CHARLES'S CHRISTMAS CAROL
Hello my dear friends. How I've missed you all. Those last three weeks, I was completely absorbed with work and Christmas preparations, plus some few other troubles along the way, but I've managed to find a little time to write the story that's been sitting in my head for few weeks. Of course it's a Christmas story, the idea won't probably be very original, but because I love Dickens, I couldn't help it.
Summary: On the night before Christmas Eve, Charles has a visit from the ghost of his past- Charlie Grigg, who sadly passed away few days earlier. He is taking Charles on the mad trip to his past, present and future Christmas. Will this night help Charles to make a decision concerning his future life? Let's find out. Alternative universe of course. Nothing is according to the series in this story.
To avoid confusion in the story, I will refer to Charles Carson as Charles and Charles Grigg as Charlie.
Legal note: Don't own Charles, Elsie, Charlie Grigg, Mrs Patmore, O'Brien, but I do own other characters that will appear in the story ;-)
Christmas 1895
Charles was so anxious all day long, ever since he received a letter with the news that his old stage friend, Charlie Grigg, passed away because of the heart attack. They didn't have much contacts in those last few years, but since they met accidentally in London, few years earlier and decided to end their old quarrels, they sometimes wrote to each other, sharing their present life events.
About a year and a half earlier, Charlie became a widower, when Alice died because of pneumonia. He informed Charles about that in the letter. Charles passed his condolences to him, suddenly reminding himself, that conversation that they had when they met in London. When they made their peace and decided to forgot about the past, sad events, which differ them. They've talked for a while then, drinking Margaux and Charlie asked him, if there was any woman in Charle's life. He didn't want to lie to his old friend, so he told him all about Elsie Hughes, who was working with him for a short time, as she has just arrived to the house, but she already managed to capture his heart from day one...
Charlie listened to him carefully and when he saw Charles's sparkling eyes, when he was telling him all about that unique, beautiful Scottish woman, he advised him to follow his chance for happiness in life. To marry this woman, if he thinks that she is the right one. But Charles told him, that it was not that simple. His life was restricted by some rules and even though things may be changing, it was still unusual for the butler and the housekeeper to get married. Charlie listened to his explanations and even though he understood them, he repeated to Charles, that he should take any possible chance to be happy.
Sitting now in the quiet corner of his pantry, Charles suddenly remembered himself those words precisely. They were pretty accurate to his present state of mind. For weeks he wondered what to do with his life. He was approaching forty and if he wanted to make something with his life, to change his current situation, it was the perfect time for it. However, the doubts that he had and there was a lot of them, still made it impossible for him to decide...He already had an engagement ring prepared for Elsie and when he was almost sure that he will propose, something still held him back...
It was not that he had any doubts about her feelings. He may not know much about women in general, but he knew Elsie long enough, to notice that she was not indiferent. He sensed, that she also had feelings for him, but the way this world worked, was that the man was the one who should take the first step. Days, weeks and months went by and he still couldn't decide.
On the night before Christmas Eve, he went to bed tormented, by all those thoughts running through his head like a hurricane. He couldn't fall asleep, he was tossing and turning very long..
Suddenly, he heard some strange noise in the corner of his bedroom. Intrigued by it, he rose on the bed and looked in the direction, from which the noise came. What he saw there, almost made his blood froze, because in the corner of his bedroom, at his favorite armchair, he saw Charlie Grigg, sitting as if he was still alive.
Charles's first instinct was to run away, because he knew that Charlie was dead, so the natural reflex of fear overpowered him..In spite of the enormous fear, he decided to speak, hoping that it was just some kind of nightmare, a vision that will fade away as soon as he will speak...
"Charlie...Is that you? What...What are you doing here...?"
"Hello Charles. Yes, it's me. But don't be afraid. I'm not here to hurt you or frighten you."
"But you are...You are..."
"I'm dead. That is what you were going to say, right? It is true. I'm dead and I know things now, that I wasn't aware of before, that's why I came to save you, before I will have to leave this earth forever..."
"You want to help me? But why? In what? I don't understand..."
"Take it easy Charles. You were always too uptight, you took everything too seriously, including yourself. I'm here to show you your past life, your present life and your future life. How it was, how it is and how it may look like, depending what way you will choose...
