Cantrell Chronicles RESET, Part One
The Shaking of Foundations, a Cantrell Chronicles RESET, Part One_ Chapter One [With minor revisions] The call came in the dead of night. Reaching an arm out from underneath the covers, Joseph g...
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Christmas 2277, a Cantrell Chronicles update, Part Two- Chapter Thirty-Three
In looking back, the day was far too somber. The family got together to decorate the tree and while that was happening, they appeared to enjoy themselves. A pall, however, was cast over each one of them. As the days progressed, all knew the family would soon be separated for a time, or maybe even forever.
Working together so very well from the many years’ practice, the tree was fully decorated in little more than an hour. This left them plenty of time to attend the Christmas services.
After the topper was placed as well as the skirt, Joey withdrew. He returned shortly, bearing a gift. “Jayce, hold up. I just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas, and to let you know you are very appreciated for all that you do.” With that he presented the gift.
“Why thank you, your Highness. This is unexpected. I should let you know, his Majesty has already passed out the Holiday bonuses to the Staff. He was most generous.”
“This is strictly from me, so you know. You have always been there to help me with things. Frankly, I don’t know what I’d do without you. You’re almost a second father to me.”
"How kind of you to say, sir." Opening up the top of the gift, the butler exclaimed, “Well, I’ll be. You found a copy of that Murder mystery I have been searching for. Thank you, sir. A vintage J. B. Fletcher, I will enjoy reading this thoroughly. Forgive me, I must return to my duties.” As the portly elderly butler walked toward the dining hall, Joey heard him mutter, “Best Christmas, ever.” To which the prince smiled, contentedly.
A very short time later, as some of the family were gathering around the large pile of presents, King Erik came in from outside. “It’s time to get to services. As you know, this will be our father’s last day of conducing the church choir. They will be leaving for Vulcan first thing Saturday morning. Friday is the last day of the quarter; grades will be released. Bree won’t be continuing on at this time. I suspect she’ll pick things up once this other testing has been completed. I ask all of you to offer prayers for her best outcome in this matter. Please do hurry, I know our father is a tad anxious this morning.”
“Goodbyes are often hard,” Queen Kayleigh offered, quietly.
*~~*~~*~~*~~*
With Christmas carols on their lips, the family returned home. All scurried upstairs to dress in more comfortable attire. Opening presents was top of the schedule. They stood around the pile of neatly wrapped and ribboned packages. Taking their turn one at a time, so that all could see the reaction of the recipient, they got down to the business of sheering the gift of its outer covering.
All the while their appetites were whetted by the scrumptious aroma of the Grand Feast that wafted from the kitchen. The Cook, Alicia Maynard, was busy overseeing the meal’s preparation. As she took charge of the kitchen there was a faint sound of her orders being acknowledged with a hardy “Yes, Chef.”
“Mom, Dad, if you two of you would start us off,” King Erik said, gesturing toward the stack.
“Well, I don’t mind if I do," Louise said. "So what goodie has someone thought to bestow upon me. Oh, my it’s lovely. Thank you so much.”
Before the family could grab any more gifts, Jayce came to the archway, nodding at the new King. Walking into the dining hall, the new monarch grabbed the bell from a platter on the side table. Ringing it, joyfully, he called the family to their Grand Meal.
Before long the Cantrell family gathered at the long table. “If I may, your Majesty,” Joseph said, “I would like to give the prayer before we partake in this wondrous feast.”
“By all means,” King Erik said. “Wouldn’t be Christmas without your words of thanks.” A smile tugged on the old man’s face.
“Father, we thank you for bringing us together to celebrate the birth of our Savior. I pray you will also guide all of us in the coming days, as we must separate for a time. Guide our paths and bring us safely to Vulcan. Allow your new king to make good judgements in all that he does. Amen.”
Moments later, Princess Brianna got up from her chair, placing her fingertips to her temples.
“Bree, dear,” Louise said, “is everything all right?”
“I don’t know. I think I’m going to be the subject of some kind of contention. A contest, a battle of some sort, I don’t know. I just feel I’m somehow the sought-after prize! I also get the sense they have just deemed it necessary to remove one of the moderators? And he’s not going quietly. It’s weird. I do get a sense there’s a coming battle. Oh, I just want this whole thing over with.”
The family finished their meal in silence. No one quite knew what to say. Later, they half-heartedly opened the gifts that remained.
“Come with me,” Queen Kayleigh said, to her best friend, “What was that all about? A Moderator of what?”
“I wish I knew. Which is what makes this so very strange. There are three tests, the first two I know what’s expected, the third no details have been given.”
“Well, here, your gift is the top one. Open it to take your mind of all of this weirdness.”
“Thank you, your Majesty.”
“Please, I will always be just Kayleigh.”
*~~*~~~*~~*~~*
The family had all gone upstairs by the time Father Winter arrived. They all managed to greet him and he was generous to give those who asked for a gift.
“King Emeritus, you’ve had a rough road, lately. This is for you.”
“Thank you. Thank you very kindly. You always know how to feed a person’s soul. I shall cherish this.”
Very shortly, Father Winter left the family with a belly laugh and a call to “Be of Good Cheer.” That quickly, in a swirling poof of glowing white puffs that resembled a cloud, he was gone.
“People come and go so quickly here,” Queen Kayleigh said. “Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself.”
All for now, thanks for reading!
It was a lovely Christmastime for them although at the same time sad as they knew that they would soon be parted 😞It is quite concerning how Brianna suddenly felt. It will be challenging for her what is ahead for her.
It was very kind and caring of Joey to give the butler a vintage copy of Jessica Fletcher’s Murder mystery book as a Christmas present ❤️
I hope their parting goes as best as it can 😞Thank you. I think I'm just as sad as they were. I shall have to see how each group fares. I may do the back and forth between households, just to check up on each of them. 🙃
Lovely winter fest, tree decoration pic is beautiful 🎄
Thank you. They certainly are experts at dressing a tree, no? 🙃
GalacticGal What a lovely Winterfest celebration. Although Bree's feelings of upcoming contention suggests that the new year may bring trouble or, at the least, drama for the family.
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