"I didn't want to worry you. You have a lot of responsibilities already. To me, this is all a part of being a newly adopted orphan. I remember waking up in the middle of the night when the couple I lived with first gave me back to the orphanage in Orlan. It was awful, and there was no one there to comfort me. Ruby and Opal sometimes took turns, when they noticed. Mostly, I just cried into my pillow. I don't want her to have to do that."
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "So you're getting a lot less sleep than I realized. Could you leave her at the orphanage and nap for an hour or two in the afternoons?"
"There's no time. It's fine. I'll only be working at the orphanage for another week or so, and then I'll have more time. Maybe I can work something out then." She shrugged. "I can manage, but she can't take naps."
"Why don't you wake me up the next time she does it? Let me take a turn."
"It won't help. I'm already awake. No use for both of us to be up." She yawned. "But if you don't mind, I think I'm going to go to bed now. I have a lot to do tomorrow."
Micah watched as she left the room to go to the bed she shared with Chrissy. He'd misjudged her horribly. He hoped he could find a way to apologize.
* * *
Micah spent the entire day Monday trying to think of a way he could apologize properly for assuming Sarah Jane wasn't working hard. He knew her better than that. He'd watched her for a while before he'd shown his interest, and he knew she was a very hard worker. What had come over him to speak to her that way?
He was working on his sermon when he ran across a scripture that gave him an idea. He would have to talk to Penny, but he was certain between the two of them, they could pull it off.
He would let Sarah Jane know that not only did he appreciate her, he valued her as a man should value his wife. Soon, he hoped, they could make their marriage real in every way. For now, she needed help with their daughter, though. If only he could find a way to make her let him help.
* * *
Sarah Jane had never been a coffee drinker, but she'd heard from many that it helped them have energy. She began drinking it as soon as she woke in the mornings and continued until right before supper when Micah got home. She didn't want him to realize that she was needing an aid to stay awake. Surely he'd think even less of her if he found out. She hated that she was disappointing him. She had to find a way to make him realize she was willing to work hard and do anything she needed for her family.
* * *
Saturday was Christmas, and Sarah Jane was up as early as usual. She had finished hemming Chrissy's new dress the night before, sewing frantically during her time with Micah. He'd said nothing other than to compliment her on the pretty dress.
She had breakfast ready and everything in the kitchen cleaned before the other two even came into the kitchen. Chrissy's birthday cake was baked and sitting on the work table, covered with the chocolate frosting Chrissy had asked for. They would have a big family celebration at the Sanders' house later, but they would have a family lunch at home after church services.
Sarah Jane yawned widely as Chrissy rushed into the kitchen, squealing. "It's my birthday, Mama! And it's Christmas! I share a birthday with Jesus."
"Yes, you do! I made pancakes for breakfast because I know they're your favorite."
Chrissy jumped onto her chair, and Sarah Jane brought her a plate of pancakes, all cut up with syrup smothering them, just like she liked.
Micah came in, brushed a kiss on Sarah Jane's lips, and said, "Well, there's my birthday girl! My, she looks older than seven, doesn't she?"
"Oh, much older. Why, she looks eight, even! Where did this beautiful young lady come from, and where is our little girl?"
Chrissy giggled. "I'm right here!"
Micah shook his head. "No! You can't be our Christmas Carol! She's only six."
"I'm seven today, Daddy!" Chrissy smiled at him as he sat down across from her, obviously thrilled everyone was making such a big deal out of her birthday.
Sarah Jane sat down and bowed her head, waiting for Micah to pray.
"Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Son, Who You sent into the world long ago to take away our sins. Thank You for the sacrifice You made. We have our minds and hearts on Him today, the birthday He shares with our little Christmas Carol. Thank You for sending her into our lives. Her laughter and joy make this house a home. No other child could complete us the way she has. So thank You for all of our blessings and the food we are about to eat. In Christ's name. Amen."
