The Bachelor's Bride

Chapter 5-Etta

I woke up that morning to my younger sister jumping up and down on my bed, "Wake up! Come oonnnn! It's Christmas!"

"Winnie, it's too early," I groaned, trying to pull the sheets over my head.

"No it's not! Wake up!" Winnie tugged away my pillow.

"Hey!" I grabbed for it, but Winnie scrambled away, holding up the pillow in victory.

Suddenly, the pillow disappeared from Winnie's hands and into the hands of another. Jack triumphantly held the pillow high above Winnie's head, "What are you doing waking the beautiful princess from her slumber?"

I blushed slightly at that as he returned my pillow, "Thank you."

Winnie grabbed Jack's hand and tugged, "Come with me! I want to open the presents now!"

"Now hold up just a minute," Jack kneeled down beside his little niece. "We can't open presents on an empty stomach!"

Winnie looked wide eyed at this, "Why not, Uncle Jack?"

"Well, haven't you heard?" He asked in shock, pressing his palm to his chest in surprise. Winnie shook her head viciously, appearing confused. Jack shook his head. "It's bad luck to open presents without eating blueberry muffins!"

"Is it true?" Winnie looked at me, unsure about this new rule.

"Of course it is!" I played along. "You don't want coal in your stockings, do you?"

I had never seen Winnie scramble to the kitchen faster. Jack chuckled and shut the bedroom door, "Your sister is a character, let me tell you."

"Trust me, I know," I said, curling back under the warmth of my bedclothes.

Jack laughed pulling back the sheets, "Oh no you don't. It's time to wake up, beautiful."

I shivered against the chill in the room and groaned, "Leave me alone, I'm tired!"

"It's Christmas morning!" Jack exclaimed, tugging my arm.

I laughed, "You're just as bad as Winnie!"

Jack yanked me out of bed and I stumbled into his arms. With a twinkle in his eye he said, "Am I?"

I swallowed nervously at our close proximity and nodded, "You're both so demanding."

Jack winked and stepped away from me, "But I always get what I want."

And with that, he left me to get dressed for the morning. I slipped into a warm woolen dress that was the color of cherries with a simple pattern of white flowers trimming the edges. After pulling on wool stockings and kid boots, I made my way downstairs, snatching a muffin from the kitchen before heading into the family room.

Everyone was already gathered around the tree, watching Winnie dig through her stocking. I sat down beside Meredith, "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

"I did. I think it was that turkey your mother made. I was stuffed so full, I fell asleep like a baby!" Meredith laughed.

"Ma does make good hearty meals. I miss that." I smiled sadly. I laughed slightly to lighten the mood. "Sadly, my cooking isn't as good as hers."

"I've never been a good cook either. I don't know what I'll do when I get married."

My father looked up at this curiously, "You're not married yet?"

"Pa!" I said, giving him a pointed look.

Meredith waved at me, "That's all right." She looked at my father. "I've had multiple opportunities to marry, but I haven't met the right person. Soon I'll become a lonely spinster, but I'm in no hurry to change my martial status."

My father smiled, "Of course, dear girl. I didn't mean to pry, I was just curious."

"It's alright, Mr. Foster. I am happy to oblige." Meredith turned her attentions to Winnie. "Oh what a lovely dress for a present!"

"Ma sewed it for me!" She announced proudly.

Mrs. Foster looked embarrassed. "It was no trouble at all. John, do you want to open your gift?"

She handed him a small and large package. Inside was a handsome blue Sunday shirt and a fountain pen. John smiled, "Thank you, I'll definitely use this pen a lot for my college classes."

"That was your father's idea." Her mother nodded.

She handed a small package to me, "Here you are, Etta."

I tore open the package to find a delicate pair of lace gloves. I hugged my parents, "Thank you, I adore these!"

After receiving my parents gift, I handed out the peppermint sticks I had gotten for everyone at the store, "It's just a little something for all of you."

Winnie immediately began eating the peeper mint stick, smacking her lips at the taste, "Thwank ooh!"

"Winnie please don't talk with your mouth full." My mother scolded lightly.

Winnie pulled the peppermint stick form her mouth, "Sorry." She pointed her stick at the last present under the tree, "Who's is that?"

Jack stood up, handing the package to me, "This is Etta's gift."

I looked down at the pretty package wrapped in a bright red paper. The tag read:
From: Jack
To: Etta

I glanced up at Jack, my hands shaking slightly as I carefully tore the delicate package. Inside was a little box that flipped open to reveal a beautiful sliver necklace chain with a sapphire pendant hanging from it. I stared at the beautiful jewelry in shock. Jack anxiously rubbed his hands, "Do you like it? I wasn't sure about the sapphire or if it would be the wrong size...."

I threw my arms around him in a hug, "Thank you. I love it."

My mother waved her hands at me, "Well put it on so we can see how it looks!"

Jack took the necklace from my hands, "May I?"

"Of course," I replied, pulling my hair over my shoulder.

His fingers brushed against my neck as they fixed the clasp. The sapphire felt light against my neck and looked equally beautiful.

Everyone oohed and aahed at it. My mother shook her head, "Jack you've out done yourself. I had a delicious dinner and a happy daughter. I am glad to call you my son."

Jack rubbed the back of his neck, looking flattered, "Thank you.

John got up from his spot on the sofa and gestured to Jack, "Well, now that we are all finished here, would you care to join me outside? I've been wanting to show you a family of hares I found near the barn."

"Can I come?!" Winnie exclaimed, abandoning her gifts.

"Of course." John took his sister's hand as they headed outside.

Meredith began to help me gather all the wrapping paper to reuse for next year.

"Jack really cares about you, you know." Meredith said, picking up the last pieces of paper.

My fingers brushed against the necklace on my neck, "He is my husband."

Meredith glanced at me, but didn't say anything else. I had a feeling she somehow knew about me and Jack's problems.
Copyright © 2017 by Rosanna Parker
All Rights Reserved
Sorry for not updating recently! I've been gone on a trip and haven't had any chance to write! Please comment and vote! I know this chapter was a little boring, but it will get better in future chapters.
-Rosanna