Rating: T
Disclaimer: I still don't own the
characters! Much to my disappoitment. *sigh* And I don't own the poem I
have used in this part and Christmas carol I have used in the second
part either. The poem belongs to Theodor Storm and the song to
Friedrich Wilhelm Kritzinger.
.
Note: For everyone who don't speak
German, you will find the english translation of the poem I have used
at the end of this part.
Surprise!
Part One
Charlotte took the phone, still inwardly giggling, and dialed a
number in Germany. After speaking with Queen Amelia, it had been
decided to call me and invite me for Christmas in the Royal
Palace in Genovia. This would be a perfect surprise for the
dowager Queen Clarisse and her husband, Sir Joseph. Charlotte
couldn't wait to finally meet me.
Miles away in Germany, I unsuspectingly picked up the receiver
after the phone had rung five times. 'Who can it be?' I thought.
In spite of the enjoyable phone calls I had gotten lately, I answered
with, "Hello! Who is there?"
Charlotte was puzzled and replied, "This is Charlotte,
calling from the Genovian Royal Palace. Anne-Marie, is that
you?"
"Yes, it's me!" I was totally flabbergasted and almost dropped the
phone. I honestly had not had the slightest idea that Charlotte would
call me again. "Oh, Charlotte, it's nice to hear your voice."
"Oh, good. I'm glad to reach you, Anne. Well, I'm
sure you are wondering why I'm calling at this time of year."
"Mhm, yes, I am!"
"You are? Good!" Charlotte tried to hold back her giggles
before continuing, "Well, I'll tell you why. Her Majesty, Queen Amelia,
is inviting you to be her guest in the Royal Palace for
Christmas."
"How sweet!" I answered, politely. "Well, I...!"
Charlotte stopped me before I could finish my sentence. "Oh come
on, I'm sure you wouldn't disappoint Queen Amelia, would you?"
"Of course not!"
"Oh good! Then you accept her invitation!"
"Yes, I do!" I agreed, because something inside my head told
me that my visit was planned as a surprise for Clarisse and
Joseph.
"Fine! The queen will sent Genovia One to bring you to
Genovia! The airplane will pick you up on December 22nd!"
Charlotte told me.
"December 22nd, that will be nice. But, if it would be
possible, I would suggest sending the airplane earlier, let's say ...
December 5th?"
"Mhm, why December 5th?" Charlotte wanted to know and then it hit
her. "Sure, sure!!" she continued, excited. "Oh you little devil, you
have something in mind for St. Nicholas Day, right?"
"Yes, that's right!" I giggled.
"Aha, I should have known! Tell me, what is it?" Charlotte asked,
curious.
"Oh come, Charlotte, if I told you now, the whole fun of the
surprise would be spoiled."
"All right, it's your turn! Well, to tell the truth, I
love surprises. Okay, Genovia One will pick you up on December 5th
then. But what shall I tell her Majesty about why you are coming
earlier to Genovia?" Charlotte seemed a little helpless.
"Mhm, well, you could tell her I had a sweet plan for St.
Nicholas Day." I enjoyed the idea of appearing as Knecht Ruprecht
immensely. Mischievously, I already looked forward to seeing
the totally surprised faces of Clarisse and Joseph.
"Oh yes, of course! I'm sure that will work!" Charlotte
sighed.
"Mhm, I'm wondering, how you are going to prevent my arrival
being noticed?"
"Oh, I'll find a way. So don't worry, no one in the palace
will notice your arrival, apart from Queen Amelia and myself.
Especially not Shades!" The thought of leading Shades by the nose
intrigued her in particular. She had still to plug a chicken with
him, as we say in Germany.
"Great!" I said, relieved. "See you on December 5th, then!
Good bye, Charlotte."
"Good bye, Anne! I'm looking forward to our meeting." And
Charlotte ended the phone call with that.
~~~~~~
At the same time, in the suite of Clarisse and Joseph, Clarisse
was saying, "Joseph, something mysterious is going on in this palace!"
"Mysterious! What brings you to that thought, my darling?"
"Mia always avoids me when I want to talk about the Christmas Ball
with her and Charlotte becomes mute like a fish if I mention the
holidays. Both of them are keeping big secrets
from us. I tell you, these two have made plans
that neither of us to supposed to learn anything about. I don't think I
like that."
