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Chapter 140
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Christmas Eve Day Part II
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Meanwhile, miles away in Ile-À-La-Crosse, Saskatchewan, Bill was reviewing everything that needed to be done before their Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities.
"Addie, Sweetheart, if you've got any of your luggage packed and ready to go, I can take them to the car now, so the transporting won't interfere with our Christmas Eve family dinner tonight or our celebratory time together on Christmas morning," offered Bill.
"That's a great idea, Honey! I'm all finished except for the train case that I'll carry with me when we leave. I've got my smaller overnight bag already packed for the car trip and Union City Train. Also, the large trunk I'll take to Montreal. And the even larger trunk that will stay in Hope Valley. Oh no! Is there room in the car?"
"Only one way to find out Darlin'!"
"Mother, I'm still unsure as to what to wear for the wedding. Bill says it's a big society event. Do you think I will have time to find something in Montreal? I don't have anything 'big-city stylish.'"
"I think you could find enough time to shop if needed. But what about taking your pale blue gown that you asked your Aunt to embellish with her hand-made silk roses at the waist, just in case you aren't able to find what you want? I know she finished it last week, so you'd have it for Christmas Day if you wished. I'm sure she has it ready for you to bring home tonight after our dinner. With my pearl necklace and earrings, and your white fur cape, I think it would be beautiful. Especially with that cornflower blue ring of yours!"
"You're right as always. I hadn't even thought of that gown as a possibility! It's simple but will have enough detail with the added roses…"
"And it will be very elegant, too," added Catherine. "Especially with my pearls!"
"But Mother, I don't want to take your pearls!"
"Nonsense. I'm only loaning them to you! There, it's settled. I do expect them back at some point, young lady!" winked Catherine.
"Sounds like crisis averted," smiled the Judge. "Now, where is all this luggage I need to tend to…"
Just as Victoria had earlier explained, five additional hospitals were visited throughout the day for a total of six facilities with an hour at each facility, three in the morning and three in the afternoon, as well as having a very brief lunch in between, including: The Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal (Montreal's first hospital), Canadian General Hospital, The Montreal General Hospital, Richardson Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital, and the Montreal Chinese Hospital. (*173-178)
Each family member, including the children, had kept a notebook with numerous patients listed that would require follow-up during the new year.
The families had decided to gather at Millicent's and Nathan's townhouse after, as the couple had the busiest evening scheduled and they would be able to get started earlier this way.
But if truth be known, Edward was dying to get his hands on Essie's baked Austrian Christmas goods, which were now spread out on the dining room buffet, spilling out all over the dining room table. And what a spread it was! Even Sophia, a master baker, was impressed.
Christmas carols played softly in the background on the Victrola, and everyone felt at home, simply enjoying each others' company.
Hendrix and Estella were in their element fussing over and serving these two families they so adored.
"More coffee, tea, or Christmas punch, anyone," offered Hendrix tending to each person's every need.
But neither Essie nor Hendrix would have had it any other way.
To say the Bradfords and Grants, except for perhaps the boundless energy of the children, were exhausted would be a true statement. But even more than exhausted, they all felt invigorated having experienced the true spirit of Christmas.
"Well, I'm tired to my bones. But you were right, Edward! These patients gave us much more than we gave them!" admitted Archie, who felt like he had put in a full day on the ranch and then some!
"What an honor, Dad, to be a part of all this," noted Nathan. "Giving of self: what a beautiful way to meet people's needs!"
"Seriously, I think the entire Maternity Ward is in love with my charmer of a husband," grinned Margaret ruefully.
"Oh, without a doubt, I'm sure! Sorry, Margaret, but Richard always was the ladies' man where the two of us were concerned," teased Nathan mercilessly.
"What can I say? When you've got it, you've got it!" retorted Richard gleefully.
"Oh, you've got it, alright. Now if we could just figure out what it is you've got!" piped in William, which brought laughter from around the room.
"Touche, from the mouths of babes," laughed Edward.
"Well, speaking of babes, our children outdid themselves," complimented Sophia, conspiratorially.
"Jackson, Maggie, and I had so much fun meeting so many great kids, Gramma! Look at our autograph books. We've got a ton of new pen pals!" announced Allie proudly.
