The Christmas Promise

by Sean D. Young

  “Mr. Baker, if you continue to get better, you’ll make it home just in time for Christmas,” the nurse said to Simeon.

  Simeon watched as she busied herself with the IV pole, changing out the empty bag with another one filled with clear liquid. She checked his vitals and recorded them into the nearby computer.

  “Can you tell me when the doctor is coming in to see me?” He couldn’t wait to talk to the doctor.

  He had been conscious for two days now and getting stronger every day. He was ready to go home so that he could play with his kids and get ready for Christmas. He had so much to celebrate, now that he was getting well.

  The nurse was writing something down on his electronic chart on her tablet, then she looked up at him. “He should be coming around in the next couple of hours, Mr. Baker,” she said before turning and walking out of the room.

  Several hours later, Dr. Collins walked into Simeon’s hospital room.

  “Doc, when can I get out of here?” Simeon asked.

  Dr. Collins turned on the electronic tablet and pulled up Simeon’s chart. After reading it, he moved closer to the bed. “You are doing well, but there are a couple more tests that I’d like for you to take.”

  “When can I take them?” Simeon had no problem with tests because he didn’t want them to miss anything. If there was something else he needed to have corrected, he wanted it to be done before he went home. He didn’t need another episode of what he’d just gone through because he didn’t know if Jennifer or his family would be able to handle it.

  “I’m going to schedule them for later on today and if all goes well, we can send you home in the morning. I know that you want to get home before the holiday, but I want to be careful.”

  Simeon nodded. “I understand and totally agree.”

  Dr. Collins walked to the door. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Thanks, Doc.”

  Three days before Christmas, Simeon Baker and his parents pulled into the driveway of his home. With his mother’s help, he took his time getting out of the car, making his way to the door. He couldn’t wait to see his children; he’d missed their little faces and bright smiles.

  When Jennifer opened the screen door, he could see Mariah and Micah behind her jumping up and down with excitement. He couldn’t help but smile, watching them anxiously awaiting his presence. He barely got past the foyer before they ran to him, grabbing his legs.

  Reaching down, he picked Mariah up first with his left hand, then Micah with the right.

  “Simeon, you shouldn’t be trying to pick them both up at the same time,” his mother said, walking into the house behind him.

  “No worries, Mom, I’ve got them,” he said, placing a kiss on Micah’s cheek, then Mariah’s. The kids clung to him as he carried them down into the family room. He plopped down on the couch with them still in his lap, laughing as if they were playing a game.

  Jennifer went to him and bent to give him a kiss on the lips. “Welcome home, baby,” she said before pulling away.

  “I’ll see you later,” he responded then gave her a wink.

  He could tell that he embarrassed Jennifer because her face turned red when she saw that his mother had been watching. He didn’t care. This was his family and he was finally at home.

  No one could talk Simeon out of playing with Micah and Mariah. Jennifer tried to get him to lie down for a while since she could see that he was getting tired, but he wouldn’t listen to her. She even suggested that maybe Barbara could talk some sense into him, but not even she could tear him away from the kids.

  After they ate a late lunch and she gave Simeon his medication, Jennifer was glad it was time for the children’s nap, so then maybe he would finally do the same. Simeon insisted that they take a nap in the king-sized bed in the master bedroom. He promised that he would rest while they napped, so Jennifer didn’t protest. She made sure that they were all comfortable and then she went back to the kitchen.

  Maxi phoned to give her an update on the happenings at the shop. She also let Jennifer know that she would manage things while she was away, so that she could take as much time as she needed to take care of her family. Jennifer was grateful for her kindness and didn’t worry about the gossip mill.

  Since Simeon’s parents would be in town until the New Year, she didn’t have to worry about leaving him alone. She could still take care of her clients.

  Edward and Barbara were staying in one of the guest rooms at Simeon’s house, so it was very convenient. Their room was on the other side of the house, so she and Simeon would still have their privacy.

