12 Days of Christmas--Day 12--I'll be Home for Christmas--conclusion

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Wait, what? IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!! :D I can't believe it! How can it be here already? Also, this is the LAST day of the "12 Days of Christmas" blog series"! I can't believe it's already over. . .the time flew by so quickly! I've had so much fun and I just want to give Faith P. a HUGE thank you for all the work she put into all of this. I know I enjoyed it all immensely! 

Okay, anyway. . . I am looking forward to a quiet peaceful day. . .our baking day yesterday turned into a lot more then the "one batch of cookies" it was intended to be. ;P

What are you most looking forward to today?

Here is the conclusion to "I'll be Home for Christmas"! Let me know what you think of it!
Merry Christmas and have an amazing time as you celebrate the birth of our Savior!

***

The house was quiet. The pies were cooling on a shelf in the kitchen, the turkey was in the oven and the side dishes had all been prepared. The sun was sinking low beneath the western sky and the dim streetlamps had turned on, lighting the nearly deserted town.

Mary closed the door behind her as she stepped out into the snow. The ladies were busy putting the finishing touches on the Christmas feast and Uncle Mark and Uncle Baker had the children on the living room and were quietly reading them stories.

That gave Mary a few minutes to herself before the evening festivities began.

She took a deep breath of the cold air and slowly wandered down the sidewalk. The town was quiet and the streetlights added a festive glow to the darkening skies.

Mary talked past the stores and leaned up against the small rail fence that overlooked the snowy white fields that were illuminated with the setting sun. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes as she thought back to another field at another time in history. Only it hadn’t been snowy and darkness had fallen over it. “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.” Mary paused for a moment and silence surrounded her. It was as though she was the only person alive remembering that precious, holy night. She continued, “ 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--” She stopped abruptly with the sudden feeling that she was not alone.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” The masculine voice took up where she left off.

Mary put a hand on the top rail of the fence to steady herself. Could it be possible? Surely she was dreaming! That voice. . .she knew that voice.

She turned slowly, and for a moment her heart seemed to stop. It couldn’t be true, there was no way her eyes were telling her the truth. But there he was, a soft smile on his face as he continued. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.’” He paused for a moment and grinned. “Well, I’ve finished your favorite part, Mary. Are you going to give me a hug?”

Mary covered her mouth with her hands. “Nate. Oh, Nate. You’re home, you're alive!” She threw her arms around his neck and buried her head in his shoulder as her body shook with sobs.

“Hey, now Mary.” Nate softly stroked her hair. “I didn’t mean to make you cry. I thought you’d be happy.”

Mary nodded, keeping a tight hold on him, afraid that if she let go he would disappear. “Oh, I am happy. I couldn't be happier. Oh, Nate. I was so worried. We all were so worried.” She at last released her hold on him and stepped back, keeping his hand hand in between hers. “But how did you get here? The last thing we heard is that you were missing in action.”

“Well, I was. I was hit by shrapnel in several different places and it hit a tendon in my left arm. I still have the arm,” he motioned to it. “but I can’t exactly do much with it.”

Mary gasped as he drew up the coat sleeve to show the stiffened arm.

“Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt. And it was my ticket home.”

Mary’s eyes shone. “I still can’t believe it. I still can’t believe you’re really here.”

He laughed, “Believe it, believe it! I wanted to make it home yesterday, I know how much Christmas eve means to you. . .” his voice trailed off. “Oh, and I’m not alone.” he turned. “Mary, this is Sergeant Blank.”

“Yes, that is my real name.” The young man who stood off the the side had wavy brown hair and dark gray eyes. He smiled and held out his hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Mary. Nate’s told me so much about you.”

Mary wiped the tears from her face and smiled. “My goodness, I can’t believe I didn’t see you standing there. I’m sorry.” She met his hand in a firm handshake. “It’s nice to meet you as well.”

He laughed, “Don’t worry about it. I know you were happy to see your brother.”

“Yeah, well, Sergeant Blank was--is--my sergeant. We ended up in the same hospital and both got sent back home.” Nate motioned to the stump of the Sergeant's right arm. “James here tried to convince them he could still shoot just as good with his left arm, but they wouldn't have it. He lives in Washington so our house is on his way home. I talked him into stopping for a night or two.”

