Words Heard In Silence / Xena Uber

by T. Novan

  "I suppose so." She yawned then sighed. "I am tired, Charlie, and I have had enough contemplation of the despicable Mrs. Williams for this evening. Take me to bed."

  "Willingly, my beloved." Charlie swept Rebecca up in his arms and proceeded to march up stairs. "Shall we go and enjoy the first of many Christmas Eves together, my love?"

  "We shall dear." She held close to him as they went up the steps. "You know, I have never slept with a General before."

  "Well, darling, you will tonight. But I fear we will not be able to sleep in late tomorrow, for I heard little Em telling Lizbet she wanted to get up early to see what ‘‘pwesents’ Father Christmas had brought her."

  Chapter 21

  D ecember 25, 1864

  The first silver light of false dawn had just begun to lighten the shades when Charlie woke. He was curled around Rebecca’s body, keeping her warm through the chilliest part of the night. He had an uncomfortable feeling of being watched.

  Very carefully, he untangled himself from Rebecca, moving quietly so as not to awaken her. Slowly he rolled over and opened his eyes.

  A pair of very serious blue eyes topped with tousled black hair looked back at him. "Mewwy Chwistmas, Papa." Tess had admonished the little girl that asking what Father Christmas brought her was not polite. Good little girls said ‘‘Merry Christmas.’ Today, Em wanted her presents as quickly as possible, so being good was very important.

  Two little hands appeared at the edge of the bed. The bed was too high for her to climb into without help. "Up, Papa," she demanded. "Em cold."

  Charlie reached one arm out. Two very cold little hands wrapped themselves around his wrist and he pulled the child up onto the bed and under the covers with him. Considerable squirming resulted as the child happily settled in and managed quickly to maneuver herself to the warmest spot in the bed - between Charlie and Rebecca. Rebecca’s first conscious awareness of the morning was a pair of very cold little feet tucked against her side.

  Without rolling over Rebecca murmured. "We have a guest."

  Em cuddled against Rebecca’s back. "Mewwy Chwistmas, Mamma ‘‘Becca."

  Rebecca rolled over and wrapped the little girl in her arms, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "Merry Christmas, Em. Do you know how early it is? Could you let Papa and me sleep just a little more?"

  Em knew she was not allowed to go down the big stairs by herself, but Papa had told her last night that someone called Father Christmas was going to come and put a surprise under the big tree just for her. She did not quiet understand why he was going to do this, but that did not matter. What mattered was that she was getting a big surprise and she could not wait to get down there and see what it was. Excited blue eyes looked back at Rebecca. "No, now."

  Charlie, who normally rose at this hour anyway, was thoroughly enjoying watching Em wrap Rebecca around her little finger. Usually, he was the object of the child’s demands; this time, Rebecca was definitely in the child’s sights.

  Rebecca looked to Charlie who was watching the exchange with a huge smile on his face. "Oh, you hush up, Charles Redmond!" she scolded with a smile of her own.

  "Does that mean I should get up and stoke the fire, dear? I could put your kettle on the hob as well, if you wish." Charlie was all sweetness and solicitation, but there was a wicked little gleam in his eye.

  "Yes, I think that is exactly what that means, you evil man. Em and I will just stay nice and warm all tucked away in the down. You may fetch us when the room warms up." She paused and smiled at him, "considerably."

  Charlie rose and shrugged into his robe. A little searching was necessary, as the carpet slippers that normally resided right beside the bed where he could step into them had somehow gone wandering. Finally, he knelt down and rummaged under the bed, dredging the slippers back from where two small, bare feet had kicked them as their small visitor had climbed up his arm. As he stoked the fire, coaxing flames from the banked coals and carefully feeding more wood to heat the room, he heard giggles and some very high pitched squeals coming from beneath the covers.

  He filled the kettle from the pitcher, set it on the hob and walked back over to the bed. There were no heads showing, but under the down comforter there was quite a bit of suspicious movement. "Are you two having a command conference in there?"

  "Yes, we are, Papa," came the muffled reply that Charlie knew had to be Rebecca. "We are discussing what Father Christmas may have brought you this morning."

  "Oh, dear. I hope I have not been too bad this year, or he may have brought me sticks and coals."

