And What Do You Want For Christmas? Read online

And What Do You Want for Christmas?

  By

  Rosemary J. Peel

  Copyright 2013 Rosemary J. Peel

  And What Do You Want For Christmas?

  It was nearly Christmas and everyone was excited. But Ella wasn’t. She was sad. There was something the matter with Mummy. Daddy took her to hospital but they said she was okay and to go home. Then she needed to go back again and this time Daddy came back without her. He picked Ella up and told her she was his brave little girl and not to worry, Mummy would soon be home. He said Grandma and Grandpa were coming to stay and he wanted her to look after them and show them where everything was kept.

  “Why?” Ella asked.

  “Because I have to go back to the hospital to be with Mummy.”

  Ella looked scared. Daddy smiled and gave her a kiss as he put her down, “It’s alright, Mummy’s fine; she’s not ill or anything.”

  “But she is in hosipal.”

  “Yes but not because she is ill; she’s there to get our new baby. We did tell you that you would have a new brother or sister before Christmas, don’t you remember?”

  “Yes, but why does Mummy have to stop in hosipal and why do you have to go too?”

  “Mummy doesn’t want to be there on her own. You’ll have a lovely time with Grandma and Grandpa.”

  “But why can’t they go to the hosipal and you stay with me?”

  Daddy sighed, “Listen Ella, I need you to be a good girl and help Grandma and Grandpa. They’re going to be stopping with us all Christmas. You’ll like that, won’t you?”

  Ella was about to shake her head and argue but the door opened and her grandparents walked in, looking flushed. Dad was relieved to see them and before Ella knew what was happening she heard his car driving away. Tears sprang into her eyes. Grandma cuddled her and Grandpa patted her back,

  “There’s nothing to cry about, darling. We have a lovely day planned for you. Just wait and see, and then in no time at all Mummy will be home with a new baby brother or sister.”

  Ella brightened, “Where we going? Is it somewhere special?”

  Grandpa grinned, “Don’t you ever stop asking questions, young lady?”

  Ella shook her head.

  “We thought we’d take you for a surprise treat. But first I need to put our things away in your spare room. I’m sure Grandpa would like a cup of tea. Can you show him where Mummy keeps the tea-bags, sugar and milk?”

  Ella nodded. She took Grandpa’s hand and led him into the kitchen,

  “The cups are in that cupboard and the tea and sugar’s on the top next to the kettle.” She felt very grown up, showing him where everything was.”

  “You’re a bright little un, I hope the new baby will turn out as smart.”

  “The milk is in the fridge, Grandpa” Ella said and then pointed to some brightly coloured plastic letters on the front of it, “I can read,” she boasted as Grandpa opened the door.

  “Go on then, read those words for me.”

  Ella pointed at each letter in turn, spelling them out as she did so,

  “E-L-L-A, Ella; that’s my name. D-A-D, says Dad, M-U-M is Mum.” she finished, feeling very pleased with herself.

  Grandpa looked amazed,

  “Come and listen to this child,” he called up the stairs to Grandma, “She’s reading already.”

  Ella glowed with pleasure and was happy to read again for Grandma, who was just as impressed as Grandpa.

  “Right, then, it’s time we got you washed and dressed. Come on, you’ll have to show me where your clothes are.”

  Ella took her grandmother by the hand and they went up the stairs together. She felt much better than she had this morning when she’d come down them to be met by the lady next door telling her that Daddy had taken Mummy to hospital.

  * * * *

  The day turned out very exciting. Ella had her lunch at a cafe in a large department store before being taken to see Santa in his grotto. They found a big line of children waiting to see him. Before they reached the grotto they went into a sort of cave that looked as if it was covered in snow. There were pretend baby polar bears playing around the entrance. Inside it, fairy-lights twinkled from the ceiling and there were all sorts of things to look at whilst they waited their turn. Brightly dressed elves in long pointed shoes, with turned up toes and bells that tinkled when they moved, pointed the way to Santa. As they got nearer to his grotto Ella drew in a breath of surprise and delight. She’d just seen what was standing outside the curtained doorway - it was a reindeer; a real one with long furry antlers. The girl elf who was holding its harness told Ella his name was Rudolf and that she could stroke him if she liked.

