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Spanking Den Member's Spanking Stories Nov - Dec 2005 Stories Christmas Miracle

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Katy_spankwish
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Username: Katy_spankwish

Post Number: 9
Registered: 05-2005

Posted on Sunday, December 11, 2005 - 12:57 am:

The Christmas Miracle (M/F, M/F)

Gabriella was a whimsical angel to say the least. Although Angels by their very nature were ageless, Gabriella was possessed with a decidedly youthful air. She also had been given one of the most annoying human traits. Gabriella was attention deficit.

You see just as people are given many angelic traits to bring out their innate goodness, all angels are given one human trait to keep them humble. Nothing terrible like rage or violence, no just some annoying little characteristic. The BOSS says this gives them a better understanding of the humans they are assigned.

Looking at Gabriella flit to and fro, St. Peter thought the BOSS was nuts (but he didn't think that thought very loudly.)

Gabriella was so excited. She was about to get her first real assignment. She had been watching several other angels, as they guided their human charges, sometimes to their great annoyance. Oh but watching the humans was so much fun. Now she would have her very own to love and to nurture...

"Gabriella! Pay attention," said St. Peter sharply. "It
is a human not a puppy."

"Yes, Sir, I understand," Gabriella said respectfully still slightly in awe of this most vaunted of Saints. "But I am so excited!"

When Gabriella was excited she sang...at the top of her lungs. This wasn't a horrendous thing as she did indeed have the voice of an Angel if only they could get her to Heavenly Choir practice. Weary St. Peter just smiled and shook his head putting his faith in a Higher Authority.

**********
Christina Faith read the address on the torn paper once more: 2004 Bethlehem St. What a name for a street. There was a City Planner somewhere getting his jollies over that one.

The three story brick building looked old and in need of serious repair, but not as much as 19 year-old Christina NEEDED this job. She had run out of money a couple of days ago and had outlived her welcome at the Salvation Army shelter. She needed a job and she needed it now. After all, it was no longer just herself. Her baby would be born near Christmas. Christina pulled her shoulders back, strengthened her resolve, and climbed the three flights of steps to the office of John Headman, Private Investigator.

**********
Gabriella was pleased the first part of her plan was in motion now to just interfere a bit with Benjamin's charge.

"Owwwwwww!" Gabriella felt the intense burning sensation.

Angels only had body parts when they took human form but unpleasant sensations like the one Gabriella was feeling now served to remind them that SOMEONE was always watching and aware of their Angelic behavior or lack thereof.

Heaving a frustrated sigh of acquiescence, Gabriella found Benjamin and asked for his help. Gabriella did so hate to ask for help.

**********
John Headman needed help and he needed it yesterday. His secretary or "Executive Assistant" as she insisted on being called had quit the week before in a huff. John had referred to her as his "Executive Ass" in his mind for months but a week ago he made the mistake of saying it out loud. She had packed up, picked up and moved out then and there. He would be lucky to get out of this one without a law suit.

John wasn't sure what the problem was. He was an all right guy. At 35 he was still in pretty good physical shape. Maybe he could lose 10-15 pounds but nothing adding couple more workouts a week at the gym wouldn't cure. He didn't smoke. He drank in moderation, usually. He did not fart or belch in public. So what was his problem?

**********

"He looks like a serial killer!" thought Gabriella looking at the man with the too-long brown-black hair and a five o'clock shadow at 9:00AM. "He can't possibly be the right man for Christina." Yet something inside Gabbie insisted that he was.

"Cut him some slack Gabbie," said Benjamin a fellow Angel with just a little more experience than Gabriella. This was his third human assignment. "If you feel instead of look, you'll see his overall goodness."

Gabbie did as Ben suggested concentrating her power on John Headman momentarily. What she felt made her smile and reassured her. Now she had only one more Angel's cooperation to secure. Quickly Gabriella went in search for Saint Elizabeth.

************

Joe Carpenter was beside himself with worry. His wife, Mary, was becoming more depressed each day. Each day more of the sparkle, he had loved since the day he met her, left her beautiful hazel eyes. The cute turned -up nose seldom twitched with her laughter because she seldom laughed anymore.

