Chapter 27
The Mountie Christmas Ball
The next couple of months flew by so quickly. Jack had received the notice that the Mountie Christmas Ball was going to be in Edmonton this year at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald.
Jack walked in and handed the notice to Elizabeth. She read it and handed it to Charlotte. Ma we need to order our dresses, Elizabeth says. We need to go the mercantile and buy our fabric so Mrs. Ethridge can make our dresses! Ok, Lizzy but I don't want anything frilly. Hon, can you watch Jarrick so we can go into town? Sure Bella. Just nurse him before you go and we will be fine. Jack went out and hitched Daisy to the buggy while the ladies got ready.
Charlotte and Elizabeth was looking at all the formal fabrics. Elizabeth asked, Ma? What color do you think you would like? I don't know. There are so many to choose from. Well I'm going with the blue to match his pants so I don't out shine his sege. I think I'll get a gold for the detachable waistband. What do you think, Ma? Oh Lizzy that's beautiful!
I think I'll get the white with the little red roses. They don't over power the white. Maybe a plain white shaw? Oh Ma that's going to be beautiful on you!
They bought everything they needed. Charlotte even bought a new pair of white dress boots to go with the dress. They left and had lunch before heading to Mrs. Ethridge's.
Mrs. Ethridge got her patterns out for them to choose from. After they made their choices they sat and had a cup of tea with her just catching up and enjoying their visit. Mrs. Ethridge asked, when is the Ball? Oh, I'm sorry, I was so excited I forgot to tell you, Elizabeth says. They had a little laugh before she said, it's going to be December 21st. Its just in Edmonton this year. Ok i have a month to get them made. They will be ready. She had Elizabeth's measurements but not Charlotte's. They left after .
Oh Ma, I can't wait! I've never been so I have no idea what it's like, Charlotte says! Ma, you are in for a treat!
Before they knew it, it was time to head out to Edmonton. They boarded the train. Even though it was a short trip to Edmonton, they chose to get a compartment so Jarrick wouldn't disturb everyone.
The train arrived, they had their trunks delivered to the Fairmont. Jack had made the reservations. They walked into the hotel and walked up to the front desk. Yes sir, can i help you? Yes, we have a reservation under Thornton. Yes sir. The clerk hands him his keys and says, rooms 410 and 412. They are joining room just as you requested. Thank you, Jack says as he takes the keys.
About an hour later they're trunks arrived. They had a joining bathroom so they took turns with their baths. The Ball was tomorrow so they decided to have room service for tonight and just stay in and rest up.
The next afternoon they took turns bathing and got ready for the Ball. Jack was ready first so he took Jarrick and his bag down to where the babysitters were keeping all the children. The hotel had turned one of the small conference rooms into a daycare. There were snacks, drinks, toys and anything else that might be needed. There were even cribs and cots. Jack kissed his son and handed him to Stacy, one of the babysitters. She was the daughter of Superintendent Collins. Jack knew he could trust the sitters because they were related to the upper rank officers.
Jack went back upstairs to escort the ladies down to the Ball Room. He walked in and was stunned when he saw her come from the bathroom wearing her dress. B.e.l.l.a! You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen! He walked over to her and kissed her gently so as not to mess up her makeup or hair.
Her dress was mountie blue with layers of tulle under to make it flow. It had a 3 inch detachable gold waistband with a bow in the back that hooked together.
Jack walked away long enough to retrieve a box from his nightstand. He walked back to her and handed her the long rectangle box. Hoooon, you didn't have to get me anything! Open it Bella! She slowly opened the box to reveal a sapphire and diamond necklace. Ooooh Jaaaack! It's beautiful! Please help me put it on! He helped her and turned her to look in the mirror. She touched it with her gloved hand and said, thank you hon! He kissed her shoulder while he stood behind her. It had your name on it when i saw it in the store window!
Charlotte came through the bathroom door as they were kissing. She cleared her throat to get they're attention. Excuse me, I didn't mean to interrupt. It's ok Ma, she said. Jack turn to look at his Ma, Ma...you are beautiful! I've never seen you in a formal gown and you're hair...it beautiful!
I wish Pa could've seen you like this! He has once son. Right after we were married the mountie ball was coming up but he was reassigned so we weren't going to be able to go so he barrowed a dress from one of the ladies in town. We had a our own Mountie Christmas Ball in our little apartment we had. He even barrowed a little music box that played "Let Me Call You Sweetheart ". Ma i never knew that. No one did son. That was just something between us.
Jack escorted the ladies downstairs to the Ball Room. They walked through the double doorway and was asked for their names. After Jack told him, the man turned and announced. Sargent and Mrs. Thornton and the late Staff Sargent Mrs. Thomas Thornton. Charlotte held back the tears by swallowing pretty quick. Jack escorted them to their table and pulled out their chairs for them to sit.
