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Chapter 149

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"The Winner Is" and "A Moonlit Stroll"

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"And there you have it Ladies and Gentlemen, the Mountie, my fiancé, comes in at a whopping 11 points not counting his gunpowder win for an even dozen! Congratulations, Love, you've won the night!" offered Millicent giving him a congratulatory kiss.

Nathan nodded to accept the round of applause honoring him, desperately thinking of how to change the subject.

Victoria stepped in to save him.

"Remembering that good things come in small packages, I think it's time we each open our little Cracker gifts."

Allie and Maggie received tiny silver Jacks with a bright red and silver swirled bouncy ball, while Jackson received a package of red and green collector marbles.

Edward, Archie, Richard, William, and Nathan, to their great delight, received special edition Swiss Army Knives (*194)

Victoria, Sophia, Luciana, Margaret, Millicent, and Pippa were thrilled with their gifts of platinum diamond star pendants on dainty platinum chain necklaces.

But there was one more item tucked in the far end of everyone's crackers, a fun item, but also a necessary safety item especially when they were out riding.

Everyone opened their tiny, wrapped packages at the same time.

"Look it's a silver whistle!" called out Jackson.

With that, everyone had to test their new gift, soon noting that each had a slightly different sound.

"We all have different notes," marveled Allie.

"I want all of you to promise me that these whistles go in your pocket when you take your horses out riding. If something untoward happens, you have a way to communicate and hopefully be located" explained Edward.

"This is truly so simple, but ingenious, Edward. I can't tell you how many times I've led a search party, wishing the person had some way to lead me to them. Let's all commit to making this a habit, by seeing it stays on our person, or at the very least in our saddlebags," urged Nathan.

"Do we have that commitment?" asked Edward. "More than anything I want my family to remain safe at all times."

The entire Bradford-Grant family, adults and children alike made that solemn promise, realizing that such a little, even fun thing could be so important, and even possibly mean the difference of being located if lost or in some dire need.

"Wait till I show my friends, Grandpapa! This is super cool! They'll all want one too."

"I agree, Jackson, super cool and super smart," smiled his Grandmama. "We all need to thank your Grandpapa for coming up with this wonderful idea."

"Well, what do you know, I have a second note in my cracker," winked Edward, pulling it out. "And I think this one encapsulates our family best of all!"

"What does it say, Grandpapa?" asked Allie excitedly.

"We can only experience the true joy of Christmas by giving away our love and resources to those who need them both! 'For in this world, it's not what we take up, but what we give up that makes us rich!" (*195)

The table was silent for a moment, as each family member had learned to live by this tenant, some from birth, others through marriage, but all through love and understanding of a purpose that was greater than the whole of them.

"God bless us all!" smiled Victoria, as she reached for Edward's hand.

"On a lighter note, I don't know about you, but I'm starved," and Victoria nodded and smiled at the man subbing as head butler. "Family, our traditional English Christmas dinner is now served!"

Wide eyes and family chatter ensued as the Roasted Christmas Goose with Apple and Chestnut Stuffing and Roasted Turkey with Oyster, Sausage, and Sage Stuffing were first set on the massive table.

"Edward, Darling, will you please carve our Goose and Archie, will you please carve our Turkey?"

The two patriarchs stood to begin their tasks, as the under butlers brought in a myriad of family-style dishes, including everyone's favorites of pigs in blankets, a beet-radicchio salad, white asparagus casserole, roasted vegetables of brussel sprouts, broccoli, carrots, and parsnips, scalloped and mashed potatoes, candied yams, bread sauce, cranberry sauce, Victoria's special Christmas gelatin ring with cherries, pineapple, and strawberries, Sophia's homemade red currant jam along with her assortment of specialty cheeses, traditional popovers, and yeast rolls.

In addition to wine and champagne, everyone's favorite sweet and spicy Christmas mulled wine was served to the adults, with a child-friendly version made especially for the children.

As usual, dinner was enjoyed slowly along with boisterous family conversation, with the children keeping everything extra lively, as did the boyish back-and-forth banter between Nathan and Richard all dinner long, with William joining in, tending to side with his soon-to-be brother-in-law.

When the table was finally cleared, as everyone was so full, it was decided that the traditional Christmas pudding, Christmas trifle, mince pies, and assortment of chocolate delights along with the favored yule log, as well as all the other desserts would be served buffet style in the main living room in an hour's time, giving everyone a small break to regroup for family time...


Millicent quickly grabbed Nathan's hand, as they scurried to the back door and gathered their winter coats and donned their winter boots, topped off with hats and gloves.

"Come, Darling, I want to show you my favorite part of Christmas!"

"There's more?"

"So much more!"

Laughing, she practically pulled him through the snow-covered lanes, till they finally reached a huge stone portico that was well-lit by what appeared to be antique post lights with long stone benches similar to what is often seen in Europe's London or Paris parks spread every so often between. Wide stone steps, now icy and sprinkled with snow, led downward to the depths before them.

And what a magical sight it was!

For there, in the still of the early night, was a massive frozen lake in all its glistening glory. The moon appeared to be rising in majesty above it, as though its sole purpose was to cast a mysterious glow on the still glassy waters below. Mounds of trees surrounded the body of water, all lit up with Christmas lights, and in the very center of the lake, there was a small island, with a tiny white chapel all lit up from below, that could only be reached by boat. Its steeple was tall, and there was a huge golden bell at the very top.

"From the time I was a little girl, I've come here every single Christmas night."

