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Chapter 23: Christmas Memories
On Christmas morning, the mad-dash to open presents
Bright and early; Sarah and Tom tumble out
of bed and race downstairs to the Christmas tree. They look over and see that their Christmas sweets are all gone so they
know for certain that Santa Claus came to their house last night. Jack’s parents walk down the stairs, followed by Meg,
Matt, and Abby. In a short while, Sue, Levi, and Jack join the rest of the family around the Christmas tree.
They sing Christmas carols such as: The
Christmas Song, White Christmas, Silver Bells, Let It Snow, and Winter Wonderland, as they exchange and open each of their
presents, one at a time. Here’s a partial list of the Christmas goodies.
As follows: a model airplane kit, Hillsdale
dollhouse collection, a DVD Player, a wool coat, a leather jacket, a talking photo album, a Victorian jewelry box, MP3 Player,
and a mouse pad with radio & calculator. After opening all their gifts, there are more hugs and Christmas pictures to
be taken. They used six rolls of film. Everyone is satisfied with their own pile of gifts. The house could use a great deal
of clean-up later on.
Jack’s mom went to the kitchen to
make gingerbread pancakes, her famous cinnamon rolls, and blueberry French toast for Christmas breakfast. And last but not
least, Jack hands Sue her presents. They share a quiet moment alone while the rest of the family head to the kitchen.
Jack: You ready to open your presents? (megawatt smile)
Sue: I thought I opened them all. Did I forget something? (curious smile)
Jack: I wanted to wait until we were alone to give you my presents. Here
they are. I hope you like them. (megawatt smile)
Sue: You are sneaky but I don’t mind. I bet I will love your gifts.
(smile and laughs)
Jack: Well, what are you waiting for? (megawatt smile and his signature
wink)
As
the two of them open their Christmas presents, “The Gift” is being played on the radio. It is a beautiful love
song that reminds Jack of being in love with Sue. It goes like this: Winter snow is falling
down, children laughing all around./Lights are turnin’ on, like a fairy tale come true./
Sitting by the fire we made, you’re the answer when I prayed/ I would find someone, and baby I found you./ Chorus:
And all I want is to hold you forever./ All I need is you more everyday./ You saved my heart from being broken apart,/ You
gave your love away/ And I’m thankful everyday for the gift./ Watching as you softly sleep/ what I’d give if I
could keep/ Just this moment, if only time stood still/ But the colors fade away, and the years make us gray,,/ But baby in
my eyes, you’ll still be beautiful./ Chorus Twice/ All I want is to hold you forever./ All I need is you more everyday./
You saved my heart from being broken apart,/ You gave your love away/ And I’m thankful everyday./ Can’t find the
words to say thank you for the gift.
Jack
gives Sue the first box; she shakes it to see if she can figure out what is inside. Then she opens the box and sees a snow-globe
of Paris.
Next Jack gives her his second present; it is a very small blue velvet jewelry box. Sue wonders what is inside. Sue lifts
the box, inside is a pair of 24kt white gold diamond heart earrings. There’s more. Jack gives Sue another present to
open. This time when Sue opens the box, the pave heart album is inside. The picture on the cover is them standing at the base
of the Tour Eiffel. Engraved at the bottom of the album are these words; "To the love of my life; I adore you and I will always love you. All my love,
Jack Hudson".
Sue: You are spoiling me. But I’m not going to complain
because your gifts mean so much to me. I can tell you put a lot of thought into buying these unique Christmas gifts. (dazzling
smile and laughs)
Jack: That’s because you mean the world to me. (megawatt
smile and his signature wink)
Sue: I have a few presents for you to open. I hope you like
them. (smile)
Jack: I already know I’m going to love your gifts. (megawatt
smile)
Sue gives Jack the first box; he opens it and inside is a hero keepsake glass paperweight
with the engraved words of “What it means to be a Hero”. Sue added
the line:"You are my hero, my best friend,
my soul mate. I will always love you. All my love, Sue Thomas".
Next Sue gives Jack his second present;
it is a very small box. Jack shakes it to see if he can figure out what is inside. He opens the box and inside is a pair of
sterling silver cufflinks with his initials (JSH) engraved on them. But wait there’s more. Sue gives Jack another present to open. This
time when Jack opens the box, inside is the pave heart album. The picture on the cover is them standing at the base of the
Tour Eiffel.
Jack: Déjà vu? We picked out the same pave heart album and
the same picture. That is amazing. But you know what they say, great minds think a lot alike. Whoever said that must have
been a genius. (megawatt smile and his signature wink)
Sue: That’s true. Hey maybe we should call Tara and ask her to find out where that expression came from? (lighthearted smile and teases Jack)
Jack: No way. I have a much better idea. (megawatt smile and
his signature wink)
Before Sue gets a chance to reply, he lifts her up in his arms
and twirls her around the room. Jack lets her slide down as he slowly deepens their kiss. Then he pulls slightly away from
Sue when he hears Abby from the kitchen door telling him that Christmas breakfast is ready.
And if Jack and Sue don’t get to the kitchen immediately
the food will all be gone in a matter of minutes. So reluctantly he releases Sue, they hold hands and walk into the kitchen
together. The smell of cinnamon rolls is in the air. While they are eating breakfast, snow is beginning to fall. Within a
few hours, the house is covered with almost one feet of snow.
During
the afternoon, everyone goes outside to look at the snow covered ground. Levi is having fun chasing Tom and Sarah around and
playing with them in the snow. In a short while later, Matt tells his kids to come inside and warm up by the fireplace. Meg
tells them they can build a snowman tomorrow.
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by YANNICK BISSON ONLINE
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