  The covers came whipping down and Em squealed and giggled. "Papa good."

  "And what about you, Em. Have you been good, or did Father Christmas bring you sticks and coals?"

  "Em very good," she giggled then suddenly got a very serious look on her face, glancing back and forth between them. "Yes?"

  Charlie smiled at the child. "Em is very, very good." He reached down and caressed the top of her head. "Papa thinks you have been very good indeed."

  "But Papa may just get coal for teasing you, Em. What do you think of that? Does Papa get coal?"

  "No, Mamma ‘‘Becca. Papa good. Papa get kisses." The child held her face up to Charlie, all puckered to deliver one immediately.

  Rebecca laughed as Charlie was graced with what could only be called a wet, sloppy baby kiss.

  But that was not sufficient for the child. Papa deserved kisses from everybody, as far as she was concerned. "Mamma ‘‘Becca. Kiss Papa."

  "Have you been a good boy, Charlie? Do you deserve a kiss from Mamma ‘‘Becca?" She gave him her best coy smile.

  Charlie looked deep into Rebecca’s eyes. In an instant, the moment had shifted from lighthearted play to deep intimacy. "I think that is for you to say, my love."

  Without a word, she leaned over and graced him with a kiss. Em was quite pleased to see Mamma ‘‘Becca and Papa sharing a kiss until she had been stuffed between them just a little too long for her comfort. She pushed on Charlie. "Papa kiss Em."

  Charlie drew back from Rebecca’s lips and promptly kissed the little girl soundly on the forehead. His eyes never left Rebecca’s. As the kiss ended, he murmured "Merry Christmas, my beloved."

  The kettle on the hob began to whistle. With a lingering smile and a soft caress that started with Rebecca’s cheek and passed over Em’s head, he turned and poured the water into the teapot.

  Rebecca rose, carrying the child with her, and went to sit before the fire. She poured tea for the three of them, liberally dosing the child’s with honey and cream. Charlie splashed some of the water from the kettle into his washbowl and began lathering his shaving brush. Em watched, fascinated as Charlie spread the thick lather over his cheeks and chin.

  Em squirmed out of Rebecca's lap and made her way across the room. Once next to Charlie she tugged on his robe. "Papa?"

  "Yes, little one?" Charlie spoke a little absent-mindedly, as he stropped his razor.

  This was not nearly good enough for the little girl and she only tugged harder on Charlie's robe. "Papa!"

  Charlie stopped in mid-strop. "What do you want, Em?"

  "Down, Papa."

  Charlie crouched down until the two of them were face to face. "Yes?"

  Em immediately put her hands in the thick foam covering his face. She then squealed with delight and clapped her hands together covering them both in the foamy white froth. Then she took what was left on her own hands and smeared it on her face. From her spot near the fire Rebecca roared with laughter.

  Charlie, with soap in both eyes, groped for a towel, squinting at the howling Rebecca through the tears in his eyes. "Ahhhh," he sighed, "that stings." He turned to the child in front of him. "And you, little one. Shaving soap is for men, not little girls."

  Not to be deterred, Em managed another handful of soap, which went promptly into her mouth. This only served to make her gag and then to cry as bubbles foamed out of her mouth.

  Charlie’s head dropped onto his chest
, smearing more shaving soap over his nightshirt. Since it was already covered in soapy foam, what did a little more matter? He took the towel that he had used to wipe his own eyes, wiped the foam from the child’s lips, and fumbled for the glass of water he kept on the bedside table. "Here, honey. Take some water in your mouth, swish it around, then spit it into the bowl." A few tries resulted in both of them being soaked, and a rather subdued little Em curled in Papa’s arms. "See, honey. I told you that shaving soap was not for little girls." Charlie looked at Rebecca, a plea for rescue in his eyes.

  Rebecca put down her tea cup and crossed the room, relieving Charlie of a quietly whimpering Em, who now hiccupped a couple of times before wiping her runny nose all over Rebecca's night gown. After settling down next to the fire and cuddling the child, Rebecca looked up to Charlie. "How many children did we want again?"

  Charlie grinned ruefully. "As many as you want, dear."

  "Very tactful, General Redmond. Non-committal, but tactful."

