Kaylen smoothed down the dress she had made herself put on that morning, breathed and knocked on the door. There was clearly a lot of noise happening on the other side, a normal happy Christmas in the Humphrey�s household. Kaylen could tell there was a scuffle between her younger cousins as to who would be allowed to open the door. Ethan pulled open the door as a jumpy six year old pushed around the side of him to see who was at the door.
�Kaylen, come on in. We really weren�t expecting you. Everyone, including Mum, has come around for breakfast with Aunt Carolyn.� Ethan was very surprised at the new guest and expected that Kaylen would now leave. �But please don�t let that stop you from coming in and hanging with us for a while.� He stepped aside and Kaylen came in out of the cold. Kaylen put down the bag of presents she had with her and took off her coat. The older people were rather quiet as Kaylen entered the living room while the younger members of family happily opened and played with their presents. Kaylen had needed to make this journey across the city, traffic had not been too bad, and at least talk to Carolyn. She would call in and pick up Ashton on her way back through the city on her way to the Chapman�s estate where she would be experiencing a very large Christmas dinner. He had been invited along because his sister was having Christmas with her husband�s family and his own parents were flying into the country in a couple of weeks. Ashton had kindly accepted the invitation and could not wait to go back out to the country. He offered to come with Kaylen this morning but she had decided there was a great need for her to make this journey by herself.
Kaylen was welcomed into the room and had turned up just in time for their traditional breakfast, as she had already planned. Louise ignored her but Carolyn was the perfect host and made her niece feel just like everything was the same. Kaylen had been having a bad morning and hadn�t been able to sleep any of the previous night except for a few minutes here and there. It was her first Christmas without her mother and family around. No matter what they had done they were still her aunts, uncles and cousins. She was missing her mother and was learning to come to terms with what had happened. Kaylen was not forgiving anyone; she just knew there was no point in hating everyone. The Chapman�s were great but these were the people she had known her whole life as her family. Some things were too entrenched to forget. Kaylen gave out the presents she had brought to her cousins, aunts and uncles and Carolyn went and picked up the ones for Kaylen. They had been hoping Kaylen would come back to them, especially on this day that they were also remembering their losses from the last year. Kaylen was a part of this family whether or not that was her wish. She had shown she still thought of them positively by arriving and taking part in their celebrations.
The morning went well and everyone enjoyed his or her presents. Kaylen had given the books to the adults and her older cousins. Ashton had helped her to buy toys for the younger kids. Breakfast was a really nice meal and the talk stayed away from Kaylen�s new knowledge of her life. People asked her how the bookshop was going and Kaylen explained about the apartment project. Louise scoffed. �I bet it�s just some dumpy old block of flats those people wanted to get rid of, just a stone in their shoe. Who better I guess than you, to take over, you must have plenty of experience about being unwanted and in the way.� She remarked snidely, referring of course to Kaylen�s own arrival and adoption.
�Sorry to disappoint you, but the house is part of a very nice Victorian row in Kensington, on the boundary with the nice part of Notting Hill. I don�t know if you have ever been there though, Louise. It is part of the West End. I even have my own private park accessible through my back door.� Kaylen replied sweetly and excitedly. No one was going to take the shine of this; it was her place in the world. Louise went off in a huff and poured herself another drink. Everyone else in the room was proud of Kaylen�s latest happenings. They were really happy that Kaylen�s new family was being so gracious and kind with the gifting of the house and shop. Even though Kaylen extended an invitation to them for the party she was planning on completion of the renovation project it was highly unlikely many of them would attend. She only expected Carolyn and Ethan. The others were almost afraid of the swanky part of town and had very rarely ventured into the West End. The idea of socialising with a Lord and Lady and other valued members of society was a bit beyond their comprehension. Their declining statements had more to do with the time it would take to get across town and the fact they would almost have to stay overnight because of the time the event would finish.
It was nearly eleven o�clock by the time Kaylen left Carolyn�s house and made her way across London again to meet up with Ashton. They had to be at the Chapman�s by 2pm at the very latest but preferably anytime after midday. Kaylen had the next load of presents and her bags sitting in the back of her little car ready to take with her on the journey. They would be spending the night in the country and Ashton was all ready to go when Kaylen pulled up to his flat. He had graciously accepted the invitation and was really looking forward to hanging out with Kaylen on this holiday. He was also interested in hearing how the morning in the East End had gone. There were no visible bruises and Kaylen was not crying so there was a good chance it gone well.
�So, how did it go?� Ashton asked as they had been driving for about five minutes in silence.
�It went really well. I�m surprised actually, because I thought it wouldn�t have been as easy. It was almost too easy. I suppose my Aunt Louise was a bit difficult but I expected her to be the down point of the whole exercise. I realised as soon as I stepped in the door that I need to remain in contact with at least some of them. Carolyn was right, it was ultimately my mother and father that kept the whole issue hidden and it would have caused even more problems if my aunts had told me the truth. You can choose a new station or grab a tape from in there, if you want.� Kaylen said, driving and pointing at the glove compartment of her car. The continued on their journey enjoying cheerful conversation and a discussion on how much food they both thought would be available that afternoon at the Chapman�s Christmas dinner.
When they pulled up the driveway they saw there were quite a few cars parked already. They found a spot and pulled their bags out of the boot and went inside. Lord Albert was the greeting party as Lady Charlotte was rushing about like a mad thing. He let them know that from now (nearly two o�clock) till three o�clock was Kaylen and Ashton�s time to settle into their room and mingle with some of the other guests. Dinner would then be served and after dessert it would be time for the present opening session. Albert hoped that it was okay if Kaylen and Ashton shared a room as there were so many people staying he had lost count. �I don�t know what Charlotte thinks sometimes. This is not a hotel; there are not two hundred rooms in this place. I don�t know Ashton, women sometimes have funny ideas.� Albert laughed and the couple joined in because it was the right thing. It was okay with them, what ever they could do to make things easier on Lady Charlotte organising the sleeping arrangements was fine. Albert told them where their room was and they headed up the stairs, first dropping the presents off under the very large tree that was erected in the games room. It had been transformed into quite a substantial Christmas grotto and was the largest room in the house. The pool table had been moved out and so had games tables and chairs. Sofas from all around the house had been moved in to make the room very homely.
Kaylen pushed open the large, heavy bedroom door and looked inside. Her and Ashton�s name was actually on the outside and they had noticed other names on other doors. The note was written in Lady Charlotte�s very exquisite and manicured calligraphy and showed with out a doubt that she was an accomplished and well-educated lady. Kaylen had not previously looked inside this room but it was big and wonderful like all the rest. It shared a bathroom with the room next door, of whom the occupants had not yet arrived. Kaylen was pleased she wasn�t the last person to turn up, from what she had seen so far it was not the done thing to turn up late to Lady Charlotte�s events. Ashton put their bags down on the floor next to an armchair, took off his shoes and jumped on the bed, lying on his back with his hands behind his head. Kaylen climbed on next to him and started to fall asleep now that the first dramas of the day were gone and forgotten. Ashton told her he would come and get her up in half an hour and left so as not to disturb her sleep.
Ashton pulled the door shut quietly and noticed the people next door were entering their room. He spoke to them, said hello and they quickly bundled themselves inside the room before shutting the door firmly behind. He shrugged, it wasn�t the first time he had been treated like this and headed downstairs to see if he could be of any help. The first person Ashton found was Lady Charlotte having a small disagreement with an older lady. �Excuse me, but may I be of any assistance?� Ashton asked with a big smile on his face. Charlotte looked at him, suddenly with a new respect.
�Ashton, I would love for you to meet my mother, Lady Penelope Musgrove. Mother, I would like you to meet our granddaughter Kaylen�s boyfriend, Mr Ashton Gayle.� Charlotte looked frazzled, and it was strange to meet her mother, a lady who would definitely always be called Lady.
�Lady Musgrove, it is a pleasure to meet you and on this wonderful Christmas day.� Ashton was turning on the charm and the fine education he had been privy. There was a time and a place and now was that time.
�Is this that granddaughter that you had adopted after that unfortunate incident? I would very much like to meet her, where is she?� Lady Penelope was definitely the product of good breeding and was, as Ashton found out later, the daughter of a Duke.