Joe had held her the entire night when her last period came. She just could not stop the tears. The Carpenters had been married for ten years and had spent the last eight trying to conceive a child. You name a way and Joe and Mary had tried it. One year of charting and having "sex on demand" as Joe called it, plus 7 years of every fertility test known to man and two major surgeries, the Carpenters had still been unable to conceive.

This last month had been their final try at in-vitro fertilization. Going against both their church and their families, Joe and Mary had taken out a second mortgage on their house to try in-vitro.

They had gotten pregnant the second time but Mary had miscarried twins at 9 weeks. Six months later they had tried one final time but her period had come right on time.
Mary had been distraught. Joe put his foot down then and there. No more procedures, no more medications.

The next day they had gone to Catholic Charities and filled out adoption applications but Mary didn't hold out much hope. Less than 2% of Birthmothers place babies for adoption. It could take years or might not happen at all. After all, Joe was 34 and Mary was almost 33. The cut off age for adopting infants was 35.

Joe found himself going to church more regularly and doing the only thing he knew left to do. He prayed. Mary had stopped praying after the she lost the twins so he prayed for both of them.

**********
"Please, Liz...oooooooh" there was that burning sensation again much like the feeling one gets after being soundly spanked on the bare bottom. "I'm sorry. Please St. Elizabeth, this couple is perfect for my human."

"I am not sure they are ready to accept adoption yet, Gabriella," St. Elizabeth replied.

"Then HELP THEM! You have seven months after all," Gabriella tried not to raise her voice to the much esteemed Angel but it was hard sometimes. She was not very patient and wanted what she wanted yesterday. At this rate she would soon get used to the awful burning sensation. But quickly the burning passed to be replaced with warmth and joy. It was like being caressed by a smile.

"You must learn patience, dear Gabriella, but perhaps you are right. You may have Joe and Mary for your Christina. I will watch over them and make sure Mary does nothing foolish before the child is born."

Gabriella felt another wave of warmth surround her.

**********
John looked over the young woman standing in his run-down office. Her clothes were neat and in good repair but worn and outdated. Very short curly brown hair framed a face that wasn't quite pretty but expressive in its intensity.

"How came I help you Miss...............?"

"Ferguson, Sir. Carrie Ferguson," Christina had decided not to give her real name to anyone just in case her parents were looking for her. "I am here concerning the advertisement for office help."

Her beleaguered look told John she thought his office may be beyond help. He was somewhat inclined to agree. Papers littered every surface. Fast food cartons graced the end tables and his desk.

"And you think you can....help...me, Miss Ferguson?" John asked doubtfully. She couldn't be much more than a teenager but there was something about her that moved him.

"I would like the chance to try, Sir. I need this job." She said, her intense brown eyes imploring him to hire her.
The Sir, surprised him. He had a feeling this was not a woman who said "Sir" easily.

"Well Miss Ferguson, can you start now?" John asked.

"Just as soon as you show me where the garbage bags are, Sir," she said with a bit of censure in her voice.

"Well, Fergie," he smiled inwardly as she flinched at the name. "I don't keep trash bags in my pocket. Here's fives bucks go buy some."

"Five dollars. You are kidding right? I'm going to need a lot more than bags. Cleaning supplies, rags and pentaflex files. A computer would be really nice but I don't want to ask for too much."

"Oh no, of course not," John said his voicing oozing sarcasm. "Oh and by the way, you already have a computer" he said smugly.

"Well in the time it will take me to find it , it might be faster to buy one," she said not backing down.

**********
"Gabriella, you must influence your human to tread more carefully with John. He is not the most tactful of humans." the angel Benjamin said.

"Nonsense, Ben, he's a big old pooh bear. You just watch Christina, she will have him eating out of her hand in no time," Gabriella said with her usual naive confidence.

**********
By 6:00PM, Christina/Carrie had the outer office completely cleaned and the files all in order. She shook her head at the antiquated computer but supposed it would have to do. The first thing she wanted to do was get all of their financial accounts up and running, not that there were all that many.

