Chapter 136

Allie's Christmas Wish Comes True, Part II

. . .

Earlier this morning, before the Bradford entourage left the various orphanages, Edward had assigned each adult responsibility for four children. That was more than enough for one person to handle since the children were excessively animated and overtly excited about their outing.

"Mother and Father have been through similar events as this many times before, but, Nathan, your parents look like pros over there," smiled Richard.

"Dad's in his element, telling those 'wee lads' wild tales from the old country, I'm sure!"

"Well," laughed Richard. "Whatever he's telling them, they are positively enthralled, just like we were as kids! I admit, though, this is the largest number of 'wee ones' we've had with us alone at any one time, thanks to your daughter."

Richard paused before adding more.

"You know Father! He insisted on giving the entire staff of all the orphanages the day off. Though honestly, I think he just wanted the children to feel we loved them enough to be part of our family, which we definitely do love them that much and more," mused Richard.

"Why you old Softie!" teased Nathan before getting serious again. "Being just with us and without the people they see every day helping take care of them does make it more of a special outing for the kids, I'm sure. And I bet the staffs aren't complaining either, having a day off just before Christmas! I'm still surprised everyone's having such a ball shopping, though, when we haven't even gotten to the parade or food!"

"Or their special presents!" reminded Richard.

"Oh? I thought somebody would deliver those for Christmas."

"Several will be delivered for unwrapping, but Mother insisted they have a special gift or two to take home with them today, other than just the clothing. They plan to pass out today's gifts just before we leave for the parade."

"I'm intrigued," grinned Nathan.

"Afraid I'm no help! Mother wouldn't even tell me what the gifts were. So, I guess we'll just all have to wait and be surprised along with the kids," laughed Richard, who was clearly wanting to be in the know.

"But if it's some great toy they're getting, they'd better include me too," he quickly added most seriously.

"Of course, Richard," chided Nathan. "Surely your mother, I mean Santa, would know to include you, too!"

"Are you telling me there's no Santa Claus," gasped Richard feigning shock.

"Shush, Rich, the kids will hear, although there's no doubt you're the biggest kid of all…"


An hour or so later, Nathan's eyes wandered over the large room until he found Millicent, whom he was desperately missing.

He watched as she rushed to and began tenderly comforting a little girl who had tripped right in the middle of the floor on her shoelaces that had become untied.

Of course, there were copious tears of fear, frustration, and embarrassment on the toddler's part.

Nathan couldn't help but be mesmerized watching the scenario unfold, as Cassie, the little blond-haired girl who was probably about three, if that, was the only thing Millicent had on her mind, lavishing her with attention, understanding the little one's embarrassment and frustration at falling, and offering her genuine love and concern to cover her bumps and bruised ego.

His loving fiancée quickly gathered Cassie up and carried the child to a chair where she sat her in her lap, never mind wrinkling her stylish dress, hugging her close while reaching around her as she bent to tie the child's long shoelaces.

Cassie's tears quickly stopped as she became mesmerized, just like Nathan, with the beautiful, kind woman holding her.

Nathan couldn't help but smile. This stunning woman was the mother Allie had dreamed of and the mother of any future brothers and sisters she might have. Millicent was and would be the mother of all his children, and that realization humbled him, his love for her overwhelming him right then and there.

He couldn't hear anything Millicent was saying to the child, but he knew they were sweet words of tender encouragement as Cassie slowly began to smile. Then the child scooted around on her lap and made herself even more comfortable, placing her thumb into her mouth as she burrowed into this kind lady while playing with the dancing diamonds in her pendant necklace Nathan had gifted her with in Hope Valley. Cassie then laid her head on Millicent's shoulder as though she were claiming her for her very own, totally content.

Nathan didn't think he had ever seen anything more beautiful. In fact, he was certain he hadn't. What abundant love emanated from his fiancée, along with all the desirably profound qualities a man could ever want in a woman!

Nathan knew in that instant that God was indeed blessing him beyond measure with this beautiful, brilliant, and loving life partner, vowing right then and there never to take her for granted, never to assume her wants and desires, but to know them intimately and fill them to the best of his ability.

Mattering not that she was in a straight chair, Millicent rocked the little girl gently back and forth for some time, never tiring.

After comforting Cassie into a calm, contented state, a couple of older girls came up to invite the toddler to come play with them.

Unknown to Nathan, one of those older girls was Matilda, Cassie's elder sister, otherwise known as Mattie, who was around seven. The sisters' parents had died within a year of each other, their mother with cancer and their father in a work accident. The only family was an elderly aunt who was much too infirm to manage two loving but boisterous girls, not to mention three.

For you see, as if that wasn't already enough tragedy for one family, the third girl, Katherine, otherwise known as Katie, was their cousin, whose parents had died from the Spanish Flu, leaving her orphaned as well. A paternal grandmother took the girl in for a while after her parents' death until she, herself, became much too ill to care for the child. Thankfully, the aunt and the grandmother had placed the three girls in the same orphanage, requesting that they please not be separated.

Though this well-intended request was both a good thing and a difficult thing, as few couples were willing to take on three children together.

As a smiling Millicent assisted Cassie down from her lap, the child reached up and hugged her one last time. It was the sweetest thing that broadened the smile on his fiancée's face. Still, Nathan noticed a most concentrated, deeply concerned look cloud over her beautiful face as she watched the three girls excitedly scamper off together. What that look was, concerned him enough for him to quickly stride over to where she was now standing.

"A penny for your thoughts, Darling," he whispered in her ear.

