The Anouncement

Stopping the car right in front of that old battered and timeworn mailbox I looked over at my beautiful fiance. "Are you ready?" I asked cracking a smile "It's a madhouse in there."
"Have you met my family?" She shot back, a smile also gracing her lips, I just smiled back, she had no idea. I leaned over and gave her a quick peck and then got out of the car. I took a deep breath of the crisp arizona air, mixed with so many smells of the winter months. Looking up and down the old street brought so many memories of hot days and cold nights. I sure have missed this old street. The giant oak stood mighty and bare in the the neighbor's yard. I smiled again, it was good to be home. Racing around the car I opened the passenger-side door with a quiet squeak. She gracefully stepped out and shivered from the cold. "I don't remember it being this cold." she moaned as I rapped my fingers in her's. We slowly walked down the icy sidewalk toward the front door, garnished in a hand crafted wreath. It made me happy to see the plastic covering wrapping half the porch in a nice toasty hug and the wooden trees that stood as sentinels, guarding the the entryway. As I lifted my hand to knock the door swung open revealing my my father. He smiled and extended his hand for a handshake, his eyes twinkling. I walked right past the hand and enveloped my father in a huge bearhug. He wrapped his twig-like arms around me. " How you doin' Dad?" I asked when we separated. "Not now, you haven't introduced us" he said waving me off and turning to my fiance. But our conversation was cut short by someone small and pink running around the corner yelling "Bonpa!" Almost instinctively  my father bent down on one knee and extended his arms toward the little Munchkin. She ran right into those slender arms and wrapped her tiny ones around his neck, curly hair bouncing as she went. He lifted her to eye level and turned toward us. "I'd like you to meet your new aunt" my father said, flashing a mischievous smile and motioning to my bride to be. She blushed at the attention. "Dad" I cried, slightly taken aback but loving the exchange just the same. Without another word he turned and stowed away with the most ridiculous grin on his face. I looked down at my re faced fiance and had to smile. Taking her by the hand I guided her on what my Dad would call the 10 cent tour. The Christmas tree gleamed with multicolored lights taking turns glowing and then disappearing among the greenery. Ornaments sparkled for their yearly debut and everything seemed to be placed exactly where it was by some external grand architect. Beneath the tree stood an ever-growing pile of presents that seemed to call my name. Showing my fiance to her sleeping quarters, which so happened to be my old bedroom, brought back memories of anxiously waiting for my opportunity to open my presents. I was pulled out of my revelry by my mothers voice calling us all to the large dinner table laden with the most delicious array of food ever displayed. The Aroma wafting through the house was intoxicating and only grew in strength as we neared the kitchen. Rushing to my normal place at the table, I bobbed and weaved through limbs of various lengths pulling my helpless but laughing fiance behind me. I slid onto the small brown bench, the history of countless meals and art projects etched in its surface. Scooting as far as I could over, my lovely bride-to-be slid in beside me and then placed her fingers between mine. I gave her hand a squeeze and then we waited for the opportune moment to declare for a fact what everyone at the table already suspected. With everyone finally seated and a prayer said, the conversations commenced in boisterous tones. My fiance and I sat in silence, except for when directly asked questions, anticipating the moment for the conversation to lul. That time came and I arose with my glass of sparkling cider in hand. " A toast." I cried, looking down the table to my father who was balancing a toddler on one knee and entertaining another that was perched upon a highchair. He smiled at me and nodded his head, guessing what I was about to do and giving his approval. I cleared my throat and then said in a clear voice "a toast to my beautiful bride to be" a burst of sound erupted from the table as one by one my family lifted their glasses. I smiled and then took a long drink.