  "Well, dear. I think that we might start with whatever the good Lord gives us and go on from there. Speaking of which, do you think Lizbet is up and about yet? This little one needs to get dry and dressed, as I believe that Father Christmas may have paid us a little visit."

  Rebecca stood up, careful not to jostle Em very much. "I'm sure she is. You finish getting dressed and I'll see to it."

  Charlie rang for Lizbet, and then finished shaving and dressing, while Rebecca carried the child back to her room. When Rebecca returned, he was dressed, not in his uniform, but in his gray civilian suit.

  "Why, Mr. Redmond. You are the most handsome thing I have ever seen." She walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Hmm and you smell good, too."

  "All for you, my love. I thought I would attend church today as the newest member of the community, rather than as the local military government. I will let Sheridan take that role for a change. Now you, ma’am, need to get dressed or we will again have an impatient little one tugging at our knees –– and Heaven only knows what mess she will create this time."

  "Yes, Mr. Redmond. Right way, sir." Rebecca teased as she drew open her wardrobe and removed a light blue dress that had been fashioned just for this occasion. "Will this do?"

  Charlie looked tenderly at his lovely fiancéée, barely noticing the dress and entranced by the joyous smile on her face. "My dear, it will do very well. Shall I help you?"

  Rebecca laughed and held her gentleman at arms length. "I am supposed to be getting dressed, Charlie. If you help me, we will miss Christmas morning and church. Then we will have both Em and Mrs. Williams calling for our heads."

  "Oh, Lord. One of them I can handle; both of them would be far too much, even for me."

  Charlie left the room as Lizbet entered to lace Rebecca into her dress. He collected a now dry and dressed Em and headed out of the door. "Well, little one, shall we go and admire Father Christmas’ handiwork?"

  Charlie and Em met General Sheridan on the stairs. "Good morning, Sir."

  "Good morning, Redmond. Merry Christmas. And Merry Christmas to you, Miss Emily." Sheridan had found out about the child’s relationship with Charlie from Polk. "I can smell the coffee from here, so I assume your Sarah has breakfast ready."

  "Yes, Sir. She has become accustomed to my early hours. I think we may see more than just the usual early birds at the breakfast table this morning."

  The three of them proceeded downstairs. As they passed by the tree, with the presents spread out beneath it, Em got upset.

  "Papa! Pwesents!"

  "Breakfast first, Em."

  Em looked to her Papa, back to the tree and back to her Papa. "Pwease?" Sheridan muffled a snort behind the disguise of coughing as Charlie was confronted with the pouty lower lip.

  Charlie reached into his pocket and pulled out a small package. "See this package? Father Christmas gave it to me, and told me that it was the first thing you should open, but that you had to have your breakfast first. Now, you know you have to do what Father Christmas asked."

  Em sighed and laid her head on Charlie's shoulder. "Yes, Papa. Em good."

  "Well done, Redmond. I have always found bribery to be very effective."

  Charlie smiled. "I have always believed that reason and negotiation are far superior to force, Sir."

  The three proceeded to the dining room, where, as had become their habit, Charlie settled into his chair with Em on his knee. Two dishes were set before him, one with his breakfast, the other with Em’s cereal. Sheridan eyed Charlie as he finished tying Em’s bib around her neck and silently handed him an extra napkin. . "You may find this useful. If I had known about this meal-time practice, I would have had a bib made for you, as well."

  "Yes, well, my batman has been very…… tolerant of the situation."

  Dr. Walker swept into the room, giving Em a peck on the head before taking her seat. "Good morning everyone." She glanced around the room. "Where is Rebecca this morning, Charlie? She is not ill is she?"

  "Not at all. We had a little…… adventure this morning with Em that delayed her dressing. I expect her any moment."

  "I will not even bother to ask." Elizabeth chuckled as she placed her napkin in her lap and poured a cup of coffee.

  Em took the opportunity to take her spoon and dig it into her cereal bowl, gathering a large clump, which was immediately offered to Charlie. "Papa eat."

  "That is Em’s. Papa will eat his own breakfast." Charlie took a forkful of eggs. "Ready?" The child nodded and together the two of them took their first bite of breakfast.

