Chapter 96: Family Lunch & Plans, Part I
Even in Nathan's chagrin over so many kittens, he couldn't help but notice the look Hendrix and Estella gave each other as their hands touched, just before he and Hendrix slid the basket back into the corner closest to the wood-burning stove.
Their touch was brief but full of intensity.
Perhaps Nathan was going to have to reverse roles and play the adult to Hendrix's child and sit him down for a long talk!
Because without a doubt, there was something there beyond friendship.
Although other than awareness, apparently not much had progressed while they had been gone.
One glance at Millicent's raised brow told him she had noticed it too!
Of course, Allie was totally distracted watching the mother cat, still hoping for another kitten, with her Father very thankful there would be no more.
When all was said and done, Persia delivered not one, not two, but three additional kittens!
"Now that she's fully delivered, stroke her like this Allie," demonstrated Millicent. "It will help her fall asleep, although the poor thing is totally worn out!"
"She's so soft, Momma, but her tummy still feels funny."
"That's normal, Sweetheart!"
Soon, exhausted from her many deliveries, Persia quickly succumbed to dreamland.
While Persia slept, Millicent, Allie, and Essie warmed the babies one by one via an assembly of individual freshly warmed towels, provided by none other than Hendrix and Nathan, even with the men cooing over each and every one of them.
"Wow, this is just the best thing ever!" whispered Allie. "Just wait till I tell Mrs. Nelson and all my friends. Wait, how many do we have?"
With all four adults furiously counting and Allie holding back the wee ones that were trying to find their mother, the general consensus was a grand total of twelve kittens.
Nathan winced at the huge number.
No wonder Persia was so exhausted.
"But I need to know how many boys and how many girls," begged Allie.
"Allie, I'm afraid we'll have to wait a few weeks before we can tell for sure. But we'll love them all just the same anyway," explained Millicent, trying to soften the blow. "Besides, in the meantime, you can choose several boy and girl names to have ready when we can tell."
"How long do we have to wait," asked Allie. "I mean I wanted to name them now!"
"Up to four or five weeks, Allie. It just depends on how quickly they mature. But you're Momma's right, we'll love them all the same," explained Nathan, causing Millicent's lips to curl into a smile.
"I KNEW you loved them already," she whispered after Nathan helped her stand.
"How could I not, Love? They've already made everyone so happy! Especially our daughter. And even I have to admit they're pretty cute. At least now!"
Millicent kissed his cheek.
"I love the sound of 'our daughter' and the 'pretty cute' thing too," she teasingly added.
"Look, Dad, they alternate from silver to gray to black. Aren't they just the sweetest ever?"
Nathan and Hendrix both cleared their throats at the same time, as Millicent and Essie grinned.
"Very sweet, Allie. But you do know these kittens are your responsibility," reminded Nathan trying to look stern. "Along with their mother!"
"Yes, Sir! I'll feed them and…and…bathe them….and brush them...and…play with them, and…and…well, I don't know what else they need. But I'll find out and do it! Surely Gramma or Grappa will know."
"Very good idea, Allie. I'm sure they'll be happy to explain everything you need to know about cats and kittens. Although our cats always lived in the stables."
"Your Auntie Pippa has two house cats. She would be more than happy to answer any of your questions as well, Allie," smiled Millicent.
"Thanks, Momma! Auntie Pippa is going to show me how to paint with oils too, and she said we might even make a sculpture. Uncle William is going to give me a few riding lessons too. I get to ride Ra…"
"Rapunzel! She's a beautiful horse, Allie, with your coloring too. You'll make quite the pair!"
"My goodness, I've got to get washed up and get our Shepherd's Pie out of the oven before it burns, or we won't have much of a lunch! Why I've given pretty much else in the kitchen away," declared Essie, headed toward her oven in a huff. "Hendrix, you and Albert are going to have to replace our larder and pantry as well, when you shop for the Hayes!"
"Consider it done, Estella!"
"We've got to hurry and eat, Allie. Your grandmothers will be here before we know it for our Shopping Trip," reminded Millicent. "We probably need to change now before we eat!"
"That's a good idea, Love. Let's get washed up now so we can all change quickly," suggested Nathan. "I don't know about you two, but I'm starved!"
Noting Allie's troubled face emerging through all their excitement, both Nathan and Millicent could tell the bigger problem for their girl, was leaving Persia and her slew of tiny newborn kittens alone again, even for a minute.
And so both parents took their daughter's arm, gently nudging her upstairs, away from her treasures while assuring her the Mama and kittens needed their rest...
"Wow! My girls look beautiful," declared Nathan, as he met Millicent and Allie at the top of the Grand Staircase, a short twenty minutes later.
"You look pretty handsome, yourself, Sir! Love that blue striped shirt! Especially the cuffs."
Nathan bent to kiss Millicent's cheek.
"You should. It's one you chose for me in Buxton, Darling!"
