Chapter 102
Merry Tree-Trimming Party
Part II
As the entire family sat down for their Christmas Tree-trimming Dinner, Millicent looked to Nathan, and in that one glance, he winked, knowing that she wanted him to lead in prayer.
"Everyone, please join hands."
"Dear Heavenly Father, what a wonderful day we have had, one fraught with surprises, twists, and turns, as well as humbling opportunities. Know that we thank you for it all. We ask that you be with our own two families tonight, as well as the Hayes family. We ask that you encourage them and strengthen them. Help them to create a happy, healthy life as they await their husband and father. We also ask that you be with our own family, here, as we start our celebration of your Holy Birth in earnest, and trim Allie's beautiful tree. Thank you for bringing us all together and thank you for the wonderful food we are about to receive. Please bless this food for the nourishment of our bodies, and we ask that you particularly bless the loving hands that prepared and are serving it. Be with each of us we pray. In your most Holy name, Amen!"
An enthusiastic. "Amen!" chorused around the table.
Then Hendrix stood to announce tonight's special Austrian Tree-Trimming Meal.
"Tonight, we are delighted to be serving Estella's traditional Roast Goose with special Dumplings and Red Cabbage, along with her Homemade Semmel Bread. Our salad is also Austrian with Goose Aspic and Pumpkin Seed Oil. For dessert, there is a Sacher Torte and Austrian Vanilla Crescent Cookies. Enjoy!"
Hendrix then started serving with Estella's assistance.
"What is Semmel Bread?" asked a curious Allie.
"They are Austrian rolls that have a wonderfully chewy and crispy crust on the outside. And they are positively delectable topped with loads of butter while hot, Child," answered Essie.
"And also, they happen to be the best bread in the whole world," exclaimed Nathan.
"You always did love my rolls," smiled Essie, pleased knowing her Nathan hadn't forgotten…
Once everyone was served and had started eating, there were literally moans of goodness around the hearty table.
"Dad, will Uncle Bill get mad if I tell him this is the best meal I think I've ever had?"
"How about we don't tell him that part as that would probably offend your Dear Uncle. Plus, he'd be bombarding Essie for cooking lessons when he comes, and she's already got more than enough to do!"
Allie giggled.
"You're right, Dad, he would! And, Auntie Essie, teaching Uncle Bill is the last thing you want to do! He's like a dog with a bone when he gets a new recipe. We better just keep this scrumptious meal our little secret!"
"Very wise, Allie," agreed her Dad.
"Dad, I have a list of girl star names and a list of boy star names, right here in my pocket. I also have a list of names I think could be either."
"That's pretty impressive, Allie. Any favorites?"
"Well for the girls," and Allie pulled out her lists. "I'm pretty sure about Alya because it's like my name. Also, Bianca, Cassie for Cassiopeia, and Ceres are pretty, especially for a baby. Then there's Cordelia and Cressida, I love those! There's Juliet, Larissa, Libra, and Maia, which are really pretty, too. And I love Pandora, Phoebe, and Venus. Is that enough, Momma?"
"Way more than enough, Allie. They are very pretty names too. Even if you had twelve girls which is pretty much impossible, you'd still have an extra name," reassured Millicent.
"What about the boys' names," asked her Father.
"Those are harder, Dad. But here goes! I have to do Archer for Grappa. And I love Apollo because of Uncle Gabriel's horse. Then there's Astro, Buzz, Castor, Cyrus, and Galileo. I love Hercules and Jupiter. Then there's Orion, and I love Persius and Pluto. What do you all think?"
"I think both your girl and your boy kittens are more than covered Miss Allie. I'm afraid the hard part is going to be narrowing them down," suggested her Uncle Hendrix.
"Your Uncle is right, it's going to be hard to choose your favorites so you need to be thinking about that. But great job, Allie," complimented her Dad.
"Good, now I don't have to worry so much!"
The adults smiled.
It was very clear that Allie was taking her 'Kitten' responsibilities very seriously.
"I didn't remember them all, though. Momma got the book for me in our library."
"That's still a great job of research, Allie," complimented her Dad. "Darling, here is the pearl necklace I got for Sarah, all wrapped up so prettily. Henri gave me a catalog photo to show you what's inside the box. Here, I'm hoping my selection meets your approval."
