Disclaimer: I don't own Christmas Carol. I'm not Charles Dickens and if I were I certainly wouldn't be writing fanfiction because computers would not have been invented yet
"I know this place," Scrooge said, "I know this man. Fezziwig. He was a kind man."
"He was more then kind," the ghost of Christmas Past said, "I'm going to take you to a moment in HIS past."
"I assumed this was about me," Scrooge said confused, "He was so good he surely got welcomed no with no trouble."
Snow swirled around Scrooge and then the scene cleared. Scrooge saw a man who looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties. He was caked in dust and appeared to have been up all night. There were dark circles around his eyes.
"Is this Fezziwig," Scrooge whispered.
"No," the spirit said, "This is Mr. Wilcox Threadgood. He is in a dreadful position."
"What's his problem," Scrooge asked.
"Just wait and see," the spirit said.
In a flash they were at the bank. It was warm and cozy. It smelled like apple cider.
"Please take a seat Mr. Threadgood," the desk clerk said kindly, "Mr. Fezziwig will be with you in just a moment."
The man nodded. He was offered a warm drink and thanked the desk clerk. The man took his hands out of his pockets just long enough to drink his apple cider. Soon enough a tall, well dressed man with red hair and kind eyes. It was Fezziwig.
"Mr. Threadgood," he said in a kind tone, "Do come in"
The man got up slowly. He was exhausted and looked like he had gone through hell and back. They found themselves in Fezziwig's office. Scrooge watched as Fezziwig pulled up a seat for the young man.
"Now Mr. Threadgood," Fezziwig asked, "What brings you here?"
Mr. Threadgood paused for a moment and blinked the tears from his eyes. Fezziwig handed him a tissue and patted his shoulder.
Mr. Threadgood then took out a broach.
"Here," he said softly.
"It's a beautiful broach," Fezziwig said furrowing his eyebrows in confusion, "But I'm not sure I understand why you're giving this to me."
"I've come upon some bad luck recently," Mr. Threadgood explained.
"Happens to us all," Mr. Fezziwig said.
"My little girl is ill," Mr. Threadgood explained, "I have the money I owe you but I need to use it to pay for her care so there's no way I can pay back the loan. I realize that I have to turn in my collateral. My child means more to my wife and I and our other children then this broach."
"Mr. Threadgood," Fezziwig said, "I am a father myself. I would do exactly what you were doing in your circumstances. I cannot accept your broach. I am going to cancel your debt. In addition I will pay out of pocket for your child's care and consider the rest of your payments paid in full."
"He just forgave the debt," Scrooge said, "No questions asked or consequences for the debt!"
"Come," said the spirit, "Let us see another memory."
Snow once again swirled around them and they found themselves in a new place this time. Scrooge was humming happily and sweeping up the place. His eyes caught that of his beloved; the beautiful Mallory Isabella Fezziwig, Fezziwig's daughter. She had dark beautiful curls and blue eyes. Her virtue was what he loved most about her. She was kind and compassionate and always willing to give.
"Ebeneezer," Dick said, "be careful. You nearly ran into the statue."
"Sorry," Ebeneezer said, "It's called being distracted."
"Yeah but if you break the statue it will be called the mop," Dick said sarcastically.
"Look at how young I was," Scrooge whispered, a smile dancing on his face.
"You weren't just young. You were happy," the spirit replied.
"I was happy," Scrooge admitted, "I was very happy. That was before..."
"Just watch," the spirit said.
"Good afternoon boys," Fezziwig said smiling, "I assume you each had a good morning?"
"Huh,"Ebeneezer said distracted.
"The market is selling people's milk today," Dick commented.
"Sounds good," Ebeneezer said.
"No it doesn't. It sounds ridiculous. It sounds like your mind is a million miles away," Dick said.
"Sorry. I was just... I'm seeing a friend of mine later for sup and I was just thinking about her."
"This lady must be quite special to you," Fezziwig said.
"Sir," Dick said, "There's something you should know."
"Well I always love to learn," Fezziwig said.
"Ebeneezer is not just seeing anymore. He has been seeing Mallory."
Ebeneezer glowered at his friend.
"We are friends," Ebeneezer said.
"Really? I have seen you take off your jacket and put it on her when it was raining out so she wouldn't catch chill and do not think I have not seen your soft side," Dick said.
"As if you don't have a soft side for those that you l-care very much about-"
"I hate to interrupt the arguing," Fezziwig said sarcastically, "Ebeneezer if I might have a word with you."
"Yes sir," Ebeneezer whispered like the breath of the wind.
"I'll leave you two be now," Dick said existing the room.
"Sit down Ebeneezer," Fezziwig said warmly.
Ebeneezer obeyed and sat down.
"I have no objections to the match," Fezziwig said, "You have become as a son to me. My daughter however means more to me then anyone or anything so I do have some words of wisdom that I hope you will understand and respect."
"Of course sir," Ebeneezer said honestly.
"My girl is not the average and typical lady," Fezziwig said, "She is kind and sensitive. She is beautiful on the inside as much as she is on the out. In this way she is exactly like her mum."
"I know that sir," Ebeneezer said, "That is why I love her. Well it is one of many reasons."
"Do not ever hurt her," Fezziwig said his tone turning serious, "in any way. It will be a problem if you do."
"I wouldn't hurt her," Ebeneezer said, "I would sooner harm myself than hurt her."
"You are a good man," Fezziwig said, "Never forget that."
"Come," the spirit said, "We have one more to see."
"No spirit not that," Scrooge said, "I can't bear to see that."
"But see it you must," the spirit said.
Snow once again swirled around them and the scene cleared.
They found themselves at a funeral parlor. Scrooge looked like he was about to be sick.
"I CAN'T STAND TO SEE THIS," he yelled.
"Look in the casket," the spirit said gently.
"I can't," Scrooge said, "If it weren't for me she would be alive."
"She fell into the pool and hit her head," the spirit corrected Scrooge, "You were not at fault for that. It was bad luck."
"I should have rescued her."
"You tried," the spirit reminded him.
"There's a difference between trying and succeeding," Scrooge said, "If I had succeeded she would have been alive."
"My time is short," the spirit said, "It is time for me to return to the spirit world."
Scrooge now found himself in his bed. He looked at the clock.