A/N Love all the reviews! Yes Vicky is a tad ickier than normal--still--things may change. Well, if Cosmo and Wanda have anything to say about it they will. And let's not forget the special guest from Fairy World who's starring in this chapter! A lot of you guessed right, now enjoy the story!
'Twas The Wish Before Christmas
Chapter Five: Tootie's Semi-Wonderful Life
...Narrator's POV...
So Cosmo left Vicky standing in front of Dimmsdale Heights, an apartment complex near the business section of town. Now normally it was a pretty nice place to visit. The residents were all friendly and decorated their windows in beautiful red and green. Lots of holly wreaths, poinsettias in gift wrapped pots, bright red bows, and of course...plenty of silver and gold!
No...I'm not going to sing. Wrong snowman, this is Chilly Freezerburn, not that other guy. And no, I'm of no relation to Frosty. What is it with you people? Not all snowmen are related ya know!
Back on topic, normally the apartment complex was decked out in eye catching holiday decor. But tonight, a strange chilling wind blew. The Christmas lights failed to twinkle, the joyous bells wouldn't ring, and the bitter snow kept everyone inside and fast asleep.
That's when he appeared...
...Normal POV...
"Wh-where the heck is this Spirit Guy anyhow?!" Vicky complained through chattering teeth. "I-I'm freezing my butt off out here while he takes his dear sweet-"
She was caught off guard--and blown back against the locked revolving doors--when a sudden explosion shook the quiet city block. A man-sized mushroom cloud arose from the melted puddle created by the immense heat from the blast. Within it stood a single, black cloaked figure whose only visible features were his fiery red eyes.
"-time." she finished with a squeak.
"I am Jorgen Von Strangle-" the apparition hesitated, "-I mean--the GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE!!!"
Vicky had to crane her neck back to see the fearsome phantom before her. Even the bulky grim reaper's cloak couldn't hide his bulging muscles.
"I'm also the toughest ghost in the universe!" he added in a macho voice.
Vicky cowered when he held his glowing scythe high above his head as he gloated about his abundance of muscles. After his little self-promoting speech he extended a well toned finger towards the doors.
"We're going in there?" Vicky asked, still wary of the super powerful ghost.
"YES!" he commanded, "But we are going TEN YEARS from NOW!"
No sooner had he finished his oddly emphasized statement than a gust of deathly cold wind arose and wound about them like a swirling blizzard. The echo of laughter, that of which one might expect from a movie star action hero, rang in Vicky's ears while she clutched her arms tightly hoping she wouldn't become an icicle before the storm subsided.
Just as quickly as they had come the eerie winds died down. The apartment complex still stood, only now it was richly decorated, every light twinkling, every bell ringing in the gentle December breeze, and the setting sun reflecting off the panes of each window.
"I take it this is Christmas Day." Vicky asked.
"YES!" Jorgen nodded, "And it is time that we went inside puny human, so that you may see what has become of those who once and even still might feel a shred of compassion towards you!"
"Okay," Vicky complied gratefully, the cold was starting to chill her bones and inside she could see a grand fireplace ablaze with a cozy light not so different from the fire that danced in the Turners' living room fireplace.
Back at the Turners' residence Timmy was doing his best to distract Tootie while checking in with Cosmo and Wanda to make sure that everything was going according to plan.
"Pst, Cosmo, Wanda!" Timmy whispered after slowly edging himself over to his fishbowl.
"Who said that?!" Cosmo panicked from inside the castle. "SANTA?!"
"No it's not Santa." Wanda sighed, "It's just Timmy."
"What's he doing in there?" Timmy wondered.
"Oh he's busy trying to start a fire in our new UNDERWATER fireplace." Wanda replied.
"You're kidding?" Timmy asked, although the shock wasn't all that great.
"Well Cosmo was never exactly the brightest bulb on the tree." Wanda frowned.
"HEY!" Cosmo objected, "These matches are waterproof ya know!"
Wanda would have buried her face in her fin if goldfish proportions were designed for that sort of thing. Instead she decided to focus on Timmy and leave her hubby to his impossible task. "What's up Sport? Tootie seems to be pretty distracted to me."
