Merry Christmas Jericho pt 3

Dec 24^th

Jake had put off the question to his father until breakfast the following morning, he would need his mothers support for this to work.

The question as expected hadn’t gone down well.

“You want me to do what?” Exclaimed Johnston hands on hips looking down at his son

“Me, Stanley and Jimmy…we had this idea when we found the..” Jake was interrupted

“oh that’s right, you, Jimmy and Stanley..Jericho’s answer to the Marx brothers” quipped Johnston, he put his hand on Jake’s shoulder “your heart’s in the right place, son but we, the town that is has priorities”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea, just what the town needs” Gail joined them from the kitchen

Johnston held up his hands “Gail, Honey, I have standing in this town, I’m a former US Ranger with combat experience, I was the Mayor of this town for 15 years, I….”

“Please spare me the speech, just give it a try” pleaded Gail

“Now listen, with all due respect..” Johnston began

“Johnston!” Gail stern tone cut through his argument

Johnston grumbled something under his breath, and took the duffle bag upstairs.

“Thanks mom” Jake turned to her with a grin

“you’re welcome honey, we need to get into town and let people know” she kissed her son’s head “you get going, I’ll go and check on your father or he’ll be sulking all day”

Stanley had been putting off the question all day, his ankle had swollen from his exertions yesterday, but now as late afternoon approached and Mimi had come into the bedroom where he was resting he decided it was now or never.

“Did you enjoy your soup Stanley?” she asked

“The best I’ve had for ages” grinned Stanley trying to butter her up

 “Well it was only a stock cube and a few vegetables” Mimi answered checking Stanley’s ankle “the swelling has gone down”

“Mimi can you do something for me?” asked Stanley

Mimi leant forward and gave him a small kiss “that depends on what it is”

“In my bag over there, it’s got some clothes in, can you try them on?” Stanley gave a smile

“What?” asked Mimi, looking across the room to the bag.

Mimi walked to the bag and began taking out the brightly coloured clothes

“If you could try them on, I’m guessing there about the right size” Stanley asked

Mimi pulled out a small dress “Stanley we need to talk”

“Well it was Jake and me we were just thinking..you know..” Stanley began

“And just what was Jake thinking?” demanded Mimi pulling out some bright red nylon stockings “Stanley Richmond you’d better start explaining yourself”

Stanley lay his head back on his pillow and covered his eyes “oh boy”

Dec 25^th

A Church family service had been arranged for the townsfolk of Jericho, which began with a remembrance service for those who had lost loved ones or had family or friends missing following the bombs.

Emily had organised the town’s children to sing Christmas carols.

Jimmy, Gail were stood by the doors ready for the children’s surprise.

When the carols were finished and the service came to an end, a jingling of small bells could be herd coming from outside, at a prearranged signal from Jake Emily and the parents helped get the children into a line.

Gail and Jimmy opened the doors, to reveal the back of Stanley’s truck full of the salvaged toys from the plane wreck, and on the tail gate of the truck sat Santa.

Gail approached the truck “Well Santa I think you look very handsome”

“This suit smells funny” grumbled Johnston adjusting his bright red costume.

“Thank you for helping out Mimi” Jimmy approached the truck

Mimi dressed as Santa’s helper Elf gave Jimmy a stare

“oh look at their faces” cried Gail as Emily led the children from the Church towards the truck.

Mimi led the children to the tailgate and Santa gave a loud Ho.Ho.Ho and gave them each a present.

The parents watched many with tears in their eyes as their children’s wide eyes and big smiles warmed their hearts.

Jake walked up to Stanley “we did it buddy, we pulled it off”

“look at ‘em Jake, you were right” he answered waving to Mimi

Mimi in return gave a small wave and blew him a kiss.

“oh by the way Jake, I kinda blamed the dressing up thing on you, so if you could avoid Mimi for the next ten years you’ll probably be safe” grinned Stanley.

“You got it, Merry Christmas man” Jake held out his hand and gave a warm shake and hug.

Stanley walked over to Bonnie and gave her a hug.

Some of the parents broke out into song as their children recited the carols they had learnt.

It seemed the warm affectionate atmosphere was infectious.

Jake’s eyes wandered over the towns folk and lingered for a moment on Emily.

As Jake looked down main street he wondered what lay ahead for these good people, how much more hardship and suffering would they have to endure, the sounds of children laughing and playing broke his reverie.

At least he had given them this,

Merry Christmas Jericho.

Well the ending should have been apparent, given the title. Blame it on my fever, but you totally surprised me!

I wish they had filmed this as an episode!

Gwen