Last Chapter. Merry Christmas!

Chapter 5: The End of it!

Drew woke up with a sharp gasp, sitting straight up. Light was still in his eyes and it took him a few moments to realize he was not blasted away but only woken by the light in his eyes that came through a gap in the curtains. He breathed deeply for a moment. "Please don't let me die here alone," he muttered to himself and then he scrambled out of bed, grabbing his backpack.

He frantically searched through it, getting stuff out and throwing them carelessly way. He sighed a sigh of relief when his hand shaped around a small box. Now quieted down, Drew slowly pulled it out of his luggage and he stared at it quietly.

He had seen it with the last ghost, The woman without shame had sold this to the man: the one last treasure he had held on to in the future. He carefully opened the box and soft purple silk of the ribbon greeted him. It was old but it was the first ribbon he had gotten in a contest with May: the only thing he had still left from his time with her

That alone made it special: "It didn't get sold," he murmured once more to himself. He barely stopped himself from touching the ribbon. Sternly he said to himself that he had no time getting lost in old sentiments and he snapped the case close.

"Dad! I will remember!" he said to the air in a broken voice. He then laughed out loud, suddenly elated: he was not gone yet! "Thank you spirits! I won't forget a lesson you have taught me!"

Ignoring the grin on his face, though it was still wet from tears from the night, he rushed to get into his clothes and get on the road. He halted a moment at the door of his hotelroom and he laughed about himself once more: "Is it even still Christmas?!" he sniggered to himself.

Truthfully, he didn't quite care! He was alive, he had a chance to make it right!

He slammed the door behind him and raced down the stairs, eager to start all over again. He passed surprised faces of people, but Drew didn't care if he was supposed to be famous and had a reputation. What did his reputation matter in the light of Christmas?

Out of breath he stopped at the front desk. The young woman was wearing a Christmas hat and looked rather bored.

"What's today?" he asked breathlessly.

The woman looked up alarmed and then rather annoyed: "What do you think, sir?" She was a little snappy, but Drew did not let that run his good mood.

"No, really, what day is it?" Drew asked again.

She probably thought that his grin meant that he was kidding her and pressed her lips together in annoyance, for a moment. "It's Christmas day, sir, the 25th," she replied.

Drew grinned: they did it! The spirits did it in one night! "Of course it is!" he replied. The woman who was unsure on how to react to the man who was acting like he belonged in the looney bin.

"Sir, do you need some coffee?" she asked carefully.

Drew started to shake his head, but then thought for a moment. "No. I don't think so. But I have another request. Is Bob the server here now?" he asked.

The woman raised her eyebrows and looked at him suspiciously while she was searching her computer. "Any particular reason you need him, sir?" she asked.

Drew shook his head, "No, that's really between him and me," he said.

The woman nodded slowly and then picked up the phone. Drew only heard her say: "Hey Bob, there's some customer who wants to talk to you," and "No, I got no idea." But Drew kept grinning. Only when she had put down the phone and he heard footsteps behind him, Drew got his face into a light scowl.

"You served me last night, didn't you?" he asked while he knew that very well.

Bob carefully put on a somewhat apologetic face while Drew could see the anger behind his eyes. Not that he was surprised about that. "Yes, sir," Bob said. "Was anything not in order?" he asked carefully.

Drew continued to scowl a little more before he bowed before the server. "I am sorry about yesterday!" Drew said.

Bob took a step back: "What…?" he asked, confused.

"I am sorry," Drew continued. "I was really rude and made you leave really late!"

It stayed silent for moment in which both Bob and the lady behind the counter did not know what to do. "Uhm, sir?" Bob said hesitantly.

"Drew," Drew interrupted. "It's just Drew."

"Uh, Drew…please raise your head. I'll always have next year as well."

Drew winced thinking about what the present spirit said, his family would not be complete then. "Then could you do me one favor?" he asked. Bob's eyebrows rose; it was not usual to be asked for a favor when being apologized to. Drew raised up to stare Bob in the eye. "Tell your little brother to get the stick out of his ass, clean up his act and go home," he said seriously.

Bob visibly recoiled and the lady behind the desk sat a little straighter. "What…? How do you know about him?" he asked.

Drew crossed his arms, "Tell him that fame and the top aren't worth it up there all alone," he said and with that, he went for the door, intend on finishing a lot of other tasks.

"Wait!" Bob called after him before he disappeared through the door. "How do you know about my brother being a fan of you?" he asked.

Drew thought for a moment and then grabbed a piece of paper from his backpack and scrabbled something on it. "Give him this," Drew aid, handing the paper. "It is my pokénav number. If he still doesn't believe me, he can call me!" And with that, he left the hotel, feeling he'd made a good start, wishing the doorman a merry Christmas.

()()()

It had taken a little bit of digging to find out the address of May's living place and Drew'd totally admit he was nervous, frightened almost. He had felt good through the day, wishing people a merry Christmas and giving more people some sort of heart failure from shock, but now he was not so sure.

