The Christmas House (35 page)

“David! David! You have no idea how happy I am to see you son,” Michael said as he hugged David and Nicole to his chest.

As they continued to hug, tears flowed down their faces. Michael lifted his eyes from the cherub-like faces of his children and looked up at the door. There he saw an angel standing before him. Arianna stood just inside the foyer and smiled widely at Michael as she wept golden tears of joy. Michael gently released his embrace from the children and stood slowly.
Walking as if in suspended animation toward Arianna, he reached out and placed his hand to her face.
He could feel the warmth of her skin upon his hands as he looked deep into her blue eyes.

“I love you with all of my heart. I will always love you.”

“Oh Michael, I love you so much,” she replied as she fell into his arms and kissed him passionately.

Several minutes passed as the Carter family, now reunited, cherished these first moments of Christmas Eve. Not a word was spoken as they hugged and kissed one another over and over again.

Finally Michael said through tear-ridden eyes, “I thank God for bringing you home to me if only for a day.”

“Your faith was strong Michael. It was your renewed faith in your family and love that brought us home again,” Arianna replied.

“And the rebuilding of this house as well,” Michael added.

Dennis walked in from the dining room and said, “Welcome home Sis!”

Arianna ran to Dennis and embraced him.

“I didn’t know you would be here Dennis. It’s so good to see you!”

“I’m so glad you came home. Michael was very concerned that you might not,” Dennis replied.

“We didn’t know whether we would be here ourselves until just a few moments ago,” Arianna said.

As Michael joined Arianna and Dennis, the doorbell rang again.

“I think you should answer the door Michael,” Arianna said.

Michael opened the door to a loud and riveting, “Merry Christmas Mikey!”

“Jack! Wanda!
Merry Christmas!”
Michael shouted back.

Jack flung open the storm door and entered the house in a flash.

Michael wrapped himself around Jack.

“I have missed you more than I ever thought I would Jack. I know that doesn’t sound the way it was intended, but just believe me when I say I truly missed my friends.”

“I know Mike. We have missed you very much as well. I only wish I could have helped you rebuild this magnificent house,” Jack replied.

Wanda spoke up.

“Yes Michael, the house is beautiful. Come here and give me a hug you handsome devil you!”

“Wanda, you have to stop saying that word, ‘devil!’ She says it all the time. It drives everyone crazy,” Jack said.

“Oh hush! It’s just a saying,” replied Wanda as she embraced Michael.

The doorbell rang again.

“I’ll get this one Michael,” Arianna said.

As she opened the door she was greeted by the common phrase of the day.

“Merry Christmas Arianna!” her parents Arthur and Marie shouted.

“Merry Christmas Michael!
Boy we sure did miss coming down to visit you last year. How are you holding up son?” Arthur asked.

“Merry Christmas Art and Marie.
I’m doing much better now that my family is back by my side. I have missed you all so much. Oh, by the way, I have a surprise for you,” he said as he pointed into the dining room.

“Merry Christmas Mom and Dad!” yelled Dennis.

“Dennis! You came home for the holidays! It’s about time! It’s been, what- two years now?” asked Marie.

“I know Mom, but even I couldn’t help not being here last year. I promise to make it every Christmas from now on okay?” he replied.

“Oh that would be wonderful!” she exclaimed as Art joined her and Dennis for a family hug.

As the activity within the house continued, so did the ringing of the front doorbell. The next guests to arrive were Michael’s parents Anthony and Dorothy accompanied by Michael’s brother Billy.

“Merry Christmas Michael!” they shouted as they entered the foyer of the house carrying trays of cookies.

“Mom, Dad. Billy! Merry Christmas and welcome to the new house on Festive Lane,” Michael said.

“Wow, nice pad Michael! This is what I miss in heaven,” said Billy.

As they hugged, Michael asked, “and what is that Billy?”

“Walls.
I miss walls and privacy and pizza and rock and roll and... Well, I miss you too Michael,” Billy replied.

“Thanks Billy. I miss you as well. Isn’t there rock and roll in heaven? I would think with all of the musical talent up there the place would be rocking around the clock,” Michael said.

“Well there are quite a few cool cat musicians, but they only get together and jam once in a while. Buddy Holly is cool but if I hear that Peggy Sue song one more time I swear I’m gonna barf,” Billy replied.

Michael laughed.

“Why don’t you take David
upstairs.
I have outfitted one of the rooms with a few guitars and a drum set.”

“A drum set!” David yelled. “Cool Dad!”

Arianna helped stow away the coats and took the trays of food from Michael’s folks. As Michael was absorbed in talking with his parents, Arianna walked through the house and was mesmerized. She gazed about the house at the furnishings and artwork placed strategically throughout each room. As she set the trays of cookies on the kitchen table, she marveled at the modern decor of the kitchen. Unlike the dark woods of the house she remembered, this new home was very light and airy.
The cabinets in the kitchen were a light oak wood color versus the dark walnut color of the original house. The floors were wooden but again were light in color and boasted a contemporary pattern.

As she stood, taking it all in, Michael entered the kitchen with more trays of cakes and cookies. She saw him out of the corner of her eye.

“This is a very lovely home Michael. I’m so proud of you. You have designed and built a wonderful house.”

“I built this house for you and the kids. There was no other reason to build it. It was a great deal of work, but I had lots of help. I contracted the company I work for to rebuild the house. My boss assigned me to the job as the general contractor. I actually got paid for working on our house,” he replied.

“Well it looks great. Who helped you decorate the interior? These aren’t the tastes of the Michael Carter I remember,” she asked.

