Romance and Christmas Stories.

A Little Christmas Magic. Ch. 10 12/23/00 Happy Birthday Jennifer!

Prologue. 

While Jennifer, Stefanie, and Cora were still sound asleep at 5:00 am Momma, Rosie, and Santa woke up early and made their way down to the lobby where Cathy and Cameron were sitting at a table in a small comfy nook drinking coffee. Momma approached them about helping them buy a house for Jennifer and Jonathan for her birthday today. Which house did you have in mind? Cameron asked them. This one. Momma said showing him the picture of Robert and Abby's old house. Ok. Cameron said, but just so you know that house needs a Lot of work from the  foundation, to the roof. I had a friend go over every single detail of the problems of the house with Robert but he clearly didn't care to fix the problems. So with all the problems this house has we should be able to get it for less than $125,000 Momma said. You should. Cathy replied. The Mayor won't allow a house with that many issues go for over the asking price. Cameron used his cell phone to call Robert and made him an offer for his old house. "How much were you thinking of paying for the house? Robert asked. An even $25,000. Cameron said. When Robert started to complain Cameron reminded him that their house isn't gonna go over your asking price. So it's either take my offer or come Spring your house is gonna get torn down. Cameron said." Robert let out a sigh and said Deal. I'll meet you at your parents house say 10:30am. That'll work. Robert said. I'll see you at 10:30 am, and hung up the phone. 

Later that morning Jennifer, Stefanie, Cora, Ali, and Aurora were up taking showers and getting dressed for the day. Of course no one wished me a Happy Birthday. Jennifer thought. Today she was 28 years old. Ali, Aurora, and Cora had finished getting dressed and left a note letting Jennifer and Stefanie know that they had errands to run, but to make sure they were at Jonathan's house for the Pre-Wedding Party today at exactly 4 pm. Jennifer let out a sigh and finished getting dressed not sure what she was gonna do today. Stefanie came in and asked her Aunt if she was dressed and ready to go? Go where? Jennifer said. I'm taking you out for  breakfast at the Diner, then we're going shopping, then back to the Diner for lunch, and then we'll come back to the Holly Inn to get ready for the Pre-Wedding Party at Jonathan's house. With the rest of the family out running errands with Jonathan's family Jennifer and Stefanie make their way to the Diner for breakfast. While Jennifer and Stefanie ate breakfast Jonathan's Mom Jessica made arrangements with a Dress shop four doors down from the Diner for Jennifer and Stefanie to shop by themselves without the public around. As Jennifer and Stefanie finish up breakfast their family and Jonathan's are putting the final touches on Jennifer's birthday party. Drew, JD, Lucy, and Ana go and get the food from the store except for the pizzas Drew had called the Pizza Place and ordered three pizzas to be delivered to Jonathan's house at exactly 3:40pm One Pepperoni, One Cheese, and One Supreme. With the pizzas ordered Cora, Ali, and Aurora were setting plates, cups, and napkins out on a table that had been set up in the living room against the wall where the couch had been yesterday. Some furniture had been moved around to make room for people in case they wanted to dance. Jessica was in the kitchen with Rosie and Momma decorating Jennifer's birthday cake. Rosie and Momma made Jennifer and Jonathan's Wedding  Cake early that morning while they were drinking coffee as Cameron and Cathy met Robert at his parents house to give him the $25,000 for his old house. Santa went along but stayed in the car, and a few mins later Cameron and Cathy walked out with the keys, and the deed to Robert and Abby's old house. Jennifer and Stefanie had finished breakfast and walked to the Dress shop and started looking around for new outfits for the Pre-Wedding Party at Jonathan's house. The owner of the shop put a note up on her door letting everyone know that the shop was closed to the public for a few hours. Stefanie finds an outfit that she likes with shoes while Jennifer takes her time until she finds a Soft Pale Pink dress that she loves and a pair of Soft Pale Pink heels.  