Page 16 of On a Midnight Clear

Angel awoke to Vincent softly calling her name. She opened her eyes to find him sitting on the side of the bed , pulling on his clothes.

“What’s wrong?” She sat up and brushed the hair from her eyes. “Is it Benjamin? Is he all right?” She threw back the covers and jumped out of bed.

“Benjamin is fine. In fact, he’s hungry. Besides that—it’s Christmas.”

“It was already Christmas when I finally went to bed.” She yawned and stretched.

“What was that, an hour ago?” She had spent most of the night at Benjamin’s side, long after everyone had fallen asleep.

She had prayed for him and found it impossible to rest until she was certain he was going to be fine.

He chuckled and stood to finish dressing. “I promise you can go back to bed, but the children are awake and hoping for presents.”

“And Benjamin is really doing all right?”

“Seems to be in order. He has a bruise on his forehead, but the bump has gone down considerably. Sorry I fell asleep. I guess I trusted you to see to Benjamin’s needs completely.”

She smiled, knowing that this action suggested a deep trust that neither had expected so soon.

Angel pulled on her robe. “I’m ready. I’ll dress after they get their presents.” She reached under her side of the bed. “I have everything here in the bag. You want to play Santa?”

Vincent took the bag. “Feels pretty heavy. More than just the doll and knife and candy I picked up in town.”

“Of course there are other goodies.” Angel smiled and shrugged. “Might be something in there for you as well.”

“Oh really? Well, in that case, let’s get to it.”

They exited the room to find the children sitting on the sofa. Benjamin looked much better, and Angel immediately went to him and felt his forehead, then surveyed the knot.

“It has gone down quite a bit. Does your head hurt?”

“No. I feel better,” Benjamin replied. “I remember you sat up with me for a long time.”

“I wanted to make sure you were warm enough and that you didn’t have any bad effects.” Angel pushed his hair back from his face. “You’re gonna need a haircut soon.”

“You can cut it,” he said, then looked away. “Mama used to.”

Angel knew it must have been a concession for the boy to give her permission to take on a personal chore that had once belonged to his mother.

“That’s very kind of you, Benjamin. I would be honored to cut your hair.”

“Do you have our presents?” Ava asked, jumping up from the sofa.

Vincent laughed and motioned her back. “You know the rules. We’ll do this in an orderly fashion. Now retake your seat, and I’ll see what we have in the bag.”

Ava scrambled back up on the couch while Angel went to add a log to the fireplace. She adjusted it with the poker and smiled when the fire flamed up. It was so good to be safe and warm. After such a fierce storm, she didn’t think she would ever take such a thing lightly again.

“This looks like a present for Miss Ava,” her father said, pulling a bundle from the bag. Angel had wrapped the doll in a homemade blanket. Ava pulled the covering away and gasped at the sight.

“Oh, she looks like a real baby.” Ava cradled the cloth body and gently stroked the porcelain face. “Oh, thank you.”

Vincent reached into the bag again and held up a couple of small nightgowns. “These seem a bit small for Ava.”

Angel laughed at his confused expression. “Those are for the baby doll.”

She had worked to make clothes for everyone, from Vincent to the doll. The two nightgowns were matches for ones she’d made Ava.

Handing the doll’s clothes to his daughter, Vincent went into the bag again. This time he pulled out two more nightgowns. These were clearly meant for a child, but Vincent looked to Angel.

“Those are gowns I made for Ava. I thought she might enjoy having ones that matched her dolly.”

Ava took the gowns while still holding the doll. “I love this. Oh, I want to go try them on now.”

“Well, maybe we can wait and see what else is in the bag,” her father suggested. He pulled out the two small sacks of lemon drops. “I think you’ll like what’s in here.” He handed each child a bag.

“Oh, it’s my favorite!” Benjamin declared, popping one in his mouth. “Thank you!”

“Don’t ruin your appetite. Remember there’s a table full of good things to eat in celebration of Christmas. Oh, and I think you might enjoy this gift,” Vincent said, handing the boy a small box.

Benjamin opened it and found the knife. He looked at his dad, eyes wide. “You mean I’m responsible enough?”

Vincent laughed and turned to Angel. “I told him he couldn’t have a knife until he was responsible enough to take care of it and not get hurt or hurt anyone else with it.” He turned back to Benjamin. “You’ve proven yourself over and over. I think you’re ready for it.”

“I won’t let you down, Papa. I promise.”

“I think there are some more things in the bag,” Angel said, motioning Vincent to continue.

He reached in and brought out two flannel shirts in Benjamin’s size. “Well, will you look at this. I’m thinking these will fit you just right, son.”

Benjamin took the shirts, looking far less excited. He glanced over at Angel. “Did you make these?”

She smiled. “I did. I wanted you to have some better-fitting shirts. I know you love the shirts your mama made, but I know they’re getting too small.

You can put them away as something to remember her by.

