"Hello Rosalie!" the baker said as he left his store.
The tailor walked out of the store, holding fabrics of every color "Rosalie! Happy Holidays!" she waved back as Ratigan looked at her, then back at the boys "Quite popular around here aren't you?" he smiled slightly as she chuckled "Well I just do small favors around here.. I don't expect the attention."
A couple of mice, older, about in their sixties walked to Rosalie "Oh Miss Hampstead! We would like to thank you for your donation this year!" she gently touched him on the shoulder "It's no problem, I love to give a helping hand, especially during the holidays." The men noticed the professor and gently laid out the small donation box "P-Professor, are you aware that there are many homeless families in London this time of year?"
He huffed "I am aware, but I have not done anything to help."
The other mouse spoke up "Well sir, today is your lucky day! We are having donations for the poor! What can we put you down for?"
Ratigan looked at his pocket watch "Nothing."
The first gentlemen spoke up smiling, holding the checkbook in his hands "Oh you wish to remain anonymous!"
"I'm afraid I haven't made myself clear, I do not have the funds to make idle people merry this time of year. If I am wrong." He chuckled "Is there enough poor houses and prisons that can offer help to those poor vagrants?"
"W-Well yes but people would rather die than go there!" the second short mouse exclaimed.
"If they'd rather die they'd better do it and increase the surplus population!"
"Ratigan!" Rosalie said as he flurried his cape in the cold air "Good day gentlemen!"
He walked away as the boys followed safely behind. The children tugged on Rosalie's sleeve as she touched both men on the shoulder "I am so sorry. He's just-"
"A big humbug!" the smaller mouse said.
She walked away in embarrassment as she touched Ratigan's shoulder "What was that about?" she watched him sweep some snow off of his satin top hat "Darling, I have no money to waste on foolish charities."
"You're as rich as a king and you know it! I've seen that pile of gold in the lair, collecting dust." they turned the corner, feet away from Nellie's house. She picked up P.J as he tugged on her dress "You could have at least said 'no' like the gentlemen I know you are." she sped up as he rolled his eyes, she said behind her back "I saw that!" she said while she walked up the stone steps to the mansion. Ratigan looked at the boys, who shrugged their shoulders. Rosalie rang the doorbell "I know you don't approve of this holiday.. but could you at least pretend to be happy, just for a couple hours?" she fixed his cravat as he held her hand softly smiling "I promise.." but he thought to himself "five hours left…"
"Oh welcome! Welcome! Please come in!" Aunt Nellie finished tying the blue satin sash around her waist as she opened the door. She saw the kids walk in and kissed them on the head "Good to see you! Alex, Victoria." She noticed Rosalie holding P.J in her arms "And my little P.J!" she grabbed the baby out of her hands and kissed him all over, leaving her lipstick all over his cheeks. He wandered off as she hugged her niece "My darling little Rosie Posie! Beautiful as ever" she kissed her on the cheek as Ratigan snickered. Nellie walked up on her tip toes as she kissed Ratigan on the cheek "And Hello to you Professor."
They all walked inside the mansion, Charlie grabbing everyone's: including Ratigan's thugs coats. He struggled as Rosalie grabbed the coats from under him.
"Thank you Miss Rosie Posie." He chuckled as she rolled her eyes "Good to see you too Charlie."
The white mouse hung the coats in the large closet "So.. How is he?"
"Fine." Rosalie said
Charlie shrugged his shoulders "Hmmm I don't know.. He seems.. how can I put this.. Not in his element?"
"Well he isn't the most cheerful about this whole situation.. but he'll tell me when he's ready." She smiled as she walked out of the closet. She suddenly heard Nora's voice down the stairs "Rosalie! How are you darlin'"
Rosalie ran to her friend and hugged her tightly "You know I wouldn't miss a single Christmas with you!" she giggled. Nora walked her into the kitchen "So? How has everything been? Ratigan hasn't.. you know."
She rolled her eyes "Oh come on, we've only been courting for two months!" she nudged her "You are not planning on setting me off with the next available man are you?" Nora laughed "No! of course not! I would just like you to know that I WILL be making your wedding dress.." Rosalie scoffed "I am in no rush.." she blew a small piece of hair out of her face.
