And love
Chap 64 Holidays
This will be the 1st Christmas for the boys. Of course they will have no memories of it; their sisters and parents will, however.
"Ok girls, any ideas about how we can preserve some memories of Christmas for AJ & Pat? It is their 1st after all." Jamie and Eddie have an answer.
"Duh, pictures," snarks Mary Rose.
"Expand please," Eddie suggests.
"I think we should start to build a digital story of our family," Cassie puts out there.
Jamie and Eddie look at each other and grin. "Tell us more, Cass," Eddie responds.
"Well, you know how families used to have home movies, and photo albums of old faded photographs?"
"Yes, so?" Mal leads her on.
"Well, I'd like to start to build a library of "The Jamie & Eddie Reagan Family Story". A collection of photo albums and DVDs that family and friends can peruse when they visit." She pauses to let it sink in.
"Whoa!" Mal sighs. "That's outrageously out there!"
"What?" Eddie snorts. "What did you just say Malina?"
"That's awesome, mom! Where have you been for the last year?" Mary Rose wonders.
"Living in a cave, apparently." Eddie admits. "Or pregnant." She whispers.
"Me too," Jamie whispers. "Not the pg thing."
Eddie snickers, "You were right there with me, I remember."
"Yeah, you're right."
"I always am." Eddie declares.
Jamie hastens to change tracks; "How do you propose we begin, Cass?"
"1st I need a photo stick. 2nd you all need to send me any pictures you take that you like. Don't be picky, I'll edit and delete unworthy pix-
"Hey, who crowned you queen?" Mal snorts.
"Easy, I assume we can keep or print any pictures we like, right?" Dad suggests, to cast oil on the choppy waters.
"Absolutely! I'm just talking about the master collection," Cassie says.
"Now she is the master," Mary Rose snorts.
Dad stands and turns to mom. "Don't you have a little something to do in the kitchen, dear?"
Eddie looks askance at him.
He nods, almost imperceptibly.
She rises, whispers in his ear (Easy), and leaves the family room.
Jamie turns around and faces his daughters. He spreads his legs and places his hands on hips. He looks like the 'MAN OF STEEL'. Purposely.
In another life Cassie would have been terrified; not now. She has learned a lot. While they may be in for some tough words, they are safe and loved. She knows it!
"Girls, your mother and I expect, even demand, that you respect each other more than I just heard. Now, I don't expect that we all agree all the time, and about all things. But those snarky comments were dangerously close to crossing the line. Do you understand why I am saying this?" He pauses.
"Yes, dad," Cassie admits.
Mal and Mary Rose take a while, thinking.
(Note: Cass 5th grade; Mal 3rd grade; MR Kindergarten.)
"I'm not sure I understand, daddy. I hear far worse at school," Mal exclaims.
"Sweetheart, we don't measure ourselves by our classmates or co-workers. Who is our standard?" *
"Jesus," they all whisper.
"Correct. Now mother and I don't expect perfection. We certainly aren't. But let's try a little harder. Ok?"
"Ok," they agree.
"Cass, will you go tell mom that the coast is clear, please?"
She gets up and exits. 2 minutes later she and Eddie return with 2 trays. One with glasses of lemonade, one with cookies and quartered muffins. They spend the better part of the next hour discussing Cassie's idea. They all like it and want to make it happen.
As the talk dies down, Eddie goes upstairs with Mal and Marh Rose. They have fresh bedding and other linens. They toss the sheets and towels etc. down the stairs, intending to carry them to the laundry room later. They cooperate on making the beds with clean sheets.
Mary Rose chose bunk beds; she loves sleeping in the top bunk. Mal and Casie chose trundle beds. This way they can have a sleepover with 3 friends! 6 girls upstairs. They haven't availed themselves of this luxury yet. Their parents dread the 1st time.
In the family room dad and Cassie continue to talk.
"Cass, where did you get this idea? It ks a great one."
"Well, at lunch I heard a couple of 6th graders talking about video stuff. I joined them, their families were doing something like this. So, I thought about it, and sketched out an idea. I hoped you and mom would like it."
"We love it, and we love you, sweetie! You are a good influence on your younger sisters. Thank you!" Dad kissed her cheek, then pulled her into a warm hug.
They left the FR; Cassie saw the pile of soiled linens at the foot of the stairs. She picked them up and took them to the laundry room. There she threw them in the washer, added whites from the hamper and started the machine. Hamie noticed all this; he smiled to himself. He is so glad that they 'rescued' Cassie from the no man's land she was facing. He made a note to mention it to Eddie later.
