1910s: A wartime Christmas

 

Christmas this year started with a wedding. Yes, that's right, it was time for Betty and George to get married. Abigail might have been a bit peeved that she did not get a wedding for her own daughter, but Anna was delighted at the sight of her two friends being so happy (and relieved that she dodged the bullet on that one). Betty was a beautiful bride, and the two moved into one of Newcrests (soon to be functioning) townhouses.

The rest of the week was a time for family. On Winterfest Eve they went to Ida and Nathaniel's place: 

The kids got so wrapped up in their snowball fight that the adults had to come out and tell them it was time to go home.

Christmas itself, was per usual spent in the Whittaker house, with everyone crowding into the living room, chatting and opening presents, or playing instruments and games upstairs. The morning started with Abigail and Joseph getting up extra early to decorate the tree.

But while all this seems perfect, there are still those who are not happy. Frank is having deep rooted confidence issues, and a feeling of disconnect from everyone in the family. As Boxing day comes around, his and Emily's time to run the show for the evening, he is feeling less and less content. 

With four children, whereas one toddler and one infant, Emily and Frank rarely have the time to speak to each other at all anymore. He's normally out the door before she has time to even sit down for breakfast, and when he comes home she's usually pretty exhausted. Even with all day together at home, Emily is busy preparing the children and house for a family gathering, and Frank is worried that this might not be worth it. Could there be someone else to make him happier? Divorce is of course not an option, but a lover might be easier to arrange? Should he? Or should he instead try to make more time for the family?

Frank's misgivings aside, the family gathering goes over well. There is good food and lots of conversation, and Emily has a chance to get to know her aunt's new husband a bit better. Anna, however, is getting a bit tired with so much talking. She finds herself a corner and a book for a little while. 

On New Year's Eve, it's the yearly Duncan Charity Ball and for once Anna isn't entirely opposed. She still thinks there must be better ways to help, but at least it's doing something, even if it's mostly an excuse to show off young women to men who might marry them (it's Josephine's turn this time around). But to her great surprise, this night turns out better than she'd expected, for among the guests is Charles Edwardson, who has apparently decided to join the army. 

Even Anna thinks he looks dashing in his uniform, but more importantly he has information to share. About how men like him, who cannot idly sit by while others are dying, are joining up with the Canadian army to ship overseas even if the US has not joined the war. 

"I wish I could join too," Anna says, in awe of such bravery. 

"Well, they are crying out for nurses. Didn't you study biology?" Charles replies. 

For Anna it's as if an entire new world of opportunities opened up. As they gather outside to watch the fireworks that rings out 1914 and rings in 1915, Anna makes her resolution, that when Alice returns to Britechester after the holidays, she's volunteering as a nurse. No more sitting around, no more parties or asking for donations. She's going to make a difference!