Sure enough Tootie was sitting in front of Timmy's television set playing his new Crash Nebula game. He was surprised at how quickly she'd picked up on all the moves and special commands. Once he'd gotten her preoccupied with that he had managed to sneak away to check on the status of his latest wish.
"Things with Tootie are fine." he confirmed, "How about my wish? Is Vicky getting into the holiday spirit yet?"
"Well her progress is slow but she's definitely headed in the right direction." Wanda assured him, "The last 'ghost' is working his magic on her as we speak."
"Wait a minute," Timmy pondered, "if you were the first ghost, and Cosmo just got back from being the second, who's the third ghost?"
"Oh just a friend of ours from Fairy World." Wanda smirked.
"A friend from Fairy World?" Timmy blinked, "Who? The Tooth Fairy? Cupid? Mama Cosma?"
"HECK NO!" Wanda exclaimed after his third guess. "Jorgen Von Strangle!"
Upon hearing this Cosmo came flying out of the castle. "WHAT?! JORGEN?! WHERE?! HIDE ME!!!"
"Oh relax Cosmo sweetie," Wanda swam over and nuzzled her hubby's cheek comfortingly, "he's not after you. He agreed to help us de-Scrooge Vicky, remember?"
"Oh, haha, that's a relief." Cosmo sighed, "For a minute there I thought he'd found out who put that 'KICK ME I like to dance ballet in a girly tutu' sign on his back during that mandatory seminar on the hazards of mis-poofing."
"That was you?!" Wanda gasped.
"Well yeah," Cosmo grinned, "what did ya think I was borrowing your tape for?"
"Cosmo," Wanda growled, "if they trace that back to me I'll-"
"Hey Timmy!" Tootie called, "What's this message on the screen mean? 'Congratulations you've unlocked the secret Mutant Toad level'?"
"You've unlocked the secret Mutant Toad level?!" Timmy gasped dashing back over to his game system, "Let me see!"
They had just entered (more like phased through) the revolving doors to the Dimmsdale Heights apartment building when Jorgen directed Vicky towards the stairs.
"The stairs?" she seemed baffled, "You're a spirit with supernatural powers. Why don't you just transport us there."
"My muscles like the exercise." he replied in a tone that was not to be questioned.
About ten minutes later a panting Vicky stumbled out into the hallway to the twentieth floor. The 'Ghost of Christmas Future' was already there waiting for her.
"What took you so long?" he demanded.
"I--huff huff--I tripped about five stories up and had to re-climb the stairs dragging my sprained ankle behind me!" she answered with clear aggravation.
"Wimp," he responded flatly.
"So what's so dang important that I had to stagger up about twenty flights of stairs?!"
Pointing eerily towards a door at the end of the hall the 'Ghost of Christmas Future' indicated the special reason for their visit.
Rolling her eyes Vicky stomped (more like stomped with one foot and hobbled with the other) towards the door and passed through it to the dwelling within.
The first thing she noticed upon entering the apartment was its modest yet festive decor. The living room consisted of a black leather sofa, a faded loveseat with a red and green crisscross design, and a beige recliner with a knitted blanket thrown over the back. Green garland wound around a few pillars that stood near the corners. Pinecones, bows, and bells hung from the garland and filled the cozy apartment with sweet smells and visual appeal. A nativity scene was displayed on an inn table which then drew her round the corner. In the dinning room a small round table for two stood decorated with a simple red and green tablecloth and a few Christmas print dishes. A live Christmas tree stood behind it, lit with carefully preserved ornaments dangling from each branch.
For the life of her Vicky couldn't understand why she would be brought to such a place. Did the spirit expect her to gawk and grow jealous? She couldn't care less how these strangers spent their future Christmas, or any holiday at any point in time for that matter.
But a familiar voice from the next room over quickly changed all that...
"Honey!" a young woman called from the bathroom, "Hurry up and put on your new suit! Your parents are expecting us over for Christmas dinner in less than an hour!"
A muffled response came from the bedroom across the hall. This husband of hers must have been rummaging through the closet. It sounded like he was having trouble with his tie, yet his reply was cheerful enough.
"Oh I just can't wait to see them!" the woman continued as she finished carefully placing the second clip in her long ebony hair. "Won't they be surprised?"