With her dress and shoes in hand Jennifer steps into the dressing room to try them on. After looking in a mirror at her reflection Jennifer stepped out showing the outfit to Stefanie. "You look Amazing Aunt Jennifer. Stefanie said. Thank you sweetie. Jennifer replied. As she turns around to check out the back of the dress in the mirror a small set of Pale Pink jewelry catches Jennifer's eyes, and makes her way over to the jewelry stand and picks up the set. I love this set. Jennifer said to Stefanie showing her the small dangly earrings and necklace. You can get them Aunt Jennifer. Stefanie said. My Treat. Awww thanks sweetie giving her niece a hug. Jennifer headed back into the dressing room to change out of the dress and shoes and put her clothes back on." After Jennifer stepped out of the dressing room she and Stefanie made their way to the counter to checkout. As the owner rang up their items Stefanie went in her purse and pulled out her wallet and waited. After everything was rung up the total came out to be $20.21. Stefanie took the cash and change out of her wallet and handed it to the owner while Jennifer picked up the bags with their new clothes in it. Thank you. Stefanie and Jennifer said as they left the dress shop. They headed back to the Diner for lunch. Maybe we should have a Light lunch. Stefanie said to her Aunt. There's no telling what kind of food is gonna be at the Pre-Wedding Party later this afternoon at 4pm. Jennifer and Stefanie are back in the Diner sitting down and having a Light lunch of Chef salads and water. Before they leave Stefanie heads to the ladies room to text Ali to see how everything is coming along?  We're almost done. Ali texted back. The food will be here before you and Jennifer get here. And the cake is all done and decorated sitting in the fridge before the party. Perfect. Stefanie said. Me and Jennifer went shopping after breakfast and now we're back at the Diner eating a Light lunch and water. That's good. Ali said more room for pizza, but don't tell Jennifer. I won't. Stefanie texted back before leaving the bathroom. Stefanie made a stop at a Game and ten mins later she won her Aunt a Disney Princess doll and hid it behind her back before heading back to the table where her Aunt is waiting for her. Stefanie gets back to the table just as Jennifer gets ready to head back to the Holly Inn. "Hold on Aunt Jennifer. Stefanie said. I got this for you so you don't think I forgot about your birthday. Stefanie hands her the beautifully wrapped Disney Princess doll from behind her back and hands it to her Aunt and says Happy Birthday Aunt Jennifer." As Jennifer gently unwraps her birthday present from her niece Stefanie hides a smile behind her hand as the Disney Princess doll comes into view. Oh my goodness. Jennifer said as the doll version of Belle from "Beauty and The Beast" is revealed. I love it. Jennifer said to Stefanie giving her a hug. I'm sorry it's not Cinderella. Stefanie replied. It's ok. Jennifer said. I love Cinderella, but I like Belle too. Stefanie smiled as they gathered up their bags from their shopping trip this morning, and with Belle tucked into Jennifer's oversized purse they made their way back to the Holly Inn to get ready for the Party at 4pm. Jennifer and Stefanie make great time walking back to the Holly Inn to get ready for the party this afternoon at 4:00 pm. Once they get back to the Holly Inn and up to their Suite Jennifer heads to her room with her bag and places it on the bed and pulls her new dress out for the party and lays it on the bed with the heels and jewelry set she got as well before disappearing into the bathroom to take a shower. Meanwhile Stefanie is in her room laying her clothes out before going to take a shower as well. While both Jennifer and Stefanie are taking showers the rest of the family is helping Jonathan and his family finish setting up the decorations for Jennifer's birthday party. At exactly 3:45 pm the pizzas arrive and Drew pays for them as JD carries them into the kitchen and set them on the counter until it was time to put the food out. Back at the Holly Inn Jennifer and Stefanie have finished their showers, dried off, and walked out of their bathrooms to get dressed for the party. Both Jennifer and Stefanie kept an eye on the time as they dressed, did their hair, and put their jewelry on. At ten mins. to 4:00 they were ready to go and left the Suite made their way down to the lobby and headed out the front door of the Holly Inn and saw a beautiful Cinderella style Horse Drawn Carriage. Oh my goodness. Jennifer said in awe. The driver asked if they were Jennifer and Stefanie? We are. Stefanie said. The driver placed a step stool on the sidewalk for them to step on to get into the Carriage. "You first Aunt Jennifer. Stefanie replied. The driver held his hand out to help Jennifer in the Carriage as soon as she sat down the driver helped Stefanie into the Carriage before picking up the stool and placing it on the floor in the front seat.  And off they went to Jonathan's house for the Pre-Wedding Party." At exactly 4:00 pm the Horse Drawn Carriage pulled up to Jonathan's house just a min ago Rosie and Momma had tied the remaining balloons to the railings before heading back inside.  