Christmas Awakenings

VOLUME ONE: A STAR BRIGHT CHRISTMAS Two days before Christmas Lisa Williams stood at her kitchen window watching her husband Bill and their two boys, Jake and Chance drag the Christmas tree out of the woods and across the yard to the back porch. She couldn't help the knowing smile that lifted the corners of her mouth. With their rosy cheeks, runny noses and snow-covered clothes, she could clearly see the evidence of their snowball fights. As the boys stomped their feet on the outside porch, she heard Bill say, "Go on in and ask Mom to get the hot chocolate ready. I'll be in as soon as I get the tree stand on the bottom of the tree." She hurried to the door to help the boys out of their snow-covered scarves, mittens and boots, laying their wet clothes by the fireplace to dry. "Hurry." "Go change into clean clothes while I make a pot of hot chocolate and Jake, please try and help your brother get changed, okay?" She had just set the table when her husband opened the door, dragging the tree inside. The room quickly filled with the scent of fresh air and woodsy pine. "Why does our tree have a hole without any branches on one side? When we looked at it in the woods I didn't see it then," Jake the older of the two boys asked. The tall but scraggly tree looked best with the bare spot turned to the wall as Bill pointed out to his sons. "Every Christmas tree has a hole on one side of it so it fits better against the wall. Otherwise, it would stick out in the middle of the room. The reason you didn't see it in the woods is because you and your brother were trying to kill each other with snowballs and giggling too hard to take a close look." "I think it looks perfect, don't you Chance?" "It sure does Mom, but can I have some hot chocolate, now?" jumping up and down, looking toward the stove. "Hon, it really is a beautiful tree but not as beautiful as you." He leaned into her and nuzzled her neck. She turned to wrap her arms around his neck and kissed his masculine, but soft lips. "I'm just glad my three boys are home. It was way too quiet here for me while you were gone." She rubbed his cold rosy cheeks and ran her fingers through his unruly dark curly hair. "We were only gone a couple hours." Bill held her tight around the waist, so she couldn't move away from him. "Two hours too many. I like it when we're all together. You know that, Bill." She gave him another kiss. Bill kissed her and released his hold on her so she could deliver the much-sought-after-drink. As they sat around the kitchen table, Lisa asked, "So who won the snowball fight?" Both boys looked at their dad while he studied his cup, lifting his laughing eyes to her face only when he lifted his mug to take a sip. "Dad did," Chance finally answered. "That's what I thought." **** The boys, warmed by the heat of the kitchen and the fire in the fireplace, had drank their full and were beginning to fade from tiredness. Bill studied his wife's face. "When we're finished here, I'm going to get ready and go into town. When I get back I'll get the tree decorations down from the barn and we'll trim the tree. How does that sound, boys?" "Yeah! Trim the tree. But can we do it now Dad, please?" Jake asked. "No, the little bit of snow we got last night is the edge of a bigger storm and I need to get to town to get our Christmas ham at Momma and Pap's before the storm gets any closer. We'll have plenty of time when I get back, I promise." as he looked at the concern on his wife's surprised face. "Why don't you boys go lie down in your beds and read some Christmas stories? I need to talk to your mother before I leave." Both boys got out of their chairs, kissed and hugged their Dad and ran to their room. **** "I know what you're thinking, hon, but you know I have to go. We can't be late with the mortgage p*****t again. I think I can make it to town and back before the big storm hits. The old pickup has four good tires and four-wheel drive. It should be able to get through any amount of snow. But if it gets really bad I'll stay over with Mom and Dad, and come home in the morning when the roads are clear." He got up from the table and carried his cup to the sink. He turned around to face her, leaning on the edge of the counter. She sat regally in the high back wooden chair, her slim figure with curves all in the right places, trying to put on a brave front. He loved to run his hands through her thick, dark-auburn hair, which she had pulled back into a ponytail today. He wished he could take the time right now to show her exactly how much he loved her and everything she did for the family they had created together. But he didn't. When she turned and looked at him with her sparkling-with-tears blue eyes she gave her true feelings away. He would do anything for her and hated to see the fear and hurt in her eyes. "Come here, baby." He opened his arms to her. **** Within seconds she was in his arms and crying on his big strong shoulders. "Do you have to go, Bill?" "You know I do, hon. I swear, I'll be back. It won't be like your Dad. I will not leave you and not come back. I love you and the boys way too much. Remember that always." He consoled her, rubbing her back and kissing her neck. She turned her face to him and kissed his lips. "I love you, Bill. I know you'll be back as soon as you can," straightening her back, found her reserve of strength and stepped out of his embrace. While he got his coat, boots, and gloves together, she made him a thermos of coffee. Only an hour's drive to town and his folk's home but they both knew with the snow on the roads it would take longer going both ways.