Stories of Us.

A Christmas Story

Ceskia:

I turn my head slightly and smile as I hear the plane fly over the house, beside me Abigail gives an excited laugh as she dries her hands on a tea towel.

"Are you coming out to greet them?" She asks with a smile.

"I will finish peel the potatoes Mother," I tell her but glance at my husband who is watching me hopefully.

"You go Mikkarl," I say the words I know he is wanting to hear. I turn my attention back to the sink full of potatoes waiting to be peeled and smile to myself as I hear both my mother-in-law and my husband leave the room quickly. I have been extremely lucky with my husbands' parents for they have embraced me like a daughter welcoming me into their family and home.

I wait allowing the family to greet their own first, always I have done this since the first Christmas I have been a part of this family. I sigh softly as I remember back then. It had been a bleak time with much sorrow, an empty place at the table eased only by Kyle's presence Christmas afternoon and on the following day. As I remember the seven following Christmas' I work quickly to finish the potatoes. I am on my last potato when I hear the screen door slam and the sound of small feet running through the house.

"Zia! My Zia where are you!"

I empty my hands and turn to face the room waiting for the little tornado that will sweep into the room. Dark flashing eyes like her father and shiny black hair tied back in pigtails she runs into the room and throws herself at me. I scoop her up happily and hug her close. Small hands catch my face and she rains kisses over both cheeks.

"My Melody, my song of happiness how big you got," I marvel as I take in her smiling face, her pink cheeks.

"I get to stay here and wait for Santa!" Melody says in delight before frowning as she looks deep into my eyes.

"You fink Santa will find me here?" She asks seriously.

"Melody Abigail Willoughby, what have I been telling you?"

I glance over her shoulder to smile at Steven, my brother-in-law, as he stands in the doorway with his son.

"Zia?" Melody appeals to me with hopeful eyes.

"Yes Santa find you here," I say to reassure her.

"See Melody, Dad told ya so," Kyle says as he walks over for a hug.

I put an arm around his shoulders and pull him close, I lay my cheek against the top of his head a moment. We have an agreement, no kisses as he is too grown up at twelve for kisses but he is never too old for a hug. Kyle moves aside and Steven gives me a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek before stepping back.

"I'll go annoy my little brother aka your husband," Steven says with a cheeky grin as he turns away.

"Me staying with my Zia!" Melody says firmly as if there is any doubt. Both Kyle and Steven laugh as they walk towards the door. I watch them as they go, Kyle almost a miniature version of his father. For a moment I feel the familiar ache of not being able to give Mikkarl that but the small face that rubs against my shoulder makes me smile. I place Melody on the bench beside the sink and turn back to the potatoes.

"Hey Ceskia," Peter says warmly from the doorway as he comes in. I return his hug and smile as he collects some cold cans of drink from the fridge.

"Why don't you leave those and come out and catch up with everyone?" Peter asks.

"Just last one then I be finish," I say with a wave of my hand.

"Go 'way Uncle Pete, we wimmins are busy," Melody says with a long-suffering sigh.