"I can see why. It's positively stunning, Love."

"I always said this is where I would marry my Prince. Because I just knew, someday, he would come. And you have. You've rescued me, Nathan, by giving me joy and a purpose more important than anything I could have ever imagined. You've filled my life with the most exquisite love and with a wonder I had hoped with all my heart existed. Thank you for taking my family on, for taking me on. Thank you for wanting to share yours and Allie's beautiful life with me."

He searched for words, as a myriad of love poems ran through his mind, yet none felt adequate.

She was his everything, and he still marveled that it was him she loved.

Their kiss was frantic, their need for each other so great.

He drew her toward him, so fragile, yet so strong, so perfect, with a fathomless beauty and boundless strength of a woman on the cusp of fulfilling her full life's purpose.

This strong man who fought battles almost every day that most men would never face, weakened in her very presence, or even at the thought of her.

He was putty in her hands, to be shaped and molded by her, and her alone.

She could not possibly imagine in a million years, the complete power she held over him, nor would she ever wish to wield it, loving him exactly as he was.

Yet there was a healing balm in the intertwining of their lips; a calm that could withstand the roughest of storms, a steadfastness that made them both whole.

Suddenly the bells rang forth peeling the notes of one of Millicent's favorite Christmas melodies: "Carol of the Bells."

Now he understood why she loved it so, meaning both the carol and this place.

This was a magic like no other he had heard or seen before, as the beautiful melody was cast far and wide over the icy expanse.

But their kiss lingered on as their hands twisted in silky hair, pushing one to the other, so close there was no space between them.

Breathe! But no, breathing wasn't important at all; at this moment tasting each other was their only requirement for life.

Somehow, he found his voice as they relinquished their lips, but only their lips, staying close enough that his breath was her breath, his words, her words, his sigh, her sigh.

"I would give anything to marry you right now, this very moment, just you and me in that little dream chapel of yours on this icy lake, making your childhood dreams and now mine come true. And though we can't physically get our bodies there tonight to do so. I promise you this…"

The intimate words spilled from his mouth as though they had been placed deep in his soul for this very purpose, this very time.

"In the stillness of a winter's night,

A frozen lake lies before our sight.

As snowflakes dance in the moon's soft glow,

My love for you begins to overflow.

Hand in hand, we stand side by side,

Our love, like the lake, cannot hide.

The crisp air fills our lungs with delight.

As we gaze upon this magical sight.

The glistening ice reflects our love,

As pure as the snowflakes from above.

With every step, the frozen ground sings,

A melody of love that forever rings.

Underneath, the starry sky so bright,

Our hearts are warmed by love's sweet light.

At this moment, time seems to stand still,

As we embrace by the frozen lake's chill.

With every breath, our souls intertwine,

Like the branches of a snow-covered pine.

Christmas love fills the air around,

As we create memories that will astound.

Oh, how I cherish this time with you,

A love so deep, forever true.

In this winter wonderland we find,

A love that's the everlasting kind.

So let us hold each other tight,

Beneath the stars on this silent night,

For in this moment, our love will soar,

Overlooking the frozen lake's shore." (*196)

"Next Christmas Night, just before our first year Wedding anniversary, I will marry you all over again, just the two of us, standing alone inside your dream chapel on the island of your dream lake."

"You would do that for me?"

"Without a second's hesitation! For you and for you and me!"

"But how will we get there? To the chapel I mean. There's always ice at Christmas."

"A mere technicality, Love! A sleigh, perhaps? Why, we'll skate if we have to! But I give you my word, somehow we will get there."

She glowed basking in the splendor of his love.

"It's my promise to you, my Darling, my vow."

He then bent so tenderly to seal his sacred promise, his vow, with a most iconic, memorable series of kisses equally responded to and never to be forgotten by either of them, sending electrical shocks through both their entire bodies, warming their beings, as though they were standing in front of one of the Bradfords' massive fireplaces, drinking hot cocoa together, never to chill again.

Helpless, without thought, her slender body couldn't help falling into his muscular one. Somehow, amidst the sudden shift of movement, he was able to stand firm in his sweet delirium, miraculously keeping them both upright.

He was so overcome with pure love for her, that he could only breathlessly whisper in her ear.

"Forever, Millicent Alexandria Bradford, soon-to-be Grant. Forever and a day," and he resumed their kisses of pure passion, as though they were a choreographed lilting dance, till they were both completely satiated and finally spent with love.

Then holding her tightly to him wrapped in his strong arms, with a low, husky voice barely audible, but clearly heard from his heart to hers, he whispered once more, pulling her closer.

"Merry Christmas, my Darling! Our first Christmas together couldn't be more perfect."

Then in the moonlight his calloused hand moved to tenderly caress and trace her gorgeous face luminescent with love as she stretched on her tiptoes, moving her own slender, soft hands to caress the nape of his neck while tangling her long fingers once more in his silky locks, leaving a moment of pure love between them simply frozen in wintry time, yet firmly remaining in their hearts, sustaining and warming them thoroughly till the promises of next year's Christmas could be fulfilled…

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194. Swiss Army Knives, originally produced in Germany, Swiss Cutler Karl Elsener designed and made them for the soldiers in 1891, equipping them with a blade, reamer, screwdriver, and can opener, Public Domain.

195. Quote, Henry Ward Beecher, June 24, 1813 – March 8, 1887, Public Domain.

196. "In the Stillness of a Winter's Night," per Cinda Justice, Story Author.