"Oh, Nathan, this is absolutely perfect! Three necklaces in one. Well actually four, without the cross pendant for the pearls. Sarah will love these, Darling! And the drop earrings are a classic. Thanks so much for getting them."
"You are most welcome, Love!"
"Well, I'm happy to report that Albert and I found the perfect Chocolate Lab for Master Scott this afternoon. It's a young puppy just like you preferred Miss Millicent with beautiful blue eyes that will turn hazel soon. The dog is highly pedigreed, and such a loving little thing too, appeared to have a rather frisky personality, though. I do hope he's not too much for the Hayes to handle."
"I think the pup will be fine, Hendrix. I've heard those labs often don't calm down till they have some age on them, sometimes two to four years. But I think we're alright since the Hayes have already raised one from puppyhood and know what to expect."
"Good point. Then I think Albert and I have chosen correctly."
"Wonderful job, Hendrix!" agreed Nathan.
"Scott will love the puppy, Uncle Hendrix! And he'll be so excited! Is the puppy a boy or a girl?"
"A boy for a boy, Miss Allie!"
But Hendrix wasn't at all finished.
"Also, I've been thinking about what I could do personally, particularly for Scott. And it dawned on me that I should take him to the rink to play Hockey. Is that something you all think he might enjoy?"
"Might, Uncle Hendrix, that's the bomb. He'll love that!"
"Then I'll go on and purchase some equipment for him to open on Christmas with a promise of taking him the Saturday after the Wedding."
"What a wonderful idea, Hendrix. Scott will love that and I have his shoe size for skates if you need that," offered Millicent.
"Perfect, Miss!"
"I've selected three sweaters that I already had knitted for Miss Sarah, and a complete accessory set including a hat, scarf, mittens, and gloves for Master Scott that I had made for the neighbor's son, who is about his age. But no worries, I'll get the neighbor's son something else. That is if you think the items for Miss Sarah and Master Scott will fit, Miss Millicent."
"I'll be happy to check. That is just so very kind of you, Essie, and all of that is so much needed," thanked Millicent.
"One sweater is rose-colored, the second is pale lavender-colored, and the third is a deep purple. I hope those colors are okay."
"Mrs. Hayes's favorite color is purple and the sunset colors, Auntie Essie! And Scott will like anything!"
"Thank you, Miss Allie, that's reassuring to know. Scott's set is in ivory with brown embroidered stitches to go with anything. I did add a touch of red for Christmas and to brighten them up a bit, though!"
"He'll love them," smiled Allie.
"I admit, I have a top-secret gift, one I've worked on this afternoon with the Commissioner. But I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to speak about it quite yet. However, I do believe it will be a treasured gift for all three of the Hayes. And when I'm free to do so, I'll be happy to share it with you, but only my family. This has to stay secret with only us."
"I love that! I'm sure whatever you've arranged will be the highlight of their Christmas, Love," surmised Millicent, most astutely.
"Especially if it is for all three of them," she added with a twinkle in her eye, having a fairly good idea of what her fiancé had been working on.
"Thank you, Love," and Nathan reached to tenderly kiss his fiancée's cheek.
"Oh, I should share this with all of you. You too, Allie, as you were with Scott when this happened. It was such a lovely thing to be part of. Before we left The Lafayette Gallery, something made me pick up a copper teapot that whistled. I suppose I just thought it would make a nice housewarming gift and I noticed this morning that the kettle in the apartment was old and worn. So, I chose the most beautiful one and had it wrapped. At the Hayes home, I handed it to Sarah, not at all expecting what happened next," admitted Millicent.
"What happened, Darling?" asked Nathan.
"Sarah instantly broke down in tears, as soon as she unwrapped it. But as it turned out, thankfully, they were happy tears. Her mother had given her an identical one when she first married, saying their home would always be happy with her tea kettle in it. But sadly, the kettle had gotten lost in one of the family's many moves. Sarah was heartbroken, and that seemed to be when everything started to fall apart in their lives. I had no way of knowing, but her mother must have been guiding me to return that teapot to her. When Sarah saw that new teapot, it just felt like a new start for them, with her mother's blessing. It was a beautiful moment. A little unexpected Christmas miracle!"
Nathan reached for Millicent's hand.
