"My true sons are by blood. Not by law." Those were the last words I heard from my so-called father. Just an infant when my mother abandoned me, not even a month old when I was left on a doorstep.
My luck just happened to be that a lovely lady lived there with her husband and two sons. They took me in, they fed me, bathed me, gave me a place to call home. years went by and I got to know the people I called mother and father.
Her smile was brighter than the stars on a new moon night, her brown hair as beautiful as the autumn leaves. Brown eyes that were the shade of tree bark. Wearing a raggy dress with blue patches was her trademark. She was too humble to ever buy a new one even though she had the money.
My father or the one I thought I knew had jet black hair with graying spots. Eyes that were bluer than the sky itself. Sweet, caring, and was always with his family.
I had two brothers, both younger. The older one of the two looked just like my pa but he had the same long hair as my ma. His name was Jack. Little Thomas looked just like ma. but with the same hairstyle as pa.
I looked nothing like ma or pa. Blonde hair that reminded me of the honey we would collect in the meadow every year, eyes the same shade of the summer grass. I grew up with a family that cared and took me in when I was left at their doorstep. I was blessed with this family that was till my mother passed.
I was about thirteen when mother got sick. She was sicker than your average person, This sickness was more than your average cold. Doctors claimed it might be curable but for my mother who was in her late thirties this was a low chance. We knew she would probably not make it but we prayed she would. For the sake of me and my brothers.
December of that year we got snow, Me, Jack, and Thomas built a snowman and went sledding. My mother stood on the porch and watched us play. I saw that she had a faint smile. She was happy to see us play in the snow.
Christmas was just around the corner. The lights on the house were colors of blue, white and gold. That is our nation's colors. People were running around trying to get last minute gifts before the shops closed down for the evening.
My family stayed home bundled in covers. Making and eating yummy honey cookies. Drinking warm milk. I cuddled next to my mother on the couch. She was warm and smelled like her usual vanilla.
My father brought over a book. It was one of my favorites. "The Prince and his servant." My father read aloud as my brothers cuddled against me and mom.
"Once upon a time there was a prince. He was a mighty prince, He ruled a wealthy kingdom with the most gorgeous women you could dream of. His Father was the all mighty king of the kingdom.
His Father wanted his son to wed one of the lovely girls in town. The prince on the other hand did not wish to wed. The king was frustrated with his son. "All I want is what's good for you!" The king furiously said to his son.
"If you want what's best for me then give me time to find the right one!" The son said to his father. "Dad?" Thomas asked, "Yes?" "Why did the prince need to be married?" "He needed to start a family and have kids just like me and your mother had you and jack."
"What about Leo?" "Well Leo is different, he was brought to us while you and your brother were had by us. You might still be a little too young to understand that but you'll understand it one day."
"Let's continue with the story!" I said inpatient. "Okay okay. The king and prince made a deal. The prince had two months to find the girl which he desired. The prince agreed and went out to the village in search of the one he would marry. He went to the market and ended up bumping into a girl with red hair that was redder than the reddest apple.
She fell over spilling everything in her basket. The prince acted quick and helped her up then offered to buy her new fruits and veggies since the ones she had were now dirty. "That's not necessary,'' she said looking at him.
She quickly bowed "I am so sorry I did not realize it was you, your highness!" He knew then and there she was the one. He had thought of a plan. "Oh well to repay me you can come and be a servant at the castle." She quickly nodded "Thank you for giving me a chance to redeem myself!"
Later that night the prince came home with the red haired girl in tow. The prince signaled to the maid to get her a room and to show her how to clean and organize things in the castle. The prince continued to do his royal duties day in and day out. He kept an eye on the girl watching her as he fell deeper in love with her.
His time off he spent with her, talking about her day and other nonsense. Two months flew by fast and the king had had enough. "Have you found the girl you want?" His father asked on the last day of their deal. "Yes Father, in fact she is here in the castle right now" His father raised an eyebrow "Well go get her" The prince looked at a butler "Go get Rose." "Yes your Highness."