"Oh, now that you mention it, when I spoke with Shades this
morning, he mentioned that Charlotte was in vastly elated mood all the
time lately and humming some German Christmas carols! When he had asked
her why she was doing that, she only answered him that she was in
the mood to do so and that's all she said!" Joseph didn't like the air
of secrecy either.
"Mhm, speaking of Christmas songs now that I think of it, Mia was
humming German Christmas carols, too." Clarisse thought
desperately about what could be the true reason for Mia's and
Charlotte's sudden interest in German Christmas carols, but nothing
came to her mind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 5.
My flight to Genovia proceeded rather quietly. Thanks to her
Majesty, I could bring the big, red, Christmas-presents-filled jute-bag
unhindered on board Genovia One. Queen Amelia had spoken
personally with the security personnel of the Wickeder Airport.
She had explained to them that a lady by the name of Anne-Marie
was to be allowed unhindered on the airport-terrain after
only showing her pass, in order to board Genovia One as the queen's
guest. Determined, she had continued, "The Lady has high
priority, do don't you dare cause any diplomatic entanglements."
Arriving at 2:30 P.M. in Genovia, Charlotte was waiting for me
with the limousine. After a hearty greeting and stowing my two
small suitcases and the bag, we climbed the car. On our way to
the palace, we both had a very nice chat. And I finally told her what I
wanted to do on St. Nicholas Day. She liked my idea so well that
she asked me to play the part of Knecht Ruprecht to Shades, too,
but in a slighty more nasty way. I agreed.
Thanks to Amelia and Charlotte no one saw me enter the palace.
They both led me through a little-known secret passage which Mia had
discovered only a few weeks previously.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 6.
My timing was
perfect. At 10 A.M, Clarisse and Joseph were
enjoying their breakfast in the living room of their suite. Not
suspecting what approached, they suddenly heard quick footsteps
coming down the hallway and a deep voice calling very
loudly, "HO HO HO!" Amelia was behind me to give me protection if
necessary.
Clarisse and Joseph
almost dropped their cups when the door to the
living room was pushed open and a figure,
ME, dressed in red and wearing a white beard,
entered the room carrying a big, red jute-bag. Oh, that look on their
faces was priceless. Of course, Mia stood outside in the
hallway, unseen by her grandma and Joe, trying desperately
not to laugh loudly.
Slowly the older
couple recovered from their first shock when
realizing how I had just entered the room. Both had the same thought
and cried out, very astonished, "Knecht Ruprecht!"
Instead of answering
to that call directly, I spoke, in the
deepest voice I could manage, the following lines:
Von draus, vom Walde
komm´ ich her;
Ich muss euch sagen, es weihnachtet sehr.
Allüberall auf den Tannenspitzen
Sah ich goldene Lichtlein blitzen.
Und droben aus dem Himmelstor
Sah mit großen Augen das Christkind hervor.
Und wie ich so strolcht´ durch den finstern Tann,
DA rief´s mich mit heller Stimme an :
"Knecht Ruprecht", rief es,
"alter Gesell,
Hebe die Beine und spute dich schnell !
Die Kerzen fangen zu brennen an,
Das Himmelstor ist aufgetan,
Alte und Junge sollen nun
Von der Jagd Des Lebens einmal ruhn:
Und morgen flieg´ ich hinab zur Erden,
Denn es soll wieder Weihnachten werden !"
Ich sprach : "O lieber
Herre Christ,
Meine Reise bald zu Ende ist.
Ich soll nur noch in diese Stadt,
Wo´s eitel gute Kinder hat."
"Hast denn das Säcklein auch bei dir ?"
Ich sprach : "Das Säcklein, das ist hier;
Denn Äpfel, Nuss und Mandelkern
Fressen fromme Kinder gern."
"Hast denn die Rute auch
bei dir ?"
Ich sprach : "Die Rute, die ist hier;
Doch für die Kinder, nur die schlechten,
Die trifft sie auf den Teil, den rechten."
Christkindlein sprach : "So
ist es recht,
So geh mit Gott mein treuer Knecht."
Von drauß, vom Walde komm´ ich her;
Ich muss euch sagen, es weihnachtet sehr.
Nun sprecht, wie ich`s hierinnen find !
