~Chapter 15~ A Task Completed And A Story Finished

   I woke up this morning to Kenna and Sebastian jumping on my bed.

   "Get up! Get up! Get UP!!" Kenna ordered. I sat up groggily. 

   "What time is it?" I asked, still not sure if she was serious about getting up.

   "It's time for you to get up!" Sebastian answered. I looked at the clock. It was 8:00 a.m.

   "Why are you jumping on my bed? And stop jumping!" I said, accentuating the word, stop.

   "Mommy told us to!" They chorused. Why would my sweet cousin who would let me sleep till noon if I wanted, tell her son and daughter to jump on my bed? I thought. Still yawning, I had no idea. I rolled out of bed and after assuring Kenna and Sebastian that I would come down soon, I got dressed. I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and put my hair back in a high ponytail. I went down stairs and looked for Heidi. She wasn't in the living room. Or the den. Or the kitchen. Nobody was anywhere, which I did find odd, considering that eight-fifteen was a good time to be out of bed. Also neither Sebastian or Kenna could be found.

   I checked their bedroom and they weren't there either. I finally put on my coat and opened the front door. As soon as I stepped in the snow off the steps- WHACK! A snowball smashed into my arm. I looked toward the direction of the giggling and stomped over brushing snow off my coat.

   "Kids! If you threw that-" I turned the corner of the house and saw Heidi building another snowball.

   I was lost for words for a second, "Wha- What was that for?"

   "When was the last time you loosened up and had a snowball fight?" Fair question I guess.

   "I just had a- I a-" I gave up. "It's been awhile." I hadn't been in a snowball war since I was teen.

   "So," She threw her snowball in my direction. I just dodged it. As I stood back up my blood ran cold.

  "Fire!" I heard Jack Matthew order. All at once seven snowballs flew as I ran for shelter. PANG! SMASH! WHAM! Three of the balls it me in my back, and the other four smashed into the house wall as I turned it's corner.

   "Now they did it," I said to myself. I created dozen snowballs when Sebastian snuck up on me and threw a fast one. Luckily for me it missed. I sent one of mine his way and is collided into the back of his shoulder as he ran away. 

   Half of the morning was spent outdoors in a snowball war or just plain fun. (I pushed Chester in a snow-mound and he repaid the favor). We finally either got too cold, or too tired, or too hungry to continue much longer. We went in and had a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and potatoes. To most people it would look as if a simple family get-together took place and sat down to endless chatter, a breakfast mess, and a crowded dining room. Nothing unusual there! But to me, I loved every one of them for covering me in snow. And not that I would admit it, but I enjoyed them ganging up on me and getting me to have fun for once. My chest was bursting with happiness, I think I shed a tear in the bathroom. Even though I loved every one of them for dragging me out into the freezing, snowy, freezing, blindingly sunny, cold (did I mention freezing?), I will think up a way to get them back. But that can wait until later, I thought.

   And later was at lunch devouring a delicious meal of stuffed chicken and an assortment of vegetables, from the labor of my cousin Heidi, her sister Guen, and myself working hard in the kitchen. When Heidi wasn't looking, I shocked even myself! I added a half of a tablespoon of cayenne powder to the stuffing. Heidi never noticed, or anybody else for that matter, until they all started eating. I delayed my eating by fetching the water jug from the kitchen, and when I returned Kenna was close to tears, Heidi and Guen had their mouths in small O's fanning their hands, the boys had their tongues out, panting, and everybody was refilling their glasses. I had the hardest time trying to stifle my giggle, and I had the urge to shout "Got ya!" but seeing their faces, I said nought. Soon enough Chester caught sight of me in the doorway.

   "What have you done?!" He practically shouted through gulps of water.

   "You've known me long enough to know that dragging out of bed into the cold would not have gone unpunished." I replied in a teasing manner.

   "Was the spice really necessary?" Juliano wanted to know.

  "Maybe not, but the bottle was calling my name!" I said, laughing. And laughter never goes without being passed along. Soon Guen started laughing, then Hazel, then Jack Matthew, then the dining room was filled with the music of laughter. Everyone was laughing despite their burning mouths, except for poor Kenna, who was trying to rub the cayenne pepper off her tongue. She ended up only giggling.

   A few hours later we were all assembled in the living room with the TV on. I sat with my head on Hazel's shoulder remembering the highlights of the holiday season, sighing with happiness. I must have dozed off there because Jack Matthew woke me.

   "What are you doing?" he asked impatiently.

   "But it's past my bedtime!" I complained in my childish way I acquired while raising Hazel when she would try to get me out of bed before I was ready. Now Jack Matthew was looking at me funny. I looked at the TV, and there were only two more minutes to go.

   "Goodness! Why didn't you wake me earlier?" I asked my nephew. He was completely puzzled now. I make no sense to kids his age.