"That you do, Sweet Girl!" smiled Sophia proudly. "All three of you children handled yourself so beautifully today. Pippa and I both are so proud of each of you!"
"Thanks, Gramma!" beamed Allie as Jackson and Maggie chimed in with their thanks as well as jumping up and offering a quick kiss to their adopted Gramma.
"I wouldn't have wanted to spend the day with anyone but Sophia and the three of you! We make a fabulous team," complimented Pippa.
"Can we please do the same next year?" asked Allie excitedly.
"I don't see why in the world we should mess with success," smiled Victoria.
"I like that, Grandmama! And I promise to do even better next year, since now I know what we should do!"
"On all counts, you were wonderful this year, my sweet Allie Girl!" complimented Auntie Luciana.
There was a feistiness in Allie that Luciana could certainly relate to, although Allie's was more due to precociousness while Luciana's was simply her outspoken personality.
But as the two hugged each other tightly, they were both old souls and unique enough to be birds of a feather. At least in Luciana's mind, who saw great potential in Allie, and for that reason alone, Luciana determined, much to Victoria's cautious chagrin, to take Allie under her wing.
A fact that Millicent, who loved her Auntie Luciana dearly, was already planning to closely watch so that nothing got too far out of hand, as her singular goal for her daughter was a happy and well-adjusted childhood, who would later become a very happy and fulfilled adult.
But truthfully who better to help with that but the wisdom of Auntie Luciana!
Already Allie's mother in every way but legally, Millicent simply wanted Allie to live her best life, the life Colleen would have wanted her daughter to live, and the life Allie alone was meant to live…
After family goodbyes were said in the entry amid loads of kisses and hugs intermingled with Merry Christmas Eves from everyone, Nathan's curiosity finally got the better of him.
"Allie, come with your Momma and me to the Wedding Gift room," grinned Nathan, rather excitedly.
"Dad everyone knows that's called the unwrapping room, now!"
"Sorry, Babe! The room has been re-christened!" grinned Millicent.
"Well, you two, whatever the room is called, let's go before we get our things together to take to the Hayes!"
"Pardon me, Sir, everything has been loaded for the Hayes, except for Master Scotty's dog, of course!" informed Hendrix. "Albert and I will be delivering our chosen chocolate lab pup early Christmas morning!"
"Hendrix, you are the absolute best! That may even give us time to rest a few minutes before we go!"
"A great plan, Sir!"
"Nathan Grant, let me get this straight. You are volunteering to enter that mess of a room without any added incentives?" asked a shocked Millicent.
"Well, maybe one or two might be needed," he grinned. "Maybe a kiss or hug?"
"Now I know something is up! Any hints, Love?"
"Not a one! Come!"
And with that, Nathan grabbed both his girls' hands leading them into the dreaded room...
As Nathan opened the wide double doors, his investigative eagle eyes quickly scanned the room. Intuitively, he had a pretty good idea of what he was looking for.
"Aha! That's it!"
"That's what, Darling?"
"That has to be the gift the Judge was talking about," surmised Nathan as his eyes settled on a very long, thin box propped up in the far corner. "Aren't you the least bit curious? I know I am!"
"Ah! If that's what I think it is, I'm more than curious. Hurry, unwrap it, Love!"
"More than happy to unwrap this one! Any quick guesses?"
"Dad, that's got to be a fishing pole!"
"But my guess, knowing the Judge, it's not just any old fishing pole! I'll have you know, he buys only the best gear when it comes to his fishing!" winked Millicent.
Untying the bow and tearing the paper off, with Allie helping him, Nathan was finally able to open the first of the two long boxes that had been taped together.
When he peeked inside, he let out a low whistle.
"This just might be the grandest wedding present I've ever seen!"
"You mean the one you'll use the most!" laughed Millicent. "Let me see that beauty!"
"Actually, there's one for me, one for you, and one for Allie, and this is just the first box! What beauties these are! Boy, am I ever glad the Judge went rogue!"
"I got a wedding gift?" asked Allie. "A fishing pole?"
"Not just any fishing pole, Allie. This is a top-of-the-line ice-fishing pole; the best made!"