The butler went and found the red headed girl "You're wanted in the throne room." The butler said as he went off to do his other work in the castle. Rose walked up to the grand doors of the throne room. She opened the door and saw the king and prince standing there. She bowed in their presence. The king spoke up "So this is the girl?" The king asked, looking at the prince. "Yes."
One simple word sent Rose's heart racing. Was she getting fired or worse banished? The king walked up to her "Stop your bowing." Rose looked up at the king. "She's pretty I'll give you that but a servant? Son, you have the whole village." "I know but I just felt she was the one." He said, looking at her and smiling.
Seeing him smile put her at ease and she smiled back at him. The king could see the connection between them. Even if they could not see it. "Well then I accept." The prince was happy that his father accepted the one he loved. He grabbed Rose's hand and took her out to the garden.
The Garden held lilacs, orchids, lily's and most important roses, in all shades. He brought her to the center where the moonlight was brightest. Still holding her hand he said "I might have only known you for two months but you're the thing that brings me the most happiness that's why I say you're fired"
He said letting go of her hand. This was it she knew they were firing her. She would have to go back home to her family and probably still be in debt. He started walking away when he turned around. He grabbed her and kissed her passionately. She kissed him back even though she thought it was wrong.
They break the kiss after a moment. "This time will you be hired as my wife and not some maid?" She started crying "Yes!" The prince pulls a ring out of his pocket and slips in on her finger. Her future father in law watched from the window. He had tears in his eyes, happy that his son found happiness. The End" Dad looked up from the book to see his three sons and wife all fast asleep.
He chuckled then went and turned the lights off and headed to bed himself. I got up as the sun started heading it's way over the horizon. I look outside at the fresh patch of white snow on the ground. The house was dark. The only light source was the light coming in the window.
I all of a sudden remembered the date. "IT'S CHRISTMAS!" I screamed, waking my mother and brothers who were still sleeping on the couch. My father came out of their bedroom, rubbing his eyes.
"Jeez nice to see y'all are up nice and early." "Come on dad it's christmas." I ran over to the christmas tree and saw all the presents wrapped in beautiful red and green wrapping paper.
"You know the rules breakfast then presents." Dad said as he walked into the kitchen. He grabbed a few eggs from outside. He then grabbed out the loaf of bread and toast slices on the open flame. Put the eggs in a pan and cooked them the same way as the toast.
I got a whiff from the kitchen and it made me realize why we do breakfast first. I grabbed plates and set the table "Napkin, Fork, Plate." I said as I placed things on the table. My dad finished cooking and put the food on the plates. "Kids it's time to eat!" He called into the living room. My brothers and I all sat at the table while pa helped ma into the dining room.
We all sat and ate. The eggs were nice and smooth while being somewhat runny in the middle. The toast was a nice light brown, soft but yet so crunchy. We put the plates in the sink and headed to the living room to sit around the Christmas tree. One by one we open our gifts. My favorite one was this Blue cloak that I found out that my mother hand sewed.
It has a gold trimming and the blue was the color fitted for royals. "It's beautiful Ma, I absolutely love it!" I had a grin that stretched from ear to ear. My mother, I could tell, was really happy that I liked it.
The rest of my gifts were either clothing or some small toys, nothing too extravagant. My mother hugged me and my brothers. "I Love Y'all, Be Safe." After opening the rest of the gifts we were allowed to go outside and play with the other kids.
My mother stayed inside to take a nap and dad watched us outside. After a while of playing I was ready to go back inside. I went inside and was surprised my mother was not up yet it had been three hours. I went to her room to try and wake her but she would not wake up.
I panicked, I went outside to get my father but he said she was probably just really tired. I told him that she was cold and would not respond to me. That's when my dad went inside. He told me to tell Jack and Thomas to come inside and for me to go get the local doctor.
I did as he said. Luckily the doctor only lived a block away but that was not enough to save her. I knew the second that he shook his head, My beloved mother was gone.