Sind`s gute Kind, sind´s böse Kind ?
"Now, Clarisse and Joseph,
speak!" I said in English with a
chuckle after I had finished my inaugural speech. "Have you both been behaving decently or were
you two naughty?" I really wanted to know!
"Oh, Knecht Ruprecht, we really
behaved decently. You really can leave the rod in your bag.
PLEASE!" Both begged with a bit of fear in their voices upon
seeing I had one hand on the rod already.
I chuckled and grasped deeply into the
jute-bag to dig out the two wrapped Christmas presents I had
carried with me for them both. When finally holding the two presents in
my hands, I said smugly, using the deep voice I had before, "Clarisse,
Joseph, I know you both would never do anything bad. That's
why I have presents here. One for you, dear Joseph, and one
for you, dear Clarisse."
I handed them over to both, although Joe actually would have earned the
rod after what he had done to me on the Sea festival one year
ago.
Both
took their gifts out of my hands and then looked
at each other. I didn't notice at all that the beard I was
wearing had slipped down a little off my face. Both began to grin
when recognizing who was playing Knecht Ruprecht and both together
cried out, completely surprised, "ANNE!"
"The
surprise really succeeded for you," Clarisse
continued. "Joseph and I are happy to see you again."
"Wha...!"
I wondered, then for the first time I
noticed the little slip of my beard. I grinned happily. "Well, I'm
happy, too."
Joseph
already was unwrapping his present while
Clarisse hugged me. His look was priceless when seeing what I had
bought
him. Two pairs of hot black silk briefs and a box of
Viagra. "Anne, you little devil! Thank you!"
Seeing
the grinning face of her husband, Clarisse
began unwrapping her present, too. Her eyes were shining like stars
upon seeing what I had bought her. A red silk bra, the fitting panties
and a bottle of perfume called 'Erotica'. "Oh, Anne, how did you
know I wanted this? Thanks so much."
"Glad
to see you both like my presents. And now if
you two will excuse me, I promised Amelia to show up as Knecht Ruprecht
for the children in the orphanage, too."
"How sweet, of you, Anne," Clarisse said. "I'm sure the children
will like it. See you later."
~~~~~~~~~
Note:
this is the
translation of the poem
Knecht Ruprecht
written by Theodor Storm
From
out the forest I now
appear,
To proclaim that Christmastide is here!
For at the top of every
tree
Are golden lights for all to
see;
And there from Heaven’s gate on
high
I saw our Christ-child in the
sky.
And in among the darkened
trees,
A loud voice it was that called to
me:
‘Knecht Ruprecht, old fellow,’ it
cried,
Hurry
now, make haste,
don’t
hide!
All the candles have now been
lit
--
Heaven’s gate has opened
wide!
Both young and old should now
have rest
Away from cares and daily
stress;
And when tomorrow to earth I
fly
“it’s Christmas
again!” will be
the
cry.’
And then I said: ‘O Lord so
dear.
My journey’s end is now quite
near;
But to this town* I’ve still to go,
Where the children are good, I
know.’
‘But have you then that great sack?’
‘I have,’ I said, ‘it’s on my back.
For apples, almonds, fruit and nuts
For God-fearing children are a must.’
‘And is that cane there by your side?’
‘The cane’s there too,’ I did reply;
But only for those, those naughty ones,
Who have it applied to their backsides.’
The Christ-child spoke: ‘Then that’s all right!
My loyal servant, go with God this night!’
From out the forest I now appear;
To proclaim that Christmastide is here!
Now speak, what is there here to be had?
Are there good children, are there bad?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note: You will find the english
translation to the German Chrsitmas song I have used here at the
end of this part.
Part
two (final)
December
13.
One
week had gone much too quickly. Unfortunately, I had to go
back home the following day. However, that didn't
happen. In the night before my departure, Genovia got hit by the
announced blizzard. Everyone in the palace had really thought it would
pass the country. But NO, it was the worst blizzard Genovia ever
had experienced.
By
11:30 P.M., it had reached its high point. The wind howled so
horribly around the palace that sleep was not to be thought
of. Suddenly the power was gone as well.
The entire palace was wrapped in a uncanny darkness.