"Carrie, time to call it a night. You have done great." John said in awe of the outer office.

"Oh I can't stop now, Mr. Headman. I still have your office to clean and organize and the bathroom to scrub and.."

John cleared his throat," Young Lady, just who is the employer here?"

"You are, I guess," she admitted grudgingly.

He raised an eyebrow, "You guess?"

"Oh all right! You are the boss,"she said nearly choking on the words.

"And as the boss, I decide when the day is over. It's over now. Get your stuff and I'll take you home," he said firmly.

For a brief moment, Christina froze like a deer caught in the headlights. Then she said calmly," I take the bus. If you'll just walk me to bus the bus stop, I'll be fine."

John did more than that. He walked her to the bus and to her chagrin he put her on it. Christina made sure she was two stops away before departing and walking back to John's office. She took out the special kit of lock- picking tools and let herself back into John's office. Her first priority would be to make a duplicate key. As careless as he was, it shouldn't be too difficult.

Once back in the office, Christina stretched out on the comfortable leather sofa and fell fast asleep.

***********
Gabriella knew it was important that Christina not be caught by John or all would be lost. She let Christina feel her presence in the form of a gentle breeze on her face.

***********
Christina awoke to the feeling of a breeze on her face but that feeling was immediately replaced with intense nausea.
The morning sickness was really starting to make its presence known. Christina barely made it to the bathroom down the hall before she lost everything in her stomach which wasn't much. She had herself cleaned up and waiting outside John's door by the time he arrived at 9:00AM. Luckily he wasn't an early riser.

The opportunity Christina needed presented itself. Christina was preparing to do the morning errands when John went to the restroom down the hall, crime magazine in hand. As soon as the door closed Christina grabbed John's keys from his top right hand desk drawer and headed off to do the most important errand of all.

When she returned to the office, John was already gone. There was a five dollar bill note and a note on her computer monitor that said: Gone on a stake out. Have a long lunch on me.

Christina just shook her head. She would have lunch and gladly but not more than her normal half hour. After a tasty chicken Caesar salad, roll and a hot fudge sundae, Christina continued on her task of entering all the financial statements in the computer.

**********
Gabriella smiled in approval at the way her plans for Christina and John were going but Benjamin still had his doubts. His angel-friend was so very impulsive although her heart was always in the right place.

Saint Elizabeth kept her own counsel and a careful watch on Mary and Joe.

**********
In some ways Mary seemed to do better emotionally as the summer progressed but Joe was unconvinced. She absolutely would not consider trying to get pregnant. They were still intimate but it was almost...wooden...a duty.

There were no more tears. She was almost too composed now. She refused to talk about the adoption even though they were proceeding through all the required steps. They each had their physicals and were given clean bills of health. The home study was done and approved. The first third of the fee had been paid. Now it was just the wait. Mary was properly excited but it seemed to Joeseph that there was no joy.

For his part, Joseph spent all of his free time in his workshop creating furniture for the baby's room. Mary would come and look at his creations and comment on their beauty but she always held something back as if she was afraid to allow any hope to enter her heart.

**********
Weeks passed and things fell into a routine for Christina. Each night after work, she would let herself back into the office and sleep on the sofa. She used a recently purchased alarm clock to wake up at 6:00AM when she would barf for 10-15 minutes. Then she would wash up as best as she could in the bathroom down the hall and be waiting for John outside the door when he arrived at the office. But as they say all good things must come to an end.

It was the Fourth of July. John wanted to be home drinking beer and grilling steaks after about another 6 hours of sleep. He was walking or rather stumbling tiredly down the hall to his office when he ran into the night cleaning woman for the building...literally.

"Oh Connie, I am so sorry are you ok?", he asked reaching out to steady the slightly plump but industrious older woman.

"Of course Mr. Headman, I am fine. You are in very early. Oh and I think it is such a kind thing you are doing," she said with a sincere smile.

"Kind thing? Staking out a philandering husband on the 4th?"

