Disclaimer: The characters aren’t mine, just the story. I am making no money off of this story.
Notes: This story takes place four months after Perfectly Perfect. This story is part of Group Writing Project: Happy Holidays IV. Requirements are: A story set between 1 Nov and 30 January, a gift (not necessarily material), a holiday song, a food associated with the holiday, and a holiday decoration (traditional or not!)
Thanks to Teresa for helping me with this story. More notes at the end.
These Are Special Times
By Stephanie
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on our troubles will be out of sight
It was about seven o’clock Christmas morning when the young woman jumped out of her bed. She glanced out the window and saw a fresh layer of snow. Going over to her closet, she hastily put on warm clothing: a pair of blue jeans, a white turtleneck, and a red sweater with rhinestone snow flakes on it.
While she was combing her hair she realized she was singing one of the songs that the other Bob-Whites had sung last night.
‘ I think they all had a little too much of Honey’s holiday punch,’ she thought as she let out a small laugh. Things had gotten a little wild.
She ran down the stairs, but quietly so as not to wake her parents. She was anxious to see Jim before the day started for everyone else. Before leaving, however, she paused in the living room to gaze at the Christmas tree. It was definitely one of her favorite parts of the Christmas season. She smiled as she remembered when she was a little girl and she would beg Moms to let her stay up late and watch the lights on the tree sparkle.
She grabbed her jacket and stepped out into the cold air, closing the door to Crabapple Farm behind her.
As she walked up the path to Ten Acres, Trixie thought about how her life had changed in the past four months. She was so thankful that she had come back. ‘I thought I had what I wanted in New York, but I was really missing the most important thing.’
Before Trixie could knock on the door it was flung open by Jim.
"How long have you been standing there watching for me?" she asked laughing.
"Long enough," Jim answered her with a wink.
Trixie took off her coat, and they went and sat on the sofa in the living room.
"Sorry I didn’t bring your gift with me. I left it under the tree at home. I think the others would like to see it too," Trixie said.
"It’s okay, Trix," Jim said, as he played with one of her curls. "Just having you here back in my life is more of a gift than you will ever know."
Tears came to Trixie’s eyes as she heard the emotion in his voice.
"Let’s forget about the past few years, Jim, and think about the past few months and the future—our future together," Trixie said.
As if in answer, Jim reached for Trixie’s hand and kissed the engagement ring on her finger.
Suddenly, shouts were heard from upstairs.
"It sounds like the boys have awakened," Jim said, while reluctantly letting go of Trixie’s hand.
"Has Santa come?" Trixie asked.
Jim grinned. "They think so. Hey, you want to stay here this morning? The kids would be thrilled, you know."
"Sure, why not?" Trixie said easily. "I’ve nothing to do until we go over to Crabapple Farm after lunch."
* * *
Trixie and Jim had spent a pleasant morning with the boys from Jim’s school. Trixie loved to watch little kids on Christmas morning. She liked to see the delight in their eyes as they unwrapped a much wished for gift. And though the older boys were not quite as loud, Trixie could see the joy on their faces as well.
Around late morning, a couple of employees of the school, who had volunteered to work on Christmas, came over, and Trixie and Jim departed for Crabapple Farm.
Once again as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Mrs. Wheeler had wanted to have the three-family get-together at Manor House, but the Beldens had insisted that Crabapple Farm had stretchy walls.
Only Dan and Hallie weren’t present. Since their marriage several years earlier they had alternated between New York and Iowa for holidays. They had decided this year, however, that they wanted to spend Christmas at their home in Chicago.
Mart turned on the stereo in the family room and set it to a station playing Christmas music.
"I’ve always loved this song," Diana said, as she sipped her hot cocoa. An instrumental version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas was playing.
Honey looked up and smiled at Di from where she was playing Trixie’s favorite board game, Clue, with Trixie and Jim.
"I have to say my personal favorite is Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer," Trixie said matter-of-factly.
"Trixie…" Honey reproached, while Jim laughed.
"What? It’s a funny song," Trixie stated.
A call came from the kitchen. "Dinner is ready! Everyone, come and grab a plate."
"Be there in a minute, Moms!" Trixie yelled.
"Trixie, if we don’t go now Mart will eat all the food—there won’t be any left for us," Honey reminded her.
"I’m not stopping this game now…I’ve about got this thing solved," Jim said while rubbing his hands together gleefully.
Trixie stuck her tongue out at him. "You wish!"
Honey smiled happily as she listened to the banter between Trixie and Jim. That was something that had been missing from Christmas, and everyday, for the past few years.
Brian walked in from the kitchen. "You guys coming?" he asked.
"I don’t have a chance with this game. It’s between the two of them, it seems," Honey said to Brian, glancing at Trixie and Jim. "Why don’t you save me from embarrassment and help me find some food?" She playfully grabbed Brian’s arm and dragged him out of the room.
"You seem especially happy tonight," Brian remarked.
"How couldn’t I be?" Honey said, as she nodded towards the family room door. "Only one thing is needed to make it complete," she continued with a wicked grin.
"Oh? And what’s that?"
"A Christmas kiss."
"Oh yeah?"
"Uh huh."
Brian leaned down and gently kissed her lips. "How’s your Christmas now?"
"Perfectly perfect," she whispered softly.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
The End
Author’s Notes: