Life Goes On–Part 8
By Nancy F. Thysell (The Nifty Lady)
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Christmas morning, 1977. The sounds of two excited children discovering the presents left by Santa filled the air and stirred the four adults in the household out of peaceful slumber. Chris snuggled up against Johnny's side and sighed happily. If felt so good to be waking up next to him again. His time in the hospital, preceded by her time in the hospital, well it had just been too long! They had spent the past two evenings as guests of Roy and JoAnne DeSoto. And they were both looking forward to returning to their home. But now it was Christmas morning! It was time to open presents! Both Chris and Johnny were anticipating the surprise their gift would elicit from the other.
"Good morning, sleepy head," she whispered as she noted Johnny stirring from his sleep. He wrapped his uninjured arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
"Good morning. Merry Christmas!" he replied before yawning broadly in her face.
"Merry Christmas to you too!" Chris responded and started to pull out of his arm.
"Wait! Where are you going?" he demanded teasingly.
"The sandbox!" she said with a giggle. Johnny pulled her in for a quick kiss on the lips before releasing her.
"I’ll be right back," she promised. She rose and slipped on her robe and wrapped it around her. Then she tiptoed to the door and opened it quietly and slipped down to the hall bath. Johnny stretched as much as his cast and bandages would allow. A few minutes later, Chris scooted back into the room and jumped back under the covers.
"I think JoAnne is up. I know the kids are!" she informed Johnny as she cuddled up to him.
"Then I guess maybe we’d better join them," he conceded.
"Okay, unless you had something else in mind," Chris agreed with a mischievous grin. Johnny looked at her in amazement.
"Why Chris Gage! I’m surprised at you!" he chuckled softly.
She pouted. "It was only a suggestion."
Johnny pulled her close and kissed her passionately. If only they could but he still felt a bit hindered by his bandages.
"Maybe once we get home," he suggested once the kiss was broken. Chris leaned her head on his chest and played with his bandages.
"Promise?"
"I promise. Now get up and get dressed before those kids open our gifts, too!" he gently ordered as he gave her a gentle swat on the butt.
"Johnny!" she complained as she rubbed the spot he had swatted. She got out of bed and pulled on a pair of sweat pants and one of her old pullover sweaters. With all the weight she had lost this past year, many of her clothes were way too large for her now. The sweater looked stretched and bulky against her now slender frame. Johnny watched her dress and thought how beautiful she looked to him. He decided that he’d better get up and get dressed before his desire became inflamed. He turned and swung his legs out of bed.
Chris rounded the bed with a pair of sweats for Johnny to put on. The elastic leg made it easy to slip over his cast. Then, with Chris help, they got the top over his head. They both had to laugh at how ridiculous it was trying to get him dressed. There was a rap at the door.
"You two decent?" Roy asked through the door.
"Sort of! Come on in!" Chris called. Johnny rolled his eyes at her as she giggled and put her arms around his neck and kissed him as the door opened. Roy wasn’t sure why, but it startled him to find his partner behaving like this. He assumed he was still getting used to the fact that Johnny was finally married. But it was good to see him so happy. After all, it was no more than he deserved.
"Hey you two. Behave! Or I’ll send the kids in here to break this up!" he ordered gently. Chris giggled again.
"I think I’ll go help JoAnne with breakfast. Think you two can handle things from here?" she asked innocently but couldn’t help from giggling again.
Johnny turned to Roy once Chris had left.
"Hey partner, how about redoing this bandage. My shoulder’s feeling pretty good now. Think we could get by with just wrapping the chest?" he asked hopefully.
Roy considered this for a moment. "Okay, put promise me to take it easy on the shoulder. No lifting!"
"I promise ‘Dad’. Come on! I can’t wait for Chris to see her presents!"
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Chris hurried downstairs and enlisted Christopher and Jennifer’s help to go over to the Anderson’s and bring the puppy back to the house. She handed Christopher a gift wrapped box with a removable lid to put the puppy in. Both kids ran out the door, still dressed in their pajamas and robes, to the neighbors’ house. JoAnne entered the living room to just catch the tail end of their departure.
"Tell me they didn’t go out there still in their pajamas," she pleaded with Chris who could only smile sheepishly.
"Sorry."
"Well where are they going? They haven’t even eaten their breakfast!"
"Uh...they’re doing me a favor. They’ll be right back. They’re getting Johnny’s Christmas present."
"From where?"
"The Anderson’s."
JoAnne stared at Chris in confusion and then it began to dawn on her.
"You mean the pup..."
"Shhhh! Johnny might hear you!" Chris cautioned and as if on cue, Roy and Johnny made their way down the stairs.
"Johnny might hear what?" he asked jokingly as he made it to the bottom step. Roy helped him across the room to the recliner.
"Oh, nothing!" Chris quickly responded. "Merry Christmas!"
"Where are the munchkins?" Johnny asked looking around the room for Roy’s kids and was surprised that they weren’t there.
"Uh...they’ll be right back," JoAnne answered vaguely.
