Chapter Five: The End of It

Osborn was on a hard surface as he struggled with a dark object covering him.

"Spirit!" Osborn shouted out. "Spirit, let me out! I'll… Huh?"

Osborn 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." Osborn 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!"

Osborn quickly changed into another suit.

"I know just what I'll do!" Osborn said with a smile in his eyes. "They'll be so surprised."

()()()()()

Logan and Hank were looking at children play when a very familiar figure appeared.

"Merry Christmas to one and all!" Osborn cried out as he walked up. "Hello, gentlemen. I'm sorry about what happened; allow me to make it up to you with this."

Osborn handed Logan a bag of two hundred dollars.

"Two hundred dollars?" Hank said in awe.

"Not a penny less." Osborn said with a smile. "I hope to see you again next year. Merry Christmas."

"Thanks pal." Logan said. "And a very merry Christmas to you too."

()()()()()

All that day, Osborn said "Merry Christmas" to everyone he saw, and some were shocked while others smiled and said it back. On the road, Osborn ran into Harry and his wife, Liz.

"Ah, Harry." Osborn said with a smile.

"Uncle Norman?" Harry asked blankly.

"I'm looking forward to that wonderful meal of yours." Osborn went on as his heart felt ten sizes bigger seeing the look of surprise and joy on Harry's face.

"You mean you're coming?!" Harry asked.

"Of course." Osborn 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 Norman!" Harry called out. "And a very merry Christmas to you!"

"That's your uncle who was so moody?" Liz asked.

"I guess he had a change of heart." Harry said with a smile.

()()()()()

"Merry Christmas, and keep the change." Osborn said as he gave the clerk the payment for his bundle and walked out as three little children passed by, playing.

"Wonderful lads." Osborn said kindly. "And now for Parker."

Osborn arrived at Peter's house and knocked on the door, struggling to keep the stern face he'd had the previous day. Peter opened the door and starred.

"Why Mr. Osborn!" Peter said in surprise. "Merry Christmas. Won't you come in?"

Osborn 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." Osborn grunted. "I've got another bundle for you."

"But sir, it's Christmas day." Peter said.

"Christmas." Osborn went on. "Just another excuse for being lazy. And another thing, Parker. I've had enough of this half-day off stuff! You leave me no alternative but to give you-"

"Toys!" Benjy called out as he opened the bundle and found the toys Osborn had bought for Benjy, and his older siblings.

"Yes toys." Osborn said. "No, no, no. I mean to say, I'm giving you a raise and making you my partner."

"A partner?!" Peter said excitedly as Mary Jane pulled out the biggest goose Osborn could find, and they all starred at it. "Oh, thank you, Mr. Osborn."

"Merry Christmas, Peter." Osborn said as he lifted Benjy, holding a teddy bear, up.

"And God bless us, everyone." Benjy observed.

Richard and Mary then played with their new toys next to Osborn as he sat in a rocking chair while Peter, Mary Jane, and May watched on happily. This was indeed the first of many merry Christmases with Norman Osborn and Benjy, who with Osborn's help got better.

Hooray Osborn!