Inside the house Rosie told everyone that Jennifer and Stefanie were on their way. Both families hid in different parts of the house except for Jonathan and Santa. As the driver stepped off the front seat he picked up the step stool and set it down on the sidewalk and helped Stefanie out of the Carriage first followed by Jennifer. Thank you for the Carriage ride. Jennifer said politely. You're very welcome. The driver replied as he put the stool back on the floor of the front seat and climbed into the seat, and picked up the reigns and the Carriage was down the street heading back to the business it came from.  Jennifer and Stefanie make their way up the steps to the front door Stefanie rings the doorbell just as Jennifer checks to make sure she had her wrap and didn't leave it in the Carriage. Stefanie had disappeared in the house just as Jennifer turned back around from checking her purse where she put her wrap earlier, and noticed that her niece isn't outside with her on the steps, and the front door was open but the only light that Jennifer could see was from a small lamp. Jennifer walked up the remaining steps and into the house where Jonathan was waiting for her. Santa had taken Stefanie and hid with Cora, Momma, and Rosie in the kitchen. "Where is everyone? Jennifer asked Jonathan. I thought this was a Pre-Wedding Party before we get married on Christmas Eve." Jonathan smiled as he wrapped his arms around Jennifer's waist and said gently You're half right. It's a party but not a Pre-Wedding Party. I don't understand. Jennifer said. Jonathan kissed her on her cheek and stepped back and let out a whistle. A few seconds later both families appeared and said Happy Birthday Jennifer! Jennifer stared wide eyed at both her family and Jonathan's family and slowly it dawned on her. Her family didn't forget her birthday they planned a surprise birthday party for her. Oh my goodness. Jennifer said with a smile I thought you had forgotten my birthday. "We didn't sweetie. Rosie said. We have been working on this since yesterday. It was our idea. Ali and Aurora said to their sister. We had Stefanie take you to the Spa and Dinner yesterday while we were working on your party. Ali said. And we were putting the finishing touches on it today while you were out with Stefanie this morning and afternoon. Aurora added." As everyone relaxed and got ready to celebrate Jennifer's birthday Drew had brought the pizzas out while JD, Lucy, and Ana brought the plates, cups, napkins, and sodas and set them on the table so everyone could get their food, drinks, and sit down to eat and drink.  While Santa turned on the radio and sounds of Holiday music filled the air. As music poured out of the radio everyone was laughing and having fun. Jennifer sat next to Jonathan with her sisters and niece on her other side, while Lucy and Ana sat across from them. Drew and JD meanwhile were sitting with their parents having fun. Momma smiled seeing the small tiara on Jennifer's head looking like the sweet, regal, Winter Angel that she was. When all the food had been eaten and the leftovers put away Jennifer, Ali, Aurora, and Cora sang "White Christmas" to entertain the adults while Jonathan, Drew, JD, and his sisters in law got Jennifer's birthday cake, and ice cream ready to be brought out. From the kitchen Jonathan and his brothers stood still shocked at how amazing Jennifer's voice sounded singing the Christmas classic. Lucy poked her head out the door a little and saw the smile on John's face before pulling her head back into the kitchen. Your Dad has a smile on his face listening to Jennifer and her sisters sing. After the music has ended the lights are dimmed as Jonathan and Drew walk out of the kitchen carrying Jennifer's birthday cake while JD, Lucy, and Ana carry the ice cream, plates, cups, and forks. Both families sing Happy Birthday to Jennifer as she smiles at the sight of her birthday cake made for her by Lucy, Ana, and Jessica. When everyone has finished singing Happy Birthday Stefanie tells her Aunt Jennifer to close her eyes, make a wish, and blow out her candles. Jennifer looks at her niece and everyone around her, and says I don't have to make a wish kiddo I got my wish and blew the candles out in one soft breath. Everyone claps as the lights are turned back up and Jennifer took a candle out of the cake and started to lick the icing off the bottom of the candle as Cora takes the other candle and licks the icing off the bottom of that. "Is this something new? Jonathan asked laughing. Rosie smiled and said No. Jennifer and Cora have been licking the icing off candles since they were kids. Even though they don't have to. Momma said. Their sweet enough as it is. Jennifer and Cora smiled and said Thanks Grandma." While everyone is eating cake and ice cream and drinking soda talk turns to the Wedding tomorrow evening. Both Jennifer and Jonathan smile. Their counting down until their Wedding tomorrow evening on Christmas Eve. "How's the Wedding Cake coming along? Colin asked. It's almost done. Momma said All that's left to do is to decorate it. Rosie replied. I can't wait to see it. Jennifer said to them. Rosie smiled and said Trust us it'll be worth the wait. Absolutely. Momma said. Although I think Jennifer has been waiting for her Prince Charming to come along and sweep her off her feet." Jennifer blushed. Goodness Grandma. She said.  