"No, Sir. I mean letting your little secretary sleep in your office especially with the baby on the way."

The spray of John's coffee as it spewed from his mouth set a Guinness record. "WHAT?"

"Oops! You mean you didn't know your secretary has been sleeping in your office since she started working for you? Or that she wakes with morning sickness every morning?" Connie asked with a hint of a smile.

John didn't even respond but rather hurried to the office door and quietly let himself in. The sight that met his eyes quickly dissipated his anger, at least partially.

She looked even younger in sleep. She lay curled toward the back of the couch on her left side just a lone curl grazing her forehead. He let the softness touch him for just a moment then reached down and gave her shoulder a slight shake.

"Wake-up Young Lady. It's time you and I had a little talk," he said firmly to the startled young woman whose eyes were suddenly the size of saucers.

Then her countenance changed to a grayish-green and she gulped out, "Not now" she said, trying to convince her stomach to hold on to its contents.

"Right now," he proclaimed thinking she was stalling.

Suddenly Christina threw off the blankets and wearing only an extra large t-shirt dashed to the plastic wastebasket. She made it just in time to empty the contents of her stomach into the black receptacle. She dry-heaved for about ten minutes before she became aware of a warm hand rubbing soothing circles on her back. Then a bottle of water was gently held to her lips.
She took a small grateful sip.

"Thank you," she said gratefully and then sat down exhausted on the floor. John took his handkerchief from his back pocket, wetted it with some water form the bottle and carefully washed her face.

***********
"Oh he does have a good soul," Gabriel gushed to Benjamin. "Do you think they could get married and live..." Gabbie felt a sharp burning sensation. "It was only a thought."

"Some thoughts are best left unspoken, Gabbie," Ben replied with a smile. "You know we are not allowed to interfere with our human's free will."

"I know. Rule 1. Humans are to retain their free-will at all costs." she sighed.

**********
"When is the baby due?" John asked quietly.

"Between Christmas and New Years," then resignedly she added, "Don't worry, I'll clear out my desk and be out of your hair before you get back from the stake out."

"Don't be ridiculous. The only place you are going is to a better place to live. You know I can't run this place without you. Not that that fact excuses you stealing a key and living in my office for the past six weeks. Now what CAN you keep in your stomach?" he asked helping her to her feet. Neither seemed aware of the state of her dress.

"I have some wheat crackers in my desk and I can make some herbal tea," she said but she wasn't nearly as sure as she sounded.

"You just take your time and get dressed. I'll make the tea and find your crackers. Then after you have eaten, you are going to join me on this stake out." he said his firm tone brooking no argument.

Later that afternoon, John insisted she take a nap in his office while he worked at her desk. She wanted to argue but her body agreed readily and she fell asleep in no time at all.

While Carrie (Christina) slept, John placed a phone call to New Beginnings, the local home for pregnant women.

"Hello," answered the tinkling voice on the other end, "New Beginnings, Gabriella speaking."

"What are you doing?" the angel, Benjamin asked his fellow angel incredulously.

"Shhhhhhhhhhh"

"Yes, we have a room available. How old is the young woman in question?" she asked. "Nineteen? That is fine. When would she like to move in? Cost? Well that is dependent upon her ability to pay. She has a job you say? That is wonderful. Yes you may bring her tonight. Ask for Jackie. She is the director. Good luck Mr. Headman."

Gabriella carefully changed to human form knowing if she got caught not even St. Elizabeth would be able to save her from St. Peter's wrath. She filled out all of the appropriate forms and left a note for Jackie Nelson. She quickly changed back to her angel form none the wiser or so she thought.
**********
"I do not WANT to move into a home for unwed mothers!" Christina shouted at John after her nap. "How dare you interfere in my life?" she railed onward.

"That is ENOUGH!" John said sternly bringing her tantrum to an immediate halt. "You are acting like a spoiled child. You need a place to live until your baby is born. You can keep your job here. The people at New Beginnings will help you with the decisions you need to make.

