Chapter 115: Gifts, Gifts, & Gifts
"Hush everyone, this party has to come to order. Gift time," announced Auntie Luciana to cheers, as she moved Hendrix and Estella to their places of honor amid loud applause!
Each wonderful gift was passed to Estella and Hendrix, the Guests of Honor, each one as exciting as the next.
But of course, Auntie Luciana was there, which delighted Richard to no end, knowing this was going to be beyond fun to watch!
And Auntie Luciana did not dare disappoint!
She first offered her required gift of luggage for both Hendrix and Estella.
"For the life of me, I can't understand why our Luggage Shoppes can't stock white python, especially as many times as I have personally requested it of them, but they refuse to listen! Why they had the gall to say no one would buy it, except me! To which I retorted - am I the only one with good taste in all of Montreal?"
Margaret had to pinch Richard to keep him from exploding in laughter, but his chuckle still clearly came through.
Hendrix and Estella each had a huge stack of luggage to unwrap, both praying it wasn't white python.
"Miss Luciana, this is stunning!" exclaimed a most grateful Estella upon seeing the first piece.
"Very classic and proper, Miss Luciana! Quite beautiful! Thank you from the depths of our hearts," added a most relieved Hendrix.
"Well, brown crocodile is my fallback when I can't get my white python. It will simply have to do, I suppose!" lamented Auntie Luciana. "Though, perhaps someday when I go back to Italy, we can replace it with what it should be!"
"It's wonderful just as it is, Miss Luciana, thanks ever so much," promised Estella, who was secretly thanking God there was no white python, except of course for Miss Luciana's and now Allie's, in all of Canada.
"Well, next we have some work for all this luggage! Happy Honeymoon, Dear Estella and Dear Hendrix."
"That's much too much, Miss Luciana!"
"Fiddlesticks, there's much more for you to unwrap! And I just can't wait! But for now, open this, Hendrix. Estella needs to know instantly where you're carting her away to with all this luggage," ordered Luciana.
"A two-month-long trip to Europe? But…but…but…"
Hendrix was simply overcome.
"Hush, it is a Honeymoon after all!" insisted Luciana. "Estella simply must visit her family in Austria. A good visit there will take at least two weeks. And you, Hendrix, need to show off your new Bride to your family in England and Scotland. And that's another two weeks, minimum. But then there's Paris, a place every newlywed couple simply must visit! And of course Venice is the ultimate romantic must-see as well. There is nothing more romantic than cruising the canals in a gondola of gold, you know. Take it from me! And I simply can't imagine a trip to Europe without touring Florence and all the antiquities it holds. We must not forget to sip a taste of culture even in love!"
By now Edward was rolling his eyes.
"Why does she have to control everything, Victoria," he whispered into his wife's ear.
"She's your sister, Darling," Victoria whispered back. "It must be in the Bradford genes!"
Edward spluttered, but the truth was his wife was completely correct.
Luciana was a rendition of both their parents combined, the worst parts of them if you counted their social snobbery! But the truth was their daughter also had a heart of gold, and to their chagrin would stop to help a homeless person on the street, stashing them in her limousine, and taking them away for a comprehensive, but whirlwind make-over before they knew what hit them!
Then without fail, their cleaned-up version ended up in front of Edward who was expected to find a spot for them immediately in one of his many companies.
And, he never failed to do just that.
Edward couldn't help but wonder how many times that sequence had occurred over and over again!
Yet without fail, these men, had turned out to be among his most valued employees over the years, and as her brother, he couldn't help but be proud of his elder sister''s moxie, and good judgment.
She always seemed to see what others didn't.
Yes, she was quite unorthodox and as disconcerting as could be, but she got results, and she was his sister whom despite all her quirks, he loved dearly.
Sometimes he wondered, that in a different time when men and women were truly equal in the workforce, would she have done better than he had done? He didn't doubt it, and that more than his brotherly pride, more than his brotherly love, caused him to listen and take heed to her wise, though unconventional council.
Somehow, over the years, she had earned his deepest respect, while still being his biggest cross to bear.
But he bore it willingly, with a certain amusement that only she could garner, even in times like these.
Across the room, Estella kissed Auntie Luciana in the way Europeans do, which also happened to be the normal way Estella did being from Austria, but with grateful tears running down her cheeks.
She never imagined she would get to introduce her soon-to-be husband to her family any time soon, and that alone meant the world to her!
"We can't possibly thank you enough!"
"Just have fun and enjoy it all! First class too, of course!"
Hendrix stood and did the same.
"This is way too much, but we appreciate each and every part of it, Miss Luciana, from the bottom of our hearts!"
"Now to the fun stuff," announced Luciana.
Never mind that Edward and Victoria, along with Nathan and Millicent were waiting patiently to give their gifts.
