The Christmas House Page 23

  “Hmm, maybe I will surprise Michael by stopping by again on Christmas. I could dress up as Mrs. Santa Claus. Red velvet robe, high heels and nothing underneath? Maybe that would bring a smile to his face.”

  She frowned realizing she was just dreaming.

  “Nah, Arianna must have been one special woman to steal his heart for all of eternity.”

  As Sharon pulled away from the curb, Michael watched from the living room window and could see her car drive out of sight. He sighed to himself.

  “Maybe I should have let her in. She is beautiful and I am kind of lonely. But she’s no Arianna. I would feel so guilty if I was to get involved with someone else while there is still a chance that Arianna and I will be reunited at Christmas. I just have to hold on to my faith and believe that this Christmas will be the most joyful Christmas of all.”

  Chapter Twenty Two- Michael’s Christmas Eve

  Chicago, IL

  Christmas Eve

  5:45 p.m.

  The address on the mailbox, clearly read “148”. This home was extremely beautiful. Compared to the other homes on this block, it boasted a freshness that was obvious to the naked eye. Not built over a hundred years ago like the other neighboring homes, this house shined without the aid of holiday decorations. The brickwork was immaculate, as was the crystal clear bay window that captured and then reflected the headlights of an oncoming car

  The formal dining room featured a dining table made of glass sitting on a black marble pedestal. It looked as if it was just delivered within the last few days. The dining room chairs were modern as well with thick black cushions and upholstered arms. A grandfather clock ticked away in the far corner of the room. Although brand new, the clock still looked as if it was truly owned by a grandfather. The walls were covered with very tasteful silver and black small print wallpaper that had recently been hung. The carpeting was a light beige Berber that looked as if it had never even been stepped upon. The light oak doorframe and cove molding woodwork was gorgeous. The furnishings in the living room were again all brand new and distinctively modern. Sleek black leather chairs, brass accent pieces, stylish lamps and large sofa size paintings filled the room with a touch of elegance. The interior of the home was just as spectacular as the exterior.

  In the kitchen, Michael was dressed extra special for the occasion. Wearing a dark blue pair of dress pants, a light blue shirt and a blue and gold tie, he looked very handsome. He took a sheet of cookies out of the oven and placed the sheet onto the stovetop to cool. He walked to the kitchen table that was covered with many arranged plates of desserts and snack items. Nothing substantial such as a main course of golden brown turkey or succulent ham was within sight.

  Back in the dining room, he unfolded a Pewter colored silk tablecloth and covered the large dining room table. As he pulled and tugged at the tablecloth he gazed at the grandfather clock.

  “I’m running behind.”

  It was a few minutes to six. He hurried into the kitchen and retrieved trays of cookies from the kitchen and placed them on the dining room table.

  As the dining room table became a kaleidoscope of sweets and appetizers he became more and more excited. He placed the last tray of cookies on the table and walked over to the corner of the room that was opposite of the grandfather clock. He pushed a button and the disc drawer of a DVD/CD player slid out. A red LED display flashed “no disc”. He opened a door of the glass case under the CD player and retrieved a compact disc. He removed the CD from the jewel case and placed it in the CD drawer. The drawer slid back inside the player as he gave the drawer a slight touch. He pushed a button and the LED display read Track 1. The CD played through the hidden speakers in the walls and ceiling. The clear and flawless sounds of “Silver Bells”, as sung by Johnny Mathis filled the room.

  “Chime, chime, chime, chime, chime, chime.” Almost in unison with the chorus of “Silver Bells”, the chimes complimented Johnny’s voice and brought the room to life. It was 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

  Michael stood motionless as if he was waiting for something to happen. He only needed to wait a few seconds and then the doorbell rang. He smiled widely and ran to the front door. As he opened the door he was greeted with, “Merry Christmas Michael!”

  “Merry Christmas Denny!”

  “Sorry I’m late. My plane was delayed due to the weather. Will you look at all this snow,” said Denny.

  “I’m so glad you are here. Come in. Let me have your coat. How was the flight otherwise?”

  Handing his coat to Michael, Denny replied, “My flight was fine. A little bumpy over the mountains, but otherwise it was great. Am I the first one to arrive?”

  “Yes, but the grandfather clock just chimed 6 times, so the night is young. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the rest of the guests will arrive shortly.”

  “I am sure they will Mike,” replied Denny as he walked into the house.

  “Wow, this is really beautiful Mike. You did a great job. It’s very similar to the old house. Everything looks fantastic.”

  “Thanks Denny. I tried to stay as close to the old house as I possibly could, but some changes had to be made due to modern day building codes and restrictions. The decorating wasn’t any easier but I had a lot of help from a few professionals, who recommended certain items,”

  “They did a great a job Mike. This place should be on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens. I am just so impressed.”

