Without You I Have Nothing (49 page)

_{“Peter, could you?” 
Jennifer held out the earrings for Peter to place in her earlobes.}

_{Elizabeth helped when
Peter pleaded that he was useless. She also hung the necklace around Jennifer’s
neck. “Peter you really have given Jennifer something to treasure
forever," she said warmly.}

_{“Not me – Santa. The
silly old fool’s gone mad. He’s got an eye for pretty young girls this year.” 
Vainly, Peter tried to relieve his embarrassment.}

_{Laughing, Jennifer
flung herself into his arms.}

_{“Bring me a mirror
someone,” she called out. “I want to see how I look.”}

_{Two small matching
emeralds gleamed from her ears, and the luster of the stone on her neck
highlighted the soft white of her skin. However, these only emphasized the
beauty of the emerald surrounded by the diamonds, which glittered on her finger
informing the world of Peter’s love.}

_{The gifts were
perfect, complimenting the color of her eyes. Peter was satisfied.}

_{Not so satisfied was
Andrew.}

_{“I’ve been very, very
good this year. I asked for a couple of blondes and the old bugger didn’t
listen. I suppose he keeps them all to himself, the randy bastard.”  Andrew
sounded petulant.}

_{Peter just grinned as
his arm slid around Jennifer’s waist.}

_{“Well perhaps you
haven’t been as good as me. Look what Santa’s given me.”  He leaned down and
kissed Jennifer tenderly.}

<sub>“But I have been good
- so very good.”  Andrew was determined to have his say.</sub>

_{Peter looked as
though he was losing patience. Squeezing Jennifer, he laughed as he gave the
directions . “Stamp three times and say ‘I am a good boy, I am a good boy, I am
a good boy’. Perhaps Santa will hear you. Do all that correctly and maybe
Santa’s Christmas magic will still work.”}

_{To join in the fun
Andrew did as directed. Instantly the double doors flew open and two blondes
stood, arms outstretched.}

_{The family roared
with laughter at the look on Andrew’s face. For once, he was lost for words.}

_{Still laughing,
Jennifer shook him from his stupor.}

_{“There’s no need to
un-wrap these presents. Peter did that earlier for you as he thought he’d save
you the trouble.”  Her grin was wicked.}

_{“Now,” she produced
two pillowslips from behind a chair, “welcome your two ‘presents’ and help them
with their gifts from Santa.”}

_{There was no need to
introduce the two ballerinas to anyone other than Andrew.}

_{It had been Jennifer
who had plotted this escapade with Peter. Her parents had willingly joined in. While
the men had gone to town to negotiate the purchase of Rocky Springs, the women
had driven off in a different direction to the local airport to collect the two
girls – the same ones Jennifer had seen doing that Dance of the Little Swans
the night she met Peter.}

_{The family trooped
off to breakfast with Andrew still speechless and the two ballerinas clutching
his arm, making him feel even more embarrassed.}

_{“What’s wrong,
Andrew?”  Peter couldn’t stop teasing. “You were going to tell your mother
something earlier. Are you having a loss of memory?}

_{“Jennifer?  Is this
your brother?  Is this the one who’s spent all the time teasing you since I
arrived?”  Peter sounded perplexed.}

_{The girls joined in
the fun.}

_{Peter turned to
Andrew. “Now smarty, what do you have to say for yourself?”}

<sub>Marissa and Nicolette
- the two ‘presents’, laughed as loudly as the family.</sub>

_{When Peter and
Jennifer had approached them to arrange the ‘Santa Surprise’, they had entered
into the spirit of Christmas, adding their own ideas to the scene.}

_{Andrew glared at
Peter. If ever anyone had bettered him, Peter had certainly done so this time. However,
with a beautiful girl either side of him, he was shy, unable to make the most
of being the victim of this joke.}

_{Slowly, he began to
speak as his arms stole around each girl. “I’ll never be bad again - but – I’ll
get even with you and Sis somehow.”}

_{Jennifer giggled,
“You can try brother, you can try. However, keep in mind that you’re dealing
with the master of surprises here.”  She patted Peter’s hand.}

_{It was time for
church.}

_{Half an hour later,
their two cars arrived at the huge country cathedral. When the family together
with the two girls hanging on Andrew’s arms made their way to their pew, a buzz
rippled around the church.}

_{The celebration of
the special birth was an occasion for joy and the carols lived for Peter. Having
Jennifer beside him made his heart respond with such elation that he knew he
was glowing with pride.}

_{After greeting the
parishioners and the Bishop, the introductions to Jennifer’s relatives didn’t
worry him. Peter wasn’t even tongue-tied, finding Jennifer’s arm through his
enough to give him confidence.}

_{Jennifer enjoyed
showing off her ring and her new jewelry, but slowly Peter began to realize she
was getting more enjoyment from parading him. Even the banter from the local
young men didn’t worry him.}

_{“Hey, Jennifer I
carried your books at school!”}

_{“Why didn’t you shop
at home for a husband? 
There are
plenty of us
here who’d marry you.”}

_{Peter just laughed
with Jennifer and held her a little more tightly.}

_{Even Andrew received
his fair share of teasing by his mates. “Hey Andrew, spare one for me you
greedy bugger.”}

_{“So you do believe in
Santa after all, eh?  God, I’m converting now.”}

_{Then one became a
little reckless.}

_{“Andrew - tonight,
don’t pray hard to be good, just pray to be hard. The girls will look after the
good.”}

_{The family groaned,
but Nicolette and Marissa laughed as loudly as others who heard and weren’t the
least embarrassed, but Nicolette got the better of him.}

