A month later

25th of December, 1969

The final days of the decade itself were driving up promptly with each passing day. 

The twins including Agnes Jude were growing forthwith as they were not only bigger compared unlike a couple of months ago, moreover their parents taught them on beneficial stuff since young age especially Ellie and Tristan as their fifth birthday was in a matter of months and they can attend regularly school at young age.

As the Howards were at home and have amply shopped the day before, the entire family was gathered altogether circa the embellished Christmas tree, sitting on the carpeted flooring in the living room, the fireplace's flames were dancing, igniting the wood, keeping the room still warm and convenient. Suitable for celebrating and bearable climate to abide on one place for longer. 

Millions of wee snowflakes were tumbling down, following its rhythm outside, blanketing the ground and the stark trees with snow bed. It has been snowing for a couple of days though there weren't snowy days at all. Everything depended. 

They were unpacking with immense impatience and euphoria the presents especially Ellie, Tristan and Agnes as the youngest heir of the Howards was in Jude's secure, loving arms, being swayed. 

"Let's check what the obediant Ellie has got for Christmas since the children shall go first." Timothy stated jubilantly as he omitted a joyous chuckle, sitting on the carpeted floor.

For the moment, the young girl grabbed her present by the subtle red envelop, dragging it towards himself as she started unboxing it until she concluded and her huge, elated hazel eyes were in awe once they met the item she received for her fourth Christmas. It was new toys such as plastic toys for a tea party collection. The eldest Howard infant couldn't be more intoxicatingly buoyant.

"Just look at our little princess what she has got!" Jude appended a comment through blissful voice undertone, caressing Agnes's soft mane of golden curls, resembling exactly her mother's. Her hazel orbs, radiating felicity, warmness and love were pierced into the ecstatic face of the brunette. A genuine contentness oozed from them. 

"She seems very happy!" Timothy affirmed his wife's words, a merry smile blossomed on his plump, damp lips. Had an arm wrapped around Jude's shoulder, his fingers tipping the wool fabric of her casual beige cardigan. 

"Aren't you, sweetie?" The former nun muffled inquiry towards her twin daughter as her incessant flourishing content smile radiated her doubtless felicity.

"I am, Mommy and Daddy!" The brunette girl evoked boldly. Radiant, jaunty grin distorted on her thin, spectacular lips. Meanwhile the former priest ran a hand through the older twin's chestnut scalp, stroking her silky chocolate straight tresses, cascading down to her mid back.

"We are truly delighted to hear that with your Mommy!" The former monsignor stated sereny, still stroking the little girl's hair, admiring her cuteness and realizing how much she resembled him by possessing exactly the same hair color, hair texture, nose and smile.

"Tris, it's your turn too." The blonde commanded as Tristan was by the left side of the grandiose Christmas tree, adorned in chromatic garlands, including velvet balls in variety of colors, glowing lights and sitting on the top of the tree- a bright yellow shining star. 

In this moment, he grasped by the ocean blue silken envelope the present, dragging it off towards him as he commenced to unpack the box until his big, mesmerized chocolate eyes were met with the present he received as his weeny palms of his hands grasped by both sleeves a sea blue vintage T-shirt and his parents couldn't be more flabbergasted by Tristan reaction once he realized what was behind the box. It was their first Christmas to buy something different for the young boy and little did they know what would be the younger twin's reaction.

"Oh wow!" Tristan inhaled inbriated as he lifted up the T-shirt, grasping it cautiously, his chocolate eyes, fueled with gaiety. He wandered up and down in laggard eyeing. Effulgent smile curled up in the corner of his lips. "It's wonderful!" The young boy furthered, pulling it towards him as he managed up to test on himself. His eyes lowered to the recently bought garment.

"We're so happy for you, honey!" The blonde uttered bullishly.

"It's our first Christmas when Santa Claus gave you something else, nevertheless, you were an obediant boy, Tris!" 

"But it's still wonderful, Mommy and Daddy!"

