Season's Reunions

Christmas Cheer

A year had passed since the last time he saw a ghost. A year since he was shown the error of his ways and turned over a new leaf. His life became better in an instant, as did the lives of those around him.

Scrooge honestly couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this happy. Every day was a new gift, and he refused to take it for granted. He was surrounded by family and friends who enjoyed his company- I mean, genuinely enjoyed it! Not simply tolerating his presence out of mere obligation.

He'd lived his entire life in varying degrees of loneliness- from childhood to a young adult, chasing love and familiarity, and replacing its warmth with cold hard cash.

He never would have changed, had it not been for Jacob and the others. He owed them everything... And yet, they were the only ones whose kindness he couldn't repay.

Or so he thought.

The three spirits of past, present, and future expected nothing in return for their lessons. They had only wished to make him a better man; one with compassion and a zest for life he'd long forgot. No reunions or expressed gratitude were necessary.

Jacob Marley on the other hand, wasn't quite so content. He was ever so lonely, drifting aimlessly among the living as he atoned for his sins. He was able to find solace in the fact that he'd saved Scrooge from the same fate, but one thing remained clear: he missed his friend dearly.

So when he heard a familiar voice calling to him from beyond the ether, he followed it.

~~~

"I'm uh, I'm not sure how this works. Or if it even works at all- but Jacob, if you're listening, I just wanted to say thanks. F-for everything," Scrooge spoke into the empty room, sitting in a chair by the fireplace. "You always stood by me, even at my worst. And because of you, I'm still here." He grabbed his glass of wine, raising it in a toast before downing the rest of his drink.

He sat in silence, staring into the roaring fire as sparks crackled and popped, sending glowing embers up the flue. A sudden chill made him shiver, hugging his arms around his body.

"You always did like to listen to yourself talk," a familiar voice spoke from behind.

A smile broke out across Scrooge's face as he turned around. "It's good to see you too." He studied him a moment, wondering if his mind was growing foggy with age, or if Marley's chains were lighter than he remembered. "I wasn't sure you'd come, y'know."

"Would I stand you up?" he asked with a smirk. Scrooge chuckled, shaking his head fondly.

"Not intentionally. I still don't really know how this whole, uh, spirit thing works," he said awkwardly. 

"Jesus Scrooge, I already know I'm dead, you don't have to dance around the word," he chastised playfully, making himself at home and sitting across from his old business partner.

"W-well I didn't want to be rude-"

"Ha! This is me we're talking about. It takes a lot more than that to ruffle my feathers." He picked up the spare glass, giving the liquid inside a swirl. "Certainly looks like you were expecting company."

"I thought I'd better be prepared," Scrooge shrugged innocently.

"You sure you weren't just trying to sneak an extra glass?"

"Oh please, I'd sneak another glass regardless," Scooge tossed his head back and laughed at his own joke, slapping his knee. Marley laughed along, more so at his infectious reaction than the joke itself.