Vicky stood in the doorway gawking at the young woman. She KNEW this stranger. This stranger was...
Pulling out a squeaky drawer the lady placed the case to her contacts inside. She took one final glance at herself in the cracked mirror and smoothed out her black vest with the snowflake design in the bottom left corner. Her hand paused when it came to the slight outward curve of her abdomen. "Our very first baby." she whispered in a dreamy tone.
Vicky's jaw hit the floor. "HER WHAT?!"
Her husband finally emerged from the bedroom still fiddling with his tie. "Stupid tie, I wish this thing was a clip-on!"
He stopped dead in his tracks as the words left his mouth. It was as if he half expected something to happen, like someone was waiting to grant the wish. The babysitter watched him give a sad smile to the fishbowl sitting atop the narrow table in the hall. A castle appeared to be the only thing inside, a very odd castle with a chimney on the side?
"I guess I'm just glad that they've got a family of their own now too." he confessed to no one in particular. "Maybe they'll visit more often, once my own kid comes along. I may not be miserable anymore...but I always kept the big secret."
"What's that sweetie?" the lady asked.
"Nothing Tootie," the brown haired young man said quickly, "You ready to go?"
"Yeah," Tootie's smile faltered momentarily.
This didn't go unnoticed by her husband, "What's the matter hon?"
"Nothing sweetie," she sighed, "I was just-"
"Thinking about Vicky." he guessed.
Tootie nodded. "I just wish she'd come spend Christmas with us, just once."
"Well she does run her own daycare now," her hubby shrugged, "And she works straight through the holidays."
"Maybe she could babysit our baby sometime?" Tootie asked hopefully.
"With the rates she charges?" his blue eyes bulged. "We couldn't afford Vicky's prices if we owned this apartment building!"
"Surly she'll give us a discount rate or something."
"Tootie, she still hasn't paid you back one cent of that loan she conned you into giving her to open up that place!" her husband was starting to fume just thinking about all the many ways his wife's sister had used her over the years, "You never even got a 'thank you' from that woman! Face it Tootie, Vicky doesn't appreciate anyone. The only thing she cares about is money, same as ever."
"I know," Tootie hung her head and allowed a tear to slide down her cheek, "but she's still my big sister."
"Don't cry hon," he pulled her close in a welcome embrace, "let's just go visit Mom and Dad for Christmas and give them the good news."
"Okay sweetie," she smiled faintly, "you go ahead and carry down the gifts, I'll lock up here."
With a quick peck on the lips the couple went about their separate tasks. Once her husband was off down the hall Tootie walked into the kitchen area and picked her keys up off the countertop.
She paused when she walked past their bay window. They'd both worked so hard to afford a decent place to live. It was no house, not a home of their own where they could raise their child, but it was nice. If Vicky would have paid them back for the loan they'd be living in that nice house in the suburbs that they'd nearly managed to buy. Still, Tootie just didn't have the heart to take her court, so they lived here instead. Someday...someday they'd have a real home, some place that was all their own.
"Vicky," Tootie sighed as she looked out upon the newly lit skyline, "even though we've never been all that close, it's still Christmas, and you're still my sister, and...I still love you."
That did it for the transparent image standing by the wobbly barstool. Pink eyes filled to the brim with tears as Vicky broke down in heavy sobs. "Tootie you sweet little brat! I'm SORRY! I never meant to be such a pain! Such an ungrateful, selfish, demanding pain!"
Tootie passed right through her sister on her way out the door. A faint click was heard from the deadbolt before her footsteps died off down the hall. Vicky was left standing there with her face drenched in tears and her heart aching for her sister. How could she have been so cruel? Tootie and her husband were stuck in this one bedroom apartment with a baby on the way. The furnishings were obviously hand-me-downs from in-laws or discount used furniture hidden beneath nice trimmings. All that rent may as well be money thrown out the window, if her future self hadn't bothered Tootie for a loan the couple could have afforded to purchase a house. And the future Vicky didn't even seem to care. She just let her sister pay for her negligence while she lorded it up as head of an overpriced childcare center, probably making more than enough money to pay the pair back in full.