  “Jennifer, I see that my son is crazy about Micah and Mariah,” Barbara said, rolling out the dough with a drinking glass.

  Jennifer smiled. “Yes, he is and they love their daddy, too.” She was about to add to her comment when she heard the buzz from her cell phone.

  Looking down at Barbara’s hands, Jennifer said, “I thought my mother was the only person who rolled out dough with a glass.”

  Barbara chuckled. “Yes, honey, we use whatever we have to make it work. I didn’t see a rolling pin, so this is the next best thing.” She lifted the glass. “You just have to make sure that you have enough flour on the glass so the dough won’t stick to it.”

  Quickly rummaging through her purse, she retrieved her phone and answered.

  “Hey, Momma.”

  “How’s Simeon doing?” Myra asked.

  “He and the kids are lying down,” Jennifer replied.

  “I know they were happy to see him.”

  “Oh my goodness yes. And he wouldn’t put them down until they went to bed just now.”

  Myra laughed. “That is so sweet, Jenn.”

  “What are you up to?” Jennifer wanted to know.

  “Do you think it would be okay for us to have the family Christmas Eve gathering at your place?”

  “My apartment wouldn’t hold all the McClendons, Momma.”

  “You know where I’m talking about. Simeon’s house. Where you are now.”

  Jennifer knew what her mother was trying to say. She just hadn’t thought about Simeon’s house as being hers yet since they weren’t married. “Oh, I think that would be a great idea. I’m in the kitchen with Barbara now preparing dinner.”

  “Let me speak to Barbara, then,” her mother asked.

  Jennifer took the phone away from her ear and leaned over to Barbara. “Every year my family has a Christmas Eve dinner with music, games, food and presents. It’s a big McClendon family party. We do it for just about every holiday. My mom is suggesting that they have it here this year. That way Simeon doesn’t have to travel and when he gets tired he can just go and lie down. She would like to speak to you.”

  Barbara had almost finished cutting out circles for her biscuits with the rim of the drinking glass and placing them on a greased cookie sheet. She rinsed her hands, wiping them on a paper towel. “That’s a great idea, I would love to help,” she said, reaching for the phone.

  Jennifer handed her the phone and excused herself to check on Simeon and the kids. Between her mother and Barbara they would work out the logistics. She would just be happy to celebrate Christmas with everyone. The only thing that bothered her was that Christmas Eve was two days away. Would they be able to get the house in order in such a small amount of time? The house was barely furnished, so she had to talk to Simeon and get busy.

  Simeon was excited when Jennifer told him she and his mother were going shopping for the Christmas Eve gathering. He’d given Jennifer full access to get whatever she thought they needed to pull off the party at such short notice.

  With them going shopping, it was a great opportunity for Simeon to do a little shopping of his own. He had contacted a well-known Chicago jeweler about a ring he saw on their website. It was a dainty four-carat pear-shaped platinum diamond ring that seemed to b
e just right for Jennifer. Before purchasing it, he wanted to see it in person and Charlie agreed to take him.

  As soon as he heard Jennifer and Barbara leave the house, he waited thirty minutes, just in case they forgot something and had to come back, before having Charlie come to get him. He was grateful to his father for helping him with the twins and hoped they wouldn’t drive their granddad crazy.

  Two hours later, Simeon had returned with his blue foil-wrapped box with white satin ribbon and a silver bow on top. He, his brother and dad worked well together, getting him out of the house and back before the ladies returned. He couldn’t wait to see Jennifer’s face when he asked her to be his wife.

  Jennifer needed help in transforming the house for the party. Nearly every home on the block had Christmas decorations of some kind, so she had to do something to perk up the drab exterior. She didn’t want to overdo it and have gaudy décor like one of the neighbors with their herd of lighted reindeer sitting on the front lawn. She wanted something a little more understated and elegant. Jennifer found Beth Conway Interior Designs online, a reputable firm that specialized in decorating residential properties for the holidays.

