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Christmas Day

A nnie rushed from her bedroom to prepare a special breakfast for Hugh, Evan, and Grandfather. She paused in the living room to admire the tree where they’d hung the ornaments they’d made and tied bows of colorful yarn. The manger scene sat beneath the branches, surrounded by wrapped gifts.

Evan, with Happy at his side, trotted down the hall, his eyes dancing with excitement. “Presents?” His voice seldom rose above a whisper.

“Yes. For us. We’ll open them as soon as we’ve had breakfast.”

He grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the kitchen.

She laughed. “It seems you’re hungry.” She knew he only wanted to get breakfast out of the way. “We’ll have to wait for your papa and my grandfather.”

He nodded and let Happy outside.

Annie folded her arms and leaned against the cupboard enjoying the moment. She had so much to be thankful for on this Christmas Day.

Hugh slipped into the room and pulled her into his arms, her back to his chest, his cheek pressed to hers. “Merry Christmas, Annie Bell.” He’d adopted Grandfather’s nickname for her, using it only for tender moments. “Are you excited about Christmas?”

She turned within the circle of his arm to look into his face. “Our first Christmas together,” she murmured.

“The first of many, many more.” His smile filled his eyes, filled her heart, and promised her his.

“Whatever the future may bring, of sadness or sorrow or disappointment, I will not regret one moment of the time we have together.”

“Nor I.” He kissed her.

Evan tugged on her elbow. “Hurry,” he said in his soft voice, pointing toward the stove.

Grandfather made his way into the room. Shook the coffee pot and grunted. “No coffee?”

She laughed. “Time to get to work.” Reluctant to leave Hugh’s hold, she didn’t move.

He ducked his forehead to hers and then turned her toward the stove. “More of this later.”

Fueled by his promise, she hurriedly made breakfast, doing her best to keep her attention on her work but twice Hugh caught her staring into space and laughed.

She glanced at him. Saw his knowing smile and blushed.

Finally, she got the food on the table, and they gathered around.

“Grandfather, will you ask the blessing?” Hugh said.

“My pleasure.”

They all bowed their heads. Evan clasped his hands in front of him as he had seen Jeannie do. Annie closed her eyes. How much joy could her heart hold before it exploded?

It wouldn’t explode, she realized with a burst of clarity. It would expand, open up like a flower to the sun, and grow stronger with every beat of love.

“Dear Heavenly Father,” Grandfather began.

“This is a special day. The day we remember how great is Your love for us. A day to enjoy the love You’ve poured into our lives.

We thank You for all Your blessings, including this food that Annie’s hands have lovingly prepared.

May Your blessing be upon us throughout every moment of the day. ”

Annie kept her eyes closed after Grandfather said amen. His words felt like a benediction. His blessing meant so much to her.

They ate hurriedly in order to keep up with Evan.

Wondering if Evan could wait any longer, she left the dishes to do later. They gathered around the tree. Hugh read the Christmas story while his son moved the figures of the manger scene around to accompany the tale.

“And now,” Hugh said to the boy, “We give gifts to each other to remind us of the greatest gift of all—baby Jesus born in a manger.” He smiled at Annie. “Are we ready?”

She nodded. They had decided Evan should get his gifts first. Grandfather had bought him a storybook. Hugh had made him a pair of leather mittens. He thanked them both.

Annie handed her present to Evan. He opened it to reveal the ark and the animals.

“Noah’s Ark,” she explained. “Like the Bible story.”

He lifted up each animal for her to name and whispered the word after her. When he’d been through the entire menagerie, he threw his arms about Annie’s neck. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“You’re welcome. I love you.”

He returned to the toy.

Hugh grasped her hand. He knew she longed for the day the boy would tell them he loved them. “It will come. Give it time.”

“I’ll wait as long as it takes.”

Grandfather handed them each a gift. A scarf. “I got Mary to knit them.”

Hugh handed her his gift.

“Oh, a beautiful notebook. Thank you. I know exactly what I’m going to use it for. I am going to keep a journal of our lives together.”

