The Agent, The Ghost And The Wardrobe
II: The Ghost
Chapter 10
It was quite a shock when George and I saw Lucy greet us from the door.
George was so sure that Lucy was sound asleep in her room. Neither of us were willing to check if she was awake. We've walked in on her sleeping several times. And let me tell you, it was not pleasant. In none of those incidents did we walk out without a cut or a bruise.
When we opened the door, I almost tackled her to the ground. But judging from the awkward air weighing George and Lucy down, I decided against this. And a quick exchange of stories came.
Lucy fidgeted a yellow ribbon looking thing while she told us that the Jonathans called and asked her to come over. The story itself wasn't suspicious. After all, Jon had become sort of a friend to Lucy and I don't mind her going out on her own. It wasn't like we were on duty.
But she's been tired lately and the mission last night almost put her in danger. Again. Also there was still the look on her face- so poorly concealed- that told me she was hiding something important. I didn't push it and only nodded which made George look at me like I've grown another head.
I almost laughed at that.
Well after a long pause, she looked at the fireplace and her face lit up. Even George couldn't help it. It was kind of her to finally notice our efforts.
"It's lovely!" She rushed towards the small Christmas tree.
When George brought it up from storage, it was dingy, dusty and downright un-Christmasy. I suspected this must've been a Source of a dozen rats and cockroaches. But we gave it a good cleaning, set it up and look at that: good as new.
I found my old decorations I used to adore at as a kid and spent majority of the morning polishing and putting them together. If I closed my eyes and listened hard enough, I could hear the echoes of Christmases I celebrated in the walls of this house. Every fond memory of drinking hot chocolate by the fire, bundling up in a blanket when the weather became too cold, or even the simplest joy of opening a present in the morning.
All my collected memories sat in a neat box beside the bare tree, ready to be strung around.
Lucy is walked around the Christmas tree like a little kid excited for the biggest toy in the whole world. She looked like a giant next to the small tree, only reaching her shoulders.
"We hoped you'd like it." I smiled, finally happy to see her smiling for a change.
Lucy stopped in her tracks as if deep in thought and I frowned.
"Problem?" George asked, raising an eyebrow.
Suddenly, another brilliant smile broke out and I felt my heart flutter carelessly in my chest.
"Let's celebrate!" Lucy exclaimed.
I shook my head and smiled to myself as I strung the LED lights up around the handrails. It seemed that with all the madness going on and Ghosts haunting the whole of London, we'd forgotten about Christmas.
Okay, so George and I usually had Christmas decorations set up after Christmas Eve (Hey! Better late than never.), but we'd been stressed lately and I think everyone's been on edge. But once again, Lucy has managed to amaze me with her ideas.
She was the one who thought to put up the lights around the house. She was the one who ordered George to start cooking dinner at 2 in the afternoon. She was the one who volunteered to go shopping for all the last minute party things that George wanted her to get.
And I think George would never admit it, but he liked the idea of a Christmas dinner with a party, games and all. And I would always admit it – even out loud – I liked having Lucy around.
Well that's basically how I found myself dusting out my ancient artifacts and mopping up the floors at six in the evening, just about time when Lucy should be getting back.
I looked at my handiwork and nodded as I inspected the spotless sitting room. The red, blue and green lights glistened brightly and the room felt warm with the cool fire cackling in the fireplace.
On our vintage record player, I found a sweet and jolly holiday tune float up to my ears. George found my father's old records from a closet in the library.
Thoughts of mother's perfume or father's smoke and piper unconsciously made its way into my head. I could feel my mother's soft hands hold mine and hear my father's hearty laugh as I told them a joke I heard from school the other day. I can't remember what joke it was, only that my father laughed so hard that he held me and spun me around the room so fast the world blurred and the music melted with the fire and lights.
I let the memories flood back and wash away with the smell of the food George cooked from the kitchen. My nose couldn't resist and my stomach protested in agony. I led myself away from the sitting room and found a feast on our table.
George was just finishing final touches with the candle and places set for three. He grinned and wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead.
"So?" He gestured to the glittering array of roast beefs and chickens. I could almost taste the buttery croissant and warm mashed potato. Not a minute later, I felt my mouth watering and my stomach growling.
I gulped down my patience and the growing need to eat now, "It's beautiful."
George gave a satisfied nod and that's how I knew he was pleased with himself. Not even a master chef could whip up a feast this delicious in under three hours. Speaking of which, the evening came pretty early.
I told this to George and we both looked out of the kitchen window.
"Don't you think?" I said. George grunted and took off his frilly pink apron. A while back, Lucy and I laughed at his choice of kitchen equipment. The thought made me smile a little.