_{“It’s obvious there
is no point in you saying prayers, unless you pray for something to get hard
with.”}

_{The resulting
explosion of mirth was even louder than before. If Andrew’s friends thought
they could embarrass the two dainty ballerinas, they were mistaken.}

_{The Australian summer
heat was stifling, but in the house, the thick walls of stone and the air
conditioning kept the heat at bay.}

_{Quickly the house
filled with visitors and the women in the traditional Australian country
fashion gravitated to the kitchen. Their men folk, following behind, carried
baskets of food. The ovens were soon full and rich smells wafted onto the
verandahs where tables had been set up to seat all the guests.}

_{It was a traditional
Christmas Dinner where the extended family of friends and relatives pitched in,
welcoming Peter.}

_{The festive occasion
was a rousing success.}

_{Until he sat beside
Jennifer, Peter didn’t realize how large her family was. He tried counting the
aunts, uncles and cousins until he finally gave up and just concentrated on
talking to Jennifer. He noted it was no use trying to talk to Andrew. He was
far too busy trying to impress his two ‘Christmas Presents’.}

_{Later that night,
when the summer heat had abated, Andrew took his two visitors out into the warm
summer night, with Peter and Jennifer following.}

_{Standing under the
gum trees with the heavy scent of eucalyptus hanging in the air, Peter drew
Jennifer’s head to his chest and paused to reconsider his life. He realized it
had changed and would never be the same again. With his arms around the woman
he loved, he knew he now had a special person to care for.}

_{The lone wolf of his
past had faded into the shadows, never to return.}

_{He had a family!}

_{Towards the end of
January, Peter returned to his workshop with Jennifer on his arm.}

_{Joe noticed the
change in Jennifer and the ring on her finger. Smiling broadly, he bellowed his
welcome for all to hear.}

_{"So here's the
blushing bride-to-be!  I'm very pleased for the two of you."  Dragging
Jennifer from the office, he took her into the workshop where he spread the
news.}

_{It wasn't long before
Bob and Ted arrived. They weren't surprised when Joe broke the news of the
engagement by returning Jennifer to the office to flash her engagement ring at
them. It was obvious to all that she was wearing Peter's ring with much pride.}

_{"We wondered
when you'd get around to it."}

_{Ted began questioning.
"When's the happy day?  Where are you going to live?"}

_{"You'll have to
change your wicked ways, Peter,” Bob commented. "How about bequeathing me
your little black book?  There should be plenty of blondes in it, but I doubt
if there are any redheads."}

_{Not in the least
embarrassed by the friendly banter, Jennifer was content to feel Peter's body
against hers as she clung to his arm.}

_{Ted agreed to become
Peter's best man and Bob was delighted to be a groomsman.}

_{"The wedding
will be held at Jennifer's family's church, a cathedral near Jennifer's home,
so there'll be a party of us flying down to Melbourne on Easter Sunday
afternoon. There'll be the two of you and your partners."}

_{Seeing the
crestfallen look on Joe's face, he grinned.}

_{"Joe, ring Maria
immediately and tell her I'm taking the two of you to Melbourne and these two
ruffians with their poor partners. Also ring Jack, the retired manager of  the
BMW Dealership next door. He and his wife will be coming. All expenses will be
paid by the company. Mark, ring your wife as we're inviting the two of you as
well. The Sydney contingent will make a plane load."}

_{Ignoring Ted's
startled look he continued. "Now to find Susie and her husband because
we're inviting them too."}

_{Bob smiled broadly. "I've
some news for you. Since you abandoned us here, I've been headhunted to become
the Manager of the Lexus Dealership down the road.}

_{"I don't know
how it happened but since taking up the position I have worked nonstop. Yet I
am enjoying the 24/7 week. Every day brings a new set of challenges and, well,
I am thriving on it.}

_{"I'll even
arrange to take you for a test drive if you have the money.”  His laughter
showed that under the new businessman the old Bob was still alive and well.}

_{"And your
ex-customer, the blonde Susie - well, she spends her day running between the
BMW Dealership next door and the Motel alongside my Lexus Dealership. Her
husband, The Commander - as we call him - has retired from the RAN. He's now
the manager of the BMW Dealership. Susie is the manageress of the motel up the
road.}

_{"There have been
some big changes while you were away - oh, and yes - Ted's gone up in the
world.”  Bob's eyes just did not stop twinkling. "He's gone up all right! 
Top floor management and he's the auditor for your workshop, and has added the
BMW Dealership, my dealership and the motel. I think there's been a
takeover."}

_{Peter couldn't help
smiling at how Bob kept saying, 'My dealership' and was especially pleased at
how his plans had worked out.}

_{Remembering some more
news, Bob added, "How much longer Susie will be running the motel, I can't
guess, as she's pregnant - so she's constantly reminding us."}

_{Further conversation
was impossible. A whirlwind of noise hit the office. Susie had arrived,
ignoring the men and going straight to Jennifer to hold her left hand, making
all the appropriate female noises of appreciation over the engagement and the
ring.}

_{"Women!”  Peter
mused, astounded that the two of them hugged, and cried, and laughed, and
sobbed without pausing for breath. Finally, he called a halt. "Susie,
you're invited to our wedding on Easter Monday in Victoria. Yes, don't look so
surprised. You and Bill are invited - all flights, clothing and accommodation
will be at the company's expense. Everything's arranged.}

_{"Jennifer will
be taking all the women in our Sydney contingent shopping for new outfits at my
expense. This tightwad is opening his wallet and letting the moths out. Jennifer
will also be taking the men from the bridal party Ted, Bob and Andrew to get
them dressed in something she chooses. We can't have them turning up in
overalls and gumboots!"}