Fortunately,
I had a flashlight,
but stupid me, I had left it in the bathroom. Of course,
there were candles around too, although they were standing on
a table further away from my bed so I couldn't light them right
away. "Damn!" I cursed. I crept out of my bed, and felt my way in the direction
where I supposed the bathroom to be in order to fetch my flashlight.
I
didn't suspect that Joseph would be passing through the hallway
checking to be sure that everything was in order in this part of
the palace. Just as he passed my bedroom door, I stumbled over
something hard, hit my big right toe and landed a little
unceremoniously on the floor. "AHHHH!" I cried. "Damn that blizzard and
the power failure."
<>Joseph
heard that terrible noise and my cry. In a hurry, he pushed open the
door to my bedroom because he wanted to know what was
going on in here. He shone his flashlight in to see what just had
happened, and there saw me lying on the floor, whimpering a little
from the pain. "Oh my God, Anne, you hurt yourself!" He hurried to my
side. "Are you okay?"
"As
far as I can see I'm all right, only hit my big right toe on something
hard. That's why I fell."
"Where
is your flashlight? Oh no, don't tell me you left it in the bathroom?"
Joseph was full of concern.
"I'm
afraid yes." I was still sitting on the floor. Before I knew what
was going to happen, Joseph knelt down and lifted me up in his arms. I
started to protest, "Joseph, put me down! I can surely walk back
to bed on my own feet."
But
he wasn't going to listen. I was met by lightning when his lips were
suddenly on mine. I struggled in defense but it was no use. He kissed
me and you won't believe it, but I responded to his kiss. Then
we broke apart, when realizing what he just had done.
"Sorry Anne, that will not happen again." Putting me down on the bed,
he left, first lighting the candles so I could clearly see
everything in the room.
"AHHH!"
I yelled. "I owe it all to this blasted blizzard." In response the wind
howled more horriblely than ever. "Mhm, maybe some milk will
calm my nerves." Hobbling and now armed with a flashlight, I
made my way to the kitchen. To my complete and utter
astonishment, Amelia was in the kitchen already and drinking a glass of
milk.
"Anne!"
she cried out, astonished. "What brings you to the kitchen and why are
you hobbling?"
"Couldn't
sleep." I explained and continued. "Why am I hobbling? Well, I hit
my big right toe in the darkness on something hard." I thought it
better not to mention what had happened after that.
Aww,
one more lady showed up in the kitchen. It was Clarisse, also armed
with a flashlight. Surely she was searching for her husband. "You
two here!" she cried, astonished.
"Yes,
grandma." came Mia's prompt answer. "We couldn't sleep. That blizzard
is terrible. Grandma, is the winter here always like this?"
"No,
Mia, it isn't. This is the first year we have had a such horrible thing
here." Clarisse explained. "Has either of you two seen Joseph? When I
woke up, he wasn't beside me in bed."
"NO!"
Mia and I yelled together, although mine was a lie. In my head, I
yelled to myself, 'Anne, you coward, you should tell her you have seen
Joseph and that he kissed you! Alright! I'll do it!'
But just at that moment, Charlotte entered the kitchen, too.
"Seems
we all had the same thought." she said when seeing Clarisse, Mia and
me. "I couldn't sleep either. Oh, what holidays! Blizzard, power
failure, what will happen next?" In response to her question, we
suddenly heard a uncanny, clinking noise.
We
four jumped. "What was that?" Mia asked with fear in her voice.
"No
idea!" I said fearlessly. "Well, ladies, we should take a look. I don't
think that noise was caused by a burglar."
"How
can you be so sure, Anne?" Clarisse wanted to know.
"Well,
even a burglar wouldn't go out in this horrible blizzard. I'm sure we
are probably snowed in by now according to that blizzard outside."
I tried to calm my friends and took a look through one of the windows.
The only thing I could see was how the horrible wind whipped the
snow against the panes. Because of the blizzard, it was completely
gloomy outside the palace.
<>"Anne
is right!" Mia courageously said. "Okay, ladies, I'm the Queen, and I
say we should go and look to see where that noise came from."
Flashlights
in hand, we made our way in the direction from whence
we thought the noise had come.
Everyone should know that no one besides Joseph, Shades, Clarisse,
Amelia, Charlotte and myself was in the palace at this time.
