Chapter 138

Allie's Christmas Wish Comes True, Part IV

. . .

You could have cut the excitement with a knife as the adults assisted the overly excited children in getting on their outerwear and boots so they wouldn't slip in preparation for viewing the long-awaited parade outside!

Now that they had experienced a private visit from Santa, along with him delivering their bikes and sleds, their excitement was at an all-time fever-pitched high!

The Lafayette Gallery had set up bleachers along the front of their Department Store, enough to house the entire Bradford Party.

As everyone found their seats on the bleachers, to their delight, the salesclerks, who were still dressed as elves though now in their coats, passed out red and green pom poms for each child to wave throughout the parade.

At Edward's insistence, security was carefully placed around the bleachers, ensuring the safety of every single child.

As soon as the Nursery Staff brought Jacques and Margie to the department store's entrance, Millicent rushed to take Little Margie into her arms as Nathan reached for Jacques.

"You two, they're really quite the handful," reminded Margaret. "Are you sure you want to take them on? Wouldn't you rather enjoy the parade and let us hold them?"

"Look at this sweet thing. Margie's alert and ready to see Santa! Aren't you, my precious Little One?"

"An-tah?"

"Yes, Santa, Sweetheart!"

"We're going to enjoy the parade and enjoy these two at the same time," assured Nathan, grinning at Jacques. "Isn't that right, Jacques? Besides, Mama and Papa need a break, don't they?"

The little boy nodded and hugged his Uncle Nathan, but since he was still sleepy, he laid his little head on his uncle's muscular shoulder and promptly fell back asleep.

"Fair warning, Nate! When Jacque's sleeping, he must gain about a hundred pounds because the longer you hold him, the heavier he gets, and I do mean 'heavier!'" insisted Richard. "Just toss him over to me if it gets too much with that shoulder of yours!"

"I appreciate that, and we'll take you up on it if we need to. But right now, we're both fine. Besides, Richard, I know how intrigued you are with Santa," teased Nathan. "And I hate to spoil your Christmas!"

"Exactly, Nathan! Richard's much more intrigued than his sleepy son," laughed Margaret. "It's this one I have the most trouble with at Christmas. And I'm not talking about Jaques! Nor Margie, Maggie, or Jackson either. Believe me, attempting to keep my husband from disturbing all the wrapped presents is a full-time job! Not the children!"

"Hey! I'm right here, you know," pouted Richard.

"And I'm so very thankful you are, Sweetheart! Unwrapped presents and all," smiled Margaret as she stretched to kiss his cheek. "But let's face it, you're quite the handful any time of the year, though extra so during the Holidays, Richard!"

Everyone laughed, knowing the statement was true.

"You're an absolute Saint, Margaret!" winked Nathan.

"Not that I'd have him any other way! Just don't be surprised if I show up at that ranch of yours sans family for some rest and relaxation when you least expect it!"

"You're welcome any time," assured Nathan, and he meant it. "Even if we're in Hope Valley! I'll see that you have a key."

"Hey! What am I? Invisible? And here I've been working on getting us men a sailboat for that lake of yours!" pouted Richard even more.

"A sailboat? Now you're talking! Throw me an extra blanket for Jacques, Richard. And let's grab us a good spot!"

"Nathan, as tall as you are, anywhere's a good spot for you," jabbed Richard. "Even sitting down."

Nathan chuckled.

"Those extra two inches still bother you, don't they?" he teased.

"You better believe they do! And you'll soon find out exactly how much!"

Nathan just rolled his eyes, understanding that threat loud and clear.

"Richard Bradford, you'd better not entertain any little prank that you're going to regret later, and I give you my word, you will regret any and every single prank that's beyond grade one, got it?"

"You and our mothers, Nathan! Between the three of you, you're spoiling all my fun for this Wedding!"

"Good! Better your fun than our Wedding, Brother…"


Outside on the bleachers, where Allie and all her guests had bundled up and gathered to see the parade, a huge crowd had also gathered across the street, filling Montreal's sidewalks.

Everyone was fraught with anticipation, eagerly waiting for the parade to begin!

More than anything, children and adults alike couldn't wait to see the jolly old man, Santa Claus, himself, otherwise known as 'Père Noel,' at least to Canada's French-speaking population. (*159)

"Millicent, have you seen Allie?" asked her concerned father.

"She's fine, Love! Front and center right on the front row, with Deborah and Eleanor."

"Isn't that Blaine on the other side of her?"