After breakfast, they hurried into the parlor, where they'd set up a small Christmas tree right there in the house. Chrissy went on her knees and picked out a present, handing it to Micah so he could tell her who it was for. "That's for you, Chrissy."
They went through each present that way until all three of them had at least one present each in front of them, but Chrissy had four. She smiled as she looked down at her small pile of presents, her eyes lit up happily. "Four presents? Two for my birthday and two for Christmas?"
Sarah Jane shook her head. "Those are your Christmas presents. We'll give you your birthday presents later. It's not fair to get fewer presents just because you were blessed to be born on Christmas."
Sarah Jane looked down at the small package in front of her, not opening it yet. Truly, she didn't care what she received. She was more interested in what she was giving the people she loved.
Chrissy unwrapped her presents first, her new dress the first thing she opened. She held it up to her, spinning in a circle. "I'll look like a princess, Mama!"
Sarah Jane laughed. "And so you will. Just don't start pretending you are a princess and forget that we all have to do our share around here."
Chrissy grinned. "I won't!"
Her second present was a new pair of heavy socks, perfect for winter. She wasn't as excited about those, but she was still pleased. The next thing she opened was a pretty new barrette for her hair. And the last gift was a pair of shoes, just a bit too big, to go with the dress. Now she'd look presentable for church.
Micah nodded to Sarah Jane. "Your turn."
Sarah Jane bit her lip. "Oh, I'd much rather you went first. Please."
Micah looked down at the two gifts in front of him with a slight frown. "I only got you one gift."
"This is two parts to one gift," Sarah Jane explained.
He opened first the small black case. He turned it over in his hands, and then smiled. "I can carry my Bible in here."
Sarah Jane nodded. "That's exactly what I had in mind."
He carefully opened the second gift and stared in surprise at the Bible in his hands. "How did you know I needed a new one?" He'd been planning to buy himself one as soon as he could, but he was supporting a family now, and money was dear.
"How could I not know? You dropped three pages out of your old one at church last Sunday."
He flushed, embarrassed about the incident. "It was my study Bible at school."
"You don't have to explain yourself to me. I just hope you like it."
"Of course I do!" He stared down at it for a moment. "Open your gift."
Sarah Jane carefully untied the wrapping on the gift, opening it carefully. In it was a piece of wood. She turned it over, and the words that had been painted onto it brought tears to her eyes. She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Proverbs 3:15.
"Where did you find this? It's beautiful!" He must have gotten it immediately after they married, before he realized that she wasn't doing her share of the work. She wanted to give it back to him and tell him to find someone who deserved it.
"I told Penny what I needed, and she made it for me. I bought the supplies, of course, but there's no way I could have made it so beautiful."
The plaque had been varnished, and there were small flowers painted in each corner. Even Sarah Jane hadn't realized Penny was so talented.
"Thank you." She laid it down on her lap, fighting the tears. She had no words
to express how badly she felt that she'd let him down.
Chapter Nine
All through the church service, as Micah talked about the Christmas story, he worried that he'd done something that had upset Sarah Jane. He thought she'd accept the apology the way it was meant, but maybe she needed words to go with it. Maybe she was one of those women who needed to have everything spelled out for them. It was difficult for him, but he would apologize, and make certain she knew that he valued her.
Sarah Jane paid careful attention to the sermon, doing her best to help Chrissy pay attention as well. The little girl was so excited about her birthday, and the big party she'd been promised at Edna Petunia's house later, she couldn't sit still for anything.
After the Christmas service, they went home to have their lunch, and give Chrissy her birthday gifts. After lunch they had their dessert.
"Do I get two cakes?" Chrissy asked.
"Why do you need two?" Sarah Jane asked, confused. Why did she think she'd get two?
"Well, we're having one now, but Grandma will surely make me a cake, won't she?"
Sarah Jane laughed at that. "I hadn't thought of it, but I'd be surprised if she didn't make you one. You're right. Are you excited to go over there for your birthday party?" It wasn't truly a big gathering, because it was only family, but with a family as big as Sarah Jane's, it would feel like a celebration.