That little fact was quite inconsequential, as Luciana's always came first!
"Now, let's fill that Honeymoon Luggage!"
Hendrix moaned, and rightfully so, most fearful of what was coming next.
Some gifts were more devious than others, and some, needless to say, were much more racy too, intentionally causing poor Hendrix to blush to smithereens!
But as embarrassing as Luciana's remaining gifts were for the Bride and Groom, they did not disappoint, providing much laughter for everyone else.
Richard in particular.
"That's quite enough, Luciana. Our turn," announced Edward. "Richard, would you and Margaret like to begin?"
"I'm afraid ours has to come after Nathan's and Millicent's, Father!"
"Oh, I see! Then Victoria and I will begin! We love you both and you are, and will always be, our family. This is a small token of our love for you as you start your married life together. May you both be as blessed as Victoria and I have been!"
Hendrix hands were shaking as he opened the ornate envelope.
It was a gift of money, but there was no small token about it. The very thought, not to even mention the huge amount, brought tears to Hendrix's eyes, as he embraced the man who had taken a chance by hiring him all those years ago, and thus had provided him with a new family, when he had needed it most.
Hendrix then gallantly kissed Victoria on both cheeks, thanking her for all the love and support she had shown him and Estella over the years.
"That's not all, Dear Hendrix and Estella. Open these, please!" begged Victoria. "We wanted you to have something a bit more personal!"
Essie opened the beautifully wrapped gift with a puzzled look on her face.
"Your trousseau, Essie, Dear! You get to choose whatever couture pieces, furs, shoes, even jewelry, you wish for your Honeymoon. Monsieur Andre Auclair, who is the fashion director for the House of Chanel, Montreal, will see that he makes your every wish come true. And Essie, if you'd like, I'd be happy to accompany you to make your selections."
"Oh, yes, please. I can't even imagine! Thank you. I'll feel like a real-live Princess!"
"Good, that's exactly the idea!"
"I'm afraid my tailor isn't quite as glamorous, but Fioravanti's has already been instructed to help you select a full wardrobe, Italian shoes included. They will take very good care of you, Hendrix, and I'll be happy to join you as well in the selections, if you wish."
"I'll be very proud for you to accompany me, Sir! Thank you with all our hearts!"
"That leaves us," smiled Nathan. "Darling, would you like to do the honors?"
"Thank you, Love. Allie, would you like to take you Auntie Essie's and Uncle Hendrix's presents to them?"
"Yes, Ma'am! Here, Uncle Hendrix, they're heavy, so you'd better hold them for Auntie Essie!"
"Thank you, Child," offered Hendrix as he bent to kiss Allie on both cheeks, then with a smile on the top of her head.
Millicent smiled too, amazed at how much love there already was between her daughter and new Auntie and Uncle, then continued.
"To our dearest Essie and Hendrix, we love each of you, but we love you even more together! If that's even possible. For your big gift, although there will be more, Nathan and I have commissioned a group of Architects to reconfigure the Townhouse bedrooms, so that you'll have your own huge Bedroom Suite there, together, just like ours. Then for the Ranch, they are designing a big French Stone home just for the two of you, to match in with all the others in Essie's Wild West! It will actually look just like the others in age! We'll see that you have it furnished too, exactly the way you want it."
"But…" began Hendrix as he glanced at the plans his Miss Allie had handed him.
"No buts, Hendrix. You're both still welcome to stay and live with us anytime you wish, wherever we are," explained Nathan. "But we also wanted you to feel like you have your own space, your own home when you like."
"This is where we jump in," interjected Richard. 'Margaret and I are paying for your China, your Crystal, and your Silver, as well as any other accessories your new kitchen will need, including fancy appliances and day ware! Laundry too!"
"How lovely, a most sincere thank you," smiled Estella, still not able to fully comprehend she was going to have her own home, her own kitchen with Hendrix.
"I should also mention," interjected Nathan. "The inside Ranch House Apartments are being redone as well, so that they will work perfectly for the two of you, as husband and wife."
"We simply don't know what to say!"
Nathan and Millicent, along with Allie hugged both Hendrix and Estella to let them know their love was thanks enough.
"This is beyond anything we could hope for, Sir! Miss! And Miss Allie! We truly don't have the necessary words to thank you properly, as a mere thank you simply isn't enough. But I can say this to all of you, the Bradford family welcomed Estella and me in all those years ago, and we couldn't have found a better family had we traveled the world over. Here with you is where we belong, and always will..."
Since Christmas was getting closer and closer, the next day Nathan and Millicent took Allie on a drive through the meticulously and quaintly decorated streets of Old Montreal, as well as the newer part of the town.
"But why couldn't Auntie Essie and Uncle Hendrix come too, Momma?"
