A Tiger and Bunny Christmas Carol Chapter 3
"GAHHH!" screamed Lloyds, thrashing his sheets off and sitting up in one motion. He looked to his left and right, felt his face and hands, laughed hysterically and ran down his twisting staircase, leaping for joy exclaiming: "I'm ALIVE! It hasn't come true! Christmas is HERE! I HAVEN'T MISSED IT!"
Falling head over heels into his expensive side table, he snatched his new work phone from its docking station and stared at the date time group like a new car. It blared the numbers 12-25 like a warm beacon.
"HA! I really haven't missed it! MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL!" yelled Lloyds as he jumped into his second Royce and sped off onto the ramp heading out of town. Stopping at not at all to shave or get dressed and solely in his robe and nightcap, he ran to the 24hr department store, grabbing what gifts and food he could from every section, loading it into a cart and scaring everyone at checkout with his manic shouts of "Smile, you! It's Christmas!" and "that looks great! But it won't make you happy!" and the manager's favorite, before he was shooed out of the store: "you all shouldn't even be working right now! I have some strings to pull with the unions around here!"
One Stern dollar-stuffed Salvation Army tin later, he was en route to the Kaburagi's speeding like a mad man through almost no traffic in the cold snow. His Royce wove through the countryside, finally speeding up to the Kaburagi's, where the people inside swept about singing and giving thanks for being together. One moved a little slower than the rest.
"To Mr. Lloyds! The 'founder of the feast' if there ever was one!" laughed Kotetsu over the small Christmas dinner, raising his glass.
"Now really Kotetsu" said Anju sternly "the man gave you Christmas off at least. Comparing him to Ebenezer Scrooge is a bit harsh. The man isn't here so it's bad manners."
"You're right mom. We do wish him a Merry Christmas anyw-"
"Although it would have been nice for him to come over for dinner" interrupted Anju.
"Ah-*cough*-we give thanks for all that we ha-"
"Or to give you a bonus after all that mess…" she continued in an irritated tone.
"Even a few extra days might have been nice!"
"Mom, really. As a hero it's my job to sacrifice some-"
"Well good gracious above son! I do apologize but I take it all back now that I think on it! Too good to come over to my home for dinner is he!?" she growled "And treating you this way after all your loyalty! Big chin no good skinflint sherry sucking Grinch of a miser! That man is the biggest-!"
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Kotetsu jumped to the door, opening it curiously.
"M-Mr. Lloyds Sir! This is a surprise, ah-"
Lloyds stepped into the living room with a huge sack for a man of his age to carry. He wore his most bored, condescending expression, reserved for Mondays and insurance company dealings.
"Mr. Kaburagi. Barnaby" he said curtly "Kotetsu. I believe I told you the schedule for this holiday season and what it meant if you didn't show up for work."
"M-Mister Lloyds, you gave us all the weekend off for Christmas, I-"
"Don't interrupt! Kotetsu I've reviewed all that you've done within the last few weeks, and decided…"
Barnaby, who was half-awake on the couch, sat up as best he could in worry and protest to listen with a nasty cough.
"To give you…" he continued. Anju was livid, grasping her wooden spoon tightly and Muramasa calmly rolled up his sleeves like second nature, ready for whatever might happen.
"My personal thanks."
Kotetsu blinked. He didn't quite know what to do with his hands until Lloyds handed him a decent, heavy parcel wrapped in green, and a red one for Barnaby.
"Uh-whah?" he stammered, "Mr Lloyds?"
"I have failed in expressing gratitude to the people who are consistently the lifeblood of my company. That falls on me. As a manager and as…"Kaede carefully stepped into the living room hearing the commotion, "as a person" he said.
"Here you are young lady. I hear that you are a valuable member of this team. Good work is rewarded on my watch. Merry Christmas." Lloyds handed her a purple package adorned with a pink bow.
"Wow. Thank you mister. Merry Christmas" she said, taking the present cautiously.
"And that's not all. Kotetsu, Barnaby you will both be getting a bonus in accordance with this years' upturn in profit. I believe Agnes can inform you of the exact amount as she will be coordinating the liquidation of that profit into a certain charity to the Sternbuild City Orphanage" he offered in Barnaby's direction.
Barnaby's face lit up from the news. "Mr. Lloyds, thank you. Wh-what brought this on?"
"The least I can do for you both. And for goodness' sake Barnaby, sit back down, you look like death warmed over" he chided. Kaede brought him some warm ginger tea and honey that he took gratefully.
"Which reminds me. There's no helping it. I need you to take two weeks paid sick leave to recover. And someone will have to stay with you. Constantly. To make sure you recover properly" he ended with a smile.
Barnaby's eyes shone with relief as he coughed into his cup. "Sir, I don't know what to say-"
"Whatever it is, Kotetsu can speak for you right now. I may be charitable, but I do run a business. You have work to do after this New Year. And I would rather not compete needlessly with the ball drop in New Yankee City when we are doing well enough. Now, you all can do me the final favor of taking these gifts and food off of my hands. I have a Christmas Party to attend today."
Muramasa and Kotetsu brought in food, Kaede brought in decorations and Lloyds carried in a huge turkey, so large that Anju held her heart in shock as he waddled into the kitchen with it.
"Mr. Lloyds, thank you so much" Kotetsu said, keeping back tears.