Both Millicent and Allie giggled.
"You better be thankful, Dad. You couldn't pick out anything that nice!"
"Hey! I just might up my fashion game after that remark!"
"Dad, I love you, but that's pretty much hopeless. It's a good thing you wear a uniform. I'm shopping with Momma from now on, and you should do the same thing!"
Nathan chuckled.
"Agreed, Kiddo! Afraid shopping was never my forte!"
"I'll say," and Allie rolled her eyes remembering former shopping jaunts with her Dad which seldom lasted over five minutes at a time. "The first thing they show him, he says 'That will work!' Anything to get out of the shoppe!"
"Hey, Young Lady, keep talking and I'm going to crash this afternoon's shopping spree," warned Nathan as each folded their arm into his and they collectively started down the staircase.
"Dad, don't even joke about that! This is a Wedding Shopping Trip and you don't get to see anything!"
"She's right. Mum's the word, isn't it, Allie?"
"Do I at least get to know the color," he begged.
"Purple polka dot, Dad," teased Allie. "Like we're going to tell you. Don't you even know the Bride wears white?"
"Aha! You told!"
"See Momma? He knows nothing about fashion or Weddings! Good luck with this one!"
"I resent that! I know stuff," insisted her Dad.
"Yeah! Mountie stuff!"
There went Allie's eyeroll again, which brought a sympathetic kiss to his cheek from Millicent.
"Poor Baby! Lucky for me you're wearing a Dress Uniform at the Altar!"
After weaving through the mounds of new Wedding presents, the three arrived in the Dining Room, all happily laughing…
"My, it feels good to have a child's laughter in this house," declared Hendrix.
Allie hugged her Uncle Hendrix, as the two already mutually adored each other. She was intrigued by his formal manner, but somehow already knew he was mush underneath. And Hendrix, well he and Estella were reveling in the fact they had a piece of their beloved Colleen back, not to mention Miss Allie, herself, had already stolen their hearts the moment they first saw her.
"Dad, may I please check on the kittens," begged Allie.
"Go steal a glance, Allie. But make it quick, just a few seconds. It looks like we're almost ready to eat!"
"Yes, Sir!"
And off she went like lightning.
"She's so well-behaved, Sir! You are to be commended," bragged Hendrix. "She's a pure delight!"
"A delight who still needs direction from time to time, and Hendrix don't be afraid at all to offer it when needed."
Estella walked in with some hidden concoction, a Waldorf Salad, and Hot Bread, placing them, on the table next to the piping hot Shepherds Pie and Tomato Bisque Hendrix had just placed there.
"And that goes for you too, Essie!"
"All part of taking care of our girl! It's a given. You two turned out alright! Miss Allison Rose will too, if not better, now that Hendrix and I have some experience behind us!"
"Are you saying we were a trial run," asked Nathan with an astonished look on his face.
Both Millicent and he feigned utter shock, but both knew from experience that with Hendrix's and Essie's fervent instruction they could never go wrong as parents.
"We most certainly did turn out okay, Essie! With everlasting gratitude to you both," smiled Millicent.
"It was that oldest brother of yours who about did me in, Miss," admitted Hendrix, still bearing the many scars brought on by the ever-rambunctious Richard. "Dear William was a piece of cake after him."
"Notice he said Richard, not those boys this time," grinned Nathan proudly.
"In all honesty, you too had your moments, Sir! Although thankfully, nothing like our Richard. At least you, Son, had a conscience!"
Nathan laughed as he knew Hendrix spoke the truth, as Richard had gotten him into more trouble than he cared to remember.
True to her father's instruction, Allie quickly appeared as everyone was being seated for lunch, but no one could miss the dismay written all over her face as she took her place.
"Allie, it's time for us to pray and eat our Lunch."
"But Dad, they might need me."
"Your grandmothers will be here to take you shopping before you know it, so we're going to be rushed as is. Let's eat."
"I know, but…"
"Persia is quite remarkable at taking care of her little ones, Miss Allie," interjected Hendrix, diplomatically relieving Nathan of telling his daughter no, yet again. "She will clearly let us know if she needs us, and since we can hear her from the Dining Room, we can be at her side within a minute or so! Isn't that right, Miss Estella?"
"Absolutely, Hendrix! Child, God gave that mother instructions on how to be a Mama before she was ever born! But if it makes you feel better, we'll leave the door slightly ajar," which is exactly what Essie did.
"Now put a smile on that pretty face, Miss Allison Rose! We need to say Grace and eat before our Tomato Bisque gets cold!"
"Yes, Ma'am," responded Allie, this time with a grin.
Even Allie could tell Auntie Essie meant business.
Nathan sent a wink of gratitude Essie's way.
"Besides, by the time you and your Momma get home, we should have a Christmas Tree to decorate! A huge one from what I'm told. Perhaps we'll bring Persia and her little ones into the room with the tree, so you can keep close tabs on them as we decorate this evening. How does that sound?"
