Page 33 of Hearts Bound By Time

“Merry Christmas, my love,” Cormac handed his basket to her.

“Merry Christmas, Cormac.” Jenna smiled sweetly at him as she handed his gift to him. “Open yours first.”

Cormac lifted the cloth covering and a small version of Chester poked his head out. “Jenna…” He gazed at her with a questioning expression. “Why…”

“I know how much you want to be a father and I know it will happen at some point. I also know how much you love Chester and how much you’ve missed him since he left with Dylan, so I thought this little puppy might be just what you need right now.” He lifted the pup from the basket and brought it up to touch noses with the little creature.

“Thank ye, ’tis a wonderful surprise and one I’m so verra happy to receive.” He had a funny grin on his face as he said, “Now open yers.”

Jenna did as instructed and gasped when she too pulled out a tiny puppy. “Oh, Cormac, it’s adorable.”

“I’ve been told she’ll be a tiny dog. Perfect fer ye to carry with ye wherever ye go. My reasons are much the same as yers, my lady love.”

Tears brimmed in Jenna’s eyes as she leaned her head on his shoulder, both pups now snuggled in their arms.

“This doesnae mean we’ll stop trying to have a bairn,” Cormac teased.

“I hope not,” Jenna replied. “That’s the best part.”

***

Everyone had exchanged their gifts. Robert received instructions on how to make a much more practical camping shower, which pleased him to no end. He gave Irene a kit filled with embroidery floss and needles. She loved to do needlework, so it was a perfect gift for her and she marveled at all the colors he’d chosen.

Richard and Angelina didn’t buy individual gifts, but instead purchased something they’d share. They chose two beautiful wine goblets nestled in a velvet lined box. Catherine received a beautiful cashmere shawl, which she immediately wrapped herself in.

Ewan and Lena also shared a gift, a beautifully crafted backgammon game to play in front of the fire at night.

“What about you?” Ashley asked Edna.

“Never fear. I’ve her gift right here.” Angus handed a large envelope to Edna, who looked quite surprised.

“I’ve nothing for ye, Angus. I’ve been so busy with our guests that I didn’t even think about us.”

“Never ye mind, love. Open it. ’Twill be a gift for me as well.”

Edna opened the envelope and gasped. Inside were travel brochures for Costa Brava in Spain, along with plane tickets. “Oh, Angus. This is so wonderful. I’ve always wanted to go to Spain. But, who’ll…”

“Don’t worry, Auntie. As our gift to ye, Dylan and I will be taking care of everything back here in Glendaloch. Leave everything to us and ye go and relax. Ye deserve the time away.” Maggie and Dylan hugged Edna, who was sniffling and getting teary-eyed.

“Yer all too good to me,” she managed to squeak out.

“Everyone in this room knows that you’re the one who’s been good to us,” Dylan said.

“Edna, that’s so exciting!” Frances said. “Ye’ll have a verra good time. I went once, many years ago and I’ll never forget it.”

“Thank ye, Angus. And thank ye Maggie and Dylan. I didn’t mean to get all weepy on ye, but this was quite the surprise.” She wiped her eyes with her hankie. “But what about ye two? Where are yer gifts?” Edna said to Maggie.

“We’ve decided that when ye get back from yer trip, we’re going to take a little break as well. We haven’t decided where we’re going yet.”

“We’ve got lots of places in mind, now we just need to settle on one.” Dylan gazed at Maggie, who nodded her agreement.

***

“Is that everyone? Have we all exchanged our gifts?” Edna asked.

“Not yet. I’ve got something for my husband,” Ashley said. She went to the tree and removed a small box, which she brought to Cailin. “For you, sweetie. I hope you like it.”

Cailin accepted the gift with one hand and took Ashley’s hand with the other. “What could it be?”