"It's snowing." He said. And indeed it was. Snow fell to the ground like a leaf does in autumn.
"My father used to tell me stories," I said. George looked at me questioningly.
"Before Ghosts, he used to tell me that angels used snowflakes to drift down from the heavens and find the lost souls of the dead so that they didn't have to roam the earth alone and cold." I looked into the dark and cold night as a snowflake winked by our window.
"I, of course being the kid I was, believed it. And always prayed that Ghosts wouldn't feel lonely because they had the Angels keeping them company that night." I laughed but it was short and died with the soft music.
George looked out into the night with me but I wondered if he too saw the same glowing lights that fell from the sky. I wondered if he saw angels that sang as they drifted into the earth, the same way I did. I listened into the night and I could hear their songs whispering to the wind and that was the lullaby putting me to sleep as the nights wore on.
The door creaked open and Lucy's grin filled the room like a warm sunrise. I moved forward to help her carry the bags she held in both hands. She shook her head and snow sprayed across floor.
"Hey! Watch it," I chided. "I spent the whole afternoon cleaning that very spot you're standing on."
"Ahh we wouldn't want all your hard efforts to be put to waste, now would we?" Lucy could read the grin on my face and returned the smile. We stood there smiling to each other, not knowing what to do next.
George huffed and carried the things away. "If you ladies would like to follow me, we can finally get this Christmas party started?"
That seemed to be a good enough excuse and I turned away first, coughing into my fists. I took hold of the bags and I could already see Lucy's glowing face as we entered the kitchen.
Seeing it for the second time only made me love it even more.
Dinner was lively with stories and food passing to and fro. The three of us sat closely with hands extended to reach for the butter or to pour another glass of champagne for another. Lucy nearly fell laughing from a story George told about the time he dropped a spider and how Quill Kipps' started screaming like a girl.
I ate with my friends and a grin that never really left my face the entire time.
"No. No. No. No. No." Lucy marched over to slap a red orb away from George's hands. "Don't put that there! You should put the red balls far from the blue ones." George's vein seemed to throb and I knew it would be wise to intervene sooner rather than later.
"Well I'm telling you, the red orbs look much better next to the blue!" George snapped.
"Hey now, you two are acting like a bunch of pansies fighting over a Barbie doll." I tried calming them down. But... "And you!" Lucy turned to me.
"Don't put the ballerina next to the nutcracker! Put her next to the toy giraffe!" Lucy rushed over to take the porcelain figure away from me. Her fingers brushed mine and I felt my cheeks go red. Luckily, the bright fire hid the blush and I silently thanked the flames. George nodded and held up a miniature version of our rapiers.
"Where did you get these cool decorations?" George asked. All I could give was a sly grin and continued helping Lucy arrange the tree.
George and I dropped on the sofa, exhausted. We gazed at the sparkling tree that Lucy fussed over for nearly an hour.
"How the bloody hell did she have the right to boss us around like that?" George sighed, pulling his legs to rest them on the table. I merely shrugged my shoulders.
True, it was a bit tiring but I couldn't deny that she had an amazing taste for designing Christmas trees. I felt my cheeks widen to another grin as Lucy walked in with a tray of tea and cookies in her hands.
"Ahh excellent! Thank you, Lucy." I sat up straighter and rubbed my palms as she poured a cup for herself and passed the cookies around.
We spent a silent minute just simply staring into the fire. The music was enchanting and it had us under its soft spell. A thin mist seemed to settle in the room, taking over everyone.
"Lucy," The words slurred out of my mouth like running water. I couldn't make them stop.
"I'm sorry." I was about to say, but George beat me to it. "I didn't mean to say you weren't part of the team. In fact, you're the most important..." I looked to the pudgy blonde boy who was struggling to get the words out... Or keep the words in, rather.
"... The most important... Assistant we've had in a long time." I sighed wondering why George just wouldn't confess now. He loved having Lucy around. And we both knew it.
"George, honestly? But yes, Lucy. You're an important assistant. No, an important friend. I don't think George or I could've survived a single mission without you there. We're sorry if you think you're inferior. And we can tell you that you're not. So please don't think of transferring to the Fittes' now!" I pleaded with her.
Through misted eyes, I could see Lucy's shocked face and I could only hope that she takes me seriously.
I wanted to have more Christmases with her. I wanted to make more memories with my friends. And I am so sure that Lockwood and Co is only the beginning of what it can become.
"Lucy, I–" Lucy blinked a few times as if to hold back tears. I suddenly found it hard to look into her eyes. "I–"
But the track ended and so did the spell. And a numb silence filled the room.
