Page 24 of Even More Christmas Magic and Romance (Holiday Hiccups #3)

Twenty-Four

IT SNOWED ON and off all the way to Christmas Eve.

However, the ploughs have been very efficient, and they keep the streets clear.

For hours on end, Stanley has been busy clearing our driveway and sidewalks.

He comes in after shoveling looking hot and a little worn.

When I voice my concern, he assures me that it’s good exercise.

One morning there was enough of the white stuff to make a snowman.

Stanley positioned several large balls of snow, one on top of the other, in the back yard.

It’s the perfect place for viewing the snowman from the nursery window.

It’s large carrot nose, Santa hat, and old, striped muffler make me smile every time I see it.

The family is having Christmas Eve dinner at Mitzi and Jack’s house.

As I got dressed to go, I had a happy thought.

The baby would not have to share its birthday with my biggest holiday of the year.

It would not be a Christmas baby. However, baby seemed intent on proving me wrong.

As I started for the garage, I had my most intense session of false labor.

At least I hoped it was just false labor.

If I was forced to admit it, I’ve been having labor pains throughout the day.

Each time I felt one coming on, I told myself it wasn’t the real thing.

Stanley questioned me about my condition off and on, and I assured him it was still rehearsal time.

My sister Lolly is a week overdue and is becoming more and more anxious every day. Trying to keep her composed helps me stay calm, but I’m left wondering what our babies have in mind.

In early evening, as we drove to my brother’s house, I couldn’t stop admiring all the Christmas decorations in his neighborhood.

Almost every house had lights along the roof lines or other parts of the exterior.

I especially liked two yard decorations I saw.

One was a large, lit sign that spelled out the word, JOY, and the other was a three foot teddy bear with a Santa hat, red scarf and a sparkling gold coat.

Many of the trees were laced with strings of lights.

All in all, the passing scenery had a special holiday glow.

Yet, in the middle of my euphoric mood, those darn labor pains kept coming.

When we pulled up in my brother’s driveway and Stanley helped me out of the car, I felt a warm shower between my legs.

I glanced up at Stanley. His eyes were wide and anxious.

I gave him a little smile. “Oh, oh,” I whispered.

I’ll skip the next details and go right to the finale.

At five ten in the morning, Christmas morning, we welcomed our baby boy, Michael David, into the world.

Stanley and I both have very dear relatives with the name Michael, and we both liked the name David.

So now there’s a beautiful Michael David Bickerman in the family.

As far as the idea of a Christmas baby is concerned, I’m too happy to worry about that idea anymore.

Lolly and Gerald are happy too. Their daughter, Rose, was born a couple of days after Christmas.

As for our usual family, Christmas celebration, it was moved to New Year’s Eve.

Happily, Stanley’s parents wanted to join in the festivities.

With two new babies in the family, there’s so much to celebrate.