Allie shrieked.
"I've always wanted to go ice-fishing, Dad! Can we, can we?"
"You better believe we can! It's a date for the three of us, right after our Honeymoon, Allie. But these two are definitely coming along with us ON our honeymoon, Mil!"
He bent back and stretched up from his chair to kiss his fiancée.
"I love the sound of that!" agreed Millicent, bending down as their lips met.
"Oh, no! Are we getting mushy again?" asked their daughter.
"Afraid so, Allie. Check out your new pole!" muttered Nathan between kisses.
As his daughter became engrossed in her new gift, Nathan was torn between his new pole and continuing to kiss his beautiful Millicent, though of course, the kisses completely won out…without much of a contest whatsoever.
Till finally Millicent whispered.
"Open the second box, Love. You know you're dying to do it!"
Nathan laughed.
"My beautiful Millicent, you know me far too well!"
"Wait, Dad! Let me help, too!"
Father and Daughter tore into the second box, now positive more fishing poles awaited.
"But what kind could these be, Dad?"
"Babe, any clues?"
"I'd think fly-fishing. The Judge's second passion!"
"We can only hope!"
"Is that what this is Momma?"
"That's exactly what this is, Allie. State-of-the-art fly-fishing poles!"
"But boy! Mine looks complicated!"
"That's because it is, Allie. This is a very advanced rod. We'll have to start with the basics," explained her Dad.
"But I don't have a basic rod," lamented Allie. "This looks hard!"
"We'll have to see what we can do about that. But I tell you one thing – these beauties are unsurpassed! We'll have many hours of fun with these. Now this is my kind of Wedding Present for sure! I'll have to write the Judge a note myself thanking him!"
Millicent giggled.
"As long as you don't mention what he sent you in case his wife happens to see! Well, I can certainly see Judge Barnstable has won your heart, lock, stock, and barrel!"
"That he has, Darling! Jealous?"
"Are you kidding? With beauties like this to fish with?"
"So easily swayed!" teased Nathan. "But for now, these beauties stand right here in this corner, while we race up the stairs to grab a quick nap! One. Two. Three…Go!"
Nathan gave his girls a head start, then bringing up the rear, with all three laughing, gave Allie a quick kiss at her bedroom door.
"If you can't go to sleep, Princess, at least rest! We've got a busy night ahead!"
Once Allie closed her door, he gave his bride-to-be the kiss he had been waiting to give her all day, taking only seconds for their lips to passionately meld into each other…
For Christmas Eve Dinner in Saskatchewan, Bill proudly drove his fiancée and soon-to-be mother-in-law across town to Catherine's sister's and brother-in-law's house.
To say the Judge was nervous was quite an understatement. But from the moment Addie's Aunt Rosalyn met him at the door with a hug, and quickly welcomed him into their home to meet her husband, Addie's Uncle Thomas, who was now confined to a wheelchair while completing his rehab from a stroke, Bill knew this was part of his new family.
Bill also knew Thomas was suffering from what was considered a terminal illness as well as recovering from his stroke, though no one had said exactly what.
But one experienced look at his pale coloring told Bill, in all likelihood, it was a weak heart.
"Just call me Roz, Judge!"
"And you call me Tom, Judge!"
"Only if you both call me Bill. None of this stuffy Judge stuff. I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to finally meet all of Addie's family. She's told me such wonderful things about you!"
"Well, the truth is she's told us nothing about you," laughed Roz. "So, let's dish the dirt! Out with it, Bill!"
"Well, that's because she's probably hated me all these years!" blurted out Bill before he realized what he was saying and to whom he was saying it.
Adeline giggled and responded.
"I can't say he's at all wrong about that!"
Bill's outburst and Addie's matter-of-fact response completely broke the ice resulting in loud guffaws from all.
"You two ask me anything you want to know, and I promise to be an open book!" promised Bill as he took Addie's hand and held on tightly.
Yes, these two were family already and Christmas Eve Dinner was looking very promising indeed as Catherine and the two couples settled in for the evening's visit...
Allie was so excited to see the Hayes, that she scrambled out the back door of the limo before her Uncle Albert could open it!
