Home for Christmas

Home for Christmas

Anna Smith ran down the snowy pathway to her little tree-house in the woods. Tears flowed swiftly down her cheeks.

“How could this happen?” she whispered into the chilly air, her hands clenching the terrible letter! Only a few minute previous Anna’s mother had gotten a letter saying that Anna’s father would not be back from the war, he had died in an explosion trying to help a fellow comrade! Anna laid her head with her wild hair into a soft pillow. Anna loved her father so much! How could he be gone? Anna looked at the roof of her favorite place, a little tree-house in the woods of the Smith’s property. Her father had made her this tree house when Anna was just a little girl, she could still remember her father working day and night to make her this precious tree house! Oh the wonderful memories she had with her father, but now that was all gone, her father was gone! Christmas was in only two weeks and Anna could not even imagine how miserable it would be without her father! Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without him.

~

Several hours later Anna heard a knock on the door of her tree house.

“Come in,” sniffled Anna, she brushed the tears from her grey eyes.

Anna’s little sister Bella walked in.

“What do you want?” asked Anna.

“Momma told me to check on you!” said Bella with a shaky voice.

“Are you ok, Anna?” Bella asked her voice shaking violently.

Anna’s heart softened to her sister, “come here Bella!” Anna said.

Bella came running to Anna and started crying in her lap.

“Momma has been crying all day,” cried out Bella, “I don’t understand! Isn’t daddy coming back?” Bella looked up at Anna with troubled eyes.

Anna’s tears threatened to spill, “No, Bella,” she said, “daddy isn’t coming back, he is in Heaven now!”

“But… no!” cried out Bella, “I don’t believe it! I don’t! Daddy is still alive!”
Anna started crying.

“Bella,” she said, “you don’t understand, daddy is gone- Forever.”

“No, he is not!” said Bella in a strong voice.

As the days past by the Smith’s house was full of silence and pain.

“Why haven’t we gone Christmas shopping?” Bella asked her mother one day, “Christmas is in one week! Daddy will be back soon, so we need to buy him a present!”
Mrs. Smith stared at her daughter in horror.

“Bella,” she said, “daddy isn’t coming back.”

“Yes, he is!”

Mrs. Smith gave up and pain swelled up in her chest, she missed her husband so much! Christmas was always the best time of the year; it was when her husband always came home from the air-force. But this Christmas would not be Christmas without him.

Anna stood up from her seat on the couch.

“She is right about one thing you know!” she said meekly, “Christmas might not be the same without daddy, but we still can have Christmas! We need to pull our selves together and make this Christmas special. Then looking at her mother she said, “That’s what daddy would have wanted!” Anna’s knees buckled and she fell on the floor in a ball of tears!

Mrs. Smith went running to her daughter and hugged her, tears falling down her cheeks.

“you are right, Anna,” said mother, “that is what your father would have wanted! Your father loved Christmas and he would hate to see us forgetting the joy in Christmas! He would want us to be thankful for what we do have- each other!”

Anna looked up at her mother and a smile tugged at her lips, the first smile since she had found out her father had died!

Bella came running up to her mother and sister and gave them a hug, maybe they would still have a Christmas after all!

~

Anna went shopping the next day. she bought Bella a beautiful baby doll, and she bought her mother a jewelry box that had music that played when it was opened she knew that she would just love it! When she went to pick out something for her father deep pain struck her heart, she remembered that he was- gone! Anna kept the tears back that were threatening to spill and went to the check out with her purchases!

Christmas day came quickly, and the morning of Anna woke up bright and early as she usually did on Christmas morning, she started to run to her parent’s room to wake them up, but then she remembered.

“ oh why did he have to die?” Anna thought with pain, “ and why before Christmas, if we could have had one more Christmas with him it would have been better!”

Anna walked slowly to Bella’s room, she was sure that Bella was probably already up and she didn’t want her to disturb mother, at least not this Christmas.