"I have made all the decisions I need to, you interfering baboon. My baby will be placed for adoption. Children need two parents and this baby is going to have them." she said bursting into tears.

"Here now, little one, don't cry," John said scooping her onto his lap and awkwardly patting her back. "What about the baby's father?" he asked gently.

"I have no idea who the baby's father is. Last April 1st I used a fake ID and went to a rave. A group of guys put something in my soda. When I woke up I was naked and they had shaved my head and written whore' on it in blue magic marker."

"My God, Carrie. Did you report it?"

"And tell the police what? Five or more guys raped me but I have no idea who they were or how it happened. yeah, right."

John knew she was right. He patted her back some more his heart going out to her. "It will all work out. How about this? Try it at New Beginnings for one month. If you are unhappy there, we will find you someplace else. Deal?"

"You promise I can keep my job?" she asked in a watery voice.

"Absolutely, I told you I can't function without you. However, there is still the little matter of your deception to deal with," he said turning her over his lap.

"What the h... OUCH!" she yelped as the first swat landed.

John didn't use much force as he didn't want to jeopardize her pregnancy. But he applied many repetitions and the heat built rapidly in her bottom. After about five minutes her cursing and "ouches" turned to "I'm sorry, please stop."

He pulled her back up on his lap and gave her a long hug.

"Oh and you should probably know that my name isn't Carrie Ferguson. It's Christina Faith," she said carefully.

"Now why doesn't that surprise me," John said with a smile. " I should turn you back over my knee for that but I won't this time."

Then he closed the office early and the two of them went out to dinner. After dinner, they took her meager belongings and moved her to New Beginnings.

Her room was tastefully decorated in soft pastels. There was an single bed with a white wrought iron headboard. A white dresser and desk graced one wall. There was a rocking chair by the window and a large closet.

Christina unpacked her few clothes and placed them in the dresser. She put her books on the hutch above the desk. She looked at from John to Jackie and said, "Now what?"

"Now, we say goodnight to Mr. Headman and you and I get acquainted. Later I will introduce you to the other residents."

Christina looked up at John with tears pricking the back of her eyelids. He saw her sudden vulnerability and pulled her too him. "It will be ok. I will pick you up at 8:00 tomorrow morning," he said gently kissing her on the forehead. Then he walked out the door and was gone.

**********
Mary Carpenter looked at the group of young women gathered in the community room of New Beginnings on that cool September night. This was the third time she and Joe had shared their story and the feelings of adoptive parents waiting for a baby. She knew it would do little good as 98% of birthmothers kept their babies nowadays.

One young woman captured her attention. She sat away from the others. She had a look that conveyed both intelligence and distrust. Mary found herself wanting to reach out to the young woman. to somehow reassure her. Reassure her of what she wasn't sure.

When the talk was over, there were punch and cookies. The young woman Mary had taken notice of was pouring.

"Hello," Mary said kindly. "My name is Mary Carpenter and this is my husband, Joe."

Joe reached out and shook Christina's hand. She felt a jolt of warmth shoot up her arm. She and Joe shared a stunned look. He had felt it too.

"Hi," she responded, "I'm Christi...Carrie" she said almost giving herself away.

"When is your baby due?" Mary asked trying to divert her from the slip.

"Between Christmas and New Years. Hopefully I will give some deserving couple a perfect Christmas present." she said tentatively.

Mary felt a kernel of hope germinate in her heart but she didn't trust it enough to pursue the conversation. "Well good luck with your delivery and with finding a suitable couple.
**********
The next three months passed quickly. Christina worked each day with John often staying late. At night she would attend the seminars and gatherings at New Beginnings. She had made a couple of friends but both of those girls were keeping their babies so she didn't let herself get close.

Each day the baby grew and was more and more active. The ultrasound at four months had proven conclusively she was carrying a boy. She talked and sang to her son constantly. She told him of the families she looking at to raise him. She told him her dreams for him and her dreams for herself.

Christina had chosen three couples for consideration. One of the couples was Joe and Mary Carpenter. She had been very impressed with their letter. She had read everything Adoption Services had on file about each couple but she wanted to know more. She decided to hire John but refused to take her money.

