Singing Heart (31 page)

“
It matches your eyes…” she smiled tenderly “I started to make the sleeves too long as a joke but I figured you would wear it more often if it fit the right way.”

He laid the shirt down and strode over to her wrapping her in a bear hug, kissing her the way he had wanted to the first time she made him a shirt. Uncle Jeb coughed to remind them they weren’t alone and to get their attention. One of the logs had fallen out of the hearth. Sean rushed to retrieve it with a poker.

“
I don’t relish sleeping in the barn tonight if the place burns down.” he joked.

Jeb opened another present. A new pair of shiny black boots.

“
I know you have the ones you use for work broke in already. You’ll wear them holes and all…like my father did his…but I thought maybe next time you dress it would be nice to have some decent shoes to wear.”

He thanked her. Actually he’d been wanting a new pair. He hoped she wouldn’t be affronted if he wore them to work in. Robert’s next present was 3 pairs of black socks. His were beyond darning and she knew he’d worn blisters on his feet from putting on his boots without any. Sean opened a small package. He looked at it in confusion.

“
Uh, Sweetheart aren’t these a little small for me?”

Tiny mittens crocheted with yellow yarn dangled from his large fingertips. Finally after he looked at them for another full minute in total bafflement his eyes lit on the fifth stocking. Hazel eyes grew as round as saucers darkening to a deep shade of blue as comprehension dawned and he stared at his wife in utter astonishment. He whooped loudly deafening them jumping from his chair almost toppling it over. Oblivious to the items in his lap which fell with a heavy thud to the floor he swooped her up swinging her around in joyous abandonment. It was so reminiscent of how his father had reacted to his mother when she told him about her pregnancy that it brought a sentimental mist to Xzan’s eyes.

“
Are you sure? So soon?”

She nodded positively. There were some things you just couldn’t doubt. Like missed cycles and morning sickness. It had been getting worse the past few weeks. And she was so sleepy all the time. She could fall asleep sitting up and that was not in her nature at all.

“
My God!” he exclaimed in wonder “I can’t believe it. I am so happy! Oh God! Are you all right? Did I hurt you?”

He set her down on her feet so carefully she laughed. “I’m not that fragile Sean. You won’t break me.”

Jeb and Robert both rose to congratulate the happy couple. Robert hugged her spontaneously as he always had and Jeb who preferred a safe distance patted her arm awkwardly.

“
I’m right happy fer ya’ll. Bout time we got some new blood in this here family. Might be nice to have some little uns roun tha place.
 

They finally settled back down finished opening the rest of their presents. Jeb was pleased with a new pipe and pouch of his favorite tobacco as well as a bottle of whiskey. Robert received a large can of coffee and a bag of sugar. A special treat since he never had money to buy his own and he had gotten addicted to drinking the brew when Xzan was still cooking for them at his house. She had also given him a mug of his own knowing that the only cups they had were the delicate fine china his mother has cherished. They barely held more than a few drops. This one was big, heavy and man-sized.

Sean loved his gifts as well. Aside from the green shirt she had made him two others. One each of the same material she had made his Uncle and Cousin’s from. In addition were new socks, a gray and blue crocheted muffler and a black trench coat that nearly reached his ankles and was fur lined to keep him warm. Last but not least was a gold and silver pocket watch with a piece of paper in the side where a photo would fit promising someday that someday she would give him one to carry of her.

It was her turn to open her gifts. She chose the ones from her In-laws first. Jeb had given her a hand carved fruit bowl. The craftsmanship was superb. He had even polished it. She would use it tomorrow as the centerpiece for the table during Christmas dinner. It was perfect for the nut and fruits she had purchased especially for the holiday. Robert had also made her gift. It was an exquisite replica of a blue bird. He had fashioned it after the ones on his mother’s china knowing how much Xzan loved birds. He had used blueberries to stain it and white wash to fill in the rest. The combination of colors absorbing in to the raw wood almost made it look real. She was impressed. It would have a special place on the mantle.

“
Open the big one first!” Sean urged when she took his gifts.

She hated to tear the paper it was so beautiful. She gasped in surprise when she saw the contents of the dress box. It wasn’t clothing as she anticipated. But sheet music. Some old and some new. She was so thrilled. She had started out playing the piano by ear but her parents realized her gift at an early age and paid dearly for the endless lessons that had resulted in the ability to sight read even the most difficult pieces.

“
Play for us!” Robert encouraged her enthusiastically.

“
Not yet!” Sean warned. “I want her to finish opening my presents.”

She laughed at his excitement picking up another package. “Can I unwrap this one?”

He nodded watching intently on the edge of his chair with anticipation. She unwrapped it slowly savoring the surprise. Her eyes grew round as saucers when she opened the box. It was the most gorgeous pair of earrings she had ever seen. They looked like diamond but she knew they had to be man made imitations. Sean could never afford the real thing. Regardless of what they were made of they were absolutely breathtaking. Shaped like teardrops each set in silver filigree. She put them on with trembling hands tiptoed to peek at her reflection in the mirror over the fireplace.

She turned darkened eyes resplendent with unshed tears. “Thank you…they are so extraordinary. I have never seen anything so lovely.”

“
They pale in comparison to the beauty of the wearer.” he offered gallantly. She stood gazing into his adoration for so long her in-laws began shuffling their feet uncomfortably trying not to ruin a moment they felt miserable being privy to.

“
Open your last gift so you can play for us.” Robert suggested hopefully.