"No Kotetsu, I should be thanking you, for being a fine example. Perhaps there is a managerial position in your future should you show any interest in it."
"Gee, thanks Mr. Lloyds! I'll be sure to make up for the chicken incident last week befo-"Kotetsu stumbled, Lloyds' face turning a little green with the reminder.
"Well, maybe a generous stock option is more your speed..."
"Thank you Mister Lloyds. Merry Christmas!" called Kotetsu as Lloyds strode to his Royce with a small smile. Taking off again, he narrowly avoided a speeding ticket pulling up to Poseidon's Christmas Spectacular, changing over quickly into his spare suit in the trunk.
"Announcing Mr. Alexander Lloyds, CEO of Apollon Media, Chairman of the Hero Administration Committee, Benefactor of-"
Agnes' eyes went wide with shock as soon as he stepped in, slurping on her champagne in disgruntled anticipation. What did he want now?
Lloyds took the mic, striding into the room with more ease than the past 14 years "yes, yes thank you Sir, you're too kind. Merry Christmas to all of the Ladies and Gentlemen of both Poseidon and Apollon! You will forgive me for the late entrance. I would like to thank Sky High, of Poseidon, for his generous invitation."
"I don't believe it" the producer mumbled, staring toward the stage area.
Keith gave his customary salute and smile, having entertained the guests in costume.
"Christmas comes but once a year, and as leaders in our fields, we have the responsibility to set the example of good will, interest of peace, and generosity" he offered in Agnes and Saito's shocked faces.
"I am proud to announce the donation of 100,000 Stern Dollars to the Sternbuild Orphanage College Fund, in the interest of the Future of Stern build's children. All of which are precious, and should be the chief interest of the leaders in this city. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Apollon team. May our friendship last and remain strong through this New Year!"
The crowd burst into wild applause, the other Hero's cheering out in front. Lloyds took a breath in relief. He hadn't missed it. Christmas was here, and he got it right this time after getting it wrong for years. And he swore to himself, he swore he always would get it right for the rest of his days.
Two days later at the Kaburagi household, Kotetsu was feeding a disgruntled sickbug some soup.
"I can do it myself!"
"You're sick and I'll do it for you ya stubborn jackrabbit! Who do you think will clean it up if you spill it?!"
"Whose fault is that you clumsy-mmph!"
Kotetsu grinned evilly in triumph. Barnaby gulped half the soup into his windpipe with a scowl.
"I'm full. Can I have my *cough* dignity back now?"
"Not yet, there's still the orange juice and the medicine."
"Oh, joy-*cough*-haah, uhhhh…"
"Hey, easy" said Kotetsu seriously, pulling the sheets up again. He felt Barnaby's head. Kotetsu sighed in relief this time. "It's gone down. Thank God. We were almost up the creek, pal. I don't know what we would have done if Adrienne hadn't come to visit on Sunday. She probably wouldn't have bothered unless I was there. She's very shy. It was a miracle, all of it, this Christmas."
"How long have you two been friends?"
"She helped me out in high school because the doctors were not as accepting of NEXT patients back then. Her NEXT power is healing, and believe it or not it made it much harder on her going through college. She and Tomoe got along like sisters, and I introduced her to Rich, her future husband. She used to say that we were a perfect pair, that I 'broke things as much as she fixed things' hahahah!"
Barnaby snickered. He sighed back into the pillows. Thinking about spending Christmas without Tiger had scared him so much that everything seemed to hurt more and get worse. He didn't want to think about how painful it would be without him this year. He would have probably gotten bad enough to go to the hospital…
"You didn't finish the story yet" Barnaby reminded Kotetsu. Barnaby had wanted to read the copy of A Christmas Carol to Kaede and the family but his Pneumonia had worsened on Christmas Day. So, Kotetsu promised him he would read it when he pulled through.
"Oh yeah…right. Where did you say your parents kept this? It looks like a dog mauled it and it's so old I think that Franciscan monks wrote it, you know, you should be more careful with it-"
"The ending Kotetsu! *cough, cough* they always read it and let me say the ending" he yawned. Kotetsu smiled. Barnaby forgot that he took the sleeping medicine. He was more disgruntled that he had to read an English story because his English was not the best, but for Barnaby…
"Then the Kratchett family cheered, bidding Scrooge to sit down with them and dine at their table. At last he found the meaning of Christmas: to spread Good Will and Love to his fellow Man. The bountiful feast glistened and all hearts were warm and light as the wind on that Christmas Day" read Kotetsu in his best narrating voice. Barnaby felt his eyelids getting heavy, his breathing labored but calming down.
"Scrooge took Tiny Tim and placed him on his shoulder with glee. Tiny Tim beamed and looked around in gratitude and wonder at all the joy and said-"
Kotetsu looked up to see Barnaby sleeping. His hair was mussed, glasses folded carefully next to him. The dark circles of insomnia had ebbed back and his face had slight color from the warmth of the blankets and Kotetsu's reindeer socks. He was positively angelic. Kotetsu placed the book down gently and, without waking Barnaby, held him close, whispering: "Merry Christmas, little Bunny" into his ear before placing him down to sleep.
"And God Bless us" said Kaede from the doorframe, running over to Kotetsu to give him a big hug, "Everyone."