The snow fell in a graceful ballet around the Scotland Yard, but the flurries outdoors had nothing compared to the whirlwind of Christmas spectaculars that blew through the offices, thanks to one Lucy Baker. She had spent hours preparing for the holiday, and the paper snowflakes in the hall, snowmen on the lawn, and even the young detective constable's trademark hat being traded in for a Santa hat showed the signs that Christmas was, indeed, coming. The once cluttered Mystery Room was packed to the brim with various decorations, from the hanging streamers to a blooming poinsettia on Alfendi's desk. Faint calls of carols could be, and often were, heard from the office, and Lucy's voice usually came along with it. Sometimes, by a stroke of pure luck, Alfendi would join in, his tenor voice blending in harmony with Lucy's sweet soprano.
This Christmas cheer seemed to spread all around the Yard, to the most happy offices of Sniffer and Florence, to even the Scrooges like Blaine. Lucy charmed them all with her smile, her own holiday spirit planting a seed that blossomed into true Christmas joy. Florence wrapped garland around the pole of her IV, and Sniffer wore around his very own novelty Christmas bow-tie. Blaine was less festive, but relented when Lucy graciously gave him a 'Bah Humbug' coffee mug. Needless to say, Blaine never drank his morning brew with out it.
Even the Commissioner and Hilda joined in. Hilda helped Lucy decorate the Mystery Room with a smile, and Barton decided to host a staff party. This was much to the others joy, and mostly for his own enjoyment as well. Lucy did make the best sugar cookies after all. Dustin, to say the least, gave up on cleaning many of the sections where Lucy had been, as whatever she touched, a decoration seemed to spring up. Everyone understood, and laughed every time Lucy saw a bare hallway that Dustin was gratefully sweeping. Dustin couldn't believe how much he actually could miss cleaning the offices of the Scotland Yard.
At the party, Lucy noticed that her chain, which carefully counted down the days until Christmas, was unbearably short. Squealing in delight, she ran over to count the festive loops near the Yard's 'family' tree. The tree and chain were both traditions that Lucy brought in new to the workplace. The chain was a reminder of home, and the little family gatherings on Christmas Eve, when the last chain was broken. The tree was a classic, and was decorated with an ornament for each employee at the Yard, their name inscribed on either a red, green, or blue bulb.
Arriving at the chain, Lucy noticed that Florence was also there, glancing at the few loops carefully, as if each one had a secret. Today, the forensic analyst looked livelier, partly due to the holiday, and because the cold outside had momentarily stopped the woman's ever-present runny nose. It didn't however, stop the woman from sneezing constantly, especially when talking to others. Glancing down from the chain, Florence weakly smiled at Lucy, and looked around for Alfendi. The two were close, yes, but the man hated any type of social gathering, and usually stuck next to Lucy if he was required to attend. Lucy smiled at the scientist.
"'E already went back up to th' Mystery Room," Lucy chuckled. Florence grinned, and followed it up by a cough.
"I do believe it is a record th- th- achoo!- though for him?" Lucy giggled. It was the running joke to see how long Alfendi would generally stay at the gatherings.
"T' give him credit, the Prof 'as been staying longer recently!" Lucy managed to get out. Florence let out a small chuckle to prevent any further spasms. Looking back up at the chain, a misty, nostalgic haze covered Florence's eyes.
"Yes, he has," she mused. "You're familiar with the Twelve Days of Christmas, correct?"
"Of, course, Flo! 'Ow could I not be!" Lucy acted offended, but Florence was to far off to notice the joke.
"Then I'm correct in my assumption that you have not hear about the myth surrounding the twelve days prior to Christmas, correct?" Florence asked, her tone as serious as ever. Lucy looked at her bewildered. "I will take that as a yes," Florence smiled.
"Well, wot is it!" Lucy's eyes shone with excitement. Florence smiled at the over zealous constable.
"Ah, Lucy, it's an old tale my mum used to tell me when I was little," Florence smiled at the memory, but was soon back to her story. "It was said that there was a man, granted he was very shy, who couldn't tell his feelings. He was more of a poet, a storyteller. So, this author had really written himself up a tragic love story, but this time it was in his on world." Florence paused to look at the shimmering glaze in Lucy's eyes.
"Go on, Florence! Don't leave me 'anging!"
