Chapter Thirty-One
Arabella
Words can’t describe the magic I felt for anything Christmas. I realized it was a little silly, but it was almost as if I finally got to be a kid.
The only thing that bothered me was the fact I didn’t have my own money, and thus, couldn’t purchase gifts for anyone.
Gwen pulled me aside one day and told me she’d purchase whatever I wanted to buy Kieran and Ajax, and she told me Kieran would purchase any gift I wanted to get for her.
She gave me a huge number, and told me all four gifts couldn’t go over.
I realized she’d seen my worries, and I threw my arms around her neck.
“Thank you. I was so frustrated, and I didn’t know what to do!
I was trying to come up with something I could make for all of you, or a way to barter for a gift, but.
..” I blew out a breath. “I’ll find some way to repay you! ”
“No.” She held me at arm’s length and met my gaze. She told me how much they would pay for a house manager, above and beyond room and board. It was more money than I’d ever know what to do with, so I merely stared at her.
“I don’t want to stress you out,” she continued. “That money is in an account. It’s yours. If you never want it, we’ll give it to charity. You don’t have to accept it. Kieran and I are handling your finances.”
“I’m your slave. Slaves don’t get a paycheck.”
“And you haven’t. Nor will you, unless Sophia orders it. I just wanted you to know I’ll be purchasing gifts you wish to give others with money you’ve earned. You don’t have to pay me back for anything.”
I wanted to argue, but I wasn’t sure I could. They said they’d take care of me so I didn’t have to worry about money, and that’s exactly what they’d done.
“I’m going to get Ajax a suit from the guy who makes Abbott’s suits. Assuming I have enough money for that. I also want to buy him more jeans and t-shirts. Oh, and shoes. He needs better shoes.”
The time from Thanksgiving to Christmas seemed to take forever, and yet, it flew by. Kendra and Eric invited us onto their yacht for a big boat parade. We got to help decorate it, and then there was a huge party during the parade.
The following weekend, we saw a live show of The Nutcracker, but only after watching a few movies of it, so I’d have an idea of what the ballet meant.
We also drove around town at night and looked at Christmas lights.
We drove to a place south of Atlanta, and another place in Birmingham, that had so many lights I almost cried.
Oh, and we walked through a place on Lookout Mountain called Rock City, and I got to see the lights close up.
I can’t even begin to describe how wonderful it all was.