"Oh, yes. I can't wait. Do you think I'll get more presents there?"
"You'll just have to wait and see, won't you? You know you can't ask for presents, though, right? If people want to give them to you, they'll do it without you asking."
"Yes'm. I know."
Micah then brought in the gift he'd made for Chrissy's birthday. It was a small cradle for the baby doll she'd gotten at the orphanage Christmas party.
When Chrissy saw it, she gasped with delight, running to get her doll, whom she'd named Sally.
Sally fit perfectly in the cradle, and Chrissy smiled, talking to her softly as she tucked her in. "I'll be right here with you, so if you get scared during the night or have nightmares, you'll have nothing to worry about. I love you, Sally."
Sarah Jane felt tears prick her eyes at the words. They were word for word what she told Chrissy every night before they slept. "You're a good mama, Chrissy."
Chrissy looked at Sarah Jane, and all at once, she ran across the room at her, throwing her arms around her. "You're a wonderful mama! I'm so glad you're going to keep me!"
Sarah Jane was surprised at the confidence in Chrissy's voice. For some reason, she seemed to know all of a sudden she wouldn't be sent back to the orphanage. She'd never been confident before.
"We love you. Of course we're keeping you."
"I know." Chrissy smiled up at Sarah Jane.
"How do you know?"
"You wouldn't have made me special things if you weren't going to keep me. You might have made me clothes to wear so I wouldn't embarrass you, but you wouldn't have made anything for Sally. So you're keeping me."
Sarah Jane smiled at the wisdom in the girl's words. "We certainly are."
Micah grinned as he watched the two of them, happy to see that Chrissy seemed to realize she really did have a permanent place with them. "Are you ready to go to your grandma's house now?"
Chrissy nodded. "Can I take Sally and her cradle?"
"Of course you can." Sarah Jane put her arm around the girl's shoulders as they walked toward the buggy, Sally held in Chrissy's arms.
Micah picked up the cradle and followed them out to the buggy. He'd already hitched the team for them, and he helped his ladies up. The whole way to the Sanders' house, Chrissy chattered on and on about how wonderful her birthday and Christmas had been.
Cletus was waiting outside for them when they arrived, and he lifted Chrissy down, carrying her into the house. Sarah Jane followed closely behind them, grinning as she heard Cletus call out in his most formal voice, "Hear ye, hear ye, the birthday princess has arrived!"
The older couple had made a big deal out of celebrating each of the girls' birthdays since their arrival in Texas, so Sarah Jane had known they'd do something special for the little girl as well. Edna Petunia called out from the kitchen, "Take her to the informal parlor, and we'll have presents, and then we'll have cake!"
Chrissy was squirming so much, Cletus almost dropped her. "Presents? I thought we were just having cake here," Chrissy said.
"Oh, we couldn't let such a special birthday go by without giving you presents!" Cletus told her.
All of Sarah Jane's "sisters" were waiting in the parlor, including Opal and Ruby. Opal had her sons on her lap, and Ruby sat, exhausted, on a sofa with the twins playing at her feet.
"Where's Florence?" Sarah Jane asked, referring to Opal's step-daughter.
"She wasn't feeling well, so she stayed home. I think she really just wanted some quiet time without the boys getting into everything."
Sarah Jane grinned. "Do you blame her?"
"Not one bit." Opal yawned, turning her attention to Chrissy.
Chrissy was led to a dining-room chair that had been placed in the middle of the room and had been decorated with bright strips of cloth. "The birthday chair!" Evelyn announced.
Sarah Jane felt tears prick her eyes as she looked at the sweet child. Chrissy was overwhelmed by the love being poured out onto her, and she was beaming from ear to ear. Why, her face looked as if it would break if she tried to smile any bigger.
Each of Sarah Jane's sisters, in order of age, took Chrissy a gift. They had been doing things in order of their age for years, so it was automatic for them to continue on that way.
First Ruby had Robert, her eldest son, take a small brightly wrapped package to Chrissy. Chrissy looked at Sarah Jane for permission to open it.
