The Christmas gift - a Christmas story - Chapter 22

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Maria didn't know if she should laugh or cry. The information that was passed on to her by Mr Settler was just too much for her brain to handle. Weird thoughts rushed through her head and Terrence took a seat opposite her.

"Is there anything that I can do to help?"

Maria shook her head, but looked at Terrence very seriously and said: "You will not believe what Mr Settler just told me. Could you keep the kids busy for a few hours? I need to go and see someone."

"Sure, but is everything alright?"

"Everything is just fine. I will be back in about two hours."

Terrence stood up and called the kids down from upstairs. They were all happy and laughter spread through the house. The kids all kissed Maria on the cheek,and Terrence grabbed the puppies to go for a walk with them in the park.

Once they left, Maria went upstairs to get dressed and then walked to the bus stop to catch the bus.

She arrived at the hospital half an hour later. Jack was not in his room, so she sat in the corner on the chair while waiting. Thoughts of her last visit played in her head over and over again. The nurse brought Jack back a few minutes later and he was surprised to see her.

"You look lovely Maria." Jack said and remembered the first time that he saw her. She looked so beautiful in that red dress and the way that she looked now, reminded him so much of that perfect day.

"I'm glad you came."

"Why did you not tell me about all of this Jack?"

"Would it have made any difference?"

"Perhaps not, but we might have been able to do a lot of good with all this money."

"I've never been good with money. Money has never meant anything to me. I want to give it all to you because I know that you will know what to do with it. Please use it wisely."

" Are you sure about this Jack?"

"I've never been more sure about anything in my life. You are the only person that ever paid attention to me, and I know it was real, because it was not because I had money."

"I really did love you Jack, but you were sick... and I should have helped you."

Jack smiled at her. "Nothing that you could have done, could have ever prevented this. Everything worked out exactly how it was supposed to."

"Will you be okay Jack?"

"I will be fine. Or at least as fine as I could ever be."

Maria got up and walked over to Jack's bed. She bent over and kissed him on the forehead. Perhaps a little longer than she was supposed to, and then whispered a soft thank you in his ear before she walked out. When Maria left, Jack felt like a renewed man.

Maria phoned Mr Settler on her way out and asked for the address of the house that Jack left her. She caught a cab and gave him the address. She was just curious to see the house and felt a little excited when they were near.

Maria stepped out of the cab and turned towards the large mansion that stood right in front of her. It was so much more than she expected. The beauty of the house overwhelmed her and when she stood in front of the large black gates she could not even imagine living here. The gates magically opened and she stepped inside. She walked up the driveway what must have been a hundred meters and saw a water fountain in front of her. On the porch in front of this gigantic house, there was a woman standing, waiting for her.

"You must be Mrs Walker. My name is Sarah. I am the housekeeper. I am very pleased to meet you. Welcome to your new home."

"Hello Sarah. I am pleased to meet you too. I am so overwhelmed by all of this. Please, call me Maria."

Sarah smiled at Maria.

"Can I show you around?"

Maria nodded. Sarah unlocked the door and they walked inside. It was an absolute perfect house, with the biggest reception area that Maria had ever seen. They walked upstairs and Sarah showed her all the rooms. There were twelve rooms in total. All with adjoining bathrooms. There was a small library, a theater and outside, was a big heated swimming pool with a guesthouse. It was closed because of winter but nonetheless, Maria felt like a very important person and could just imagine all the fun that they would have here.

Sarah took her to the kitchen and she was surprised to find a second lady there. Sarah introduced Jenny as the cook and told Maria that they both lived outside in the maid's living quarters. Both Jenny and Sarah saw that this was all new to Maria. She looked like a very nice person, and they tried to make her feel as comfortable as they could.

"Would you like me to cook dinner for your family tonight?" Jenny asked with a big smile.

Maria smiled at her.

"That would be lovely, but only if you join us. Both of you should, or are there more people hiding around here?" Maria said with a laugh.

"I have my son living with me. He is eleven now." Jenny said, and Sarah told her that it was only her and her husband, but he took care of the gardens and he was the driver, so technically he was also a worker here.

Maria invited them all to dinner. One night of extravagance would not hurt anyone.

Maria could not wait to show the kids the house, but decided to keep it as a surprise for everyone. Sarah suggested that George drive her to her house, but Maria didn't want anyone to be suspicious. She arranged with Sarah to have George pick them up at six o clock and handed her the address. She phoned a cab to pick her up and when she got home, the kids were busy with the puppies outside again, and Terrence was busy making sandwiches for lunch.

Everyone looked so happy to see her, and she hungrily at the sandwich that Terrence offered her. Maria seemed like a totally different person than the one that walked out earlier. When everyone sat around the table, she informed them that they were invited to Christmas dinner that evening, and they had to dress in their best clothes. Everyone was surprised, but did not ask too many questions. After lunch, she picked out a dress for Mindy and found a pretty dress for Gabriella. It was one of her own, but she made some quick adjustments, and at the end Gabriella looked perfect. She searched around in the attic, and found one of her husband's suits for Terrence.

Everyone looked perfect, and Terrence looked so handsome in the suit. He looked like a totally different person. Maria looked absolutely lovely in her red Christmas dress and put on her mink coat that her husband had bought for her many years ago. It was her most prized possession and she looked stunning when she came down the stairs. Tonight they were celebrating life, and as Maria walked downstairs, the doorbell rang and she walked straight to open the door.

The kids were all excited when George opened the door for them and felt very important when he told them to buckle up. George wanted to make the ride as memorable as possible, and took them on a detour through the city. They passed the town square with the enormous Christmas tree, and it looked even more beautiful than ever before. Maria asked George to stop and they all got out and listened to some Christmas carols. They all had their own memories about this tree, and in some way this tree brought them all together.

It was too cold to stay out, and Maria pushed them all towards the car. With another little detour, George stopped in front of the house, and pushed a button for the gates to open. The kids were staring with wide open eyes, and it was the biggest house that they had ever seen.

George parked in front of the house, and opened the door for them. The five of them stood in front of the house and it looked even more beautiful in the evening.

"Whose house is this Maria?" Terrence asked, but he too was mesmerized by the beauty and the size of the house.

"We do Terrence...we do."