She smiled without startling even though he had slipped up behind her, having felt his presence before he wrapped his arm around her slender waist.

She placed her own slender hand over his.

"It just dawned on me while holding that sweet child that the Thorstens, a couple I know, have wanted a family of their own so desperately, but they've had a hard couple of years with their farm, so they've had to postpone adopting. But with Father now taking care of the children's educational futures, I was wondering if there might be a way for the couple to take those three girls and have a home together."

"You don't look convinced. Is there something else you're not telling me?" asked Nathan.

Millicent sighed heavily.

"The Thorstens live on their farm, which gives them plenty of land for the girls to explore, but they've been definite about wanting to adopt both boys and girls simultaneously."

"Is their homeplace big enough to handle four children, three girls and perhaps a boy?"

"Oh, yes, it's plenty big enough for that and even more if the children doubled up on bedrooms. Mrs. Thorsten's widowed sister lives with them too, and I know she would be available to help with the children, as she's been a real advocate for the Thorstens to adopt. It could be ideal for all three adults and children, but another problem is that their house is not in the best of shape. Don't get me wrong. It's livable and more than large enough to handle a large family if someone could repair a few of the rooms that were damaged in a storm. But…"

"But?" asked Nathan, gently prodding her past her hesitancy.

"Nathan, I hate to ask this, but can we please fix their home?"

"Darling, the money is yours. You don't need to ask me about anything related to it. Of course, we can fix the Thorstens' home if you like. The money is all yours to do with what you wish."

"No, Love, the money is no longer mine alone. It becomes ours together as soon as we marry, which means we now make all our financial decisions together."

He could see how serious she was and how important this was to her, so he bent to kiss her forehead.

"Okay, if you insist, the money is ours," he acquiesced. "But the answer is still the same, Babe. Of course, if you feel it's necessary, we can fix the Thorstens' home and do whatever it takes to make it livable for a large family."

Millicent beamed, her eyes glistening with happiness and hope as she turned to embrace Nathan.

"Thank you, my darling Nathan! There's just no time to take it through the foundation. I want to call the Thorstens tonight and get things started! With the trust funds Father is establishing for the children, I strongly feel the Thorstens will take the girls, maybe even visit them on Christmas Day if they know their home is to be fixed appropriately before long, but which boys?"

Nathan chuckled.

"I think you have your answer right over there, Love."

He gently turned Millicent around to look across the room.

Nathan nodded toward Richard, who was entertaining the girls while holding Cassie, along with two boys, Sam, eight, and Jake, ten.

"Haven't you noticed those four are thick as thieves, with Cassie toddling along with them?"

"No, I hadn't, but they're the perfect age, too. Mr. Thorsten is keen on teaching a boy or two how to farm, not to use them as workers, but to pass on his family traditions to a younger generation. They're such a lovely couple, Nathan. The sister is the eldest, and her children are all grown. But the Thorstens lost their only child, a little girl Cassie's age, three years ago and haven't been the same since. After she was gone, the sister moved in to help them through their grief."

"I can't even imagine, Mil. I truly can't," sympathized Nathan, shuddering at the thought of ever losing Allie.

"I agree. Yet look at those five together, Love!"

Nathan and Millicent watched as Jake took Cassie from Richard and placed her on his hip just like a big brother would, then the couple turned to smile at each other.

"They even look like a family," mused Nathan.

"They really do! God moves in mysterious ways," began Millicent, ever so humbled by what she was seeing. (*154)

"His wonders to perform," finished Nathan, wrapping his arms around her. "Just like God worked a miracle for Caleb last night!" (*155)

"I forgot to say thank you, Nathan, for sharing all that with me when we got home. And for sharing with Allie all the good parts, too. We're both so happy for Sarah, Scotty, and Caleb. What a blessing! Even without meeting him, I know from what you've told me his life is completely changed. And because of that, you've given the Hayes their family back. And that's the best Christmas present ever!"

"It wasn't me. I was only chosen to be their earthly facilitator, Milli. It was God who gave them their family back."

She sighed, leaning back further against him.

Since his humility was one of the many, many reasons she loved him, Millicent couldn't fault him in the slightest. But deep inside, she knew God had used this man she loved in a most extraordinary way last night. Had it not been for Nathan to make it happen, the Hayes family would never have gotten the opportunity to be together for those two life-changing hours.

Both stood there with Nathan holding Millicent, thinking of the words they had memorized as children while quoting what they could remember in low voices to each other, each filling in for the other when memories failed:

"God moves in a mysterious way,

His wonders to perform;

He plants his footsteps in the sea,

And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines

Of never failing skill;

He treasures up his bright designs,

And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints fresh courage take,

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy, and shall break

In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust him for his grace;

Behind a frowning providence,

He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding ev'ry hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flow'r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,

And scan his work in vain;

God is his own interpreter,

And he will make it plain." (*156)

Nathan held his darling Millicent to him a little more tightly, their love and their faith palpable, as they continued to watch these five beautiful children, both praying fervently that if it be God's will, they would soon become the Thornsten Family…

. . .

154-156. Words composed by William Cowper (1731-1800) just before the onset of a depressive illness during which Cowper attempted suicide by drowning; first published by his friend, John Newton, in "Twenty-six Letters on Religious Subjects;" the hymn was later published in "Olney Hymns" which Cowper co-wrote with Newton. Entitled "Conflict: Light Shining Out of Darkness," it was accompanied by a text from The Holy Bible, King James Version, Saint John's Gospel, Chapter 13: Verse 7, which quotes Jesus saying to his disciples: "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter," Written in 1773, Public Domain