Chapter 93: A Montreal Christmas Begins!
As they rose from sitting around their Breakfast table, Nathan turned to Allie.
"Sweetheart, your Momma and I need to make a business call right now. It won't take us long, probably about twenty minutes. After, I promise we'll leave to get our tree as soon as we finish."
"But, Dad, what will I do with all that time?"
"Why don't you help Auntie Essie clear the table?"
"Yes, Sir!"
"And, Miss Allison Rose, after we do that, you can help Hendrix and me pack a basket for your little trip to get our tree," suggested Essie. "As cold as it is outside, Child, you're going to need lots of sustenance, including hot Spiced Cider, and maybe some Hot Cocoa in thermoses to warm you up, and who knows what other goodies? Want to help me?"
Allie glanced up, puzzled at the use of her full name, especially with the Miss, to see only immense love in her Auntie's eyes.
The girl was astute enough to know Auntie Essie loved her deeply, perhaps because she had loved her Uncle, her Mother, and her new Momma so much, caring for them when they were younger. And even though Allie wasn't at all used to hearing her full name on a regular basis, she very quickly decided that coming from Auntie Essie, she kind of liked it. It did sound grown-up, after all, especially with the 'Miss' in front!
And there was something old school about the elder lady, that Allie wanted to learn more about.
This woman, a part-time actress, had to be full of fascinating stories, especially ones about all the people she loved, and Allie couldn't wait to hear them all!
"Yes, Ma'am! I'll be happy to help. Sounds like fun! But Auntie Essie, aren't you and Uncle Hendrix coming with us?"
"Goodness no, Child! Hendrix and I have lunch to prepare. This house doesn't run itself, and we have to get it ready for our tree, too. So, you three go and enjoy your first Christmas tree hunt as a new family of three. The five of us will have lots more family fun tonight and tomorrow when we decorate whatever tree you find!"
"Yes, Ma'am," agreed Allie with a broad smile.
"Thank you," mouthed Millicent to Essie, as she and Nathan turned to walk to the living room so they could make their call privately from there…
In the Living Room, Nathan embraced Millicent, rubbing her back, before they sat down at her antique desk, knowing she was nervous about this.
"Are you ready, Darling?"
"I think so, but I'm still struggling with how to start. How do you tell someone the woman they love spent three years of her life in prison when she never should have been there in the first place?"
"Would you like me to start, then hand it to you? That way, I can try to prepare him."
"Thank you, Nathan, that would make me feel so much better."
Holding hands, they both voiced a quick prayer together, then Nathan sat down at the elegant desk and placed the call to Hope Valley.
He could hear Florence in the background saying she would put the call through momentarily as the Judge had just left the Mercantile, but Florence couldn't hear him since a Montreal operator was placing the call.
Nathan placed his hand over the mouthpiece so that the Montreal Operator wouldn't hear him speaking with Millicent over her open line.
"Bill just left the Mercantile. Florence is waiting to patch him through."
Millicent nodded, thankful for the extra few minutes.
She reached for Nathan's hand, who took hers and tenderly kissed it.
But surprisingly, it wasn't long at all, that he heard Florence connecting him with Bill.
"Son! Good to hear from you. I take it you had a good trip?" roared Bill's loud phone voice.
"Excellent, Bill! We're all well, and Allie is loving Montreal based on what little time she's been here, but I'm afraid we have some unsettling news to tell you. Ultimately good, but a bit convoluted as far as emotions go. Would you mind sitting down for a few minutes?"
"Why in tarnation do I need to sit down?" asked the cantankerous Judge.
"Millicent and I need to talk to you about Adeline's case," replied Nathan in his low calm voice. "Actually, since my fiancée is the Barrister in the family, why don't I put her on the line?"
"Of course. Tell her I'm sittin', Nathan. You two just give it to me straight. I'm a tough old bird. Ain't nothin' I can't handle!"
Nathan stood, then helped seat Millicent.
"He wants it straight!"
She nodded, understanding.
"Bill, so good to hear your voice! We can't wait till you're here in Montreal with us."
"I'm lookin' forward to it, too. But what is this news you have for me? I'm sittin' as Nathan requested."
