Subj: Christmas At The Old House pt. 4
Date: 11/15/99 7:56:36 AM Central Standard Time
From: Donna Eubanks
Nov. 15, 1999
part 4 of 12
by: Donna E. CHRISTMAS AT THE OLD HOUSE
Barnabas and Julia gasped at seeing her on a night
like this! Barnabas almost drove his car off the road. They stopped for a moment
to catch their breath. A moment later, they turned to look behind them to see
if Angelique was still there, but they saw no one. "Let's go home." Said Barnabas.
They were soon home and
driving into the snowy drive-way.
Julia tried to console Barnabas, "Forget about what you saw, darling. Please, just try to forget about it."
Barnabas was obviously shaken, as was Julia, too. They
entered the Old House. "I'll start the fire." Said
Barnabas.
"I'll pour us a brandy." Julia said.
They soon had a warm, cozy fire in the fireplace at the Old House. The brandy had helped to relax them both, so much in fact, that they both fell aslepp in front of the fire.
Julia had the strangest dream. She and Barnabas were asleep, just as they were now. She heard a child singing...AWAY IN A MANGER, NO CRIB FOR HIS BED... THE LITTLE LORD JESUS LAY DOWN HIS SWEET HEAD.......
Julia awoke with a start, as did Barnabas! "Do you hear the singing?" Asked Julia.
"Yes, indeed I do." Replied Barnabas. Again they heard the lovely singing. They turned toward the singing, they saw nothing at first, but then they saw the form of the witch, with little Sarah by her side. Sarah was singing joyously, just as she had for Christmas, so very long ago. "Sarah, is it really you?" Barnabas asked.
"Yes, big brother, it is me!" Don't you recognize me?" She asked in wonder.
"Of course I remember you, Sarah, I could never forget you!" I'm just so surprised to see you!" He confessed.
"I told you I would help you to see your family, Barnabas." Angelique said to him.
"Mother and father, where are they?" Barnabas asked.
"You will see them soon, Barnabas, very soon." Said the witch. Barnabas looked at Angelique. She looked almost beautiful this night, standing by the Christmas tree. He knew he would never think her truly beautiful, for he knew how truly vicious and cruel she could be. He knew that she had a heart of ice. He was extremely grateful this night, though, that she had brought his sister to him.
"Sarah, let me hold you!" Exclaimed Barnabas. The witch interrupted him.
"No, you must not touch each other!" She commanded. "If you touch each other, Sarah shall be lost to you forever!" Barnabas' face turned sad for a moment. Sarah looked like a little angel, he thought.
Sarah asked him, "Barnabas, remember how you used to sing me to sleep when I was little?"
"Yes, Sarah, I shall never forget." "You asked me to sing, "Away In A Manger", every night in December, before you would fall asleep."
Sarah started to laugh; the sweet, innocent laughter of a child.
Barnabas asked his little sister, 'Mother and Father, how are they?" Are they alright? Are they happy?" He questioned her.
"Yes, big brother, they are well, and they miss you, though, as I do." "You know, Barnabas, I have a nice, fluffy white cloud in heaven, waiting for you." "It's right next to mine!" She exclaimed proudly. Barnabas smiled at her.
"I am positive that you do!" He stated to her.
Barnabas was sure that the witch's goodwill would not last too long, this much he knew. He hoped it would last long enough for him to see his parents for Christmas.
"The time has come for us to us to leave." Said Angelique.
"No!" He called out.
"Not yet! Please let me talk to Sarah again!" Barnabas begged.
Sarah replied, "No, big brother, I have to go now, they are calling me back." I'll see you again, Barnabas, I'll see you again!" Sarah and the witch were gone in an moment.
Barnabas and Julia stood motionless, staring after
them. Julia blinked in disbelief. "Barnabas, Angelique did keep her promise
to you!" She was over-joyed!
"Yes, he replied, I never, even for a moment, believed Angelique would ever try to help me!" "My little Sarah looked so lovely tonight!" Barnabas said.
"Yes, agreed Julia, she looked like a little angel."
"That is because she is an angel." Declared Barnabas.
Julia smiled at Barnabas. He looked so happy, happier than she had seen him in many weeks. "I've seen my sister Sarah!" He proclaimed joyously. He then picked Julia up and twirled her around the room until they both became dizzy!
"Barnabas! Barnabas, put me down...put me down!" Julia called.
Over the next week, Barnabas kept very busy. There were presents to wrap, cookies and breads to bake, and Christmas cards to mail. Every morning Barnabas wondered if this would be the day he would see his Mother and Father. 'Will she continue to keep her promise to me?" He wondered. "Can I continue to trust her?"
Barnabas and Julia were invited to Collinwood for a glorious Christmas party! Everyone was there, including, Victoria Winters, Maggie Evans, Joe Haskell, Jeff Clark, Willie Loomis, and David's mother, Laura. Everyone was there to celebrate Christmas!
The children were over-joyed at the festivities, namely, David and Amy.
Quentin Collins and Chris Jennings arrived a little late. They had car trouble along the way.They were traveling together this night.
David was over-joyed at seeing his mother, Laura. David's father, Roger, sat at the great dining room table scowling at her and sipping brandy. He refused to talk to her.
During the festivities, Barnabas thought he could clearly see his sister Sarah, running up the stairs at Collinwood, with the other children. She turned to him and smiled, and waved to him! Barnabas looked around the room to see if anyone else could see her, it appeared that they did not. Elizabeth stated to Barnabas, "You look extremely happy this evening, Barnabas!" "Maybe we should celebrate this way more often." She smiled warmly at him.
"Yes, Elizabeth, I am extremely happy! I must confess to all of you!" He replied.
Carolyn replied, "Well, there's certainly nothing wrong with that, Barnabas, especially at Christmas!" I want to give a toast!" Carolyn declared. "Merry Christmas to each and every one of us! May you all get exactly what you want from Santa this year!" Everyone laughed at her remark. 'And a long life and good fortune to all our dear friends!" "And lastly, LONG LIVE THE COLLINS FAMILY!!!" The guests all raised their glasses and cheered.
Barnabas and Julia looked at each other, their eyes met, and they kissed each other so lovingly! "Merry Christmas, Julia." Barnabas said softly.
Julia answered him, "Merry Christmas to you, Barnabas, my love!"
to be continued......