Meet The Maxwells - Chapter 34

Chapter XXXV

It's a Wonderful Life!

Happy Holidays!
~ * * * ~

It was the Maxwell's annual holiday tree-trimming party. Max and Madra made sure that all their guests would have a wonderful time. Max hired
musicians to entertain them, and a singing duet, who dressed as Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus. Everyone gathered around the piano and sang carols,
drank eggnog, and decorated the tree. The children had hot chocolate, candy canes,
and lots of presents. It was a wonderful night and all were happy to be together.

~ * * * ~

First, and most importantly, my darling Madra. I'm afraid I gave her quite a fright last year when I had my heart attack. She constantly frets over me, even though I assure her that I am going to be fine. My poor darling has had many disappointments this year, the least of which was a miscarriage in the fall, and the real reason for our cruise. She insists that no one is to know. She didn't want anyone to worry about her. I know how badly she wants another child. She says she wants to give me a son, even though I told her that my life is full and rich just as it is.
Hello everyone! J. Peter Maxwell here - but please, call me Max. As you can see, Madra and I are hosting our annual tree-trimming holiday party. It's been quite a year for all of us! We have some new additions as well as some farewells. Yes....it's been quite a year.

When we last left you, I believe Madra, the twins and I had just returned from a much-needed cruise. Gene and Jax were anxiously awaiting the birth of their child, Mike found the daughter Leila had given up at birth, and Rebecca was awaiting trial for murder! I will do my best to catch you up on everyone's story.

The same evening we returned from our cruise, we had a surprise visitor waiting for us. It was Madra's sister, Glynis. Glynis was frightened that Madra would not forgive her, but when Madra saw her, she ran to embrace her sister. Glynis tried to apologize for all the things she had said to Madra, and that she was right about everything. Madra hushed her and told her she was just so happy to have her sister back. Glynis came home with a little addition of her own. While in Alaska, she had a little girl. Kent had showed no interest in the little girl and didn't even flinch when Glynis told him she was taking her and going home.

Madra fell in love instantly with the little girl Glynis had named Hope. She held the little girl in her arms as a tear rolled down her cheek. "She's just beautiful, Glynnie," Madra said, "just perfect. And, the two of you are welcome here as long as you would like to stay."

Hope seemed to ease the pain of Madra's miscarriage, and Madra insisted that Glynis was not to know about it. It was a secret that only we two shared. Madra smiled outwardly and no one knew the pain she held inside -- no one, that is, but me.

Glynis and Hope thrived under Madra's care. Look at her sharing her "baby tales" with Gene!

The day after our cruise, as promised, Madra took the girls over for a visit with Gene. The minute she entered the house, she knew something was wrong. Jax apparently was in the stables taking care of the horses, Sophia was upstairs putting Simon to bed, but where was Gene.

She heard a little wimper come from the sunroom. She told the girls to stay in the hall while she entered the room. When she entered, she found Gene on the floor, in a pool of blood, too weak to move. She ran over to her and covered her with a blanket, crooning to her not to worry, that all was going to be ok. To her horror, she turned to the doorway to see her two little girls watching, eyes wide and mouths open. She called to them that it would be ok and that they should run upstairs and fetch the nanny. Emma began to cry, but Meg immediately turned and ran from the room. Sophia called Jax in the stables and an ambulance. Gene was rushed to the hospital and into the operating room. Max waited at the hospital with a terrified Jax, pacing and pacing. Madra had taken the girls home and tried to still their fears. It seemed to be hours before the doctor came out to a frantic Jax. The doctor smiled, patted Jax on the back and congratulated him on his new little daughter! Jax was told that Gene and the baby were going to be fine! Jax ran to be by Gene's side. Jax got what he wished for - the little girl had her mother's red hair!

The stars must have been shining on the Jamison household that night, because that very night Rebecca received a phone call from Vanessa. Apparently, an eye witness had come forward and said that he saw a woman putting what appeared to be a body in the trunk of a car that matched the description of Rebecca's. However, he described a young, tall and slender blonde. When the police re-opened the investigations, they found that Olivia had been at the club that evening with a tall, slender, young blonde. Rebecca was cleared of all charges! About the same time, Lauren has disappeared.