"It's all ultimately good, just like Nathan said, Bill, but just a bit shocking to get there. I poured over Adeline's case while on the train on our way here, and last evening I even spoke with Judge Connor, here in Montreal, to be sure I have this right, and he agrees completely with my findings. In fact, he's just waiting for us to say the word, and he'll initiate the necessary proceedings."
"But what in the world is it, Millicent? You know I trust you implicitly."
"I know that, Bill, and I'm most appreciative of that, but this could prove hurtful to both you and her, and you know I love you, and even though I don't know her, I love her too by default because she's important to you. Hurting the two of you is the last thing I want."
"Honey, just come on out with it."
"The bottom line is, Adeline shouldn't have gone to prison, Bill. I don't understand how this happened, but here goes. Quite simply, there's a long-standing law that was not addressed in any of the court records. The law states if personal harm or death to self or a family member is threatened and a resultant crime is committed, the person of interest committing said crime should be absolved of any wrongdoing, since having performed their crime under complete coercion and duress. Particularly when there is no prior record by the defendant, all of which is handily met in this case. Now Adeline might still have been charged with a criminal act, but it would have most likely been a forgiven one. However, she never should have gone to prison. But for some horrible reason, her attorneys didn't invoke this law at all as part of her case, not even as a reference, and her entire case was tried without any of the threats made to her coming to light."
"Are you telling me, had they submitted those events into court, she would have been absolved?"
"Regrettably, I am. She's lost all that time she spent in prison, and I know this doesn't make up for it or give her the freedom she lost back, but the State will have to pay her compensation. I believe, quite heftily too. And probably most importantly to her, her entire record will be completely expunged. She will no longer be a felon. In fact, she will never have been a felon in the eyes of the Law."
"But wait! This means she wouldn't have ever had to go to prison," asked Bill incredulously, as though his comprehension was in delayed mode since his thought process was clouded with love for her.
"Yes, Bill, that's exactly what I am saying."
"Millicent, good grief, we could have been together this whole dag gone time," he rasped loudly in disbelief as these serious implications of what had happened due to a stupid oversight fully hit him.
"Yes, sadly, it does, Bill. Now whether the attorneys' lack of reference to this law was intentional or an oversight, it's hard to say. But Judge Connor plans to initiate a disciplinary review of her attorneys to understand why this happened and prevent the same thing from ever happening again. I'll be direct, the possibility of someone or some group blackmailing the attorneys or even paying them off immediately came to mind as other possibilities."
"I don't know what to say."
"Bill, the important thing is, it's not too late. If you love Adeline like you said you do, I truly believe she loves you too, and the two of you can make a wonderful life together, so wonderful you can blot out this horrible and unfair past."
Bill was silent for a moment, letting this shocking news still sink in.
"How do we make this happen?" he asked tersely. "How do we get this all rolling to absolve her?"
"And I mean now!" he added emphatically.
"Either the convicted person or a Judge can start the proceedings, but either way, the initial request has to be from a Judge in the same jurisdiction district where she was sentenced. Once we get that request, Judge Connor is happy to pursue it from Montreal, which I highly recommend, as he wields quite a bit of power with the Highest Court of the Land, and thus can make restitution happen quickly and in a very grand way. He wants to make this case an example of what should never be done, and I want our client to be given absolution as quickly as possible. I also want the payout for wrongful incarceration to be huge, as well it should be. I'm afraid that's all we can do at this point, Bill, to make this right. And she definitely deserves it all!"
"Consider my part done. I'll contact Judge Harrison as soon as we hang up and call in a personal favor to expedite things. Can you give me Judge Connor's address or is it best I send it to you?"
"Either way is fine, as long as it's all by telegram. Time is of the essence, though. But it might be good for you to contact Judge Connor via phone, and give him your perspective. Just ask the operator for Judge Harold G. Connor's private line per Barrister Millicent A. Bradford. She'll patch you through. He's the only Judge Connor I know. And he's an expert in procedural Law. Also, when you talk with him, mention my name to refresh his memory of the case, as he filed the information under my name."
"Will do! Millicent, I can't thank you enough. This means the world! But more importantly, I just don't know what to do beyond contactin' the Judges. How do I break this to A.J.?"
