My Story: The Winchester House [Completed]

8: Christmas

I danced down the hall with my book on hysteria. Luke and I kept our secret for two weeks by then. I had only told Madalynn and she squealed. It was almost Christmas. Three days actually. I was suppose to meet Luke in the basement to get the Christmas decorations for the ballroom.

"Samantha, give me a hand, won't you?" Luke asked. I looked up and saw him walking with at least six boxes. I chuckled as I ran over to take a box.

"What were you thinking?" I asked as we headed towards the ballroom.

"That I would help you a little bit. You shouldn't have take a million trips up with the boxes," he said and I laughed as I put the box down.

"Where is the tree and garlands?" I asked as I opened the box of ornaments.

"Braxton and Josh should be bringing it in soon," he said and like the Devil, Braxton and Josh came in with four other contractors with a huge tree. Luke moved me to the side as they stood it up, in the middle, like Mrs. Winchester ordered. Braxton went to lean on the wall and I gave him a look. He was filthy and was going to lean on the clean wall.

"Thank you, gentlemen. That will be all," I said. Braxton gave me a look and he looked at Josh.

"Certainly," Josh said as he headed out. Braxton gave me a final look as Luke touched my shoulder. I looked at him and he smiled at me.

"I can't decorate the tree alone," I told him as I slid a box of silver ornaments over to the tree. He nodded.

"I know. Which is why I am helping you," he said as he picked up a red ornament. I smiled as I hung a silver ornament up.

"Are you going to the Christmas party?" I asked after ten minutes. All the workers were throwing a small party with candy and cookies on Christmas. He looked around the tree and gave me a look.

"There is a Christmas party?" he asked me and my hand stilled.

"You weren't told? It's on Christmas," I told him and he shook his head.

"That isn't much of a surprise since no one really likes me here... minus you of course," he shared in the ballroom. I was silent for a moment.

"They don't like that you are so much like a dictator," I told him. He walked around the tree to me.

"I wasn't always like this. My father left when I was young and my mother, she became part of the red light district in San Francisco," he started, "The man she worked for made me help him. I was ten and helping him run an illegal business.

"Granted, back then, I didn't know what was going on other than the women left at night after I went to bed and they returned after I ate breakfast. The second you find out what is happening, you change a lot. I don't like people hiding things from me anymore." I continued decorating the tree quietly and took a deep breath.

"I could imagine," I said and he turned my head to look at him.

"Don't pity me. It brought me here. With you," he said and I nodded.

"Indeed," I said as I stepped back to look at the tree that was nearly finished, except for the need to place the angel on the top of the tree.

"I am certain that you have family you must want to see for Christmas," he stated. I nodded.

"My siblings and parents. However they understand that I am working. They wouldn't ask for me to come home for the holidays," I told him as I started stacking the boxes.

"Why wouldn't they? Everyone wants to see their family for Christmas. If they are anything like your brother, I am sure that they want to see you for the holiday," he said and I chuckled.

"I am helping support my family. I get paid the most and they need the money to survive. Mrs. Winchester gives us a bed and food but I give my pay to my family in order to get them food and keep their beds," I told him.

"Surely they can support themselves?" he asked and I shook my head.

"My family can't. I have thirteen siblings," I shared and he stared at me as I placed the boxes next to the door.

"Your mother had fourteen children?" he asked.

"My mother had seven and my stepmother seven," I told him as he picked up the boxes. We heard the bell of Mrs. Winchester from the morning room. I made my way there and she looked so regal sitting in one of the chairs.

"Samantha, darling," she said from behind her veil, "Fetch Luke and bring him with you." I ran back to the ballroom where Luke was just about to leave.

"Mrs. Winchester is requesting our presence in the sitting room," I said and he put down the boxes and followed me. We looked at our feet as we waited for Mrs. Winchester to speak.

"I see that you two have started a relationship," Mrs. Winchester stated. I looked at Luke in panic by he looked calm and collected.

"If you wish that one of us resigns our post, then I will Mrs Winchester. Samantha shouldn't lose her job because we have a relationship other than a working one," Luke said before I could even open my mouth.

"Now, why in heaven's name would I want that?" she asked and I looked at her as Luke sounded lost. "In fact, I was going to ask the two of you to go out and pick up a few things for me. While you are out, Luke, you should take the lady to a restaurant."

"Yes, ma'am," Luke said. Luke and I stood there for a moment or two.

"Well, go get ready. I'll have the carriage brought around," she said and we - well, I curtsied and Luke bowed - before heading to the workers quarters.

"I will see you in an hour, Miss Smith," he said and I smiled as he kissed my hand.

"In an hour, Mr Burbidge," I said as I walked to my quarters.