John had become very fond of his young assistant. He respected her values and admired her spunk. Her curly brown hair had grown out to frame her expressive face.

She had put on weight with her pregnancy but not a lot. If he had to venture a guess John thought it was probably all baby and very little extra.

He was becoming very fond of Christina but tried to keep it to himself as much as possible because of the large age difference and her vulnerable situation. When she asked him to be her labor coach, he flat out refused. He knew it had hurt but that kind of intimacy would bring him to close too fast.

He had thoroughly investigated the three couples she was considering for adoptive parents and left the reports for her. His personal preference were for a family named Carpenter but he was careful not to let his preference show.
*************
Joe was getting frustrated beyond belief with Mary. She wouldn't participate in Christmas preparations at all. if it were up to her they wouldn't celebrate Christmas this year. Joe put all the out door lights, the tree and decoration by himself.

The poinsettia he had bought Mary at Thanksgiving would have died from lack of water if it hadn't been for him. And there was no music. That was probably the hardest. Mary was a gifted musician but no music was being played this Christmas. She wasn't even playing for church choir this year.

He had considered spanking her to get her to release but she had been so distant of late he was afraid of pushing her further away.

Instead he finished the hand made mahogany cradle in hopes the God would grant his one Christmas wish.
**********
Christina went into labor the morning of December 23rd, scaring John to death when her water broke. He helped her clean up and when the time was right he called her labor coach and drove her to the hospital.

Christina made him promise to stay at the hospital. She refused to be admitted until he gave his word. John sighed. She was a brat even in labor.

**********
Gabriella watched all that was taking place with excitement. She sang until the other angels begged St. Peter for some peace.

She so wanted to participate in some way but every time she considered it the burning sensation would come to her with a vengeance. But even that would prove not strong enough to deter our precocious angel when the time came.
***********
Christina, fell back on the pillow with relief. Her son had been born just after midnight December 24th. He was perfect, 10 little fingers, 10 tiny toes, curly brown hair and the navy blue eyes of a new born. She loved him so very much. She knew she didn't dare wait to place him or she wouldn't be able. But her resolve was strong. This child was going to have the best life had to offer. The Carpenters would be perfect. Now she just had to come up with a suitable plan.

*********
"I am not going to church and that is final!" Mary Carpenter shouted at her disgruntled husband.

"You are going to Chirstmas Midnight Mass tonight if I have to spank you, throw you over my shoulder and carry you there," he shouted back.

"You wouldn't dare, Joseph Carpenter," Mary yelled with more spirit than she had shown in the past 6 months.

"Oh wouldn't I?", Joe replied grabbing her wrist and tugging her over his raised left knee.

*SMACK*

"Ouch!, Joe stop!,"Mary cried out.

*SMACK*SMACK*SMACK*

"NO," he replied.

"Joe! OUCHIE, I'm going to fall!" she wailed.

"You are right and we can't have that. He lifted her around the waist like a sack of potatoes and carried her to the sofa where he quickly sat and repositioned her.

*Smack*

"For six months you have stopped living, Mary" he said bringing his work-roughened hand down sharply.

*Smack*Crack* Smack*

"You are going to start again. Right now"

*Smack*Smack*Smack*

"I know the waiting is hard." SMACK! " That each day is more discouraging than the last." SMACK "But I won't let you give up hope!" SMACK*SMACK*SMACK* "And if this is the only way to get through to you" SMACK*SMACK*SMACK "Then so be it" he raised her skirt and landed a flurry of hard spanks are her pantyhose-clad bottom.

Mary had started crying several spanks before but finally just let go and let the months of hurt, worry and hopelessness drain away beneath Joe's spanking hand.

"Even if we never have a child" SMACK"You still have ME!" SMACK*SMACK* SMACK* "And that is important too. WE ARE IMPORTANT!" SMACK* SMACK*SMACK*

Finally he lifted her up to set on his lap. "I love you Mary with all my heart and I want a child as much as you do but if we never have a child we will still have each other. That is important too. Now go fix your face and let's go have some dinner. Then we'll drive around and look at the lights until it is time for Mass." He lifted her off his lap, gave her long hug and kiss then sent her upstairs with a gentle pat to her bottom.

