Life Goes On

Chapter 34: Christmas

After that amazing way to wake up, Sebastian, Ominis and I took a bath and got dressed. The two of them disillusioned back out into the guest house and pretended to come into the main house for the first time that morning, after Helga had arrived to start breakfast.

As we walked into the kitchen to greet Helga she nearly dropped the tray of biscuits she was carrying to the dining room. "Oh my Ophelia! Would you look at your beautiful face. Oh come here and give me a hug!" She exclaimed, putting the tray back on the counter before running over and squeezing me tightly. "You've gotten even more beautiful since I saw you last, you look so much like your mother," she said as she cupped my cheek.

"Thank you Helga, you look wonderful as well. How have you been?" I asked.

She flapped her hands in front of herself, "oh I'm good, just doing as much as I can for your aunt as always."

"You're too sweet, I'm glad she has you around." I said sincerely.

"Oh please, we keep each other company, us old ladies you know?" She joked.

"And oh, would you look at Master Ominis and Master Sebastian," she walked over to them and pinched both of their cheeks. "I can't believe how tall and handsome you two continue to get!" They both smiled, their cheeks red from the pinching.

"It's lovely to see you again Madam Helga," Ominis said as he took a small vow.

"Oh I told you before just call me Helga!" She demanded brushing away formalities.

"Yes it's great to see you, and we're happy to have some of your cooking again," Sebastian said as he stole a biscuit.

Helga smacked his hand playfully, "Oh I suppose you'll be needing lots of food to keep growing as much as you are huh!?"

"Can we help you with anything Helga?" I asked feeling a bit embarrassed to let her do all the work.

"Oh you go and get your aunt, she always likes to sleep in. Ominis, Sebastian, I actually have a task for the two of you if you don't mind?" She asked as she tilted her head towards the backdoor.

"Lead the way!" Sebastian said as the two followed Helga out of the kitchen.

I headed upstairs to wake great aunt Cleo. I ran my hand over the hand rail, so many memories here, so many of them sad. It was hard walking to her room without thinking about the many nights I walked down this hallway after I'd had a nightmare. She was always sweet, would always let me stay with her if I was too afraid to go back to my bed.

When I walked in, I could hear her snoring. I tiptoed to the side of her bed and gave her a kiss on the forehead and gently brushed my hand over her curlers to wake her up.

"Oh good morning my sweet girl, how did you sleep." Auntie Cleo said groggily as she slowly opened her eyes.

"Fantastic, and you?" I couldn't help but think about my amazing night with Ominis and Sebastian.

"Like a rock!" She laughed and I smiled.

"Helga's setting up the table, she should have tea ready in 20 minutes. You should get dressed and join us." I said urging her to get up.

"Oh to be young and full of energy! Alright I'll get up, be a darling won't you and bring me my washbowl." She asked gesturing her hand towards it.

I went over to aunties vanity and grabbed the bowl with Luke warm water that Helga had brought up earlier. Auntie liked to rinse her face and chest off in the mornings to wake herself up and freshen up a bit. She was still used to the old ways as opposed to taking advantage of the convinient running hot water.