"That sounds great, Auntie Essie. Thank you!"
"Would you like to say Grace for us, Allie?" asked her Momma.
"Yes, Ma'am! I really do have an awful lot to be thankful for today!"
"Yes, we all most certainly do, Angel!"
Everyone gathered hands and bowed their heads, as Allie cleared her throat.
She needed to get this prayer just right.
"Dear God…this morning, I asked You to help me find a tree. And You helped me find the most perfect tree ever, even better than I could imagine. It's the most perfect one I've seen and it's going to be so beautiful for our first Christmas together. But because of that tree, You helped us find Persia and her kittens, too, and I love them already so very much. They might have frozen had we not found them. So, thank you for leading us there. I really can't thank You enough for all of them, and I promise to take the very best care of each and every one. I promise I'll learn how. And thank You for letting me see not one but two being born! You also helped us find Scott and his Mama when they really needed us so very much. I don't even know what they would have done for food, and the outside of their house was missing boards, so it had to be cold inside. As much as I love my cat and kittens, and I really, really, really do love them, I know helping the Hayes was probably the most important reason you sent us to that tree. The kittens were just a bonus, but a great one, for sure. Dad always teaches me to try to help people and animals who need it, and Momma did that today too. All of us got to do both of those things this morning. We helped Scott and his mother, and we also helped Persia and her tiny kittens. So, I'd say that's a pretty perfect Tree-finding day, even with Auntie Essie's contingencies and all. Especially since we all know Family is the most important thing. And now I have the biggest family ever just like I always wanted. Even better than I dreamed. Thank you for Uncle Hendrix, Auntie Essie, Uncle Albert, and all my Grandparents and new Uncles and Aunties and Cousins even though I haven't met them all yet. And thank you for Uncle Bill, Uncle Tom, Uncle Matt, Uncle Kyle, and Uncle Lance too. Plus, now, I have a family of kittens and a new family of friends. Oh, and thank you for the food Auntie Essie made for our lunch, and thank you that Scott and his Mama have food and a warm place to live, too! We love You and thank You very much. I guess that's all for right now, Amen!"
Everyone around the table said Amen, but most with glistening eyes, all filled with immense gratitude that by now the Hayes were full of food, and inside warm living quarters that actually had comfortable furniture along with its heat.
Both Sarah and Scott would be sleeping in nice comfortable beds from now on with warm bed linens in a well-heated apartment, instead of a cold dirt floor, and that meant the world!
Millicent and Nathan exchanged a look of added gratitude mixed with relief. Their daughter clearly had her head on straight and was taking her new lush environment in stride, keeping family, friends, and even strangers in need as her priority, and thankfully, not the things around her.
"You know, Miss Allie, I'm sure our new little furry family will need you even more after they get used to each other and their new home," suggested Hendrix.
"Yes, Sir! I suppose you're right."
"Of course, he is," agreed Estella. "Right now, those babies are just eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating, and bonding with their mother. Besides, it seems to me, Miss, that you have more important business to do for the time being!"
"I do?"
"Why this Momma's little ones need names for sure, and Miss Persia certainly can't do that. Looks like to me, that falls to you, their caretaker!"
"But I don't know how many are boys and girls, Auntie Essie. So how can I name them? Momma says I should just come up with a bunch of names for both."
"I think your Momma is absolutely right! That way you'll have the names when you need them."
Allie smiled.
"That makes sense. But I don't even know where to start. I just know they're my sparkling little stars! I love them already so very much."
"Names are difficult because you want them to suit, and we don't know their personalities yet, but that will come with time," encouraged her Momma. "I have no doubt you'll figure it all out!"
"Dad, do you have any name suggestions for the kittens? Persia was perfect for their Mama!"
"Well, actually I do, now that you ask!"
"What are they?"
"Well, Allie, this is really your idea, so they're really your names. Think about what you just said," suggested her Dad.
"What do you mean, Dad?"
"That the kittens are your little 'sparkling stars'! Remember how you begged for a kitten to call Cassie when you were four years old to stand for Cassiopeia? Although you never got the 'Cassie' part just right? I think you called it 'Caspee' part of the time and 'Capsee' the other part."
Allie laughed.
"Oh, I remember that! You taught me all of them as I grew. I couldn't say any of the constellation names then, but I can now, Dad! And spell them too! All of them. I can name them after all the stars you taught me. That's just the best idea ever! Then they really will be my little stars and Persia's little stars!"
"I think that's a lovely idea, Allie! You know today has already been much more than just a Tree-finding Day, even though that part, our first together, was pretty perfect, as well as memorable, even remarkable! I think all of us together managed Essie's warning of contingencies pretty well, and it's still only one o'clock," marveled Millicent. "Seems the five of us make a pretty great team!"
Nathan reached for Millicent's hand.
Both got lost in each other for a moment until Nathan cleared his throat and remembered his manners…
