Home for Christmas

Book Series: Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton Saga

Publishing Date: 1997

Author: Anita Stansfield

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.

Category: LDS Contemporaray Romance
Point of View: Third Person, limited, Allison
Chapter Count: 12
Page Count: 155

No dedication

Chapter 1- The last time we saw Allison (we are never told if she goes by Hamilton or Hall) was at the very end of Now & Forever telling her mother and stepfather her desires to serve a mission. Since returning, Allison has been living in the States and attending BYU for at least a year. Long enough for her to have had three failed relationships with fellow LDS single men. Now it is Christmas but Allison can't ignore a strong prompting urging her to stay in Utah for the holidays instead of Australia. Her roommate and best friend, Sariah Mitchell, tells Allison she's more than welcome to join her family this year. In fact, her three brothers are coming over right now to pick her up for ice skating. When they arrive, Allison can't get over how handsome they all are with their mixed ethnic backgrounds (think David Archuleta) reminding Allison of the three Nephites which makes them all laugh. 

Everyone piles in the double cab truck. With her strawberry blond hair, freckles and light coloring, Allison feels out of place among so much exotic beauty. Ammon and Helaman are both very much single while Mosiah is newly married to blonde, blue eyed, Sally. All the siblings are active members of the church. Ammon is quite the charmer as he chats up Allison, taking her arm as they glide together over the ice in perfect formation; asking deep, probing questions about herself and her family which Allison finds herself answering, confiding in Ammon like an old, familiar friend. 
Ammon stops by the next day looking for his sister but Sariah already left for work. Allison lets him in.

Chapter 2- Ammon takes the liberty of inviting Allison to spend Christmas with the Mitchell family which is traditionally held at Grandma "Nana's" farmhouse in Spanish Fork. True to her zip code, Lupe immigrated from Mexico, married a Native American of mixed Polynesian and African American decent and had a gaggle of kids. One child, a daughter, married all-American Paul Mitchell who owns his own line of hair products just happened to be a member of the church. He converted and baptized his fiancée before they married in the temple. 
Mosiah and Sally live in Lupe's basement while attending BYU. Lupe will be hosting a family dinner this weekend at the house. Allison accepts the invite. Might as well meet the gang before Christmas. 
Allison drives herself there, following Sariah's directions, and is last to arrive. Everyone, including the tiny Catholic woman, are delighted she made it safely through the snow (over the river and through the woods) to join their happy tableau.
After a delicious dinner of authentic Mexican cuisine, Allison allows Nana to show her the house which she finds fascinating. The adults deliver gift baskets that Lupe put together for her needy neighbors. Later they all play card games, laugh and enjoy pie with hot cocoa served by Lupe. When it comes time to leave, Allison's car won't start. Ammon and Helaman give her a ride home in Ammon's single-cab truck where Allison learns Ammon is a licensed contractor who is between construction jobs at present while Helaman works in food services taking pre-med courses at BYU. While Allison does find Helaman attractive, it is Ammon who seems to be able to read Allison's mind and anticipate her every need.

Chapter 3- Allison gets a call from her Aunt Louise in Arizona. Joan Hall, her late father's mother, suffered a stroke and is not expected to live much longer. Since Allison was the only one on her side of the family who kept in touch with her Grandma, she feels the need to make the trip and books a flight where she stays with Louise and her family. It bothers Allison that her uncle looks and acts so much like his deceased brother in the indifferent way he treats Louise; bringing back painful memories of her childhood before Emily married Michael. When Allison visits the senile Joan Hall in the hospital, Grandma can only mumble negative comments about Allison's mother and her family. Allison gently corrects her, bears her testimony, expresses her love and leaves feeling discouraged.
Back in Utah, Ammon picks her up from the airport holding a sign, feigning confusion. Allison smiles, glad to see him, though she fears she is coming down with a cold.