"Do you still love her, Bill?"
"With all my heart. I never stopped. Not for a second."
"Then as a woman, I know if I had to receive earth-shattering news like this, I would want it to be in person from the man I love. It would have to come from Nathan and only Nathan. But keep in mind, Bill, once she can get past the injustice, she will have her dignity and honor back in full. And that's a remarkable gift to be able to give her, especially after she's been without them all these subsequent years."
"I'll leave to go see her after I call Judge Harrison. Millicent, to be honest, between us, I'm sort of afraid to hope."
"We live in 'Hope' Valley, Bill. If hope isn't with you, I don't know where it is. Nathan and I are praying for both you and your Love. We both have faith in you, and we believe you'll know exactly what to do and say when the time comes, once you're there with her. Don't overthink it, and Bill, just love her. That's the most important thing. Try to relax and pray about it just before you go in. God will give you the words you need. Then please bring her to our Wedding. There's a room already prepared for her here in our Guest Townhouse, just down the hall from yours."
"Millicent, I don't know what we would have ever done had Nathan not come to his senses and brought you into his and Allie's lives. We love you. The whole town loves you. I love you, and I am forever grateful for this. I will personally see that you're paid handsomely."
"No, indeed you will not. This isn't about money. This was my honor and privilege to finally be able to do something for you and for the woman you love. You've done so much for us, Bill! No amount of money will ever be discussed under any circumstances. Not ever for anything I do for both of you."
"Then, you'll just have to be my daughter!"
"That, I can do! We love you, Bill, just like a father. But I do have one request.
"And what would that be?"
"That you use some of your land near us to build a proper home for you and this woman you love."
Millicent could feel the smile that enveloped Bill's face."
"Well, Darlin' be careful what you wish for! Me as a neighbor might not be most women's dream. In fact, some would say it might be a hair-raisin' nightmare!"
Millicent laughed.
"Well, I'm not most women. And I sort of like 'hair-raising,' especially when it's you. But know that I truly love you, Bill! Tell this beautiful woman of yours I can't wait to meet her. Let me put you back to Nathan!"
"Bill, are you alright?"
"I'm just a little shaky. But I'll be alright once I call Judge Henderson and Judge Connor, and get things rollin'. Then I'll set out to meet with A.J. I'm not gonna lie, Nathan, this is all a bit daunting."
"Bill, of course, it is! But underneath that rough exterior of yours, you have a heart of gold. Show that gold to her and make her see your future together, not each of your pasts alone."
"Good advice, Son! Better go call these Judges. I'll have to pack real quick-like too if I'm gonna catch the next train to Union City! I guess I'll have to rent a blasted car to drive the rest of the way."
"Look at you, driving," teased Nathan. "Safe travels, Bill. Call and let us know how it goes. We'll be praying!"
"Thank you, Son, with all my heart. See you and that beautiful Bride of yours soon!"
"Looking forward to it!"
Nathan hung up the phone.
"He took it rather well, I think. He's calling the Judges and heading out on the next train to meet with her. I promised we'll pray it goes well for both of them."
"Of course! I'm so glad he understood. But now, Nate, we have a little girl patiently or impatiently waiting in the kitchen, as the case may be, but most certainly chomping at the bit to search for her Christmas Tree! Shall we?"
He chuckled and took her arm.
"Miss Bradford, don't you know by now, I could never refuse you anything…"
After making sure her Miss Allison Rose was bundled up properly for the cold wind and her two Food Hampers were securely packed away, (Essie had added the second one since she remembered to send enough food and drink for the Security Team) Estella and Hendrix came out to wave goodbye to all.
Albert drove Nathan, Millicent, and Allie in the Limo, with the Security cars carrying Allie's Uncles and a few others before and after them.
"Uncle Albert, how long is it till we get to the forest?"
"Twenty minutes, Miss. It's the best place in all of Quebec to find a tree. The Misses and I have cut down every single tree we've ever had from there!"
"Are the trees big, Uncle Albert!"
Albert's face turned serious as he turned to answer Miss Allie.
"Humongous, Miss!"
Allie was placated by that summation enough to finally calm down a little, but she still sat on the edge of her seat between her parents, not wanting to miss a single thing about the big city!
