HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Chapter : 2 The Christmas Party
One of the things that Evelyn had decided was a must, was for them to have a Christmas party. She had a few close friends that she had kept in contact with over the years, and some friends from the museum, as well as a few of the Bembridge Scholars. Invitations had gone out within the first week in December, and today was the big day. Evelyn, and Rick were up early that morning, before Alex, and now Rick had Alex duty, keeping him out from underfoot while Evelyn, Marie, and a few of the other people she had hired began preparing food for the party While Everyone inside was busy doing that, Rick, and Alex were outside in the barn getting ready to ride Amunet. While his daddy got her ready, Alex sat on a bail of hay. He was bundled up quite well, though he was still cold.
“Daddy she ready ride?” he asked.
“Almost big guy,” Rick answered as he put her saddle on her. She winnied, anxious to be ridden.
“Daddy Alex get horse?” That brought a grin to Rick’s face.
“Maybe when your older,” he said as he finished getting her ready. He took the reins in hand, and led her outside, so she would let go of the breath she was holding, in order for him to make sure the girth around her tummy was as tight as it needed to be. Alex followed, but stayed back, already knowing that you didn’t walk behind a horse. Once Rick had her ready to go, he instructed Alex to come to them from the side, and for once in his life he obeyed.
“All right big guy, Daddy is going to put you up on Amunet, but you have to be very still, and gentle.” When Alex agreed to that, Rick settled him on the horse, then he put his foot in the stirrup and settled on behind him. Rick clicked and she started to walk. He, and Evelyn had been riding before on her, therefore Amunet was used to him, and she knew not to pull anything with him, because he had always been firm with her. They walked out into the field and Alex was happy.
“Go very fast daddy,” Alex said wanting her to run.
“We will try, but I’m not sure your ready for that.” Rick squeezed in on her side and clicked again, and she started to trot. To his surprise, Alex liked going fast, and laughed as they road down the field toward the street. They road all the way there, which was a good five minute ride, then Rick slowed her to a walk.
“More more,” Alex said.
“We need to give her a rest buddy, she hasn’t been ridden in a while, and she is tired,” he said as he patted her neck. Alex mimicked his father and did the same thing, patting her neck and Rick smiled. They walked around the vast field for a while longer, then Rick led her back up to the barn. When they arrived, Henry, their hired farm hand was there, and came out of the barn. When Alex saw him he held on to Amunet.
“Nooo Alex riden more,” he said wanting to have more time. It was very cold however, and Rick didn’t want to get his son sick, not on the holidays.
“We will ride tomorrow buddy,” Alex cried when Rick lifted him down, and once he was off he lifted his son into his arms.
“Hey shhh. I bet if we asked real nice, Mummy would give us some hot coccoa with Marshmallows,” Rick said as he carried Alex down the hill, and back toward the house. That stopped his sad cries.
“Lots of mellows?” Alex asked sniffing.
“As many as you want,” Rick said kissing his son’s cheeks.
Inside, Evelyn was overseeing the preparations, as well as tasting some of the food already made. The whole house smelled of wonderful things, Homade Apple Pie, Cinnamon, roasts cooking, and the wood from the fireplaces, it was as it was supposed to smell on Christmas, and she was very ready to spend the time with her family. As she was walking into the parlor, She smiled as Rick came in with Alex who was all rosy cheeked from his time outside.
“Mummy. Daddy say have hot cocoa,” Alex said as he struggled to be put down. He still had on his coat, cap, and mittens, and when Rick put him down, he ran to her. She knelt down and hugged him.
“I think we can do that, but lets get your outside cloths off,” she said as she lifted him into her arms. She settled with him on one of the many sofas, and untied his woolen cap pulling it off of his head. His hair stuck up in all directions, and she smiled trying to push it down. Alex yawned, worn out from his big morning out with daddy.
“Did you have a good time riding today?” Evie asked, as she pulled his mittens off of his hands. He nodded, quiet which meant he was really tired.
“I bet she was glad to have someone give her attention.” She got his coat off of him then stood settling him against her hip and smiled when he lay his head upon her shoulder. Alex had on his gray corduroy slacks and warm wool socks, as well as a long-sleeved shirt, and a red sweater
“Why don’t we go up and snuggle in mummy’s bed,” Evie said as she headed in that general direction.
