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.Chapter 144

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A Celebration & Bears

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"Hurry up, Mags and Jacks! Auntie Margaret says we have to help, and a lot of people are there for the party already."

"Race you downstairs," challenged Jackson.

"We'd better not, Jackson! If we fall, Mama's going to be upset and this is Christmas. We don't want Mama to be upset today of all days!"

"You're right, Maggie. We'll just walk down slow like the boring grown-ups do."

"But hey, just because they walk slow doesn't mean we can't walk a little bit faster, but safely," reminded Allie. "Did I tell you Momma's adopting me before our Wedding?"

"Yes, that's super cool! Can we come to see the ceremony?" asked Jackson.

"Of course. You're my cousins. You have to be there!"

"Can we stand up front with you?" asked Maggie.

"I don't see why not. But hurry, we've got a long way to go to reach the Conservatory. I love this house, but boy is it a monster…"


While driving toward Union City, Bill's heart was breaking.

He had known leaving her hometown, especially her mother, aunt, and uncle, was going to be hard on Addie, but it had proven harder than either one of them had imagined.

And if he was completely honest, the sadness had proven overwhelming for both of them, not just Addie.

He simply held his fiancée in his free arm and silently drove with his other hand.

Finally, she had fallen asleep on his shoulder, as though leaving had emotionally and physically exhausted her.

He was hoping, even praying that she would be less sad when she woke up, even though deep down he knew it would take a while to adjust.

And so, he drove as fast as he safely could, trying to make up as much time as he could, since the sky looked like at any moment, it might burst with a freefall of fresh snow…


As Allie, Jackson, and Maggie hurriedly entered the Conservatory through the wide double doors, all the staff guests had been seated, but they were all so glad to see these children they so adored, no one even noticed they were late.

Edward smiled motioning his grandchildren to come stand with the family.

"Now that we are all here, I'd like to first wish a very Blessed and Merry Christmas to every single one of you from Victoria and me as well as the entire family. I also want to say a few words of deep appreciation. Each of you is a most important part of this family and I hope you understand what a critical role you play in our purpose of giving to others. We simply could not do what we do without you supporting us so efficiently and heavily in our daily lives. What you do doesn't go unnoticed, no matter how small you think the contribution might be. As in business, and also in this household, it is critical that everything is streamlined, and flowing without our interference, which means there is no such thing as a small task. Today our family celebrates you by serving you and giving back to you, in what we hope are both small and big ways. With the meal that we will share together, and with the many tangible gifts as well as monetary ones, but mostly our time spent together on this Christmas Day, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you contribute to us and our great singular cause of giving to others. Know that you are giving as much as we are and know too that truly 'it is more blessed to give than receive,' as we support those who are weaker than us, or in other words those of us requiring our help." (*181)

Edward paused and smiled.

"Most all of you know our soon-to-be son-in-law and soon-to-be Millicent's husband, Chief Inspector Nathan Grant, and their daughter, our granddaughter Alison Rose Grant, known as our Allie. Although many of you know them as our dear friends, I'd also like to introduce, Nathan's parents and Allie's grandparents, Archie and Sophia. The Grants have always been family, but this year we have the distinct pleasure of re-welcoming them to the family as well as all of you in an official capacity. We are so happy to share this most important part of our Christmas together, as you all get to know these dear people who surround us this morning a bit better. They give of themselves in service each day throughout the year, and we couldn't be more grateful. What do you say? Let's let our Christmas celebration begin! Enjoy everyone!"

As the Catering Chefs brought out the Brunch foods, delectable scents filled the air. From Belgian Waffles to Croque Monsieurs, to Croque Madames, to Savory and Sweet Dutch Babies of every exotic combination, to Savory and Sweet Tarts of every kind, to Chocolate-Cinnamon Marble Bread, to Cheddar, Bacon, and Chive Bread, to Mango Bread, to Chocolate Chess Tarts, to Gingerbread Pear Loaves, to Homemade Caramel Pecan Rolls, to Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, to French Crepes with Fresh Strawberries, Lemon Curd, and various other Berries, to additional French Crepes with every kind of imaginable savory filling, to Ham, Bacon & Leek Quiche, to Jelly Doughnut Holes, to Candied Maple Bacon, to Mini Pecan Scones with Country Ham and Pickled Plums, to an Assortment of Homemade Sausages, to Scalloped Potatoes, to crisply Roasted Vegetables, to Tiny Biscuits with Various kinds of European Hams, to a massive series of Prime Ribs with Yorkshire Puddings, to Tomato Pie, to a Tropical Fruit Mix, and on to an endless miniature dessert spread that was beyond compare!

