When Elizabeth Walton woke on the fifteenth day of December 1946 the ground was dusted in white frost. Looking like it had been visited by fairies in the night. The grass seemed to sparkle and there were icy patterns along the window ledges. There was a light layer of snow on the ground – not quite enough for snowmen but you could make plenty of little snowballs.
And she couldn't even go to enjoy it.
Bedbound, for the third day with a cold, on Mary Ellen's orders and no matter how much she argued with her oldest sister she knew it was hopeless.
Downstairs she could hear the usual morning hustle and bustle, and she could smell coffee and bacon. A good sign: her nose had been that clogged up the previous day she couldn't smell anything.
The door opened and Erin came in with a tray, she sat it on the bed and felt Elizabeth's forehead.
"You're not warm anymore," she said.
"Nope. I feel fine," Elizabeth said, but she ended her sentence with a sneeze.
"Another day in bed will help. You wouldn't want to be sick at Christmas," Erin said, pulling a scarf out of the wardrobe.
"I'm not sick anymore," Elizabeth tried to argue but Erin just shook her head.
"Eat your breakfast. And then ring the bell and someone will come up and lift your tray." Elizabeth nodded and Erin left the room. It wasn't fair. There was no way she could stand another day in bed. There was too much to do. No one had been up to the attic yet to get the Christmas decorations down. And no one had even mentioned a tree or turkey. Unless they were going to have a ham this year; sometimes they did that.
The front door opened and shut a few times – Erin going to work, Mary Ellen away to her last class before Christmas, Jason to the Dew Drop. Ben was already out at the mill. Elizabeth could hear the saw running. He was trying to get everything finished as soon as he could.
A little while later Cindy stuck her head in. She already had on her coat and hat, ready to go and meet her mother.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine," Elizabeth sighed, closing her book.
"So, you don't mind if I go into Charlottesville for a couple of hours?" Cindy checked.
"No. I'll be fine. Honest," Elizabeth replied.
"Ok then. And Toni's here if you need anything. She's feeding Tyler now but just shout if you need her," Cindy said.
"I will."
It wasn't long after Elizabeth heard Cindy's car pull away that the bedroom door opened again.
"Are you really going to stay up here all day?"
"Doctor's orders," Elizabeth replied, pushing her covers down. She knew that her newest sister was firmly on her side of being up and about.
"What Mary Ellen doesn't know won't hurt her," Toni said, with a smile. Downstairs was too quiet and being housebound herself the past two weeks she needed the company. Elizabeth grabbed her dressing gown from the bed rail and pulled it on.
The two of them walked downstairs and Elizabeth settled herself in the big armchair by the radio, along with her notebook and pen.
"Only ten days till Christmas," she said.
"I've never had a Christmas before," Toni said.
"It's my favourite time of year. It's been different the past few years though. I feel like celebrating this year," Elizabeth said.
She could remember the Christmas before Grandma's stroke; they never thought it would be the last time they'd all be together for Christmas.
"What do you do?" Toni asked, lifting a chair over to the kitchen cabinets.
"Grandpa used to take us to pick a tree and cut it down. And normally Daddy and one of the boys would hunt for a turkey… What are you doing?"
"Clearing out these cupboards. They're starting to annoy me," Toni said. In the six months since Toni moved in, the Walton house had become more organised than ever. Erin said it was slightly scary how she liked everything in its place.
"I wish Mama and Daddy could be home this year," Elizabeth admitted.
"Maybe next year. At least John Boy's coming home tomorrow," Toni said. Elizabeth nodded. Her eldest brother hadn't been home since he moved back to New York in June. His letters were nice but it wasn't the same as being able to speak to him.
"I've still so many presents to wrap. Maybe I could do them now. And then put them under the tree tonight," Elizabeth said.
"There is no tree yet," Toni pointed out.
"Ben can go after lunch," Elizabeth suggested.
"He could."
"Can you bring the bag of presents from my wardrobe?" Toni nodded and ran upstairs, coming back down a few minutes later with all of the presents along with the equipment to wrap them.
Elizabeth was about halfway through the wrapping when Toni decided the kitchen was in satisfactory shape, and then she had an idea.
"There's a book of Christmas songs in the piano stool if you want to practice," she suggested.