He leaned over and kissed her nose. “In that case, I should have ordered a case lot of them. You’ll need many notebooks for the many years we are going to be together.”

“I will cherish every moment.” Whether it be short or long, she was settled with accepting whatever the Lord allowed them. No longer did she run from the risks of love; knowing to do so robbed her of the joys which far outweighed the risks.

She handed him his gift.

He looked at her, his smile so warm and promising. “You have already given me so much. Thank you.”

She grinned. “Open your present.”

He carefully folded back the wrapping to expose a fountain pen in a wooden box. He lifted the pen out carefully. “It’s beautiful. I often thought of buying one, but it seemed unnecessary.” He squeezed her hand. “But you realized how much I really wanted one of these writing instruments. Thank you.”

At his warm smile, she forgot everyone and everything else.

Grandfather grunted as he shifted in his chair. “Aren’t we due to leave for the ranch in a couple of hours?”

She sprang to her feet. “I have much to do before then.” She hurried to the kitchen and gathered up the dirty dishes.

Hugh came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

“I’ll help.” She leaned her head on his shoulder allowing herself just one moment of sheer pleasure before she returned to the task before her.

She washed, and he dried.

“I’ll go get our conveyance.” He put on his winter coat and left the house.

She pressed to the window, watching until he was out of sight then rushed to her bedroom to gather together the things she would need for the day.

The rattle of harnesses warned that Hugh had returned, and she helped Grandfather and Evan with their things.

She stepped outside to see that Hugh had a sleigh for them, with bells jingling and a big red crepe paper bow on the front. She laughed with delight.

“Merry Christmas,” he called.

They were on their way, their spirits high as they made their journey to the ranch. The sky was clear, the sun trying to offer warmth. Not even the winter cold could quench her joy.

Pa stepped from the house as they drove up. He helped her to the ground. “You’re ready for this?”

“As soon as I change. Thank you for your blessing.” He’d returned two days ago and didn’t hesitate a second when Hugh asked for his approval for their marriage.

“I can see how happy you are. Hugh has given you that. I’m grateful to him.”

He led her indoors while Hugh took care of Evan and Grandfather.

Her sisters-in-law whisked her up the stairs and into her old bedroom. She looked around with a touch of sadness.

Kate must have noticed. “You’ll always be welcome here.”

“I will always belong with Hugh.”

The three women laughed and hugged her.

Sadie turned all teacher-like. “Let’s get you into your gown.”

They helped her slip on the dress she’d chosen to wear and did up the row of satin-covered buttons.

“Your mother would be so proud,” Isabelle said.

“I’m so happy to wear her dress.”

Pa waited for them at the top of the stairs. Sadie, Kate, and Isabelle descended, and then Annie took Pa’s arm.

“You make me proud,” he said, his voice catching. “If only your mother could see you now.”

She blinked back tears. “I miss her so much.”

“Me too. But she would want you to find your own happiness with your own husband.”

“I know.”

“Shall we proceed?”

She nodded and descended. Only her family was present and the judge and his wife—old family friends. Hugh had agreed to let the church host a gathering in honor of their marriage on Sunday.

He stood with her brothers at his side and little Evan at his right hand.

She couldn’t stop smiling as her heart overflowed with love for everyone in the room and a special love for Hugh and his son. Pa took her to Hugh’s side and slipped her arm from his to Hugh’s.

Judge Harder cleared his throat to signal the ceremony was about to begin.

It was short and simple though the judge gave a strong admonition to honor the vows they were making this day.

“You may kiss the bride,” he said. Hugh did so with enough enthusiasm to earn him a round of chuckles from her brothers.

“May I present Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Arness.”

The family clapped.

Evan tugged at her arm, and she bent to hear what he had to say. He took Hugh’s hand on one side and hers on the other. “I love you,” he said loudly and plainly.

She laughed. She cried, and she hugged him.

Hugh wrapped his arms around them both.

She turned to him. “I have found a love worth more than anything.”

“God is good.” If his voice seemed a little husky, no one mentioned it.