Mary felt safer and more hopeful then she had since her Miscarriage 8 months before.
***********
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE"S NOT HERE!" John Headman shouted. "She gave birth less than 24 hours ago. Where did she go?"

"We don't know Mr. Headman. When we came to give her supper she and the baby were gone. She left this note for you.

John, I've gone to do what's right
for my son. I will see you in the
office on Monday.

Christina

"Damn, where has she gone?" There were three families she was considering but he didn't know which she had chosen," he ran his hand through his tousled hair in frustration.

**********

Gabriella watched as her plans came neatly together. "Oh dear" she thought as she saw the Carpenters leave. She hadn't anticipated this. She saw the taxi round the corner carrying Christina and the baby.

Oh dear she couldn't let Christina leave the baby on the door step in this weather. Where oh where was Elizabeth. Impulsively disregarding the most critical of Angel rules, Gabriella went to Earth and took human form. She appeared as lovely a young woman, with flowing golden blonde hair, right in the center of the Carpenter's living room. She was not a moment too soon either.

***********
Christina made sure her precious burden was warmly bundled in his infant carrier. She placed the manilla envelope of legal documents inside the cover of the carrier and gently gave her treasure one last kiss. Then covering his face from the cold she pushed the doorbell and ran to hide in the shrubbery.

The door opened and a lovely lady with golden blonde hair gasped in surprise then quickly brought the sleeping baby into the house.

Christina with tears streaming down her face walked to blocks down the street and called for a taxi. She was surprised when John Headman's beat up Buick pulled along side her. She wasn't sure she could handle a lecture right now let alone anything else.

John got out of the car and walked around to the passenger's side. Then he gently enfolded Christina in his harms and held her close. "That was the bravest thing I have ever seen in my life" he whispered against her hair.
"Let's go home."

***********
Gabbie jumped at the hard swat that landed her posterior, never having felt human pain before.

"Gabriella what do you think you are doing?" the angel Benjamin asked. "Do have any idea how much trouble we are going to be in for this stunt?"

"Its not a stunt, Ben. I had to do something. The Carpenters were gone and Christina was coming to leave the baby and I just couldn't leave the little prince on the front stoop. Look isn't he beautiful?" The baby chose that moment to open its eyes and stretch. Benjamin had to admit the newborn was perfect.

"Now Ben, go out into the workshop and bring in the cradle Joseph made Mary for Christmas," Gabbie said the epitome of domesticity.

"Gabbie, are you crazy. We have to go back. The baby will be fine."

"NO! I'm not going anywhere until the Carpenters return. This baby is less than 24hours old Benjamin. He can't be left alone for even a moment."

Benjamin growled "You are so stubborn for an Angel."

He stomped off tot he workshop and brought in the cradle as requested. Gabbie smiled at the baby as he left in high dudgeon.

"He's kind of cute as a human," she confided to the infant who just yawned again.

Ben brought in the cradle and took a baby quilt from the diaper bag Christina had left. He lined the cradle with the quilt and Gabbie gently placed the baby on top then covered him with receiving blankets.

"Now we wait," she said thoroughly pleased with herself.

"Well we wouldn't want you to be bored while we wait," Benjamin said pulling Gabriella swiftly over his lap.

"Ben! Stop what are you doing? You can't do this! I'm an Angel." she shrieked as his surprisingly hard hand landed.

"Quiet! You'll wake the baby. And you are not an Angel at this moment Young Lady. You are human and as long as you are you shall feel some human consequences," he proclaimed as he proceeded to light a fire in the delectable curves lying across his lap.

He stopped when he heard the Carpenters' car pull into the drive. Gabriella quickly put the packet of documents in the cradle with the baby then the two of them gave up their human form.
***********
"Mary did you leave the lights on?" Joe asked surprised. Mary was always conscientious about those kind of things.