“Not seepy,” he said, though he made no effort to fight her. She smiled as Rick came out with the cocoa, and Alex didn’t even notice. Once in her room she pulled the covers back and laid him down, then slipped of her shoes and lay next to him. Alex snuggled up against her resting his head against her chest.
“Mummy not go stay wif Alex,” he said half asleep.
“Mummy is right here Angel,” she said rubbing his back. It only took a few minutes until he was asleep, and carefully she slipped out of the bed ,and pulled the covers up over him, then went back downstairs to get Rick’s help in setting up the palor for the party.
It wasn’t until after lunch, when Alex woke up from his long nap. He sat up in their bed and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, then rolled over onto his stomach and slid off the bed. As he walked out the door his daddy was coming down the hall way.
“There you are, Daddy was just coming to get you up, so you could have some lunch.
“Want go riden gain,” he said through a yawn. Rick picked him up, and carried him to his room.
“Well buddy I promise we will go again, but we need to stay around here and help mum,” he said as he went in the bathroom and got a wet washcloth. Alex held still for him as Rick changed his wet and messy diaper, then they went downstairs. Everything was decorated, the railings with vines of pine and Holly, to the mantle on the fireplace with more holly and pine.
“It pretty,” Alex said, as Rick carried him into the kitchen. Evelyn smiled as he came in, and went to them, taking Alex into her arms.
“Mummy go riden,” Alex said. Rick shook his head. If one parent said no, Alex’s rule was to try the other parent.
“I don’t think so baby,” Evie said as she put him in his highchair and put a bib around him. Marie came and put his plate down, which was mashed potatoes, and dressing, and some turkey. Alex started to dip his hand into the potatoes but Evie stopped him.
“Alex use your spoon,” she said, and put that into his hand. He got a big scoop and stuffed it into his mouth, and about that time Elaina arrived.
“Laina go out and ride horse,” Alex said glad to see her.
“Alex no riding today,” Evie reminded, and greeted the young girl. Elaina would be watching Alex upstairs, as well as any other children, and to Evie’s knowledge that would only be Megan, and Anna’s son Jacob who was also 3. Elaina sat down with Alex, waiting for him to finish, which he did pretty quickly.
“All right Alex lets go play with your toys,” She said as she lifted him out of his highchair. Marie came with the washcloth and got him cleaned up, then Elaina took him upstairs to his room. Alex’s room was quite large, and he had many shelves on his walls full of books, as well as all of his toys.
“Alex gonna be Pete Pan, and you be Wendy,” he said as he ran to his toy chess, and pulled out the velvet hat that Evelyn had made for him. He also pulled out his cardboard sword which Rick had made for him.
“What should I do?” Elaina asked as she settled in the rocking chair.
“Petend you all tied up cause captain hook caughted you,” he said. She did so, and Alex had and imaginary sword fight with Captain Hook. He was doing that when Evelyn came with Megan, whose father had asked if she could come play while he, and his date got ready for the party.
“Megan come pay, you be Wendy,” he said.
“No I get to be Captain Hook,” she said. She had on a royal blue velvet dress and creme colored stockings, completed with black patented leather shoes.
“Will you be all right with both of them?” Evelyn asked.
“Sure, I have baby-sat for Megan before,” she said. Evelyn nodded and left.
“I want sword,” Megan said and grabbed his sword.
“Wait a minute, lets not fight. Megan Alex had the sword first, and I’m sure if we looked around we could find something for you to use,” Elaina said. Megan let Alex have his sword back.
“What we use?” she asked putting her hands on her hips.
“Well lets see what we have,” she said as she walked over to the wooden toy chess. She opened it and rummaged around, and found another cardboard sword, which made Megan happy. Now the two children had a sword fight and Megan got a book off of Alex’s shelf and began to read.
With everything under control, as far as party preparations were concerned, Evelyn and Rick headed upstairs to get ready for the party. Now Evie was in the bathroom with nothing on letting the water heat up for her shower. Once it was warm enough she turned the shower on and stepped in letting the steaming water drift over her body. She had her eyes closed, and didn’t notice Rick, not until he eased her against his strong muscled chest, then she opened her eyes.
