My Highlander, My Love, Part Three:Forbidden Love, The Greatest Love Story Ever Told.

Christmas Day

The church bells rang loud and clear, as the Druids filed one by one in the cathedral. It was five o clock in the morning, but it was tradition at Sterlingshire castle to wake up for the early liturgy, sing Christmas carols and then start a festive day with Christmas activities. The McClouds and the McCoys were invited this year to the castle to spend the Christmas weekend together, as well as the Fays and the Valkyries. The cathedral was huge, but only had room for three hundred occupants, the rest of the people were out in the courtyard enjoying the liturgy as the snow flake's fell all around them. 

"Merry Christmas everyone!" The priest said after the liturgy was over, and everyone cheered and hugged one another. 

And so the festive day began, everyone exited the cathedral and found a place in the courtyard to hear the children sing Christmas carols. Their little voices echoed thoughout the grounds of Sterlingshire castle spreading the love in the hearts of everyone, everywhere. 

Teary eyed mothers watched their children with pride, as the little ones acted out the nativity scene in the middle of the square, and Silas's and Isabella's baby was used as the baby Jesus, being that he was the only babe among them. 

Cook bustled through the dining room almost out of breath, "Hurry, they will be here shortly and I want everything ready when they walk in!" 

The servants wasted no time as they placed the orange juice on all the tables in the huge room. 

"Quick, get all the platters of food on the tables and prepare yourselves, it won't be but a few more minutes before they pile in the dining room like hungry animals!" Cook yelled, as she lifted her apron and wiped the sweat off her forehead, "and don't forget to greet those you serve with a curtsie and a smile!"

Tens minutes later the doors whipped open and the people marched inside hungrily, taking their seats in the huge dining area. Nessa made her way to the kitchen and praised Cooks cooking as her nostrils flared when she inhaled the scent of bacon and ham. 

"Cook you outdone yourself!" She said happily, as her eyes fell on the counter that was filled with scones filled with jellies and apple cinneman pies, "tomorrow the servants will take over the cooking and you can take a few days of rest, I'm sure your husband will like that." Nessa winked at the blushing Cook, before she walked back out into the dining area. 

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Pracheeta kept a low profile, as she slipped into the kitchen to get a tray of food. She wasn't about to sit in the dining room with everyone, so she could be the center of attention because of her ugly face, she had decided that she was going to eat in her room alone and cry her heart out in private, but as she tried to sneak away, she heard someone call out her name.

"Pracheeta? Where are you going with that tray?" 

The Indian girl turned around to face Sarah. "I...I...thought to eat in my room, I am not feeling well today." She lied.

Sarah raised an eye brow, "Oh? And I thought you were my friend, but I guess I was wrong." Sarah lied.

"I...am...your friend!" Pracheeta proclaimed.

"A friend doesn't sneak out of the dining area like a thief in the night, and leave her friend all alone!" Sarah said, hoping to get Pracheeta to stay. "She stays and dines with her and celebrates Christmas together!"

"I don't celebrate Christmas, I am not a Christian, I am Hindu," The Indian girl said, "but if you want me too, I will stay and keep you company."

"Yes I want you too, come, I have saved a chair for you at our table!" Sarah said as she guided the Indian girl to her table.