James nodded. “all true. And of course,  after all he’d told me about his home, and about you, I just had to stop and see if it was all true.”

Mary grinned, “how’s his honesty been so far?”

James smiled, “So far, everything I’ve seen has exceeded my expectations. Nate truly is a blessed man.”

“Well, come on, let’s get back to the house. I can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction when they see you, Nate!”

He smiled, “Well, let’s hope they’re less dramatic than yours.”

Mary only chuckled as they made their way through town to the house.

As she opened the door, Uncle Baker looked up. “Oh, Mary, You’re back just in time. We’re about ready to start supper.”

Mary couldn’t keep the smile off her face, “Uncle Baker, Uncle Mark, I have a surprise.” She turned. “Come on in, Nate.”

Nate grinned as he stepped into the house and waved. “Hey everyone. Merry Christmas.”

Uncle Baker looked like he’d seen a ghost and all the noise of the dishes in the kitchen suddenly stopped.

Aunt Josie appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Nate? Oh, Nate, you’re home!”

She rushed over to him and engulfed him in a hug. That seemed to shake everyone else out of the shock of seeing him in the doorway and Nate was soon surrounded by all the family.

Mary took a step back, still holding Nate’s left hand. “Why don’t you come in, James? I’m sure it must be cold outside. I know we’re all in the entry way right now, but,” she smiled. “I’m sure there’s enough room for you to squeeze in and close the door.
James smiled, “I’m warm enough just seeing Nate home. You know, that’s all he ever talked about. Home.”

Mary noticed the faraway look that entered his eyes. “Do you have family waiting for you?”

He smiled sadly and shook his head. “Not really. I mean, my dad’s still alive, but he’s not going to be too anxious to see me.”

Mary motioned to him, “well, you’re part of our family for tonight, because everyone needs to be with family on Christmas. Come on, come in. Don’t worry, they’ll notice you when Nate can shake them off.”

James hesitated, but finally nodded and stepped inside. “Alright, but I will blame you if they reject me.” His eyes twinkled.

Mary playfully cuffed him. “They won’t reject you.”

Nate suddenly seemed to remember the sergeant and turned to introduce him. As Mary had predicted, everyone immediately welcomed him.

Within minutes they were all gathered around the table. Mary took a seat to the right of Nate, and instead of placing Joseph next to her left, like Mary had assumed, Aunt Josie directed James to sit there instead.

Everyone stood behind their chairs, waiting for Uncle Mark to speak. A sudden quiet fell as he stood up. “Well, at one time I had a speech all planned, but I think I’ve completely forgotten it.”

There was a general laughter and he waited till it quieted down.

“All I can say is that I can’t say how thankful I am that we are all gathered here together. If you had told me an hour ago Nate would join us for our evening tonight, I would have told you you were crazy. But here he is. He’s home and he’s safe. We’re all together to celebrate the birth of our Savior. He came to earth two-thousand years ago to be born as a baby, but he was born to die. Born to die for us so that we might live. As we continue through the night, let’s keep that thought in our hearts and minds. Now, the ladies have done their best to provide us with a Christmas feast, even though we are in the middle of a war. Let’s sit and pray so we can eat before the food gets cold.”

Everyone took their seats, Nate reached over and pulled May’s chair out her her and she glanced up at him with a smile.

As soon as everyone had been seated and folded their hands,  Uncle Mark prayed. When he finished the prayer, Nate leaned over and whispered. “I’m home for Christmas, Mary. Just like the song says. You got presents on the tree? I see you did manage the snow and mistletoe.”

Mary smiled. “You bet we do. Gifts for everyone.”

James, who had heard what Nate said, leaned in, his voice a whisper as well. “And while it’s not Christmas eve, I’d say the love-light is gleaming pretty bright.”

Mary nodded contentedly. “It is. God’s love for us is shining brightly tonight, and the love he’s given us for each other only adds to the glow.”

James grinned, “out of the latter category, I’d say your love for your bother is shining the brightest of all.”

Nate smiled. "Merry Christmas, Mary. I never thought I'd be able to be here and say it in person, but I am." he smiled and pressed a kiss onto her curls. "Merry Christmas."

I'll be home for Christmas

You can plan on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents on the tree

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

I'll be home for Christmas

You can plan on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents on the tree

Christmas Eve'll find me

Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams