“Aunt Eileen, come onnnn.” Molly had her hands on her hips in a pose that would have made the strictest of schoolmarms proud. “Everyone’s waiting.”
Eileen laughed. But then she seemed to be doing a lot of that these days. And why wouldn’t she? There were so many things bringing joy into her life.
She loved that it was Christmas morning and the house was filled with children. She loved that the children now called her Aunt Eileen. She loved that she and Fern had grown so much closer.
But most of all, she loved that six days ago she had become Mrs. Simon Tucker.
“I’m coming, sweetheart. I just need to get the last cookie on this platter.”
“But it’s taking forever.”
Eileen hid her smile this time. She supposed when a group of eager children was gathered in front of the Christmas tree ready to open gifts, a few minutes did seem like forever.
“There.” She lifted the platter with both hands and spun around. “Lead the way.”
Molly did an immediate about-face and trotted from the room. As they proceeded she turned back occasionally as if checking that Eileen was keeping up. They crossed the parlor, and Eileen reflected that they’d have to rename the secret room. The recessed door was rarely closed these days, and it had become the favorite place for the family to gather.
Family. Another word that made her smile.
“Here she is,” Molly announced as they stepped through the door. “At last,” she added melodramatically.
“And well worth waiting for.” Simon stepped forward and kissed her on the cheek. Then whispered in her ear. “Have I told you lately how much I love you, Mrs. Tucker?”
Eileen felt the warm tingle of those words all the way down to her toes. “I don’t mind hearing it again,” she said archly.
“Can we start now?”
At Joey’s question, Simon let out an amused huff in her ear, then stepped back and relieved her of the platter. The look he gave her promised they would continue the discussion later.
“Since you’ve all been so patient,” he said as he escorted her to one of the new benches he’d installed in the room, “I suppose we’re ready.”
Fern scooted over to allow Eileen to sit between herself and Molly. It gave her a good view of the large tree Simon and the children had selected two days ago. The homemade decorations were scattered on it with gloriously imperfect abandon, and she decided she’d never seen a lovelier tree.
Near the top of the tree Simon had placed Miss Fredrick’s hat. Gee-Gee was a part of these children’s lives, and it was only right that her spirit should be represented in their celebration.
While they waited for Simon to retrieve his Bible from the mantel, she allowed the excited chatter in the room to wash over her. Even Buddy, who had somehow become an indoor dog when she wasn’t looking, was adding an occasional yip to the babble.
Simon moved to stand in the front, between them and the tree, then opened the Bible to the Christmas story. Everyone quieted as he began to read. She listened to his strong, confident voice reading of that long-ago miracle that spoke of an unfathomable grace and love, and the message resonated with her as it never had before.
When Simon finished and closed the book, he asked Russell to lead them in prayer. That was another thing she found to admire and love about her new husband, the way he was training up the children. He might not believe in routines and discipline in the same way she did, but he would do his best to see that they had a proper upbringing. And that they knew they were loved.
When Russell had finished and the amens were said, Simon gave them all a broad smile. “Shall we exchange the gifts?”
The children all scrambled to fetch the gifts they’d placed under the tree last night, and to hand them to their recipients.
There were exclamations as the children discovered who had pulled their names and then more excitement as they unwrapped the packages.
Eileen handed a small package to Fern. “Merry Christmas.”
“But...” The girl looked up at her in confusion. “I thought the shawl—”
“It’s not much, but I couldn’t leave you with nothing to open on Christmas morning.”
Fern gave her a watery smile, then very carefully unwrapped the tissue paper. Inside was a lace handkerchief with Fern’s initials stitched in one corner. She stood and gave Eileen a hug. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Eileen felt a presence at her shoulder and turned to see Simon. He slipped an arm around her waist and led her away from the knot of children.
“I’ve got something for you,” he said, pulling a package from his coat pocket.
“Did you pull my name?” she asked suspiciously.
He drew himself up in mock affront. “Can’t a gent get a gift for his wife without pulling her name from some hat?”
She laughed at his teasing. “Forgive my indecorous question.”
“As it happens, I did end up with your name, but I had to trade Dovie for it.”
“You cheated! I don’t know whether to be upset or flattered.”
“Definitely flattered.” He handed her the gift. “Now, are you going to open this?”
She accepted the package and felt a fluttering excitement, similar to what the children must have felt. When she lifted the lid on the box, she found a delicate wood carving of a star and a quarter moon.
She lifted them out and placed them in the palm of her hand, admiring the craftsmanship that had gone into their creation.
She looked up. “You made these?”
He nodded. “I know it’s not anything fancy. But it’s a reminder of what you mean to me, that if I could, I would give you the moon and the stars from the heavens for your very own.”
What had she ever done to deserve such a love, such a man?
“So you like it?”
Ignoring the fact that they weren’t alone, Eileen wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick but very satisfying kiss. “I like it very much,” she said when she stepped back. “It’s the finest Christmas gift I’ve ever received.” She put a hand to his cheek. “From the finest man I’ve ever known.”
The sudden heat in his expression brought an answering warmth to her cheeks.
Then Joey called Simon over to admire the rawhide strips that had mysteriously appeared under the tree for Buddy. With a light squeeze and wink, Simon left her side.
She watched him go, then looked at the room full of people who were enjoying this Christmas together. Her family, all of them, including Dovie and even Buddy. For a moment she stood apart, remembering how far she’d come in a few short weeks.
She’d gone from knowing she could never have children to now having ten wonderful children to love and raise as her own. From having a mother who made her feel as if she’d been a regrettable mistake, to having an older woman in her life who offered her friendship and wisdom. And she’d gone from being the widow of a husband who treated her as little more than a pretty poppet, to being the wife of one who truly loved and respected her.
She offered up a silent prayer of thanksgiving for this blessing of a new family—one she hoped to surround herself with for a very long time.
Then Simon turned, gave her that crooked smile that always made her heart do a flip and held out his arm. With a light step and a full heart, she moved to his side and joined her forever family.
* * * * *
Keep reading an excerpt from THE BRIDE SHIP by Regina Scott.