  “Well I hope Arianna and the rest of the guests feel the same way you do.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “Looks like we’re about to find out,” said Denny.

  Michael walked to the front door and stopped. He took a deep breath and looked at Denny. Denny nodded and Michael opened the door.

  “Merry Christmas Michael!” shouted one lone voice.

  “Merry Christmas Martha!” Michael exclaimed as he opened the storm door.

  “It’s so good to see you. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen this evening,” said Michael as he started to get very excited.

  “Merry Christmas Martha!” shouted Dennis as he entered the foyer.

  “Oh my God! You scared the life out of me Dennis!” said Martha. “I didn’t know anyone else was here. It’s so good to see you Dennis. Come here and give me a hug.”

  Dennis walked over to Martha and embraced her.

  “Scaring the life out of you would be quite the trick now wouldn’t it?” he said.

  “Not for the next 24 hours. Wouldn’t that be a kick in the head? Here I just get my life back just a few minutes ago and you go and take it away from me,” she replied.

  Michael took Martha’s coat and as he hung it up in the front foyer closet he asked, “So are the others coming?” Martha looked at Michael and Dennis.

  “Well to be perfectly honest I came ahead of the others to see if you were mentally ready for this gathering. We didn’t want to visit you if it was going to be too difficult for you handle. You seem to be in decent spirits. The fact that Dennis is here with you is a great asset. Do you feel you are ready for this experience Michael?”

  Michael walked up to Martha and placed his hands on her shoulders.

  “I don’t know if I will ever be ready for this Martha. All I do know is that I desperately need to feel the love of my family and friends again. I need to hold Arianna and my children. I have waited so long. It may have only been a year, but it felt like an eternity.”

  “Okay, but if you start to feel uncomfortable or stressed, I will dismiss the guests early to spare you further anxiety. Is that agreeable with you Michael?”

  “Please Martha, no matter what my state of mind, let me have my family back for the full twenty four hours. Twelve months is a very long time to be without the ones you love.”

  “People go on living without their loved ones for the rest of their lives. They manage to rebuild their world and start again. Why do you find that concept so difficult?” she asked.

  “I guess for the same reasons you
found it so difficult as well Martha. You never married. You never started again after losing your family. You of all people should understand the curse as well as the gift that this house bestows upon its dwellers. It is a very magical and enchanted place for a twenty-four hour period each year, but the rest of the year I simply hold my breath and wait until next Christmas. The 364-day curse is well worth the 24-hour gift of life that it shares with all of us for that single day. I can never get on with my life or start anew. If I did, I would sacrifice the magic of the house and lose the chance to see my loved ones forever,” replied Michael.

  “And you are willing to live the rest of your life waiting for a single day per year to be truly happy?” she asked.

  “I don’t have much choice do I? Either I accept the gift and the conditions that accompany it or I lose the opportunity to be with my loved ones until I too pass onto the spiritual life. How do I explain to a new wife that my deceased wife visits me every Christmas and stays the night? I can’t have it both ways. It’s one way or the other. I realize that this is a choice that no other living person in the world has the option to make. But if given that option, I am sure that they would decide in a second to live as you did for many years and as I will for many years to come”, he replied.

  Dennis joined the conversation.

  “I would have to agree with Michael if I were in his shoes. Regardless of the fact that my true biological parents visit this house once every year and I do miss seeing them, it is not the same. I didn’t even know who they were until a few short years ago. But if it were my wife and my kids or even my adoptive parents that perished, I would make the same sacrifice throughout the year for that one 24 hour period of happiness and bliss that would hopefully fill my heart for the other 364 days of the year.”

  Martha smiled at the both of them and replied, “You have been thinking about this quite a bit haven’t you Michael? You have realized much quicker than I, what a double-edged sword the magic of this house can truly be at times. You seem ready for this celebration to me thus I see no reason to delay it any longer. Why don’t you get that Michael?”

  Michael started to say, “Get wh...” when the doorbell rang.

  Michael smiled at Martha and walked to the door.

  “Merry Christmas Daddy! Merry Christmas Dad!”

  Crying tears of joy, Michael opened the storm door and yelled back, “Merry Christmas Nicole. Merry Christmas David!”

  Nicole ran into the house and into Michael’s arms. Kneeling down to receive her embrace, he hugged her tightly.

  “I have missed you so much my little munchkin.”

  David ran into the house and hugged his father as well.

  “Dad! I can’t believe we’re here. We didn’t know if we would be allowed to visit you. I’m so happy to be home again!”

  “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.