He was thinking about Christmas past about the little boy in May's living room and about Christmas future and May in her wedding dress. She had looked happy in both and Drew did not exactly want to break up her happiness.

So with a bouncing heart, he knocked on her door. Some wild stumbling came from the inside, and the door was opened by the bluehaired kid from his dream and Drew found his throat dry, knowing that this too was true. Joey was a little older and Drew guessed some years had passed but those striking blue eyes were boring into his curiously. "Who are you?" Joey asked, not quite rude but curious.

Drew swallowed, "I,,,"

"Joey, who's at the door?!" May's voice came from the inside and Drew winced, startled.

"Some dude!" Joey called back.

It stayed silent for a moment longer while Drew tried to find the right words to use. How could he tell this boy he needed to see his mother. A stumbling from inside pulled Drew's attention. His heart bounced in his throat. "Joey, what's…" she said but her voice died off when her blue orbs met his.

"…wrong."

They starred at each other for a few moments. "Hi, May," Drew said softly.

"Joey, go inside to your father," May said shortly without turning her eyes away.

"Who is…"Joey started, but May pushed him inside.

"Joey, go inside," she said and her voice clearly showed that she wouldn't say it again. Joey disappeared inside and the two were silent for a little.

"Why are you here?" May finally asked. Well, it was apparent she wasn't going to stand for tattling around it.

"You look good, May," Drew said and she did. Her red dress was flattering on her and she even wore a silly santa claus hat. She had matured since their last time, that fateful day in that contest hall. Drew's hands itched to touch that flawless skin on her cheek.

"That was not my question. What are you doing here?"

Drew winced, it did not appear that she had quite forgiven him yet. "I have missed you," Drew admitted softly.

May seemed taken aback at that before she started laughing quite humorlessly. "You missed me? Drew, it has been years! You don't miss anyone! Why would you come to me on a day like this, especially this day?!" She appeared quite upset, not that Drew could blame her exactly, but he needed her to understand.

"May…" he started by then he stopped. Again he did not know what to say. He needed her to know he needed her!

But May shook her head at his inability to speak. "You still don't say what is important," she said quietly and sighed deeply. "Please go, Drew. There's nothing left for you here." She turned to close the door behind her, but Drew slammed his hand against it and she was unable to.

"You are here!" Drew breathed. May stared at him suspiciously and Drew quickly continued, feeling his time was running out. He ruffled his hair. "May, I've been up there alone and you were right! It is very alone. You were right all along!"

May crossed her arms while she watched Drew struggle explaining. He had not thought this far and in hindsight he really should have had a plan. "Why now?" she asked calmly.

Drew thought on how to reply: May'd believe a lot but he wasn't sure how she'd react to him saying he had been visited by spirits. Especially from him. "I had an eye-opener," he finally said and shuffled when May said nothing for a while. She just eyed him blankly and it made Drew nervous. She could close the door and not care at all anymore. She could be the May he remembered and explode in his face.

But May did not do any of that. Instead she stepped back in the doorway: "Do you want to come in?" she asked. She was careful, he noticed, to not let any emotion sound through her voice, but he was glad for the chance so he bowed his head and entered her apartment. It looked much like what the spirit had shown him: lights and a tree decorating the place.

Joey say at the table with a man sitting in front of him. Drew's mouth dropped open: this man he did recognize. He was Max, only somewhat younger than in the dream.

Then…?

He did not quite dare to voice his hope. May had said for Joey to join his father and he was now sitting opposite Max. Max was glaring at him and rose slowly. He was a little taller than Drew. "What are you doing here?" he asked but from Max it sounded a lot colder than it had from May.

May smiled at her brother. "So I would like to find out." Drew's heart skipped a beat but he realized he still had to explain himself. The siblings had a conversation with their eyes and in the end, Max nodded and reached for little Joey's hand.

"Come on. Let's take a walk," he said.

May and Drew watched the two leave the room and May waved for Drew to sit at the table. "Cute, isn't he?" she asked. Drew did not know how to answer, afraid to hope and May smiled. "My nephew," she clarified and again, Drew found himself unable to reply, this time because it was hope choking him.

Oh did he dare to hope?

May sat back in her chair while she watched Drew fidget. "Well?" she asked expectantly.

Drew considered telling her about the spirits again, but decided against it. Maybe one day. "Last night, I realized the only way I was going, was a lonely grave," he said instead.

May raised a brow, "Ok?" she replied.

Drew's hand clenched on the knee of his pants, "I don't want that. I don't want to be found in a ditch with no-one to care, knowing I pushed everyone away. That I pushed you away."

May hummed, "Ok. So what do you want me to do about that?" she asked, patiently. Even if Joey wasn't her kid, she certainly had some new sides of her that Drew wanted to explore. He still felt his stomach plummet.

