Andrew stopped his daydreaming about the past; he was delighted by Megan showing up unexpectedly a few hours ago. His reminiscing was sweet but he knew that tomorrow he would be offering them a future together - an option to work out their constant separations.
He was ready to have Megan become a permanent part of his life and carry on the traditions of both families in both countries and cultures.
He looked over everything and quickly ran down a mental check list - Meat and cream sauce finished - green beans in the microwave - bread needing to be sliced - the noodles were almost ready for Megan - the wine was chilling and the table cleaned off and ready to be set. Once he took the noodles off he went upstairs to wake his lady love.
Megan awoke feeling rested and happy as Andrew kissed her neck. She smiled looking up into those brown eyes brimming with love. He told her to get dressed and come downstairs and help him prepare for dinner.
Megan joined Andrew in the kitchen and after a wet sloppy kiss helped him with the noodles and sliced the bread. She looked around thinking back to how Christmas was at both of their parent's homes. She remembered the Christmas she spent with his family.
As she and Andrew drove up to the house Megan sat and stared at Bart and Denise's house and yard in awe. Innumerable multicolored lights were blinking and moving around the house, up and down posts and banisters on the porch and even through the shrubs and trees in the yard. The lights combined with wooden cutouts of different cartoon characters gave the yard a dream like aura.
Caitlyn had run out and tackled Megan, the two of them frolicking in the snow looking at all the different decorations. As Andrew brought the bags inside Caitlyn said, "Well now my friend you are about to see me whip up on your beloved."
"How so," Megan asked, mischief dancing on both girls' faces.
Caitlyn bent over and made a dozen or so snowballs and put them in front of her, then held one in each hand. A few moments later Andrew and both his parents came out onto the big wrap around porch.
Denise called out, "Megan would you come up here please?"
Caitlyn whose eyes were on Andrew said, "You better go up there it's going to get real messy down here."
Megan looked at her friend then quickly made her way up to the porch. Andrew looked around the yard as did Caitlyn then with a quick nod of both their heads he walked down the five steps and stood in front of the house.
"Caitlyn," he shouted although his sister was only twenty feet away, "Save yourself the embarrassment this year and surrender..." His comments were cut short by a loud splat as a snow ball thrown by Caitlyn smacked Andrew in the chest.
Caitlyn giggled, he turned slightly and brushed the snow off of himself then said, "Of course Madam you know this means war," quoting an old cartoon show.
Moments later the riot was on and for the next twenty minutes the yard was filled with running, snow covered bodies. Snow balls were being thrown, then handfuls of snow being dumped on one another and bodies being rolled and covered in snow.
Through it all Megan laughed herself to tears as Bart explained, "We don't really understand why, but every Christmas season that these two are together this little display occurs. It's been this way for 18 years but they refuse to perform unless we are here to enjoy watch the show."
A few minutes later Caitlyn and Andrew, who were cold, wet and shivering wandered arm in arm to the porch, bowed, then headed inside to take showers and change into dry clothing.
Megan and Denise followed Bart into the house. Much like her own home, the Scotsdale's had decorated the inside of theirs with the holiday's finest colors. It was the tree that caught her attention; it had to be twelve feet tall and at least that big around. But there was no space anywhere on that tree to put anything. Lights, and ornaments, and garland and tinsel were everywhere. The tiny lights slowly faded on and off as bubble lights, (which she soon found out they were called), gave the whole tree an illusion of upward movement.
The presents in their multicolored packaging filled the bottom area underneath the tree and up both sides of the walls behind the tree. Only then did Megan smell the hot chocolate and cookies that Denise had brought out for everyone to share.
When Caitlyn and Andrew showed back up Megan greeted them both warmly. Soon everyone was sitting looking at the big tree and catching up. Megan was so happy, "I only have a few more weeks of study, then time to find a job."
Andrew smiled, "The quicker you get settled the quicker we can get settled."
Megan looked at him cocking his head in an obvious signal she didn't understand.
Andrew just said, "It can wait for now so just relax."
Caitlyn mentioned, "By the way Megan we have four trees in the house, this one and three themed trees. They are smaller but one is an old fashioned tree, only handmade ornaments and antiques are on that tree. Then we have a Teddy Bear tree everything on that including the lights are teddy bears. Then lastly we have Dad's nautical tree. Since he spent five years in the US Navy everything is either nautical or sailing ship themed."