   "Two minutes!" I announced while I ran to the kitchen to get my champagne. When everyone in the  living room every one was assembled, we watched the television with anticipation, and after agonizing seconds, we counted down.

   "10!...9!...8!...7!...6!...5!...4!...3!...2!...1! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!" We cheered. Then drank from our glasses. I hugged my niece and nephews. Heidi and Juliano kissed, while the kids buried their heads against a collection of pillows and made gaging sounds. Chester came around to wish me a Happy New Year. He isn't the hugging type. I embraced him anyway.

   "Don't ever change." I told him. Guen walked around the room giving hugs and when she got to me mine was extra long.

   "Thank-you for a wonderful holiday," she whispered in my ear.

  "Thank-you for spending it with me," I replied. "It would've been lonely in such a big house, and only the three of us." She smiled. As I took another sip of my champagne Hazel wished me a Happy New Year. My life felt complete. I'm sure everyone has had a time where they think they can't fit another drop of happiness, pleasure, or contentment into that moment. I'm sure I felt that way when I looked around me right then and looked back on my life. I didn't think this night, or should I say morning? You never know which on New Years Day. Anyway, I didn't think this- um... time could've been any more wonderful, until Jack Matthew came up to me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and said: "Thank you." I didn't need an explanation. In return I embraced him back and said, not from my mouth, but from His: "You are most certainly welcome Jack."

~Chapter 14~ A Miracle In Full

   

   My mind wouldn't stop to rest. I decided to try writing down my thoughts, though it was only three in the morning. I found my old diary and made another entry:

   December 29th, 2028                                                                                                                             

   Well, it's three in the morning. I can't sleep because of the events of late. My mind is reeling! I guess I'll start at the beginning: Jack Matthew has been hurt, I understand that.  But what I don't understand is how can he have such an objection at ten?! I mean, he was four when his parents died. I just wonder how deep his objections go. (I sighed) This morning we; me, Shiloh, Hazel, Chester, JM, Guen, and the Rodrigues', went for a walk in the Birch Trail. We walked about a mile and when we turned back we saw what we didn't on the way up. On the way back we saw a formation of ice creating a view of the cross. I was mesmerized! It renewed my love for Jesus. When we reached the entrance of the Trail and it started snowing. It snowed harder and harder until by the time we reached home it was a full-fledged snowstorm. But when we got inside we realized Jack Matthew was still out there! How could we have lost him? Somebody should've been holding him or watching him! I know blaming anybody will result to an angry holiday season. Anyway, he's home now and that's what counts. Oh, God! Why couldn't we have had a normal Christmas where everyone was in high spirits and no injuries? Bodily, emotionally or spiritually? What do my dreams mean?! Since I received them, I have been feeling a tornado of emotions and pondered over a million curiosities.                                                                   

   Maybe this is what it means to dedicate your Inn to God. Maybe I will find a treasure in all this. A discovery that will change my life. Maybe a sign as to my next move on God's chessboard. I might find a greater treasure then I already know. I know what I treasure now. I treasure my life as a hostess for all who find my door. I treasure what it means to love God. I treasure my family. I treasure--                 

   Just then I heard the patter of bare feet in the hallway. They were running. I got up and walked to my bedroom door, as I opened it I saw Jack Matthew running down the hall. When he reached me, he swung his arms around me tightly, his head against my robe.

   "Mpshuply iclr mphood!" 

   "What?" I whispered. He looked up at me, his eyes twinkling. 

   "I understand!" He shouted.

   "SHHH!!" I didn't want to risk the chance of anybody waking up at this hour. 

   "I don't care if the whole world wakes up! I BELIEVE!!!" He shouted.

   "Well, then shout in my bedroom," I pulled him in my room and shut the door.

   "Alright, what are you talking about?"

 Then I heard the best story of my life.

   Later... 5:24                                                                                                                                             

I just tucked JM in bed. I'm in such a state. Don't think I'll sleep anytime soon! My nephew just told me the most wonderful miracle! He told me he had a dream that changed his life! He was in a garden. His guardian angel walked with him. He said that they went all over God's Garden as the angel said it was and then a bright light appeared speaking to JM.                                                                                       

   "Hello Jack," said God, "I understand you have many questions that no one on Earth can answer."   

