Authors Note: As long as I can remember A Christmas Carol has always been one of my favorite stories. It was the perfect tale with elements of horror, romance, hope, and overall redemption and forgiveness. But one part of the story never sat well with me. (Emily- sometimes known as Belle) the love of Scrooge's life.

In the original novel by Charles Dickens, Scrooge got to see a glimpse of her as a mother with children around her, but nothing else was revealed. . . So I got to thinking. What if Belle and Ebenezer were tied beyond the point that they went their separate ways? What if Belle had married a good man and been the mother of one Bob Cratchit?

With such speculations this story was born. It's a short story split into several parts. I have taken bits and pieces from all of my favorite versions of A Christmas Carol, so it's a mixture of the original book, the musical by Alan Menken, the Muppets version, and several others. It's such a rich plot that it wasn't hard to do. I may have gotten carried away. Hahahah...

Thank you in advance for giving this story a chance, dear readers! It was a labor of love and I'm excited to share it with you! So without further adieu, I wish you happy reading and a Merry Christmas!

Disclaimer: I do not own A Christmas Carol (I am not Dickens, mores-the-pity) or any of the characters mentioned. The plot is my idea, but I'm more than happy to share~

Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Today

1 .

"It is required of every man that his spirit travel far, lending help to those he can, no matter who they are. But if you don't go forth in life spreading joy and easing pain, your spirit will go forth in death and you shall wear a chain…" -Jacob Marley ( Link by Link )

.. *...* ..

Belle Cratchit had lived a full life. She had been blessed with a beautiful little family ( a husband, son, and daughter) and plenty of good cheer. And when she lay dying, they had been beside her, whispering words of love as she left the world of the living.

At first there had been darkness, but as her spirit rose past the confines of her body, she hadn't been afraid. Because she could see it. A vibrant spiral of pure light that beckoned her, welcoming her without words. . . But before she could enter into the light, something stopped her.

Something was missing. Past her purview, it waited.

Her life had been one of joy. Her family knew she was beyond pain, and no longer needed her. She had been happy with her lot. No regrets… save one.

Just one point of remorse. One piece of her life that had always haunted her. One person among so many, that had tinted the otherwise wonderful life she had led. . . One man that still needed her with everything that he was.

And that was why Belle Cratchit made up her mind to stay in the world of the living. Staying her final rest…

Belle waited for several years, a spectre hovering on the borders of life. She spent the time watching and listening, and she learned much.

Her son Bob had a family of his own now. He was a tender father and a hardworking man. But despite his best efforts, his son Tiny Tim was ailing and crippled.

Belle had never met her grandson in life, but she loved the little boy dearly. He never complained or grew angry about his disabilities or hardships. Such a rarity in a world of constant trials. His heart held a warmth for all humanity, his views of life nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Belle watched over the boy, singing to him deep into the night when his parents were fast asleep. From the private smile he always wore, she knew he could hear her in his dreams.

Then, in the dark hours of the morning, she would leave the Cratchit home, walking the streets of London until she ended up at his door. She would stand outside, staring at the same window until the sun rose. At the same time everyday, he would leave his home to go to his office in the bowels of the city, never once noticing her presence as she drifted by his side.

She wanted to speak to him, but no words ever came. All she could offer him were silent tears and prayers. But prayers would never be enough. Not when she could see his twisted, darkened soul, and the beginning of ghostly chains wrapping about his ankles and wrists.

Yes, it would take a lot more than prayers to save a soul as damned as Ebenezer Scrooge...

But Belle would be damned, if she didn't try.