Chapter Forty-nine
The Christmas party Angie held every year on Christmas Eve was a blast. Many of the townsfolk made it for at least one drink and some of the goodies served. They knew every year that Angie organized an event no one wanted to miss.
By the time the caterers had cleaned up most of the mess, Mark and Jack carried in the last of the glasses and dishes, while Angie and Mia filled the dishwasher and piled the rest of the glasses into the sink filled with hot water and soap suds.
“I can’t believe how many people showed up tonight.” Mia had a hard time believing the number of well-wishers and compliments they had for both her and Jack.
“I’m sure there were a couple hundred people in and out, through the gardens and on the various verandas.” Jack put his arms around her and hugged her close. “I’m glad that’s over with, and it’s just the family tomorrow.”
“Me too. I had a hard time settling Maisie down tonight. Even though we let her stay up way past her bedtime, she still argued about going to sleep.”
“You two looked fantastic tonight. I knew your outfits would be something to see, but I couldn’t have envisioned this.” He took her hands and stepped back to look again.
Mia had made them matching dresses that were so popular, most of the women wanted selfies with the girls.
She’d found a soft material that shimmered like pink wrapping paper, was embroidered with Christmas angels, and had tiny lights that lit up sewn onto their wings.
The skirts were long and flowed beautifully as they walked.
His princesses had been the hit of the night. Even Angie had a matching dress from the same material but without the angels and lights.
“I’m exhausted and we still have to put Maisie’s dollhouse together.”
“Mark and I took it out of the box and set some of it up already, enough that she can tell what it is. I think she’d probably like to help us with the rest in the morning. Okay?”
“Very okay.” Yawning, Mia leaned into him.
His arms wrapped around her and his chin rested on her head. “You’re exhausted darlin’. Go to bed. Angie invited me and Mark to stay the night. I’ll be here in the morning to celebrate.”
“I wished you were coming to bed with me. I hate having to say goodnight.”
“Me too, baby. You have no idea…”
***
The next morning, the household woke to scurrying baby feet and a chatter that didn’t let up. “Mewwy Cwistmas, Jack. Mewwy Cwistmas, Mia. Wake up, Auntie. Mawk, awe you coming?” Doors were banged on and voices could be heard moaning and grumbling throughout the house.
Mia rolled over and tried to put the pillow over her head, but Maisie got to her first. “Mama Mia, Santa liked his cookies. They’we gone. Only cwumbs and half of his milk awe left.” She crawled close enough to lift the pillow and share her enthusiasm. “Awe you getting up?”
Mia rolled her eyes and then began tickling the little sleep-depriving monster. “Yes, oh my little mighty mouse. I’m coming. Go bug Jack and let me brush my teeth.”
“Okay. I bwushed mine alweady.”
“Are you sure?” Mia glared the question, knowing Maisie wouldn’t be able to keep her face innocent if she was fibbing.
“Yep! I’m suwe.”
“For how long?”
This time the little munchkin turned away and ran to the door.
“Maisie?”
“Lots. I bwushed lots. See you in the living woom.”
Angie had invited them all to spend Christmas Eve night at the big house because she wanted to have them close on Christmas morning. “This way you can relax and have fun at the party, and it’ll be the first time I’ve had a house full of family for Christmas morning. This’ll be my present.”
How could anyone refuse. Later in the day, Jack and Mia promised to fetch her parents who declined her invitation to be there Christmas morning because they had choir commitments at their home, but they’d be there Christmas night and Boxing Day.
Mia grabbed a quick shower and put on the Christmassy lounging clothes she’d chosen for the morning. Feeling better, though it was too early to be awake, she headed in the direction of where she heard everyone’s excited voices.
“She’s hewe. Can I open my pwesents now?”
And so the morning began with present after present being awed over and thanks given.
Until finally, there were no more items under the tree.
Leaning back in her place on the sofa next to Jack, she watched Maisie’s delight with her new doll house.
Holding Jack’s hand, she gave thanks for her blessings, most of which meant her family and friends.
Suddenly, Jack coughed to get everyone’s attention. He dropped Mia’s hand and waved Maisie over to the couch. Picking her up for a quick hug and another thank you for his wonderful cookie he’d promised to eat after breakfast, he sat her next to Mia on the couch.
Lowering himself to one knee, his nervousness apparent to those who knew him well, he cleared his throat, took a small red velvet box from his pocket, opened it and held it toward Mia.