  "Good morning everyone and Merry Christmas." Rebecca smiled broadly as she came into the room, first giving Em a kiss then placing a kiss on the top of Charlie's head before taking her seat at the opposite end of the table. "Where are Colonel Polk and Mr. Whitman this morning?"

  "Right here, ma’am." The two gentlemen entered and both immediately went for the coffee pot. Evidently, there had been some private celebrating the night before.

  Charlie looked to Sheridan with a grin and winked. "Say, Richard?"

  Richard looked at Charlie with bleary and slightly bloodshot eyes. Cautiously, he responded. "Yes, Charlie?"

  "I noticed that some of the men were a little ragged on the mounted lance exercises. They need a bit more instruction before we assemble the honor guard to escort the General to church. Do you think you can handle it? A brisk ride will do you good."

  Richard simply looked at Charlie, his mouth hanging open a little as he cradled his coffee cup in both hands. "Um, Charlie, could you……" Richard simply could not go on; he needed his coffee.

  "Could I what, Richard?"

  Elizabeth did a fine job of hiding the grin on her face; then she cleared her throat and attempted to help her friend out of his mess. "Ah, Charlie, Richard is looking a tad under the weather to me and as your regimental physician, I must ask you to rethink that request."

  "Bless you, woman," Richard whispered, but everyone at the table heard it and simply roared with laughter. Even Sheridan was enjoying the teasing this morning.

  More people joined the breakfast table. Jeremiah was particularly excited, trying very hard to act like an adult and hoping so much that he had been given the fishing gear he wanted. Duncan had addicted him to that particular, manly sport.

  Rebecca watched as everyone enjoyed his or her breakfast. As soon as she was finished, she retrieved Em from Charlie's lap so he could at least drink his coffee in peace.

  "Mama?"

  "Oh, your Mama is laying down, little one."

  "Mama sick?"

  Rebecca's heart went out to this child. She was old enough to know something was wrong, but not old enough to know how serious the situation was.

  "Yes, sweetheart, I am afraid so. But we are doing everything we can to make your Mama better."

  Em wrapped her arms around Rebecca's neck. "Em love Mamma ‘‘Becca."

  "Mamma ‘‘Becca loves Em, too." She gave the baby a kiss and looked to the table, which had
suddenly grown very quiet after watching the interaction between them. "Shall we adjourn to the tree and see what Father Christmas has left for us?"

  Jeremiah leapt from his chair, almost overturning it. Fortunately, Whitman was right beside him and caught it before it crashed to the floor.

  Whitman quickly excused himself and ran lightly up the steps. He tapped on Constance’s door. "My dear, I thought you might like to see your daughter have her first real Christmas. May I carry you down?

  "Oh, thank you, Mr. Whitman. I do believe I feel strong enough to join the festivities, if only for a little while"

  Whitman, who was a bear of a man, let the frail woman arrange her robe, then simply lifted her in his arms, carried her downstairs and settled her in a comfortable chair near the fire.

  Laughing and chatting, the rest of the company rose from the table and proceeded to the main hall of the house. There, Lizbet, Reg, and Beulah had been busy, lighting all of the tiny candles carefully tied to the branches of the tree. It looked like a fairy tree, all sparkles and shining little lights. Jeremiah immediately plunged into the packages under the tree, sorting through the ribbon wrapped packages for one with his name on it. His mother reminded him of his manners.

  "Jeremiah, as the youngest of us, other than little Em, could you do the honors and hand out the gifts?"

  "Papa!" Em squealed and clapped her hands, reaching for Charlie as soon as he took his place between Rebecca and Constance.

  Without breaking his conversation with Sheridan over the horse stock the cavalry was getting for the spring campaign, Charlie took the child into his arms and settled her on his lap.

  While her Papa was preoccupied, Em took her chance and started rummaging through his pockets.

  "Were you looking for this, little one?" Charlie pulled the small package out of his pocket.

  "Pwease, Papa? Em good."

  "Here you are, then." Em carefully opened the small package, a packet of horehound drops and benne seed candies the little girl loved.

  She happily placed a piece of the candy in her mouth and then gave Charlie a kiss on the cheek. "Mmm, good."