But
where were the two gentlemen who should be protecting us? There
was no sign of them. But then I discovered them in
the ballroom while looking around. And there I found
the cause for that uncanny, clinking noise we had heard.
Typically
male, both lay on
top of the fallen small Christmas-tree which Amelia and I had so
carefully decorated. Joe saw me and warned me very forcefully. "I
swear, Anne, if you laugh, I'll kill you!".
"And
I'll help you, Joseph." Shades added merrily.
I
tried desperately to control myself and not laugh loudly.
However, those two looked rather amusing, entangled in each other's
arms on top of the fallen tree, covered with a garland, the
electric candles around their neck and tinsel draped over their
heads.
"Ladies, they're here!" I called as loudly as I could. Both
gentlemen scrambled to their feet and tried to get hold of me, but I
continued to yell. "I'm in the ballroom and have found the cause
of this horribe noise we have heard!"
Just
in time, Clarisse rushed into the room. "Joseph, Shades, stop that!
Don't you two dare to do anything mean to Anne. I swear, you two will
regret it. It's Christmas time, a time for love, not for doing any harm
to people we love." She cried out, very determined upon seeing
what both wanted to do to me, especially Shades, after what I had given
him as present.
They
let me go free. Joseph knew if he wouldn't let me go, Clarisse
wouldn't be in the mood for making love to him for the next two
weeks or longer. He shuddered.
Finally
Mia and Charlotte arrived, too. "Did we miss something?" both asked
when seeing the fallen damaged tree, and Joseph and Shades still
decorated with a bit of tinsel.
"You called that you had found the cause for that noise we had
heard. So what made the noise?" Charlotte wanted to know.
"These
two gentlemen. They
surely lost power for
their flashlights while looking around the palace and in the
darkness they must have stumbled over the Christmas Tree and then
landed face down in the falling tree." I tried desperately to
remain serious. It really wasn't easy. The funny image of these two was
still there.
"Thanks,
Anne!" both whispered in my ear after I hadn't mentioned the real
situation in which I had found them
both . And then they kissed me on the cheek.
"Damn."
called Amelia. "Why do I always miss the fun here?"
"Amelia,
your language!" her grandma cried. "You are the Queen of Genovia, who
never loses her temper." Clarisse said this in spite of having lost her
own temp just a minute before.
"Sorry,
ladies, gentlemen, I'm freezing. It's getting chilly in here, don't you
think?" I ventured.
"Shades,
let's light a fire in one of the other rooms because we can't
let the ladies freeze to death." Joseph commanded.
"Alright,
Joseph, let's get the wood."
By
4 A.M., we finally had gone to sleep after all. But not like you
think, in our own beds. NO, we all lay together, covered
with some blankets before a huge fireplace in one of the
rooms. Oh, what a night! The blizzard had eased meanwhile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
December
14.
Oh
my lord, what horrible events to happen while on holiday!
The power wasn't still back. After taking a look outside, we got
a shock. We really were snowed in. It was impossible to get
outside. The front door was blocked by a two meter high snow
wall. It gave no possibility either to escape through one of
the other doors. Luckily, I had found my portable receiver
and it worked. So we knew what was going on in the rest of
Genovia. We were cut off from the external world.
According
to the weatherman, it wouldn't get any better soon. Genovia just
wasn't prepared for such chaos.
We needed help from outside the country.
"Anne,
I'm afraid you can't leave very soon. You'll have to stay with us for
awhile. You know Genovia isn't prepared for such weather." Apart from
the chaos that the blizzard had caused, Clarisse seemed very happy.
"'I
know." I sighed but happily. "Where are Joseph and Shades?"
"I
don't know." Charlotte said. "Last time I saw them, they were in the
security room."
"Well,
we should search for them because they have to light the fire in the
fireplaces, it's getting chilly in here again." Mia said.
"Ladies,
how would it be now to have a wonderful, hot eggnog." I asked grinning,
looking at very surprised and puzzling faces. I continued. "It
tastes yummy, really. You three really should try it. I brought a few
bottles along. "
"Eggnog!"
Clarisse mused. "Well, why not?" Somehow, Clarisse liked my
idea. "It ALMOST looks as if you counted on a longer stay here." the
dowager Queen added, happily smiling. "And what are you going to
serve our two men? I'm sure they won't like eggnog."