"Hey May! Why were Max and Joey making a snowman…" a voice interrupted them and Drew did not know if it was lucky or not. "…outside?" It was the man from the dream and Drew felt himself tense up. He had known about the man, but it still was a harsh wake-up call. "Hun, why is he here?" the man asked. It was clear May had told him at least some of their past because the dislike in the voice was obvious.

May smiled up at him, "Jude, I don't think you have met. Drew, this is Jude, my neighbor. Jude, this is Drew…an old friend."

Jude was staring at Drew in a way that was not making him really comfortable. "Girl, you really don't need to put it like that. If I were you, I'd tap that too."

Drew now really was confused and May laughed at his perplexed face. "Jude is gay, Drew,"

Drew opened his mouth to reply, but Jude was faster. "That's all good and well," he quipped. "But that doesn't explain why Drew is here! Last time I checked he was…"

"I love May, alright!" Drew burst, suddenly unable to keep it in at another person asking him what he was doing there. "I love May and for some reason tonight I woke up seeing that how I've been won't create any happiness at all." He refused to look at any of the two, afraid of their reaction.

"You never told me that before," May said softly.

Drew clenched his fist. "No, I didn't and I should have," he said. They were interrupted when Jude scraped his throat.

"Ok, lovebirds. I will be going again then." He gave May a tight hug and murmured something in her ear. Drew only caught the words "Christmas present" and May's pretty blush. Jude left and May and Drew were left alone again.

"I can't take you back," May said softly and Drew snapped his head up towards her: What? May smiled at his face sadly. "No, Drew. Last time almost killed me. I can't do that again. You first have to prove to me you are actually serious."

Drew released a breath he did not know he was holding. "Ok. I can do that," he said. "But you have to come with me to Soledad's party."

May smiled at him and Drew felt home. "Yeah, that's fine."

()()()()

"Come on, Drew!" May said grinning at Drew. He knew he was procrastinating, but really, if she had seen what he had, she would procrastinate as well. May huffed and made the decision for him and rang the doorbell.

Harley, wearing reindeer antlers, opened the door with a grin, but it slid off his face when he saw who were ringing. "No way," he muttered.

"Who is it Harley!" Soledad's voice came from the inside and when Harley had gathered himself he called back. "You are not going to believe who are here!"

Later the evening, after having enjoyed a good meal and some games, Drew had his arms around May on the makeshift dancefloor. He knew other guests were talking about them but truthfully, Drew could not find in him to care much. Once again she was with him and this time, Drew would be careful not to lose her. "I want you to come with me somewhere tomorrow," he muttered near her ear. May did not reply but ended his night perfectly, laying her head in the crook of his neck.

()()()

If he had thought that the day before he had been nervous, it couldn't compare to this. May was clutching his hand and somehow knew that this was no ordinary visit. Drew knocked on the door before losing his nerve completely.

May squeezed his hand. "What is she for woman?" she asked.

Drew shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know, I haven't seen her in a long time." The door opened and for the first time, Drew came eye to eye with his little sister. "Hello Mary," he said while the girl stood there with her mouth opening and closing like a fish. "Is mother home?"

Mary nodded and let them pass, Drew dragging May with him. May smiled an insecure hello at his little sister but Drew was more intent on getting to the living room where he knew his mother would be.

"Mary?" she asked. "Did we invite guests did year?" She sounded confused.

Mary finally found her voice. "Mom, Drew is here."

The woman Drew called his mother stood from the chair with its back to them. "Now, Mary, you know that isn't…" But she never finished and Mary stood there uncomfortably while his mother saw her son for the first time in fifteen years.

May squeezed his hand and Drew smiled, pressing his hand back to her. "Hello mom," he said while the woman teared up. "Merry Christmas."

And with that, his mother flung herself at her grown son, sobbing heavily. "Drew, I am so sorry," she kept apologizing, but Drew shook his head, for the fist time understanding why his mother had never come back.

"No need to be sorry."

Finally the greenhaired woman got a grasp on herself and released him. "Look at you," she said tearfully, "All grown up. And who is this lady with you?" she smiled at May who smiled back a little overwhelmed.

Drew smirked, "This is May, the one I want to marry eventually." He could feel May's shocked eyes on him, but his mother laughed deliriously happy.

"Mary, make some tea! We have a lot to talk about!"

Silently, Drew thanked the spirits and decided that yes, he'd always keep the spirit of Christmas alive. No-one should be alone on this day.

()()()

And Drew kept his word. He celebrated Christmas with a lot of joy each year and his popularity rose even more when it became apparent he had a change of heart. Some people still sneered at him but Drew let them. He had his mother and little sister now and eventually he did marry May and had his own little boy.

"And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless us, everyone!" he finished the story and smiled at his own tiny kid curled up to a Growlithe.

May smiled at Drew. "It is a good story but I don't know why you are so fond of this one," she said.

Drew smirked more to himself. He never met the spirits again but he'd never forget. And that was the real miracle of Christmas.

God bless us, everyone, indeed.

Merry Christmas everyone! I finished in time!