The list quite literally went on and on, with something for everyone.

Then there was every kind of Juice imaginable fixed in a variety of concoctions. Not to mention the variety of coffees and teas, brunch drinks, and the best champagne the Bradfords had, as well as Victoria's special red Christmas Punch that had come to be expected as it was a favorite that had to be served every year!

The family served and chatted, served some more, and chatted some more, genuinely pleased to have the tables reversed for a change.

Nathan and Millicent were deluged with Wedding questions which they were happy to answer to the best of their abilities, but much had to be referred to their mothers who had taken a most important role in order to see that this Wedding would actually occur on time with such short notice!

The singular thing that most impressed Nathan all morning was that everyone felt so comfortable as though they were genuinely having family time together. There were no demarcations between the family and the staff. Everyone was simply 'the broader family' together, and seeing that, feeling that firsthand, warmed his very heart…


"Welcome back, Sleepy Head!"

"Oh, no! Did I fall asleep?"

"Yes, my Darlin' you most certainly did."

She reached up to kiss his cheek.

"Ugh! How long?"

"Well, we are about a third of the way to Union City, but I admit I've gone as fast as has been safe. Tryin' to outrun those dark snow clouds that have dramatically appeared," explained Bill, nodding outward and upward.

Addie looked up through the windshield.

"Oh, no! Those clouds look bad."

"I think we're gonna be alright. You've got to be hungry, Love. Do you mind eatin' as I drive, so we don't lose any time?" asked Bill.

"Only if you let me drive after I eat, so you can eat without any distraction."

"You drive, Addie?"

"I do," she answered succinctly, but without elaborating.

"Are you sure you wouldn't mind? I could use a break."

She smiled faintly, almost hesitantly.

"I'm a good driver, Bill. I'm sure!" she pronounced softly as though she had suddenly switched gears.

He squeezed her hand, deciding she would talk about whatever this was when she was good and ready.

"I love you so, Adeline Foster. And I know today is exceedingly hard for you. It breaks my heart to be the cause of that."

"It is exceedingly hard," she admitted but then smiled. "It's also exceedingly exciting finally being with you alone and starting our new life together."

"You don't say? I think I'm fallin' in love with you more by the minute, Adeline, if that's even possible. You are fragile but tough, and full of beautiful surprises!"

"Oh, you can count on all that and more, Judge Avery!"

"I love the sound of that! But mostly I just love you," he grinned as he rolled the window down and yelled to the outside.

"I'm Bill Avery and I want the whole world to know that I love Adeline Foster!"

"Bill, what are you doing?"

"Tellin' the world, I love you!"

"But we aren't in a world of people right now. We're smack dab in the world of black bear country and they don't take too kindly to yelling of any kind."

And then she laughed.

"Especially when food is involved since their strongest sense is smell. Also, didn't you know they have super-sensitive hearing? It's about twice that of humans, plus they cover a large frequency range as well. It's fairly common for bears to hear humans way before we can even see them." (*182)

"But don't they hibernate?" asked Bill.

"Not really. Black bears are not true hibernators. Although most do what is called denning, ursid hibernation, or even carnivore lethargy at some point in the winter. And though it mostly happens mid-December through mid-March for the males, it varies. Now for the females…" (*183)

"What in tarnation do all those big words mean?"

"It's just a period of reduced activity that occurs in all black bear populations. It can be caused by a variety of factors such as food availability, amount of daylight available, and even temperature changes. Also, reproductive changes. For example, the females give birth during the winter; then they stay with their cubs for two years, so they generally stay in their dens a bit longer than the males, up through mid-April." (*184)

"What happens if they wake up?"

"The truth? It's not pretty, because they can become quite agitated, very disoriented, and extremely combative if angered. The mothers will protect their young at any cost, but the fathers just don't like to be disturbed." (*185)

Bill shuddered.

"Well, my declaration of love was quite stupid, then, wasn't it?"

"No, my Sweetest, that was the most romantic thing I've ever seen you do. Might have gotten us killed before our Wedding, but still, the most romantic thing ever!"

"Won't matter if we're dead, Sweetheart! Are you sure it's safe for us to eat, even inside the car?"

"Oh, our furry friends have already smelled the food, my Love! Whether it's in the car or inside us!"

"Adeline Foster, are you joking with me?"

"Nope! Deadly serious…"


"It's a lucky thing I'm a Mountie, Mil!" whispered Nathan while crossing paths with Millicent going in the opposite direction of the Conservatory.

"Why, Love?"

