Eric and April's three along with the children from the Bennett Farm and the visiting grandchildren from the McCall family all brought blankets and pillows while Aunt Eleanor made dish pans of popcorn and pitchers of hot chocolate for them to snack on. The older children devised games to wear the little ones out, which only worked marginally well considering the excitement level and the sugar in the hot chocolate.

Heather, concerned there might be a mishap, had placed a baby monitor in the basement to be on the safe side. The parents upstairs drifted back and forth between conversations and watching the antics of their children.

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Saturday was Christmas Eve, and a day full of preparations. As usual, the ladies of the bunk house would prepare the main courses of ham and turkey while Gail and the rest of the Green ladies who were staying in the ranch house would bring side dishes and desserts. Mary and Dennis Duncan, now living in one of the cottages, would be bringing libations they had created themselves in the basement of the tavern. Aunt Sharon and Uncle Bob were staying at their home in the Pines at night along with Lauren and Travis Reed and their children from Cedar Brook, but they all arrived early and spent the days at Green Ranch. (Bob and Sharon had stayed at Green Ranch when they first arrived in Jericho but moved into a vacant home in The Pines on the suggestion of Grant and Miranda Stevens. They were welcome at the Ranch, but this proved to be a more comfortable solution for all involved.)

At last, everything was ready, and it was time to proceed to the bunk house. Frank Young asked a blessing as soon as everyone had arrived, then everyone lined up to serve themselves buffet-style from the long counter of dishes. The food was plentiful and delicious, the tables packed as the largest ever group enjoyed Christmas together. The band played carols in the corner and parents assisted their children with plates, although most were much too excited to eat.

By 8pm, Frank and Lorraine excused themselves to open up the church. Everyone else finished their meal and gathered their family members, proceeding to the driveway where Will and his ranch hands had several wagons waiting. The year of the bombs, horse-drawn wagons had been the only option for transportation. Now, they had become a tradition, for Christmas Eve, at least. As they had on that first Christmas, they sang Christmas carols as they rode in the wagons toward town, bundled up and enjoying the cool, crisp night air.

Ever since the first Christmas after the bombs, where the New York contingency had surprised everyone by returning to Jericho during the service, the entire New York contingency had chosen to sit together on Christmas Eve and reminisce amongst themselves about their trip across the country with horses and carriages, the people they had met, and the things they had learned. The rest of the year they were occupied with the day-to-day things of their lives, but Christmas Eve was about remembering, and being thankful.

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Christmas day at the ranch house on Sunday morning was joyful and clamorous, as the extended family enjoyed leftovers from the previous evening's meal and visiting with family members they had not seen in several years. The adults had previously decided upon presents for the children only, and they were mostly useful items: Hats, mittens and scarves from the co-op, socks for the littlest ones made by those who had picked up knitting faster than others, home-made confections, home made and painted wooden blocks. The thrift store at the co-op did a brisk business every year at Christmas as some children outgrew their toys and others grew into them. Timeless classics like Duplos, Legos, and Lincoln Logs were always popular items.

Chip had his train set-up sequestered in the attic, where he and a select few cousins and friends were allowed to play. Jake had kept his eye out on his travels for additional track or cars to add to the set and had created more houses of wood blocks as time had permitted. Not to be left out, Abby and Sadie had clamored for a doll house, so Jake had converted a set of shelves that would do for now. He hoped to spend more time with the children in the years to come, grateful that the war had finally come to an end.

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After the children had been tucked into bed for their final night of sleeping over with cousins in the basement, Jake and Heather lay in bed. Ellie was asleep in the cradle beside their bed, and the house was amazingly silent.

"Another year," Heather began the conversation. "I'm so glad you were here with us."

"Me, too," Jake responded. "You have no idea how much."

"So, I was thinking," Heather said thoughtfully. "So much of what we do has been Green Family tradition since before I came to Jericho. I wondered if we could add a tradition. Maybe a New Year's Eve party?"

"Hmm, who would we ask?" Jake asked curiously, amazed that Heather had the energy left for a conversation let alone another party.

"Well, Uncle Emmett and Aunt Eleanor, and Uncle Mark and Aunt Laura since they live here. And I really like them. Hope and Gill. Stanley and Mimi. April and Eric. Mike and Elizabeth Sommers, Erin and Will McCall. Probably Mary and Uncle Dennis, if we want booze," Heather giggled.

"That sounds good," Jake answered. "I suppose we could set the kids up in the basement again with their own party. They seem to like that idea. What would we do at the party?" Jake asked.

"Probably eat heavy hors d'oeuvres and chat and maybe play games," Heather responded.

"Sounds good to me," Jake said with a yawn, "I don't know how you have so much enthusiasm after having a house full of relatives for a week, but I'll help with whatever you want," Jake concluded.