Mike was true to his word. He had said he would find Leila's daughter and he did. Of course, Lauren revealing the name she used to put the baby up for adoption helped enormously. Apparently, the baby was adopted by a couple in their 30s who couldn't have any of their own. They named her "Riley Rose" and she was loved as much as any little girl could. Leila would just be happy to be able to visit with the little girl. However, when they arrived at her home, they discovered that both parents were killed in an automobile accident when she was 2 and she was being raised by her elderly grandfather.
Ah, there's Leila and Mike. They look so happy. Mike's little escapade with Sophia, however, did not go totally unnoticed. Madra had brought the girls for a checkup that day and saw Mike in a compromising position with Sophia. She had mentioned it to me and I did a little investigating. After a little "chat" with him, he was persuaded to find Sophia another job. It was easy to convince Jax that Sophia would make a wonderful nanny for their children, and also insured that it would be quite difficult for Mike and Sophia to be alone - again! Of course, I knew that it didn't mean that Mike couldn't find another distraction, but I hoped that at least it gave him time to think about what he was doing. After all, the man truly seemed to love his wife.

Riley's grandfather was a delightful man. His name was Norman and it was obvious that he adored her. He was also taking care of Riley's "older sister" Becky. Becky had been adopted a year before Riley and the two girls were very close.

Leila and Mike didn't have the heart to separate Riley from her little family. It was obvious how much Norman loved the girls and they loved him just as much. However, Norman knew he was getting too old to look after them for much longer. He was shocked when Mike and Leila told him that they would like for all three of them to come and live with them. To Mike and Leila it was very natural. They both knew they had enough love in their heart to love both of the girls as much as they loved April. And, wouldn't April be excited to know she was going to have two sisters and a grandfather!

Mike and Leila looked over at Norman with the two girls decorating the tree. Their hearts filled with love. Mike looked at little Riley and thought, she is the image of her mother, with Rebecca's blue eyes. Leila looked at her little girl and thought I must be the luckiest woman in the world! I have a husband who loves me so much, he did all this for me.

As if reading her mind, Mike put his arm around Leila. She looked up at him and he smiled at her. He kissed her forehead and asked if she was happy. "Oh, yes, darling," she said, "I couldn't be happier." Good, he thought, perhaps this will make up for it. He loved his wife, but he just couldn't get that night with Sophia out of his head. Damn, he thought..........

Well, the last guest has gone, the children snuggled in their beds, the lights turned down, and I'm here all alone with the woman I adore.

As I approach her and put my hands on her hips, she turns and puts her slender arms around me. "I love you," she whispers as I bend down to kiss her luscious lips. "Everything was perfect tonight as usual," I tell her. She smiles and gives me that knowing look.

She starts to unbutton my shirt as she croons in my ear, "Come, darling, let's go upstairs -- I have a very special Christmas present for you...."

~ * * * ~

To be continued.......