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CHRISTMAS
It's decision time. For a long time, Jamie's limb of the family tree was 1 person – Jamie. Then there was Jamie and Sydney – 2 people. Then back to 1 – just Jamie. Then Jamie, Eddie & Mal – 3 people. Then came Mary Rose – 4 people. Then Cassie – 5 people. NOW, Patrick and AJ – and viola, we have 7!
What I'm getting at is this: the entire rest of the family = 8! Count 'em – Henry, Frank; Erin/Nicky; Danny, Linda, Jack & Sean. So, without Jamie's 7, any part of the celebrations seems dreary. PLUS, Jamie & Eddie have all the kids! READ the life of any party.
Thus, Jamie and Eddie are tempted to feel FORCED to attend all Christmas doings with the entire Reagan clan. They might as well camp out in Bay Ridge! WHAT!
The family has done that; it was the pattern for years. Let s listen in, shall we?
BEDTIME – MASTER BEDROOM
"Jamie?"
"Yes, babe?"
"Christmas."
"Santa is a comin'."
"Get serious! What are we going to do? Everything at your dad's? I really don't want to drag our little ones around that much, please." Eddie is holding her breath.
"I don't either. But if we stay home, the clan will want to be here. I think we need to be firm, that means both of us, and give the family OUR PLAN. And stick to it."
"I agree, hon. But it will help if we have the girls solidly on our side." Eddie posits.
"Agreed. Breakfast?"
"Breakfast."
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BREAKFAST
"Girls, we need to talk about Christmas. Daddy and I don't think we should take Pat & AJ out to more than 1 event."
"How many events are there?" Cassie wonders.
Jamie takes over. "There is Christmas eve midnight mass and hot chocolate at GGs. Christmas morning brunch then presents. Christmas day dinner. Now, mom and I will decide, but we would like to know which 1 event you would like to attend at grandpa's house."
Silence, thinking.
"What if we want to stay home?" Mal says softly.
Cassie and Mary Rose nod.
The little one speaks. "We have talked about this, before going to sleep." Both she and Mal nod to Cassie, passing the baton to her.
"Yes, we talked a lot. This may be crazy, but after all the chaos, we'd like to spend a quiet Christmas at home. Can we do that?"
Eddie is crying, Jamie holding her tight. The maturity their girls demonstrate at times takes their breath away.
The boys were just changed and fed. They are sleeping peacefully in their double swing. A peaceful Christmas sounds absolutely wonderful.
Jamie speaks, "I know that the family will have some presents for you kids. Especially the boys. What if we invite them to bring Christmas dinner, then we do presents after? Or before?"
They vote for presents then dinner. So be it.
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CHRISTMAS DAY
Pops and Frank come at 12:00. Pops has fixings for dinner. This is a holiday meal lesson for Mal and Cassie. This is probably Cassie's last lesson; she will be concentrating on the family history library. Mal will continue on.
The family was apprised of Cassie's new found interest. They were encouraged to maybe collaborate on gifts for her. Then there was Mal and her ongoing interest in cooking and baking. Then Mary Rose; her interests were well known.
Erin, Nicky and Danny and family arrived around 2:00. They could enjoy the aroma of the cooking meal while presents were opened. Cassie had to go 1st.
Cassie received 2 picture sticks; a digital video camera; a digital still camera & extr memory chips. They paused for an aperitif while she got her cameras, and herself, ready for the rest of the festivities. Then she went to 'work'.
Mal received 3 customized aprons, a set of Vision cookware, a chefs hat and 2 cookbooks.
Mary Rose received a customized saddle. She was in tears. She didn't know what to say. (Palmer had assured Jamie & Eddie that the market for used saddles in good condition was brisk. If she out grew this one, no problem)
Dinner was done in time, of course. It was enjoyed by all. The boys just had to get in on the doings. Eddie fed AJ, while Cassie fed Pat a small bottle of mother's milk. She was in heaven when she had the chance to do this. When she finished with Pat, she covered Eddie tastefully and took some video. Eddie and Jamie would preview this, before anyone else sees it.
An unforgettable part of Christmas #1!
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TBC
I'm trying not to over do religion. But the Feagan's are a very faithful Catholic family. And Eddie has been grafted in. So, to do them credit, I can't ignore their faith. I'm trying to not be 'preachy', I hope that I strike a reasonable balance. Comments are welcome, always.