Nellie clung to Ratigan's arm "So, have you any clue what you will be giving Rosalie this holiday?" she didn't give him a chance to talk "If you are wondering what ring size she is.. I can let you know."
His yellow eyes widened "Oh Nellie, that would be the least practical gift for her this year.. maybe-"
Nellie stopped in her tracks "Well I am not going to live forever.." she looked at Rosalie, who was sitting with P.J helping him decorate the tree "I've had this conversation with you before.. Rosalie is not a girl who waits.." she patted his back "I realize you have a record as a thief.." she noticed his love struck look at Rosalie, looking at her beauty, kindness and courage that he was able to see "But she has obviously stolen your heart."
Nellie pointed to the corner of the room "OH no, no, no! We need the tree in the center!" she face palmed her head "No Bill my left!" she watched the boys struggle with the large tree they attempted to move according to Nellie's wishes "Are you daft! NO a little more.. YES! don't move it again!" the boys held the magnificent blank tree up, it stood as a blank canvas ready to paint.
Ratigan watched the boys huff as he sat on the chair near the fireplace, Rosalie sat on the seat across from him as she set a box of decorations down "She's worse with them than you are.." she laughed, burying through the box at all the decorations. Charlie brought out a large box as Penelope and Girdy squealed "Oh the tree topper!"
Charlie opened the box to reveal a large star, the shape was made out of crystals shining with multiple rainbow colors. The crystals were held together with gold wire, looking as if the Angels wired it themselves. Nellie clasped her white paws together "Oh it gets more and more glorious every year!" she pointed to the children, and grabbed Rosalie's hand and Ratigan's hand, combining them together "And a new generation to come!"
Nellie opened the closet, displaying the shining presents "These are for the children! I know Christmas is tomorrow, but one present is not bad to open.. go on children!" the three kids ran to the closet, grabbing the presents, Ratigan cleared his throat "Children." The three looked at Nellie and hugged her, talking in Unison, all except P.J of course "Thank you Aunt Nellie!" they ran to their presents, ripping the perfect wrapping paper open.
"Oh a new telescope!" Alex peered through the glass "Just what I needed!"
Victoria gasped "OH." She held a perfect little mouse doll close to her "She's beautiful!" she opened the other box "Ballet slippers! They are wonderful!" the satin slippers shined in the light "I can't wait to practice!"
P.J ripped the golden box open to reveal a new toy train, he gasped silently as Nellie spoke up "The engine works and it blows real smoke!" she laughed as P.J sped the train around, flipping the switch and watching the train spin in circles around him. Rosalie clung to Ratigan's arm, Nellie gasping and handing Rosalie a large box "This is for the Christmas party!" she hugged her Aunt as the white mouse handed Ratigan a little box, in surprise he opened it to reveal a red and green cravat, with small embroidered candy canes and at the bottom of the box was a Santa hat with the same pattern "I thought since you are such a grump about Christmas, you need some spirit!"
Ratigan cringed at the obnoxious colored cravat as Rosalie nudged him "Thank you Nellie.. It's deplorable- er adorable." He quickly corrected himself as Rosalie sent him an disappointed look "Thank you so much Aunt Nellie, we love it.. Don't we darling?"
Nellie looked at the thugs "Now you three." Bill, Fidget and Nicolas all stared in fear "I allow you three to treat yourselves to anything in the kitchen for all your work with the decorations. Now off!" she smiled as the boys ran to the kitchen. Bill murmured to Nicolas "At least we don't get a cravat like that!" Nicolas snickered as they escaped in the kitchen.
Ratigan sighed as he looked himself in the mirror, the bright cravat hung around his neck untied. He rolled his eyes and tied it around his neck. Ratigan placed the Santa hat on his brow as He turned around and faced the boys who could not contain their laughter:
Bill: "You can see that thing from space!"
Nicolas chortled "At least it doesn't sing a lively tune!"
Fidget mutterd through his laughter "I think it's a downgrade from the original."
Ratigan brought out his bell, placing fear in the boys. They all marched down the stairs as Nellie clapped her hands "Ah! The man of the hour!" she adjusted her forest green satin dress "Now everyone looks perfect!" she called upstairs "Rosalie! We're waiting for you!"