First, and most importantly, my darling Madra. I'm afraid I gave her quite a fright last year when I had my heart attack. She constantly frets over me, even though I assure her that I am going to be fine. My poor darling has had many disappointments this year, the least of which was a miscarriage in the fall, and the real reason for our cruise. She insists that no one is to know. She didn't want anyone to worry about her. I know how badly she wants another child. She says she wants to give me a son, even though I told her that my life is full and rich just as it is.	Hello everyone! J. Peter Maxwell here - but please, call me Max. As you can see, Madra and I are hosting our annual tree-trimming holiday party. It's been quite a year for all of us! We have some new additions as well as some farewells. Yes....it's been quite a year. When we last left you, I believe Madra, the twins and I had just returned from a much-needed cruise. Gene and Jax were anxiously awaiting the birth of their child, Mike found the daughter Leila had given up at birth, and Rebecca was awaiting trial for murder! I will do my best to catch you up on everyone's story.
	The same evening we returned from our cruise, we had a surprise visitor waiting for us. It was Madra's sister, Glynis. Glynis was frightened that Madra would not forgive her, but when Madra saw her, she ran to embrace her sister. Glynis tried to apologize for all the things she had said to Madra, and that she was right about everything. Madra hushed her and told her she was just so happy to have her sister back. Glynis came home with a little addition of her own. While in Alaska, she had a little girl. Kent had showed no interest in the little girl and didn't even flinch when Glynis told him she was taking her and going home. Madra fell in love instantly with the little girl Glynis had named Hope. She held the little girl in her arms as a tear rolled down her cheek. "She's just beautiful, Glynnie," Madra said, "just perfect. And, the two of you are welcome here as long as you would like to stay." Hope seemed to ease the pain of Madra's miscarriage, and Madra insisted that Glynis was not to know about it. It was a secret that only we two shared. Madra smiled outwardly and no one knew the pain she held inside -- no one, that is, but me. Glynis and Hope thrived under Madra's care. Look at her sharing her "baby tales" with Gene!
The day after our cruise, as promised, Madra took the girls over for a visit with Gene. The minute she entered the house, she knew something was wrong. Jax apparently was in the stables taking care of the horses, Sophia was upstairs putting Simon to bed, but where was Gene. She heard a little wimper come from the sunroom. She told the girls to stay in the hall while she entered the room. When she entered, she found Gene on the floor, in a pool of blood, too weak to move. She ran over to her and covered her with a blanket, crooning to her not to worry, that all was going to be ok. To her horror, she turned to the doorway to see her two little girls watching, eyes wide and mouths open. She called to them that it would be ok and that they should run upstairs and fetch the nanny. Emma began to cry, but Meg immediately turned and ran from the room. Sophia called Jax in the stables and an ambulance. Gene was rushed to the hospital and into the operating room. Max waited at the hospital with a terrified Jax, pacing and pacing. Madra had taken the girls home and tried to still their fears. It seemed to be hours before the doctor came out to a frantic Jax. The doctor smiled, patted Jax on the back and congratulated him on his new little daughter! Jax was told that Gene and the baby were going to be fine! Jax ran to be by Gene's side. Jax got what he wished for - the little girl had her mother's red hair! The stars must have been shining on the Jamison household that night, because that very night Rebecca received a phone call from Vanessa. Apparently, an eye witness had come forward and said that he saw a woman putting what appeared to be a body in the trunk of a car that matched the description of Rebecca's. However, he described a young, tall and slender blonde. When the police re-opened the investigations, they found that Olivia had been at the club that evening with a tall, slender, young blonde. Rebecca was cleared of all charges! About the same time, Lauren has disappeared.
Mike was true to his word. He had said he would find Leila's daughter and he did. Of course, Lauren revealing the name she used to put the baby up for adoption helped enormously. Apparently, the baby was adopted by a couple in their 30s who couldn't have any of their own. They named her "Riley Rose" and she was loved as much as any little girl could. Leila would just be happy to be able to visit with the little girl. However, when they arrived at her home, they discovered that both parents were killed in an automobile accident when she was 2 and she was being raised by her elderly grandfather.	Ah, there's Leila and Mike. They look so happy. Mike's little escapade with Sophia, however, did not go totally unnoticed. Madra had brought the girls for a checkup that day and saw Mike in a compromising position with Sophia. She had mentioned it to me and I did a little investigating. After a little "chat" with him, he was persuaded to find Sophia another job. It was easy to convince Jax that Sophia would make a wonderful nanny for their children, and also insured that it would be quite difficult for Mike and Sophia to be alone - again! Of course, I knew that it didn't mean that Mike couldn't find another distraction, but I hoped that at least it gave him time to think about what he was doing. After all, the man truly seemed to love his wife.
	Riley's grandfather was a delightful man. His name was Norman and it was obvious that he adored her. He was also taking care of Riley's "older sister" Becky. Becky had been adopted a year before Riley and the two girls were very close. Leila and Mike didn't have the heart to separate Riley from her little family. It was obvious how much Norman loved the girls and they loved him just as much. However, Norman knew he was getting too old to look after them for much longer. He was shocked when Mike and Leila told him that they would like for all three of them to come and live with them. To Mike and Leila it was very natural. They both knew they had enough love in their heart to love both of the girls as much as they loved April. And, wouldn't April be excited to know she was going to have two sisters and a grandfather! Mike and Leila looked over at Norman with the two girls decorating the tree. Their hearts filled with love. Mike looked at little Riley and thought, she is the image of her mother, with Rebecca's blue eyes. Leila looked at her little girl and thought I must be the luckiest woman in the world! I have a husband who loves me so much, he did all this for me. As if reading her mind, Mike put his arm around Leila. She looked up at him and he smiled at her. He kissed her forehead and asked if she was happy. "Oh, yes, darling," she said, "I couldn't be happier." Good, he thought, perhaps this will make up for it. He loved his wife, but he just couldn't get that night with Sophia out of his head. Damn, he thought..........
Well, the last guest has gone, the children snuggled in their beds, the lights turned down, and I'm here all alone with the woman I adore. As I approach her and put my hands on her hips, she turns and puts her slender arms around me. "I love you," she whispers as I bend down to kiss her luscious lips. "Everything was perfect tonight as usual," I tell her. She smiles and gives me that knowing look. She starts to unbutton my shirt as she croons in my ear, "Come, darling, let's go upstairs -- I have a very special Christmas present for you...."