Six years had passed since the events in London when Margaret's destiny changed in an instant and her Christmas miracle happened without her even expecting it. But she knew that it was in fact Mr Bell to whom she would be eternally grateful for bringing her together with her beloved John. And now the two had been happily married for six long years, during which time Margaret had given John two wonderful children; a daughter, Elizabeth, and a son, George. But John had no idea what a surprise his beloved wife had in store for him.
It's Christmas Eve and Margaret and the children have decorated the Christmas tree with various decorations, both bought and homemade. Hannah was sitting in her favourite armchair with a embroidery in her hand, trying to embroider the initials on a new piece of linen fabric. Every now and then she glanced at her daughter-in-law and grandchildren, who were now cheerfully hanging five Christmas stockings with all the family's names on them, except one. It still had no name on it. Hannah knew why, but had promised Margaret not to say anything to John about it. Margaret wanted to surprise her beloved husband in a special way with this stocking. Hannah thought it was unusual, but she just shrugged her shoulders and said nothing more. She smiled secretly, because in fact she felt very happy for her family. Now she was glad that Margaret, the woman she used to hate, made her John so happy. She had long ago realised that no other woman could ever make John happy than Margaret, so in time she accepted Margaret and smiled back at her. She also loved her grandchildren very much and would only be delighted to have another in the Thornton family.
While everyone in the drawing room was busy with their own things, no one noticed John standing at the door of the room, looking at this stunningly beautiful scene. John's eyes first fell on his mother, who was happily embroidering. Then his gaze travelled to his children, who were sitting by the tree and putting presents under it. His smile slowly grew wider. Finally, he hung his gaze on the love of his life; his beautiful and beloved wife Margaret, who was standing by the tree trying to put up one last decoration. Now he smiled all the wider. He felt so happy and still couldn't believe that after everything that had happened in the past, fate had brought them together again, this time for good. It seemed to John that after that evening in London, his life came more better and happier. Not only did he married his beloved Margaret, who gave him the chance to become a father to two little Thorntons, but he also reopened the factory and Marlborough Mills was able to enter the market again and John could not complain about the number of orders. This was again thanks to Mr Bell's legacy to Margaret. When they both found out, they were both very surprised to no end, but when it was over, Margaret wanted to help John open the Mill, but John didn't want to take her money. Margaret knew this, so she advised him to take just a piece of her money and if the Mill was as successful as it had been, John could give her that piece back. John liked it and felt as if they were not only a married couple, but also business partners. In fact, John adored this business woman in Margaret. He never thought Margaret would be capable of such things, but he knew how much she cared about his Mill and its workers, and she was very keen to help get all the workers back to work there, including Nicholas Higgins and his daughter Mary. John didn't mind as Nicholas had become his only friend and he actually owed him a debt of gratitude for revealing the last piece of the puzzle about Margaret's cavalier at Outwood Station. John knew he would be eternally grateful to Nicholas for that and he didn't hide of it the day he and Margaret both visited him and Mary to announce their engagement. Nicholas also didn't' hide of his joy at the reunion and engagement because he knew what he was doing. And from then on the two were inseparable and John discussed a lot of Mill matters with Nicholas, while Margaret was a frequent guest in Mary's canteen. John came back to the present from his thoughts and again focused on that beautiful scene in the drawing room, and finally went inside.
First, he went up to Hannah and kissed her on the cheek. Hannah smiled and stroked his cheek. Then he walked over to the children and both Elizabeth and George ran up to him and wanted to put their arms around his neck and hug him. John understood and crouched down so they could do it.
"Papa, Papa, we missed you so much. Look, how we decorated the tree and mama helped us!" Elizabeth and George said through each other. John held them both tightly and kissed them both on the cheek, and then looked at the tree. Now that he saw it more closely, it really looked beautiful and ornate. He liked it.
"It is very beautiful, my loves, you have done a good job. Will you let me hug Mama now?" They both nodded and let him go. John stood up and walked over to Margaret, who was looking at the wonderful sight with tears in her eyes.
"Margaret, what's wrong?" John asked anxiously as he saw a single tear trickle down her cheek and wiped it away with his thumb.
"Oh, it's all right, John. Really. I was just touched to see you with the children. It's tears of happiness because I'm so happy!" She smiled, telling John that everything was fine. John smiled and kissed her on the forehead.
"You've worked hard with the children. The tree is very beautiful." John smiled and then looked at the fireplace and saw the stockings, but didn't notice the one without the name. "And the fireplace is beautiful too. There's a real festive atmosphere and I love it. This house hasn't had such a festive atmosphere for a long time, but you conjure it up. And I love you so much for that. Thank you, my love!"
