by Mimi Barbour
After they were all seated, Abbie stood to get everyone’s attention and lifted her glass. “I want to make a toast. You’ve all been so kind today, and I wanted you to know how much I appreciate your caring. I’ve enjoyed being a part of these festivities and look forward to many more.” Then she turned to the man at her side and leaned down to kiss his cheek. “Marcus, my darling, I’m blessed by your love.”
Not to be outdone, Marcus stood and spoke, and then each of the others took a turn. The quips became more and more outrageous, and laughter flowed along with the wine. Now this is what families should be all about, Abbie thought. Enjoying each other with laughter and hugs. I’m so lucky to be a part of it all.
Later, after they’d unwrapped some of their gifts, she joined them in the foyer. Everyone put on their heavy winter overcoats, adorned with Christmas corsages bought by Madeline, and they added their new scarves and mitts, made by Abbie. They all thanked her once more for her thoughtful presents. Once everyone was ready, they made their way to join in the town’s festivities.
Upon their arrival, the first person Abbie saw was the vicar, dressed in his Santa suit. He bustled around, getting in everyone’s way. “Oh, my dears, I’m so glad you’ve come a bit early. No one else has arrived yet, and I’m getting terribly anxious. And awfully hot. Maybe I should have waited to get dressed in my finery.”
Abbie went to hug the little man and calm him at the same time. “Father, hush. Everything will be just fine. Step outside for a moment to cool down, and it would probably help if you took off the whiskers and hat until the people start to arrive. As far as the rest, we’re here now and we’ll help get things set up. Tell us what’s to be done.”
“The kitchen. No one has opened up in there, and we need to get the coffee and tea started and set out the trays of cookies and cakes. The goodies have been arriving all afternoon, but all I did was put them in the cold room out back. The stage is ready, and Sister Agnes called to say they weren’t going to appear until the last minute, as the children would get too excited. And, let me see, oh, yes—Frank has taken the vicarage bus and has gone to pick up the seniors from The Gardens. They’ll be here shortly and have promised to pitch in serving the refreshments.”
Abbie bit her lip to stop from grinning, happy to see the vicar in his stride. “Father Witherby? I’d like to introduce you to my parents, Corrie and Hans Strauss. They’ve found me, thanks to Madeline, and I’m ever so grateful.”
“Yes, she told me earlier. Welcome, and God bless.” He shook their hands, then wrapped an arm around Abbie. “Your daughter is one of my very favourite people. If everyone had even half her heart, the world would be a far better place.”
Hans stepped forward. “Seems she takes after her mother, then, because I’m far too crotchety.”
Laughter set the mood for the evening. The women went to work in the kitchen while the men helped set out more chairs.
A little later, Abbie felt the presence of someone close behind her. As she turned, Mrs. Pearson stepped close and kissed her cheek. The woman appeared so much younger than the previous time she’d seen her. Contentment shone from her eyes, and the tense expression she usually wore was missing.
“Mrs. Pearson. I’m so happy to see you looking this well. What have you done with yourself?”
“Since I saw you last, I’ve moved over to the Gardens and become immersed in their book club to the point that they’ve elected me chairperson. I’ve been spending a lot of time reading to some of the residents who’ve lost their sight, and that’s helped me make so many new friends. Abbie, I don’t know why I didn’t take your advice years ago. It took a rather smart young man to make me see I had been a foolish, stubborn old lady.”
“Yes, Marcus told me he’d convinced you to move. I’m ever so glad. Did you know he’s my fiancé? We got engaged last night.”
“See, I knew he was smart.” They both laughed and then joined the others to start carrying the trays of food from the kitchen to the decorated tables lined up on each side of the hall.
“Abbie!” Dr. Andrews and Mrs. Dorn approached, each with cherry-red cheeks and delight evident in their smiles. Both hugged her, but then Dr. Andrews spoke, cutting off Mrs. Dorn’s squeals of pleasure. “I knew you’d be well enough to attend. Last night when the hospital called, alarmed and ready to telephone the police, I told them you’d regained your strength and would be fine. And that I thought you had plans. Seems I was right, if the gossip I’ve been hearing is correct.”