Chapter 4- Just as she feared, the virus knocks her flat. Ammon comes over to hold her hand; prepares canned soup, does light housekeeping and he and his brother fixed her car while she was gone parking it outside the complex. The TLC is wonderful (not to mention romantic) and Allison feels much better already. 
Returning to sit by her sickbed, Ammon encourages Allison to open up and talk about her visit thus learning more about the dysfunctional family she was born into before Emily remarried. Allison also shares her three failed BYU relationships that would've led to temple marriage if the issue of her family's wealth hadn't gotten in the way. Instead of trying to mooch off her, all these men dumped her as a snobby, independent, Mormon feminist. The fact so many Utah Mormons think that wealth is somehow wicked really took her by surprise. Allison has no qualms about patriarchy. The pride cycle lesson from the Book of Mormon was emphasized often by her mom and stepdad.  Ammon shares her principles but frowns when Allison comments what a good big brother he's been to her while she's been sick.

Chapter 5- Since she was fired from her accounting job and finals are over and done, (whew!) Allison has no choice but to continue hanging out with Sariah and her two very single brothers. Despite praying over it again, Allison continues to feel the impression to stay in Utah for Christmas. This is hard for her to accept as she's feeling very homesick right now. 
She goes for a real, old-fashioned, horse drawn, sleigh ride on Nana's farmland, sits next to Ammon who drives and loves it. When it comes time to leave, Allison's car is stuck in a snowdrift. She accepts another ride home where the phone is ringing. Joan Hall passed away. Allison needs to return for the funeral but flights this close to Christmas are booked solid. Learning of her dilemma, Sariah and Ammon insist on driving her to Arizona. Road trip!

Chapter 6- As they load the truck, Allison compliments Ammon, again, on being the big brother she always wanted and, again, wonders why that bothers him. The tension is evident in the truck as Sariah sleeps. While she's wondering how to break it, Allison accepts Ammon's invite to lay her head on his shoulder succumbing to sleep herself.
Later, the three single adults laugh over a magazine compatibility quiz which Ammon and Allison rate very high; to each other's embarrassment. They get a motel room in town and go to Aunt Louise's house the next day to hang out, visit and share dinner before the viewing that evening. Allison is glad to have the support of her friends during the services. Every time she feels the urge to cry, Ammon's shoulder is there and his strong, supporting, arm around her makes everything better.
Back at the house, Allison shoots baskets outside in the dark with Ammon where he initiates the first exchange of "I-love-you's" sealing his declaration with a kiss which Allison, giddy with joy, returns with all her heart. She's realized Ammon is a man she could easily find herself spending eternity with. He's a good, kind, return missionary with a rock solid testimony. He's a worthy priesthood holder with a strong desire to be a husband, father and provider over a future home. He experienced his own breakup recently with an ex-girlfriend but that doesn't seem to matter now. 
Sariah is only too happy to bestow her blessing on this budding relationship. After the funeral, Aunt Louise slips Allison a letter from Joan Hall who apologizes for the bitterness she harbored all these years, expressing her regret for not being more Christlike, acknowledging the truths Allison shared with her: that through the Savior's atonement, she will be together with her loved ones forever and thanking her for being such a good granddaughter. Allison shows the letter to Ammon who holds her while she cries.

Chapter 7- During the drive home, as they check into a motel, Allison grows more troubled by the fact she was once a scarlet woman. She has a past. Despite repenting of her drinking and philandering ways years ago so she could serve a mission, she feels Ammon has a right to know her sexual history. She also knows telling him could mean the end of the best December of her life.
Back in Provo, Allison still can't bring herself to tell him until the end of the following day, after shopping for thoughtful, inexpensive, gifts for Ammon and his family; returning to her apartment where Ammon picks her up for their first official "date" since becoming a couple. They go out to dinner and do more Christmas shopping. Just before dropping her off, Allison takes a deep breath and confesses everything to Ammon who sits in shocked silence. She made ONE bad decision, only slept with ONE man, yet, Ammon looks away and says nothing. As the engine runs and the silence grows more formidable, Allison knows it's all over.