Megan asked to see the other trees and Caitlyn proudly showed them to her.
Andrew then showed Megan that all the women in the house had their own mistletoe. A large one for Denise, a medium one for Abigail, and two small ones for Caitlyn and Megan were hung in different doorways. Andrew kept pulling Megan to her doorway to ensure he could keep the Christmas spirit. Megan for her part was not complaining.
"Megan" Caitlyn called "you are supposed to take a berry from the mistletoe each time you are kissed."
"Not on your life" replied a laughing Megan. "This mistletoe plays by My Rules" and she beckoned to Andrew, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.
For Megan, her experiences in the Scotsdale home were wonderful, but the crowds at the malls and supermarkets were disquieting she told Andrew, "All this last minute rushing and buying and crowding takes so much away from the heart of the season."
Andrew waxed philosophical and replied, "Everything you do in life is a trade off. Some times those trades are easy, like making time for family. Sometimes they are hard, like dealing with the commercialism of the season."
Megan and Andrew went out with a group of Caitlyn's friends and sang Christmas Carols door to door in different housing developments on two different nights. Megan sang so loud she was hoarse after the second day.
Christmas Eve was a night for family. All of Bart and Denise's family sat down together and enjoyed a dinner of prime rib roast and mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, green beans and hot rolls. There was also a large assortment of pies for dessert.
After dinner Caitlyn entertained everyone by playing the piano for the rest of the evening.
Christmas morning the family gathered again. Denise had all the kids sit near the tree and Megan was thrilled for the children just watching their wide-eyed excited faces. The two grandkids were almost unable to control themselves as the gifts were handed out to everyone and they were allowed to open theirs. Lastly, the adults were able to open theirs too.
Megan, without saying a word to Andrew, had brought parcels from England that she self consciously handed to each family member, shyly saying "Happy Christmas" to each one. For the children she had colouring books and pencils of Bob the Builder, Harry Potter and other English children's favourites. Her friend Caitlyn opened her slim parcel to discover musical scores, bound in leather, for English Church Organ Music. Her siblings received assorted Belgian chocolates, exotically made and beautifully presented with many containing varieties of liqueurs. Her gift to her hosts, Denise and Bart, revealed an Irish cut glass punch bowl complete with eight silver plated goblets and ladle. She kissed them both on their cheeks and said "I hope you like these. They say a special and permanent 'thank you' for making me feel so welcome, and giving me an American Home to come to."
Andrew cleared his throat noisily. Getting no response he 'Harrumphed' again. Megan turned her innocent blue eyes on him "are you getting a cold?" she asked. He stood and walked menacingly towards her and Megan dodged behind her friend calling "save me, Caitlyn save me" while laughing her head off. Finally she gasped through her laughter "Andrew behave! Your present is upstairs in our bedroom." The whole family erupted into laughter and cries of "way to go." Megan suddenly realised what she had said and blushed scarlet. Andrew grinned and said "come on then. Up we go."
"No, no ... I mean ... Andrew don't you DARE grab hold of me. I meant I haven't yet brought yours down here" and she ran out of the room.
Moments later she reappeared, still blushing and handed a gift wrapped parcel to him. He hurriedly began to open it. It was protected by a hard case and he cautiously opened it. It was a studio portrait of Megan herself in a silver frame, robed in her academic gown, erect, serene and confident, her blue eyes seeming to smile at him and follow him wherever he might stand. There were "Ahhhs" from everyone.
"Oh Meg." And he swept her into his arms and kissed her, much to the noisy delight of his family.
After the gifts and a light snack of homemade coffee cake, Denise had everyone pitch in and help load the cars with food baskets, blankets, water jugs and other essentials as well as a few small toys and games. The caravan of four vehicles moved swiftly through the deserted streets to areas where homeless people were known to congregate. When they found people they stopped and passed out anything they had that could be of help including bringing them to shelters if someone requested it. It took three hours but all the goods were finally given out.
On the way back home Megan asked Andrew, "How long has your family done this on Christmas Morning?"
He smiled, "Since before I was born, and they run a network of about twenty-five other families around town that were out today also. This is important to them to share their abundance with others, on the one day the homeless feel the need the most."
Megan held his arm, "I can't begin to tell you how full I am right now, my heart is just singing."