"Tootie..." Vicky sniffed, her balled fists shaking from the depth of her self-loathing, "...I love you too."
...Narrator's POV...
Sometimes it's buried deep, that certain cheer Christmas brings. And we have to search hard, to recall the special things. Not tinsel and holly, not fancy gifts like leather gloves. In the true spirit of Christmas, we should cherish those we love.
Hm, funny how these fortune cookie fortunes always seem to tie into whatever situation is currently at hand. Oh and don't think Vicky's icy heart has melted for good. Goodness knows it'll take a bit more than one yuletide wish to do that. No, change--permanent change--is something one decides to do all on their own. But a little push in the right direction never hurts...
...Normal POV...
"Come," Jorgen appeared behind the sniffling babysitter and held his scythe out towards the city of Dimmsdale below, all aglow with holiday decorations, "my time grows short and there is much to see."
"Wait a sec," Vicky seemed curious about something, "that guy with the brown hair, blue eyes, and silly pink tie that my sister married. Was he-"
"No more questions!" the phantom bellowed, "We must make haste!"
In another wintry blast the duo found themselves inside of a large pink and green building. In the main hall pictures hung on each wall portraying the head caretaker displaying her child rearing skills. Kids in the pictures either seemed to be suffocating from her vice grip hugs or cringing in fear of the reddish-orange haired woman's menacing toothy grin.
"Oh my gosh," Vicky winced as she stared at the portraits that seemed to be fooling the daycare's oblivious customers, "this is where I'll work in ten years?"
"You look like a deranged woodpecker." Jorgen noted.
"Thanks," she muttered sarcastically.
They reached the main office about a minute later. Vicky--her older self--was chatting away on two of the five telephones set atop her large black desk.
Twirling around in her leather chair she spoke into the receiver of the phone by her right ear, "Lovable Vicky's Center for Precious Gifts from Above! Yes, uh-huh, well as it turns out we do have an opening in the spring...of 2040!"
"Pathetic," Jorgen scoffed.
"Well," the present Vicky shrugged as she inspected the golden statues of herself that acted as pillars along the walls, "I do seem to be doing pretty good for myself."
"Ha!" the spirit mock laughed, "Appearances can be deceiving puny human. And although you may be surrounded by mounds of money and the finest interior decorating any selfish person could buy, you must ask yourself at what--and more importantly who's--cost all of this came to be."
It took a moment but it finally hit her. Tootie, it was all thanks to Tootie, she was so eager to please her sister that she'd gone and lent her money she really didn't have to lend. And now it was Tootie who was paying for it while Vicky squandered all her extra cash on frivolities.
Her older self turned her attention to the phone by her left ear, "What's that Mrs. Davis? You want me to personally watch after you son while you go and visit that sick grandmother of yours in the hospital? Sure thing, just remember that since this is Christmas you'll be charged our quadruple holiday rates!...What's that? You can only afford to pay me the regular charges? Oh I'm so sorry but the cost of childcare here at Loveable Vicky's Center for Precious Gifts from Above is non-negotiable...Yes I know that we're the only daycare and/or babysitting service in town that's open during Christmas...Well of course they don't allow children in that area of the hospital...I'm sorry but I don't think I can help you."
Click!
Turning to his charge the 'Ghost of Christmas Future' glared down at the teen with the gaping mouth. "I've seen some pretty despicable things in my time but that was the worst display of avarice I have ever had the displeasure of watching!"
"I-I don't know what to say," Vicky admitted shakily, "I mean, I would watch the little twerp--uh--kid for her. When did I get so cruel? I-I may obsess over the money a bit, but I'm not completely heartless! I swear!"
"Save it!" Jorgen snapped. "It is no surprise that you should be so unfeeling towards strangers after the way you have acted towards your own family!"
The voice box on Vicky's desk beeped. Pressing the button she listened for her secretary's voice.
"What is it?!"
"Um Vicky ma'am, like, your sister called and left another message for you this afternoon." the secretary answered, "She wanted to invite you to spend Christmas with her and her husband this evening."
"Do I look like I have time for that crud?!" Vicky snapped. "I hope you hung up on her like I told you to!"
"Yes ma'am," the secretary sighed, "she seemed, ya know, like really upset."
