"Moments turned to memories can only be cherished, but never relived"
December 20, 1908
Sunday,
HollyDale
One lock of curly black hair chained beneath another, Merry braided Claire's hair, while the little girl watched her pretty reflection. "You look beautiful", said the child to which her elder sister smiled, "Not as much as you."
"Is it difficult?" asked Claire, watching Merry's reflection.
"Of course not!" disagreed she, continuing to plait her sister's hair.
"It would be easier if it was as straight as yours, woul–", started the curly haired child before Merry hushed her. "Never, ever say that about your hair, darling. It has done much good for you, that you would not even imagine", said the basil-eyed damsel, as she finished the first, moving to the next.
The sisters were quiet for a few moments before Claire broke the silence, "Can I braid you hair, Merry?"
After a minute's hesitation, "Of course, sweet-heart", came the elder sister's voice, uncertainty vaguely heard.
~
Crouching down till his knee touched the floor, Allen rubbed his chin, inspecting his brothers' appearance. He had done a wonderful job combing their hair. "You boys look so handsome, I doubt I'd find a bride, caught next to you", was all it took to have the twins abashed. Jesse did not seem affected by flattery, however. The lad was growing into a man already. That wasn't pleasant news.
"Shall we go surprise momma and the girls with our 'wind-swept wheat field' hairdo?" he winked and their little troop made its way out, led by Allen. Stepping out, they saw Merry closing the door of the sisters' room behind her.
Allen let the children present themselves while he twisted the doorknob of their own 'chamber'. A gasp from Merry told him she was disapproving. "They looked decent for as long as you weren't around", said his little sister, sounding stern.
"They couldn't have looked better", he said, a brow raised, challengingly.
"You would be surprised", said Merry, crossing her arms against her chest.
"At least our hairdos look better than the buzzing honeycomb you have there", said Jesse, reflecting his brother's smirk as they gazed at the unkempt chaos that was her hair.
A shoot of her eyebrows, coupled with a glare from Merry had the brothers slightly fazed. Had he said something wrong? Her eyes darted to Claire and their gazes followed to see the child flaunting to the twins of how she had groomed the elder sister's hair that morning.
Oh.
~
It was already a quarter past eight and the family still wasn't assembled in the hall, ready to set church-ward. Charity hurried across, feeling slightly brisker than she had the previous night. Holding her long skirts and climbing the stairs, "It's almost time", she called.
Just as she reached the landing she saw each child staring back at her, barely looking ready. "Haven't you children had your hair combed?" she asked, swells of laughter following.
It was three quarters past eight, when the flock tread the snow-sheathed streets of HollyDale that led to the Church, when the church bells chimed across the whole town. Allen had the twins carried in both his arms, while Jesse held his mother's hand to support her, for she had weakened over the last couple of days. Merry walked by herself, occasionally holding Allen's occupied elbow, seeming mildly lost in thought.
She had been quite unreadable, Charity had noticed, ever since when she had told her that Christian would be back in town this morning, in time for Church. It was quite understandable, however, that she was not as thoroughly excited as Charity had wished.
~
Reaching the Church, Charity took the hands of her two daughters and led them in, while Allen ushered his brothers to whether the gents were seated. The whole town sang in one accord and shared pleasantness. The message was delivered by their good old Pastor, who had been ministering in HollyDale for a fine number of years then.
"Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me...
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;"
The flock listened as they were taught of the unending and ever-reaching love and mercy of God, which endeavoured to save many, even in the darkest of moments. As the meeting drew to its conclusion, Merry turned her gaze, from beneath the lace of her white shawl, to see if her brothers were safe and attentive, when she noticed each of her twin brothers with Allen and Aaron, Jesse's hands rested on Christian's lap.
For a moment, seeing the dark haired man paying close attention to what was said, a serious expression on his face, stole a heartbeat.
~
The gents rose to their feet, each with a child in tow. They stood, conversing about Christian's visit to see Alexander Evans and of the inhumanity of War.
"I wish I had visited him. It's terrible news", said Allen, John wrapping his little arms around his elder brother's neck.
"I mentioned your mother was ailing", said Christian, pocketing his hands.
"He's also occupied with his sister getting wedded, come this 23rd", reminded Aaron.
The two men turned to stare, Christian raising a brow, "I'm getting wedded."
