open. My actions came to a sudden halt as a slight creaking sound began to fill the night air. "Easy,'' I thought to myself, "the last thing I need is for the old folks to call the police before I even get inside the house.'' I smiled to myself knowing that I had broken into this particular house enough in the past that I wouldn't get caught so easily. I returned the gate back to its original locked position and made my way through the sliding door which was always left slightly ajar for the small Cocker Spaniel. "One of the small securities of living in a place like Bermuda,'' I thought sarcastically to myself, "leaving a door open at night even at Christmas time.'' I slipped past the glass doors which lead to the master bedroom. Even in the darkness, my past experience made my descent upon the two motionless figures in the bed, almost effortless. I quietly approached the bed and raised my hand out towards one of the stationary bodies. Almost instantly I was hit with a beam of light directly in the eyes as the figure in the bed pulled a flashlight out of nowhere. "Linda, is that you'' came the startled voice out of the darkness.

"Of course it's me... can you please move that light out of my eyes

11 Swift marriage shock to parents annoyed. "What, no welcome back,'' I joked sarcastically while waiting for the surprise of the moment to subside. "I thought you weren't scheduled back until after the holidays,'' my mom responded while fumbling for the switch to a nearby lamp. "I had a change of plans,'' I said nonchalantly trying to think of the best way to let her know the real reason why I was home early.

Just when I decided it would be best to just come out and say it, the other figure in the bed started to stir. "What's all the noise... Linda is that you?'' "Hi Dad, sorry to wake you; just wanted to let you know I got an earlier flight back, that's all. I guess I'll go next door to my apartment and go to bed now,'' I stammered suddenly feeling like a six year old child instead of a thirty-two year old woman. "Oh Yeah, one more thing before I go.... I got married! Well good night... we can talk in the morning OK?'' Looking back I always did have a way of being just a little too blunt, and this was definitely one of those moments when a little diplomacy could have helped soften the impact of what I had to tell my parents that night. But I also figured this kind of news was going to be a shock no matter how delicately I tried to camouflage it so why not just blurt it out. Needless to say, Mom and Dad were completely stunned and I knew that I wasn't going to make it as far as the glass doors before the inevitable, "Wait right there young lady!'' "Oh, this is big, he called me young lady,'' I thought to myself feeling a nervous knot in the pit of my stomach beginning to form. The same knot that always appeared when I was a little girl and I had done something bad and was about to be punished. It's amazing how my parents could still make me feel like that after all these years. Scared and ashamed just like when I was younger. "Dad, I know this is alot to digest right now, but it's late and Brian is waiting for me next door.'' "I promise I'll explain everything in the morning; it's real late and you need your sleep.'' I made a sudden leap for the door trying to escape from the fire I had just started.

"Linda you can't just tell us you got married and then leave without another word,'' Dad announced dramatically. "The last thing your mother and I knew was that you had decided to spend the holiday in Lake Tahoe skiing, and now you're telling us you're married... and this husband of yours is next door!'' Dad shouted continuing his tirade. "Now Dad, try not to get overly excited; I met Brian in Lake Tahoe, and we decided to get married there. He's a great guy, I know you'll love him,'' I argued trying to assert some control over the situation. "But Linda,'' Mom's more reasonable voice broke in, "how could you marry someone you've just met?'' "How, has nothing to do with it Mom, it's done; now please just go back to bed and we'll talk in the morning,'' I said in a pleading voice. I guess I really shouldn't have been surprised at their reaction, after all the marriage had been sudden. But I've always done things on the spur of the moment without thinking about the consequences. This was just one more thing that they could add to the list. I managed to escape their house at that point knowing full well that this Christmas holiday was going to be one I would never forget. Despite the scene that occurred with my parents the night before, I was hoping that I wouldn't have to get into any elaborate explanations, at least before breakfast. Boy was I wrong! As I came out of the shower, kitchen bound, I was greeted by a very embarrassed Brian sitting with my parents at the kitchen table. In Brian's defence, they couldn't have chosen a worse time; he didn't exactly look his best. He was in his PJ bottoms with his hair a mess and beard stubble beginning to form on his face. He turned to me, his eyes begging for help, saying, "No need for an introduction honey; your parents introduced themselves while you were taking a shower.'' With that auspicious beginning and a ten minute break to allow for a change of clothes the game began. Specifically, the game of `let's ask every possible question a person could think of to ask about another person'. It was a gruelling hour and I knew I surprised both of my parents at my in depth knowledge of my new husband. Not bad for two people who hardly new each other and who obviously hadn't thought things out rationally before they tied the knot, was the sarcastic thought running in my mind throughout the interrogation. Actually the truth of the matter had been that we had done nothing but talk to each other for the few weeks we did not know each other.

That's why I knew he was the one I had wanted to marry. We were that compatible and I knew it the very first day we met. Brian was an only child originally from Boston, and his parents had died a few years prior. He was a lawyer who always spent the holidays in Lake Tahoe or some other ski resort just so that he could be around people at Christmas. He had always wished for a large family and he was completely amazed that I was attempting to run away from mine that Christmas. He just couldn't understand why I wouldn't want to be around my family during the holidays. "Family is what Christmas is all about,'' he said, after we had married and he suggested that I come home right away. Brian was very comfortable with the idea of coming to Bermuda for Christmas and then eventually living here. He had no real ties in Boston and our plan was for him to go back after the holidays to tie up any loose ends and eventually return. We'd thought we'd stay in my apartment next door to my parent's house for the immediate future and eventually get our own place.

Brian's old roommate from law school was also Bermudian and he had kept in contact with him over the years. He was very confident that finding Brian a job would not be a major obstacle. What seemed like a well thought out plan however, still wasn't winning over my parents as they continued to voice their concern over how irresponsible they thought I had been. This was no surprise to me as this disappointment theme seemed to dictate what they thought of my life. I chose to attend university and concentrate on a career while my brother and sister, both married young and had two prefect children; which is what my parents had expected from me. Unfortunately, I was thirty-two, constantly traveling, and had not even entertained the idea of settling down, nevertheless having children. All this, and to finally marry without their involvement, and to marry a foreigner. Whether Brian and I would be invited to the family Christmas dinner was quickly becoming a real question. Mom and Dad eventually left still not convinced that the man they had just interrogated was the right choice for their son-in-law and for the first time I could feel a crack in my righteous armour. I just couldn't believe that despite the circumstances that they wouldn't be happy for me and welcome Brian to our family. "It will be OK honey,'' Brian said comfortingly, putting his arm around my shoulder. "They'll come around soon,'' he said trying to sound reassuring. "Hey, you know we have alot to do to get this place ready for Christmas,'' he noted strategically changing the subject. "Do you think it will be too late to find a Christmas tree?'' The one thing that I was beginning to realise about my new husband was that he was forever the optimist, and he absolutely loved Christmas. He acted like a little boy as we picked out a skimpy little tree and ran frantically around Hamilton doing our last minute shopping. We bought everything from Christmas presents to new lights and decorations for the apartment. Brian insisted that we buy presents for my entire family including my parents who, at that exact moment in time, weren't exactly on my `good parent's list.' Brian then left me in a coffee shop while he went off by himself, to run what he called a personal Santa errand. Even though my parents dark cloud was hanging over my head, I was actually having a great time and had a whole new outlook on Christmas and Bermuda seeing it through Brian's eyes. It was such a different feeling sharing the holidays with someone. Brian and I arrived back and immediately got to work decorating the tree and the apartment. After all, it was Christmas Eve, and it would be a shame if Santa missed us just because he figured we were Scroogies; at least that was Brian's logic. In the middle of all the mess of untangling lights, and Christmas music blaring, arrived my family. My brother and sister with their families along with my mom minus my father all arrived with Christmas gifts and to welcome Brian to our family. After introductions had been made, my brother looked at Brian, and jokingly exclaimed; "Boy, what are you doing to that poor tree!'' An obvious open invitation for everyone to participate in the decorating party we were suddenly hosting. While everyone was exercising their artistic abilities in my living room, mom and I went into the kitchen to sort out snacks. While fixing up a tray, mom casually said, "Brian is a very nice boy, do you think he will miss living in the US?'' Trying to get over the shock of what she had just implied, I responded, "He's looking forward to settling here, besides he is the type of person that could settle anywhere as long as he had people who cared about him around.'' "Well I hope he enjoys Christmas dinner tomorrow,'' mom mentioned just as she was on her way back into the living room. "Aa ha,'' I thought to myself, "we are invited to Christmas dinner after all.'' "Mom'' I asked cautiously, "what about dad?'', "Don't worry about your father dear,'' mom replied trying to sound optimistic, "he just needs some time to adjust to this.'' Despite the fun of the evening and how great the rest of my family behaved towards Brian, I still couldn't help but but feel a little depressed. Regardless of how much I tried to convince myself that my father's approval meant nothing to me, deep down I knew I was just kidding myself.

Dad's acceptance of Brian as my choice of a husband was very important to me.

His approval of everything I did was important to me from when I became the first in my family to graduate from university, to my successful business career. Regardless of what I told myself to the contrary I was still Daddy's little girl and his obvious disapproval of the man I married really hurt.

Christmas morning started off wonderfully. Brian and I exchanged presents and I was delighted to see the look on his face as I presented him with his own personal Christmas stocking. A tradition that had been in my family since I was a child, but one which he had never experienced in his childhood. I was just as excited opening the diamond ring he had bought for me; Brian said it was for the engagement period we missed by marrying so quickly. Just as we were clearing up the mounds of gift wrap paper from the floor there was a knock at the door. "Merry Christmas,'' my mom's jovial face greeted me at the door. "Aren't you coming over to open your stocking?'' "Of course,'' I responded enthusiastically, after all I loved my Christmas stocking. Mom had painstakingly prepared a stocking for each of us even after my sister and brother married. Tradition dictated that I would open mine Christmas morning at my parents house while they watched. "You better come too Brian, Santa has left one for you as well,'' mom said with a knowing smile on her face. Brian's face and mine lit up as we realised that mom had included him in our little family tradition. As we walked next door in our robes I showed mom the ring Brian had given me. "It's beautiful!'' she exclaimed. "It suits you perfectly.'' I smiled picking up her hidden meaning and bounced happily into my parents house feeling the cloud that had been over my head slowly start to evaporate. As I walked into the living room next to the Christmas tree I started to look around. "Where's Dad?'' I asked with some surprise assuming that he would be there waiting for us. "He's down by the water out back,'' mom replied unable to look at me; "he said you should start without him.'' My Family comes to accept new husband said he always felt more at home on the water than on land. Due to his age and failing health he realistically couldn't go out in his boat much, so whenever he was upset or needed to think he would either fish or just spend time by the water's edge near the cliffs. I guess it was his way of dealing with his forced retirement. Brian and I opened our stockings and gifts half heartily putting on a show for my mother's benefit. Unfortunately, despite my efforts, I couldn't be happy knowing that my father didn't consider Brian as part of our family and I was beginning to think that he may never fully accept him. I didn't know what I would do if I was forced to make a choice between him and my father. After we opened our presents mom and I sat in the kitchen over tea while Brian mentioned that he was going for a walk. I was going over my dilemma with my mother who promised she would talk to my father for me. "Why don't you go get him, it's almost time for Christmas dinner at Catherine's and you know how she can get if we are late.'' I jumped up and made my way out of the kitchen towards the back of the house, where the cliffs were, and where I'd knew I'd find my father. As I approached, I noticed that Brian had also found the area and was standing next to my father as he seemingly was showing him the proper way to cast a fishing line overboard. I stood there watching the two of them and forced myself not to laugh out loud as I watched Brian clumsily attempt to cast the line into the ocean, nearly taking my father's head off in the process. "Don't quit your day job,'' I giggled to myself, hoping that he was a better lawyer than a fisherman. Ignoring my mother's request, I headed back to my apartment not wanting to interrupt the only time any father would probably take to get to know the man I was in love with.

Besides, so what if we were a little late, it was not like they could get started without us; Dad had to carve the Turkey. Half an hour later Brian came sprinting in the apartment, smelling badly, and apologising for his tardiness.

But other than grabbing a towel for the shower he badly needed to take, he wouldn't tell me anything about his rendezvous with my father. "We'll talk later sweetheart, I promise,'' was the only thing he would say. Knowing that I was not going to make any progress in my fact finding mission I chose to drop the subject for that moment and get ready for lunch at my sister's. Despite my father's reservations about him, the rest of my family seemed to welcome Brian to the family without hesitation. The children loved him, after all, he could be a large child himself at times. He captured my sister's good graces by listening intently to her long repetitive stories which quickly bored everyone else; and he good naturedly accepted my brother's ribbing about being a "Yankee'' and the ensuing nickname of "Yankee Boy'' he had labelled on him since their meeting the previous evening. When it was finally time for dinner everyone took their traditionally assigned posts. My father was positioned at the head of the table where he would carve the turkey while mentioning all the things we had to be grateful for during that year. Dad carved the turkey for Christmas dinner every year and I could never remember a time when it had been done by anyone else. As everyone settled down, my father stood with the large knife in hand preparing to cut the enormous bird. Suddenly he paused and looked directly at Brian. With a smile on his face he extended the knife in his direction. As the family hushed in shocked silence my father turned to everyone. "This year we have yet again been blessed to be together as a family for another Christmas. We also have an addition to the family and I think that instead of me carving the turkey, it would be nice if we had our newest family member do the honour.'' Brian stood and accepted the knife, and the intent behind it with a humble "Thank you sir. I'll try not to let the family down.'' My father stepped aside with a chuckle at the formality and said, "Well son, I hope you carve a turkey better than you cast a fishing rod.'' PHOTO Lisa J. Barnes also received special mention SHORT STORY CONTEST CPN