"Great! Merry Christmas JoAnne! Something sure smells good!" Johnny commented.
"Merry Christmas to you too. And thank you. I’m making waffles. Roy could you give me a hand?"
"Well, I just promised Johnny I’d help get his gifts into the living room," Roy responded causing JoAnne to roll her eyes as she disappeared into the kitchen.
"I’ll help you JoAnne," Chris offered and followed her out of the room. As Roy was sneaking the box with the kittens in from the side door, his children were racing back with the puppy in Chris’ decorated box. There was almost a massive collision as they converged in the living room. Suddenly there was the din of young cats mewing and a puppy barking. Christopher dropped the box and all Johnny could do was laugh as the yellow pup fell out and started hopping around, entangling herself in the discarded wrapping paper, as she chased Christopher and Jennifer. The DeSoto children giggled with joy as they dissolved on the floor. Chris and JoAnne hurried back into the living room in time to see the entire escapade. In the midst of all this Roy held the box holding the felines aloft.
Chris had to hold her side, she was laughing so hard. Finally, she noticed Roy and wobbling box.
"What’s in the box Roy?" she laughed.
He looked over at Johnny and managed to get the box in his partner’s lap. "Your Christmas present," he announced. Chris stopped laughing and curiously approached to peek in the box.
"Oh! Johnny! They’re beautiful!" Chris squealed as she picked up the calico. "Hi there beautiful! Oh, she is so sweet! And look at this guy! Oh! Johnny they’re wonderful!"
Just then the puppy came tearing through the papers, scaring the calico. The feline arched her back and hissed menacingly at the intruder. The puppy just panted happily and carried on. In a matter of a few short minutes, cats, puppy, two children and four adults were diving, hiding, running in all different directions. Finally, the cats were corralled and placed back out in Roy’s workshop. The puppy pooped out and went to sleep on Johnny’s lap. JoAnne managed to get the kids into the kitchen and settled down to eat waffles. Roy had collapsed on the sofa and Chris went to perch on the arm of the recliner.
"Wow! What a morning!" Johnny exclaimed.
"You got that right Junior and we still haven’t opened our presents," Roy replied referring to the remaining gifts nestled under the tree.
"So do you like the puppy?" Chris asked. Johnny looked up at her and smiled as he petted the pup’s head.
"I love her. It’s going to take some work to get her trained though. She’s going to be a big one, isn’t she?" Johnny observed as the puppy stretched her plump legs out.
"So what are you going to name her?" Chris wondered.
"I don’t know yet. Have to think on it a spell. Speaking of names, what do you plan to name your two?" he responded as he slipped his left arm around her waist.
"I’m like you, I have to ponder it. See what their personalities tell me." Chris leaned down and planted a kiss on Johnny’s lips. "Thank you sweetheart. I hadn’t realized how much I had missed Jessie until I saw them."
Jennifer appeared in the doorway.
"I think you should name the girl kitty Holly ‘cause you got her for Christmas!" the little girl declared.
"Why Jennifer! What a wonderful idea! Don’t you think so Johnny?"
"I like it. Okay, Holly it is! Thanks for the suggestion, pumpkin!"
Jennifer grinned broadly. "Now we need to find a good name for the other kitty!"
"Don’t worry we will!" Chris assured her.
"Hey, Jen! Do me a favor, would ya?" Johnny called over to her.
"Sure Uncle Johnny!" she responded happily.
"There’s a present under the tree for your Aunt Chris, would you find it for me?" he asked.
"Okay!" Jennifer dived under the branches and began searching through the still wrapped gifts. "Here’s one for you Uncle Johnny!"
"Keep looking!"
"Don’t you want yours?" Jennifer asked in awe.
"Not yet, sugar. It’s a small box. You’ll find it."
"Okay. There it is!" Jennifer had to reach way around the tree and to retrieve the small present. She carried it over to the recliner and handed it to Chris. Chris took it and looked at Johnny in wonderment.
"What’s this?"
"Your Christmas present."
"But I thought the cats..."
"Oh, those were from Santa. This is from me!" Johnny explained. Laughing, Chris tore away the paper. Her heart raced as she saw the name of the jeweler’s on the box.
"What have you done, John Gage?" she asked, hesitating before she opened the box. Johnny grinned.
"Just hurry up and open it!" he ordered, playfully.
"Okay!" Chris opened the box and gasped at the silver bracelet. "Oh Johnny! You shouldn’t have! It’s gorgeous!"
"Well, let’s put it on!"
"With my sweat suit?"
"Sure! Why not? I want to see how it looks on you!"
"All right!" Chris agreed and removed the bracelet from the box and handed it to Johnny. "Here, you get the honor of putting it on me!"
Johnny took the bracelet from her and Chris stretched out her right arm for him. Jennifer hovered by watching. Johnny’s right arm was still a bit stiff from being immobile, so he struggled a bit with the clasp. He was becoming frustrated with his inability to work his fingers but finally with a little help from Chris, he got the bracelet to clasped. Chris leaned in and kissed him. The kiss seemed to becoming a bit too intimate when Roy cleared his throat to remind Johnny that he wasn’t alone. Jennifer giggled as they broke the kiss.
