Christmas Surprise
Christmas was happy for everyone, despite Granny's grumbling about the noise and chatter. Fiona and Geordie had been invited to spend the day with the family. That was LILY'S special surprise. Adi was exhausted by the time the day was over, but she lingered over getting Lily ready for bed. This was always a special time she had with her angel sister.
After Fiona and Geordie were gone and Granny had retired for the night, Ed took his daughters by their arms and led them to the living room. They settled in chairs with their cups of cocoa. Ed winked at Annie and said, "Adi, Annie has a special surprise for you. Well, it's a combination surprise from Lily and Annie and Granny."
Adi's eyes popped open. "A surprise for ME from Granny?"
"Oh, she doesn't know it yet." Annie giggled.
Dad continued. "Adi, you are getting a holiday from cooking tomorrow. You did a splendid job on the Christmas meal. But tomorrow we're all going to Chuckies." He held up his hand to stop Adi from saying anything. "I've arranged it with Thorntons to pick us all up in their station wagon. We've booked the whole restaurant for this special occasion. We are going to get to formally meet all our ranch neighbours. We've already met the Thorntons, of course. But we'll meet the Stranges, the other neighbour that Annie does chores for, and now Thompsons are back, so it will be nice to meet them. Annie already has, and they have employed her to help with the chores, as she does for the other two neighbours--And oh yes, Fiona and Geordie will be there too."
"But Dad, that'll cost a fortune!" Adi protested.
"Yes, it will!" Annie said, chuckling. "Grannie's fortune. I told Dad that's what I want to spend the $140 on. And Dad will happily pay whatever difference there may be. But Chuckie said he was delighted to have his restaurant used in such a way, so he would give us the best deal he could. And his whole family will be there too! Oh Adi, I am so excited!" She threw her arms around her big sister. "Granny said I could spend the money on whatever I wanted. So I AM. I'm going to enjoy tomorrow even more than today."
"And," Dad added, "after dinner we are going to have a little meeting. Everyone there will share some Christmas joy. It will be our chance to shine our light in the neighbourhood."
***
New Year's Surprise
The day couldn't have been more perfect. It was crisp, but not cold. The sun sparkling on the snow, made the yard look like a load of diamonds had been dropped from the sky. Adi was as excited as Lily about the surprise tour of the "ranch" they were about to be taken on. She had been kept so busy with her daycare charges and the running of the house that she had not had a chance to see the changes that had taken place on the ranch since her mom had died. What surprises were in store for her!
With Lily in the sleigh Ed had built especially for her, Buffy danced excitedly, waiting for the command: "Mush!" that Annie had taught him. He wasn't as big as a Husky, but he was just as eager to surge ahead on command. Adi followed behind the sleigh, placing her hand on Lily's back to steady her, as she was bouncing up and down with excitement. Annie walked with her hand on Buffy, to keep him from bolting too suddenly. The first stop that the entourage made was at Annie's little "farm." Dad and Tom, both fairly dancing with excitement, were there to welcome the party. Dad lifted Lily from the sleigh and set her in a special chair he had made for her.
Annie's face glowed as she watched Lily's excitement upon nearing the barn. Tom led Thunder over to Lily. He bent down, letting Lily touch his soft nose. To everyone's delight, Thunder gave a soft whinny. Of course, Buffy, who had been released from pulling the sleigh, raced around, gathering together his little "flock"--the chickens--and herding them to where Lily sat. Annie picked up her favourite hen, Gabby, and carried her close for Lily to touch. True to her name, Gabby told Lily a long story, much to the child's delight. Missy, who already knew Lily from her daily visit to the house, came over to her, followed by her three kittens, Winken, Blinken and Nod, now nearly half grown. Lily reached out her hand, petting each of the kitties. Then Tiger, who hadn't been introduced to Lily, meandered over for a pat. Lily surprised the group with "Ki-ti! Kit-ti!" Adi had noticed that Lily was trying more and more two syllable words lately. Having Geordie as a companion had certainly helped. They had their own unique way of communicating with each other.
The remainder of the morning, Adi walked along in awe, enjoying the amazing changes she saw on the property. She hadn't remembered so many buildings. Her biggest surprise was when she saw her dad's shop. She stood gaping at the vastness of it and at the shops within the shop. No wonder he was seldom in until ten at night. He certainly had made use of his time. She gazed at the patio furniture, the unique carvings, the metal gadgets and what-nots, which she certainly couldn't put names to. What she did now, was to run over to her dad and give him a big hug. "Wait 'til Granny sees all this!"
It would be some time before Granny would tour the ranch with the family. There were other surprises to come, for her.
***
Granny's Surprise
What Granny didn't know yet, but was soon to find out, was that she would be staying permanently with her son's family. And he had avoided telling his daughters, too. As far as they knew, she was just there to spend Christmas and New Year's with them. But while Ed was in Calgary, he had arranged for the sale of the house, which was in his name. He had arranged to have all of his mother's belongings shipped to the ranch. He had observed, during his time in Calgary that his mother, at age 80, should no longer be left to live on her own. For the time being, she was fine living in the two room apartment in the basement; however, eventually she would need more space and her own privacy.
Reg Thornton was a carpenter by trade, so he and Ed had been working on renovating the small building next to the house for Granny. This way she would have her own independence, a place away from the family, but where she could still be part of it.
The project finished, and Granny's trunks moved from the garage to the cottage, it was time for Granny's move from the basement suite in the house to her own private little cottage. After a bit of ranting and raving about her life being taken over by others, she resigned herself to her new home.
Annie worked with Granny, getting her settled in. Granny seemed almost happy. She was pleased to have Annie all to herself and the two of them sang happy little songs as Annie helped her unpack her trunks.
Granny accepted the arrangement to take her meals with the family. Each day as soon as breakfast was over, she would retreat to her own apartment before the day care children arrived. She loathed being around people with disabilities. It seemed that her mind, unbidden, would float back to the days--two years--she spent by her beloved son's bedside, watching his vacant eyes staring at her, almost as if he were begging her to help him. And she couldn't! She had been powerless to even reach out and hold his hand. She would just sit and stare. And now she cringed every time her own little angel granddaughter's flailing arms reach out for her. She had to force herself to receive her hugs.
ADELAIDE SERIES:
Story 1 - An Abrupt Landing
Story 2 - Out of the Shadows
Story 3 - Heavenly Sunshine
Story 4 - Reflections
Story 5 - Mists From The Past -I
Story 6 - Mists From The Past -II
Story 7 - The Birthday Surprise
Story 8 - Dad's Big Surprise
Story 9 - Further Surprises
Story 10 - Into The Light
Watch for further stories in the ADELAIDE SERIES at a later date. hmd
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