~
The whole town was a-flutter about the decorations for Christmas, with the HollyDale-Ball approaching. After a quick lunch, every family was out on the snow, hoisting beautiful lanterns over lines from balcony to balcony across the streets, adorning the trees and bushes, setting tables outside the bakery for common eating, opening various funds to donate to the homeless, sparing food for the stray animals outside and so on.
Everyone sang their own tunes of familiar songs, humming away as they worked. It was a spritely sight, for such communion and harmony spread all over the town. Elder women of the town joined in unison to bake bread and cake for the townsfolk, each parceled separately for families to take for supper.
Little children played together or assisted those working, grouped in little bands. Some adolescents stayed to keep watchful eyes over the impish kids, for there were frozen water-bodies in town that may not be strong enough to prevent sinking accidents.
Christian looked around delighted at the merriment of the occasion, lending a hand wherever a strong arm was required. Keeping close to Allen made it easier, occasionally doing jobs with Aaron who was frequently expected to make choice use of his brawn.
Pushing his sleeves back, the man obliged to shifting furniture, which was when he saw Merry running around helping her mother Charity, who seemed to have gotten fatigued quite already. A smile spread across his face as he watched her spend every moment, lending company and looking after the lady like her very life depended on it.
The dark-eyed man with the scar continued helping around, for he decided it would be better to give her the time she needed for recovery. He had seen her at church, but she had hesitated a great deal, repelling from him, as if nervous. Christian continued, carrying a large crate and setting it down where it was required to be placed.
As he brushed a hand over his forehead, he took a step back, before someone bumped into him. Turning, he looked down to see the maroon-haired damsel shift for balance, reflexively helping her steady. He could see a blush spread its way across her cheeks as she looked down, timid.
"Are you alright?" asked he, eyes darting to the flask she held secure against her chest. Merry must have been hustling around to fetch her mother some hot water. She gave him a nod, still eyes down, and hugged the canteen closer, like she was facing the fire of building nervousness. Somehow, the way she carried herself, when shy, was always excessively fascinating and most endearing.
"I must apologise for earlier", said the damsel, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "It was a moment of uncontainable chaos, and I should not have acted as I had."
The man nodded, "There is no need for such bitter regret. I can understand your state of misery. We have all of tomorrow to share our deepest feelings, Merry", he assured.
She nodded and gave him a smile. He knew there was something oddly peculiar about the way she froze with every lock of his gaze and unraveled information remotely familiar or completely arbitrary, yet strangely specific.
"I do believe I have much to share", she admitted.
"How was your visit to Alexan-" she began before being interrupted by hasty Lady Bianca's vivacious greeting.
"Ah, Sir Christian and my darling Merry! How pleasant to see the both of you here", she entered, draping her hands over the orphaned maiden's shoulders. Christian cordially greeted the beautiful lady, before his gaze shifted to see his bride seem excessively perturbed.
After a moment, which consisted solely of Bianca asking about Christian's sudden departure to Frostshire and whether it was as important, precisely a few days prior to his wedding, the man answered that it was completely severe and required his presence. Just as Allen hollered for him from across the street, Christian briefly smiled and begged leave from the damsels, before hastening away to help hang the lanterns.
~
Crepuscule paid its nightly visit, bringing the fall of snow, causing people to return to the warmth of their homes. Charity was in her finest spirits, enthusing to Merry about a yuletide donation their orphanage had received. It was a great blessing and the lady willed to pray for the sweet-hearted that had extended so kindly.
Natalia visited Charity's cottage, bringing rich garments for all those of the family. "Ladye could not accompany me, but I do hope you enjoy yourselves", said Nate, seated by the hearth after having safely delivered the goods she was required to bring. Merry brought her a mug of hot chocolate and the two talked for hours, Jesse joining in, about the various things they could do with each other's company.
After spending more time than necessary, Nate returned home, Allen requiring to be chivalrous enough to safely see the 'lady' home. The family gathered together, spending a lavishly happy time, in the warmth and light of the fireplace. It was always so surreal, if not magical, to hold deep and soulful conversations, to have cackles of laughter, to sit there in silence, or lay there, everyone resting their heads on each other's lap.
There was only a single frightening thought of whether such serenity and depth would still last for years to come, despite all the change that may meet their way. The family rested safe, even as the storm stole the peace of the night.