"Santa answers your prayers, dear child!" Jude sneered as much as she didn't want to hurt verbally the second twin. Furthermore, she abstained from heartache, due to the nightmare she experienced a couple of years ago in Briarcliff with the serial killer, known as the murderous Santa Claus.

It was actually the first untroubling Christmas not only for Timothy, but also for Jude, herself. She has never been at peace for a couple of Christmases ever before. After the incident with Leigh Emerson, who opted to rape her and violate her during her nunnery, the prominent holiday wasn't perceived in the same way like before for the former nun. It haunted her for years just like phantoms of the past, wandering around and bitterly cold stalking her for the rest of her days unless one evening when the Howards came to the conclusion Frank is still alive, even though committed as a patient and treated below the belt, hence, rescuing him from the madness and the former promiscuous nightclub singer stabbed with a pocket knife Leigh though the failure to commit homicide against him until Timothy shot him in the least anticipated moment, protecting his wife from the criminally insane foe. 

In addition to Leigh's death, the couple can ultimately celebrate in perturbed way Christmas, without having any concerns about Leigh Emerson anymore. 

Afterwards the Howards proceed with unwrapping the Christmas presents as it was Agnes Jude's turn though she was in her mother's secure, loving arms. What the youngest heir of the family has got was actually a new Barbie dolls with collection of garments and accessories for them including a doll house. 

Consequently, it was the couple's turn to test themselves what they have gifted one another for the holidays. Once they unwrapped their Christmas presents, Jude concluded with the recent album of the Beatles as she couldn't be more contended with what she has just received. Whereas Timothy had an antique watch which would ideally suit with his outfit. 

"Merry Christmas!" They wished to each other all in one, their voices interweaving like hallowed anthems.

***

A couple of days later

31st of December, 1969

At last but not least, today was the last day not only of December, further, sixties' decade. The entire family's heavenly bliss couldn't be more reanimated of the impending decade that will dawn within moments. 

At any rate, Jude and Timothy weren't enduring to embrace the new decade at all as they were as excited as school children to find out what's going to be their last exam's result. Little did they know what's going to happen to them and what a fate awaits them in the 70s when they are no longer living in the 60s with the past and clouds of upsetness, ire, nirvana and panick which have overcasted them, gushing down millions of rain drops whether if they were distressed or agitated. 

All they hankered for was bona fide happiness, harmony and love. Nothing else mattered to them than their children, family and friends! Just nothing more! 

As the kitchen table was luxuriously trimmed with a bottle of champagne and natural pineapple juice for the children, followed by empty glasses for drinks, plates with salads and gourmet meals with vanquishing aroma, levitating all over the kitchen and the first floor, the radio's music in the kitchen on the counter top was playing whilst the children have already took their seats unlike their parents who danced. 

Ellie and Tristan watched with exaltation Jude and Timothy, relishing the slow rhythms of the music that jingled in their ears, while Agnes gaped at them as she put nervously her thumb in her mouth, sucking it on, cooing to herself. They admired their parents' sheer and true love they have for one another. 

Minutes until midnight hours were zipping.

"He's the big affair I cannot forget. Only man I ever think of with regret. I'd like to add his initial to my monogram." Ella Firzgerald was currently singing in the background as her eloquent voice spread like radioactive waves for the surrounders, being encompassed by the pearly aura of the singer's voice, ringing in their ears angelic hymns. 

Jude's chin was resting on Timothy's broad, muscular shoulder, whereas his face was buried in the crook of her creamy neck, smelling her cologne as her hair was tied in casual swan, pinned up a couple of strands which rebelled to be seperated from the hairstyle. Their arms were snaked around their shoulders, rotating their hips.

"It's wonderful, isn't it," Jude paused, closing her eyes to cherish the swanky mutual moment they experienced along. "Sweetie?" Her fingertips lightly tipped his cotton plain shirt's fabric as she felt she was falling asleep in his arms and in the music's cadence. Bewitching both of them especially Jude.

