"Well, if you are determined to retire, Redmond Stables seems like the perfect place to do it."
"Redmond Stables?" Charlie’s initial confusion turned slowly to recognition as he looked to Rebecca.
"Yes, Charlie. Redmond Stables. The home of General and Mrs. Redmond. The finest horse farm in all of Virginia." She moved to his side and placed a kiss on his cheek. "My wedding gift to you, darling."
Charlie stood there under the mistletoe he had carefully hung for Polk and Elizabeth, with the impression of Rebecca’s lips on his cheek, looking rather like a pole axed ox. Everyone in the room was silent as they watched realization dawn on Charlie’s face.
Jocko swirled a measure of good whiskey in his glass as he watched his friend. Taking a deep breath he leaned over to have a word with McCauley. "General Sheridan made a good choice with that one. Charlie Redmond is a fine man. Irish you know. Member of a very famous clan."
McCauley looked to the batman and raised a brow. "Really?"
"‘Tis true. Largest clan in Ireland. The clan O’Blivious."
The batman’s words dropped into the silence like a rock shattering the calm of a pond. It did not take long for Sheridan's assistant to get the joke and soon he was laughing with Jocko as the two men poured another drink. Slowly, the meaning dawned on the rest of the guests and a slow ripple of realization ran through the room. When all eyes turned to them and the laughter had died down again, Jocko looked over the crowd. "Pay no attention to us. Go back to your party. General Redmond has plans for that sprig he just hung." The batman gestured to the doorway.
Richard Polk, who had inevitably gravitated to Elizabeth’s side during the conversation, stepped up. "Move aside, my friend, and let the rest of us take advantage of the tradition." Charlie and Rebecca stepped away from the doorway, moving to the side to speak quietly together for a moment. Richard, still laughing, drew Elizabeth with him to stand beneath the white berries. "Merry Christmas, Doctor Walker." With that, he kissed the normally formal and proper lady heartily on either cheek and then fleetingly on the lips.
"Merry Christmas, Colonel." She smiled and leaned up a bit to return the kiss, but not the ones bestowed on her cheeks. "Very Merry Christmas, Richard." She whispered against his lips. Then she pulled back before the occupants of the room accused her of taking advantage of the Colonel.
Before anyone commented on the obvious relationship, Phil Sheridan, who was usually a rather taciturn gentleman, stepped up beside his old friend and offered a gentle kiss to her cheek. "Merry Christmas, Elizabeth."
"Merry Christmas, Philip." She took his arm and allowed him to escort her into the crowd.
Charlie stood in the shadow of the Christmas tree, facing Rebecca and gently holding her hands between them. "Redmond Stables?"
All around them, people began the bustle of trimming the tree, with ribbons, tiny white candles, delicate glass ornaments that Duncan had found in the attic, and strings of berries and popcorn that the ladies and Jeremiah had been making for several days.
"Yes, Charlie. I think it is only fitting. I filed the papers this week. Half of the land is now yours. It is the only thing I have to offer you, other than my love." She blushed, running her hand over his tunic.
"My love, you have given me something I never thought I would have. A future, filled with love and hope. I love you, Rebecca Gaines." As the plain pine tree was transformed into the living symbol of Christmas, slowly Charlie’s face began to reflect his growing faith in his dreams becoming reality.
--*--
The tree was trimmed, the house was decorated, and all was ready for the evening as darkness closed in. The adults of the house retired to their various quarters to rest and dress for the dinner, while the children were herded off to the old school room to share dinner, Christmas pudding, and games before bedtime. Charlie had driven both Sarah and Mess Chief Jamison to distraction with preparing a Christmas Eve dinner that would both honor his commanding officer and impress the local citizens he had invited. As the clock chimed seven, the civilian guests arrived at the house. Reverend Williams and his wife had joined the Coopers in their buggy. Mayor Frazier had accompanied them, riding on his old nag.
Reg was dressed as befitted the butler of a fine house. He met the guests at the door, and with Lizbet’s assistance, relieved them of their winter wraps. Charlie and Rebecca were waiting for them in the formal front parlor, with a warm fire dancing on the hearth and a selection of hot beverages, milk punch, and brandy to dispel the chill of the evening drive.
"Good evening, Mrs. Williams, Reverend." Charlie was in full Southern gentleman mode, dressed in his formal evening uniform with his new stars shining on his shoulders and wearing his South Carolinian heritage like a medal on his chest.
"Good evening Col..."
Before Mrs. Williams could finish, Rebecca cleared her throat and Reverend Williams gave his wife a not so polite nudge.
"General Redmond," she acknowledged with a slight tilt of her head.
"Old bat," Rebecca grumbled under her breath.
"Mrs. Cooper, you look lovely tonight. Cooper, good to see you again."
"Thank you, General." Mrs. Cooper winked at Rebecca. "You look radiant this evening, my dear. I do believe being in love agrees with you."
"It does. It truly does." Rebecca tightened her hand on Charlie's arm.
Wordlessly, Cooper reached out and shook Charlie’s hand, grinning his congratulations.
Charlie turned to Frazier, who was rubbing his hands. "Damned cold out there, General. Hope the dinner is worth it."
Charlie laughed. "I assure you, Mayor, the dinner is as good as both our cook Sarah and our mess sergeant could make it."
"Sarah is your cook? Ah, well, then, it should be worth the chilblains."
At that point, Sheridan, McCauley, and Polk entered the room.
"May I introduce my commanding officer, Philip Sheridan and his adjutant, Colonel McCauley? I believe you all know Colonel Polk."
Introductions were flowing like wine when Dr. Walker and Whitman escorted Constance Adams into the room. Rebecca noticed immediately the young woman did not look well and immediately made her a place to sit near the fire.
"Are you all right?"
"Thank you, I am feeling somewhat better. And the company will do me good. It is very hard to lie abed all day while so much is going on around me. And I must confess, I have always loved Christmas."
Quietly, Whitman slipped over to stand beside the frail woman. A quiet look passed between the big, shaggy haired man and the small, perfectly coiffed woman. Rebecca turned to the rest of her guests.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy each others’ company tonight and let us rejoice in the love and friendship we have all found in this time of hardship. Let us pray for a quick end to the conflict that keeps us from our loved ones. May this be the first of many happy Christmas celebrations in our home." She turned and smiled at Charlie. "And I would like to take this moment to say how happy and proud I am of my fiancéé, the newly commissioned Brigadier General Charles Redmond."
Phil Sheridan took the floor. "Charles Redmond has served this country with distinction for many years." Sheridan walked over to stand beside Charlie. He indicated one of the medals on his officer’s chest. "Indeed. He won this for his heroic action at the Battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican conflict." Sheridan faced Charlie. "You were only sixteen at the time, I believe, and a new recruit when you stepped up after your sergeant and lieutenant were both killed and led your men to safety." He turned back to the rest of the guests. "You may not be aware of this, but Charlie served under Captain Lee at Buena Vista. As a matter of fact, he attended West Point on Lee’s recommendation." Glancing back to Charlie, he asked, "I believe you also served with Lee at Fort Pulaski, in Georgia, did you not?"