"I believe so. But, Darling, you just made that sound like the poor boy's a criminal on your most wanted list. He's just being a friend to Allie, and that's a good thing!" nudged Millicent. "Come, now, let's enjoy the parade!"

He looked so crestfallen she had to offer some form of encouragement.

"Nathan, my Love, Allie's twelve years old. She's going to have lots of friends over the years. Some will be girls; some will be boys. Our job is to support her and hope she gets to make as many different friends as possible so that someday far away, she'll know her heart, her true heart. Our little girl is hardly ready to date, Love," smiled Millicent so empathetically that Nathan nodded and even smiled, followed by a deep sigh of relief.

He placed his free hand at her elbow.

"I love you, Milli! You're right. Let's enjoy this parade with the kids…"


Somewhere in the distance, a band started playing, getting louder and louder as it came closer, building the crowd's excitement like nothing before.

Suddenly it seemed as though the music had stopped, but amazingly, everyone could see the band was still playing by this time.

Yet no one heard them due to the roar of the plane above them.

"It's a plane!"

"Can that be Santa Claus?"

"I don't think so, but wait, I see his hat!"

"And I see his beard!"

"Look at him, wave!"

As the plane dropped lower and lower, all anyone could see was that same flash of red, and they suddenly knew this really was Santa Claus, arriving in the air above them, not by his traditional sleigh with eight tiny reindeer, but by an honest-to-goodness airplane! (*160)

The plane floated above the crowds gathered to see Santa, never dreaming of this. The cheers were wild, the clapping endless, the shouting full of disbelief.

What an extraordinary welcome Santa Claus was getting this year!

This entrance was like never before!

After ensuring everyone had seen him wave from the plane at least once if not more, the small open aircraft landed at the closest aerodrome to a rousing standing ovation from all those surrounding him.

Quickly Santa was whisked to the parade route into his sleigh that was placed on the top of a float made of wooden alpine chalets, with their rooftops covered in snow, where his rousing standing ovation continued, till he was precisely in front of The Lafayette Gallery Balcony, where he stood and waved to all the children standing there, who had met him only a half hour before! (*161)

Immediately they stood, waving to Santa!

"Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas to all my Friends I just met! Merry Christmas to all! Ho, ho, ho!

The cheers and waves were monumental, with the children giving Santa Claus all their energy and love, from delirious waves to throwing kisses, to shouting, "I love you!"

These children (and adults) were truly giving Santa their all!

"Look, Darling, there's Mother Goose!" exclaimed Nathan. (*162)

"Oh, she's so big, Love! Look at her taking the place of honor just behind Santa! This is just amazing! Look, Margie!"

"Look at those floats of fairy tale characters, Archie! All that detail is exquisite. Aren't they wonderful," cried Sophia, as excited as the children.

But when Sophia glanced at her husband, he was wiping a tear from his eye!

"Arch, whatever can be wrong?"

"Those were our daughter's favorites by far! I was just remembering all the times I read those stories to her."

"They are quite extraordinary, but I dearly love the Christmas vignettes, too," exclaimed Victoria softly, putting an arm around Archie's shoulders for comfort. "Look how traditional they are! And the colors are amazing!"

Allie turned around for a moment, trying to catch her Momma's and Dad's eyes.

"This is the best!" she mouthed.

Both parents smiled back at her, so proud of their daughter and so excited for her to see a parade of this magnitude for the first time in her life.

"See, her father's opinion still matters most, my Love!" offered Millicent.

Nathan only nodded, as he knew if he tried to speak, he wouldn't be able to do so. It took him a moment.

"Giving these children their happiest Christmas ever was our daughter's dream. Just look at their faces, Mil, full of pure joy! What an amazing day this already has been, thanks to Allie and your parents!"

"Thanks to everyone, Darling! Doing for others is what Christmas is all about, especially when it's those in need. I'm so blessed to be spending this, our first Christmas, with you and Allie! What a spectacular one it's turning out to be."

The parade continued with not one but two bands, first playing in unison, but then both stopped, one after the other, to play their favorite Christmas carols.

There was also Holiday dancing in the streets!

"Millicent, look at that cascade of red and green balloons. They just erupted from that float behind the bands!" pointed Nathan, also showing a mesmerized Jacques, somewhat subdued from his astonishment.

"Oh, look at the wooden dolls!" cried Margaret. "They're gigantic! So wonderful." (*163)

"I love that float carrying the wooden soldiers!" proclaimed Richard. (*164)

"Get ready for Noah's Ark! Looks amazing with all the animals!" enthused Nathan. (*165)

It was impossible not to be relaxed and enthused at this stellar parade.

