PART 5

 

A few days before Christmas, Noelle and Brian went on one of their frequent walks.

 

“Noelle, I have to be honest with you.”  He stopped walking and turned toward her.  “I’ve grown rather fond of having you around.  I wish you didn’t have to leave after the new year.”

 

“I may not have to.”

 

“What?  But I thought Preston’s cousin was leaving right after the new year came.”

 

“She is, but I’m not sure Preston’s going to let my mother leave that soon,” she winked at Brian.

 

“What do you mean?” Brian asked, confused.

 

“Look over there,” Noelle pointed toward the hotel gardens that were in the distance.  What Brian saw shocked him.

 

“I don’t believe it,” he laughed.  When Brian had looked toward the hotel, he saw Preston lightly kiss Judith Bentley on the mouth.  “Is Preston actually in love?”

 

“Seems that way. I know my mother is.  I’ve never seen her this happy since Father.”

 

“So that means you’ll be staying?”

 

“I would predict that,” she smiled up at him.

 

Brian couldn’t resist that smile; so he leaned down to kiss her.  “Your mother’s not the only one in love.”

 

“No, she isn’t,” Noelle replied.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Christmas Eve afternoon arrived and everybody, and I do mean everybody, was at the Sully homestead to celebrate Christmas Eve together with a big Christmas Eve supper.

 

Present at this joyous time were Sully and family, Matthew Cooper and family, Andrew Cook and family, Brian, Nat & Nat, Dan, Nick Riley and family, Bess, Preston, Meredith, Judith, and Noelle.  It was quite a houseful.  The adults sat down at the big table in the kitchen while the children got their own little table in the living room.  The children were in sight distance, however, so that the adults could keep a close eye on them.

 

Sully, as head of the house, stood up to talk after it had gotten quiet.  “Now before we dig into this delicious looking Christmas Eve supper that has been prepared by these fine ladies,” he winked at his wife, “I have something to say.”

 

“Don’t make your speech too long, Sully,” Michaela said.  “This is probably the best meal we’ve ever prepared.  I don’t want it to get cold.

 

“Ok.  This won’t take long,” he promised.  “I just wanted to say how wonderful it is to have everyone here for the holidays.  Also, a little birdie told me that it’s not just Jesus’ birthday we need to celebrate.  I’ve been told we have a Christmas Eve baby in our midst.” Sully looked over at Brian and winked.

 

“You told him didn’t you, Brian?” Noelle asked him, her eyes twinkling.

 

“Um. Would you believe me if I told you it slipped?”  Everyone laughed.

 

“Maybe.”

 

“Actually, Sully helped me get the dessert from Grace today.”

 

“Dessert?”

 

Sully reached over on the counter and picked up a big box.  He lifted the top off to show everyone what was inside.  Noelle gasped then started laughing, “It’s beautiful.”

 

“Look’s delicious too,” Sully added.  Inside the box was a huge birthday cake with the words “Happy Birthday Jesus and Noelle.”

 

“I was hoping you’d like it,” Brian said.

 

“I’ll let you know how much I like it after I taste it,” she smiled.

 

“Just remember, I didn’t bake it.  Grace did.”

 

“If you’d baked it, little brother, we’d all get sick,” Matthew joked.

 

“At least we have four doctors present,” he smiled back at Matthew.  Everyone laughed.

 

Sully held up his hands to stop the bantering.  “That’s enough.  Food is getting cold.  Let’s pray,” he said and everyone bowed their heads to thank the Lord for his coming.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

 

After everyone had had their fill of supper and dessert, they opened their gifts.  They all had a joyous time together opening gifts and singing Christmas carols.  It turned out to be one of the best Christmases ever.

 

Each of the couples managed to get under the mistletoe at least once that evening:  Sully and Michaela, Jo and Nick, Matthew and Elizabeth, Andrew and Colleen, Nat and Nan, Brian and Noelle, Preston and Judith, Dan and Bess, and even Katie gave Rob a little kiss on the cheek.

 

It turned out to be the perfect season for love.

 

THE END