"I believe they just might be finding a few presents for their favorite niece!"
"Oh!"
Allie rode in silence for all of thirty seconds.
"This is like a fairyland!" she enthused out of the blue. "I love Montreal, Dad! I've never seen anything so beautiful in my whole life. As pretty as Union City is, this is way, way more!"
"I'm not sure what Mrs. Nelson would say about your term 'way, way more,' Young Lady, but I do agree! It's a beautiful big city with a small city, homey feel!"
"That's it, Dad! It feels like home!"
Her parents exchanged a loving glance, along with a sigh of relief, amazed at their daughter's ability to adapt.
They had hoped, even prayed, that Allie would love Montreal, along with her own Hope Valley, enough so that she would feel at home at both places. To know that she already did, even before their marriage, was a precious gift to both of them.
Although Allie longed to walk the beautifully decorated main streets, her parents convinced her that they'd still see a lot of the décor, doing the rest of their shopping from the back entrances of the shoppes.
What they didn't say was that with all the Wedding hoopla, it was entirely too risky to do otherwise.
But they weren't wrong about the Holiday decorations, as all the back entrances were decorated beautifully and richly, full of Holiday cheer, which thrilled their daughter...
Upon arrival at the Lafayette Gallery, Allie remembered the Manager and all the Clerks, greeting them as old friends.
"Mademoiselle Bradford, Monsieur Grant, what can we do for you?"
"Thanks so much for working us in. We're just here to do a little last minute Christmas Shopping."
"Wonderful, should I put you in separate rooms?"
"Yes, please," winked Nathan.
"But, Momma, I need your help. May I come with you?"
"Of course, you may. Two rooms will do it, then! At least for now," directed Millicent.
"Understood, Mademoiselle Bradford. Please follow me," smiled Mrs. Colby, the main Manager.
After a long visit together, albeit in separate rooms, Nathan and Millicent were able to complete quite a few of their remaining tasks.
Allie insisted she had to find her Dad the perfect tie.
"It's a tradition, Momma! You should get him one too!"
"Well, we can't mess with tradition! A tie is is!"
Millicent spent most of her time with Allie, but when they completed the young girls list, Allie spent the remainder of her time with her father.
Millicent used the alone time to finish grabbing a few special stocking items for the both of them, along with Hendrix and Estella.
"I think I'm all finished here, Darling!" announced Millicent. "Everything is wrapped and ready to go!"
"Momma, look at this. Do you think Maggie will like it?"
"It's a beautiful bracelet, Allie. Those two hearts mean 'Best Friends!' I think she'll love it!"
"May we wrap it, Mrs. Colby?" asked Allie
"Of course, what color do you prefer?"
"Red is Maggie's favorite color."
"Then red it is!" she winked.
After the last package was wrapped, they said their goodbyes and loaded back into the limousine along with all their packages, locked away in the boot.
Albert next dropped Millicent and Allie off at the Book Shoppe, which simply amazed Allie as she had never seen such a spectacular Bookseller before.
"Momma, it's like a fancy theater for books!"
"It is sort of like that, isn't it," chuckled Millicent, loving seeing everything new through the eyes of her daughter.
Albert then privately took Nathan on to a local Sports Shoppe, while the ladies shopped for books.
Thankfully, he found Allie's waist waders there. But because of her height, the clerk suggested he go up a size.
While he was looking around, he was drawn to a state-of-the-art fly-fishing rod that he also ended up buying for Allie, along with a few Flies and a Fly-Tying Kit that he knew she would love.
The salesmen tried to sell him a trout net which at first, he passed over the offer as he and Allie already had one, but then he remembered that Millicent had broken her net the last time she had been fishing, so he purchased the item for her. It was a really nice one where the wooden handle and the wooden hoop were carved together as one.
'Hmph. I'll have to use that as a model. Bet I could carve one just like that!' he thought to himself. 'Maybe even better!'
By the time, he finished having everything wrapped, Albert was back at the entrance to pick him up.
"Merry Christmas, Sir! I'm afraid the Ladies needed more time at the Book Shoppe. Is there anywhere else you'd like to go?"
"Actually, the Book Shoppe is where I need to go, too, although I'll need you to warn Millicent and Allie first!"
"My pleasure. I'll keep you hidden and take care of it all, Sir…"
Finally, back at the Townhouse, after having changed into more comfortable clothing from their day of last minute Christmas shopping, Nathan, Millicent, and Allie began to tackle the ever-growing mounds of beautifully wrapped Wedding gifts.
"They're almost too pretty to open, Momma!"
"I know, but we have to get started, Angel! And your Uncle Hendrix has taken photos, so we'll have those to remember the pretty packages by."
"Let's go, Dad! We'll make it a challenge!"