"It's, rara avis." He confessed truthfully as his velvety voice with accented British accent affected her in aguishing manner.

"Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb. There's a somebody I'm longin' to see. I hope that he turns out to be. Someone who'll watch over me."

"Look at Mommy and Daddy! Their dances are pwetty!" Agnes cheered them up as her high-pitched inspirit caught her twin siblings' glimpses for a while as they couldn't oppress a childish, vigorous chuckle, escaping their throats.

"They are a wonderful couple." Ellie admitted.

"I love them! It's rarely when they have danced in front of us like that." Tristan added a comment. 

"But aren't they more than lovely?" Ellie kept on, admiring each motion they have interpolated in the slow rhythm. 

"I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood. I know I could, always be good. To one who'll watch over me. Although he may not be the man. Some girls think of as handsome. To my heart he carries the key."

"Just imagine how our life is going to be in a matter of less than a year even during the entire 70s decade." Jude scoffed through a raspy, soft voice. 

"Judy, I am strongly persuaded it will be marvelous since we united." The former priest declared optimistically, without doubting in the prejudices and obstacles which they should overcome sooner or later in the forthcoming decade.

"Won't you tell him please to put on some speed. Follow my lead, oh, how I need. Someone to watch over me. Won't you tell him please to put on some speed. Follow my lead, oh, how I need. Someone to watch over me." The song's apogee was approaching. 

"Timothy, I hope the 70s are as splendid as our marriage and the time after we left the hellhole." 

"Let's believe it will be not only as splendid as our marriage and the time when we weren't in Briarcliff anymore," The mildly younger man inhaled sharply as he felt how his rapidly throbbing heart in his chest was pulsating against Jude's ribs, sensing her throbbing heart too. He pecked a kiss on her temple. "Moreover as our eternal powerful bond, Judy! Never forget that!"

"I will never forget this, Tim! I promise."

"Someone to watch over me."

All of a sudden the song stopped as its instrumental slowly faded in the background until a masculine voice announced out loud through the radio about the new year as the children applauded with openmouthed facial expressions in awe the former devoted members of the clergy.

"You are brilliant!" They cheered up as if Ellie, Agnes and Tristan were the audience, while Jude and Timothy were actually famous performers, demonstrating their artistic skills on the stage.

"Thank you, sweethearts!" The both proud parents expressed their gratitude, bowing in front of them as they zinged up to the table as Timothy grabbed the champagne bottle, waiting exceedingly impatient for the new year's formal declaration, whilst Jude stood alongside him, accompanying him as she bended down, peppering the children with affectionate kisses on their cheeks and foreheads. 

"Until midnight there are...10...9...8...7," 

The entire family were preparing for the moment as their hearts were heavily, invigoratingly beating in their chests. Dubiously halting its function. 

"6...5...4...3...2...1...Happy New 1970 Year!"

"Happy New Year, my lovely angels!" Timothy popped the tap off the champagne as he poured some of the alcoholic beverage liquor in his and Jude's glasses. Shortly after, Agnes, Ellie and Tristan were giggling softly whilst Jude and Timothy poured completely their hearts in kissing their cheeks and temples.

"Happy New Year, Mommy and Daddy!" The both adults didn't successfully suppress an euphoric chuckle, escaping their moisten lips as they gripped momentarily the glasses with champagne liquid, faintly clacking together once the both glasses met, colliding as they raised a toast. 

"Happy New Year, darling!" 

"Happy New Year, my love!" After they savored a couple of champagne sips as the alcohol burned in the corner of their mouths and livers, hastily gushing down, fueling them with energy, they left their glasses aloof on the decorated table as Timothy captured Jude's lips in a sensual, sweet kiss as two steamy, champagne stained lips crashed along as Jude threw her arms circa his upper back, whereas he clasped his ones around her waist, pulling her towards him as they tightly shut their eyes, relishing the kiss as they mustered up their children to witness their loving times but not as much as their intimacy, which proned to be in private and mutual as well. 

To be continued...