"But how?"
"Relax and just follow my lead. Do not say anything, do not don't ask anything. Just look at everything I'm about to show you and you will come to the right conclusions. Hurry up, we don't have much time and there are few places that we need to visit...
Charles was still in awe, when Charlie took his hand. Before he realized, suddenly, by some kind of magical coincidence, they have left the room, that he was sleeping in and they flew through the frosty, December night somewhere. After a while, they found themselves in some house, Charles was still amazed and wondered, how did they really got there and where were they, but when he looked around, he was astound, as he understood, that they were in the house of his childhood...The house in which he grew up in...
Christmas 1865
"Charles my boy, you are finally home. I was starting to worry about you son"
"I'm all right mother, it's just that it took me a little longer to say goodbye to my school friends. We won't see each other for couple of days now. I will miss them..."
"How was your last day of school my boy? Are you happy about your Christmas break?"
"Yes mom. Very happy. I like Christmas a lot."
"Glad to hear it my son. Now come on, let's go to our living room. Your father and your sister are already waiting for us. It's time to get the Christmas tree prepared..."
Charles and Charlie moved again and again, didn't really know how, Charles discovered, that they were now in the living room, watching as his family was decorating the Christmas tree all together. The fire was burning in the fireplace. It was freezing outside, the thick layer of ice was on the windows, but to the Carson family it didn't matter...Because they were all together, laughing, singing Christmas carols and decorating the tree. He watched his memories from childhood and he felt like it was all yesterday. He watched the solid figure of his father, hanging around the room, taking Charles's little sister on his shoulders, so she could decorate the higher branches of the tree. He watched his mother, so very dear to his heart, so touched by the fact that the whole family was together in one room.
Looking at those happy memories of his past life, Charles felt, that his eyes became wet, as tears of emotions gathered in the corners. This was his past. Happy days that will never go back, as all the other members of his family were dead now...Charlie saw the emotions on Charles's face, but he didn't say a word to him...Instead, before Charles could realize, they transferred again, coming back to the Abbey. Charles wanted to protest, to say something, he was so eager to stay in the last place, to watch his family for a longer while, but Charlie raised his hand, ordering him to remain silent and Charles obeyed. He looked around and noticed that they were in the servants hall of the Abbey...
Christmas 1895
They were all sitting around the dinner table, there was a huge noise in the room, as everyone was talking, laughing, drinking, eating and looking at the presents, that they have just received few moments ago from their employers upstairs.
It was typical Christmas lunch at the servants hall, the same as every year. Charles looked at all of them, the people that he knew so well. He looked at Mrs Patmore's funny face, a little red from the ponch that she liked to overuse during Christmas, he looked at giggling maids, laughing and joking with each other, he looked as the hall boys and the footmen were playing with Christmas crackers.
But most of all, he was looking at the woman, who sat on his right side, beaming with joy, looking at him, like he was the only man in the world, the same as he looked at her. An attentive observator would swiftly realized, that these two had their eyes only for each other. It was so nice and safe, to see all this present day, that Charles knew so well. It gave him less emotions than the previous image of his childhood, those were just emotions of a different kind for him. He smiled warmly and he looked at Charlie, who was still observing him all the time, trying to read from his face, what Charles really felt.
Once again they suddenly left the room and transferred to another room. Before Charles could figure out where they were now, Charlie spoke:
"We have seen your past and your present Charles. Now, it's time to look at your future. Two versions of your future, which will depend from what you will choose and which road you will take. Please don't say anything, just observe...
Charles didn't say anything, according to Charlie's favor and he he soon realized that they were in his pantry...
Christmas-1905 (version one)
Charles was looking at the man, sitting by the desk, wondering if that was possible, that it's still him.. No doubt about it. It was him. But he looked so old. His hair were almost completely grey and there was so much more wrinkles on his face, the one around his lips were clearly visible, they made his face sterner than usual and there was something about his eyes that made Charles shudder inside. Those were the saddest eye expression, that he has ever seen at his own face...He was sad, lonely and clearly in despair... Charles knew that, but he didn't know the reason for that...He was soon to find out...
"Mr Carson would you mind telling me where did you put those silver breakfast trays? I need them for tomorow"-Mrs Patmore just barged in into his pantry, without knocking.