“If the gossip you’ve heard is that Marcus and I are engaged, then it is correct. If you’ve heard that my parents have found me and are in attendance tonight, you’re also correct.” She smiled at their astonishment.
“Aw, God luv yer, pet, I’m that happy for ya.” Mrs. Dorn wiped her eyes with a fancy hankie and beamed. “Come on, then, I’ll give a hand with you in the kitchen.” Putting her arm through Abbie’s, she about-turned them both.
Soon the hall filled up, and once the kitchen chores were finished Abbie went to look for Marcus. He sidled up to her, leaned close, and entwined their fingers. She let her head rest on his shoulder as her eyes swept the decorations that brought the room alive with Christmas.
The town’s children had made miles of red-and-green paper chains, which now hung scalloped along each wall. They’d also taped masses of coloured Christmas trees around the room and filled the real one with handmade paper angels and silver balls. On one wall a giant Father Christmas hung, and his merry smile beamed at the congregation. Swallowing with difficulty, Abbie blinked away the hovering tears and whispered, “Isn’t it lovely? Such a feeling of fellowship, it gladdens my heart.”
Steered by a youth on one side and a little girl on the other, a woman stopped as soon as she spotted Abbie and Marcus. The family might have been poor and shabbily dressed, but they looked well fed and much healthier than the last time they’d all been together. Marcus smiled and nodded. “Good evening, Mrs. Sykes. I’m glad to see you and your family tonight.”
“Thank you, sir. It’s nice that we were able to come. Thank you for arranging the car to pick us up. I hope you don’t mind that I asked our neighbours to join us? You see, they had nowhere else to go.”
“Not at all, madam. Enjoy the evening.”
Mrs. Sykes turned to Abbie and they both smiled down at the little girl as she hugged Abbie around the knees. “Merry Christmas, Abbie. It’s lovely to see you looking so well.”
Abbie reached down, picked up the child, and kissed her cheek. “Hello, Pet.” Then she answered the other woman. “Merry Christmas, Margaret. It seems forever since I’ve seen you. I’ll visit after the holidays, shall I? We’ll have a good old natter and get caught up on everything.”
“I’d like that,” Margaret said, and then proudly added, “I’ll be at work after four o’clock each day so maybe you wouldn’t mind coming in the early afternoon?”
“It’ll be my pleasure. Merry Christmas!”
Both Abbie and Marcus watched the family join their friends. She smiled into his eyes and whispered, “Have I told you today how much I adore you?”
He winked. “I’d rather you show me—later.”
Sounds of feet stomping, the clamouring voices of excited children, and greetings of holiday cheer rang all around, breaking into their little world and bringing them back to earth. The noise created a happy din that Abbie enjoyed.
Above the ruckus, they heard someone call Marcus’ name, and they both turned in the direction of the voice. A distinguished-looking middle-aged gentleman approached with his hand reaching, ready to shake. “Marcus, my dear fellow, I’m very glad I ran into you tonight. I’ve brought my family to see the town of Bury, and we opted to stay for the concert after the vicar kindly invited us.” The man pointed to where a well-dressed woman and two teenagers were being greeted by the closest townsfolk. “I can’t tell you how happy I was to get your phone call, not to mention the follow-up presentation you sent me about Bury and its promising pote
ntial for future development. Your flawless work cut through a lot of time for our company, and after we did a bit of our own investigating, we could see how well adapted this area would be for our needs. I’m quite sure we’ll be bringing a project to the vicinity later in the New Year, by way of a rather large mill where we’ll be focussing on the fancier types of paper.”
Abbie felt her pride in Marcus flourish as she watched him talk to his colleague. She listened as he told the other man he’d gotten the idea to draw up the plans after helping a young barmaid on the street escape from a bad situation. He added, after winking at Abbie, that someone close to his heart had explained about the lack of employment in the town being a major cause of problems with unruly youths. This state of affairs had prompted him to make the approach.
Recalling the night in question, Abbie accepted that nothing got past her man. I must remember this trait in the future and not be quite so choke-full of myself for having managed to pull the wool over his eyes periodically. I suspect he’s onto most everything that’s happening around him.