Bill and Abigail walked up to their table and said hello! Elizabeth jumped up to hug Abigail. Abigail! What are you doing here? I never thought Bill would get you away from Coal Valley to ever come to one of these! Well...we have a surprise for you and wanted to tell you in person. Elizabeth squealed quietly as Abigail pulls off her left glove. When? Last Saturday, Abigail replies! They hug again and congratulations were said.
Jack pats Bill on the back and says, it's about time! Everyone laughs. Charlotte got up and hugged Bill and says, congratulations Bill! You deserve to be happy! Thanks Charlotte, but so do you! Not in the cards for me, Bill. No one can take my Thomas' place.
Everyone danced and had a wonderful time. Jack and Elizabeth shared every dance but 2. Those he danced with his Ma. Charlotte danced with Bill a couple of times.
A man that she hadn't seen since her Tom had died walked up to their table and asked, are you Charlotte Thornton? Staff Sargent Tom Thornton's wife? She looked up at him and asked, Jeffery? Jeffery Henderson? Yes ma'am, that's me. I didn't know if you would remember me. How can I forget the man that brought my husband home after his accident? She stood and hugged the man. He back up and asked, may I have this dance? She took his hand and he lead her out to the dance floor. Everyone at the table watched as she danced with the stranger. She looked happy.
Elizabeth looked back at Abigail and asked, have you set the date yet? No but we were thinking sometime in the summer so my matron of honor could be there. Ooh, Abigail I'd be honored! You just let us know when and we'll be there! Bill looks over at Jack and asks, would you be my best man? Jack shook his hand and says, I'd be honored! Just let us know when. We will, Bill replied.
The next day everyone met in Mom and dad's suite up on the 6th floor so no one would see them. Schedules were discussed so Bill and Abigail could set a date. Abigail looks at Bill and he nods for her to go ahead. Ok, how about July 30th? Will that give everybody enough time? Dad says, Jack we will put in for your vacation. I'm approving it now. Thanks dad! Jack put it in his book he carried everywhere.
The women started talking colors and other wedding details so the men got up and went over to the bar that was in their suite. They discussed everything but wedding plans.
Everyone said they're goodbyes that afternoon and they would all see each other in July. They boarded their trains for home. Mom and dad was going with Jack and Elizabeth. They wanted to spend time with their grandson!
This would be Jarrick's first Christmas. At ten months old he wouldn't remember any of this but his parents and Granma and grandparents would. They wanted it to be special.
Jack carved him a train out of some old wood that he had stacked up in the barn and had found a Mountie teddy bear in the mercantile.
Charlotte had made him a quilt out of his daddy's old shirts that she had saved from his youth. Elizabeth had made him a story book about a Mountie and his horse and had made him some new clothes and a brand new pair of boots that she had ordered.
Jack had taken them out to get a Christmas tree. They decorated the tree and house just like before.
Jarrick was pulling up and walking down the sofa but otherwise was crawling everywhere.
The presents couldn't be put under the tree because Jarrick loved crawling under it. Christmas Eve he had crawled behind it, the ladies were busy with cooking.
Jack had just come in from the evening chores. He peaked around the corner and spotted Jarrick behind the tree. It had became his favorite hiding place. Jack walks up to the table and asks, where's Jarrick mama? She replies, I don't know, I haven't seen him in a few minutes.
Jack turns and in a sing song voice he asks, wherrrre's Jarrick. Wherrrre you aaaat little maaan?
Jarrick laughs and starts saying, dada, dada, dada, dada! Elizabeth, Jack and Charlotte froze. Jack looks at her and asks, did he just call me dada? I believe he did Hon! Jack squats down and says, come to dada little man and he reaches out his arms to his son. Jarrick crawls out from under the tree and pulls up on his daddy's arm. Jarrick pats his daddy's face and keeps saying, dada, dada.
Jack picked him up and swung him around and said, yes little man I'm your daddy! I'm so proud of you! I love you so much and goes to kiss his cheek but Jarrick turns his face and Jack got a very wet kiss from Jarrick. He puts him on his shoulder and wipes his mouth.
Elizabeth came over and hugged both of them. She says, mama is so proud of you Jarrick! He looks over at her and says, momomom!
This is the best Christmas ever they both said at the same time! Oooh, my boy, mama is so very proud of you! She went to kiss him but he turned around and she got a full open mouth wet kiss! She didn't wipe it off right away. She took him from his daddy's arms and hugged him almost to tight. He squirmed to get down and she obliged. He went scurrying away as if it was nothing that he had just had a milestone!
It's Christmas morning, Jack, Elizabeth and Charlotte had got up early to put all the Christmas presents under the tree. Charlotte and Elizabeth were in the kitchen making a wonderful Christmas breakfast with her famous omelets, according to her husband and blueberry scones. Charlotte was frying the bacon to be crumbled while Elizabeth was making the scones.