"She'll get over it." Vicky replied nonchalantly. "Oh and call Trixie, that lady with the two bratty twin girls, tell her that we're going to start charging her fifty bucks extra for every bottle of nail polish Missy and Prissy spill on the new carpet!"
"I AM TRIXIE!!!"
Teen Vicky's eyes bulged at the outburst whereas adult Vicky just exhaled tiredly and strummed her nails on the desk as if she was all too use to this odd behavior.
"Sorry," her secretary apologized, "force of habit."
"Whatever, hurry up with those bills too. We have to have them out before the first of the year to remind the parents of those brats that it's time to pay up."
"And after that I'm done for the day right?" the secretary asked hopefully.
"Yeah sure whatever," Vicky yawned, "go back to that mobile home of yours and that family of little league rejects."
"Hey!"
"Goodbye!" Vicky smirked as she turned off the voice box.
"Man, I'm such a jerk!" teen Vicky exclaimed, "I can't believe I'll actually turn into somebody that self-absorbed ten years from now!"
"As if you weren't well on your way already?" Jorgen quirked an eyebrow.
"Okay so I'm not perfect!" Vicky admitted, "I'm a lousy sister, a mean babysitter, and a generally self centered creep!"
"Go on..."
"But I can change!" she insisted, "And I can start by being nicer at Christmas! This future doesn't HAVE to happen ya know! My sister could raise her family in an actual house, my daycare business could stand to be a little more affordable, my secretary could get a paid holiday vacation and I-"
"Yes?" the 'spirit' prompted.
"-I could learn to be a little " she finished with a reflective stare. So that was it, that was all she needed to do. The spirits, they'd all been trying to teach her that true joy didn't lie in materialism and greed. To be truly happy, she needn't look any further than at the people around her, who showed her genuine thoughtfulness and goodwill.
Glancing down at his watch the 'ghost' sighed, "Look, have you learned your lesson yet? Or do I have to take this all the way to the graveyard scene?"
Nodding Vicky murmured, "I was acting like a spoiled uncaring brat. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize to me," Jorgen huffed, "I'm not the one your foul behavior is hurting. You have seen what will come of your nastiness. Now take the lessons you have learned tonight and carry them with you always. For if you fail to change your selfish ways...I'LL BE BACK!"
A snowy tornado wound itself around them. The apparition faded into the blinding white winds, his macho laughter still ringing in her ears, even louder than before. The cold was unbearable causing her to hug herself tighter against the bitter chill of the merciless winds.
Her teeth chattered while the howling winds condensed, they seemed to be closing in on her. Turning her entire body into ice. She was already frozen up to her waist when she began to cry out in a panic.
"SPIRITS! WAIT!! WHAT ABOUT MY SECOND CHANCE?!"
The roar of the winds and the crackle of forming ice--now up to her shoulders--was the only reply that came. Her blue lips parted, fear overwhelming her senses.
"PLEASE SPIRITS! I-I WASN'T LYING! HONEST! I'LL CHANGE!!"
The ice climbing up her chin made it hard to speak but her desperate pleas continued. She had to convince the spirits. Had to make amends for her actions. And most of all, she had to apologize to Tootie. Just one more chance! Things would be different this time!
"I'LL CHANGE!!!"
Amanda/Artiste: I dunno, would you believe her? I mean, Vicky's done some pretty rotten things in her life. Maybe the world really would be better off without her? Then again, this isn't exactly an angst story. Next Chapter: The wish is over, did it work? Hint: Mr. and Mrs. Turner are in for one heck a surprise when they get home. Now review like good readers and maybe Jorgen won't pay you a visit with his non-wimpy scythe (wand). Oh, and don't forget to include your choice of what scene you'd like me to draw some fanart for!
Jorgen: Ha! Ha! Did you see me?! I was quite intimidating as a spirit!
Cosmo: ::cowers:: I'll say you were!
::Cosmo poofs into a baby.::
Cosmo: You made me make a poopy!
Wanda: Aw, don't worry puddin'. It was all just pretend!
Cosmo: If you say so lamb chop. Hey, where's Timmy?
::A silly pink hat is sticking out from under the bed.::
Timmy: Is it over?