Chapter Five: The End of It
Merlyn was on a hard surface as he struggled with a dark object covering him.
"Spirit!" Merlyn shouted out. "Spirit, let me out! I'll... Huh?"
Merlyn opened his eyes and saw that he was on the floor of his own room, with the sun shining in.
"Why I'm back in my own room." Merlyn said in surprise. He then looked outside and gasped in honest surprise. "Christmas morning! I haven't missed it! The spirits have given me another chance!"
Merlyn quickly changed into another suit.
"I know just what I'll do!" Merlyn said with a smile in his eyes. "They'll be so surprised."
Bruce and John were looking at children play when a very familiar figure appeared.
"Merry Christmas to one and all!" Merlyn cried out as he walked up. "Hello, gentlemen. I'm sorry about what happened; allow me to make it up to you with this."
Merlyn handed Bruce a bag of two hundred dollars.
"Two hundred dollars?" John said in awe.
"Not a penny less." Merlyn said with a smile. "I hope to see you again next year. Merry Christmas."
"Thanks pal." Bruce said. "And a very merry Christmas to you too."
As Merlyn walked around, he bumped into Dinah, hardly aged by time and still being as lovely as when they first met all those years ago.
"Hey Dinah." Merlyn said.
"Malcolm." Dinah said.
"Merry Christmas." Merlyn said.
"... Merry Christmas." Dinah said with a smile.
All that day, Merlyn said "Merry Christmas" to everyone he saw, and some were shocked while others smiled and said it back. On the road, Merlyn ran into Oliver and his wife, Laurel.
"Ah, Oliver." Merlyn said with a smile.
"Uncle Malcolm?" Oliver asked blankly.
"I'm looking forward to that wonderful meal of yours." Merlyn went on as his heart felt ten sizes bigger seeing the look of surprise and joy on Oliver's face.
"You mean you're coming?!" Oliver asked.
"Of course." Merlyn went on. "You know how much I love candied fruits with spiced sugar cakes. I'll be over promptly at two. Keep it piping hot, and I'm looking forward to meeting you too, dear."
"I will Uncle Malcolm!" Oliver called out. "And a very merry Christmas to you!"
"That's your uncle who was so moody?" Laurel asked.
"I guess he had a change of heart." Oliver said with a smile.
"Merry Christmas, and keep the change." Merlyn said as he gave the clerk the payment for his bundle and walked out as three little children passed by, playing.
"Wonderful lads." Merlyn said kindly. "And now for Kent."
Merlyn arrived at Clark's house and knocked on the door, struggling to keep the stern face he'd had the previous day. Clark opened the door and starred.
"Why Mr. Merlyn!" Clark said in surprise. "Merry Christmas. Won't you come in?"
Merlyn entered and walked inside. The place was just like it was when he visited the previous night, save the fact that the table had been cleaned up.
"Merry Christmas." Merlyn grunted. "I've got another bundle for you."
"But sir, it's Christmas day." Clark said.
"Christmas." Merlyn went on. "Just another excuse for being lazy. And another thing, Kent. I've had enough of this half-day off stuff! You leave me no alternative but to give you-"
"Toys!" Conner called out as he opened the bundle and found the toys Merlyn had bought for Conner, and his older siblings.
"Yes toys." Merlyn said. "No, no, no. I mean to say, I'm giving you a raise and making you my partner."
"A partner?!" Clark said excitedly as Lois pulled out the biggest goose Merlyn could find, and they all starred at it. "Oh, thank you, Mr. Merlyn."
"Merry Christmas, Clark." Merlyn said as he lifted Conner, holding a teddy bear, up.
"And God bless us, everyone." Conner observed.
Chris then played with his new toys next to Merlyn as he sat in a rocking chair while Clark, Lois, and Chloe watched on happily. This was indeed the first of many merry Christmases with Malcolm Merlyn and Conner, who with Merlyn's help got better.
Hooray Merlyn!