Magical Ties 110 Christmas 4

Aisling wakes up at around three in the morning to start preparing for the day. She goes down and gets the fresh bread mixed and rising. Biscuits are in the oven sausage and bacon frying. Pulling out the ingredients for huckleberry and honey cake. She gets a small sugar baby pumpkin from the cellar to make a pumpkin cake. At around seven her aunties arrive. When her aunt Charlie comes in Aisling give her a big hug. Holding onto her a little longer to let her know all Is forgiven. Charlie begins to cry with relief that her niece doesn't hate her. Aisling kisses her cheek and wipes her tears. John walks in with his wife. This is their first meeting since the incident. She wanted to stay home but it's a holiday and Aisling insisted that she be there. Aisling walks over to her. You can see her tense up afraid that Aisling may ask her to leave.

"Auntie I'm so glad your here. You know Christmas Eve would not be the same without you telling the Christmas story. " Aisling kisses her cheek and gives her a hug. John smiles with pride at his niece. Most people would not be able to forgive so easily. Watching his wife he notices that instead of her usual sour look on her face when Aisling hugs her. She is tearful and smiling.

"Aisling is there anything I can help with?" She asks. Aisling looks around and asks her if she can make the scrambled eggs for breakfast. Taking the biscuits out she pops the fresh loaves of bread in. She hears everyone stirring upstairs. Pulling out the fresh jams and honey for the biscuits. The two tables are set for everyone. Yona is the first one down he scratched his head wondering did these people stay the night to be here do early. Astila sees his brother's expression and b.u.mps him to keep moving down the stairs.

"Welcome to my life I have given up on having alone time with my wife. " Yona stares at him

"Is it really always like this? I thought it was like this just for the holidays." Moll and Inola are behind them.

" hey keep it moving I'm hungry. I want the chair next to the biscuits. Aisling's are the best." Inola makes his way to sit with the tray of biscuits in front of him.

The two brothers just laugh at their uncle. When everyone is settled everyone begins to eat discussing what needs to be done before the party tonight. Aisling a.s.signs jobs and menus. One of the smaller kids looks at Aisling and asks if Santa was coming again this year. She looks at Debra to see if it's taken care of. Debra nods and the children all cheer. Yona notices the huckleberries on the counter.

"What are you making?" Aisling looks where his eyes are

"Oh a huckleberry and honey cake as well as a pumpkin cake. They are family favorites for Christmas. Is there anything special I can make or have made for you?" Looking at her brother in-law .

"The huckleberry honey cake is my favorite do you mind if Salali looks at your recipe. If it's like my moms or not. "

"Hmm there might be a problem with that. I don't use written recipes. I do them by memory. If your worried because I'm pregnant or that you may not like it. If she is willing she can make it for you." Salali looks at Yona she knows that the cake is the one thing they always have on Christmas in remembrance of their mom.

"I will make it . It can be my contribution to the festivities." Aisling looks at her sister in law and nods ok.

" if there is anything you need that is not there please tell me." Yona looks at Aisling hoping that he did not hurt her feelings.

As if knowing what he is thinking one of the children the one he noticed before sh looks at him and asks.

"You miss your mom don't you. It's good that Aisling is so kind . You know she makes the best food and is always willing to make anyone anything that they like. She knows I don't like pumpkin so she makes me the berry cake . She makes just for me. Now I have someone to share it with." She smiles at him with jam speared on her face. Astila begins to chuckle at his brother's expression. He doesn't realize it but his life is about to change.

After breakfast Aisling sends the men out to get the stocking holder from the barn and some wood for the fireplace. She replaces the herbs in the burners and all of the women are working to organize the gifts in the living room or cooking . The house is filled with laughter and singing. Yona could his uncle aside to give him his gift.

"This is for you and Moll . I have a feeling my new little sister is up to something so I booked this just incase. Hopefully you can make that baby you want sooner with this." He hands him an all expense paid cruise for the two. Inola looks at his nephew in shock. He was expecting him to be against him and Moll . Noticing the look on his uncles face he hugs him.

"You have always taken care of us. You deserve happiness more than anyone. If she is the one you choose I cannot fault you on it. I know I'm a little straight laced and truthfully all of this is overwhelming to me. Every time I see you look at her the love you have is blinding. Since if staying around here your never going to get a quiet moment. I'm giving you your quiet moment. Lord it's a miracle that those two ever got pregnant with this chaos." He walks away heading for the lake wanting some quiet .

Aisling notices him heading for the lake . She gets her shoes on to follow him. Slipping out with a thermos of hot chocolate. She catches up to him.

"Do you mind if I tag along ? I need some quiet before the rest arrive ."

Yona looks at her and nods ok. She hands him the got chocolate. They sit on the bench next to the memorial garden. Yona looks at how tired she is.

"Why do you do this all the time. Can't you ask them to go home?" Aisling laughs

"That I'm afraid I can't do. You see the traditions we have are a mixture of all of our family. I can't tell you where all of them stem from but they are precious and it's important to teach each generation our traditions. Like December fifth we give slippers filled with candy. My great great gran on my dads side did that every year. So we do it. We have everything so mixed that to leave anything out we may lose something important. I would hate to leave even one ancestor and their traditions out. I know things here are chaotic for you and overwhelming. I just want you to know if there is any tradition you have you want included I will include it. You are very important to me . Your my husband's brother and my children's uncle. Hopefully soon you will consider me a friend as well. "

He hears the sincerity in her voice and is touched by it. No one has ever thought of what he wanted or needed . His new little sister is doing just that. For that he will let her know after the holiday exactly how much he appreciates her .

After about thirty minutes she stands and tells him she needs to get back. That he can do what he likes the day is for him to enjoy. Walking back Aisling sees a bright light in front of her . Yona notices she has stopped wondering if she is ok he runs towards her. Catching her just as she is about to faint. There in front of them is Uktena he is holding a crow. He motions for him to follow him with Aisling. He is thinking to himself what now. If something happens Astila is going to kill him. Uktena waves his hand and a portal opens moving aside so that he can go through. Once in the other side they are inside a cave . He turns to see what is going on . Instead of a crow a woman is standing beside Uktena. He lays Aisling down. On a pallet that is on the ground.

"Why did you bring us here? What is wrong with her?" Yona looks at the snake G.o.d.

"She is fine I put her to sleep. She will wake in a few minutes. I need her to help with a small problem. There is a child in need of some guidance. Only she and you can help." Yona looks at them .

"How can I help?" He crosses his arms in annoyance.