"They are exactly where they have been yesterday and the day before. On the table in the hall. How many times do I have to repeat myself Mrs Patmore? Is it really so difficult to understand one, simple thing?"
"Sorry Mr Carson. I must have forgot."
"Please do not let that happen again and if this is all, go away and leave me alone"
"That's not all Mr Carson. We will eat our Christmas dinner in few minutes. Will you join us?"
"No, thank you. I will eat later, I just want to be left alone."
"As you wish."
Mrs Patmore left and closed the door behind her and Charles hid his face in his hands and looked away in the direction of the window...
Charles was really puzzled by this whole thing, he wanted to understand and the answer came right away...When he and Charlie found themselves in the servants hall..
"I'm worrying about Mr Carson...He is really not himself ever since Mrs Hughes left, to marry Joe Burns. He is devastated."
"Can you blame him Mrs Patmore? I was more than sure, that they will get married, but Mrs Hughes waited so long for his proposal and he never had enough courage to do that...She wanted to have a family and when she understood, that it will never be possible with him, she decided to go back to Scotland. Do you remember how she cried on the day that she was leaving? She certainly didn't look like a person who was happy to get married, she was in despair. I think that Mr Carson was her true love.."-O'Brien replied. She was rarely kind to people, but she had a proper judgement of the situation..
"You are right. He simply lost his chance and now thay are both terribly unhappy. I have received a letter from Elsie recently. She wrote, that her marriage is the biggest mistake that she made in her life and that she is doomed...To think, how one unfortunate decision can influence two people's lives.."
Charles listened to that being in shock...He grabbed his heart, realizing how his decision or so to speak, his lack of decision, made them both unhappy...He didn't say a word to Charlie, remembering about his request, but he looked at him with such tragic eyes, that Charlie understood, that it was now time to show him the second version of his future...
Christmas-1905 (version 2)
Charles looked around and he saw that they were outside now. The snow was falling gently on the ground and after a while, he realized, that they were heading somewhere. He saw himself, going with a steady, pace in the direction of some brightly light cottage. It was a lovely brick cottage, surrounded with plants.
Charles was puzzled again..Where were they going, what terrible images he will see again? He shuddered again, but this time, he saw that Charlie Grigg smiled a bit and from some reason, it made him calmer than he was before...Not knowing how, they were soon inside the cottage. The cottage was perfectly clean, everything was in order. The fire was burning in the fireplace. Those were the first things he saw, when they were inside, but the next thing that displayed into his eyes, made his jaw dropped...
He went inside the house, flicking off the snow from his coat and he called:
"I'm home!"
He saw two little girls, twins-there was no doubt about it, about six years old, dressed elegantly in green dresses, running towards him...
"Daddy, daddy! You are home...We were waiting for you so long!"-they both reached their hands to him and he lift them both up at once...
"Victoria! Charlotte! My two little princesses! Were you good today? Were you helpful to mommy? Because you know that Santa only visits good children"
"Yes daddy, we were very good, we helped mommy with the dinner and we helped her to get the Christmas ornaments from the utility room."
"Glad to hear that. Now give daddy a big kiss. My two precious dolls"
Charles watched mesmeraized, as two little girls gave him kisses on his cheeks and he almost faint to the floor, when another person appeared in the room. Boy, aged about 8, jumping from joy, neared Charles.
"Dad! You came back. Mommy was worried about you. You know that I helped her to set up the tree, almost all alone!"
"Good job Charles junior! I knew that I could count on you! Did you take a good care of your mommy and your sisters?"
"Yes dad, just like you asked me too."
"In that case, your Christmas stocking won't be empty tomorrow morning. Now run to the kitchen and tell mommy that I came home!"
"Yes dad."
Charles junior ran towards the kitchen and Charles looked at this picture, still not being able to believe that he had three children. It was like an unrealistic dream...He always wanted children, he dreamt how perfect it would be to have at least one and he had three.. But what about his wife? Was it Elsie? Were they married? He violently turned towards Charlie, decided to break the silence and asked him that question, but before he managed to do that, Charlie pointed his finger towards the door ,which lead from the living room to the kitchen...
