A/N: Not mine, I own nothing.

So, this Christmas story has been done plenty of times, but I am hoping to put a slight twist on it. I will try to post a chapter a week, with the last one being Christmas day. At least that's the plan at this point. I make no promises, almost of you know I have been in and out of the hospital.

Now, on with the story.

A Christmas Carol, Plum Style

Another damn day down the drains. As a matter of fact, another holiday down the drains. This sucks and there's not a dang gone thing I can do about it. I am just done, not even Batman, snort, could save me this year. Who needs Christmas anyway, not me, no way, no how, un-uh. I don't even like it.

Those pretty lights are so stupid, and who would do a live nativity scene with a real baby in the Jersey cold? What the hell is awassiling anyway? Why even sing about it? Who wants to sing Christmas carols door to door? Maybe, if you want to get shot. Been there, done that, didn't even get a shirt.

I throw my bag onto my couch, when I smell sugar cookies and a massive pine tree being shoved up my nose. Diesel. So, not what I need today.

"Well, good to see you too sunshine."

"Leave, I'm not buying what you're selling, and I damn sure ain't helping you."

"Well, Sugar Plum, you're in luck, I'm here to help you this year."

"For the love of God, please no new hell monkeys this year. I promise to be good."

" Funny, Plum, but no. Over the next three nights you will be visited by three spirits. They will help you take the path of you destiny."

"Pretty sure that I'd rather just have Carl the hell monkey. I've made it clear that I'm not ever going to be a Morelli, and Manoso is out too. Neither of them want me for me, and I don't see anyone else half way sane, standing in line to love me."

"That's what this will all be about, Plum. A chance for you to see what is waiting right in front of you. A chance to get your happily ever after. A chance at love, Plum."

"It's a myth. There is no such thing as happily ever after or love. Hell, I don't really know if you're real or a hallucination brought on by too many damn holiday decorations."

"Oh, I'm real, Steph." I felt a slight sizzle in the air and in the next moment, realized that I was missing my bra... again. I held out my hand and he laughed as he handed it over.

"Remember, Plum. Three spirits over three nights. They will be here at the stroke of midnight."

I just waved him off and a very distinctive popping sound could be heard as I made my way to my closet. I needed fresh clothes so that I could relax in a hot bubble bath, after a quick shower that is.

As I lay there getting all pruney, I had time to think about what Diesel said to me. Could Happiest afters and love really exist? What examples did I really have to go on? It sure as hell wasn't anything in my life.

Soon enough I was vegged out with a bottle of wine, Die Hard, and enough snack cakes to feed a third world country. Yeah, it had been that kind of day. Forget falling in love, I'd rather fall in to a chocolate tastycake.

John McClane was getting ready to save the towers, once again, when I heard my locks tumble, checking the time, I realized that it was only ten thirty. I had Die Hard two qued up and waiting. Who said I don't know what a good Christmas movie was?

"Ranger."

"Babe," he said with a smirk. Great, I was entertainment for him again. I felt a very dark look cross my face.

"I'm glad I could make sure to fill my qutoa for the year. Being so good at entertainment and all. What do you need, Ranger?"

"Die Hard, Red Wine, and Tastycake, it must be Christmas at the Plum home."

"Listen, to each their own. I don't criticize how you celebrate, you don't get to criticize mine. Now, what do you need?"

"I just wanted to check on you. Heard you had a rough day."

"Including a visit from Diesel."

"Thought I had a headache. Where is the wonderful guy?"

"Just popped in for a moment, then left."

He sat next to me and pulled me into his chest. We sat like that, comfortably, falling asleep. I soon felt like I was being tickled awake.

It took everything I had to not scream, when I realized that I was looking right at Grandpa Mazur. I guess he is my ghost of Christmas past. He crooked his arthritic finger at me. I looked at Ranger and saw that he was still sleeping. I wanted to push a loose lock of hair off of his forehead.

"Come on, Hippie girl. I think you may have forgotten a few things. You need a reminder."

Grandpa always called me his Hippie girl. I'm not sure why, but he did and I missed it. I took his hand as he wisked me off to my childhood home.

The entire house was decorated with lights and a crèche. I could feel the warmth coming off the family like feeling of love. He pulled me onto the porch to peer in the window. You could smell the sugar cookies in the air. It was a Christmas morning scene. I was on Daddy's lap as Ma helped Valerie open her present. I was waiting my turn, waiting with my best friend. I was warm and snugly, I was happy, and I felt loved.

Soon we were on our way again. We were at Grandma Mazurs, after grandpa passed away. It was our last Christmas at their home, before she moved in with us.

I was helping Grandma with the dishes after dinner and she finally broke down. It was the first time since Grandpa had died that she cried.

"What am I going to do without you, Harry?"

"We'll help you Grandma. I promise, I won't let you be alone," I whispered and rubbed her back.

The pure love that she felt for Grandpa Mazur, just poured off of her. Her heart was broken. We held each other like that. I don't know who finished dishes that night, because we were cuddled up supporting each other.

The next place was the home Dickie and I lived in. It looked like our first and only Christmas after we were married. We were hosting both families that year, we had it catered. The senator, his Dad, wouldn't have it any other way. It was just before our parents arrived. We were sitting in front of the fireplace, if you looked closely, we actually looked like we were in love.. The softness in our eyes, the smiles that lit up our faces, and just the air of contentment. Did we really love each other?

"Yes, Hippie, you did. None of us thought it wouldn't be forever."

"But..." I woke up, reaching out for my Grandpa. I felt a loss that he wasn't there.

"Babe?" Ranger asked sleepily.

"Come on, Batman. You can stay here tonight, just don't hog the blankets and no groping."

I pulled him up and we made our way to my bed for the night. I sighed in happiness as I drifted off in his arms