"It’s so pretty Uncle Johnny," she remarked admiring the bracelet. "Someday my husband will give me one just like it!"
Her comment caused all the adults to laugh.
"I hope so Princess!" Roy chuckled. Jennifer crawled in her Daddy’s lap. She planted a kiss on his cheek and then made herself comfortable, resting her head on his shoulder. Roy wrapped his arm around her and kissed her on the head. He sighed contentedly. Life was good. JoAnne joined him on the sofa and Christopher played Santa’s helper and fished out the remaining gifts and delivered them to their recipients.
JoAnne was delighted and surprised with her necklace. Soon every gift was opened. Roy directed the kids to put all the paper in a trash bag. Then Christopher and Jennifer went off to get dressed so they could go outside and play. Chris and Johnny reluctantly decided it was time to head home.
Soon Chris’ pickup was packed with their things, including the wheel chair, puppy, and kittens.
"Are you sure you don’t want us to follow you home and help get things unloaded?" Roy asked for the third time.
"I’m sure," Johnny told him. "I promise I won’t do any heavy lifting. Don’t worry."
"When it comes to you Junior, I do worry," Roy responded with a chuckle. Johnny gave him a look before shaking his head. Then he shook Roy’s hand. "Thanks partner for everything. It was a great Christmas!"
"Yes! Thank you! Both!" Chris exclaimed. She hugged JoAnne and gave each of them a kiss on the cheek which was reciprocated by both JoAnne and Roy. Johnny gave JoAnne a kiss on the cheek as well. It didn’t take long and the Gage’s were on the road home.
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Once home, Chris set up a space for the cats in the spare bedroom so they could close the door. Then a place was made for the puppy in the mud room but she whined so much that Johnny gave in and allowed her into the house. It was early evening by the time Chris had everything unpacked and put away. Dinner was a quick and easy casserole since their cupboards were understocked.
After dinner, Johnny pulled out his guitar on a whim and started messing around with songs that he knew. The puppy perked up her ears and bounced over to the chair he was sitting in. As he played she raised up on her hind legs and pawed at his legs. Johnny laughed.
"Hey Chris!" he called out. She came in from the kitchen.
"What?"
"I think we have a music lover here," he joked pointing at the puppy. Chris watched as Johnny played a few tunes and the puppy became entranced. She laughed at how cute the two of them looked. Johnny started playing a bunch of old songs from the fifties and sixties. The puppy danced around his feet so much that sometimes he laughed so hard he nearly fell off the chair. But when began to play Buddy Holly’s "Peggy Sue" the puppy started "singing" along with him. Chris nearly doubled over it was so precious.
"Peggy Sue. Peggy Sue. I love you," Johnny sang to the pup and she joined in. "Pretty, Pretty Peggy Sue."
Johnny laughed and put down the guitar and picked her up. "Oh you silly dog you. I think I should call you Peggy Sue!"
"Oh Johnny! That’s perfect for her!" Chris agreed. "And you know what?"
"No, what?"
"Well, that’s a Buddy Holly song, right?"
"Yeah," Johnny responded wondering where this was going.
"Well, we’ve already named the calico Holly. How about we name the tom Buddy! Then we’ll have Buddy, Holly and Peggy Sue!" she giggled. Johnny chuckled at her suggestion.
"You know Mrs. Gage, you have a warped mind!" he teased. Chris crossed to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Peggy Sue forced her way up between them and began licking furiously causing them both to laugh.
"I think something has come between us!" Chris observed with a laugh. Johnny had to laugh too. He placed her on the floor and stood up.
"Come on, Mrs. Gage. I think I need to give you another present," he said slyly as he took her hand.
"Another one! What in the world....oh!" Chris blushed when she realized what Johnny was intimating. "Sure you’re up to that?"
"Oh yeah!" Johnny assured her and pulled her into his arms and passionately kissed her.
"What about Peggy Sue? We can’t leave her alone in here."
"I’ll put her in the mud room for now. She’ll just have to learn. Besides, she really ought to be an outside dog," Johnny determined.
"Well, hurry up! I’ll be waiting for you in the bedroom," Chris told him and kissed him once more. Johnny broke from the kiss and gazed lovingly into her eyes.
"I’ll be right up," he promised. Chris hurried upstairs as Johnny took Peggy Sue to the mud room. They had made a bed for her in the corner. There was a food bowl and water dish. Johnny placed her on the floor.
"Now you be a good girl, Peggy Sue," he admonished. The puppy looked up at him with those big liquid eyes and cocked her head. She started to whine as she realized Johnny’s intentions. "Now, now. Don’t cry. You’ll be fine," he promised as he patted her head. He could hear her cries as he headed away. She tugged at his heartstrings but he knew if he gave in now, he’d never have control.
A soulful moan emitted from behind the closed mud room door.
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END PART 8--TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 9
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