"Angels unaware, my Love." (*91)
She smiled tenderly back at this man she adored.
"I think you're right, Darling! I do believe they were working overtime today."
Then she turned to Essie.
"I never understand how you get that Roasted Goose fall-apart tender every single time, Essie. No one else's compares. Not even Cook's," complimented Millicent. "But don't tell her!"
Estella would have thanked her but was too busy noting Millicent was eating almost nothing but nibbles of the Goose meat and the lettuce leaves from her salad, leaving everything else on her plate untouched.
Essie clucked like a perturbed mother hen, but graciously held her tongue.
Nathan noticed and began to worry.
"Here, Love, taste a bite of my dumpling," and he fed her with his own fork.
She smiled and nodded her thanks, but didn't want more.
He was, however, able to cajole her into two bites of cabbage, and even a small serving of red cabbage, but that was it.
When the Sacher Torte was served for dessert, she also declined but did take one tiny Austrian Vanilla Crescent Cookie to munch on.
Nathan made a mental note that he would have to talk to her about staying healthy later tonight.
He had been so happy to be with her he just hated to bring it up, but he had noticed again at lunch earlier that she had barely eaten.
But after this evening, he was truly worried, and there was no putting it off…
"Now, the fun begins!" announced Hendrix. "Shall we move to the kitchen to start making our ornaments?"
"May I check the kittens first?" asked Allie.
"Yes, Allie," answered her resigned father, as in Allie's mind the kittens took precedence over everything else.
"No, Miss. I'll do it for you," interjected Hendrix quickly jumping up, not wanting Miss Allie to see the tree lit until the whole family saw it together.
Unknown to everyone else, he had lit the tree after Allie had completed her last little visit to the Keeping Room to check on her kittens.
Nathan placed his arms around Allie's shoulders.
"Ready to make ornaments, Kiddo! Uncle Albert brought you a trunk full of pine cones to decorate!"
Nathan didn't add they were from the ranch, not wanting to overwhelm Allie with all that quite yet.
Millicent smiled knowingly, as the three happily moved from the dining room into the kitchen together…
"According to our Austrian traditions, everything on the tree has to be gold or silver or made of straw. Here is the gold and silver paint, and here is our bale of straw! But since we're in Canada, we've added lots of Miss Millicent's red, too. With many of our ornaments, and all of our ribbons!"
"I love that! Gold, silver, and red. Our tree is going to be beautiful," complimented Allie, trying to see it all in her head. "Auntie Essie, may I have a Sugar Cookie?"
"Any time you want, Child. That's what they're all here for! And that goes for all of you!"
Essie had set platters of all kinds of Christmas cookies out along their work table.
"Don't have to tell me more than once," and Nathan reached for a fancy Viennese Cookie he remembered from childhood, taking a second to feed Millicent.
She ate a bite of the cookie, then offered Nathan the rest of it.
"You have outdone yourself, Essie," complimented Millicent. "Are your tins all fixed?"
"Ready for Hendrix to deliver, Miss!"
"And here are our pinecones. Albert brought enough to cover the entire tree," noted Nathan.
"Told you we would have more than enough to decorate the tree, Sir," smiled Hendrix, as he returned from his task.
"You weren't kidding, Hendrix!"
"Who wants Wassail and who wants Hot Cocoa with Marshmallows?" asked Hendrix, as he took their orders, Hendrix was overwhelmed with love for this, his expanding family.
"I want Hot Cocoa, but can I have lots and lots of Marshmallows, please," begged Allie.
"Wassail for me, Hendrix," smiled Nathan.
"For me, too, Hendrix, please," agreed Estella.
"Wassail for me, too, but I'm helping, Hendrix!"
Millicent jumped up and poured the hot beverages.
"Thank you, Miss!"
"My pleasure, Hendrix. Shall I serve?"
"No, Miss, that's my job and my distinct pleasure!"
Millicent reached up and gave Hendrix a kiss on the cheek, and made her way back, to sit beside her fiancé at their craft table!
Returning with drinks, Hendrix remembered to pacify Miss Allie's concern for Persia and her kittens.
"Hot Cocoa with more Marshmallows than Cocoa!"
"Yum! Thanks, Uncle Hendrix! Now, that's the way I love it!"