Jack was looking out the window drinking his coffee. There was a knock at their door. Jack walks over to answer it. Mom, dad? Come in quickly! They rush in. Jack shuts the door quickly and says, a blizzard is coming! I'm going to the barn to get it prepared and the horses settled! Charlotte slide the pan to the back of the stove and ran after him.
Dad runs behind Jack and Charlotte to help. Mom helps Elizabeth get breakfast finished. Elizabeth finished the scones and put them in the oven.
She ran to all of the bedrooms and closed the shutters that Jack had installed to keep the glass from shattering into the house. The house had become dark. She lit the lanterns in the living room.
She checked on Jarrick, he had kicked out from under his blanket so she pulled it back over him. He was laying on his stomach with his little bottom sticking up in the air. She softly pats it and whispers, mama love you so very much!
She goes back to window in Charlotte's bedroom to see if she could see them. They had just came out of the barn as Jack was closing the barn door and locking it. She watched them walk back to the house as she was closing the shutter.
Jack, Charlotte, and Dad came through the back door and said, they're going to be fine Ma. Thank you son, I don't know what I would do if I lost them.
Jack noticed that Elizabeth had closed the shutters because it was so dark in the house. He walked over to the north window and opened the shutter and said, we'll leave this one open so we can keep a watchful eye on the storm. There's no bushes or branches that can break this one. I can't believe it's his first Christmas and his first blizzard, he said.
Jarrick woke up about an hour later. Elizabeth rushed to the bedroom to get him before he got to upset. She got him changed and brought him out and put him in his high chair between her and his daddy. She gave him a spoon to keep him occupied. Jack asked the blessing and everyone ate their breakfast.
Elizabeth had put a little bit of her omelette on his tray along with a couple bites of scone. She put a little water in a cup for him and helped him drink it. Most went down the front of him but he did get some in him.
After breakfast Charlotte, Elizabeth, and Mom cleaned the kitchen while Jack and Dad kept Jarrick occupied and away from the tree. He held him up to the window looking out at all the snow.
Jack talked to him like it was so amazing! Jarrick hung on every word that he said! Pretty soon the ladies were finished in the kitchen and joined them on the sofa.
Jack handed him to his mama and put a couple more logs on the fire. He wanted to keep it going so if snow came down the chimney it would melt and dissipate before it got to the fire and put it out not to mention to keep it warm in the house.
Charlotte had closed the two bedroom doors to keep the heat in the living room and kitchen.
Mom and Dad had brought their gifts and had set them on Elizabeth's desk. Charlotte was elected to pass out the presents. She handed all her grandson's gifts to his father and his mama helped him open them. He held the Mountie teddy bear in one arm and the train in his other.
Mom and Dad had got him a Mountie on a black horse and some clothes.
Charlotte handed Jack his and Lizzy hers. Jack had painted a painting of his family, Elizabeth sitting in an arm chair with their son on her lap and him standing behind to the side of the chair with his hand on her shoulder. Ooooooh Hooooon, this is beautiful! When did you have time to do this with your schedule? I took time Bella!
He had also had got her a locket with his and Jarrick's pictures. She said, please put it on me! They kiss and he said, I saw it and it had your name all over it but you didn't read the back. She turned it over and read out loud, "You have our hearts forever"!Tears run down her face. He wiped them with both his thumbs and kissed her softly.
Mom and Dad had got her a new dress that she could wear to school.
She had got him paints, sketch pads, charcoal pencils, and a small roll of canvas. He appreciated his gifts and said, I truly needed the paints become I used all mine on that painting!
She handed him another small box. He opens it and says, Bella! She had got him a necklace with a cross hanging from it! He kisses her once more and says thank you! I love it. The chain was like a rope, but not dainty.
Mom and Dad had got him more paints and colored pencils.
They look at Charlotte, she hands them a package. They both pull the brown paper off. Immediately Jack recognized what it was. He wipes the tears and says, Ma….are…you…sure? She replied, son that's not mine, I made that for you and Lizzy. I made Tom one as well. Thank you Ma! We will cherish it always!
He explains, that Ma made a quilt right after Pa died. That's from his serge, that's from his Henley, that's from his pants, that's his undershirt, that's his suspenders. The whole quilt was made of the material from his Mountie uniform! Mom and Dad just looked at one another and had to wipe the tears away.
Jack looks at his Ma and says, Ma, there's an envelope on the tree that belongs to you. She gets up and retrieves it and sits down in her rocking chair. She opens it and asks, I don't understand son? This is train tickets? Yes Ma we didn't know what to get someone that has everything so we decided to get you train tickets to go see your sister and to go see Tom. You haven't seen your sister since Pa passed. With tears in her eyes, she got up and hugged them and said, thank you both but I won't go until summer! That's fine Ma, whenever you are ready, he replies.