"Dad, look at those buildings. What are they?"
"You'll have to ask your Momma, Allie."
"Just a few quaint little shoppes. Most of the other buildings are executive offices."
"When will I get to see downtown Montreal?"
"This afternoon, when we go dress shopping with your Grandmothers," smiled Millicent.
"That will be so much fun!"
Nathan winked at his daughter, as he had some 'fun' of his own planned for the afternoon, and he couldn't wait to see his 'designs' in the flesh, so to speak.
Allie talked non-stop, so excited to be in Montreal, and especially excited to be getting a tree.
"Is that the forest, Uncle Albert?"
"That's the start of the forest, Miss. But all these trees that you see here can't be touched as they border the city's edge. We've got about ten minutes to go, but I will say there's a surprise waiting for you!"
"Really? I love surprises."
"Allie, what all did you and Auntie Essie put into those hampers? They're huge!"
"A lot of food, Momma! Oh, and hot drinks! Auntie Essie says you have to be prepared for every possible con…con…"
"Contingency, Allie!" interjected her Dad.
"Con..tingen…cy. Dad, what's a contingency?"
"Any future event that can possibly happen, but can't really be predicted, Allie!"
"Hmm," and she started to wonder what could possibly happen while finding a Christmas Tree.
"I'm stumped, Dad. I don't think we'll have any con…con…tingencies."
Nathan chuckled.
"You never know, Allie. You just never know."
They rode on with Allie still chattering a mile a minute, while Nathan held Millicent's hand behind her.
"Our home here has real tall ceilings, so this is going to be so much fun! I think we're going to have to get a really tall tree to match."
"Allie, you still need to be reasonable and choose something that we will be able to decorate," warned her father.
"Miss, see that entrance up ahead. That's where we enter the forest!"
Allie was beyond excited.
"This place looks huge!"
"It is. But for a small fee, I happen to know the best spots!" teased her Uncle Albert.
As they pulled into the entrance, Albert lined up the car perfectly in between the two security cars, then hurriedly got out and opened the door for his Miss Millicent, Miss Allie, and the Chief, as Albert called him.
"Your sleigh, Miss Allie!"
"We get a sleigh! Look how big it is, Uncle Albert. This is perfect. Thank you!"
"With all this snow, that's the only way you're going to get through the forest. When you think you've found a good spot, that's when you can get out and walk to sort through them. And Miss have them take the left turn right there."
"Okay, will do, Sir!"
The new Security members mounted horses, while Allie's Uncles took the second sleigh to be close to the family's.
"Uncle Tom, will you all stay with us, so you can help me?"
"Absolutely, Little Chief! We'll be right there behind you!"
Nathan helped his girls into the sleigh and laid the furs over them. Then he and Tom lifted the huge hampers to the floorboard of the first sleigh.
"Oh, I forgot. Auntie Essie said she put enough Spiced Cider and Hot Cocoa in for everyone," explained a beyond excited Allie.
"What a lovely way to start our little jaunt; that will help warm us too. Here, Darling, I'll pour," offered Millicent. "Why don't we start with the Spiced Cider to get us in the Christmas spirit?"
Nathan opened one of the hampers and handed her the first one of the large thermoses marked hot Spiced Cider, then the individual cups, while Allie distributed them, as the men passed by.
"A toast, Allie, to the best Christmas Tree ever, within reason," reminded her Dad.
"Dad!"
"Hear, hear!" toasted all, then Allie's hunt officially began, as the sleighs pulled out onto the left path winding through the huge forest.
As soon as they got into the sleigh, it started snowing lightly, which wasn't about to deter anyone.
"It's so beautiful," noted Millicent, who loved watching the falling snow.
Nathan hugged her more tightly.
"It really is, Love!"
The horses were powerful and started off at a pretty fierce gallop, causing Nathan to tighten his hold on Allie, as the sleigh took them deep into the woods. There were paths, and although they were mostly covered by the snow from yesterday, the horses seemed to know the way.
Nathan led everyone in Christmas Carols, from 'Jingle Bells' to 'Silent Night' and everything in between, which put everyone in the jolliest of Christmas spirits. (*86) and (*87)
Both sleighs and even most of the guards on horseback participated.