Xzan did as asked. Wondering to herself what could be in such a tiny box. It was a silver tiepin in the shape of a tiny piano. She had never seen anything like it. Pinning it to her collar she embraced her husband thanking him with a lingering kiss that made him blush in front of his family. Before she sat down to play she served them warm cherry pie and eggnog made the way her mother would be serving it tonight across the ocean. She hadn’t allowed herself to think of her family this year, afraid she would become depressed. She missed them so much. She would probably never see them again. She was so happy at this moment she pushed the unbidden memories away to keep from clouding it. Jeb poured whiskey in his cup, stirring it with his bony finger offering the bottle to the other two men who declined out respect for their hostess. Even though she had given him the liquor they all knew she abhorred it in her presence.

“
Jest a little nip… won’t do no harm.” Jeb prodded. Then shook his head resignedly. “Oh well, jest means thet much more fer me.”

She played the pieces nine in all as if she’d been playing them all her life. She had learned in recent weeks how to improvise some of the accompaniment of the left hand into notes that she could play easier with her damaged fingertips. They didn’t know she wasn’t playing the pieces perfectly because they sounded melodious anyway. But she knew. It was hard to accept sometimes. The feeling she got from playing couldn’t be altered. The way the vibrations of the piano affected her soul.

After their guest left waving merrily wishing them a merry Christmas, Xzan pulled her husband into the empty space by the veranda doors softly humming a love song up towards his ear leading him into a waltz. Always large his feet too big to really enjoy the art he accommodated her awkwardly. He knew how much she loved dancing and he loved having her in his arms no matter what they were doing. It was exhilarating laughing as they twirled faster and faster till he was almost lifting her lithe form completely off the ground. They stumbled breathless eyes glittering with passion. It had been a long marvelous day for the both of them and she had promised to end it with most strenuous activity of all.

She smiled wickedly enticing her him without unnecessary words. He swooped her up like a featherweight in his brawny arms carrying her up the winding staircase effortlessly closing out the rest of the world behind the silken sheers of her four poster bed. They didn’t even bother to light a candle. The glow from the logs in the hearth gave the room a rosy glow. The air was chilled but they were warm in each other’s arms under the heavy quilts. Sean fell asleep with his feet dangling about 6 inches off the end of the bed uncaring that his toes were frozen.

They awoke in the wee hours the way that lovers do; she smiled at him, sleepily tracing his rough jaw line. He grinned lazily, pressing her into the feather mattress as he moved above her tenderly exploring every curve, as if memorizing ever inch and claiming it as his own. As they made love his hand came back to her flat belly numerous times as if in wonder knowing his child was growing inside of her. Finally sated Sean kissed her reverently and then reluctantly rose pulling her along with him into the cold morning chill against her drowsy protests.

“
I have a surprise for you.”

She giggled. “Another one? You’ve already spoiled me rotten. What is there left to give?”

He looked serious. Strode over to the heavy oak wardrobe. Began pushing it forward. She couldn’t imagine why he would want to move the heavy oak furniture nevertheless she wasn’t about to let him put his back out moving it alone. Adding her weight both puffing with the exertion it slid just enough for him to squeeze behind it. He pulled her with him eyes effusive with emotion.

“
We’ll have to rearrange your room.”

There was a doorway. He opened it standing outside to let her enter. She gasped in incredulity

“
Oh Sean!”

It was the nursery she had longed for. A hidden room. Furnished precisely the way she had once described. With a rocker, cradle, crib, window seat, chest of drawers and white lacy curtains. When she opened the drawers she found an assortment of baby items. Cloths for diapers, bundling blankets, clothing of all different colors for a boy or girl. She also spotted some stuffed toys and a mobile that could hang over the baby’s crib.

“
You can rearrange it any way you want to… I knew these were the things you really longed for when we had children.”

She threw herself into his arms overcome with so much joy she couldn’t express it verbally. He understood. Held her tightly against his huge torso smoothing her long tresses lovingly.

“
I love you Xzan. I want you and our children to have the best there is.”

She beamed up at him her heart shining without reserve in her violet eyes. “Merry Christmas Darling. I love you too.”

He carried her across the icy floor and laid her on the bed as if she were the most fragile person in the whole world. Joining her he warmed her small form with his own body heat which seemed to have sky rocketed with his emotions. They fell asleep in each others arms oblivious to the rooster’s crowing and the sun making its glorious orange and gold debut. His last thought as slumber overtook him made him smile wryly stubbled chin pressed against the top of her dark head. She would work him to death rearranging the furniture in both rooms placing as she did everything else her mark upon it all. He was secretly delighted that she would include him in the preparation of their child’s room. It would be a Christmas day neither would forget. The last together as just the two of them as a couple. Next year there would be a little boy or girl sharing this magic. It was a sobering realization. He’s better rest while he could. He had to spend the rest of his life taking care of his family.

Chapter Twelve

It was early spring. Finally warm enough to throw open all the windows and air out the house. Xzan was just beginning to swell with child even though she had already felt it move for over a month now. It’s kicking had grown stronger every day. She knew that was a good sign of a healthy baby because it was what her mother had said with each of her pregnancies. She was scrubbing the hall floor with her skirts tied up above her knees to keep them from getting wet when she heard a commotion outside. She rose achingly her back refusing to straighten immediately and walked with her hand rubbing it unconsciously towards the shouting outside on the porch. Before she could open the door Robert swept in frantically as pale as a ghost freckles standing out like red dots across the bridge of his nose.

“
Pa’s been hurt. Sean’s bringing him to your house. He said to tell you to make down his bed and get everything together you can think of to doctor him with.”