The CBB :: View topic - In the deep mid winter...

#1: In the deep mid winter... Author: Rosy, Location: Gloucestershire-London-Aberystwyth

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 9:33 pm

An early Christmas present Liz - to say thankyou for all your help and support this year *hugs*

Thankyou to Ally for bouncing at appropriate moments, and to Kat for beta-ing!

The snow fell quietly in the darkness.

All out of darkness we have light,
Which made the angels sing this night:
‘Glory to God and peace to men,
Now and for evermore. Amen .

A window, illuminated by a lamp glowed softly, and a radio could be heard playing in the background, Christmas tunes drifting out into the late afternoon.

A young woman sat in the window, curled up with a mug of coffee, her long dark hair falling over her shoulders. “Our first Christmas away from home,” she mused to herself, a dreamy look coming over the dark eyes of which her mother was so proud. She could hear the bells pealing out in the distance, calling all and sundry to mass.

Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers;
May you beautifully rime
Your evetime song, ye singers :

She had not spent Christmas away from the Oberland for years. It felt odd, but exciting at the same time, a chance to make new traditions, and continue old ones. Her eyes drifted to the top of the Christmas tree, still unadorned, a distinct contrast to the vibrancy and colour that shimmered from the rest of the tree. She refused to add the star until the final guest had arrived. Con had been adamant that the star would not be added until everyone had arrived.

Elsewhere a girl cradled her firstborn, and sang quietly to him, as she soothed him back to sleep.

Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.
Lullay, Thou little tiny Child.
By, by, lully, lullay.

Len smiled as her son wriggled in his sleep. She traced a finger over his baby cheek, and sighed contentedly. Their first Christmas as a family. She was looking forward to being in her own home for once, to start traditions afresh for her own.

Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter,
Long ago.

A figure walked quietly up the icy path, heavily laden. It had been a long journey tonight. The window, silhouetted, and glowing in the darkness had been a welcome sight to her.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light;

It sometimes felt as if she was a million miles from her sisters. Yet simple things could bring them back together.

The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to-night.

There was a sharp rap at the front door, followed by a succession of thuds as someone ran down the stairs and threw open the front door.

“Margot!”

Con threw her arms around her sister, and embraced her joyeously.
Margot hugged her back “Oh Con, it’s so good to see you! It’s been so long!” As Con shut the front door quietly, she turned to Margot and put a finger to her lips.

“Len doesn’t know that you’re coming. She knows there’s to be another guest, but Reg and I have refused to tell her who. She’s given up asking I think.” She explained quietly, in soft tones. Margot shrugged off her duffel coat and grinned. “I did wonder what you were up to,” she replied. Con hugged her again “It is good to see you! Now, go on along to the living room, and wait for me there!”

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Con slipped into the nursery, and smiled to herself as she watched her sister rocking the baby gently.
Len looked up, and smiled at her sister as the door shut quietly behind her.
“Is he asleep?” she queried. Len touched her son’s cheek and nodded. Con held her hands. “Put him down, and come with me,” she said “I have something to show you.”

“He’s a gorgeous baby Len” Con muted. Len giggled, and nodded. “I can’t quite believe he’s ours.” She replied. As they reached the living room door, Con stopped and turned around. “Now, I know that Reg and Edmund are your family now, but Christmas wouldn’t be the same if….” And she opened the door to reveal the tree, now adorned with its star, and a familiar figure curled up in the window seat.

And, as the three girls walked, arm in arm to midnight mass, together once more, each one felt that the spirit of Christmas was amongst them.

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
'Peace on the earth, good-will to men,
From heaven's all gracious King!'
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.

#2: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 9:36 pm

It's lovely Rosy, and very moving. Yay for the triplets being reunited at Christmas! Very Happy

#3: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 9:37 pm

Ahhh, Rosy that was lovely. Smile

#4: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 9:57 pm

That was beautiful - Thank you Rosy

Liz

#5: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:02 pm

That was lovely Rosy, thank you Very Happy

#6: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:15 pm

That was so beautiful it made me cry.

#7: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:16 pm

Rosy, that really is LOVELY!!!

#8: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 10:34 pm

That was really sweet, thanks Rosy.

#9: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:43 pm

What a lovely story.

#10: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 7:22 am

That was beautiful, thanks, Rosy.

#11: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:42 am

Thanks, Rosy. That was really lovely. I liked seeing the triplets reunited.

#12: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:45 am

What a tender little story, woven around one of my favourite Christmas carols.

Thank you.

#13: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 10:55 am

Ah so that's what Liz had to go and find last night. Thank you Rosy that's beautiful.

#14: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 5:36 pm

That was lovely, Rosy.

Thank you.

Star Wars

#15: Author: RuthY, Location: Anyone's guess

Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 6:12 pm

Beautiful, Rosy! Thank you!

Yay for the triplets being re-united at christmas!

#16: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 7:14 pm

What a lovely story. Liz is very lucky.

#17: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2005 8:32 pm

Lovely, Rosy!

#18: Author: Mrs Redboots, Location: London, UK

Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 8:51 pm

:sniffs: Quite brought a tear to my eye, that did - lovely!

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