Maybe one day you can let your son wear them and tell him all the stories you have about your mama. ”

“And I can save my dresses,” Ava joined in.

“I think that would be a wonderful idea.” Angel took a seat on the end of the sofa beside Ava. “You must always remember her. She loved you both so much.”

“There’s something else in the bag,” Vincent said, reaching inside. He pulled out two shirts and a stack of handkerchiefs tied together with a piece of twine.

“Those are for you, Vincent. I heard you say you couldn’t seem to find any of your handkerchiefs, and I knew you needed new work shirts.”

He ran his fingers over the flannel shirts and smiled. “Thank you, Angel. You’ve been such a blessing to our family. I have something for you as well.”

Vincent disappeared for a moment, and when he returned, Angel was surprised to see a long box in his arms. It wasn’t that deep, but still she couldn’t help but wonder what in the world he’d gotten her.

“Here you go. Open it.”

Angel did as instructed and was surprised to find a dressing table set.

A mirror and brush with intricately carved handles.

These sat atop something beautifully knitted in blue.

Angel set the mirror and brush aside in order to retrieve the blue parcel from the box.

Shaking it out, she found it to be a shawl.

“Oh, this is lovely,” she said, pulling it around her shoulders. “I’ve never had one quite so pretty ... and warm.” She hugged it to her robe and smiled up at Vincent. “Thank you. This was so very thoughtful.”

“I’m glad you like it. I think it’s time I go check on the sheep and Daisy. You children can enjoy some of the things Angel made for our celebration. A little later, we’ll read the Christmas story from Luke in the Bible.”

“First, we’ve got a present for you, Pa,” Benjamin said, looking at Ava. “We made them.” He revealed the pillow he’d hidden beside the couch. “Angel taught me how to sew.”

“And I made this sachet for you,” Ava declared, bringing it out from her apron pocket. “Angel said it will make your clothes smell sweet.”

Vincent took the gifts and smiled. “What a surprise.” He inspected each piece and nodded. “This is fine work. Thank you, both.” The children beamed with pride.

Angel smiled and got to her feet. “I’ll get dressed and go milk the cow and get the eggs.”

Vincent took hold of her. “No. I’ll see to it. I want you to go back to bed. You tended Benjamin most of the night, and I know you’re tired. I’ll take care of the milking and such.”

Benjamin had been looking over his knife. He gave Angel a quick glance, then lowered his head again. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

She knew it had taken a lot for him to acknowledge her care. “I was glad to do it, Benjamin. I’m just so happy that you’re better this morning. We wouldn’t be the same without you.”

Angel fell back to sleep without any trouble, and when she awoke, she could smell the undeniable scent of ham. She had cooked everything the day before so that all they had to do was warm it up. Vincent must have taken that upon himself to see to.

She got up and dressed in a dark hunter green wool gown.

The bodice was trimmed in red-and-green plaid and seemed most festive for Christmas.

Normally she would have saved the dress for services at church, but with the snow deposited by the storm, she knew they wouldn’t be driving anywhere any time soon.

After pinning up her hair, Angel whispered a prayer for the day and then opened the door. Ava called out, “Papa! She’s awake!”

Angel paused, wondering what was going on. She looked at Ava for a moment and then stepped from the room. Vincent and Benjamin came in from the dining room.

“You look like Christmas,” Vincent said with a smile. “A beautiful angel.”

“Well, thank you.” She didn’t know why, but his compliment embarrassed her a bit. She glanced toward the rug. “I’m sorry for sleeping so long. What time is it?”

“It’s almost noon. You needed the rest. Benjamin and I have been heating up lunch, so it’s just about ready.”

“And I set the table,” Ava declared.

“That was very kind of you all. I appreciate my Christmas gift.”

“We have another for you,” Benjamin said. He came to Angel and took hold of her hand.

Angel was surprised by his touch. He’d had nothing to do with allowing her to get too close, and for him to take her hand was a big step. She looked up to see where he was leading her, and that’s when she saw it.

The rocking chair. His mother’s rocking chair.

Benjamin brought her to the chair and stopped. “We talked about it. You’re our ma now, and we want you to have this chair.”

Angel couldn’t keep the tears from falling. She knew what it meant ... what they were saying to her. She had finally been accepted into the family ... in full.

Ava hurried over. “Sit down, Angel. Sit down.”

She looked to Vincent, who was smiling. He nodded as if to reassure her. Angel sank onto the wooden seat and eased against the back.

“Don’t cry, Angel.” Ava came to her side.

“These are tears of happiness,” she assured them.

Benjamin touched her arm, patting it as if to comfort her. Angel’s heart was full to overflowing.

“I love you all so much. Thank you for this ... and for letting me be a part of this family.”

Vincent came and knelt in front of her. “We love you, and we’re grateful to God for bringing us an angel.”

She gave a little laugh. “And I got my shepherd and a family. Merry Christmas.”

Vincent touched her cheek, his expression overflowing with love. “Merry Christmas, Angel.”