CHAPTER 401: DECEMBER 24TH

The morning of December 24th dawned on the island with the promise of golden sunlight spilling over the restless waves and carrying with it the silent whispers of jingle bells.

The entire estate was bathed in the warm glow of festivity and shimmering decorations.

Outside, tall palms were wrapped with twinkling white lights that sparkled like diamonds.

Garlands laced with gold pinecones and velvet red ribbons hung from balcony rails.

And inside the expansive sitting room, a huge, beautifully decorated Christmas tree–surrounded with lots of gift boxes–stood like a majestic sentinel of joy, its twinkling lights casting warm glows across the polished floor.

With most of the visiting friends gone, the rest of the family and a few friends left, slept in–enjoying the peaceful morning and the serenity of the Island’s soothing atmosphere.

Blaze lay sprawled beside his wife, utterly drained–a victim of a long night spent serving the royal commands of his pint-sized prince, while Amelia, blissfully unaware, dreamed her way through the chaos.

Just as he was starting to taste the sweet luxury of morning peace, Neol-Blaze decided it was the perfect time to unleash his war cry.

Waah! Waah!! WAAH!!!

Like a half-dead soldier summoned back to the battlefield, Blaze staggered out of bed, his eyes half-shut and legs on autopilot.

He lurched toward the baby’s cot with the grace of a zombie chasing coffee.

"Shhh...I’m up, Junior. Let’s not wake your mommy," He mumbled in a voice soaked with exhaustion, scooping the wriggling infant into his arms.

"Daddy’s here for you..." He said rocking the baby back and forth, while humming off-key lullabies, to calm him.

"You need to go back to sleep, junior. Sleeping will help you grow big and strong just like Daddy," he whispered, almost pleadingly, his eyes heavy with sleep and tiredness.

In response to his negotiating plea, Neo-Blaze stared calmly at him with wide, innocent eyes that said,

"Oh no, Dad. I’m not going back to sleep again. Not on my watch."

Taking the little infant’s calmness for cooperation, Blaze tried to lower him into his cot.

But every time Blaze dared to put the baby down on his back, his face scrunched into a silent threat promising another wail storm.

Blaze knew better than to test the little one’s patience. He remained on high alert, swaying side to side like a malfunctioning metronome.

Across the bed, Amelia was already awake, pretending to be in dreamland while silently shaking with laughter at her husband’s desperate performance.

She found the father-son silent battle too hilarious to interrupt.

When Neo-Blaze, fed up with his father’s droopy eyes and clumsy sways, unleashed a fresh, tear-fueled symphony, Amelia quickly climbed out of bed, grinning.

"Alright, Daddy... you’ve done enough," she teased, kissing him on the cheek as she tenderly collected the baby from Blaze’s arms.

"Sorry, we woke you." Blaze’s tired eyes blinked several times, a yawn escaping his parted lips, as he watched Amelia gently settle down on the bed and begin to breastfeed the child.

"It’s okay, honey. You can rest now. I’ll take it from here." Amelia smiled lovingly at him.

"Thanks" Blaze collapsed onto the bed, surrendering at last. He fell asleep instantly, like a fallen hero who had fought valiantly but was utterly defeated by a foe under two feet tall.

-

-

It was already past noon by the time Blaze opened his eyes again, well rested.

The bedroom was empty but he could hear the sound of laughter coming from the sitting room, downstairs.

He quickly showered and joined some family members in the sitting room.

"Finally, the gallant soldier awakens." Henry stood up and saluted causing a ripple of laughter.

"Very funny." Blaze shot him a cold playful glare. "Wait until it’s your turn and I’ll remind you of this day."

"No need to worry. I’m already gymming in preparation."Henry replied, winking in Sarah’s direction.

Another wave of laughter swept across the sitting room, with Maria, cradling Noel-Blaze in her arms, her face glowing with maternal love.

Blaze strolled over to his wife and crouched beside her, pecking her tenderly on the cheek.

"Hey, sweetie."

"Hi, baby. Did you get to rest well?" Amelia gently stroked him on his clean-shaven chin.

"I did, thanks to you." He looked over to his son, a smile tugging on his curled lips as he approached his mother. "How is my major general doing?"

"Getting ready to send you to the battlefront tonight." Maria teased and everyone including Blaze, roared with laughter. She handed the little infant to his father and watched him play tenderly with his son.

"Speaking of infants and how demanding they can be at night, you were worse than your son, Blaze. Did you know that?" Vera teased."

"Really!" Amelia raised a brow, stifling her laughter.

"No, honey. When I was Noel’s age, I was as gentle as a dove." Blaze bragged.

"Ahem..." Henry coughed out loud and everyone erupted with laughter.

"Your aunt is right, sweetheart." Maria’s warm voice echoed as the laughter died down. "I remember those priceless nights when Presley and I would stay awake trying to attend to your endless demands. You were the best thing that ever happened to us." Her eyes moistened with tears as memories of her late husband flashed across her mind.

A hush suddenly fell in the room as if a ghost had walked in.

"Oh, Mom." Amelia immediately stood up and joined her mother-in-law, her hand wrapped around her shoulders while Blaze drew closer to them.

"I miss him." Maria’s voice trembled with unspoken hurt. "Especially during this festive season. Presley would have made an awesome grandfather."

"He will and we all miss him too." Blaze perched on the armrest and pulled his mother closer to him. "But I’m sure he is present with us right now and he is happy that our family is growing."

"Yes." Amelia interlocked her right fingers with Blaze behind his mother as they both soothed her as one.

-

-

As dusk painted the skies in hues of rose and amethyst, everyone gathered on the southern lawn for the traditional Candlelight Carol Night.

Dressed in cosy reds, silvers, and velvety winter whites, each person held a glowing candle.

A soft breeze carried the sweet harmony of voices as the group sang classic carols–Silent Night and The First Noel.

The song brought soft tears to Amelia’s eyes.

She stood at the front with Blaze, cradling baby Noel in an immaculate white baby overalls and covered with a blanket trimmed in silver.

The flickering candlelight reflected in Amelia’s eyes as she whispered, "It’s your first Christmas, Neol and it’s already more perfect than I imagined."

The sight of the baby in her arms, surrounded by loved ones singing beneath the stars, was something etched in everyone’s heart.

Later that night, the family gathered in front of the grand fireplace, which was now beautifully trimmed with holly, stockings, and golden bows.

The towering Christmas tree beside them sparkled with fairy lights and glistening ornaments. Beneath it were presents wrapped in navy and gold, and a tiny bassinet, where baby Noel slept soundly.

A celebrity photographer–invited by Henry in secret–snapped candid and posed shots alike.

Blaze and Amelia stood at the centre, holding baby Noel... while everyone else surrounded them in coxy, glowing happiness.

As the flash went off, Henry pulled Sarah close and whispered, "This is going to be us someday."

Sarah looked up at him, beaming as another flash went off.

"I can’t wait."