They all looked upstairs as Rosalie called out "I'm coming!" she marched down the stairs, Ratigan turned around as he stopped with wide eyes. Rosalie gracefully walked down the stairs in a dark red satin gown. Her hair was put in an elegant bun at the top of her head, fastened with a silver diamond hair clip. She slipped her white opera gloves up her arms, as she reached the bottom of the stairs "I hope this looks fine, I tried to fasten my hair- what is everyone staring at?" she felt embarrassed.
Ratigan grabbed her hand and kissed it gently "You look beautiful."
She blushed hard as Nellie peered between them "Now let's do the honor of putting the star on the tree." Charlie handed Nellie the box "Now, Ratigan.. I take the honor of putting the star on the tree every year.. it is a family heirloom, the topper. Passed down from six generations..since this Christmas is very special, we would like you to do it!" everyone cheered along as Nellie handed him the box with the crystal tree topper.
Charlie brought out the large ladder, setting it up near the tall tree. The tree towered with ornaments of all sizes, long popcorn garlands, and candy canes. The tree towered to the ceiling, Rosalie gently touched Ratigan on the shoulders "If you are feeling uneasy about this.."
"Nonsense." He brushed her away "I can handle this." She smiled and touched the little bell on his hat, making it tingle "Just be caeful."
He started up the ladder carrying the topper in one hand, holding on for his life in the other. Meanwhile, the children were playing with their toys. Victoria ran out of the kitchen skipping along when she accidently bumped the ladder, she looked up in surprise "Oh! Sorry Uncle James!"
He huffed "It is fine Victoria. Just do be more careful."
She smiled "I will."
The boys walked out of the kitchen, holding their stomachs with a content smile "Oh I'm so full, I couldn't eat another bite." Bill said, he leaned on the ladder, making it shake once more "S-Sorry sir!"
"Its fine." He said shortly.
Rosalie watched him struggle as he headed closer to the top "James! Are you alright up there!" he didn't answer as Nellie touched her bare shoulder "Oh Rosalie, stop worrying honestly he's fine!"
P.J was playing with his train, watching it spin and smoke. He laughed as he pushed the train faster and faster around him.. soon the engine started to rev up more and more uncontrollably. The train started to shake as it sped off on the tile floor, P.J following closer behind. The train continued to rev up, smoking and no longer going in its usual circle. The train was heading to the ladder…
Ratigan was just about to place the metal piece on the tree when he felt the ladder collapse beneath his feet. He fell off and held onto the tree to no avail. Ratigan fell and landed hard on the desert table, sending cakes, pies, and cookies flying and hitting everyone in the face and hair. After the smoke cleared, Ratigan sat up and rubbed his head.
Rosalie ran to his side "Are you hurt? That was quite a fall!"
He broke away quickly and brushed the cake off his suit "I'm fine." They turned around to hear a loud frustrated yell behind them.
Nellie was turning red "You big BRUTE! You ruined everything! Look at my house! I knew I should have known better than to have asked a common thief to make this Christmas memorable! Having Elijah Lockson here would be much better than a large oaf like YOU!"
"Aunt Nellie!" Rosalie crossed her arms.
"I'm sorry Rosalie. I have tried to be kind, cordial, keep to myself, Adjust! But this is ridiculous!"
Ratigan finally spoke up "This entire holiday is ridiculous! Everyone is expecting something aren't they?" he picked up P.J's broken train, crushing it in his hands "All this day is, is a HUGE waste of time.. Give, Give, Give, and what do you get in return?" he turned quickly "NOTHING! But a sham and an Obnoxious CRAVAT!" he ripped off his cravat, throwing it on the stained floor making Nellie gasp.
"I knew once I walked into this house today it would all end in a ridiculous party full of idiots, fools and dreamers!" he picked up an ornament, throwing it to the floor "Family, Presents, Gift Giving? Its just a big… a big.." he couldn't think of the word "HUMBUG!" he laughed "You know what Christmas really is for.. complete and utter FOOLS!" he looked at everyone, then made eye contact with Rosalie, with tears forming in her eyes. She picked up the tree topper, the small crystals falling out and crashing to the floor. She attempted to place it back together, just getting worse as she carried the topper close to her heart and walked up the stairs to her room.
"Rosalie… I.." Ratigan softened for a moment, then huffed walking to the door and slamming it. Shaking the entire house.
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