"Christmas is not only getting too commercial, it's getting too dangerous."

Linus, A Charlie Brown Christmas

Chapter II

Ghost of Christmas Past, Enter Stage Left

The sky was bright and clear on the day of the Christmas Pageant. When d'Artagnan, Porthos, Aramis, and Athos arrived at the community center, they found Anne and Ninon putting the finishing touches on the decorations.

"Aramis!" Anne's delicate face lit up when she saw him carrying his red zoot suit on a hanger. "You found a proper suit! The kids will be so excited! Thank you!" She gave him an impulsive hug, then blushed and stepped back. "I—I should go check on the progress in the kitchen. Louis—I mean Mayor Bourbon—will be here soon." Vanishing behind a life-size Nativity, she hurried off.

"Why the hell is he showing up?" growled Aramis.

"It might have something to do with the fact that Anne is his fiancée," muttered Athos, shooting Aramis a warning look.

"Welcome to El Bueno Samaritano!" called out Ninon. She had just finished hanging up the last construction paper snowflake, lovingly decorated by a glitter-obsessed pre-schooler. "D'Artagnan, could you and Porthos please set up the chairs in front of the stage? Twenty rows, with a large aisle in the middle so that Pancho Claus has room to make his entrance! And Aramis, speaking of Pancho Claus, would you mind going out back and making sure the burros have been fed and watered?"

Aramis rolled his eyes. He mumbled something under his breath about not having signed up to babysit donkeys, but the three men dutifully scattered.

Athos was left standing in front of Ninon. "No task for me?" he asked lightly. She was wearing a burgundy sweater dress and polished black boots, and her blonde hair was swept up into a becoming French twist. The woman was lovely, and Athos felt his heart start to hammer in his chest.

She gave him a flirtatious smile. "I need you to save your energy for later."

He struggled to keep an impassive look on his face. "Meaning?"

"I have a special task in mind for you this evening." She stepped closer, and put on hand on his chest, her eyes dancing. "I believe you are the only man I know who is fit for the job."

He drew in a breath, and studied her for a moment. "I thought you had given up on men."

Ninon looked up at him. She ran her fingers along the curve of his jaw, and murmured, "I said I had given up on marriage, not on men."

"I'm not sure this is territory we want to venture into tonight."

"Why not?" she inquired innocently. "Surely you are not intimidated by a woman who knows her own mind?"

At that moment, a bright-eyed Hispanic girl came skipping into the room. "Ninon!" she squealed, launching herself at the tall woman.

"Lupita!" Ninon bent down to hug her. "What are you doing here so early? We don't need to get costumes on for another hour!"

"But I wanted to help. After all, I'm in second grade now! I'm not one of the little kids any more. They just get in the way, and don't show any initiative or independence."

"You have quite a vocabulary," commented Athos with a smile.

"Proper grammar and a good vocabulary are important," the little girl informed him solemnly. "In Spanish and English. I speak both. What languages do you know?"

"English and French."

"French is nice." Her voice was approving. "Ninon is going to start teaching us soon! Isn't that right, Ninon? Maybe you can come help!"

"Athos is a busy man," interjected Ninon. "He doesn't have a lot of free time."

"But he came here today, right?" Lupita stared up at Athos. "Are you Ninon's significant other?" Lowering her voice, she whispered, "Boyfriend is a demeaning term. Significant other or partner is more appropriate."

"Ninon and I are just friends," Athos answered with a smile. "But she is a good friend, and I cherish her friendship."

"You have really soulful eyes," commented Lupita. "And I like your beard. Do you know Pancho Claus?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. Actually, I think I should go help get everything ready for his entrance. "He squatted down, and his manner became serious. "This is confidential, but he loves attention, and he's had a rough time the past few days. So make sure you cheer really, really loud. And tell him how handsome he looks with his red zoot suit—and his burros. Can you do that for me?"

She nodded solemnly. "Yes. Because I also have imagination and intelligence. All Ninon's girls do."

He smiled. "Good for you! Someday maybe you will be the mayor of this city."

"No. I'm going to be the CEO of a large multinational corporation."

"A very worthy goal."

"It was—" she glanced up at Ninon, then furrowed her brow in thought. "It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Athos."

"Your manners are as perfect as your abuelita's," said Ninon. "Now, why don't you go off to the kitchen, and see if the cookies are done?"

The little girl scampered off, and Athos glanced over at Porthos and d'Artagnan. "I'm going to go give them a hand. I'll see you later." He started for the stack of chairs, then stopped and turned. "Ninon. What you're doing here-it's important. These girls will feel loved and valued by someone other than their families. When they grow up, they will change the world."

Her expression softened. "It is my fondest hope that they will. Thank you."

He nodded, suddenly feeling self-conscious, then went and joined his friends.

Porthos was singing as they worked, his deep, rich bass bringing new life to an old carol.

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel."

D'Artagnan's tenor took up the next line. "That mourns in lonely exile here. Until the son of God appear."

Aramis wandered in, and his baritone joined the refrain. "Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee O Israel."

Porthos stopped, and gave Athos a speculative glance. "You do know you're going to be singing with us tonight, don't you? The Emmanuel Quartet isn't gonna get off the ground without its fourth member."

"You know my views on singing in public." Athos' voice was cool.

"And why is that, anyway?" countered d'Artagnan. "You love being all moody and mysterious. Can you just give us a legitimate reason?"

The click-click of high heels was heard from behind them, and Athos looked up. He visibly blanched when he saw the woman approaching them. Petite and dark-haired, she strode forward confidently despite her five inch stiletto pumps. She was attired in a dark blue business suit that fit her slender body like a glove. When Ninon moved forward to intercept her, the woman whipped out a business card, and gave her a condescending look. "Anne de Winter, Health and Safety, South Texas division. Surprise state inspection. I hope you're prepared."

Aramis glanced at Athos, who appeared stunned. "What's wrong with you?" he whispered. "You look as if you have seen the ghost of Christmas Past."

"I have," muttered Athos.

I'm back! Virtual hot chocolate and cookies for everyone!