"No I turned them off I'm sure" she said.

"Wait here," Joe said firmly. He cautiously turned the knob on the front door worried, when he found it unlocked. The first sound that greeted his ears was that of a crying infant. He walked on stunned legs to the Christmas tree where the cradle he had made Mary sat. Inside was a squalling infant desperately in need of a diaper change. He ran to the door.

"Mary come here quickly," he shouted. Mary tripped in her haste to the house, terrified by the urgency in Joe's voice. She froze in shock at the sight of her husband holding a crying infant.

"Wha..Wher..Give ..it.. to me," she cried not knowing the baby's sex.

"It needs changing," Joe said gladly handing over the precious burden. There is a packet of papers in the cradle which was your Christmas present from me by the way."

"You KNEW about this?" Mary exclaimed causing the baby to wail more. Quickly she undressed him noting the umbilical cord stump still attached. Once the tiny boy was changed, he quieted down momentarily. Then his tiny tummy reminded him it had been a while since the soft voice had fed him. He missed the soft voice. Everyone here was so loud. He started crying again.

"Look in the bag, Joe. Is there any milk or formula?"

"There was a post-it on the document folder saying there were several bottles of expressed breast milk in the fridge. I will heat one and then you need to read this." he looked up with tears running down his face before turning to heat the milk.

After the infant had been fed burped and tucked back into his cradle, Mary sat on the sofa beside Joe to read the documents. One was a legal termination of Parental rights. Another was another granting permanent custody to Joseph and Mary Carpenter. Another contained all pertinent medical information about the birthmother and her family. Last but most important was the letter.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter,

I knew when I became pregnant I would not be
able to raise my child. I do not know who my
babies Father is as I was raped by multiple men
at a rave. But I want to assure you that I even
though I was a wild teenager, I never did drugs,
or smoked and only drank a little.

Our baby is very healthy. He was born
yesterday at 12:06AM He weighed 7lbs. 140z
and was 20-1/2 inches long. He is very healthy.

I looked at two other couples and decided that
you were the parents I wanted for my son. Please
give him all the love and advantages I cannot at
this time. I promise not to try to see him or
interfere in your raising of him in any way. In
return I would like to send annual pictures to this
P.O. box.

I leave the decision to tell him of the adoption in
your hands. But if you DO tell him please let
him know how very much he was wanted and loved.

Sincerely,
Christina

Joseph and Mary sat in shock at this Christmas miracle. After a few moments Joseph looked at his wife and said " I think we should take our son to church to be baptized. I'll call Dave and Clare. I'm sure they'd agree to be sponsors."

"Al..All right,' stammered Mary who was still in shock. I'll find the baptismal gown your Grandmother gave us when she found out we were pregnant last year. She climbed the stairs in a daze.
***********
Midnight Mass had already begun when John and a very tired Christina entered the back of St. Peter's Cathedral and took a seat in the last row of the church. Before the alter sat a beautiful life size nativity scene with the most unusual angel Christina had ever scene. So very life-like with flowing golden hair. The Angel seemed somehow familiar to Christina.

There appeared to be a couple having a child baptized. Christina was grateful for John's comforting presence. For the first time in two years she wished her she could be with her Father again. She was brought out of her reverie by the Priest's voice.

"Joseph and Mary, what name do you give this child?" the Priest asked.

"Emmanuel Christian," Mary responded.

Suddenly the Angel above the nativity scene took on a heavenly glow. Only one other Angel knew that the glow wasn't entirely from heaven.

Wolfie
Moderator/Spanking Aficionado
Username: Wolfie

Post Number: 840
Registered: 04-2005

Posted on Sunday, December 11, 2005 - 11:50 am:

Oh Katy, I love, LOVE, LOVE this story!

I remember reading it on another christmas, and it has made the same impression on me again this year. It's funny and sweet and moved me to tears. Thanks for posting it here so we all can enjoy it.

wolfie loves Steve more than anything else in the whole world...even more than chocolate and lobster!

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy.