Chapter 25— Memories

As the video played it brought back fun memories to mind. They could remember that moment; even feel it as though they were there.

The kids began to unwrap their Christmas gifts with eagerness and smiles on their faces,

"Whoa I got a race car!" Bradley announced joyfully when he unwrapped his gift— it was a large red battery–powered tractor toy car, that had enough space and capacity to carry Bradley's body. Quickly he jumped into the driver's seat, placed his hands on the steering wheel, switched the car on with a button and began to drive around on it happily.

"That's my car!" Bradley announced as he watched the video.

Each person took turns to hold the camera and film. Joe held the camera this time and they could hear his voice in the video; laughing, teasing and joking from behind the camera.

The other kids unwrapped their presents and each one got a lovely gift— something they cherished.

The scene of the video changed and this time, Uncle Millie held the camera. They decided to play the Christmas charades game and in the video, William brought out a list of Christmas terms to be acted out. Everyone separated into three teams, each team had six persons. They selected one person from each team to do the acting. Like regular charades, the actors were not allowed to talk or make signals of any letters.

Every time a team guessed correctly within the time limit, they got a point. The first team to get twenty points would win the game!

"Yes we won, we won!" Amelia and her team chorused happily.

Finally the video ended with a Family picture of every resident of the mansion.

"That was really fun to watch!"

"Yeah it was!" They exclaimed.

"Ok come on children it's late, time for bed!" Amelia announced and gestured the kids to go upstairs to their rooms.

"Awwwn!" They cried.

"But mum can't we stay a little longer? Pleeeeaaaasse!" Millicent tried to sweet talk her Mother.

"No you cannot!" She guided them upstairs, without paying attention to their words, "Look everyone's going to bed as well!"

After the kids left, Olivia and William went ahead, the rest of them followed after, until Joe and Viola were left alone in the room.

"Hey you!" Joe called Viola's attention with one of his brow raised up. "Dance with me!"

"Why not?!" Viola stood up and pulled Joe to her side, they held hands and began to dance slowly to the classical music playing in the background.

"Do you know what would spice up this evening?" Joe whispered into Viola's ear.

"No what?!" She whispered back with her eyes glistening in the dark.

"A Chardonnay Vodka!" He chuckled behind her ears and Viola could feel his warm breath on her skin.

"Ok!" She nodded.

Quickly, Joe tiptoed to a cabinet at the end of the living room and brought out an uncorked bottle of Chapel Chardonnay Vodka and two tumblers, then he poured few pieces of cubed ice into both tumblers and added a reasonable amount of the alcoholic liquid into the glass.

Viola stood in the room waiting and watching him with a smile.

Joe lifted the glasses up and walked towards Viola, he handed one of the tumblers to her and smiled.

"Here's to happiness!"

"Cheers!" They clicked their glasses together with elegance and began to sip from the wine with poise and satisfaction. It filled their mouths with a sweet creamy taste and a hint of pepper. The floral aroma from the wine caressed their sense of smell.

"Exquisite!" Viola exclaimed after she emptied her glass. "Pour me more, Will ya?!"

"Sure! But we gotta be careful, it's strong!" Joe warned and filled Viola's glass again.

They sipped from the wine again and danced slowly, Viola placed her head on Joe's chest; feeling his strong arms with her hand.

Joe emptied his glass and went for a refill, both of them finished their drinks and decided to take a break from the sweet wine. They fell into each other's arms and danced slowly with their feet's barely leaving the floor.

Slowly Viola began to kiss Joe's neck like a feather.

"What are you doing?" Joe whispered with a smile.

"Wanting you!" She whispered looking into his eyes with lust.

Joe grinned and grabbed her waist firmly, he pulled her to his thighs and kissed her deeply. Immediately Viola blushed and her body temperature rose.

"What was that?!" Viola asked with her eyes still closed from the kiss.

"That's what I should've done a long time ago!"

"I want you Joe!" Viola nodded and whispered.

Joe lifted her up in his arms and took her up into his room.