"If I want to," Toni said, getting the hint that Elizabeth wanted her to play Christmas songs while she finished her present wrapping.
When Jason woke the following morning, he smiled. Today was the day. John Boy was coming home. And he could finally reveal his secret to the rest of the family. He sat up when he heard the shuffling start from the cradle.
"Hey." He got up quickly and crouched down beside it. Tyler stared up at his daddy, waiting to be picked up. Jason lifted him and sat back on the bed.
"You've a big day today. You're gonna meet your Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle John Boy. So are you going to behave? No crying?"
"I don't know how you haven't told anyone."
"I've just tried to not think about it," he replied. "At least everyone knows John Boy's coming home. That makes it easier."
"Pass him up here, see if he's hungry," Toni said, sitting up in the bed.
"He's always hungry." Jason passed his son over and started to get dressed.
"Wonder where he gets that from."
"Hey!"
"Everyone is going to be so surprised."
"I want it to be the best Christmas for everyone. It's my favourite holiday."
Rockfish bus station was full of people heading home for the holidays. Having sat on a bus for over twelve hours John Walton Junior was ready to stretch his legs. His feet were itching to get back to the mountain and see his family. New York was becoming home, but Walton's Mountain would always have his heart.
The station wagon pulled up and John Boy smiled as his brother jumped out and ran to hug him.
"John Boy!"
"Jason!"
"Welcome home."
"You look good brother."
"Feel good. Think Mary Ellen will want to fatten you up some though." The brothers laughed. John Boy had gotten good at eaten food from tins most evenings.
"And I look forward to it," John Boy said, slinging an arm around his brother's shoulder.
"I've someone for you to meet," Jason said, nodding towards the car. John Boy noticed that the passenger seat was occupied and smiled.
"You took the baby?"
"See there's something else," Jason said. "You're not the only person I'm picking up today."
"Who?"
"Mama and Daddy."
"Really?" Jason nodded and John Boy laughed.
"I think this is going to be the best Christmas in a long time."
"Their train's due at 2. So, how's lunch sound?"
"Great if you're paying," John Boy said.
"I never said that" Jason said. They walked back to the car and John Boy put his case in the back as Jason helped Toni out.
"Well Sergeant," John Boy said, giving her a hug and then looking down at the baby.
"Good to see you John Boy," she said.
"So, this is my newest nephew," he said, taking one of his little hands. John Boy hadn't seen a newborn sized Walton since Elizabeth. "He's big, isn't he?"
"Near nine pounds and 59 centimetres," Toni said. Not the most enjoyable experience.
"Doctor Wallace said he was the longest baby he's ever delivered," Jason said.
"Well, you were taller than me since you were 14," John Boy replied, as they walked to the café.
The trio had an enjoyable lunch hour, catching up on recent news and reminiscing about years before. If it wasn't for the baby balanced in his brother's arm John Boy almost thought they were back in Paris in those last months of the war.
When they heard the train whistle John Boy generously paid and they headed to the train platform.
"You two stay back here," Jason said, pushing John Boy and Toni into the waiting room. He walked along the busy platform until he spotted his parents climbing on to the platform.
"Mama! Daddy!" He shouted and waved. They looked older and Mama seemed thin. But she must have been feeling well enough to make it home for Christmas.
"Jason!" John shouted. They met in the middle of the platform and hugged.
"I'm glad you're home," Jason said.
"Glad to be home," John said.
"And no one knows?" Olivia said.
"Haven't told a soul," Jason said.
"It'll be such a surprise," Olivia said. The two men nodded in agreement.
"Let me take your bags," Jason said, taking the cases from his father. He led them back to the waiting room. John Boy stepped out and Olivia gasped.
"John Boy. You're home," she said, hugging her eldest.
"Have to come home for Christmas," he replied.
"We'll all be together for Christmas," Olivia said.
"And one more Mama," Jason said. Toni came out from behind John Boy.
"Jason Walton!"
"Meet Tyler."
"Oh he's the image of his daddy," Olivia said, as Toni put the baby into her arms.
"Everyone is telling me that," Toni said, with a laugh.
"Poor kid," John Boy said, elbowing his brother, who rolled his eyes.
"Right come on. I want to get home," John said.
The five walked back to the car, all thinking the same thing. How this would be the best Christmas they had had in a long time.