They began with Jingle Bells:
"Dashing through the snow
On a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go,
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tail ring,
making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
A day or two ago,
I thought I'd take a ride,
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side;
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
We got into a drifted bank,
And then we got upsot.
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh, What fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh, What fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh.
Now the ground is white
Go it while you're young
Take the girls tonight
And sing this sleighing song
Just get a bob tailed bay
two-forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack! you'll take the lead
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh, What fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh, What fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh." (*88)
Then their music became more reverent with Nathan's beautiful tenor taking the lead on Silent Night:
"Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth" (*89)
Their words, along with their lustily and varied melodies happily echoed throughout the forest, bringing Christmas Cheer to everyone who heard them.
Allie asked that they stop a couple of times, but each time came back to the sleigh with her Uncles, dejected.
"They just weren't right. Not at all tall enough, and too many missing branches! And some of them were shaped really funny."
"You'll find one, Angel. The perfect one! Patience," encouraged Millicent.
Allie laid her head on her Momma's shoulder.
"I know! But we've just got to find the perfect one!"
"You've never failed yet, Allie, and these are amazingly beautiful trees. Lots of Blue Spruces, too," reminded her Dad.
"Is that your favorite, Dad?"
"It is. That's what Colleen and I always chose."
"You never told me that," noted Allie, deciding right then and there she had to find the perfect Blue Spruce.
"Dad, can the driver stop here?"
Nathan called to the driver, who instantly brought the horses to a standstill.
"I think I see our tree!" she shrieked.
Nathan got nervous, as there was a very tall Blue Spruce ahead, and knowing his daughter, that was the one she would choose.
Sure enough, as soon as he lifted her down from the sleigh, Allie headed straight toward the monstrous tree.
Nathan and Millicent followed her, with Nathan having every intention to talk her out of it.
"This is it! It's perfect!"
"Allie, that tree is huge! Much, much too big."
"But Dad, our ceilings are really tall, and a small tree is going to look really silly! How tall are our ceilings, Momma?"
Millicent looked at Nathan, who was already feeling defeated because he had a pretty good idea of the answer.
Millicent made a scrunched-up face, hating to dash his hopes of a smaller tree.
"Sixteen feet throughout the house, but twenty in the Sunroom, as the ceiling is vaulted."
"See, I knew those ceilings were really tall! How tall is this tree, Dad?"
"About sixteen feet, Allie! Much too big, Sweetheart. We don't even have that many decorations. And we'd have to use ladders to decorate it."
"But wouldn't that leave enough room for our tree stand and Gramma's Angel?"
Millicent cleared her throat, then whispered to Nathan.
"I have lots of old decorations, Darling, and we're making new homemade ones. Besides, the tree is so beautiful, it won't need a lot of decorations to look good."
"You really don't mind? I mean it's going to be a mess!"
"We can clean it all up, and I don't mind at all as long as it makes our daughter and my fiance happy. It is the most beautiful Blue Spruce I've ever seen, and they will ball the roots so it can be replanted outside if we like, instead of cutting it. Would there be enough room height for that?"
"I hate to admit it, but yes, probably yes."
"May we, Dad? Please, pretty please, it's the most beautiful tree ever!"
"But do you have a place for it on the lawn, Mil?"
"Do we have a space for it, you mean? Actually, it would be beautiful just outside the Sunroom's far window, or anywhere else you think might look better. Your decision."
Nathan slowly smiled.
"You're adventuresome, aren't you?"
"As much as you!"
He bent to kiss her, as she had magically dispelled all his negativity, then whispered in her ear.
"On this, you may have me beat!"
Then he turned to his daughter.
"Allie, I think we have our tree!"
Allie erupted into a happy dance, hugging her Dad and her Momma along with her Uncles!
But as she headed back to the tree to take it all in once more, Allie stopped dead in her tracks while beginning to dance around it…
(*86 and *88) 'Dashing Through the Snow,' also known as 'One Horse Open Sleigh,' James L. Peirpont, Lyrics, 1857, Public Domain
(*87 and *89) 'Silent Night,' Franz Xaver Gruber, Lyrics by Joseph Mohr, 1818, Public Domain
