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Post by Kathy on Dec 26, 2007 0:29:46 GMT -5
*Kathy found most of the servant's quarters empty--everyone on staff was either attending the family or had gone home for Christmas. Roaming the empty halls below stairs, she hummed snatches of old carols and tried not to cry. Tucking the ends of her rough but warm shawl made of undyed brown wool around her shoulders, she went out onto the grounds for a walk in the sunshine, the frosty snow crisp under her feet.*
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Post by Michael on Dec 28, 2007 22:51:16 GMT -5
***LATER***
*When Michael returned, it was with a heavy heart. He trudged through the snow toward his rooms, thinking only of Scarlett.*
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Post by Kathy on Dec 28, 2007 22:54:08 GMT -5
*Kathy was surprised to see a young man in rough work-clothes tramping across the snow towards the house. His cap was pulled down low over his eyes and he seemed to be in a foul mood.*
No wonder...bein' away from home and hearth at Christmas...
*Gently, hesitantly, she tried to lift his spirits with a quiet "Merry Christmas," as they passed each on the path, going in opposite directions.*
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Post by Michael on Dec 28, 2007 22:55:42 GMT -5
*He nodded at her, looking up and nearly falling flat on the floor. A ridiculous grin spread itself over his face.*
"Mary Kathleen Kelly, if that's not you may God strike me down where I stand."
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Post by Kathy on Dec 28, 2007 23:01:51 GMT -5
"Wha--"
*She turned back to face him, her mouth gaping for a moment before she turned bright pink and flung herself at him with a shriek, hanging around his neck as if she were still seven years old, her booted feet swinging off the ground.*
"MICHAEL!"
*She hugged him tightly, squeezing her eyes shut and nuzzling his shoulder for a moment trying to imagine she was back in the village or on the farm or in the stone cottage she'd called home, and the McNamaras had come to call and the children to play.*
"Ye're a Christmas angel an' a sight for sore eyes, that's for sure and certain."
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Post by Michael on Dec 28, 2007 23:04:48 GMT -5
*He grinned and spun her around, hugging her tightly but still platonically.*
"I'm no Angel, Kathy, but I sure as hellfire am glad to see you." *He said, laughing.*
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Post by Kathy on Dec 28, 2007 23:09:48 GMT -5
Of course it's platonic she hasn't a seductive bone in her body. Yet. OH BAD PUN.
"Well of course ye're no angel," *she said, rolling her eyes.* "I know ye too well to believe that."
*She beamed at him.*
"Oh, but it does me heart good to see a familiar face. --How is everyone at home? Have you heard anything? How are all your folk? Yer Mum an' yer Da an' Jamie an' Kat an' Maryann an' Aisling an' Erin?" *she barely paused for breath, eager for news of home.*
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Post by Michael on Dec 28, 2007 23:16:47 GMT -5
*He beamed at her.*
"Jamie's started a brood of his own with little Eileen O'Flaherty--they've got four already with no sign o'stoppin'. Kat's as standoffish as ever, Aisling's still a pretty little loony, and, well, you know Erin an' Maryann. They'll do whatever Kat tells 'em. Mam and Da are just grand with their grandkids, Kathy, I wish you could come an' see them..." *He hugged her again.* "Christ it's good to see a face from home."
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Post by Kathy on Dec 28, 2007 23:26:15 GMT -5
"I wish I could..."
*Kathy smiled, but there was a sad note of maturity in her expression that had never been there before.*
"Ye know my people can't afford it, Mikey," *she said quietly, moving away a step.*
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Post by Michael on Dec 28, 2007 23:29:45 GMT -5
"It seems everyone's saying that to me these days." *He said quietly, mostly to himself.*
*He smiled sadly.* "And how are yer people, Kath?"
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Post by Kathy on Dec 28, 2007 23:31:19 GMT -5
"Alroight. Gettin' by," *she said with a brave smile.* "They're all in good health by their last letter. What more could I want?"
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Post by Michael on Dec 28, 2007 23:34:50 GMT -5
*Like he always had, he saw straight through the brave face she put on.* "You know very well that the brave front has never worked on me."
*His eyes softened and looked into her own.*
"I know you wish you could see them, leannán. I know you wish you'd spent Christmas with them."
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Post by Kathy on Dec 28, 2007 23:38:37 GMT -5
*She rubbed at one eye, dashing away the tears that threatened.*
"I dunno that there'd've been much to celebrate this year..." *she said.* "...the farm's not doin' so well. And Da's heart troubles him more each day. I earn good wages here--I KNOW I'm more use to them where I am than at home."
*She shook her head, loose strands of her wavy flaxen hair blowing across her eyes.*
"I just hope...if I do go back someday, when things are better...well, I'd give anything to see Da one more time before--"
*She hugged herself and said no more, biting her lip fiercely.
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Post by Michael on Dec 28, 2007 23:43:28 GMT -5
*He hugged her and tucked her under his chin.*
"No matter how sparse it is, Christmas at home is not easy to pretend not to miss. I'm blessed as it is to have gotten to see my family." And Scarlett...
*He pulled back and looked into her eyes, flashing mischeviously.*
"And didn't you promise a certain James Andrew McNamara that you'd come back every Christmas to see him?"
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Post by Kathy on Dec 28, 2007 23:44:14 GMT -5
*Kathy turned pink to the tips of her ears.*
"I promised him nothin'," *she mumbled.*
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