  “Why hasn’t he got a red nose, if it’s Rudolf?” Ella wanted to know.

  “Oh, it’s not that Rudolf - he’s still at the North Pole getting ready for Christmas Eve. This is his cousin and he doesn’t have a red nose, but he’s a very nice reindeer all the same.”

  Grandpa smiled at the elf, “Always wants to know why, this one does.” he said.

  They reached the front of the line and entered the magical grotto where Santa was waiting. Ella drew back and leaned against Grandma’s legs. She suddenly felt shy and wasn’t at all sure that she wanted to talk to him. He smiled at her and a pair of bright blue eyes twinkled above a huge white beard.

  “And what do you want for Christmas, young lady?” he asked as Grandma pushed her gently forward. Ella stared down at her feet, “At least tell me your name,” Santa coaxed.

  “Ella.” she said shyly, still not looking up.

  “Well, Ella, if you don’t know what you want, I shall just have to bring you surprises.”

  “Oh, but I do know what I want,” she said, suddenly finding her voice, “I want my Mummy to come home from hosipal.”

  Santa turned to Grandma, “Is her mother ill?” he asked.

  “No, she’s expecting a baby. She went into hospital this morning. We don’t know if she’ll be home for Christmas or not.”

  “Well, we’ll have to see what we can do then.” The blue eyes twinkled once more at Ella, “I’ll be along on Christmas Eve with all your surprises and here’s a present for you now.” He reached into his sack and brought out a brightly wrapped parcel. Ella took it and thanked him. She left the Grotto feeling much better and quite certain that Santa would grant her wish.

  * * * *

  The afternoon dragged. They heard nothing from Daddy. Grandma baked some buns whilst Grandpa read his newspaper. Ella decided to draw a picture for Santa. She got out her paper and crayons and was soon lost in the project. She really had wanted to send a letter, but she wasn’t sure if it was too late to send one. After she had finished colouring her picture, she wrote ‘mummy’ in her very best handwriting under the large figure and ‘Ella’ under the small one. She finished off by writing ‘To Santa’ and added two kisses. Grandma said it was a lovely picture and that she would put it up on the fridge for mummy to see when she came home. But Ella had other ideas,

  “I want Santa to see it so that it will to remind him not to forget about Mummy.”

  “It’s a bit late to post it off to the North Pole,” Grandma said, it’s Christmas Eve tomorrow.”

  “Oh, I do want him to see it.” Ella’s lip began to tremble.

  “Why don’t you leave it on the table with the mince pies and milk; then he’ll be sure to find it,” suggested Grandpa, coming in from the front room.

  “That’s a good idea.” Grandma agreed.

  “Yes, that’s what I’ll do - oh Grandma, I forgot to tell you to buy carrots. We always leave some out for the reindeer and a bucket of water for them to drink.

  “It’s alright, Mummy lef
t instructions,” she turned to Grandpa, “As if we’d forget; she always did the same when she was a little girl. We never forgot the reindeer.”

  “Right, let’s put your picture away safely for tomorrow night and then we’d better get you ready for bed. Would you like me to read you a story before you go to sleep?”

  “Oh yes please, Grandma. Mummy put my favourite book on my chair; it’s called, “Santa’s Christmas”.

  “Up we go then, say night-night to Grandpa.”

  “Don’t need to say night-night yet; I’m coming up to listen to the story when she’s in bed. That okay?”

  Ella nodded. She did love her Grandma and Grandpa, but still missed her Mummy and Daddy very much and wished that they were home.

  * * * *

  When Ella came down on Christmas Eve morning Grandma was grinning,

  “I’ve something to tell you, Ella?”

  “Mummy’s coming home!” she cried.

