Chapter Thirteen

 Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of Mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plentous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. (Calvin Coolidge)

 I will honor this Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” (Charles Dickens)

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                                        13

“You are so Nice Pretty Auntie Arianna,  you don't even want daddy to punish that wicked Grandma and Scary Auntie. “You also promised to stay with Britney. Britney kissed Arianna's cheek and said

  “Thank You.”  “Thank You so much."

“Sweetie, you don't have to thank me. I didn't do anything special.

 Louis looked at Arianna and shook his head. “Only someone like her would think that Carrying a Croft's Child is nothing Special.”  Louis was completely amazed by her simplicity.”  “Her innocence was rare.”

  The I.V was done, so Louis pressed a bell by the bedside and two nurses came in, they were wearing blue nursing uniforms, they were looking so beautiful and smart. 

 The nurse went to Arianna's bed and removed the IV from her. Arianna sat up straight, She was feeling naseous. Britney noticed this and  asked “What's wrong with you Pretty Auntie Arianna?  “Do you feel sick? Arianna shook her head at Britney, “It's okay dear I'm fine.” 

  Louis also got up and went to her. “You don't look fine? “Tell me What's wrong? 

 “It's nothing, I just feel naseous. Arianna raised her brow at Louis. “Is it normal to feel so much nausea so soon? “I mean, I still can't believe I'm pregnant!

 “Louis Smiled at Arianna and patted her cheek. “It's normal to feel naseous, at the early stage of pregnancy, He turned to leave but paused and gave her one last look. “Get used to it, this will only get worse in the first three months.

 Arianna stared at Louis's leaving figure and she repeated his words “Get Worse?

 “What does that mean?

 Mrs. Croft came in to visit Arianna, A maid was behind carrying a food tray for Arianna. “Hello dear.”

 Mrs Croft greeted, Arianna sat up straight and returned the greeting with a bow. “Hello Ma'am.”

 “You don't have to be so formal with me, I am just Louis's Mom, Not the first lady of United States. Mrs Croft Laughed at this and she signaled the maid to lay the food on the bedside table. “I brought you food.”

 Arianna couldn't dare laugh at the joke. What? Not the first lady? The Croft's are almost on Par with the President! “Their wealth and connection were on the same level with the president's “Who doesn't know that? Even the white house awards the Croft's their own share of respect and this woman claims she is not First lady! “Who is she kidding? 

 “Come and have it while it's still hot. 

“Thank you ma'am.”  Arianna said, moving towards the table to eat, she felt a sting in her eyes as tears threatened to fall out of her eyes. “If only her own mother was alive to take care of her.” 

Mrs. Croft sat down and watched Arianna eat, Then she began. “You are doing the Croft's a huge favor by bringing this child to the world.” “He/ She will bring joy to the family and at the same time He/ She will save our little princess.

 “Huh? Arianna's eyes went towards Britney and she said, “Save?

 Mrs Croft nodded sadly and said “Our little Princess has leukemia and can only be saved by a bone marrow transplant from her siblings and Samantha didn't give birth to another child before she died. And that is why we need a baby. It is to save our little darling.

 Arianna's eyes were laced with tears by the time Mrs Croft finished her words. “Such a sweet little girl has to undergo something like that? “What a pity. Arianna's heart broke for the little girl. She turned to Britney and hugged her. 

 “You will be fine Sweetie. She placed Britney's hand on her stomach and said “This little one will save you. “Okay?

 “Okay.” Britney nodded and hugged Arianna tightly.

“I definitely like her! Mrs. Croft mumbled.

Louis who had been by the door the whole time, came in, he cleared his throat and sat down in the room. “How do you feel now? He asked Arianna before sitting. “Do you still feel nauseated?

 “I'm fine now, Thank you.”

Mrs. Croft's eyes were fixated on the two, “Louis cares so much for this girl. “Is it just because of the baby? Or is there something else? 

  Mrs. Croft was still in her thoughts when she noticed Louis was peeling fruits and was slicing the fruits in a plate. Her eyes widened. “Louis is peeling his fruits? “He never peels his fruits himself! “He'd rather ask Mrs. Croft or the maids to do that for him! Suddenly, Mrs. Croft saw Louis pass the fruit plate to Arianna. 

 “What? Mrs. Croft lost control of her jaw and her mouth was left open, “Louis sliced and peeled the fruits for her? “Surprising! “This is Truly surprising! 

 “There is definitely something else going on! “This isn't just because of the baby! 

 Arianna collected the fruit plate and gave Louis an appreciative Smile. “Thank you.” Arianna was eating the fruits and would also pass a fruit to Britney as she ate and Britney would open her mouth obediently to collect it. She was silently munching on it. 

 Louis wasn't surprised by this because he had seen Britney stand up for Arianna and Support her, He knows that his little Princess adores her Pretty Auntie and when Britney likes someone, she likes with all her Heart, She will never disobey or hurt that person. “She's just like her father.”

  But Mrs. Croft on the other side was surprised seeing this because everyone in the Croft Household knew that Britney never liked fruits.

 “And here she is, eating fruits from Arianna so obediently? 

 “This girl is indeed something!

 “She has only just arrived and the family is already changing thanks to her! Mrs. Croft nodded mischieviously. “Only her can transform this family and return the lost Happiness.

 “I must keep her here for Louis!