Bonanza
~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
* Day 15 *

Summary: Adam ponders the blessing of family at the end of a joyful Christmas.

Rating:  G
Word Count:  2,060

Christmas Child

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.*

Cheerful flames leapt and danced in the Ponderosa’s large stone fireplace, with smaller versions reflected in Adam Cartwright’s hazel eyes as he relaxed on the low table facing the familiar hearth. He set the Bible aside while staring at the dancing flames. As the Christmas story drifted through his mind, his eyes began to drift over the colorful stones in front of him, triggering a different memory from long ago. As a child he watched his father carefully select each stone and set them in place until the massive fireplace and chimney towered above them both. A gentle smile graced his face as he recalled the first Christmas fire laid upon the hearth. He and his little brother Hoss danced around in the snow when their father lit the fire in the fireplace in the middle of the woods, for the house had yet to be built that Christmas.

Happy sounds of children laughing and adults chatting brought Adam back to the present. Christmas had always offered a mix of emotions for him but one truth he never lost was that the joy of it all came from inside oneself, and one thing that made it special was family, just as in the Christmas story – Mary and Joseph had each other but they had shepherds and angels as well. Adam smiled inwardly. Whether it was just with his Pa when he was a lad, or later with his brothers, there had always been someone with which to share the joy, even during the hard times. The loneliest Christmas he could recall was when he had just arrived in Spain, alone; his family thousands of miles away. Still grieving from a tragic loss, he spent the day seeking warm memories of his family and the evening in the back of a church listening to a Christmas mass. After meeting his future wife, Ana, in the new year, he knew then that he would never again spend Christmas alone. So it has been for the last few years, and now this year, with his ever growing family.

The placement of a soft hand upon his and the presence of a warm body beside his brought him out of his reflective thoughts. He turned to gaze upon his beautiful wife.  Ana’s warm brown eyes were bright with Christmas wonder, and her rosy lips parted into a soft smile for her husband.

“A penny for your thoughts mi amor.”

He captured her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “Only reflecting on the joy of this Christmas day; how good it is to be with the family. I’m happy to be home.”

“It has been a joyful day, full of love and family, yes?” She glanced up to see her father bouncing their youngest child, now over a year old, upon his knee, and Hoss entertaining their other three children with animated storytelling. Adam’s own father was happily puffing his brand new pipe, and enjoying quiet conversation with Joe and Alice.

Adam shifted closer to his wife, stealing a glance around before touching his lips to hers for a brief kiss. “Yes, a joyful time indeed.”  Draping his arm around her shoulders, the couple enjoyed the dancing flames until they were interrupted by an announcement from the dining room.

“Have cookies, meats, sweet breads, and cider for all. Children come to table, please.”

All heads turned toward the smiling Hop Sing as he placed a large tray on the dining room table, graced with a lace tablecloth and an evergreen centerpiece. Their Christmas day feast had been enjoyed earlier in the day, so this was a welcomed repast during the twilight hours before bed.

Adam rose and assisted his wife to stand. She took a few extra moments to straighten up, causing  Adam to inquire quietly, “Are you feeling alright?”

Ana squeezed his arm in reassurance as she rested her other hand over her swollen belly. “I am fine. Our little one seems to be enjoying Christmas as much as we are, that is all.”  She headed toward the table planning to assist their children with their snacks but Adam expertly guided her to the settee instead.

“Sit here, Ana. I’ll see to the children and bring a plate for you.”

“You spoil me, my husband.”

“It’s my job to do that since your time is so close, my darling. Now sit and let me wait on you for a change.”

Ana’s eyes twinkled at her husband’s attentiveness. He could be quite commanding at times yet in the gentlest of ways around her. As she waited, she pondered her own Christmas joy with her new family. Her eyes rested upon the Creche her father had brought from their home in Spain, and the quilt square she had made for her father-in-law*, which now hung by the fireplace. Soon, Adam joined her and together they shared a plate, and once again enjoyed the dancing flames in front of them.

After enjoying Hop Sing’s Christmas treats it was time for a few Cartwrights to head to their own homes. Ben assisted Adam in getting his children ready, while Joe helped Alice with her coat. Ana remained on the settee working hard to hide how she was feeling. As the evening progressed she realized she was becoming more uncomfortable, but did not wish to break the spell of a peaceful Christmas night. The most recent twinge confirmed she could no longer hide the fact that she and her family would not be returning to their own home this night.

Growing restless, she stood to join Adam at the door. Feeling faint and fighting a backache she wavered, and felt Hoss’ strong arms around her. “Hey, Adam, I don’t think Ana’s feelin’ too good.”

Adam turned at his brother’s words, saw Ana’s pale face, and maneuvered around his five year old daughter and four year old twins to get to Ana. Hoss stepped back as Adam reached in to support his wife. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

“I did not wish to spoil this evening, but…” she grasped his arm and squeezed hard, her eyes pleading with his, “I believe our little one has other plans.”

As a momentary silence drifted over the room, Ben jumped into action. “Joe send someone for the doctor. Alice go tell Hop Sing. Adam,” he spun around to see Adam, and Ana’s father, José, already helping her up the steps, “well, um, Hoss watch after the children for a bit.” Ben raced up the steps.

“Uh, sure Pa.” Hoss began to help the little ones out of their coats and scarves, amid protests of being tired and wanting to go home.

*****

In the empty great room of the Ponderosa, the long clock chimed the second hour of the morning. Everyone had finally made it to their beds, after Ben found space for José, Adam’s children, and Joe and Alice. The quick arrival of Adam and Ana’s fifth child kept everyone busy and on edge, until an infant’s cry filled the house just before midnight, and Hop Sing proudly announce that Adam could go up to see his wife and daughter.

As the clock finished chiming its hour in the quiet house, Adam sat in a rocking chair in his old bedroom, singing Silent Night to his daughter, Anna Grace. Ana slept peacefully, and Adam knew he should do likewise but he was too excited, too full of wonder over the miracle of this little one in his arms.

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace*

The quiet lyrics penetrated Ana’s sleep. As she stretched she realized the other half of the bed was cold and empty. She turned toward the sound of gentle singing by the window and watched for a few moments the heartwarming sight of her beloved husband cuddling their newborn daughter.

“Adam, is she alright?”

Adam rose smoothly from the rocker to sit by Ana on the bed. She reached out to stroke their daughter’s soft hair, then rested her hand on her husband’s arm. Adam’s sparkling gaze never left that of the child, his soft baritone voice finishing the last refrain of the Christmas hymn. After a moment of silence he turned his smiling eyes toward Ana.

“I’m sorry I woke you. She’s fine. I just can’t put her down.” He leaned over to kiss his wife passionately, until a chuckle escaped while their lips still touched. The joy on her husband’s face touched her heart and brought a giggle as well.

“You are giddy, my husband. Is that the right word? Perhaps you had too much of your father’s brandy tonight?”  She watched him slyly as her eyes crinkled in merriment.

“Not at all, my dear. It’s true, I’m as giddy as a drunken man, but I am only drunk on the joy and wonder of this miracle in my arms and the blessing of your love.”

Her heart grew fuller with happiness as she accepted another kiss from her husband. “I should not be surprised. You have been this way with each of our children, and I share your excitement, my love.” She pushed the covers back. “Join me here under our quilt, mi amor, so we can share this moment together.”

Adam carefully settled beside her, deftly holding their daughter, who slept on, unaware of her parents’ warm snuggles. In the dim lamplight he rested his eyes on the large quilt pattern** covering them both before looking back at their Christmas baby. He began to hum the hymn once more as he imagined the joy of another set of parents as they beheld their son in the presence of shepherds and angels.

Hours later, as a new day dawned across the Ponderosa, two grandfathers peeked into the bedroom, hoping to get a glimpse of their newest granddaughter. What they didn’t expect to see was Anna Grace Cartwright snuggled between her sleeping parents. Her quiet mews and roaming pale brown eyes indicated her comfortable position. Sharing their mirth with sideways glances, the two gentlemen quietly backed out of the room, pulling the door closed behind them.

As the room brightened, the Christmas child shifted in her blankets and closed her eyes, cradled in the crook of her mother’s arm. Her tiny fingers found and curled around the long, slender finger of her father, as the family slept on in peace.

Merry Christmas to All!

———

*Luke 2:7-19, KJV.
**A reference from my 2018 Advent story – The Card Trick Quilt.
*Silent Night – hymn by Joseph Mohr, 1816.

Link to 2019 Advent Calendar – December 16:

A Christmas Miracle by Sierra Girl