"Are you implying I can't keep up, Young Lady?"
"Maybeee…"
"You're on! But be careful, Allie, and treat everything like it could be breakable! Because it could!" he warned.
"Oh, that's a good idea! No breakage is the goal," added her Momma. "That would be terrible!"
It wasn't long till the room was strewn with paper and ribbons, along with all the excitement and wonder of each box, leaving extraordinary gifts out in the open.
But they were only a dent.
"I don't know what this is. But, look how beautiful, Momma!"
"Oh, Allie that really is!" noted Millicent.
"What is it?" asked Nathan.
"It's a revolving Sterling Buffet Server and Warmer from the Oshers!
"Dad's lost, Momma," teased Allie. "He hasn't known what anything is that he's opened!"
"I'll have you know, Young Lady, these I recognize," and Nathan picked up a spoon from the set of silverware he had just opened and touched it to his nose, where it stayed.
Both Millicent and Allie broke out laughing.
"Mil, this is a whole set of Sterling Silver," he mumbled around his hanging spoon. "And I do mean a whole set. Or maybe two or three or four. The forks and knives keep coming. It's endless!"
Millicent laughed and grabbed his spoon, taking one glance at the huge Silver Chest!
"Don't tell me. The Worthingtons?"
"How did you know?"
"They own a Silversmith Shoppe and theirs is the best Silver in all of Canada and the States! This is priceless, Nathan! Look, we even have dozens of Oyster forks and that's in my favorite pattern! Oh, no is it too fancy?"
"I loved it when you first showed me and we chose it together, Darling. It's beautiful just like you. How could I possibly not love it?"
"You just might be the most perfect fiancé in the whole world!"
"I aim to please!"
The two kissed quickly, knowing Allie was watching.
It could have been the ugliest silverware in the world, and he wouldn't have minded, as long as his Millicent was happy, but this pattern he had liked despite its more formal look, and it was growing on him even more, having opened this particular 'endless' gift of all sorts of silverware pieces. Some of which he had never seen before!
The silver ware was rather an ornate historical pattern, but Millicent loved it. The pattern was named 'Francis I,' by Reed and Barton, and had just been introduced in 1906. The pattern was named after King Richard I of France. (*114)
His Bride-to-be had fallen in love with it when she realized the pattern was actually made up of fifteen different fruit-and-flower clusters, with each handle varying in a design made up of one of them, so that no two pieces were alike.
Nathan loved the original back-stamps made up of a lion, and an eagle wrapped in a fancy R, the one consistent marking on each piece.
"It's very beautiful, very elegant! But, Love, what in the world are we going to do with dozens of Oyster forks? I've stopped counting!"
"Entertain lots of guests and serve lots of Oysters?" asked Allie dryly.
Millicent burst out laughing.
"Thank goodness there are regular forks and spoons, in there too," she added peering into the huge chest. At least we won't have to eat Oysters alone!"
"Very funny, my two girls are," as he pulled Millicent down for a kiss and whispered in her ear. "But somehow living on Oysters with you doesn't seem like such a big chore."
"That's because you love me," she teased. "But how much is the burning question?"
"Burning it the right word, my Darling! At least enough to eat Oysters the rest of my life!
"Come on you two! Somebody has to get some work done around here, and be the adult! And it looks like I'm it. Momma, you sit over here and Dad you sit there. No touching allowed! Now, behave and open your Wedding gifts!"
"I don't like this! You're Momma and I are too far apart, Allie," complained Nathan, still flirting with his fiancée from afar.
Millicent giggled, which caused Allie to lose her fortitude for a moment while she giggled too and Nathan chuckled.
But their daughter quickly regained her composure.
"Dad, that's kind of the general idea! Work with me here, please! Open presents!"
But Nathan grabbed his Generalish daughter from behind.
"Got you! Overpowered and overruled!"
Allie gleefully squirmed, and Millicent tried her best to save her, but the three ended up laughing together mixed in a heap on the middle of the wrapping paper and ribbons all over the floor, with Nathan, of course, the victor!
The victor in more ways than one as far as he was concerned.
Tears came to his eyes as he felt the overwhelming love from these two, realizing all over again just how greatly he was blessed.
"I'm the luckiest man in the whole wide world with the most beautiful, most intelligent, most loving fiancée and daughter in the whole wide world!"
"Your daughter and I are pretty lucky too, Love!" smiled Millicent.
"I love you Dad, I love you Momma!"
"We both love you so much, Angel!"
And just like that, laughter turned into happy tears, and then a close family embrace right there on the middle of the floor!
And deep in their hearts, each of the three knew that irregardless of presents, they had everything, right here, right now, with each other…
*114. "Richard I Silverware," Ernest Meyer, French Silversmith, Reed & Barton, 1906, Public Domain