Chapter 8- No, Allison does not have AIDS. She's very offended Ammon would even suggest such a thing. He admits he's speechless and doesn't know what to think. Allison yells at him, convinced he's rejecting her. Unable to stand his condescending judgment any longer, she jumps out the of the cab and storms into the apartment. Ammon lets her go.
The next day is Christmas Eve and while Allison is preparing her speech to Sariah about how she won't be able to make it, Sean O'Hara drops in for a quick visit. Allison tells him everything. Sean counsels her to give Ammon some time and if he still can't accept her for who she is, then he doesn't deserve her. Allison is crying on his shoulder when Sariah and Ammon return from last minute shopping. She finds some pleasure in Ammon's apparent jealously before introducing Sean as an old family friend who is very happily married. Sean leaves, Sariah ignores her protests and Allison is whisked out the door. She is spending Christmas with the Mitchells whether she wants to or not. Ammon just shrugs, reminding Allison he can still be her big brother. Allison rolls her eyes.

Chapter 9- Christmas Eve dinner is tamales which are better than anything Allison's ever tasted. Lupe expresses regret, along with a few tears, her sweet viejo (which means "old man or old person" in Spanish, apparently it's some kind of endearment) isn't here with them to celebrate. Sariah whispers that Nana's staunch Catholicism has convinced her she'll never see her beloved again. Allison wishes she could share her own oil from her lamp with this good woman. Nana will just have to wait until the next life for the opportunity to accept the gospel where she'll be given a second chance. 
Allison is touched to be included in the traditional unwrapping of hand-sewn red and green flannel pajamas to wear throughout the Christmas holiday. Sariah guessed her size so her mother could whip them up at the last minute. Everyone gets ready for bed. There is much laughing and teasing among the adult siblings with games and snacks along with the reading of the Bible story. The slumber party continues into the wee hours of the morning before everyone crawls into their sleeping bags before a crackling fire. A cozy scene.
Next morning, Allison awakens early to find Nana drinking her morning coffee at the kitchen table. She makes herself a cup of hot chocolate and they have a nice talk where Allison shares her testimony of eternal families. Lupe gets Allison to admit she and Ammon are fighting and while she is never told the details, she encourages Allison to talk to her grandson, confident they will work it out. Allison promises to try; but inside despairs she can ever be part of this special family.

Chapter 10- The gift exchange in the front room goes very well. Everyone loves Allison's gifts, including Ammon, while Allison cries discreet tears at the equally simple yet thoughtful gifts the Mitchell family gave her. Allison opens gloves, a new watch, and a basketball from Ammon with delight. After lunch, still wearing their pajamas, comes more games including the traditional breaking of the piñata. Allison has never had so much fun in her life.
Christmas dinner is more American with glazed ham and sparkling red punch served in goblets with ice. Near the end of the meal, Allison frowns as she notices something in one of her ice cubes. It's not a fly. It's an engagement ring! (and it's not from Helaman) Ammon, who just happens to be sitting next to her, gets down on one knee and pops the question. Tears of joy stream down Allison's face as she chokes out a "yes." It would seem Ammon is ready to accept Allison, warts and all, as his eternal companion. Allison couldn't be happier.

Chapter 11- Once everyone has retired to bed, Allison and Ammon sit up very late in front of the fire talking about their relationship and reconciling. Allison wants to take Ammon back to Australia with her to meet her family before school starts. They keep their engagement, and Ammon, a secret until she springs it all-her fiancé and their big announcement-on them at the Sydney airport. After getting over their shock, Michael is thrilled, Emily is more subdued. Ammon can't help but notice and remarks to Allison his non-Caucasian heritage and dark skin might be the cause. His last fiancée broke up with him for that very reason. Allison assures him nobody in her family is biased. She talks to Emily who explains the suddenness of the engagement is what has her worried. Michael interrupts to remind his wife it only took about ten seconds for him to know Emily was THE ONE. Allison also assures her mom, Ammon is nothing like Ryan Hall and she will be treated like a queen. They find Ammon outside the stables and the misunderstanding is cleared up.

Chapter 12- One Year Later...
Allison is not thrilled to be spending Christmas in a hospital room about to give birth to their first child. Ammon promises her they will have many opportunities to spend future holidays with the family and holds her hands while she bears down. It's a boy! (Hope they don't name him Emmanuel or Jesus) The entire Mitchell clan, including Lupe, parade into the room to express their congratulations and coo over the new little bundle of joy. 
It is a very Merry Christmas.

The End