When Anna opened the door to Bella’s room she saw her little sister crying on her bed.

“Oh, Bella! What’s the matter?”

“Why isn’t he here yet?” asked Bella, “he should be here by now!” tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

“Bella, we have told you before daddy isn’t coming back! He is in Heaven now! Can’t you understand?”

“ but…” stampered Bella, “ I couldn’t believe it, I felt sure he was coming back!”
 Anna looked at Bella in sorrow, oh how she wished this wasn’t so hard!

“ he is not coming back!” Anna said raising her voice, “ he just isn’t!” and she went running to her room.

Mother woke up a few moments later and they all went down stairs to open presents.

Bella was the first to open her presents she opened mother’s first and then Anna’s, Bella loved the doll. Anna got a beautiful green dress from her mother, and a pretty cream shawl from Bella. When mother was done opening her presents there was still one more present under the tree.

“ who is that for?” asked mother.

“ I bought it for daddy, but I guess he isn’t here to open it like I thought he would!” cried out Bella.

“Oh Bella,” said mother, “you shouldn’t have done that!”

Bella continued crying and mother went to hug her. Just then they heard a knock on the front door. Thump. Thump. Thump.

“I’ll get it,” said Anna, “I wonder who is here? Everyone should be busy celebrating Christmas at their house.

Anna opened the door. Standing in front of her was a tall man covered in snow and a hat low over his head.

“May I help you,” Anna asked.

 The man lifted his head and smiled, “hello, Anna! I have missed you!”

Anna gasped and stared, this man was her daddy!

“Daddy!” she screamed and jumped into his arms.

Mother stared, and put her hands over her face in chock, “is it you? Is it really you?”
“Yes, it is! I came home in time for Christmas!”

“I told you he would be here for Christmas!” Cried Bella.

The End

Mr. Smith had nearly escaped the explosion, but he did miraculously with minor injuries. The air-force did not know of his escape till weeks later, Mr. Smith made sure he reached his family in time for Christmas!

Character Quiz

Here is a character quiz I made off of the girls from my stories! Enjoy!

Q.1 What kind of person do you most dislike?
a) People who are selfish
b) People who are bossy
c) People who are bullies
d) People who are prideful

Q.2 What is your favorite story of mine?
a) Ancestors of the forest
b)  Jane Rider
c) MoonAcre Remorse
d) Iceberg!

Q.3 what would you do if you were on the third floor of a hotel and it was on fire?
a) run as fast as you can to get to the stairway!
b) scream for help and stay ware you are.
c) jump out the window into the hotels pool below!
d) stay calm and find your parents to make sure they are safe.

Q.4 What is your greatest fear?

a) heights
b) deep water
c) wild animals
d) darkness

Q.5 What is your favorite kind of food?

a) a nice big juicy steak
b) a hamburger and french fries
c) some delicious three course meal
d) some flavorful soup

Q.6 What is your favorite kind of shoes?

a) gym shoes! You are constantly moving!
b) some fancy heels of course!
c) some comfortable flip-flops!
d) boots!

Q.7 What is your dream vacation?

a) a awesome cottage in the woods
b) a beach house right on the ocean
c) A ski resort
d) a cruise to the Caribbean


And now for the results....

              If you answered mostly A's you are: Rhoda

            If you answered mostly B's you are: Jane Rider

                                                

     If you answered mostly C's you are:  LeeAnn ( this is who I am:)

                   
      If you answered mostly D's you are: Melissa Scott

Amelia Redstone

I had a contest on my main blog to see who could come up with the best ending for a story I started. The winner was Storyteller! she did a fantastic job! here is the complete story!