John leaned down and kissed Margaret, giving her a small gentle but slightly passionate kiss on the lips, wrapping his arms around her soon-to-be-not-so-there waist and pulling her closer to him. Margaret reciprocated by putting her arms around his neck and they fell into an even more passionate kiss. Elizabeth and George giggled as they watched what their parents were doing, but they loved it. Hannah smiled too, but didn't say anything. The moment could have gone on for a long time, but they were interrupted by Jane, who announced that the festive dinner was served. The two lovers finished kissing and, taking the children, each by the hand, went into the dining room. Hannah followed them.
Once everyone was seated, dinner was ready to begin. First, a turkey roast with vegetables and cheese sauce was served. There was silence while everyone ate, but Margaret felt nervous because she could see that John didn't notice the stocking without a name, but she was so anxious to break the news. But John and Hannah noticed that Margaret was eating a little more than usual. She couldn't hide it and didn't notice. John was beginning to suspect, but decided not to say anything yet. Hannah just laughed softly to herself. Later, Christmas pudding was served and then everyone went back to the living room where Hannah settled back into her seat, waiting for Margaret to reveal her surprise; John was already on his way to take his favourite armchair too, but Margaret asked him to sit on the sofa, which seemed strange to him, as they both usually sat in their armchairs nearer the fireplace, but Elizabeth and George took those places, which it had been arranged beforehand that they should do. Seeing how everyone was seated except Hannah, John's suspicions only increased and he realised something was wrong. Margaret sat down next to John on the sofa and he smiled, putting his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. She snuggled into his side and laid her head on his strong shoulder. He kissed her on the forehead.
"Margaret, will you tell me what's going on? Why aren't we sitting in our seats as usual?" Margaret blushed and lowered her gaze a little, but then looked at him again and smiled the biggest smile she could.
"John, I have a surprise for you, but before I reveal it, did you notice anything unusual about the stockings?" Margaret's big smile turned sly and she watched as her husband's gaze drifted from her to the fireplace. John didn't understand why Margaret was making him look at the stockings, because when he first saw them he didn't notice anything unusual. But looking now, he saw all their names on them, and noticed the one without a name. John looked at Margaret with suspicion in his eyes as slowly he began to understand everything. The stocking, Margaret's great appetite, the children sitting in their places by the fireplace...
"Margaret, are you telling me that you... that we're going to..." John lowered his gaze anxiously to Margaret's stomach and Margaret patted it with both hands.
"Yes, John, I'm with child. We're having a baby, and Elizabeth and George are having a little brother or sister!" Margaret happily revealed her surprise with tears in her eyes. John was blissful. He didn't know where to put from happiness. He had always wanted another child and now his beloved wife was going to give him one.
"My dear, I am so very happy. You always make me happy. I love you so much, my Margaret!" John cupped Margaret's face in both his hands and kissed her passionately. Margaret happily kissed him back.
"And you make me happy, John. And this is proof of our great love once again. The third fruit of our love. I love you too, my John!" Margaret replied, still crying with happiness. John put his forehead to Margaret's and they were silent for a while.
Hannah looked happily at the two lovers and was very happy for her grandchild. She liked the way Margaret revealed this surprise in such an unusual way, because it was quite intriguing to see John's reaction.
"I'll be the first to say congratulations and that I'm happy for you both. My present for my upcoming grandchild is still in the making, but you will love it. That was quite an unusual way to break the news, wasn't it, Margaret?" John looked at Hannah in surprise and she smiled.
"Yes, John, I knew, but your wife asked me not to say anything, otherwise the surprise wouldn't work, but it did, didn't it?" Hannah grinned and looked at Margaret.
"Yes, John, that's true. I wanted to surprise you and have it as a Christmas gift for you, so I didn't want Hannah to let you know and I came up with this idea. I did it, didn't I?" Margaret smiled innocently and waited to hear what John would say, but John laughed and stroked her rosy, soft cheek.
"You two are a very good team and quite cunning, but I like that. Margaret, this is the best Christmas present I have ever received. You have made me very happy. You really managed to surprise me, my love!" Margaret happily put her arms around John's neck and then kissed him on the lips.
"I'm so happy, John. Merry Christmas, my love!" Margaret stroked his cheek, covered with little beard stubbles.
"Merry Christmas, my love" John looked happily at Margaret and put his big palm on her stomach, and Margaret put hers on top of his. Elizabeth and George, unable to sit still any longer, ran over to Margaret and put their little hands on theirs too. They both smiled because this Christmas surprise would be very special for them all and John would never forget this Christmas when his beloved wife made him so happy again.
The Thorntons' special Christmas when Margaret surprised everyone with her Christmas surprise!