“Did you have something in mind aside from a shower?” she asked as her hand reached out and began to stroke along his extended flesh. He groaned.
“I thought we could have a little fun before we had to be serious about hosting this party of ours,’’ he said as he leaned his head down and nuzzled her neck. Evie let out a sigh, loving the feel of his lips against her sensitive skin.
While Elaina had gone in to help Megan sit on the potty, Alex had made his escape and was now downstairs looking at the tree. The candles were already lit, and he was watching the small flames dance. He reached out and pulled one candle out of the holder and as he pulled up the flame caught one of the dresees on an angel on fire. That startled him and he jumped, and the flame burned his hand. Alex screamed and dropped the candle on the floor. It went out but the dress on the angel kept buring.
“Alex whats...” Marie stopped as she saw what had happened, and Alex was crying holding his hand. Very quickly she got a pale they had been using to clean things with and put it under the angle and knocked her in, then she ran in the kitchen and poured water on it. While she did that Elaina came running down the stairs with Megan and put her down so she could tend to Alex.
“Mummy,” he cried as she held him.
“Shh what happened?” she asked. Marie came out then.
“He almost caught the tree on fire, you need to watch him close,” she said gently, then knelt beside them.
“Lets see your hand honey,” she said.
“NOOO,” he cried against Elaina’s shoulder clutching his hand, clearly in pain.
In the shower Evelyn was moaning everytime Rick pressed into her and pulled out. She clung to him kissing his chest, and rubbed her face against him loving what they were doing.
“Mrs. Connell?” came Megan’s voice. Rick stifled a moan as did she when he pulled out of her.
“Mrs. Connell, Alex got owie from candle,” she said. That got both parents attention. Rick shut the water off, and reached out getting their towels and in a moment they stepped out hearing the approaching cries. Megan ran out then.
“I tell them,” She said as Elaina brought Alex. Evelyn was the first one out of the bathroom, and took her baby into her arms despite being soaking wet. Alex was very upset and still held his hand.
“We think he burned his hand, but he won’t let us see. I’ll take Megan out,” she said. Rick nodded, and closed the door while Evelyn sat in the rocking chair with her baby.
“Shh,” she said softly beginning to rock. He let out a louder cry, and Rick came over kneeling next to them.
“Hey buddy will you let mummy and daddy see? “ Alex let go of his hand, and the back of it was red, and some of the skin was puffed up.
“Call,” Evie said as she carried him into the bathroom. She turned on the water in the sink on cold then held his hand under and Alex cried harder.
“Shhh, Mummy is sorry baby,” Evie said as she kissed his cheeks. In a moment Rick knocked on the door.
“He was already here,” he said. Rick already had on his pants, and dress shirt, and took Alex in the bedroom while Evelyn got her hair wrapped in a towel. She heard Alex start to scream and slipped on a robe then went in.
“I’ll need to scrub off the dead skin,” she heard Dr. Brown say and she felt really bad for her baby. It took both she and Rick to hold him down and in a few more minutes it was all over and Alex’s hand was all bandaged up. There was another two hours left before the party started, so Evelyn settled in bed with Alex and got him to sleep, then started getting ready for the big event.
By Evening the party was in full swing, and the house was full of people Evelyn and Rick were both talking to different people, and upstairs Elaina and Nicole who was the nine year old daughter of one of the museum workers watched the children. Aside from Alex, Megan and Jacob, there were the twins, Amber and Annie who were a year old, and Charlie who was six months old. Alex was dressed in his black wool slacks and had on his green sweater, and was wild as ever having a sword fight with Jacob.
“Un gaurd,” he said, and hit Jacob over the head.
“Alex your not to do that,” he said. Alex did it again, and Elaina came, and took his sword away.
“Noo that Alex sword,” he said and hit her legs. For that Alex got put on his time-out stool which was in one corner of his room, and when she wasn’t looking he got off and ran out the door. He ran down the hall to the stairs and sat down on his bottom, scooting down until he reached the ground floor, then ran through the many people who were there and ran into someone. Rick looked down and caught Alex just as he was making a get away lifting him into his arms.