Just then the door opened and the orphanage group, en masse, burst into the hall. Their noise rose until the Sisters took the children in hand and tried to steer them behind the curtain on the stage where the nativity would be performed. All would have been well, except that they spotted Abbie. As one, they rushed to cluster around her. Cries of, “You’re back! I’m ever so glad to see you,” and “I knew you’d be here to see us tonight,” rang out as they each reached for her.
She hugged them all and didn’t notice that Cece hung back to march over to Marcus’ side.
Chapter Twenty-five
Her little hand found his. “Thank you, sir, for bringing Abbie. You didn’t break your promise.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Of course I didn’t break my promise. I always keep my word. Good luck tonight. I’ll be close by, watching you, and if at any time you forget anything, look at me, and I’ll help you. The carol you chose is probably the only song I know all the words to.”
“I will.” She tugged on his hand until he kneeled down so she could whisper in his ear. “Nicholas cried—all day.”
Sadness filled him until he saw the wicked glint in her eye. Something was up. “You didn’t mind?” he asked, curious.
Her sly expression intensified. “I helped him—”
“Come along, children. We must get ready. Everyone is starting to sit down now, and the celebration will begin soon.” Sister Agnes hurried to gather the children and stopped Abbie as she made to follow. “Not tonight, my dear. Stay and enjoy the children’s performance.” Once the Sisters had the children assembled and heading toward the back of the stage, Sister Agnes beamed at Marcus and whispered in his direction. “I’d like to talk with you as soon as we get the little ones ready.”
“Of course, Sister. Any jobs you have for me?”
“Keep Abbie company.”
“That’s not a job, Sister, that’s a pleasure.”
“I’ve no doubt, my good man, I’ve no doubt. Come, children, let’s get this show on the road.”
Marcus guided Abbie to the front, where both their families awaited them. They were to sit near the vicar, who’d saved them seats. Madeline, her face lit with happiness, tapped the chair next to her own and pulled Abbie down, forcing Marcus to sit at the end of the row. In case Cece needed him, he figured the seat was probably the easiest to get out of anyway, so he settled down to enjoy the show.
Perversely, something niggled at him and made him feel restless. Why in the world did Sister want to talk to him later? The fact that she’d looked happy shocked him somewhat. She knew how desperate they’d been to adopt Nicholas and how hurt they were to have lost him. Why would she look so cheerful?
However, before he could figure out what the hell had just happened, the curtain opened and some of the older kids stepped forward and began to sing the more popular carols. They followed the direction of one of the younger nuns, who invited everyone in the audience to join in.
After the angelic darlings finished, Cece, dressed in her long, white silk robe, stepped up on a special platform behind where the manger scene lay waiting for the actors. She stood with her golden bouncing curls encircling her pretty face and her tiny hands in a prayer-like position, resembling a small statue. She waited patiently for her cue.
But now that the piano had stopped playing and the voices had stopped singing, the furious wailing of a baby could be heard from the back of the church.
Shuffling noises from behind the curtain, accompanied by rustling and periodic crashes, let the audience know something was amiss. Meanwhile the cries grew louder and fiercer. It was obvious to those who recognized his sound that the baby Jesus refused to behave like a holy child, and was being more like a holy terror. Marcus felt Abbie start to stand, but he pulled her back when he saw Sister Agnes scurrying their way.
The nun bent to whisper so they could both hear. “Is it possible we might call on you two for help? Unless you come, I don’t believe the nativity will go on.”
“Of course, Sister,” Marcus replied, as he and Abbie moved to walk behind her.
As soon as they reached the area behind the curtains, Abbie rushed to where the sobbing, hysterical child struggled and squirmed in the arms of one of the older nuns. Gathering Nicholas into her arms, Abbie held him close and shushed him with love words and kisses. Marcus followed, in order to get as close as he could, so the baby would see his face.
“Sorry to interrupt your chance to watch Cece from the audience, but our Baby Jesus will ruin everything unless we can beg your help. Frank and Martha—Jesus and Mary—are quite willing to give you their costumes if you and Abbie will play their roles. Nicholas won’t behave for anyone else, thank you, Lord, and it looks like we have to depend on you.”