"Of course you may open each gift as it's brought to you, Chrissy," Sarah Jane told her, smiling at Micah, who was gripping her hand. She knew this was a big moment for her new daughter.
Chrissy carefully untied the string and found a tiny quilt made for a doll. "Oh, thank you!" she said. "This will keep Sally warm at night!"
Opal brought her gift to Chrissy next, a pair of mittens and a matching scarf.
Evelyn and Gertrude were next. They had made matching nightgowns for Chrissy and Sally. When Chrissy opened the gifts, she squealed with excitement. "Now my baby can look just like her mama! I'm her mama," she explained patiently.
Everyone laughed at her excitement. All of the girls remembered what it was like to receive some cast-off clothes for Christmas and their birthdays and nothing more, so they were thrilled to be able to see the girl receive gifts that she would enjoy.
Betsy and Hope were next. Betsy gave her a small hand mirror, and Hope had made some pretty hair bows for her and for Sally.
Penelope outdid everyone with her gift, as usual. She had made a beautiful dress for Chrissy, and then she'd pulled out a matching dress for Sally. When everyone had finished fussing over the dresses, she pulled out one more dress for Sarah Jane.
Sarah Jane felt tears pop into her eyes as she took the dress. "Now I can look just like my daughter for church tomorrow."
"I can't wait! I want to look like my mama!"
As she watched Chrissy open the rest of her presents, Sarah Jane realized how much she loved the girl. Chrissy showed impeccable manners as she thanked each person who gave her a gift.
When it came time for Edna Petunia's gift, Sarah Jane was almost afraid. The old woman was always offering the girls nips from her flask, so one never knew what was going to come from the old woman's mouth.
"My gift is for you, Chrissy, but it's also for your parents."
Chrissy watched the older woman, her hands folded in her lap and her gifts spread around her. She had obviously never been given so many gifts in one day and was overwhelmed by the whole experience. "It is?"
Edna Petunia nodded, her old face lit up with a smile. "I'm going to keep you for two nights so your parents can have a bit of time alone togethe
r. As soon as the three of you are ready."
Sarah Jane looked at Micah and blushed. She knew it wasn't time yet, but soon, it probably would be. She had to get Chrissy over her nightmares first.
Chrissy clapped. "I'd love to stay with you and all of my aunts!"
Edna smiled. "It'll be like having a giant party that lasts all night."
While Edna Petunia was putting the birthday cake on the table to get ready to serve it, Micah pulled Sarah Jane aside. "Do you think she's ready to spend a night here with them?"
Sarah Jane frowned, shaking her head. "Not yet. Maybe in a few weeks. She's still waking with nightmares every night. I can't ask anyone else to deal with that."
He sighed. "I would like some time alone with you, but Chrissy needs to come first."
"Yes, she does. Maybe in a week or two." Sarah Jane rested her hand on his chest and stood on tiptoes to kiss him. "Soon."
"More kissing. Everyone in this family is always kissing," Robert complained as he walking into the dining room. "Good thing there's cake. Otherwise, I might have to throw up."
Sarah Jane rolled her eyes. "This is Ruby's oldest. He tried to convince Lewis that Ruby would leave him if he kissed her too much."
Micah's eyes were full of laughter. "Obviously, he wasn't successful."
"No. And Ruby doesn't seem to mind the kissing." Sarah Jane followed the others into the dining room, and they watched as Chrissy basked in the happiness that came from being the guest of honor.
"I wish it was my birthday every day!" Chrissy said.
* * *
Monday was the first day Sarah Jane got to stay home with Chrissy. She woke early as always, but she was able to cook breakfast and take her time doing the dishes. She had extra work on her agenda, because Ruby still needed meals made, but at least she wasn't working at the orphanage any longer.
As much as she loved the children there, she knew her new daughter needed her more. She wondered some days if they would have children of their own or adopt more, but she never talked to Micah about it. For the time being, Chrissy was all she could handle.
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