"Alright, alright. This man devised a plan, a way to say his feelings without talking right to her. With his talent of words, he spun twelve beautifully crafted letters that he would give to the girl. These were meant to be presents, so not to conform, he gave them to her anonymously. On the-the -Achoo!- final day, Christmas none the less, he finally gave her the letter personally." A sneeze penetrated the flow of the words. Lucy was nearly bursting with excitement, her arms were bunched close to her chest, and her hands in fists, holding in the shrieks.
"So wot happened?" Lucy finally managed.
"The woman was surprised. The two had known each other for awhile, so it came as a welcome surprise, and the rest was history," Florence finished. Lucy was amazed.
"Oh, Florence!" She gushed. "That were amazing! Ee! Ju' think of it!" Lucy twirled around on spot.
"I didn't think you as the romantic, Lucy" Florence managed between coughs. Lucy continued to smile.
"Oh, not usually, but oh! The holidays jus' get me so excited and happy! I wish it were me in tha' story. Wouldn't it fantastic!" Florence chuckled weakly.
"I'm sure it will happen someday, Lucy. Just be patient!" Florence laughed. Reaching up to the paper chain, Florence ripped off the nearest link. "Anyway, if anyone were to want to send letters, it would be a little late now, eh?" Without either of their knowledge, a lone shadow was listening around the corner.
"Lo, Prof!" Lucy came bounding in the Mystery Room, full of energy as always. "Got th' mail again!" Each office was subjected to memos, and the Mystery Room was no exception. Personal letters were also acceptable, but very rare. "You got a letter from your father, I think, and a little pink envelope from on Miss," Lucy squinted at the curvy font. "... Flora Rein'old?" Alfendi grimaced.
"That would be my sister," he muttered. Taking the mail from Lucy's grip, Alfendi quickly shuffled though the various letters and memos. Half-way though the stack, he paused, and his face showed curiosity and slight discomfort. "Lucy, were you expecting mail?" Lucy looked up from the couch, where she had taken a habit of reading Alfendi's murder novels in their spare time.
"Me?" Lucy looked confused. "Nowt, Prof. I already got my ticket for th' ride home from my parents." Getting up, Lucy racked her brain for a reason why she would be receiving any letters.
"Ticket?" Alfendi asked, confused. He handed Lucy the letter.
"Oh, yeah. We 'ave off the day of Christmas, so m' parents got me day tickets to 'ave a quick visit on Christmas day," Lucy looked down at the parcel, so she couldn't see the almost hurt look on Alfendi' face. Her eyes hovering over the paper, Lucy walked back over to the couch, and Alfendi back to the desk. "Prof?"
"Hmm?" A small hum was his response.
"Did you recognize the 'andwriting?"
"Nope." Lucy frowned. Real help you are today, she thought. Upon inspection, there was no return address, or any sending address either. Relenting, Lucy gently opened the envelope. A small slip of paper fell out, with very few words neatly printed across it. Lucy almost threw up after reading them. An almost inaudible squeak escaped her lips, alerting the weary inspector at his desk. Over and over again, Lucy read the lines silently to herself.
Dear Lucy,
I just wanted to say that Florence was wrong about being patient. You didn't have to wait very long to hear that you are beautiful.
"Lucy, are you quite alright?" Alfendi questioned. Lucy looked up, a very faint blush painted across her cheeks. She wasn't able to look him in the eyes, let alone speak.
"Hmm..." Lucy tried to clear her throat. "I-it's nowt, Prof. Nowt," Lucy's tone of voice eluded that something was very wrong. "I need, need to go talk to Florence!" Lucy quickly jumped up and ran to the Forensic Lab. Several people gave her strange looks as the detective constable sprinted though the desolate halls. Even the Commissioner stuck his head out of his office as Lucy rushed by.
"Flo! Florence, Let me in!" Lucy pounded on the door. A very disturbed Florence opened the door and shushed her.
"Jeez, Lucy! Who are you trying to get? Me, or the dead?" Florence sneezed. Lucy whipped out the letter.
"I got one, Florence!" Her voice was a mix of excitement and fear.
"One what? A dead body?" Florence held her hand out for the paper.
"A letter, Florence! One of the ones from your story!" Florence's mouth fell open in shock.
"H-how did it get to you?" Florence wondered aloud.
"The Prof found it in the mail! It were between his family letters," Lucy gushed. "Oh!" She exclaimed. "The person also said that they 'eard us talking at th' party!"
"That can't be possible- Achoo!- We were alone!" Lucy just shrugged. "Well," Florence sighed, "You do know what this means?"
"Wot?" Lucy looked confused.
"We have a mystery in your Mystery Room."