  While Jennifer and Barbara were out, they stopped by Beth’s showroom to talk to her. They fell in love with the festive decorations of the office space, starting with the receiving area, which looked like something out of a magazine. The seating and tables were arranged to look like a formal living area with a fireplace and stockings hanging from it. The two small, but well-decorated Christmas trees stood guard on each side of the mantel.

  Beth was very bubbly, creative and personable. And together, they came up with the perfect concept. Jennifer signed the contract and provided Beth with her credit card information.

  When Beth’s huge delivery truck pulled into the driveway with her crew Christmas Eve morning, Jennifer got excited.

  Beth came inside to check out the space and go over the particulars with Jennifer of which rooms needed to be decorated before they got started. Jennifer simply wanted the outside, foyer, living room, dining room and family room areas to have the Christmas theme. Beth promised Jennifer a festive, yet elegant result for the home.

  The crew started unloading the holiday display pieces and boxes with ornaments, ribbon and bows into the house. Using lush greenery, they affixed wispy cedar and Douglas fir garland that had branches with berries, pinecones and bright LED lights along the doorframe. They topped it off with a matching light-up wreath adorning the heavy dark brown oak. A whimsical season’s greetings design mat lay in front of the door.

  Two male workers added lights around the roofline of the home with the assistance of a ladder while two of the women lined the walkway nicely with potted poinsettias.

  Inside, Beth made the staircase look glamorous by using pre-lit garland with shiny ornaments intertwined, wrapping it around the banister. By the time she finished, it sparkled and shined. The living room looked cozy with the eight-foot white Christmas tree embellished with silver garland, powder-blue lights and blue and silver ornaments.

  There was another Christmas tree in the family room that had multi-colored lights, garland and ornaments with a gold-lamé tree-skirt that shimmered underneath.

  Standing in the foyer, Jennifer was amazed at the transformation. As she walked from room to room, she felt the house looked like it could be on a holiday postcard. Now she just needed to wait for the rental company to bring in the tables, linen and chairs that she ordered.

  The day progressed well and Jennifer finally felt the Christmas spirit. She dropped her phone in an iPod station and started her playlist filled with her favorite Christmas songs.

  “Wow,” Myra said, walking into the kitchen.

  Jennifer lifted her head in surprise. “Mom, how did you get in here?”

  Placing the long covered foil pan on the counter, Myra exhaled. “The garage door was up, so I came in through that door,” she answered, dropping her purse in the chair. “This place is huge, Jenn.”

  “Yeah, Simeon had it built,” Jennifer said, walking over to the counter, lifting a corner on the pan. “Daddy barbecued?”

  “No, your uncle Henry did. He said he wanted us to have something different this year since we just had turkey and dressing at Thanksgiving.”

  Barbara came over to take a peek as well. “I love barbecue.”

  “I know you have more in the car,” Jennifer said.

  Myra looked back in the direction in which she entered the home. “Yes and Faith pulled up right behind me. I don’t know what’s taking her so long. Maybe she got a call from the shop.”

  Jennifer’s sister had been away from her boutique in order to help her during Simeon’s crisis.

  Jennifer snapped a paper towel from the holder. “I’ll grab my coat and go outside and help her.”

  In the next few minutes, she and Faith walked into the kitchen with their arms filled with pans of food. “Momma, how much food did you make?” she asked, hoping she wasn’t smashing something by stacking the pans.

  “We always want to make sure we have enough, isn’t that right, Barbara?” Myra turned to Barbara who was laying the dough in an empty pie pan.

  “Absolutely,” Barbara said in agreement. “In our family folks eat all day, so we just make enough food so you can eat all you want.” Barbara poured the mixture of peaches, cinnamon, brown sugar, lemon juice and cornstarch over into the pan, scraping all the liquid with a wooden spoon.

  Myra looked over into the pan. “Making a peach cobbler, huh, Barbara?”