“A professional decorator helped me with the inside design and accents. She was very helpful,” he replied.

“She” as in Sharon?”

“You know about her huh?” he asked.

Arianna walked over to Michael and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Yes, I know about her. Why didn’t you have a relationship with her Michael? She is very beautiful and although she is a bit aggressive, I think she truly wanted to be with you.”

“I just couldn’t. I love you so much. I can’t even look at another woman,” he replied.

“Oh, I seem to recall you had no problem looking her over at her apartment one evening a few months back,” Arianna said.

“Oh my God!
You saw that? Thank God I didn’t do anything! I would have been mortified knowing my wife was watching me having sex with another woman!” he shouted.

“Oh Michael!
I would have closed my eyes at that part,” and she smiled.

“Seriously, you should have other relationships Michael. I am very flattered that you want to remain loyal to me, but I am not in your life on a regular basis any longer. You can’t live your entire life waiting for Christmas Eve but once every year. You have to get on with your life. It would make me very happy if you did.”

“I can’t. If I do, you won’t come to visit me any more. You will think I don’t need you if I was to be with another woman. I need you more than I ever have Arianna. I will not sacrifice your love and companionship that I hold so dear to my heart if only for one day, just to have a relationship the rest of the year. Besides, what would I tell this new woman?
Sorry, but every year for the rest of my life I have plans on Christmas and you’re not invited?”

“Well, if that was to happen, then maybe it would be better if we didn’t come to visit. Maybe you would be happy enough without us,” she said.

“No! I have worked very hard to make this happen again. It’s my life and if I want to waste it all year long for one day with you and the kids, then that is my choice,” he replied in frustration.

“Did you hear what you just said Michael? Waste your life the whole year? That’s ludicrous. You are still young. You have so much to offer another living human being that could love you day after day, everyday. Maybe even have children with her,” she replied.

As he broke away from her in a bit of a rage he said, “No! Stop it Arianna! I will not give up the one gift I am able to enjoy every Christmas. It’s a very precious gift. No one else in the world is given a gift like this, and you want me to throw it away? I refuse to do that. I love you and the kids far too much to ever give up the miracle of being with you once a year. End of discussion!”

Arianna stood silently for a moment then said,
“Let’s not waste the little and precious time we have arguing about this situation Michael. If you feel that strongly, then I will abide by your decision.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry. The last thing I ever thought I would do this day would be to argue with you. I can’t believe I just did that. Forgive me. I can’t help that I have these feelings that I do for you and the children. I will love you all for the rest of my life and beyond. I am eternally yours Arianna,” he said.

Arianna hugged Michael tightly.

“I know Michael. I love you just as much. I only want to make sure that you are happy, that’s all. If you truly feel that living your life around one day a year will bring you joy and serenity, then I will make it my goal to make that one day the happiest of your life.”

Michael kissed Arianna deeply and as she returned the kiss, Nicole came running into the kitchen.

“Daddy, Mommy, come see all of the cookies on the table. They all taste so good.”

“Nicole, I warned you about eating too much during this visit. You ‘will’ get a tummy ache down here, remember?” Arianna asked.

“But Mommy, the cookies are shaped like gingerbread men and Christmas stockings!” she shouted.

“Yes Nicole, they are all very good, but you have to pace yourself honey. Mommy is right. If you eat too much, you will get sick,” Michael said.

“Okay, but come look, come look!” she shouted as she tugged on their hands and led them to the dining room.

As they walked into the dining room, they could hear a man say, “Nicki, wanna see me pull off my head?”

Nicole screamed and then Michael yelled at Uncle Wally who just arrived. Everyone in the dining room laughed at the exchange. This year was a very special Christmas for Uncle Wally and his wife Louise. Their son James was finally allowed to join his family in heaven as well as on this Christmas Day. Michael greeted Uncle Wally and recognized James instantly.

“James! Good to have you with us. It’s about time you were let off for good behavior,” Michael said.

“It’s actually more like parole Michael, but I’m not complaining,” James replied.

The guests were arriving faster by the minute as the doorbell rang non-stop. Many of the guests were filtering through the house and making their way to the
family room that was adjacent to the kitchen. As several people started to walk into the family room, Martha was walking out. She was sitting in the family room relaxing when Michael and Arianna had their confrontation in the kitchen just a few feet away. The result of the discussion left Martha perplexed and confused. She remembered how she wasted her life waiting for one day a year when she owned the house. Although she didn’t regret doing so, she did regret not living her life to the fullest the other 364 days of the year as well. As she recalled the best times of her life, she could only remember the time when Michael and Arianna came into it a mere 6 years ago. Her only other memories were of a lifetime of Christmas Eves. The rest of her life was a blur. She wondered if Michael would be able to adjust to such a life. He was so young. He could be so happy if he only learned to combine the miracle of Christmas with the other 364 days of the year.

As Martha walked into the kitchen a voice asked, “Penny for your thoughts?

Martha, being deep in thought was startled and replied.

“What?”

Michael’s father was standing before her.

“Seems like you are trying to resolve a problem Martha.
Can I be of assistance?”

“Maybe you can Anthony. Sit down with me and let’s talk.”

As Martha and Anthony discussed the situation, the guests continued to mingle and proceed into the family room. In the corner of the room opposite a large stone fireplace was a massive fresh cut Christmas tree. Decorated with gold garland and multi-colored ornaments the tree seemed to come alive as the small twinkling lights reflected off the shiny globes hanging off of each crooked branch.