The Night I Flew

Chapter 7

When I went downstairs I found almost all the maids decorating the house with bright lights, wreaths, and colorful ornaments. "Oh miss, just look at how beautiful the decorations are this year!" One of the said as I passed. I smiled and continued walking.

My father was standing at the top of the staircase. Was he waiting for me? "Anastasia. I heard you needed to see me." Had someone found out? No, they couldn't have. "Yes. I need to stop by some shops at town. I'm not going to be here for Christmas Day either. I'm going to a house to look for a husband." I said, trying to walk away.

"Who is it?" He asked, stopping me. "I don't know. Someone stopped me on the street and told me of a rich young man that was looking to marry me. I figured it would be best to bring gifts as well." I said, looking at the door.

"Very well. You may go." He said, letting me leave. "Thank you." And with that, I set off to town. I pulled out the list of gifts Alex's family asked for and started walking to town

When I was finally finished getting all the gifts, I started looking for Alex's house using the address he wrote down in the note. I had to stop to ask directions a few times but I eventually reached the front of the house.

It was a quaint little cottage but you could tell it was filled with love and light. I quickly fixed my hair and walked through the small garden in the front. Just a few rows of vegetables that was filled with snow. Alex has told me of how much his mother and sister loved to garden.

I finally reached the front door and cautiously knocked. The door slowly opened and a little girl peeked out. That must be Marigold. "Mama, there's a princess at the door!" She shouted looking me up and down with wide eyes.

A middle aged woman walked up to the door and looked shocked. "You must be the one who Alexander works for. Do you need him to work today?" She asked clearly not knowing what to do. " Oh no. I'm just visiting." I said as friendly as possible.

She looked confused then looked at what I was holding. "What are you holding?" She asked, still clearly confused. Before I could answer her, Alex appeared. "Ana!" He said, hugging me. I hugged him back. I may have hugged him nearly everyday but I always missed his hugs when they weren't there.

"Alex, be respectful. You work for this young lady." His mother said, nudging him. "Oh no it's quite fine." I tried to explain. "Oh dear. You must be freezing! Please come in." She said quickly, ushering us all inside. I hung up my coat and soaked up the warmth of the small place.

"It's not much. Its probably much smaller than what your used to but I hope you can forgive it." She said, shamefully. "Oh no, it's a lovely place. I would honestly swap homes with you if I had the choice." I said honestly. She looked slightly surprised by this.

Alex.walked behind me and rubbed one of my shoulders. "Are you sure your not too cold?" He said, smiling at me. "I'll be ok. But thank you Alex." I smiled back at him. His face suddenly lit up, remembering the bags in my hands. "let me take those for you." He said grabbing them and placing them on a small table surrounded by chairs.

"What are in those?" I heard the voice of a girl about my age. "Who is that?" She said looking me up and down. "A princess!" Marigold exclaimed. I smiled at her and held out my hand to the girl. "Anastasia Donahue." I said as she grabbed my hand. "Rosetta Solanne" She had light hair like her brother and little sister but she had brown eyes. I assumed their father had dark eyes because their mother had light blue eyes.

"Alex works for you doesn't he? You here to collect him to work another day?" She said slightly coldly. "He does but I'm actually here for your Christmas dinner. If you'll have me that is. Oh and-" I said, walking over to the table, pulling out some gifts. "Alex told me about your Christmases. I have too many things I have no reason for having. I felt I might as well give some to people who actually need it." I walked over to their tree, putting the gifts under it.

Rosetta looked over to Alex. "Sorry but we won't have enough food. I really wish we could let you stay. You seem like a wonderful person..." Rosetta said, looking to the floor. "That's not a problem. I didn't just bring presents." I pulled out the two bags full of food I had purchased.

Everyone in the room, including Alex looked as if they would cry. "I'd be happy to help prepare it too." I said smiling. Just then, three teenage boys walked into the house, covered in snow. "Wow, who's the rich girl? And why is she in our house?" One of them said.

"Reggie, this is Ana. She is our Christmas miracle!" Alex's mom exclaimed and ran to hug me. I hugged her back. So this was where Alex learned to hug so well. "We have a full feast and real presents. A real Christmas..." Marigold whispered. She then also ran and hugged me. When his mom pulled away, she smiled and said, "Well, of course your welcome to Christmas dinner!" She sounded like she was going to cry.

The boy named Reggie stood in the door, the other two boys had walked off and back home. I didn't see Alex walking up behind me. I felt a hand on my back and then I was turned around. He kissed my cheek and smiled. "Thank you Ana. Really." And he hugged me. When we pulled away I smiled at him. "What? You didn't think I'd really go back on my promise did you?", "No, but thank you all the same." He answered, kissing my forehead.

When we finally pulled away from each other we saw his whole family smiling at us. "How did- when did- How did you manage to end up with a literal princess!?" Reggie screamed. I blushed and Alex yelled " it's not that unbelievable! And news flash she's not a princess people." I gave him a scolding look and he corrected himself. " But she should always be treated like one." He said with a straight face.

We all laughed at that then made our way to the tree. All happy to be in one place. I could miss all the presents in the world and still be happy to see these wonderful people all smiling and happy. That was and will always be my favorite Christmas.