   "Why am I alone?" asked JM in an angry voice.                                                                                     

   "You are not alone. I gave you another family on earth. I gave you Chester, who is blaming himself for your disappearance. I gave you Avé, who I have commanded to help you. I gave you Destiny, Savannah, and their kin. You are not alone, for I am with you always."                                                    

JM gave this a think. He decided God was right.                                                                                         

   "Why did you take my parents?"                                                                                                             

   "I give and I take away. All thing have their purpose. Matthew and Marie fulfilled their callings and their time had come to return Home."                                                                                                       

   "I want to see them again. I- I-"                                                                                                               

   "You want to stay in this beautiful garden forever and accompany your parents here. Oh Jack, I have plans for you that only you can fulfill. You are needed on Earth. You are needed to be a son to Chester, you are needed to be a nephew to your aunts, you are needed to be a cousin and a friend." As God said this, JM's parents were walking toward them. Son ran to mother and father and all three collapsed in a heap.                                                                                                                                                    

   "I miss you," said JM, when they sat back up. "I love you."                                                                  

   "We love you Jack." Mr. Carson said.                                                                                                        

  "We will be together soon, but not now." Mrs Carson hugged her son dearly. "Our love is with always son." Then they disappeared. There were tears in my eyes as he related the story. He finished by saying, "I feel loved by everyone! I love you and Dad and Destiny and Savannah and Jack and Kenna and Xavier and Sebastian! I love everyone!"                                                                                  

   "And I love you," I replied, after I recovered my voice. "Now off to bed!"                                              

   I laid my head down on my pillow, closed the book, and after a thankful prayer, finally went to sleep. That night I dreamt of a holiday like no other, and when I woke up the next day, I realized it wasn't just a dream. 

~Chapter 13~ The Lost Are Now Found

   "Where is he?!" Chester was frantic. We all tried to calm him down as well as trying to decide what to do next. Donning their coats and winter apparel once again, Juliano and Chester headed out into the freezing rain that stung their faces, wind that deafened you, and slippery footing. That bundle I saw my brother carrying was his pack that I forgot he had brought on the walk. He didn't want to bore anyone with the particulars that related to his multi-million dollar job, but the fact that he brought it made my brother blame himself. Our amazing discovery of the icy cross was all but forgotten as we prayed Jack Matthew would be found soon.

   The men came back in some half-hour later, with no luck finding Jack Matthew. The rest of us were sick of doing nothing. Chester and Juliano warmed themselves for two minutes, though Chester would have hurt himself if we let him have his way by staying out in the (I'm not going to sugar-coat it) very scary storm. Then we all went out into the ever increasing storm. I stepped out and immediately I hobbled like a drunk chicken. The wind pushed and pulled at me and I stumbled many times in the first five minutes. Our flashlights made no difference except maybe to shed light on the ice and snow in front of us. Though it was only mid-afternoon the sun was gone and the clouds showed no sign of letting up. The snow was only ankle deep this morning when we went for that walk, but now it was several inches higher. 

   The freezing rain was making the search all the more difficult, and stinging my face even through my scarf that covered it. My figures were getting colder and colder, as well as my ears, though everything was covered! I could hardly hear myself think, but one thought definitely howled over the wind. God, help us find him! Please! I begged our Lord over and over in my mind. Help us find him! Then I saw it, several flashlight beams over three yards away. I tripped and stumbled my way to the lights and I saw Heidi, Juliano, Shiloh, and Guen standing around a little figure.

   They found him! I ran and fell, got up and ran again embracing Jack Matthew, but he didn't respond. I didn't know if he was too cold to move or- I didn't let myself think of it. Heart beating wildly, I waved my flashlight with theirs, calling to Chester who was still lost in the storm. Soon Chester joined us, much to my relief. 

   With Chester carrying our freezing and unconscious (at least, I hoped he was unconscious) Jack Matthew, we followed our ever-fading tracks in the snow. By the time they disappeared completely the dim glow of the lamp post was in our view, inviting us back to a warm, cozy, warm fire. His dad laid Jack Matthew on the couch and stripped him of his wet freezing clothes. Shiloh went upstairs to get him new clothes and when she returned Jack was awake. Chester clothed him, hugged him, and kept him close for warmth. When I went to get them for our supper of chicken and waffles, the son was asleep, and the father's cheeks were wet. 

   During supper we all told our own part of the story to Hazel, Kenna, Sebastian, and Jack Michael. They were like sponges, taking in every detail of our adventure. Apparently Juliano found him first, tripping over the very same rock Jack Matthew must have tripped over, because he soon found him lying right by it with a few inches of snow over him. Nobody noticed him missing because each assumed the other had him. 
   Tonight we ate in the kitchen, it was warmer than the rest of the house from Hazel's cooking. Shiloh wrapped up the story by saying, "I'm just glad we found him before it was too late." Her statement put us all in a melancholy. 

   When Juliano went to get second helpings I noticed him limping ever-so-slightly. Heidi must have notice it too because she asked, "Juliano, what happened to your leg?" There was a deep concern in her voice. 

   "Oh, nothing. I just tripped rather hard, that's all."  I couldn't tell if Heidi was convinced or not. Just then, Chester walked in and said that Jack Matthew was in bed. Hazel gave him some supper and embraced him. 

   "It's not your fault," she told him, "He's home now and that's what matters." I thanked the Lord for bringing my nephew home that night.