-1Title: An Eppes Christmas Carol

Author: 1st endeavor

Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter 1

A/N: Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews.

Chapter 5 - Enlightenment

The morning light filtered in through the closed shades and the three men on the floor began to stir. The fire had burned down to embers and now there was a slight chill to the room.

Alan opened his eyes and rolled over to find himself lying on the floor. Memory of the previous day returned and he was relieved to find his sons sprawled out beside of him. It had really happened, for a moment he thought he had dreamed the whole thing until his eyes fell upon the three watches lying on the floor. He reached over and picked up his own watch and as he stared at the broken dial, Don began to move around.

Alan watched as his oldest son sat up yawning and rubbing his face.

Don looked around and smiled when he saw his father.

"Hey Dad." he said swallowing another yawn as he reached over and shook his brother's shoulder. "Come on Chuck, time to wake up."

"Hmm." his brother murmured in his sleep.

"Donnie, maybe you should let him sleep a little longer."

"Naw, if I'm awake, then he's awake." his oldest responded with a grin, shaking his brother until he got the response that he was looking for.

Charlie reached up and smacked his hand away mumbling something about telling on him if he didn't leave him alone and then he opened his eyes. His brown eyes widened as he remembered the events of the previous evening and he rolled over and quickly sat up.

"It all happened, didn't it?" he asked breathlessly. "I mean…it was so real." he paused as he saw his watch and slowly picked it up.

"Yeah, Charlie, I believe it did." Don answered quietly, as he picked up his own watch..

Alan climbed slowly to his feet and let out a groan as he straightened up.

"I'm too old to be sleeping on the floor" he complained. " It's still a bit overwhelming. I mean the fact that we all survived….." he stopped speaking, unable to go on.

Don stood up by Alan and patted him on the back. "Come on Dad, I think we can all use a cup of coffee."

"Coffee sounds good." Charlie added coming up behind them unable to stifle a yawn. "I can't believe we slept on the floor last night."

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

That afternoon the house was full of laughter as Megan, Larry, David and Colby joined the family for Christmas dinner. Amita and Millie were out of town spending the holidays with they're own families.

"Alan that was absolutely delicious." Megan remarked as she pushed her plate away.

"Man….you are not kidding." Colby added, patting his stomach.. "I don't think that I could eat another bite."

David snorted, "Somebody needs to write this date down and record it, the day Colby Granger couldn't eat another bite."

"Ha, ha, ha." his partner grumbled good-naturedly.

"But surely, you will have room for my ice cream?" Larry inquired.

Charlie arched an eyebrow at Don anticipating his friends reaction to Larry's 'homemade ice cream"

Don covered his mouth to hide a grin before commenting. "Yeah, you've got to try his ice cream, Larry makes it himself."

The professor had made ice cream for them once before and it's taste turned out to be quite unique and Don was looking forward to seeing the reactions of his friends.

"Is everyone ready for desert now?" Larry asked, and then tuned to Megan.

"Would you care to assist me my dear?

She smiled broadly at him and answered. "It would be my pleasure, professor." as they left the room.

In the meantime the others began to clear up the dishes and by the time the two of them had returned everyone was ready for the desert.

Alan, Don and Charlie were prepared for Larry's appearance but the looks on Colby and David's faces were absolutely priceless.

Megan was carrying a large mixing bowl and spoon while juggling milk, cream, sugar and vanilla but it was Larry that had them sitting there with their mouths open.

The professor was now wearing protective goggles and gloves and carrying a sealed silver container.

David and Colby exchanged half-hearted looks as Larry opened the container and spooned a dipper full of the cold liquid into the mixing bowl, adding the other ingredients as he stirred the mixture.

"Ah…what is that?" David tentatively inquired.

"Why, liquid nitrogen, of course." Larry answered as he started to dish the mixture into the desert dishes.

Colby looked askance at his answer. "You do know that it's against the law to poison a federal agent, right?"

"Do not worry, I assure you, this will cause you no harm." the professor answered very seriously.

To the chagrin of the younger agent, everyone burst into laughter and despite his reluctance to try the ice cream, he managed to empty out his dish.

When everyone was finished with desert and everything was cleaned up they retired to the living room where they exchanged gifts and started watching the football game.

………………………………...

All afternoon Megan had noticed a subtle change in the Eppes men and at first she had attributed it to Don's close call but as the evening wore on she could tell that there was something else going on. Each one of them was watching the other two like they were going to disappear and she didn't believe that they were even aware of what they were doing.