“Why are you thanking the Lord?” Marcus had seen the glee in her expression when she’d said those words, and his heart started beating double-time. Something was up, he’d bet his bank account on it.
“Because he cried all last evening, and today, too, when his prospective parents visited. And because they couldn’t soothe him no matter what they did, and because they became so frustrated as the hours wore on, they’ve declined to take him, after all. When I told them he’d been acting the same way on and off since birth, I might have misled them somewhat, but I never did lie. It’s true that when he spends too long away from Abbie he becomes distraught.”
Marcus grabbed her hands and hung on. “What are you trying to tell me?” His legs turned rubbery.
“They’ve backed out of the adoption, Marcus. Decided to try for a child of their own for one more year. May God bless and keep them! And grant them their wish.” She made the sign of the cross, and Marcus found himself copying her actions. But his joy couldn’t be held in. He lifted her in his arms and swung her around, and then followed that with a loud smacking kiss to her cheek.
Rushing to Abbie and Nicholas, he begged, “Abbie, don’t cry, my love. He’s ours. The other couple has backed out. He’s ours.” Choking on the words, Marcus swept both Abbie and the now quiet baby into a hug and rocked them both. First his lips found Nicholas’ forehead and then Abbie’s. “He’s ours.”
He’d never forget the joy spread across Abbie’s face. Never!
“We can adopt him?” Her voice quivered so badly he had trouble making out her words.
“Yes, my darling girl. We can and will adopt him.”
A loud cough interrupted their kiss. Sister Agnes, ever so thoughtful, gave them a minute to not only wipe away the baby’s tears but also their own.
“You want us to play Joseph and Mary? What is it that we have to do and say?” At that moment, Marcus could have sung “God Save the Queen” in front of Her Royal Highness, he felt so empowered.
“The children are the ones who have lines, not you or Abbie. All you need to do is follow the Three Wise Kings out on stage to where the manger is, and lay the baby there. Then kneel and look at him the
way you are right now, and it’ll go perfectly. We’ve told Cece to sing her song once you’re settled, and then when the Kings bring you their gifts, accept them and wait for the final song, ‘O Holy Night,’ which everyone will sing with the choir.” That’s when we’ll close the curtains, and it’ll be over.”
While Sister talked, Abbie passed Nicholas to Marcus and pulled the filmy blue-and-white robe on over her dress. Once Sister fixed her veil, Marcus had to hand Nicholas back. At that moment, no one other than Abbie could have taken the baby away from him without a fight.
Nicholas was now lying placidly, cooing and babbling for all he was worth, as if he had a story that needed telling and had only waited for Abbie so he could share it. His tears had dried, and only the occasional hiccup and quiver of his lower lip reminded them of his recent heartbreaking performance.
Marcus, seeing Sister’s edginess, hurried to get his robe on over his suit but got stuck halfway into it. He had to bend over and put his hands out in front so they could peel the garment back off him. Everyone began to talk at once and offer suggestions until, thinking quickly, he took off his jacket and tie and then yanked the material into place, cussing under his breath at Frank’s smaller build. He plopped the silly headgear on top of his hair, squashed it down as far as it would go, and then took Abbie’s arm. By then, everyone else was ready. They all stepped into place and made their way onto the stage while the audience quieted.
Like the little angel she was, Cece watched them kneeling and a smile lit up her face. She stepped from her perch and reached down to take Nicholas’ hand in hers. She stayed in the same position during the following recitals, and when her time to sing arrived, she waited for her cue and started without any hesitation whatsoever.
Her tiny voice rang out in the now silent room, and Marcus watched as most of the congregation wiped at their eyes and tried to hide their trembling lips behind their hands. Even the men he saw in the audience were touched, moved beyond words. Tears crowded into his throat, while he lifted his hand furtively to place it on Cece’s tiny back in support, and was glad he’d thought to reassure her. As soon as she felt his touch, she smiled into his eyes and sang even louder. Everyone heard the joy she felt by the way she motioned with her body, sweeping her arms wide to encompass the crowd with the last few words of the final verse.