Amelia Redstone

written by: Brittney & Storyteller

Amelia Redstone was the most popular girl in her small school in Hamilton, Pennsylvania. Amelia was very beautiful with gorgeous black wavy hair, and very unusual honey colored eyes. All the other girls in the school were jealous of Amelia’s good looks. Amelia’s father was the only banker in the little town of Hamilton, and had made his fortune fast and easily. The Redstone’s were probably the most known family in the town. Amelia had grown snobby, selfish, and unloving towards people and was not known for good character. But still many of the girls strived to be like Amelia in their day to day life. Amelia was not an extremely intelligent girl, but she was very talented in art. And desired to be a successful artist when she grew up!

   The Civil war changed many people’s lives, and Amelia Redstone’s life would be changed forever!  Amelia will soon understand the true value of character, kindness, and true beauty. And this is her story.

                                             ~

“NO!” shouted Amelia, “You are not leaving me! You can’t do that to me, you might get killed! All for what? This is a dumb war, who cares about the slaves? Why would you go to war just to try to free them?” 

  Amelia was sitting in the back yard with her older brother Thomas who had just informed her that he was going off to war in three days.

“Amelia, I am fighting for my family and for my state! I think it is horrible that we have to go to war over slavery, but slavery is wrong. All men were created equal!” replied Thomas.

“Well I hate the slaves!” said Amelia, “if they are the ones making you go away!”

“AMELIA!” yelled Thomas, “it is not the slaves’ fault we are in a war!”

“Hump,” snorted Amelia.

  Amelia glared at her brother and tears came to her eyes. Her brother was her best friend, the only one who had always loved and cared for her! He could not leave, he just couldn’t!

  Three days later Thomas headed off for the war. Amelia stood at the train stop and watched her brother take off in his brand new war uniform waving from the window.

“Don’t leave me,” Amelia whispered quietly, “don’t leave me! But in a few moments her brother was out of sight.

He had gone to war!

                                ~

Amelia lay in her bead that night and cried into her pillow. How could this have happened? Her brother was gone and it was all the black slaves fault! Andria swore to get back at the people who she blamed for taking her brother away.

A few Months later….

   Ring! Ding! Ding!

The doorbell rang.

“I will get it!” hollered Amelia as she flew down the stairs to the front door.

Maybe it is a letter from Thomas! Andria thought wishfully.

When Amelia opened the door, she saw a man in uniform standing at the door.

Amalia's heart sunk, she was disappointed that it was not the mailman.

“What is it?” asked Amelia in a haughty tone.

“I have a letter for you.” The man said sadly, “are your parents here?”

“No,” said Amelia lying, she knew her parents were upstairs in their room.

“Just give it to me.” Said Amelia
“Yes ma'am,” said the man and handed the letter to Amelia. “Please do not open it until your parents get here!” he said with sad eyes, and then he walked off.

Amelia closed the door, and ripped the letter open.

It read:

            Mr. and Mrs. Redstone,

                                          We are very sorry to inform you that your son- Thomas E. Redstone was captured by an enemy base, where he is being held as prisoner. He risked his life to safe a fellow comrade. We are sorry to inform you that a rescue was attempted but to no avail. I am afraid to tell you that there is no way to free him from this prison so we will entitle your son- Missing in Action until further investigation. It is more than likely that he will not survive his imprisonment.

                              With much regard for your family,

                                        Department of defense

Amelia sat silent and still for a few moments anger boiled up inside of her.

“This cannot be true!” she screamed, “NO!”

Amelia crumbled into a ball on the floor and started crying.

Amelia’s parents came running down the stairs.

“What’s wrong darling?” asked her father.

“Thom..as… he…”

Mrs. Redstone gasped in panic and quickly reached for the letter. Her eyes skimmed the paper quickly and then she collapsed in a chair and stared in disbelief.
“Oh, God please keep him alive!”  

Storyteller's part: 

Andria couldn't believe that this was happening. Her brother couldn't be missing. And then the thought struck her--I must get him back. She glanced up towards her parents room. She could hear them softly talking. And that's when she made her decision.

That night...