Drew hid a smile behind his hand before saying Jonathan Prince Charming I don' think so. Both Jennifer and Cora turned toward Drew and before Jonathan could say anything both Jennifer and Cora put Drew in his place quick saying unless he wants to end up on the Naughty List for the next two years he better check his attitude, and fast. Drew got the point and quickly turned to his twin and apologized for his smartass comment. Thank you. Jonathan said. Drew let out a sigh thinking he was off the hook, but he wasn't. Jonathan may have forgiven you for your comment John said to his son however you will be busy tomorrow morning so I suggest you get to bed  early tonight when we get home because you will be getting up early tomorrow morning to help your Mom, Lucy, Ana, Cora, Ali, Aurora, and Stefanie decorate the house and living room for the Christmas Eve Wedding of Jennifer and Jonathan. That'll work. Jessica said. If I may make a suggestion Ali said. If Drew is Truly sorry then he won't have any problem in paying for a Wedding Gown fit for a Disney Princess. I agree. Aurora added. Where is this Disney Princess Wedding Gown? Cora asked. In a really Fancy Wedding Dress Boutique. Ali said. Lucy let out a whistle I know which one their talking about that shop has the most Beautiful Wedding Gowns ever.  Yes they do. Ana said. From Princess to Mermaid Gowns, and those gowns are no Joke. Ana added. While everyone was eating cake, ice cream, and drinking sodas Drew stepped outside with Lucy to look up the Fancy Wedding Dress Boutique, and between them they found the Perfect Cinderella Wedding gown for Jennifer with glass slippers to go with it. Drew ordered the Cinderella Wedding Gown and Glass Slippers for Jennifer for her Wedding tomorrow evening and will pick it up tomorrow morning at 9 am. Once the Wedding gown and glass slippers were ordered Drew and Lucy went back inside the house to enjoy the rest of the party. Some people were sitting eating and drinking except for Jennifer and Jonathan they were close to the radio slow dancing to a slow song on the radio while Aurora took pictures. Ali, and Stefanie were helping her make a scrapbook for their wedding. An hour and half later the party was over some of the cake and food got taken back to the Holly Inn by Jennifer's family. While Jennifer went with Jonathan and his family to pick out a Christmas Tree. They got to the Christmas Tree lot  and started looking at the trees some were too thin, too small, not enough needles, but a min later Jennifer called out I found the Perfect tree. Jonathan and his family find Jennifer standing next to the most beautiful tree ever. But the guy wanted at least four hundred dollars for the Tree. Jennifer went wide eyed and pulled the guy to the side and had a quick chat with him, and a few seconds later Jennifer came back and the guy cut the tree for the family and tied it to the top of the SUV and in addition to that the guy threw in a long thing of green garland. When the SUV was loaded Jennifer and Jonathan's family got into the SUV and drove Jennifer back to the Holly Inn. Jennifer got out of the SUV and took some of the green garland with her as Jonathan walked her to the front door. Jonathan asked Jennifer what did she say to the guy at the tree lot? Jennifer smiled and said that today was her birthday and if the guy didn't give her the Tree for a present she was gonna go home and tell her Dad that he was mean and would be put on the Naughty List for a year. The guy broke down and gave her the Tree and the garland for Free. Smart and Sassy. Jonathan said with a smile as he kissed Jennifer on her cheek before heading home with his family while Jennifer went inside and up to the Suite where her family is. Once inside the Suite Jennifer went to her room and set the garland on the table and changed out of her party clothes and into something more comfortable and got to work making a Christmas Wreath for Jonathan's family tomorrow morning. As Jennifer worked on the wreath her family had gone to bed for the night. It was midnight when Jennifer finished the wreath. As she got ready for bed Jennifer counted the hours until her and Jonathan were married.