"Allie, don't run. We have packages to deliver," reminded her Dad.
"Sorry, Dad! I'm just so excited!"
"Sir, the men in the truck behind us are delivering the larger packages, but I'm sure we can manage the smaller ones in the boot. Let me give you a hand if the ladies would prefer to go on in," offered Albert.
"Oh no, you don't! It's Christmas Eve and packages are part of the drill," laughed Millicent. "Here, Allie, these are for Scotty!"
Millicent loaded her daughter down, and then she, Nathan, and Albert did the same thing, all four appearing at the door together.
"Mama, Allie's here! Come quick," called Scotty as he opened the door wide. Merry Christmas Eve, Allie! Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!"
All three of the Grants quickly noticed Scotty was a boy transformed. He was bright-eyed and joyful because he had already gotten his most cherished Christmas wish, and that was to see his father!
"Oh, my goodness! What's all this?" asked Sarah, as she followed Scotty to the door with a welcoming smile.
"This is Christmas, Sarah! You can open some tonight and save the rest for Christmas morning or even save them all for later!"
"But there are so many!"
As the couple stepped aside to place presents under Scotty's huge tree, the delivery men started bringing in the larger presents.
"Oh, Nathan, Millicent! This is just way too much!" whispered Sarah, though she was having trouble getting the words out.
"Allie, come see my presents!" insisted Scotty.
As the children looked at the wrapped presents already under the tree and placed the new ones there as well, Millicent hugged Sarah.
"Now, none of that! Several of these bigger, necessary items are for your new business. You'll see! But Sarah, this one is personal from Nathan and me to you, so you may want to save this one till the very last!" smiled Millicent. "I know I would!"
"I'll definitely take your advice then. Last it is," promised Sarah. "My, it's the most beautiful package I've ever seen!"
"And Albert and Hendrix will deliver Scotty's special gift tomorrow around 6 am if that's not too early," whispered Nathan.
"That's actually perfect, as I'm sure Scotty will be getting up around then!" she whispered back. "Look at me, I'm a terrible hostess. May I fix you some tea? Some cocoa? The kettle's already on and I have milk warming as well."
"That sounds lovely!" smiled Millicent as Nathan helped remove her coat, then moved toward the tree to talk with the children.
Millicent followed Sarah into the kitchen for some "girl talk" but was quickly interrupted.
"Where should we put these largest items, Miss Bradford?" asked one of the delivery men.
"Sarah, since most of these will end up there, would you like us to place these in your office, so they'll be easier to unpack tomorrow?"
"That sounds perfect!"
Millicent smiled and directed the delivery men to Sarah's sewing room, where she helped them position the items in the spots she thought would fit best when unwrapped.
Then she saw the men out and moved back to the kitchen to help Sarah who was arranging a plate of cookies to go with their hot tea and cocoa.
"Millicent, we'll never be able to thank you enough for everything. Scotty has been on cloud nine since seeing his father!"
"And you look like you are on cloud nine right there with him!"
"I can't deny that for one second! It was so wonderful seeing Caleb and being able to embrace him and touch him again. Thank you from the depths of our hearts! He's truly changed, Millicent, and I'm not sure that would have ever happened if it hadn't been for you and Nathan working so hard to make our visit happen. The three of us are indebted to both of you forever. You've literally given us our family back!"
And with that, Sarah broke down shaking, crying tears of joy, as Millicent held her dear friend close, thinking about the very different life-changing joys Sarah and Scotty were going to begin to experience tomorrow, with a new pet to love, and a brand new business to start.
This place was truly going to feel like their home…
173. Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, founded in 1644, became a teaching hospital in 1850. Public Domain.
174. Canadian General Hospital (McGill), was founded by Robert Collier in 1914-1919. Public Domain.
175. The Montreal General Hospital, 1818-1971, founded by Drs. Stephenson, Holmes, Caldwell, and Robertson. The first Teaching Facility. Public Domain.
176. Richardson Hospital, was founded by William Sutherland Richardson in 1918. Public Domain.
177. Royal Victoria Hospital, was founded in 1918. Public Domain.
178. Montreal Chinese Hospital, 1918-1982. Public Domain.