Andria eyes flipped open at the sound of the grandfather clock in the hallway striking twelve. She threw off her covers, revealing that she was wearing baggy boy's clothes to conceal that she was a girl. She quickly grabbed an old cap of her brother's and tucked her hair into it. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. She was still too pretty, but it'd have to do.
    She quickly got a survival pack together, grabbing food from the kitchen and boy's clothes from her brother's room, and then set about leaving a note for her parents. With that behind her, she went out the door.
    I'm going to find my brother if it's the last thing I do, she thought to herself as she closed the door. If it's the last thing I do.

A month later...

"Get down!" somebody jumped on her just as an explosion hit right where she'd been standing a few moments before. They rolled and hit the side of the dirt wall.
     Andria pushed herself off the person and quickly pushed her wavy black hair underneath the cap. The boy looked up at her angrily.
    "What on earth were you doing?!" he cried. "Trying to get yourself killed!?" He looked at me. "Uh.... you're a girl, aren't you?"
     "How dare you..." Andria started to say.
      He laughed. "Your voice reveals everything." He frowned, his tone suddenly harsh. "What on earth are you doing here?! There's a war going on! How did you even get here!?"
      Andria put her nose in the air. "I snuck into your camp earlier this morning! I need to get into that fortress!" she pointed to the fort just a little off in the distance, cannons booming.
      "Why?" glared the boy.
      "My brother's stuck in there!" she cried in exasperation.
        Just then, there was silence. The boy's eyes grew big, and he quickly pulled Andria farther along the ditch.
      "What's going on?!" she demanded.
      "We just lost the fight," he hissed. "Be quiet!"
       After a few moments of investigation, he came back and reported that all of the soldiers on the Northern side were being towed off to the enemy fortress. Just like Thomas, though Andria bitterly.
      "I've got to get inside," pressed Andria.
       He paused. "OK. There might be away."
       He explained his plan to her. There was a cart coming full of dead bodies. Andria would have to climb in and pretend to be dead, too. When she got inside of the fortress, she'd have to go and rescue everybody and get out of there.
     It sounded easy enough.
     Until she landed among the dead bodies and nearly threw up on them. As it was, she gagged. She managed to hold her breathe and bear it.
     Andria heard the cart rumble into the fortress and almost couldn't believe her luck. She was almost there. The cart stopped and she looked around cautiously. Then she quickly got out, ducking into one of the doorways. It led down a hallway and then down some steps, which she took eagerly.
    She went on for what seemed like forever. She finally came to an iron door guarded by an ugly, stinky, sleeping man with a huge stomach. Andria carefully pried the keys from his chubby hands and opened the door. She was faced with a row of cells.
     Andria quickly set to setting everybody free. But when she got to the last cell, she still didn't see Thomas. Instead, there was a young drummer boy around Andria's age in the last cell. She opened the door, regretting that it wasn't meeting Thomas.
     Seeing as he was too sick to stand, Andria supported him, not even reaching for her cap as he knocked it off.
    "Have you seen a boy?" she questioned him as they walked down the cellway. "He was about this tall. His name was Thomas Redstone."
     The boy looked at her with war-haunted eyes. "Tommy?"
      Andria nodded eagerly.
     "I'm sorry to say that he's past on." The boy shuddered. But then he looked up, and his eyes shone with a light that Andria had rarely seen before. "But you'll be glad to know that he died protecting a sinner."
    "What?" Andria was astounded.
    "Tommy was a true Christian," the boy continued, not paying heed to her. "He saved Jack because he knew he wasn't saved. He gave up his life for another."
    Andria couldn't believe his words.
  
Epilogue

The prisoners launched a battle on their guards and all of them managed to escape, including Andria. Hit by her brother's amazing Christ-like action, she herself was compelled to be a Christian. She married the drummer boy that she rescued from the cell and they had ten children, all who became Christians themselves. She passed away saving her children a fire. Her children all lived. And they knew that she did, too, in eternity forever with Jesus Christ our Lord.

hope you enjoyed the story!