Diamonds flared to life in the glow from the sunlight streaming through the window.
Brilliant, the three large stones of the same exact size filled the golden band and were breathtaking.
“I’m so in love with you, Mia. I never want to spend another day of my life without you in it. Will you marry me?”
Mia squealed, but no louder than Maisie who’d flung herself at Mia. “It’s so pwetty, Momma Mia. Say yes, please.”
Mia leaned forward and gave Jack a long kiss that said it for her. But in case he needed the words, she whispered, “I’d be honored to be your wife, Jack.”
He took the ring from it’s perch and slid it onto her finger. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.” He placed a kiss over the ring and squeezed her hand.
Before they could leave their places, Jack turned to Maisie and said her name. Suddenly, another smaller pink velvet box appeared in his hands and he opened it, holding it towards the mesmerized toddler, whose wide eyes were a sight to see.
“Maisie, I’m so in love with you too. I never want to spend another day without sharing it with you. Will you marry me too?”
Maisie burst into tears. They flooded over her face so quickly, it caught everyone unprepared. Jack reached for her at the same time as Mia. Both their arms came around her. They listened as she fought to make a reply. “I can’t mawwy you, Jack, ‘cause I’m too little. I wanted you to be my daddy.”
Jack had to fight his own tears when he realized his gesture had backfired on the tiny sprout. “Honey, this ring isn’t for you to be my wife. It’s a daddy ring for a little girl. I meant to ask if you’d like to be my little girl and share my life.”
Maisie pulled back, her drenched face now wreathed in smiles, her chubby hand swiping at the wetness. “You’ll be my Papa Jack?”
“Would you like me to be?”
“I’d weally like that. A daddy for Maisie. My vewy own fathew.”
Jack picked her up and kissed her cheek. “Okay, angel. Then as your fathew, I have one last present for you. It’s a special gift, and I think you’ll love it.”
He passed the little girl to Mia’s waiting arms and headed to the back of the house returning quickly with a fancy pink box covered with a huge red bow.
Along with Maisie, Mia ran over and helped him lift the top. Sitting inside was the most adorable golden retriever puppy Mia had ever seen. It sat quietly staring up at the faces peering over the edge. It wore a pink bow and yawned as if they’d woken her from a nap.
Whispering, her excitement obvious by the fact she couldn’t sit still, Maisie pulled at Jack’s sleeve. “Papa Jack, can I pick hew up?”
“Of course. Just remember, she’s a baby and likes to walk by herself so her legs will get stronger. You mustn’t try to carry her everywhere. Promise?”
“I pwomise.” Maisie reached in and picked up the golden-haired puppy carefully, hugging her, all the while the puppy lathered her face on every spot she could reach. Giggling, her infectious sound reacting on every adult present, she asked, “Can I name her?”
“Of course, she’s your puppy now.”
“Can I call her Beauty?”
“I think that’s a perfect name. What do you think, Mama Mia?” Jack teased.
“I think when you asked if you could get Maisie a dog, you might have mentioned for Christmas,” Mia teased back.
“Heck, I would have if I’d known the breeder wanted to head South for the holidays and needed to clear his kennels before he left. Brian and the boys have been puppy-sitting for the last two days so I could keep this a surprise.”
Mia kissed him and even Angie snuck up to wrap her arms around his shoulders so she could loudly kiss his cheek. “You’re a sneaky devil, Jack. I love it. Welcome to the family legally. You’ve always been a part as far as my heart was concerned.”
Mark petted the puppy in Maisie’s arms, almost as excited as the little girl. “I got one too, Maisie. Only mine’s a boy dog. Isn’t she pretty?”
“Can youw puppy come ovew and play with Beauty sometimes, Mawk?”
“Sure can. You’ll have lots of fun with your new friends, Maisie.”
“I’m a vewy happy giwl.” Maisie smiled at everyone; her puppy held close.
Mia’s heart couldn’t get much fuller.
Angie’s voice broke into her thoughts. “I don’t want to interrupt this wonderful time, but I’m hungry. We made Jack’s favorite cinnamon rolls for part of the Christmas breakfast this year, so come on, let’s go and eat.”
Jack lifted both Maisie and Beauty in his arms. “Great. Then we can go for a swim.”
Mia figured she was the only one who saw Maisie’s smile falter.