  Barbara smiled. “I’ve been baking since last night. I’m used to it around the holidays because my family loves it. It’s more therapeutic for me. You know cooking helps clear my head,” she said as she used a pizza cutter to make the strips of dough that would go on the top.

  “Simeon is usually off on assignment or something around the holidays and of course we always missed him.” Barbara gently laid a strip vertically and then another one horizontally across the pan.

  Jennifer leaned against Barbara. “We don’t have to worry about that anymore since he makes his own hours.”

  “Praise God for that. I hardly ever got a chance to see my boy because he was always out of the country. But this time because of his accident, we thought we’d lost him forever, so this Christmas is extra special.” Barbara’s eyes glazed over.

  “Yes, I’ve never felt so blessed,” Jennifer said.

  “What other desserts have you made, Mrs. Baker?” Faith wanted to know.

  “I made vanilla and butter pecan homemade ice cream,” Barbara said. “It’s in the freezer.”

  “Treecie is going to love that butter pecan,” Faith commented.

  “Most of the cakes and pies are in the dining area where I had the tables set up for the food, Faith,” Jennifer said. “Let’s hang up the coats, then I can show you.”

  “How’s Simeon feeling today?” Faith asked Jennifer as they walked down the hall to the front of the house.

  “He’s getting much stronger. I can’t tear him away from those kids.”

  “They’re helping him get better quicker. He doesn’t have time to think about how bad he’s feeling,” Faith said, then smiled.

  Jennifer handed her a coat hanger and pulled out two more for hers and their mother’s. She moved closer to Faith as they stood in front of the coat closet door. “Did you bring an ugly sweater?”

  Faith giggled. “Girl, where does your momma get these crazy ideas?”

  “I’ve heard of people wearing them for fun.” Jennifer said.

  “Yeah, but not us. Can you imagine Treecie participating in the ugly sweater contest?” Faith said, before snickering herself.

  With a somber tone, Jennifer tilted her head to the side before she answered. “Uh, no. I can hear her now saying, ‘What the hell?’”

  Faith shook her head. “That’s wh
at I’m talking about. So, I’m sure most of the family won’t wear them and maybe then we won’t have to play this stupid game.”

  “That’s what I’m saying, especially since Momma said she wanted to post it on social media.”

  Faith turned and walked away. “Oh, no, I’m not getting into that.”

  “Let’s get back in the kitchen before the other folks start coming in and digging in pots and carrying on,” Jennifer said, excited to get the evening started.

  Several hours later, the McClendons and the Bakers were jam-packed in the house. Barbara made the introductions of her sister, Edward’s brother and their families; Jennifer was happy to see that Simeon’s baby sister Samantha, her husband and two daughters had made the journey from Cincinnati to be with them for the holiday. Faith’s fiancée Michael had come in with his mother. It looked like the Baker clan was just as large as the McClendons.

  As they made the last preparations for the meal, Jennifer popped her fingers to “Gee Whiz its Christmas”, a perky Christmas tune by Carla Thomas which oozed from the surround sound speakers as everyone mixed and mingled with one another. Jennifer scanned the crowd, amazed by how they filled the rooms between the two families. They all came to share and celebrate the holidays with them.

  Jennifer stood by the Christmas tree in the den watching how well things were going. People were getting to know each other and some of her family who hadn’t had the chance to come to Thanksgiving dinner had made it this time.

  One by one, her sisters came over to talk to her. She figured they wanted to get the scoop on her relationship with Simeon.

  “This is a beautiful place, Jenn,” Renee said.

  “I bet Mariah and Micah are having a ball here,” Faith commented.

  “So, I guess Simeon isn’t hurting for money,” Patrice said, before Renee punched her in the side.

  Patrice looked over at Renee. “Girl, why did you do that? I didn’t mean any harm, but from the looks of it, the brutha isn’t in need for any money.”

  Jennifer laughed at her sister’s frankness, but that was Patrice, so there was no harm done. “It’s okay, Treecie, I know what you mean.”