Gift Come Christmas Pt. 4

Sue Ann awoke with a gasp! Her pretzel contortion had cut off her need for oxygen, and she unfolded herself in order to fill her lungs with much needed life. She had slept fitfully dreaming weird incoherent dreams, her leg muscles were soar, and her tiny back ached. She looked around the small room, her fuzzy eyes melding the room in a blanket of haze. She rubbed her tiny fingers across her eyes to wipe the remaining fragments of sleep away. Looking around the room a second time she did not see Uncle Chris or Mary. “Uncle Chris! Aunt Mary! Where are you guys?” She sniffled and shed the handmade quilt that Chris had placed on her earlier. Her small feet padded across the wooden floor to the front door. The house felt empty so Sue Ann thought that Bessie, the milk cow might be having her baby. She would be so mad if Uncle Chris had let her sleep through it. He had promised to wake her, no matter the time, when the blessed event took place. The knob turned softly in her hand, the latch giving a little “click-clunk” as the hinges of the door squeaked open. It took several moments for Sue Ann’s eyes to adjust to the dark outside. As her pupils widened taking in whatever little bit of light she could derive from the night sky she saw her Uncle Chris and Mary embracing one another, both were crying. Sue Ann felt a chill ruffle her spine, she was suddenly afraid.

Chris eyes glistened as that sharp confident smile Mary found so comforting crossed his face. She derived so much strength from this man; she had no idea how she would ever manage without him. “I love you so much,” she whispered softly. He bent down and brushed her lips with his own. The shakes that rattled both of them had all but subsided, and the tears, which fell like rain, once again glistened behind their eyes. Mary sucked in a deep drink of air. Thank you God! Thank you so much for my family. I praise you for sending me such a loving husband who displays your grace and strength daily to me. Thank you for that beautiful little girl sleeping in our home, even though she was brought to us by tragedy my heart is warmed by her presence daily. Oh Father, and thank you for the little one growing inside of me. I am blessed beyond measure. Whatever happens from this point on is in Your hands. Father, please protect my family, give us strength and unity to get through everything.

Chris wrapped his strong arm around his wife and they both turned for home. They both caught sight of Sue Ann, hands on her hips, standing silhouetted in the doorway. Once she knew eyes were on her she beseeched them in protest, “What do you guys mean leaving me, and what are you doing out there in the middle of the night?” She hoped that they didn’t hear the tremble in her voice. Mary looked up at Chris and a smile crossed both of their lips. They walked slowly back to the house, Chris scooped the tiny tot up into the air and over his shoulder with his left hand leading Mary at the small of her back with his right he closed the door with a swift snap with a twist of his right boot. Sue Ann’s feelings still visibly hurt, she pleaded with them once again, “what were you doing out in the dark?” Chris plopped her on the coach and Mary came and took her small angelic face into her hands. “Sweetheart! We didn’t mean to leave you, but you were just sleeping so soundly. Chris and I had to talk about something important. Remember, I told you I had big news to tell him? I’m sorry if we frightened you…” “Why were you crying?” Sue Ann interjected before Mary could finish. Chris came and scooped the little child in his big strong arms. “Sue Ann, we were crying because we were happy!” A twinkle gleamed in his eye as he spoke. Sue Ann looked at him and Mary quizzically like they had both lost the good common since the Lord gave them. Chris chuckled. “Don’t look at us like that Sue Ann, we haven’t gone mad I promise. Mary is expecting a baby.” The air escaped Sue Ann’s mouth in a gasp. Her little nose crinkled as she attempted to process what Uncle Chris meant. For a small brief moment everything at the Salander house was still as glass. A sudden toothy smile crossed Sue Ann’s face as her hands came together in giddy jubilation. “Yay!” she said realizing what her Uncle meant. “A baby! Really?” She touched Mary’s belly ever so slightly. She leaned closer to her Aunts face, her face softened to the point it almost glowed, her eyes looked like pools of heaven. For a brief second Mary thought she indeed was an angel. “When is he due?” A puzzled look crossed Chris’s face as the noun escaped his little niece’s mouth. “He or she should arrive right around Christmas,” Mary interjected seeing the questioning look on her husband’s face.

It was many hours before they could settle Sue Ann into slumber. She went on an on about the baby. She was so excited that the fear once felt by both Chris and Mary soon dissipated into the night sky, blowing away on the northern wind that carried Old Man Winter. Mary adjusted her nightcap and smiled back at her husband in his Long Johns. Her husband looked handsome in whatever he wore. He gleamed his pearly whites back at her and patted the empty place of the bed on which Mary rested her head. She floated across the room and snuggled in the spot next to him. Chris drank in the lavender sent left from the accessory in her hair. She was still one of the most graceful and beautiful things he had ever seen. His thoughts came back to the first night they met.