"And Miss Allie, I'm happy to report all twelve kittens are most contentedly sleeping, as is Miss Persia!"
"Thank you, Uncle Hendrix! Boy, I'm glad Gramma's Angel is gold, 'cause I'd hate to not get to use it since this is the first year she gave it to me!"
"I think we would make an exception for that Angel, Dear Allie, no matter what color it was," assured her Auntie Essie.
But then Allie had a look of horror on her face.
"Oh, no! I forgot our Angel! It's in Hope Valley, Dad!"
"Are you sure, Allie?" smiled her Dad.
"I left it in Uncle Bill's room!"
"Are you sure?" asked her Father once again.
"Yes, Sir. I slipped it under his bed, so it wouldn't get broken. And then I completely forgot about it!"
"Actually, it's sitting in its box by your huge tree in the Keeping Room, Angel," assured her Momma. "Your Angel most definitely made the trip with us to Montreal!"
"Your Momma remembered and found it, Allie," explained her Dad.
Allie threw her arms around her Momma!
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Momma!"
"It's what Mommas do, Allie! We couldn't possibly have our first Christmas together without your Gramma's special Angel topping our tree, now, could we?"
"I love you, Momma. So very much! That makes me so happy!"
Millicent hugged her daughter.
"Me too, Sweetheart!"
"Now we can have Christmas! Where do we start?" asked an enthusiastic Allie.
"Why don't we paint and glitter up the pinecones, first? Then I'll teach you how to make an authentic Austrian Straw Ornament. How does that sound," asked Essie.
"That's perfect, Auntie Essie. Wait till I show the kids at school!"
The next hour was spent with Nathan, Millicent, Allie, Hendrix, and Essie first painting, then decorating the many pinecones with gold and silver sparkles galore.
It didn't take long, for the family to break out singing their favorite Christmas Carols, acapella, with each one making a selection of their choice.
"These ornaments are really beautiful, Auntie Essie!"
"Yes, they truly are, Child. Ready to learn how to make the straw ornaments?"
"Please," Allie was chomping at the bit to start this new project that was completely foreign to her.
While Essie showed everyone the technique for making straw hearts, the entire family ended up making one each as their personal new Christmas Ornament for the year, still singing Carols the whole while.
"This is so much fun, but braiding the straw feels so weird! Then when you look at it finished, it's just beautiful," noted Allie.
"These are really special, Allie, our first handmade Austrian Christmas Ornaments, but also our first handmade ornaments as a family," smiled her Dad while he and Millicent held theirs up for everyone to see.
Nathan's was the largest, with Millicent's slightly smaller.
"Only Allie's is missing," mentioned Millicent, which prompted her daughter to get up and hold her heart up with theirs.
Allie's was the smallest of all, with all three reflecting their makers.
"Perfect," exclaimed Estella, happy and most proud to have passed on a new tradition to this new family of three she so loved.
"What to make a few more, Allie?"
"Sure, Auntie Essie. I want to be sure I can remember how to do it all!"
While Allie continued making more Austrian Straw Ornaments in several different shapes, Nathan, Millicent, and Hendrix strung Cranberries for the tree, leading in Carols the whole time.
That is, of course, when the men weren't sneaking Essie's Christmas Cookies.
Lots of Carols were sung though because obviously, it was going to take lots and lots of cranberries to reach around and around their huge tree...
With the handmade decorations completed, everyone was most pleased with their handiwork.
"This is so fun. Can we do this every year?" asked Allie.
"Absolutely, Miss Allie, that's what a tradition is, to be repeated ad infinitum!"
"What's that, Uncle Hendrix?"
"That's Latin which means 'again and again in the same way forever,' my Child! In other words, we get to do this again and again, every single wonderful Christmas we share together." (*92)
Allie smiled radiantly.
"Are we ready to see our Christmas Tree and get it decorated?" she asked expectantly.
"Yes, Allie, I think it's finally time to go decorate our tree," announced her Dad…
Everyone loaded themselves down with the newly made Christmas Ornaments to take them into the Keeping Room.
When Hendrix had checked on the kittens, he had set the Gramophone to play Christmas Carols, and so the beautiful sounds wafted out into the hallway, making the Spirit of Christmas center stage for the night.
But when Nathan opened the doors, everyone gasped seeing the majestic tree with all its lights for the very first time.
