A Christmas Gift

Chapter 6

Chapter six

It never failed to amaze her, how somebody as gorgeous as Harry could be so completely oblivious to his good looks. Take now for example; the dark charcoal coloured suit made him look utterly devastating. The worsted wool emphasized the breadth of his shoulders and the length of his legs. She itched to touch him, to slide her hands beneath the suit jacket and stroke him through the snow white linen shirt. To inhale his crisp clean masculine scent as she nuzzled at his freshly shaved jaw line. She loved the way that his dark haired curled slightly over the collar of the suit almost begging to be touched. His azure blue eyes sparkled with amusement as he listened to something Jim was telling him. Geraldine sighed that was another thing she loved about him; he'd accepted her eccentric flock realizing that they were part of the package with her.

She smiled as he caught sight of her and blew her a kiss. Returning the kiss she silently communicated to him that she'd like to begin the service. He nodded and took his seat in the front pew. The congregation seemed to follow his lead and a hush descended on the old Church Normally she loved the Christmas Eve midnight service, but today selfish as it was, she wanted to get it over with quickly. As she climbed the steps to the pulpit all she could think of was being alone with Harry. Once at the top of the steps she stood smiling down on her congregation. The scene was familiar and yet this year it was different.

Could anybody tell she wondered? Did she look different? She hadn't told Harry; not because she wanted to keep it to herself, she didn't, she was bursting to tell him. It was just that she wanted it to be perfect and finding out definitely on Christmas Eve was such a gift. She'd gone to the doctor alone not wanting to get Harry's hopes up as well as her own. She'd done a home test but not daring to believe the result she had wanted confirmation. She wasn't sure whose smile had been broader her GP, who had been with her and Harry every step of the fertility path, or hers. She hadn't stopped smiling since and serenity had descended over her. She felt calm and at peace in a way she never had before. Realising that people were watching her intently she began to speak.

"Christmas is that time of year when we should realise how important children are. Obviously without them the human race wouldn't continue and married life wouldn't be as fun, but it is more than that. They give us hope for the future. They come into this world without sin just as Jesus did. And just as his birth was to make this world a better place, children today do the same thing. We should learn from them, for they love unconditionally, trust without reservation and see nothing but wonder in this world."

A puzzled frown crinkled Harry's brow. Geraldine's sermon was very different from usual. She usually avoided talking about children. He knew why, when you reach a certain age especially when you are a woman, people can't resist asking about the sound of pattering feet and the tick tock of the biological clock. So you protect yourself by not voluntarily discussing the subject. In that moment he realised that she had really had nobody to talk to about their difficulties in conceiving. In a village like Dibley it wasn't wise to take people into your confidence. If you did it would be headline news in the next edition Parish Gazette. So it surprised him to hear her preach about children.

He watched her closely, looking for signs of distress and was relieved when he could not see any. She seemed to have put behind her the trauma of having to hand Adam back. He was here in church tonight nestled in his mother's arm. Maybe he was why Geraldine had chosen the theme she had.

He knew he was bias but she looked truly lovely tonight. She seemed serene and there was an expression of such tenderness on her face, a light in her eyes, and a softness to her smile that took his breath away.

As Geraldine spoke Harry became aware of a strange sensation rippling across his body like a sudden chill cooling his flesh. He trembled slightly, what was that he wondered. He had experienced a sensation like it before. It had been in this church three years ago on his wedding day it was as if God was granting him a personal blessing on his marriage. So, Harry asked silently, what are you telling me now boss? The sensation passed as swiftly as it had arrived and peace drifted over him.

The whole church was peaceful; Harry would never grow tired of its beauty. The leaded windows set in the graceful arches, strong supporting stone pillars and the aged oak beams. Even the scent of the beeswax used to polish the solid oak pews was comforting. This small church at the centre of the village created a sense of permanency. The world and the Christian church might change but this building remained constant in its glory and in the three years that he had lived in Dibley, Harry had come to love it as much as Geraldine did.

She was finishing her sermon now and Harry couldn't help but be pleased. He accepted that he would have to share her with this weird and wonderful group of people but right now he wanted to be alone with her. He couldn't explain it but it was a real need.

He waited impatiently at her side for her to say goodbye to the congregation. David Horton was the last to leave.

"You'll both come back to the house for a nightcap, won't you vicar?"

Geraldine sighed and took a deep breath aware that she was about to disappoint him.

"Actually David, not that we wouldn't love to come, we are going to give it a miss. It has been an exhausting week and with work commitments we have barely seen each other. You understand don't you?"

Yes Vicar, well merry Christmas to you both."

Harry waited until David had walked away before he spoke.

"How did you know that I was desperate to be alone with you?" He whispered as he bent his head and kissed her.

"I know because I want to be alone with you just as much as you want to be alone with me." She handed him the keys to the church. "You lock up and I will go home and wait for you."

"Ok I won't be long." He kissed her again.

"I'll be in the bedroom waiting."

**********

The pyjamas were new; that was the first thing he noticed. They were gold and shimmered in the muted light from the lamp at the bedside. She took his breath away; lying as she was like some goddess waiting for her lover. At his approach she moved on to her knees and crooked her finger enticing him forward.

"Make love to be Harry." She demanded her voice a desperate plea.

Smiling he moved forward slipping his jacket from his shoulders and undoing his tie before he joined her kneeling on the bed.

"Your wish is my comand."

They lay for a while in post coital bliss before Harry pressed a kiss to her hair.

"Merry Christmas you gorgeous sexy woman," he whispered.

"Merry Christmas to you as well, you gorgeous hunk," she kissed him softly. "I have a gift for you that I'd like to give you now if that's ok?"

"It's not a way to wangle a present early off me is it?"

"No in fact it is by way of a gift voucher that can't be redeemed until the summer."

She reached down and picked up an envelope from the bedside.

Harry smiled wondering what she was up to.

"Open it now."

He smiled again but did as she had asked.

He pulled out a certificate.

"Read it out." She was struggling to keep the excitement out of her voice.

"This certificate entitles the bearer to be called Daddy from sometime in..." his voice trailed off.

"Geraldine is this...I mean are you?" He was shaking but he couldn't see to stop.

Tears spilled over her lashes.

"I am and you can be called Daddy from July."

"When... I mean how... oh God I can't stop shaking."

She curled into him, her arms encircling his shaking limbs.

"Well I guess the how was from doing what we just have and the when was October. It seems your prayers were answered."

"A baby we are having a baby." He smiled then a wide huge grin. "A baby, no matter what presents you give me over the next 40 years you will never top this one."

And she never did.