It made sense for Alan and Charlie to watch Don in that manner, considering his close call the day before but that didn't explain why Don was always checking to see where Alan and Charlie were or why Charlie was keeping an eye on Don and Alan or why Alan never let Don and Charlie out of his sight.

Megan studied each of them closely…yes, they were definitely hiding something. Finally, unable to figure it out she just decided to ask the question.

"Something's going on with you guys, you want to tell us what's up?"

Surprised by her question they just stared at her.

David came to the rescue. "Megan, it's probably Don's close call yesterday, that's all." He had also noticed the odd behavior but assumed it was because of the incident.

She shook her head, "No, I don't think so.

Don exchanged looks with his Dad and brother and sighing walked around to sit on the couch next to Charlie. Alan took the hint and sat down on the other side of him.

Colby had been watching the football game with zeal but as he hit the remote button to turn off the TV he turned his chair around so it was now facing the couch. If something was wrong with his friends he was going to give it his full attention.

"Okay," the older agent began. "You guys know what happened to me yesterday but what you don't know is that both Dad and Charlie almost died too."

Larry cried out, "What? You mean to say that all three of you had a near-death experience. How.…how is that possible? Charles were you and Alan in a car accident?" shocked by the announcement he continued to ramble on a few more seconds.

The young man shook his head. "No, Dad was in a car accident."

"Hold it." David emphasized his words by holding up his hand. "Let me get this straight, your saying that both Alan and Charlie were almost in fatal accidents… but not together?"

The three men nodded their heads up and down almost simultaneously.

Megan studied Charlie with concern and puzzlement showing in her eyes.. "You said Alan was in a car accident, what kind of accident were you in?"

"My plane crashed when we landed." he simply stated.

Colby snapped his fingers together. "Right! I saw that on the news this morning. Wow, that was your plane?"

Silence filled the room and the four friends just sat there staring at them.

"How is that even possible?" Megan asked, getting up and walking around the room. "I mean, three family members, in three separate accidents all on the same day? "

"It gets even better." Alan said ominously.

She stopped pacing and turned back to the couch. "What do you mean?"

"All three accidents happened at exactly the same time." Don answered.

Colby stood up and walked over. "Now I know it's a joke, you guys are just playing with us."

Charlie shook his head and pulling his watch from his pocket, he held it up so they could see it.

"This watch saved my life at exactly 6:37 p.m. I was wearing it yesterday and during the crash landing something hit my watch instead of my head." and with that statement he turned his wrist over so they could see the bruise. He continued on and told them the whole story regarding the crash.

Don took his watch from his pocket and held it up so they could clearly see the time. "Megan saw the bullet bounce off of this watch and hit the wall behind me."

She let out a breath and remarked. "I thought sure you were going down, Don. It "s a good thing you still had your weapon up or your arm and watch would not have been in the right position."

All eyes turned to Alan as he pulled his own watch out for them to see and then he repeated his story for them.

"Charlie," David asked turning to face his friend. "What are the odds of something like this happening.?"

The mathematician shrugged his shoulders and said. " I'm sorry, I couldn't even begin to calculate something like this. I have nothing to compare it too. As far as I know this has never happened before."

Larry picked up one of the watches and nervously turned it over in his hands. He caught sight of the writing on the back of the dial and held it closer to the light so that he could read it. Surprise flickered across his face and he suddenly picked up the other two watches to compare the inscriptions.

The professor jumped up excitedly from his chair and announced.

"Margaret had a premonition! That's why she gave all three of you these watches."

Megan grabbed Larry's arm. "What are you talking about?"

"The inscription on all the watches are the same." he said as he handed one of the watches to her as if that would explain everything.

Curiosity getting the better of them, Colby and David also grabbed a watch to read the back of it.

"Always wear this on Christmas Eve." David read it aloud.

Shrugging, Colby asked. "Couldn't it just mean that she wanted you to remember her at Christmas?"

Don stood up and walked to the tree and said. " We always thought that was what she meant but now were not so sure."

Alan leaned over and pointed at one of the watches. "Margaret spent a lot of money on these watches, more than I would ever spend on one, I can tell you that. When I asked her why, she smiled at me and said that her boys had to have really tough watches….that someday we would appreciate how strong they were." he paused momentarily, a catch in his throat and Charlie reached over and squeezed his shoulder. He patted his son's hand and then went on with his explaination.

The elder Eppes shook his head sadly. "I had forgotten all about that conversation…until now. I didn't understand it then but I think I do now. The housing on those watches are pure titanium, advertised to be strong enough to "stop a bullet."

Alan turned and locked eyes with Don as he added. "I guess the ad was correct."

