CHRISTMAS MAGIC

by

Velvet

CHAPTER 5

THE CHAPTERS

INTRO

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

Misha and Sophia kept eying the presents under the tree, seeming to know the gaily wrapped boxes were for them. Their seats at the table had a perfect view of the tree. The group retired to the living room for dessert so the little ones could open their presents.  

Ivan squeezed his wife's hand as Joe and Frank sat down on the floor with the children. Everything about Christmas in America was big, from the trees to the decorations to the number of presents. The tiny flat they had left behind in Russia wouldn't even hold a tree unless it was under four feet tall and could sit on a small table.  

The move had been a dream come true for Ivan. His children had a yard to play in, a wonderful school, and many, many friends their own age. They had taken great delight in picking out the tallest Christmas tree that would fit in their new living room, and then making ornaments to hang on it. As if by magic, the tree had been transformed into the most beautiful Christmas tree the family had ever had.  

Elena's voice interrupted his thoughts. “What are you thinking?”  

He smiled. “That it really is magic.”  

Elena returned the smile as a round of squeals erupted from their kids. “Mama, look!” Misha cried out, holding up a set of GI Joes.  

“Mine too!” Alexander called, holding up the first 3 books in “A Series of Unfortunate Events”. The other books in the series sat in his lap.  

“Sophia, what do you have?” Ivan asked when his daughter didn't say anything.  

Sophia still didn't say anything. She was holding a doll, about 16 inches tall, dressed in a beautiful red costume. The doll had a long blonde braid, a crown, and gold embroidery all over the dress. The girl looked up at Frank.  

“I thought she was pretty, and needed to be with a pretty girl.” He didn't mention that the doll looked just like his mother, also named Sophia.  

“She is beautiful, Frank.” Sophia gently laid the doll down, stepped over the shredded and crumpled  wrapping paper and hugged Frank tightly. “Thank you.”  

She smiled and Frank had the strangest sense that he'd seen that particular smile before, many years ago. No, he told himself. It's just the name being the same. My mind is playing tricks on me because it's Christmas and I miss her...  

The girl sat back down with her doll, cradling it and singing softly. Frank's feeling became even stronger as he recognized the little song, one his mother used to sing when he was afraid of the dark and didn't want to sleep.  

He realized now that it hadn't been the words that calmed him, it was simply her voice. As Sophia sang and hummed, Frank sat back and let himself listen to his mother singing in his memory.  

Several hours later, once the Kabarovs were gone and the kitchen was cleaned, the Hardy family sat in the living room with mugs of hot chocolate and fresh pumpkin pie. Laura sat next to her eldest on the couch and touched his hand.  

“You okay?”  

Frank nodded. “I'm fine, Mom.”  

“Sophia?”  

He nodded again, his voice low. “So much about her reminds me of Mama. And it's not just the name either. She used to sing that song to me.”  

Laura smiled softly at him and squeezed his hand. “What was Christmas like?”  

“Quiet. It wasn't the major holiday that it is here. I think I like it better here.”  

Laura wanted to press him about why, but could see from his face that he wouldn't answer. There were some things he just wouldn't talk about, not even with Joe. She kissed his cheek, then settled back against the couch as “Holiday Inn”, her favorite Christmas moved, started on one of the movie channels.  

Frank sat in the living room, watching the tree twinkle, long after the others were in bed. Ever since the Kabanovs left, he'd been thinking about the 2 Christmases he remembered sharing with his mother. And making a concentrated effort to block Stefan from the sweet memories of Mama.  

The song played through his mind again as his eyes landed on the little matroishka ornament. The doll seemed to be smiling at him, and just for a moment, he closed his eyes. Mama's face came into focus, and her sweater. Her voice sang the song to him and he leaned his head back against the sofa, losing himself in the memory.  

Joe found his brother asleep on the couch an hour later. Gently shaking him awake, he spoke. “You might be more comfortable in bed, Frank.”  

Frank rubbed his eyes and sat up, rolling his neck to relieve the kink. “Probably.”  

“Why are you still down here anyway?”  

“I could ask you the same thing,” Frank retorted as he stood up.  

Joe shrugged. “I was hungry.”  

Frank shook his head. “Of course.”  

“I answered. Your turn, bro.”  

The brothers headed up the stairs. Frank took his time forming an answer.  

“Just enjoying the magic, Joe.”  

Joe didn't press, somehow knowing the magic had something to do with Frank's mother. “Night, Frank. Merry Christmas.”  

“Merry Christmas, Joe.”  

Frank brushed his teeth, pulled on his pajamas and slipped underneath his covers. Tonight, he had thought about her without pain for the first time.  

That could only be attributed to the magic of Christmas and a special little girl.  

The End

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