  “Not just yet, she isn’t.” Ella’s face fell, “but you do have a new baby brother. He was born early this morning, so it won’t be too long before they come home. Daddy’s already back. He’s upstairs fast asleep in bed because he’s been up all night. But he’ll be down soon and then we’ll do everything you usually do on Christmas Eve and Daddy will come with us.

  And so they did. They went out to the garden centre cafe for a lovely meal and to see all the animals and fish that they sold there, as well as all the plants. Everything was all trimmed up for Christmas and there was even a stuffed reindeer by the door of the cafe. Ella didn’t think it was anywhere near as nice as Rudolf, even if it he hadn’t been the real one, but she stroked it all the same. In the afternoon she went to the cinema with Grandma and Grandpa and they bought her popcorn, sweets and a big drink. Daddy didn’t go with them; he went to the hospital to see Mummy and the new baby. Ella hoped that he’d bring them home with him - but he didn’t. He said Mummy had to stay in hospital for a bit longer. Ella cried.

  She cried again when she put her picture out on the table for Santa to find. She had been so sure that he would managed to make Mummy be home for Christmas. It wasn’t the same putting the mince pies and milk out for him or the carrots and water for the reindeer, but she tried to pretend that she was enjoying it so that Grandma and Grandpa would not be sad. Once in bed she tried her best to fall asleep but couldn’t; salty tears dripped off her nose and ran down her cheeks. She buried her face in the pillow and must have dozed off for it was dark when her eyes opened again. The house was still and silent. The grown ups must be in bed too. Then suddenly she heard a noise - it must be Santa! She pulled the covers right up over her head and screwed her eyes tightly shut, so there was no chance of seeing him. She drifted off to sleep wondering if he’d like her picture.

  * * * *

  Christmas morning Ella rushed downstairs to see what Santa had brought her. She stopped dead as she opened the living-room door. Not only was there a big pile of parcels under the tree but there, sitting on the settee with her arms outstretched to her, was Mummy! She ran to her and was gathered up in a big hug. Daddy came in from the kitchen, followed by Grandpa and Grandma. Grandma was holding a small bundle in her arms.

  Don’t you want to see your new brother?” Daddy asked and lifted her off Mummy’s knee.

  Ella stood on tip-toe and peeped into the bundle of blankets. She pulled a face,

  “Uh, he isn’t very pretty! He’s all red and wrinkly.”

  “What shall we call him?” Daddy asked Ella.

  “How about, Noel, as he’s a Christmas baby.” Grandma suggested.

  “Mmm, no, Rudolf’s better,” Ella said and everyone laughed. She didn’t understand why, and her little brother suddenly opened his eyes and let out an enormous yowl.

  “I don’t think he likes Rudolf.” laughed Mummy taking the baby from Grandma, “Let’s stick to Noel.”

  She lifted Ella back onto her knee and gave both her and Noel a special Christmas hug.

  * * * *

  By the author

  Animal Tales : (5 books)

  A Prickly Problem

  Honk the Donk

  A Squirrel Called Cyril

  Pretty as a Picture

  Holiday Blues (see also Families, Feuds & Friendships)

  Creature Features (2 books)

  The Blackbird That Couldn’t Sing

  The Butterfly That Lost a Spot

  Toy Fantasies: (3 books)

  They’re not real, Grandma

  Just Joe

  Alfie Goes to Uni

  Fluff Gang Stories: (2 books, written in verse)

  Fluff Gang Tales

  The Fluff Gang and the New Neighbour

  Families, Feuds & Friendships (2 books - for 12- 15+ readers)

  Time Line (a time shift fantasy)

  Holiday Blues

  Octinnia Adventures

  Octinnia: The Adventure Begins (The 1st in a proposed series of 8)

  Rosemary also writes; Adult Fiction (full length romantic saga), Non-fiction (autobiographical work), and Astrological books

  Connect with Rosemary Peel at:

  Facebook: https://facebook.com/rosemaryjpeel

  Facebook https://facebook.com/rosemarypeel/percypricklesandfriends

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/RosemaryPeel