�Madam, I believe she is resting at the moment. I could go and wake her if you wish.� Ashton was being very polite as he did not want to offend this person he had just met. She seemed to be very much old school and did not want the issue of his race to cloud her judgement.
�No, that is okay. I will have time this afternoon I am sure. Charlotte, where am I to be sleeping, it had better not be out in that stable with the horses.� Lady Charlotte just kept breathing; it would only be until a couple of days with her mother, she could handle the pressure for a few days.
�No mother, you will be sleeping in the guest room upstairs, the one in which you always stay when you visit.� Charlotte sighed. Her mother could make her feel like a child again with one look down her nose.
�Lady Musgrove, I would be very welcome if you accepted my offer to carry your bags upstairs.� Ashton could see the look in Charlotte�s eye, a look that made him very glad his own mother lived so far away. As soon as he had made the offer Charlotte let out a small sigh of relief.
�That would be very nice, Mr Gayle. And maybe you could tell me a bit more about this great-granddaughter of mine that I am yet to meet.� Ashton picked up Lady Musgrove�s bag in one hand, took her arm as she offered it and walked up the stairs the two flights to the major guest room, previously vacated by Kaylen. After Ashton deposited Lady Musgrove in her room, and promised that he would come back to walk her downstairs, he ran back down to find Lady Charlotte. She saw him coming and held out her arms.
�Oh, thank you so much Ashton. You were a lifesaver. She was waiting for one of her slack grandsons to come and help, but they are all away having a swim. I just don�t know. I hope I�m not that annoying to my own children when I�m her age.� Charlotte smiled and released Ashton from her grip.
�It was my pleasure. I was glad to have something to do, I was a bit worried when Kaylen went to sleep and I was going to have to come down here on my own. Is there anything else I can do for you?� Ashton was very welcome in this home, and Charlotte looked at his as if he were some kind of angel. She was also thinking that anyone who could help with the mother issue deserved a medal.
�What I would really like is a drink - Gin, tonic and a squeeze of lemon. I have to stay here and make sure everyone gets in okay. I know Albert was doing this before but his family arrived and he went off to entertain.�
�I would be very happy to get you the drink, a single or double?� Ashton asked, knowing already what the answer would be.
�Oh, definitely a double.� Charlotte said with a smile, and Ashton left to get the drink. While he was away getting the drink, Kaylen had woken up, changed and come down stairs. �Hello Kaylen, Merry Christmas. Ashton is just off getting me a drink. Did you have a good sleep?�
�Oh yes, it was just what I needed. I have not been sleeping very well lately because of all these thoughts going on inside my head.� Kaylen removed herself from Lady Charlotte�s hug and sighed. �Merry Christmas, the place is looking great.�
�Thank you for that, this is what I get for deciding to do Christmas for everyone. I have been putting some of these grandchildren, nieces and nephews of mine to good use for once in their lives. They have been a great help to me. And the staff have been great. I hired more chefs and even a few waitresses for this event. I just hope it all works out.� Charlotte smiled as Ashton arrived with her drink. She accepted it, excused herself and went off to mingle.
�Hey, I hate to run but I have a date.� Kaylen looked at Ashton oddly as he made his remark. �Nothing serious, I just have to go back upstairs and escort Lady Charlotte�s mother down here to the party. I will not be long.� Ashton ran off up the stairs and Kaylen decided to go and mingle. Albert saw her and took her over to his family. The next half hour was spent being introduced to his parents, sisters, brothers and children. Kaylen was also introduced to her other aunt and uncle that were living overseas. Alicia, Samuel and their families were awfully nice. They had very young children and had not known much about the events of Kaylen�s birth, as they had only been six and eight. They remembered that their sister died and that there was a baby in the house but everything else they had learned later in life. Kaylen was intrigued with her Aunt Alicia because there was only an age difference of six years and they were even in the same age decade. They seemed to buddy up as Samuel hung out with Alicia�s husband Stewart. These two families were quite close because they spent a lot of time together at home.
The dinner went really well, Ashton and Kaylen both became favourites of Lady Penelope. She even invited them to come and stay with her at her home in Devon, where she lived with Lady Charlotte�s sister Anne and her family. It seemed to be more likely that Anne lived with her mother in stately Musgrove Hall. Ashton was told quite directly that it was much larger and lovelier than here at Charlotte�s home. He smiled and imagined that it would have to be to keep Lady Musgrove content. Lady Charlotte seemed a lot more relaxed as the afternoon wore on towards night. As planned, dinner was followed by everyone�s favourite part of the day � presents.
As they all found spots around the room it was made quite clear how many people there were here for Christmas. It was not as noticeable at dinner as those under the age of fifteen were seated at the children�s table set up in another smaller dining room. Now was the true family time where the older ones got to enjoy the younger people�s joy at their new gifts. Kaylen was amazed that they were all pretty normal in terms of being happy with presents people gave. She had been expecting a bunch of snotty nosed stuck up kids who had everything and didn�t appreciate anything. There were one or two like this and one or two of those were not the children. Generally it was a very enjoyable experience. Kaylen had also been worried that people they would not appreciate the gifts she was giving to her new family. She did not have a lot of money because it had been going into the bookshop but her presents were still given with love. Albert was absolutely thrilled with his gift, a signed copy of her unpublished manuscript. Kaylen had finished the first editing of it but had not shown it to anyone else. Albert was very privileged to be the chosen person. Emma-Leigh was ecstatic with her gift � a key to Kaylen�s apartment and something every sixteen year old loved � freedom. Lady Charlotte received a framed copy of a poem Kaylen had written amongst all the turmoil she had been experiencing. For Caroline, Samuel and Alicia she had chosen books from her shop, which she thought they would like judging by previous conversations with or about the individual and their interests.
Kaylen was also very happy with the gifts she received. She had told Albert and Charlotte not to buy her anything because of what they had given her in the last few weeks but they had not listened. Charlotte gave Kaylen a book of poetry that she knew Kaylen would enjoy. They had several conversations about the subject and the book, and Charlotte had found it in their bookshelf one day while looking for something else. Albert gave Kaylen every budding author the best gift possible, simply a business card with the details of a publisher willing to read her manuscript. He had known it was nearing completion and agreed to read and comment on his copy so she could adjust it before taking it to the publisher. Kaylen was not adverse to a bit of help now and again and was quite willing to use Lord Albert�s sources. She knew they would only publish her if it were good enough, not because of her links. Kaylen was surprised that there was a present under the tree from Lady Musgrove. Lord Albert handed her a rather large rectangular perfectly wrapped present from under the tree. Everyone watched carefully as she unwrapped the paper and looked at it with wide eyes. It was a framed tapestry of what looked to be her new house in Kensington. In front of the house, sitting on the steps, were Charlotte, Albert, Caroline, Alicia and Samuel. Kaylen had also been inserted into the work and so was another lady that looked somewhat like an older version of the Emily Kaylen saw in the photographs. Kaylen was shocked, it almost looked like Kaylen and Emily had been there when the photo was taken and then it was converted into a pattern.
�That, my dear, is my best work yet. I have done a tapestry for all my granddaughters and most of my great-granddaughters. I know you have not had the chance to be in a family photograph yet so I have made this for you. I also gave Emily�s photo to some people I know and they made a composite photo of what she would look like now. I had done this before we knew who you were, then once we had a photo I added it to the pattern and finished it. I hope you enjoy it and find somewhere nice to hang the picture. I would like to see it hanging one day.� Lady Musgrove even climbed out of her chair and came over to where Kaylen was sitting, nearly in tears, and gave her a hug.
�Thank you, this is so great. You have all been wonderful to me. I do not know how to repay you for all you have done over the last couple of months. I am virtually a stranger and you have taken me into your family and I feel honoured.� Kaylen had so many emotions running around in her body. It had been a hard day, week, month and year. This tapestry was amazing. She was standing next to her mother on the steps of her new house. Kaylen was amazed at what Lady Musgrove had done with her own hand. This was the best present ever, and it was made with the hand of a wonderful woman. Kaylen nestled back in under Ashton�s arm and everyone got back to his or her own presents. The kids started drifting off to parts unknown and Albert pulled out a bottle of port he had been saving for a special occasion. Everyone grabbed a glass and the family, including Kaylen and Ashton, did their annual toast to the future, the past, and everyone now and forever.