"It makes perfect sense." the cosmologist continued on as if he had not been interrupted. "Recent discoveries in quantum physics and in cosmology have shed a lot of light on how the mind interacts with the universe."

Charlie had become accustomed to some of the blank looks he received when he tried to explain some of his mathematical theories to his friends and he had to smile when he recognized the same expressions now

"What Larry is saying is that these discoveries compel acceptance of the idea that there is far more than just one universe and that we constantly interact with many of these "hidden" universes."

"I get it." Megan said excitedly. "Your saying that she somehow interacted with one of these universes and witnessed the three accidents and knew if she got them to wear those watches yesterday that they would survive!"

"Yes!" Larry answered enthusiastically. "That's exactly what I'm saying. The definition for a premonition is the anticipating of an event without conscious reason or previous warning; knowing what is going to happen by purely psychic means."

Charlie stood up and putting his hands in his pockets he walked over to stand beside Don. He had never believed in psychic abilities or the paranormal but he was having a hard time getting his head around these events. It wasn't logical but somehow it was making sense to him.

"Charlie, I know you don't believe in psychics, what's your take on this?" David asked.

The young man turned around to find all eyes on him and he ducked his head momentarily allowing his curls to hide his face. When he looked up again they could see the sadness in his expressive eyes. "I can't explain it but in my heart I think it's true. I believe that somehow Mom knew and found a way to protect us."

His brother reached over and squeezed his shoulder and agreed with him. "I believe it too."

Alan had remained on the couch and everyone turned to face him when he spoke in a voice filled with confidence. "I have no doubt that my Margaret saved our lives yesterday."

They sat at length and discussed the events of the previous day, amazed that a simple watch had somehow kept the three of them from suffering fatal injuries. Eventually the conversation turned to light hearted subjects and they finished the day in merriment.

When their friends left later that evening, the handshakes may have lasted just a little longer and the hugs were perhaps a little tighter as they thought about how tragic this day could have been.

The Eppes family set about cleaning up and putting things back as they were and by the time they were finished all three of them were pretty exhausted.

………………………………...

Charlie found himself once again standing in front of the tree staring at the angel. Her light had gone out again and he turned to his father.

"Dad, the new bulbs that you put in the angel have already burnt out."

Alan responded softly. "I didn't have a chance to put them in."

Both boys turned to look at him.

"Dad, it was lit last night." Don added quickly. "It was burning really bright."

"I know but it wasn't because of anything I did. The replacement bulbs are still sitting on the table over there." he said as he motioned toward them with his hand.

Charlie's eyes widened. "But how…..?

Don whispered, "Mom's ghost."

Alan looked up at the angel and smiled, "Your mother loved that angel and I have never seen it glow as brightly as it did last night"

He paused and looked both of them in the eye. "I could feel her with us last night….I know she was here." He said as he rubbed his fingers lightly over his lips as if he was remembering something.

Don returned his gaze with an intensity of his own. "I felt her too Dad and I remember a feeling of peace and I thought I heard her say my name."

In a voice thick with emotion Charlie whispered.. "She ran her fingers through my hair and kissed me on the cheek." The young man rubbed at his eye to conceal a wayward tear and sighing he turned toward the stairs.

"I'm really tired guys, I'll see you in the morning. Good night."

Don had seen the tear though and hooked an arm around his brothers neck pulling him back..

"Yeah, I'm pretty tired too. You going to stay up much longer Dad?

"Just a few more minutes, see you in the morning boys."

Alan smiled and watched them leave. He could hear them arguing as they started up the stairs. It seemed that Donnie wanted to flip a coin to see who got the bathroom first and Charlie was accusing him of using a trick coin.

Alan knew what Don was trying to do for he had also witnessed Charlie wiping away his tears. Always the big brother, Don was trying to cheer him up.

He turned and looked at the angel again and whispered softly..

"We did good, Maggie. They are fine young men and now they have become what we always wanted them to be, brothers in heart as well as in blood. " He paused to wipe his own tears away. "Merry Christmas Margaret, I love you."

The events of the two days had finally caught up with him and he tiredly turned away and left the room, switching off the remaining lights as he followed his sons up the stairs.

If Alan had looked back down the staircase he would have seen Margaret's angel glowing brightly. The warm light radiating from her angel embraced her loved ones once again.

………………………………...

In the years that followed, Alan, Don and Charlie never repaired those watches but kept them as they were, a reminder of the love that had protected them on that Christmas Eve.

On every Christmas Eve thereafter, whether they were together or apart, each one of them would wear that broken watch and remember the second chance that they had been given . The loving bond that was forged that night would keep them close for the rest of their lives.

Finis

A/N: Happy Holidays to All!

Vicki