“Did you escape again?” he asked, and Alex smacked his face.
“No put Alex down,’ he said struggling. Rick carried Alex into the kitchen and pulled out a chair then put it against a wall and settled him in.
“Noooo,” he yelled and tried to get out but was put back in.
“Want out want out want out,” he yelled and slid to the floor. He screamed as loud as he could, though with all the music and the party going on he could barely be heard, and Rick stood there letting him get that out of his system. His screams subsided, and then he cried, and then he was calm. Once he was, Rick picked him up and sat down with him.
“Now you don’t hit your daddy, or anyone else for that matter,” Rick said. Alex rested his cheek against his fathers chest, and Rick knew he wasn’t’ feeling good due to his hand. The party still had a good three hours left, and he knew Alex wasn’t going to last much longer.
“Here he is,’ Evelyn said leading Nicole in.
“He was getting grumpy,” she explained. Evelyn walked over to them.
“I think I might turn in with him,” Rick said looking up at her.
“That might be a good idea. Anna and her husband are leaving with Jacob, and so are Molly and Thomas and the Twins. We could put the other kids down in the Library so he can go to sleep in his room.” she said stroking her hand through his hair.
“Mummy hold Alex,” he said. She lifted him out of Rick’s, arms and he rested his head against her shoulder sleepy. As they were walking out, they heard a jolly laughter, and Nicole ran to see what it was.
“Ho ho ho,” came the voice, and Evelyn smiled knowing it was Jonathan, dressed as St. Nicholas Rick went up to get the other children, and Evelyn made her way to him with Alex. In a moment Megan and Charlie were brought down and the children got center stage, though Alex clung to his mother.
“Well now I bet you have all been good children this year.” he said as he put the sack he had on the floor.
“I been good girl,” Megan said looking at her daddy who nodded. Paul was in rare form tonight and actually had a smile on his face, which was the first time Evelyn had seen that. Jonathan chuckled and lifted her onto his lap, and Alex lifted his head.
“I go too,” he said and Evelyn put him down as Rick pulled her into his embrace.
“St. Nicus,” Alex said, and Jonathan lifted him on to his right knee.
“Now lets see I think I have a present in here for Megan,” he said, and he pulled out a long box with gift wrapping on it. She got down and sat in front of him, opening up a porcelain doll that Evelyn had gotten for her. She was a tomboy, but she loved the doll, and ran to her daddy to show him.
“She is so pretty daddy,” she said as Paul lifted her into his lap.
“Bout Alex?” Alex said.
“Yes I have what you need right here,” he said and pulled out a big box. Alex sat down, and opened it up, finding in it building blocks that fit together.
“Mummy daddy Look what St. Nicus gotted me,” he said. Both parents came over to him.
“Thats very nice baby, can you tell St. Nicholas thank you?” At the same time Megan came to do the same, and then Jonathan gave Nicole her gift which was a pretty bracelet.
“Hohoho, I need to be going on my other rounds,” he said as he stood. Alex, Megan, and Nicole followed him to the door and watched him go out.
“Where are his reindeer?” Nicole asked
“I think in the field, “ Evie responded. They all went back into the party, and the kids got to stay downstairs, playing with their new toys.
It was close to midnight when the last guest left, and Rick held Alex cradled in his arms sound asleep. His other arm was around Evie, and once Paul pulled out of the driveway, They headed into the parlor. The tree was still lit, and tomorrow was Christmas day, so mum and dad still had more to do before they went to bed. The first line of business though, was to put Alex in bed. They walk up to his room, and while Evelyn got out a clean undershirt, diaper, and his fuzzy red pajamas, Rick laid him on the bed and pulled his socks off. Alex remained asleep, even as he was undressed, and got his diaper changed. He was worn out from his very long day, and they hoped he would sleep long enough for them to get things cleaned up, and presents under the tree. Once he was in his pajamas Rick kissed his head and nose, then his lips, and let Evie take him while he went to rinse out his diaper. Evelyn lifted him into her arms and settled with him in the rocking chair. She rocked him until Rick came out of the bathroom then stood and carried him over to the crib. Once he was snug under his covers, they walked hand in hand downstairs to start preparing for Christmas day.
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