Disclaimer: I don't own A Christmas Carol. This is an AU story.
Elizabeth Scrooge sighed to herself as she watched the snow slowly dance to the ground. Christmas used to be her favorite time of year. She loved the songs. She loved exchanging presents with her friends. She especially loved the message and the meaning of Christmas. That was years ago. In her twenty-eight years on Earth, the last five were filled with sorrow. Christmas brought her nothing but pain. Suddenly the door opened and her niece, Rachel burst in.
"Merry Christmas Aunt Elizabeth," she said.
"Ever hear of knocking," Elizabeth asked sarcastically.
"Come on," Rachel said, "You can't be sad on Christmas. Christmas is the time GOD gave us the greatest gift of us."
Elizabeth smiled sadly.
"I used to be just like you," Elizabeth said, "I used to love Christmas. But ever since I lost…"
"You haven't lost her. She's in heaven."
"She's still dead," Elizabeth pointed out, "I'll never see her on Earth again."
"I know," Rachel said, putting a hand on her Aunt's shoulder, "But you will see her again. I miss the positive person you used to be."
"That person died when Faith died," Elizabeth said, "Five years ago today I lost her."
"Carly's taking care of her," Rachel said brightly.
"Mmm," Elizabeth mumbled.
"Come to dinner with us," Rachel said.
"You'll find I'm not much company," Elizabeth said.
"As long as you are with us," Rachel said, "We'll be happy."
Rachel opened the door and two people walked in.
"You must be Ms. Elizabeth," said the older man.
He was about 40 years old and had a friendly smile.
"Or are you Ms. Carly," the younger man continued.
"Carly died 7 years ago tonight," Elizabeth replied sadly, "What can I do for you."
"We are collecting a Christmas fund to buy the poor some meat, drink, and means of warmth. Can you spare anything?"
Elizabeth put a few coins into the cup.
"Thank you," they said, "Have a Merry Christmas."
Rachel put in a few coins too.
"Merry Christmas," Elizabeth mumbled, "Yeah right. My Christmas stopped being Merry after Faith died."
"ELIZABETH!"
Carly appeared in view of her.
"CARLY! HOW ARE YOU HERE?"
"I've been watching you from heaven," Carly explained, "I'm worried about you."
"I'm fine," Elizabeth said.
Carly shook her head.
"Just fine is not fine," she said, "You haven't been happy in years."
"How can I be," Elizabeth asked, "I'm happy not being happy-"
"It's time you get that happiness back," Carly replied, "Tonight you'll be visited by 3 Spirits. The Spirit of the past will come in a few minutes. The Spirit of the Present will arrive here at half past midnight and the Spirit of the future will be along in His own time."
Elizabeth sighed. The last thing she wanted was to see her past.
"Think of Faith," Carly said, "Do you think she likes watching her mother fall apart all the time? She's in heaven but seeing you so sad is hell for her."
That stopped Elizabeth in her tracks.
"Alright," Elizabeth said, "Bring on the Spirits."
Carly smiled and she disappeared. Elizabeth decided to head to bed. She was tired and knew she didn't have much longer until the first spirit showed up. She slept for ten minutes and then was awoken by a light. It was a beautiful light. Suddenly the Spirit of the past showed to her.
"Who are you?" Elizabeth asked with wonder. She wasn't afraid.
"I am the spirit of the past," said the Spirit.
"Long past?"
"No. Your past. You used to be happy, don't you remember?"
"I haven't been happy in five years," Elizabeth said.
"It's time for that to change. Take my hand."
Elizabeth took the hand of the spirit. Suddenly she found herself in a beautiful room. She was with her husband, Christopher, on their wedding night.
"That was a good night," Elizabeth said smiling.
"It was," the Spirit agreed.
"Darling," Christopher said, "Are you ready?"
Elizabeth giggled.
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be," she said.
"That was my first time," Elizabeth smiled fondly, "It was before Faith… well before she was born."
"It was the night she was conceived," the Spirit said.
The scene flipped again.
It was Christmas 6 weeks later. Elizabeth hadn't been feeling well for a few weeks. Suddenly she got a phone call. It was Dr. Wallz. Elizabeth picked it up. After a few seconds Christopher could hear excited screaming in the background. She hung up.
"Well," Christopher said, "From the screaming and the look on your face I take it→ good news."
"I'm six weeks pregnant," Elizabeth said, "I can't believe it."
"That's amazing," Christopher said kissing her, "We're gonna be parents!"
"I know!"
The scene shifted again. Elizabeth had just given birth.
"It's a girl," the doctor announced.
Thinking it was going to be a boy, they'd chosen the name Frank for the baby.
"What should we call her," Elizabeth mused.
Christopher smiled.
"Faith. We'll call her Faith."
"Faith. It's perfect," Elizabeth said.
"Well," said the Spirit, "I must go now"
"Wait. Are you not going to show me what happened? Faith died. She got Meningitis and died. Christopher left me. That all happened five years ago."
"Don't you know that Christmas is all about the man who could heal the sick and raise the dead?"
"He didn't heal Faith. He didn't raise Faith from the dead," Elizabeth said.
"Not yet He didn't," the Spirit said, "But He can and if you ask Him, He will"
"Yeah right!"
"Ask and ye shall receive. Knock and the door will be open to you"
Elizabeth found herself in bed. It was half past Midnight. She saw the spirit of a young child.
"Are you the Spirit of the Present?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, I am," the Spirit replied, "Rise and touch my hand."
"You look like…" Elizabeth's voice trailed off.
"You will know soon enough who I am," the Spirit said, "The one who comes after me has a gift for you."
"A gift? What sort of gift?"
"It's one that you've been asking for over and over again in your heart," the Spirit said.
Elizabeth found herself in a small house. There was a poor, but very happy family. She saw her niece and her niece's husband sitting at the table holding hands. One of their children, "Hope" was a bit ill and her sisters had taken dinner and entertainment to her.
"We have great girls," Rachel said.
"I do worry about Tiara though," Chad said, "She's sensitive."
"I know," Rachel said.
"I was sensitive when I was Tiara's age," Elizabeth whispered.
"You're still sensitive," the spirit said, "And positive. That's somewhere inside of you."
Suddenly the Spirit disappeared and was replaced by a man with eyes of liquid love.
"Tell me Elizabeth," He said, "Want is it you want?
"You know what I want Lord. You know what I long for! I want my baby back"
The man smiled.
"DONE," he said.
Suddenly Elizabeth found herself in bed again. She could hear gentle snoring. She looked over and thought she'd lost her mind. Faith was sleeping right next to her. Faith woke up.
"Mommy it's Christmas," Faith said.
From then on, Elizabeth loved Christmas again.