No one had seen anything like it before!

Glancing over at Millicent's beautiful, happy, excited face, Nathan couldn't help but bend down to kiss her during this Parade of Parades.

"If I could be anywhere in the world, I wouldn't be anywhere else but here with you, my Love. What a magical Christmas this is! Our very first together!"

"Yes, Santa's arrival was more dramatic and memorable than we had ever hoped for, along with all this pomp and circumstance of good clean fun around us. Even that has been topped off or at least matched by one magnificent float after another! And all the love from these children, Nathan. It's truly amazing!"

"Nothing beats the comradery of family and now beloved strangers," winked Nathan.

Was there anything more charming or more fun than a parade…


For Lunch, Edward rented an entire restaurant called 'Doblers Burgers and Steamies,' a giant hamburger and hot dog joint on the wharf known for its many different versions of both specialties.

The children were as excited about seeing the wharf and winter boats as they were about their meals. But they were also happy about the restaurant, having heard of the place many times without having ever gotten to go.

In addition to their standard Burgers and Steamies, the restaurant served the biggest and best Montreal Muffuletta Sandwiches. This epic sandwich, a riff on the classic Italian Muffuletta, consisted of savory Montreal smoked meats and turkey, a flavorful white cheese, spicy mustard, salty pickles, and a mix of other crunchy veggies. The cheese was made in Quebec, helping the sandwich as a whole to offer the most authentic and quintessential Montreal experience one could ask for. (*166)

The burgers, dogs, and muffuletta sandwiches were accompanied by various picnic sides, including baked beans, corn on the cob, deviled eggs, french fries, cole slaw, potato salad, roasted pepper and tomato handpies, and every imaginable kind of dessert, including make your own ice cream sundaes and banana splits. There were also the most delicious chocolate chip cookies, monstrously sized and boxed for the children to take home with them.

But those dogs weren't just any hot dogs; they were actual Montreal Steamies, consisting of a steamed hot dog or sausage encased in a soft pillowy, steamed bun, smothered in mustard, relish, a vinegary coleslaw, and topped with chopped onion, which altogether was pretty much a standard Montreal treat.

The children couldn't have been happier in the casual atmosphere, roaming from table to table, showing the adults and their friends their masterpieces while catching up with each other and even sharing their food, although there was more than enough for all to eat.

"Momma, this is the perfect restaurant! Everyone loves it! And they love looking out over the water at the ships."

"It's a lovely place, Allie. Your Grandpapa seems to know all the good spots to eat!"

"Be sure to tell him thank you," reminded her Dad.

"I will! I'll go do it now, Dad! So I won't forget."

"What a magical time, Mil," grinned Nathan, still holding a sleeping Jacques.

"The best, Darling," smiled Millicent, reaching up to caress his cheek.

This special lunch was simply a moment of many that fit perfectly into a day of moments the Bradfords, Grants, and particularly the Nathan Grant Family and Orphans of Montreal would never, ever forget for as long as they lived.

And it was all thanks to one little girl…

. . .

159. Santa Claus vs 'Père Noel,' both were used during the 1920s, although the latter was preferred by the French-speaking citizen of Montreal and Quebec; Public Information, Public Domain

160. In 1919, Santa Claus actually arrived by plane for the Toronto Christmas Parade, but for purposes of our story, we are adapting that for Montreal; Public Information, Public Domain

161. In 1919, after flying into Toronto, Santa was placed on an actual float that consisted of wooden alpine snow-covered houses with Santa's sleigh sitting on top; again, for purposes of our story, we are adapting that for Montreal; Public Information, Public Domain

162. In 1919, a huge wooden Mother Goose Character comprised a float for the Toronto Parade that came just behind Santa's float; but for purposes of our story, we are seeing it in Montreal; Public Information, Public Domain

163. Wooden Dolls, Gigantic in Size, walked in the 1919 Toronto Christmas Parade, but for purposes of this story, we are seeing them in Montreal; Public Information, Public Domain

164. Wooden Soldiers Float, was in 1919 Toronto Christmas Parade, but for purposes of this story, we are seeing it in Montreal; Public Information, Public Domain

165. Noah's Ark Float, was in 1919 Toronto Christmas Parade, but for purposes of this story, we are seeing it in Montreal; Public Information, Public Domain

166. Montreal Muffuletta Sandwich, described accurately according to Public Information, Public Domain

167. Roasted Pepper and Tomato Handpie, listed as Canadian Picnic Staple; Public Information, Public Domain

168. Montreal Steamie, described accurately according to Public Information, Public Domain