"I'd make a lousy waiter! I've spilled more juice than I've poured. And don't even mention the coffee! So, we'd obviously be as poor as church mice."

Millicent giggled, reaching out to touch his arm.

"But we'd be the happiest church mice ever!"

"But also, the hungriest happiest church mice ever!"

"I'd go hungry with you any time. You can be my waiter any day of the week, Darling!"

"Millicent Bradford, you're the one person, I'd wait on any day or night of the week, without hesitation. I even think, for you Babe, I might be able to perfect my waiting skills."

Millicent giggled.

"Why, Nathan Alexander Grant! You are in borderline scandalous territory, but I may just hold you to that!" whispered his blushing fiancée. "We'll work on your 'waiting' skills together!"

"Mil, I love it when your eyes twinkle so much they sparkle even more than usual, performing a lilting dance all their own! You light up my world, you know!"

"You, my Dearest, better get back to waiting, and I'd better get back to waitressing!"

"But hey, if I'm planning to wait on you nonstop, it seems only fair you'd wait on me some too, right?"

"That goes without saying! But I share no secrets, so you, Baby, will have no clue as to what, where, or when!"

And off she went, leaving him more perplexed than ever, with raised eyebrows and gaping mouth, lost in the mystery of this woman who could in a glance turn his world upside down.

"You okay, Nate?" asked Richard, coming up behind him.

"Um hum," shaking his head yes.

"You sure?"

"Hm hum," now shaking his head no.

"You know women are impossible to figure out, right? And I hate to tell you this, but Millicent's being a barrister means you're in for an even bigger world of hurt. The girl's been professionally trained throughout her college years, plus honed during her professional years, to stay three steps ahead of her prey without ever giving away a single thing. Oh, and did I mention she was Valedictorian of her graduating class and by all accounts, is the best barrister in all of Montreal?"

"Richard?" asked Nathan now with a glimmer of a smile.

"Yes?" answered Richard.

"Go away!" ordered Nathan now smiling broadly…


After Addie finished off her turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce sandwich (her mother's specialty she had made since Addie was a little girl) she drank her ice-cold ginger ale and nudged Bill.

"Honey, are you ready to switch places?"

"So ready! That sandwich looks beyond amazing, and truth is, I'm drooling."

She laughed.

"Pull over, and we'll make the switch."

"What if there are black bears?"

"Bill Avery, you have fought the most hardened criminals in existence your entire life, and you're scared of an old bear?"

"I can reason with hardened criminals; I can't reason with bears since I hardly speak their language."

She tried her best, though unsuccessfully to stifle her giggle.

"Here, Sweetheart, scoot."

"You mean I have to go outside?"

"Yes, of course you do. I mean there's no way to climb over me, and you surely don't want me to go outside in this cold? Right?"

"Right. But what if something happens."

"Hand me your gun," Addie ordered.

"Which one?"

"The biggest you've got."

"That would be this one."

"Okay! Now go, I've got you covered!"

"Now?"

"Yes, now! There isn't a black bear in sight."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

Bill opened the car door with no small degree of trepidation, but very quickly managed to get to the other side of the car, opening the door as Addie scooted over into the driver's seat.

"Addie, what's that bundle of brown fur over there?" asked Bill as he scooted into the passenger seat.

"Where?"

"Over by that little creek."

"Well, I'll be! The poor little thing is getting a drink. Sorry, Darling! Missed that one. But then again, you didn't ask about brown bears!"

Bill's face contained a million emotions at once, primarily overriding angst, disbelief, fear, nerves, and shock, all of which he was trying his best not to show, but was clearly failing miserably.

"Hmph, and that "poor little thing" as you so sweetly call him, Adeline Foster, is one of the most deadly vicious ones who could tear me limb from limb!"

"It's alright, I can shoot a moving brown bear through the heart just as easily as a moving black one. And I would have for sure seen him had he come after you!"

"Oh, that makes me feel tons better!"

"Baby, you're always safe with me!" she cooed, trying her best not to giggle thinking about being the real protector of this great man.

And it was at this very moment, that both knew there was never going to be a dull moment in their most unusual, but perfect coupling moving forward, their entire lives through.

Suddenly, well, let's just say Bill's appetite was no longer for the sandwich but for the lips of this woman he loved more than life itself, even though in his mind, she might have almost gotten him killed.

But somehow none of that mattered, push come to shove, his money was on her shooting skill, as he mumbled so in his own dubious words of love between their longing kisses...

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181. Acts 20: 35, The Holy Bible, King James Version, Public Domain

182-185. Known facts re Black Bear Population, General Information, Public Domain.