Charles's eyes went really big, when he saw Elsie coming through that door. She looked so lovely, that he couldn't take his eyes from her...She wore a blue dress, showing her women curves and when he looked closely, he noticed that she was with another baby. The baby bump was clear...So he was actually the father of four and Elsie was his wife...His heart was signing from joy...
"Hello. There you are Charles. We were waiting for you. I could hardly stop the kids from decorating the Christmas tree. Is everything ready for Christmas in the big house?"
"Hello my love. I've missed you.."-he gave Elsie a kiss "Everything is prepared, you know that I won't leave anything unfinished..."
"I certainly do know something about it"-Elsie smiled mischeviously...
Charles and Charlie were standing and watching, as the family sat to the dinner together. The room was full of love, joy and laughter...When they ate, they all decorated the big Christmas tree together. The children were so happy, running around the room and deciding where to put which ornaments...
Elsie was smiling, sitting next to Charles on the couch, observing this commotion and Charles was holding her and kissing. The happiness radiated from both of them and it was obvious...
Charles looked at this image and then looked at Charlie, who smiled to him, seeing how touched Charles was, by what he saw, once again they transferred and Charles felt a little embarrassed, seeing that he and Elsie were lying in a marital bed, hugging closely.
"I've missed you today Charles..I wish you didn't have to spent so much time in the Abbey, but what would they do without you on Christmas? I'm glad that his Lordship is so understanding, that he gives you a day off on Christmas.."
"That's true. He is a family man himself, so he understands how important that is to me, to be with the ones that I love the most...I've missed you too sweetie..."-he kissed Elsie's hair gently..."How is the baby doing?"
"Sleeping soundly in my belly. Now. He was anxious the whole day, kicking and moving...I think that he is also excited about Christmas..."
"What makes you think it's a he?"
"Just a mother instinct...You know that until now, I never missed it. I knew that Charles junior will be a boy and I knew that I will have a girl, when I was in a second pregnancy...They only surprise was that they were two girls.."
"They were quite a surprise, but most lovely surprise...Our princesses...If you say that it will be a boy, I believe you..We will have the perfect combination then-two boys and two girls..Unless that there will be more surprises in the future..."-Charles smiled to Elsie, grinning from joy...
"Hold your horses Charles Carson!...I'm nearing forty now...I suppose that Logan will be our last child"
"Logan? So you already picked a name?"
"Don't you like it? It's typical Scottish name. I would like to call him that.."
"Whatever you wish my darling...You know that I'm never able to resist you..."
"Yes, I know and if I didn't, there are three evidences sleeping in the next rooms and the fourth one in my belly.."
"Elsie Carson! You naughty woman!"
"We are both equally naughty Charles and we both like it so much..."
"We do.."
They've kissed so sweetly and Elsie put her head on his chest, while he stroked her pregnant belly with love...
"Goodnight my love...Sweet dreams and Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas Elsie...Goodnight my dearest..."
They nestled into each other and drifted off to sleep...One moment later Charles and Charlie were back in his bedroom at the Abbey...
"Charles, I came here this night, my last night on this earth, to show you how your life can look like...Don't neglect those images which you saw today...You can't change your past, you have no influence on your present days, but you are able to shape your future...Don't repeat my mistake and don't spent your days being miserable, like I was...That's all I'm going to say..Goodbye my friend..."
Charles wanted to say something, but before he could, he woke up, with cold sweats, lying on the edge of the bed... He rose from the bed, processing all those things, that he saw in his dream...He wasn't even sure if this was a dream or a very twisted reality mixed with a dream...He was certain of one thing-that he absolutely can't let the first scenario for his future to happen...He got up, started his morning toilet and when he finished dressing up at his livery, before he went outside his room, he reached to his closet, to the darkest corner of it and took off the engagement ring, which he prepared for Elsie quite a while ago...
That's all for today my friends. I have to tell you that I missed writing enormously...The break was good for me, but it's good to go back...I'm hoping that writing will still be part of my life and that my inspiration for Chelsie stories won't end that soon...I hope you will like this story a bit. As I said, the idea was not to original for the Christmas story, but this is the one which was in my head for some time. I sincerely hope that you liked it a bit and if you did, please let me know. As always sorry for any mistakes and have a really happy Christmas or whatever other holiday you may be celebrating!