"Standring's Christmas Wish", by Gratiana Lovelace, 2018 (Completed)

Ch. 9 End: Making a new family

"Standring's Christmas Wish", Ch. 9 End: Making a new family, December 31, 2018 Gratiana Lovelace (Post #1200i)

(An original fan fiction holiday short story copyrighted by Gratiana Lovelace 2018; All rights reserved); [(1) story cover, left]

[As is my custom, I will illustrate my story with my ideal cast consisting of (and in order of appearance/mention in these chapters) of: as Ralph John Standring, Hayley Atwell as Clara Saunders, and others as noted.]

Authors story content and serializing scheduling note: My fan fiction short story here is based on the character of Ralph John Standring from the 2002 British mini-series "Sparkhouse"-with a new story arc. The tone of the chapters will be primarily PG to PG-13-for dramatic moments and/or romantic feelings. If you cannot or will not attend a movie with those ratings, then please do not read that chapter. This is my disclaimer.

And I will serialize this short story starting Christmas Day, December 25, 2018 with several initial chapter posts, and for a few days following after the Christmas Holiday this year. Please note that Chs. 2 - End will appear solely on my Wattpad site for ease of posting over the holidays. And I will write and serialize my story with daily chapters posts-a little challenge that I set for myself for fun-such as with my 2014 story, "A Magnificent Love", "A Christmas Carol Reimagined" in 2016, and others. And I hope that you enjoy Ralph Standring's holiday story this year.

"Standring's Christmas Wish", Ch. 9 End/Epilogue: Making a new family

[Later] in February of the new year, Ralph Standring has been dating/courting Clara Saunders for a solid [two[ [months]. Ralph, Clara, and her one year old daughter Evie see each other nearly every day--with Ralph coming to dinner, and him often sleeping over on the sofa due to the harsh Winter weather making traveling the country roads back to Camden Farms dangerous. Or at least, that is what they tell themselves. They are still taking the progress of their relationship slowly-them not sleeping with each other in a romantic sense. Although, their kissing and cuddling are quite expert now-to their mutual delight. They are in love with each other. And Clara will say yes, if Ralph asks her to marry him--he just needs to work up the courage to do so.

And despite Chipping Village being a very small town of about 1,000 souls, no one gossips about Clara's and Ralph's dating particulars-such as him staying overnight sometimes during bad weather, rather than him trying to get through to Camden Farms in the Wintery conditions. Their Chipping Village friends smile at the family tableau that Ralph, Clara, and baby Evie make when they are out and about around their community-at church, the bakery, and at Clara's Café, and such. And the Villagers are just wondering when Ralph will pop the question and ask Clara to marry him.

Another Chipping Village area citizen who wonders about the timing of when Ralph and Clara will get engaged and then married, is Ralph's employer Mr. Camden, the owner of Camden Family Farms.

Mr. Camden stops in at the animal barn at Camden Family Farms to see Ralph one Tuesday afternoon in late January. Ralph is tending the animals in his navy colored heavy canvas work jumpsuit and a knit hat. And though the barn is heated for the animals' sake-and for Ralph's sake, since he lives in the spartan barn loft apartment above-it is primarily Ralph's strenuous work keeping him warm, and his body muscular and fit

Mr. Camden has something of import to share with Ralph that is both unexpected and that might change Ralph's situation-his marital status or otherwise.

Mr. Camden: "Young Ralph! Let the other hands tend to the animals for now. I need to speak to you in my office."