"No
problem." I giggled. "I'm going to serve them hot Grog. With much rum
in it."
"So,
you brought rum, too!" Mia was curious. "What's GROG?"
"YES!
I did! And to answer your question, Mia, Grog is an
delicious hot drink."
Finally
we all sat by the same fireplace we had the night before. "Mhm, this
tastes delicious, Anne. What did you say it's called?" Joe was
completely enthusiastic about the brew.
"It
is called GROG, Joseph." I answered, grinning.
"GROG,
you say. I must remember that."
"I'll
give you the receipe." I whispered in his right ear.
"That
would be great," he whispered back and kissed me on the cheek
again, very much to the disappointment of his wife.
I
noticed it and whispered again, "Joe, you should kiss your
wife, not me. And not only on the cheek, you know that."
"MHM!"
He got into action. Before Clarisse knew what was going to happen,
she was swept into Joseph's arms. She was so surprised that she almost
spilled her whole eggnog had I not taken the glass out her hand first.
"Hoppla!"
I said.
The
kiss that both shared was full of passion. Joseph completely forgot
that there were four eyewitnessess around.
"Oh,
how wonderful! And who is going to kiss me?" Charlotte sighed.
Shades
already had glassy eyes,
since, evil as I was I had added a shot of my Slivowitz to his Grog every
time. Now I only had to wait for his reaction. I
didn't need to wait long. Schwups, Shades grasped Charlotte and
pulled her into his arms.
She was shocked. "Shades!" she cried but it was too late, his lips were
on hers.
Charlotte
struggled because he was kissing her so passionately that she
hardly could breathe.
"Oh,
how sweet. And who is going to kiss me?" Mia was a bit depressed.
So I took her in my arms, hugged her tightly and gave her big kiss on
the cheek to thank her for the wonderful invitation.
By
the late evening, we were all totally drunk.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finally the
power was back on ... and before Christmas. Meanwhile the
cavalry had arrived, too, in order to free Genovia from the tons
of snow.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Christmas
Eve
I
had taken upon myself the liberty of hanging up a mistletoe in the
bathroom of Clarisse's and Joseph's suite in the night before
Christmas Eve. I had placed it directly over the shower. The
two slept so deeply and firmly that they hadn't noticed my
penetration at all.
On
Christmas Eve morning, Clarisse entered the bathroom not suspecting
anything. She removed her pyjamas and stepped into the
shower. Turning on the hot water, her eyes went up. "What the hell?"
she gasped when seeing a mistletoe was hanging over her head.
Then and there it hit her, only one person would have be so bold as to
do that. "ANNE! Just wait, you sweet devil!" And then she called for
her husband. "Joseph, darling!"
"Yes,
sweetheart? What's the matter? "Joseph called back from direction of
the bedroom where he was still lying on the bed.
"I
need a little help with my shower. Could you come in here,
PLEASE?"
"Of
course, darling. I'm on my way." In a hurry, he was out of the bed and
into the bathroom. Removing his pyjamas, too, he joined his wife
in the shower. "Lovely sight you are, sweetheart."
Before
he knew was going to happen, Clarisse's arms went around his waist,
their lips met and they shared a very hot kiss. She was very well
aware of his swollen hardness between her legs.
Then
they broke apart. "May I ask what's come over you, Clarisse?"
"A
mistletoe." Clarisse said with amusement in her voice.
"Mistletoe,
what mistletoe?" Joseph wanted to know, completely baffled. Then he saw
it when looking up. "How did this thing come in here?"
"Can't
you imagine, darling?"
"ANNE!"
he cried. "She was in our suite last
night."
"Yes!
That's for sure. I would say she is, with hundred percent
safety, the only one is this palace who would get such an idea."
~~~~~~~~~
Later
"Joseph,
I'm so glad Mia invited Anne. And it makes me so happy that she had to
stay for Christmas, even if that horrible blizzard was the cause of it."
"Clarisse,
darling, I'm sure she would probably have changed her mind without
the blizzard, too."
"MHM,
you could be right. Well, darling, you haven't shown me yet
what Anne gave you as a present for St. Nicholas Day. May I see
it?" Clarisse was curious.
