Rolling Stone

A Perfect Christmas Eve

Most people called me flighty. Impulsive was also a common description along with a ladies’ man and a flirt. I hate to admit it but, yes, more often than not I found myself in one of those categories. I lived for the moment, trying to get all the fun and excitement possible. The future? Oh, who cares about that. I’ve got my whole life ahead of me to worry about that.

But one day something changed.

I don’t quite know how it happened and couldn’t have told you when it was happening but looking back now I can see it plain as day. I’d always heard Pa say when the right girl came along I’d want to settle down although I never truly believed him. I think he was even beginning to wonder if I was an exception…

Then one day, she came along.

Our relationship started off on the wrong foot. Having heard about my reputation, she had determined she would NOT be counted as my latest conquest. She avoided me at all costs and on the rare occasion she happened to bump into me, she gave me the cold shoulder.

I couldn’t believe it at first. Me turned down by a girl? Little Joe Cartwright, Casanova and heartthrob of the Ponderosa…well, probably all of Virginia City, had actually found a girl immune to my charms. I didn’t even know that was possible.

But I wouldn’t have been Joe Cartwright if I’d given up that easy. Something told me she was different than any other girl I’d met. I felt drawn to her for some reason. I didn’t understand why at the time, but I had a hunch and I had learned by experience to respect my hunches.

It was actually Pa who got her to accept a supper invitation at the Ponderosa. In the presence of my family and Hop Sing I watched her walls slowly crumble and she began to open up. I thought she was beautiful before but after hearing her laugh and seeing the twinkle in her blue eyes, I knew I was falling in love.

It’s hard to believe that was a year and a half ago today.

I fingered the quilt coving my bed, a present she made me for my birthday a few months ago. At her request, Pa had dug out some of our old clothes from the the keepsake box in the attic and she had created this beautiful “memory” quilt. Each of the different fabrics represented some memory from years past. Some were small, trivial things, some were funny, others were sad, but all were very special to me. There were even a few pieces from back when Mama was alive, I noted touching a white sprigged red square that once had been her Christmas dress.

It wasn’t entirely made of old fabrics though. My fingers brushed across a powder blue piece the same shade as her eyes. By adding in a few new pieces along with the old, she had created just the perfect combination of past memories and future dreams. Our future dreams, I reminded myself.

A smile comes to my face and I chuckle. Pa says I’ve been smiling so much my cheeks are going to hurt but I can’t help it. I just can’t seem to keep from smiling when I think of the special surprise I have planned for tonight.

You see it’s Christmas Eve. As always, Pa is hosting the annual Christmas Eve Gala but for some reason this year he’s gone all out with the preparations. Hop Sing has been baking cookies and pies and cakes for days and the last time I checked, there hadn’t been an inch of empty space left on the dining room table and he was still baking. I wouldn’t be surprised if we had to set up another table just to hold it all. Pa’s even hired a lady to decorate the house for Christmas this year so everything would look perfect.

Too much fuss and bother, Hoss and complained though he had been smiling. I chuckled. Perhaps my little plan might be partially to blame.

Now I’ve always loved wintertime and especially Christmastime. It’s just a magical time of year. It’s a time of giving gifts and thinking of others; a time when families, and friends, come together to share in the joys of the season and reminisce on years gone by. I love the freezing cold weather and the sparkling snow. I love the way the house smells of pine trees and cinnamon and all sorts of goodies.

And after today, I’ll have a new reason to love this time of year. Why you may ask? Well, maybe you’ve already guessed, but in just a few hours I am going to be engaged. That’s right, tonight I am going to propose to the love of my life.

It’s definitely the most wonderful time of the year.

“Hey, Little Brother, you about ready? The guests are starting to arrive.” Hoss poked his head in my room.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m ready.” Suddenly my throat felt dry and my hands began to shake. I don’t know why. It’s not like I’m nervous. She’s the one for me and I know it beyond a shadow of a doubt. Marriage is a big step though, especially when you’ve been single as long as I have. Ok, maybe I am a little nervous.

I heard Hoss step into the room and from the corner of my eye I saw him studying me closely. “You all right, Joe?” His large hand came to rest on my shoulder.

I nodded. “Yeah I’m- I’m fine.” I folded my hands behind my back to hide their trembling. Maybe he didn’t notice.

“Well, you better tell your nerves that or you’ll have two left feet on the dance floor and she’ll be bound to pick up on something.”

Darn it. So much for mister calm cool and collected.

“You do have the ring right?” In order to keep my plan a secret, I had decided to have Hoss hold onto the ring until it was time. It wouldn’t do to have her find it too early after all.

He patted his jacket pocket with smile. “Yep, got it right here, little brother, and right here’s where it’s staying ‘till you’re ready for it. Don’t you worry about a thing. Just enjoy the night with your girl.”

I chuckled softly then smiled, punching Hoss’ arm lightly. “Can you believe it? I’m gonna be an engaged man by the time tonight’s over, Big Brother.” I held up my left hand. “You see this? By this time next year there could be a wedding ring on that hand.”

“Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched. You ain’t asked her yet. There’s a chance she could come to her senses and say no.”

The smile slipped from my face. She wouldn’t, would she? “You don’t think she will say no, do you?”

Hoss laughed. “Nah, I’m just joshin’ ya.” Seeing I wasn’t totally convinced, he squeezed the back of my neck as he continued. “Honestly, Joe, there ain’t no doubt in my mind about what her answer will be. That girl’s perfect for you and you for her. She adores you and anybody who doesn’t see that’s got to be blind. I’m really happy for you, little brother.”

My smile returned and I felt a bit easier. “Thanks, Hoss.

-/-/-/-/-

Although I had seen the decorations going up, I must admit I was speechless when I walked down the stairs. Pine boughs adorned every possible surface and the matching wreath on the door was trimmed with a bright red bow. The whole room was aglow with candles creating the perfect romantically festive atmosphere. A spring of mistletoe hung over in the center of the room which had been cleared of its usual furnishings to serve as the dance floor. The tree it had taken us three days to find- Pa insisted on having just the right one- stood proudly next to the bottom of the staircase, all decked out in popcorn garland, bright red ribbons, homemade gingerbread, flickering candles, and various other ornaments. At the very top sat Mama’s angel.

I couldn’t help but smile.

I was old enough now to know the angel wasn’t really Mama but seeing in it’s usual place made me feel as if she were really here tonight watching. For a moment I thought I saw the angel wink it’s beady eye at me. I shook my head. That’s impossible. But as I kept watching I could almost swear I saw its smile grow larger. Whether I really saw it or just imagined it, I’ll never know, but I do know it helped calmed my nerves.

-/-/-/-

The evening passed quickly as it always does when you’re having fun. My girl looked beautiful…well she always did but tonight she looked positively radiant. Her powder blue dress matched the color of her eyes to a T and her hair was done up in tiny ringlets pinned in a cascade down the back of her head. There was no competition, she was the belle of the party tonight. I was one lucky man.

I danced every dance with her until she begged me to let her rest a spell then I was happy to just sit on the sidelines by her and talk. I saw Pa watching us and I smiled. It must be odd seeing me being content to sit still and watch others dance for a change. Maybe I’m getting old. No, I shook my head and squeezed the hand of the girl next to me. I’m just in love.

Now refreshments had been served and folks were beginning to get their second wind. The floor was once again a bustle of activity as the band began to play and couples began dancing.

It was time.

I left my girl sitting by the punch table and wove my way over to Hoss to retrieve the ring, quickly slipping it into my pocket. With my family’s well wishes still ringing in my ears, I returned to her side.

“My, my, my, don’t you look lovely tonight. I do believe you must be the prettiest girl here.

She giggled. “Why, thank you, kind sir. And don’t you look very dashing tonight as well. ”

“I don’t suppose such a beautiful young lady would consider honoring a fellow with a dance?”

“Flattery, huh?” She laughed. “Well, I suppose I can spare one dance for such a handsome young man.”

Bowing low, I extended my hand. She placed hers in mine and I pulled her gently to her feet. My heart fluttered at the smile she gave me as I led her onto the dance floor. The band was playing a waltz, I realized with a chuckle. I couldn’t have planned it any better. She snuggled against me as we circled the room, moving as one.

“Oh, Joe, I wish tonight would never end,” she whispered in my ear after a few moments. “Spending Christmas Eve with my favorite person…nothing could make this evening more perfect.”

I smiled. Her evening’s about to be even more perfect. I glanced up. We were now in the center of the dance floor right below the mistletoe. I don’t know who’s idea it was to hang the mistletoe there but I was happy they did. I couldn’t think of a better spot. I caught Pa and Hoss’ watching from across the room and winked. Pa smiled back, nodding, while Hoss grinned and flashed me thumbs up. Here goes.

I stopped dancing and stepped back to look into her face, her expression one of puzzlement. Taking her hand in mine, I reached up to gently caress her cheek before picking up her other hand. “Sweetheart, it’s you who makes my days perfect. I think of you every second and can’t wait until we are together again. You’re the first thing on my mind when I wake up in the morning and the last before I go to sleep at night. I never knew it was possible to love someone so much until I met you. You complete me. You make me want to settle down and think about the future.” I paused and shook my head. “No, you are my future. You’re perfect for me, in every way. I love you with all heart, more than anything else in the world, and there’s just one thing I want to ask you.”

Vaguely I was aware of the stillness around us. The band was still playing but all dancing had stopped. But I had eyes for only one person and nothing else around us mattered. I dropped to one knee, pulling the box out of my pocket and snapping it open to reveal the diamond ring nestled on the velvet bed inside. She gasped, her hands flying to her mouth and I saw tears in her eyes as I asked the fateful question.

“Will you marry me?”

Click here for the 2018 Advent Calendar – Day 5 – Fall Leaf aka The Greatest Gift by Questfan