To make this easier for the reader; the Italic portion is the characters from Mike's past/present/future talking. The regular font is the dream, or when Mike and Christine(ghost) talking.
A Christmas Carol, The Last Ship Version
Chapter 2-Christmas Past
Mike immediately recognized the house. It was the house he and his family had lived in, in Norfolk. The first one he and Christine had ever owned, in partnership with the bank. It had been a fixer-upper, but they were happy. Each of the kids had a room, and Mike and Christine had an actual master bedroom and bath. Nothing fancy, but it suited them. The kids also hadn't aged and they were decorating the Christmas cookies that Christine had made, all dressed in the matching Christmas pajamas Christine had bought.
They weren't a wealthy family, and Mike and Christine struggled, but their kids were happy and healthy. They adopted a needy child off the Christmas tree at the local department store, and took baked goods to the local ambulance shed, fire department and police precinct. The kids probably wanted for a lot more than what they got, but they had everything they needed.
"This was the last Christmas I was home. I went to the Arctic the next June." Mike remarked to Christine.
"Yes. The last Christmas the kids and I were alive too." Christine said.
"Can they see me?" Mike asked.
"No. Remember; you weren't going to be home for that last Christmas but your ship got in early and you surprised us all?" Christine asked. Mike smiled, because just as she said it; there was a knock on the door.
"Mom! Someone's at the door. Were we expecting anyone?" Katie asked. At fourteen; she had hit the awkward stage hard. Her hair was a bit unkempt, she had braces and acne was a constant battle. She also had a serious attitude, but she was a good girl and Mike had adored her.
"No. I'll get it." Christine said as she came out of the kitchen. Wearing one of Mike's flannel shirts, blue jeans, a t-shirt and her house shoes; to Mike; she was perfect. Her dark hair was swept up in a ponytail and she didn't have any make up on. As Mike watched the kids decorating Christmas cookies, he heard the Christine from his past squeal happily. Angel Christine and he walked into the front area of the house and Mike smiled, because he was seeing himself holding Christine and kissing her.
"We were really happy, weren't we?" Mike asked.
"Yes. We weren't expecting you home, but you made the perfect addition to our Christmas. We were able to decorate cookies together. Go to church on Christmas Eve. You and I were able to make love, just like we always did every Christmas Eve when you were home. It was perfect." Christine said.
"I think this was one of the last times that I was really happy. Of course; from January to June there were moments, but if I had only known then that it would be our last Christmas…" Mike said.
"It was our last Christmas together, but it wasn't your last Christmas. You can still have happiness and love." Christine said.
"I don't think I can ever love like this again." Mike told her.
"No, not like this; but better. Differently." Christine said.
"I don't want to leave here. I'm happy here." Mike said. She only smiled and grasped his hand in response.
"You can stay and watch for a few minutes." Christine answered. They walked back into the family area where Mike could see himself hugging his happy children and examining the sugar cookies that they had been decorating. At the time; Mike knew he hadn't appreciated it, but if he could only go back to that kind of happiness.
"Where to next?" Mike asked.
"Well, I told you that you would see why it was so important that Lt. Rawlings was home with her family this Christmas. That's where you're going next; but first, I want you to watch this and know some people aren't so lucky as you were once.