A few minutes or so passed before Lucy jumped to her feet. The both of us looked to her. Even George looked a bit dazed at first. "Come along, you two! No sleeping yet," She walked over to the Christmas tree.
When she returned, two enormous bows topped two colorfully wrapped boxes. She held out both of them for us.
"This ones for you," She set a blue and gray box onto George's lap, "And here's yours." and a green and silver one on mine.
I opened it under Lucy's expectant grin and nervously lifted the lid. An audible gasp escaped my lips and I could tell George was just as stupefied about his' as I was about mine.
In it was a brand new copy of the updated Fittes' Ghost Hunting Manual. I had been dying to get my hands on one since they released it weeks ago. I ran my hands along the cover and watched the silver rimmed edges flutter past my fingertips.
This one had secret pages from Maria's journal and a foreword by Maria Fittes' granddaughter, Penelope Fittes. I turned a page to the first, expecting it to be blank and clean. Imagine my surprise as I find a scribbled signature waiting for me there.
I could only look at Lucy stupidly. Surely a dumb look spread across my face as she giggled and nodded eagerly. "Yes, Lockwood. That's her real signature."
"No way." I mouthed. Then I realized that I did not say it out loud. But when it came out, it was more of a squeak than a shout.
Lucy laughed again and I was pretty sure the angels' songs were visiting us early that night.
"Lucy!" I don't know what came over me but the next thing I knew, Lucy was gasping for breath trying to get me to loosen my grip. She smelled like those cinnamon rolls she had for dessert and bunches of lavender she hung around the house. She smelled nice.
"Oh no way!" Lucy was roughly pulled away from me.
"Lucy this is amazing! For someone who rarely picks a book up, you have great taste in them." George grinned and put an arm around Lucy, who mimicked his wide smile.
Lucy laughed.
"You two, idiots." She said softly. George and I looked at each other with worried expressions. But Lucy only pulled us in a tight hug.
"I would never leave you," She whispered in our ears. I could feel my ears turn bright pink.
"So you're not transferring?" George asked.
Lucy pulled away and I immediately found the air colder and nippier than last I checked. "Why the bloody hell would I want to transfer now?!" Lucy screamed in our faces.
All three of us immediately burst out laughing. In the midst of the cheers and giggles, George handed Lucy our present we've been dying to give her.
Lucy opened the long, thin box and we watched as tears trailed down her brand new silver rapier.
Lucy cried and our laughter was soon joined with tears and lots of hugging.
After what seemed like forever, we settled in our respective makeshift sleeping bags.
Lucy had a brilliant idea to bring our blankets and pillows so we could sleep next to the fireplace. (Our heater broke down this morning.) And it took some time, but George eventually agreed.
She snuggled in comfortably, wrapping the comforter around her. I stared happily up at the ceiling replaying this moment again and again, making sure every detail is perfect.
"We wanted to make sure that you didn't get into an accident," George continued. We decided to come clean with everything and so we started from the top. Starting from when Lucy locked herself in the burning room.
"The doctor warned us of your dizzy spells since you haven't been used to the city air." Lucy nodded, I guess she already knew that much. It still felt good to say it aloud.
"What have you been doing then, Lucy?" I looked to her.
Lucy pursed her lips as if preparing how to answer, "I've been to MedTech... I want to solve the Domus Ignis case. I really want to help Jon and I have a feeling about this one. I'm sorry if I've been doing this behind your backs!" She said quickly. George and I stirred, our muscles tense.
After while, I decided to let it go. I sighed, "Lucy," and gave her a smile.
"If you want to take this case on, then we won't stop you." George nodded in agreement. "And we'll be there to help. We're your friends Lucy. We'll always have your back." Lucy's head turned to hide her misty eyes. I smiled to myself and gave a thumbs up to George.
A minute later, George's loud snoring echoed in the warm house.
Lucy giggled and whispered, "Good night, boys."
"Good night to you too, Lucy. May their songs guard us in our sleep and bless us with wonderful dreams." I whispered back. I can't remember where I got that from but I closed my eyes and swore I could hear Angels singing, echoing in the snowy night.
Author's Note
Hello! I officially turned fifteen 13 hours ago. I think?
So I wouldn't want to bore you with my boring life story. But if you ever want to chat, just dm or pm or whatever m, me. Anywayyyyy! I'm really excited for the Blood of Olympus cover :(((((( and for the last book in the Mortal Instruments series huhuhuhu
This is sad. I don't want anything to end :'((((
OKay well summer is about to end and I haven't started my summer homework. (It sucks to have homework during summer T^T)
And I'm sorry if this is super late! But I've been having a bit of a writer's block.
So thanks for reading! And don't forget to review 3