Loretta was once again plagued with thoughts of Adam. The priest wasn't a help at all and than having to spend the day with him. At least today she hoped to have some peace and quiet.

"Loretta!" She heard her mother call her name. Opening her bedroom door Loretta saw no one there. "Yes mother!" She called back.

"Come down for breakfast!" Was her response. Sighing she dressed and headed down for food. She wasn't interested in seeing everyone today. And she couldn't believe everyone would be awake after the party that they had.

"It is midday why are we having breakfast?" Loretta heard her father say as she came into the dinning room.

"Do you honestly want something more filling?" Her mother responded. Loretta heard her father mumble something as he rubbed his temples. Most likely the result of too much ale.

"That's what I thought." Her mother said as the food was set out in front of everyone. Nobody spoke as the meal was ate. And one by one everyone left the table. Loretta smiled as she slowly ate. There was noonethere to annoy her, that was until.....

"Loretta why are you still in here? We have to get ready for tonight. We have a party to attend at six. It is already midday." Her mother said coming back into the room.

"Mother why do I have to come?" Loretta asked as she set the fork down.

"Because you are my daughter and you are invited. And because Adam and his family are invited and you too are betrothed." Than her mother turned around and headed out of the room.
"Finish eating and then bath. Wear a pretty dress." She said over her shoulder.

Loretta sighed in frustration and resisted the urge to slam her fork down on the table. This isn't what she wanted. She wanted a day to herself.

She finished her food gathered her plate and silver wear and took them to the kitchen. The servants had cleared the table when everyone else had left. She had told them that she would bring her own for them.

She reluctantly headed to her room where much to her surprise there was a hot bath already set up for her. The purple silk gown was neatly placed on the bed ready for her to wear.

She heard a knock and a maid came in and silently helped her undress. "Leteesha will be back to help you dress mistress." She said than left.

Loretta fell asleep in the tub and didn't hear the knock on the door. She didn't feel two delicate, yet surprisingly strong arms wrap around her waist and pull her out of the tub. She didn't hear the person talking to her or shaking her body. She felt nothing but freedom.

~~~~~~

Adam had brought up the eighth present. He had planned on giving the gifts to Loretta at breakfast but the way the parents were acting he didn't think that it was a good idea. So he decided to wait. He went to his room and sorted threw his suits. Leteesha had told him that she had set out the purple silk dress for Loretta. So he searched all threw his cloths. He tossed cloths all about as he searched. Nothing. He had nothing. He needed something.

Adam was just leaving his room when he heard a scream for help. Frowning he quickly ran towards the sound. The person screamed help again. Finding a door  open he ran inside to did Leteesha frantically tryin to get someone to wake up. He noticed the tub and the water all over the place and fear set in. He ran over to her and as he got closer he saw the person was Loretta.

Soon more people were filing into the room and Adam was pushed out along with Loretta's father and Adam's father. Only the women were allowed.

The sound of children filled the halls as two sets of footsteps sounded on the stairs.

"Were is she?" Charlotte said coming into view.

Loretta's father pointed his finger at the door to Loretta's room. He didn't say anything as the woman entered the room and silently closed the door.

It seemed to take way to long before someone came out of the room. "She will be fine." Came Leteesha's voice as she looked at each of the three men.

"Can we go inside?" Loretta's father asked. Leteesha nodded and stepped aside as the men walked inside.

Loretta was sitting up in bed. She looked pale and her skin was wrinkled. She looked older than everyone in the room. Even older than charlotte. When Loretta's fathers eyes landed on the older woman he went up to her and dropped to his knees taking her hand into his and kissing it. "Thank you. Thank you." He said over and over again. Loretta's mother also had thanked Charlotte with a hug.

"Tiss was nothing. But keep her in bed and make sure she stays warm. And by morning  she will be fine." Charlotte said. Than Charlotte looked at Loretta. "My dearest friend I had come to say good bye. I have gathered enough money to take my grandsons back home with me."

Loretta smiled as tears formed in her eyes. She was happy her friend had gotten enough money to go but she worried it wouldn't be enough and she would never see them again. " I am so happy for you."

Adam had seen the tears in Loretta's eyes and he too had grown to like the old woman. But he didn't say anything.

"You can't leave right now." Loretta's mother said shocking everyone. "You must stay at least for tonight."

Leteesha looked at Adam and inched closer. "Do you want me to get the gifts?" She whispered to him. He nodded and she left quietly. When she returned she handed the one box to Adam.

"I was going to wait but I think now is a perfect time. Loretta these are for you." He said as he handed her the one box.

Loretta frowned but opened the gift. Inside the box she found one Christmas wreath and three smaller ones that had hooks on them. "These ones are for the tree." Adam said picking up one of them. "And this box." He handed the other box to Loretta. "I thought you would like to give to the orphanage." She opened the second box and inside it was the same thing. She looked up at Adam. "That would be a wonderful idea." She said. She held the box out to Charlotte "what do you think?" Charlotte carefully lifted the smaller wreaths out one by one. She looked them over and smiled. "I think the children will love them."

Adam smiled and so did Loretta.

Loretta's mom left the room without a word. She was gone for half an hour and when she came back he was smiling ear from ear and holding up a green gown. "Charlotte it would be nice if you would join us at the Millers for their New Years party."

Charlotte, who had been sitting on the edge of Loretta's bed, was too stunned to even respond. Especially when her grandsons came running into the room with suits on. "Look grandma. Mrs. Kane gave us these suits. She said we could go to a party with her if you said yes we can all go."

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On the eighth day of Christmas my betrothed gave to me eight Christmas wreaths, seven opera tickets, six stolen kisses, five golden bracelets, four fur cloaks, three silk gowns, two glass slippers, and a diamond engagement ring.

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Thank you everyone. I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday. My Christmas was filled with lots of family and food.

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