"Allie, this is the most magnificent tree I've ever seen," complimented her Dad.
"It's simply lovely, Allie. Just lovely," agreed her Momma.
"The most beautiful tree we've ever had, Child," smiled her Auntie Essie.
"I concur with all of those comments. Simply stunning, Miss Allie," added Hendrix.
"Ready to decorate," asked Nathan. "One, two, three, go!"
And everyone happily converged on their tree, but then paused unsure as to where they should start.
The tree was so large, Hendrix had placed ladders to both sides so that every part of the tree could be easily reached.
"The job is daunting, but the five of us will no doubt get it done," he encouraged. "Why don't we start with each of us placing our new handmade ornaments from tonight's crafting effort?"
Hendrix motioned for Nathan, Millicent, and Allie to go first.
They placed their three newly minted Austrian Hearts of Straw close together on the front of the tree.
"Estella?" and Hendrix offered his hand.
Nathan and Millicent were relieved to see that Estella quickly took it, and the two positioned their handmade ornaments, also on the front of the tree, just beside those already placed.
"The whole family all together! I love it!" cried Allie with a little clap.
"Ready to hang the rest of the ornaments, Miss Allison Rose," asked her Auntie Essie.
"Yes! Please!"
The entire family decorated the tree, with Nathan and Hendrix climbing the ladders to reach the tallest branches.
Essie brought in platters of hot after-dinner Hors d'oeuvres for everyone to munch on as they decorated, along with Wassail for all.
"Christmas is really here, Darling," whispered Nathan on one of his infrequent descents from his ladder, as he snuck in a kiss or two on her slender neck and hugged his soon-to-be Bride.
"I love you, so, Mil. I've never been happier."
"Same, Darling!"
And their lips sweetly found each other's, lingering there.
Then they simply held each other, letting their eyes take care of numerous declarations of love.
"Dad, you'd better get back to work or we'll never get this tree decorated!"
"Yes, Ma'am. Although, Allie Dear, had you chosen a normal tree, it would have already been finished!"
"But, Dad, this one's perfect, and it's more to decorate, which means more fun!" explained Allie.
"Can't argue with that, Love!" giggled Millicent.
"Momma, is it okay to let Persia out of the basket?"
"That's fine, Allie. I do believe Persia could use a short break from her tiny ones," smiled Millicent.
But no sooner, had Persia made her round of visits to each family member for a pat or two than the little kittens' sixth sense told them their mother was missing causing all twelve of them to mew together as though they were a little Christmas choir, crying for their mother, all at once.
Persia, the good mother that she was hurried quickly back to her basket, ingeniously jumping inside, resulting in the instant cessation of mewing…
Finally, after much laughter with a few jokes thrown in, the Grant Christmas Tree was ready!
"Well, almost! Are you ready to climb the ladder with me so you place Gramma's Angel, Allie?"
"I get to?"
"You have to. Gramma gifted the Angel to you, Sweetheart!"
Allie hurried to her father, who held her as she climbed the ladder two steps ahead of him.
When they both reached the top, Hendrix climbed a second ladder close by and handed Allie, her Angel.
"She's so beautiful!"
"Yes, she is! She's been in our family a very long time, Allie. This is a huge honor, you know!"
"I know, Dad. Gramma's trusted me with taking care of it, and I truly will be very careful."
"Okay, Kiddo, I have you. Do the honors!"
Secure in her Father's arms, Allie stretched to reach the tip top of the enormous tree.
Nathan had to boost her a bit more, but she finally had it!
"There, is it straight, Momma?"
"Just tug it a little to your left, Sweetheart!"
Allie did as her Momma requested.
"Perfect, my Angel! Just perfect," smiled her Momma.
"We did it, Dad!"
"Yes, we did, but be very careful stepping down, one step at a time. I'm right behind you, Allie. Step down, now!"
Father and daughter finally and safely made it to the bottom, and when they turned with Millicent between them to see the completed tree, both were speechless.
And so, the three of them stood, with Hendrix and Estella on either side, gazing at the most beautiful tree any of them had ever seen…
*91. Hebrews 13:2, The Holy Bible, King James Version, Public Domain.
*92. 'Ad Infinitum,' Latin Interpretation and Definition from The Oxford English Dictionary, Public Domain