"You
will, darling, you will. But not now. Later I'm going
to show you what she has bought me. Speaking of gifts, you
haven't show me your St. Nicholas present either." Joseph tried to
provoke his wife.
"I
will show mine to you when you show me yours first." Clarisse retorted.
"Touché!"
Joseph grinned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christmas
morning.
After
a wonderful and delicious breakfast, we six were standing before a
second Christmas tree, which Mia and I had decorated in the same
fashion as the other one Joseph and Shades had damaged.
Before
exchanging the presents, we sang a German Christmas carol. I had
brought the music with me. Turning on the record we began singing.
Süsser die Glocken nie klingen,
Als zu der Weihnachtszeit,
's ist, als ob Engelein singen,
Wieder von Frieden und Freud,
Wie sie gesungen in seliger Nacht,
Wie sie gesungen in seliger Nacht.
Glocken mit heiligem Klang, klinget die Erde entlang.
O, wenn die Glocken erklingen,
Schnell sie das Christkindlein hört,
Tut sich vom Himmel dann schwingen,
Eilet hernieder zur Erd',
Segnet den Vater, die Mutter, das Kind,
Segnet den Vater, die Mutter, das Kind.
Glocken mit heiligem Klang,
Klinget die Erde entlang!
Klinget mit lieblichem Schalle
Über die Meere noch weit,
Daß sich erfreuen doch alle
Seliger Weihnachtszeit,
Alle aufjauchzen mit einem Gesang,
Alle aufjauchzen mit einem Gesang.
Glocken mit heiligem Klang,
Klinget die Erde entlang!
What
Charlotte got as a Christmas present will remain a secret forever. And
Shades, well, that's to be left to the imagination.
Mia got
two sweet-smelling shower gels and something seductive from me for her
wedding night when she finally married Lord Nicholas. Amelia
blushed when seeing what I had bought her. "Thank you, Anne. It's
beautiful. And now you should open your presents."
I
began unwrapping the first presents. "Oh Amelia, thank you." I'm
not going to tell what it WAS. Then I unwrapped the present
which stated it was from Clarisse and Joseph. I was taken aback upon
seeing what it was. A wonderful golden ring with a small diamond in the
middle. I almost had tears in my eyes. "Oh, Clarisse, Joseph, the
ring is beautiful. I never had such valuable gift."
"Anne,
you earned it, after Joseph and I spent such a wonderful day together
with you at that Sea Festival." She thought back with
slightly blushed face to the hot love she and Joseph had shared in
a barn.
Looking
at his wife, Joe knew where her thoughts were right then. Then he
unwrapped his present. "Darling, that's...." he couldn't continue
because Clarisse had had the same thought as me.
"Joe,
are you all right? What has grandma bought you?" Mia was very curious.
"Amelia,
I think you shouldn't ask. I think this gift exchange should remain
secret between your grandma and Joseph." I challenged her.
"ANNE!"
Mia grumbled, a bit ashamed. "I have the feeling you are the only one
who already knows what grandma bought Joe."
"I!"
I called, completely innocently, yet inwardly giggling.
Meanwhile
Clarisse was unwrapping her present, too. "Joseph, that's..." she was just as
speechless. Although, Joseph's gift was different than mine. He
had bought her a very seductive nightgown in red lace. You
could see through it all the way. It did match the red bra and panties
she had gotten from me perfectly. And she continued."You.
All I have ever wanted or needed was you. And now I have you."
Joseph took Clarisse in his arms and they shared a sweet and
gentle kiss.
Merry
Christmas.
Note: This is translation to the
Christmas carol.
Sweeter the bells never
sound
Words
by Friedrich Wilhelm Kritzinger
Sweeter the bells never sound
Than at Christmas time
It's as if angels are singing
Again of peace and joy
As they sang on the blessed night
As they sang on the blessed night
Bells with a holy sound,
The earth rings in harmony!
Oh, when the bells ring out
Quickly the Christ Child hears them
Then swings down from heaven,
Hurries down to earth
Blesses the father, the mother, the child.
Blesses the father, the mother, the child.
Bells with a holy sound,
The earth rings in harmony!
Ring with lovely sounds
Very far over the seas
so that all may rejoice
in the blessed Christmas time.
All shout out in glorious song.
All shout out in glorious song.
Bells with a holy sound,
The earth rings in harmony!