Around lunch time Steve and He Jin faced timed to say merry Christmas to everyone . Letting them know that John would be bringing them their gifts. They apologized to Inola and Moll for not being able to come in for the wedding . Not long after John arrived bring lots more presents. "Here are your gifts from Steve and He Jin, they wanted you guys to open them today instead of last night. Oh and Your Aunt Norma says she will bring hers tomorrow when she comes for the wedding. That she would rather attend the wedding. She said you would understand. "
Aisling helps him hand everyone their gifts.
"Yes I know when it"s cold it"s hard for her to get out. I"m just happy she will make it tomorrow. " Aisling gets her auntie and uncle a cup of chocolate and they sit to open their gifts. Yona and Salali were not expecting gifts but everyone received something. There is a letter from them.
My darling family
Inside each small box you will find a specific piece meant for each of you. I had them made special.
Moll and Inola I had a set turtles made for you because it represents longevity.
Maureen and Onacona a pair of cranes for its purity . Its. said that when the female and male meet they just need to look into each other"s eyes to create a baby .
Aisling and Astila a set of tigers . Tigers are fierce and dignified. They also are for good luck.
Salali and Randy I had a set of deer made they mean friendship and loyalty. I hope that your deer will not be separated for long.
Debra , Sam And my precious Twinkie"s I had a family of ducks made they represent happiness.
Yona I had a dragon made for you it means sacred power and king .
My precious Crystal I had a b.u.t.terfly made for you only because you love them so. They mean free love by the way I think it"s most becoming of you. You always give love so freely.
Remi my sweetest you get two one is the Phoenix for out of hardship it rises most beautiful. The magpie is always chirping and telling good news. I hope someday soon I can hear your chirping again.
They are all made from jade which is for purity and good luck. Love you all and may you have a blessed Christmas.
Love
Aunt He Jin and Uncle Steve
The carved pieces are so beautiful each one more so than the last. Crystal was looking at everyone"s piece . When she touched her mommy"s magpie she began to sing a song
It was a something that Remi wrote.
is it worth trying in this life of mine . waking each morning with tear stained pillows and no peace of mind. I"m to busy trying to juggle my time . sinking deeper and deeper into the abyss of decline.
because you loved me I became new . because you loved me I step out gloom
because you loved me my life has begun anew
because you loved my heart now has began to bloom
I was blinded by the darkness. when you reached out your hand giving me kindness that I could not understand . you are the light in my never ending night .
Yona hearing this child sing such sadness broke his heart. Not knowing where she could have heard such a song ,it"s not one he ever heard before.
Crystal is crying by the time she finished. And looks at her mommy with big crocodile tears coming down her cheeks.
"Mommy why did you write something like that?It"s too sad." Hugging her mommy tightly ,crying so hard that Yona crossed the room to pick her up.
"Hush now it"s ok I"m sure she wrote that a long time ago. I"m sure she doesn"t feel that way anymore. Hush now baby girl ." He rocks her softly just standing in the middle of the room comforting this small child. Whispering to her it"s ok . Everyone in the room has tears in their eyes from the sadness that Crystal is feeling. Moll looks at Remi she sees the shame on her face. Anger rises inside of her because this mother has done nothing to be ashamed of. Going over and kneeling in front of her she takes her hands making her look at her in the eye.
" you have done nothing wrong . It"s time for you to shed this shame you feel and find your voice again. The people in this room love you and are here to help. Please go see my friend , if your worried because of them being from this town let Astila find someone not from here to help you. Please for your child and for your sake truly come out of the darkness." Moll sees her nod ok and hugs her tightly. Closing her eyes and praying . Lord watch over this child in my arms give her courage and peace to overcome the dark memories that trap her. Kissing Remi on the cheek she smiles at her and stands. Turning to see Yona still has a sleeping Crystal in his arms. Chuckling to herself she asks him
"Why don"t you take her up to my and Inola"s room?"
" no that"s ok when I move her she stirs I will take her to mine and try to lay her down. Remi why don"t you go up with her and have some rest as well?" The three of them go up to Yona"s room to put Crystal down. Astila looks after his brother with a amusing look on his face. Salali walks over and listens for his door to close. Turning to the others she says with a surprised look on her face
"Was that my big over logical brother. Aisling do you think that he may be falling for Remi? I have never seen him so caring before to anyone ever. Not even us when we cry he just tells us to suck it up. When Remi or Crystal cries he is completely different. "
Astila looks at his sister and laughs.
" your just noticing that you should have seen him take her brother apart when he made her cry the other day." Salali looked at him nodding
"I know I saw I don"t think he even had met Remi yet and he was already taking up for Crystal. Then when Remi pa.s.sed out he took her straight to his room. If it had been anyone else he would have left them on the bathroom floor till help arrived. There is something between them I"m telling you."
Moll laughs and informs them it"s time for getting dinner ready and then wedding rehearsal.
After dinner John started going over the plans for the next day. Moll looks at everyone and has a request .
"I love the idea of planting a tree for the new babies. I also know you do another one when someone dies. I know that it"s a tradition for celebrating both the beginning and the life of a loved one. Do you think that Inola and I can plant a tree for the start of our lives together.? One that can be a reminder of us for generations. Since we have not thought about where we want to live yet pa.s.sed my staying here to deliver the twins. I have a tree and a spot already in mind. " they all look at each other and smile Debra speaks up first
" would you like it to be part of your ceremony or would you like to do it with the twins after the new year?"
Inola holds Moll"s hand
" I don"t care when we do it . I want to plant a evergreen so it doesn"t matter. I would like it to be by the creek near the sweat lodge if you don"t mind?"
Aisling takes his other hand and tells them anything they want. That since the ceremony is taking place in the living room in front of the Christmas tree that it"s a perfect choice. Inola turns to Remi and asks her
" there is a parts of your poem that crystal sang earlier it really resonated with me . Especially how I feel about my love do you mind if I use part of it for my vowels?" Remi looks at him very shocked and nods ok. They all finish their dinner and head into the living room to start the rehearsal. Since they don"t want two wedding"s they have decided to combine traditions of both. They sit and discuss it with John before running through it.