PicFic 12/18

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Twas the Night Before Christmas - Part Three
Christmas Future

Late Christmas Day - 1982

"Grandfather? Grandfather - wake up."

Putting the back of his hand against his mouth to block a yawn, Alexander Waverly slowly opened his eyes. Vasilisa was perched by his knee, which meant the one nudging his shoulder was her adopted father, his grandson Jeremy.

"I'm up, I'm up, my dears. The fireplace just felt too good to these old bones of mine."

Getting up to hug him gently, Vasilisa kissed the dry cheek of the man who had given her the family she had once never even dared to dream of.

"You are not so old, Ded Alexander."

He laid a hand on her head, looking into the grey eyes that had always seem too old for her and smiled at her.

"I am ninety years old, my dear child. I can rightfully claim to be old."

She smiled back before indicating her father.

"Papa found a present you missed opening, Ded Alexander. A pretty little gold box."

Jeremy held the small box out on the palm of his hand, but hesitated when he noticed his grandfather didn't reach for it.

"I didn't miss that one, my dears. That one is from Babushka Millicent. From before she left."

The grey eyes closed as Vasilisa leaned against his leg.

"You miss her terribly, don't you?"

"Yes, child. I do."

Taking back the tiny package and setting it on a nearby table, Jeremy cleared his throat slightly.

"I was around Vasilisa's age when Grandmother became terribly ill, wasn't I?"

Continuing to rest one hand on Vasilisa, Alexander drew a deep breath and thought back, nodding slowly.

"Yes. Sixteen years ago now. Hardly seems it's been so long ago now."

Late Christmas Day - 1966

Despite a half-hearted protest that he hardly needed to be babysat, Alexander was sincerely grateful for the silent support being given freely to him by his four agents. Somewhere during the course of the day, they had all begun speaking in French, holding their conversations near Millicent's bedside as if she were taking part in them herself.

As the sun sank behind the horizon, a tap at the door announced the arrival of one of the Waverly sons, Matthew, accompanied by two of his daughters. They brought in a teapot, mugs of hot soup and a tray of sandwiches. Matthew turned his attention to building a fire as one of his daughters surveyed the mantlepiece.

"You haven't lit the candles today, Grandpa. May we do it for you?"

"Hmm? Oh yes. I'd quite forgotten. Go right ahead, Alexandria."

As the four agents watched, Alexandria moved to the right side of the mantle and her sister, Charlotte, to the left. The outer candles were lit first and, as they slowly worked their way toward the large candle in the center, they began to sing.

~Célébrons tous ensemble
La bonté de l'Éternel
A quitté, a laissé Son trône
Est descendu du ciel
A quitté, a laissé Son trône
Est descendu du ciel.~

Napoleon was currently closest to the head of the bed and froze. Illya picked up on the change in his partner's body language immediately.

"What is wrong, Napoleon?"

All heads turned toward him as a smile slowly lit Napoleon's face.

"It's Mrs. Waverly. I swear, I hear her humming that carol."

Alexander moved like a man decades younger as he hurried back to her side. Picking up her hand, he was rewarded with his first sight of her blue eyes that day. Even better, her eyes were clear again, without the glassy appearance she'd had during her illness. The room became a flurry of activity but in the middle of it all, Alexander held her hand and drank in the warmth as she smiled at him.

Late Christmas Day - 1982

"That was really all I wanted for Christmas that year, Vasilisa, my dear. To see your Babushka's beautiful smile. That is really all that I want for this Christmas as well."

Suddenly Vasilisa jumped up, clapping her hands as the doors opened.

"I heard that, Alexander. I must admit that does make you very easy to shop for."

Alexander rose from her chair a little stiffly, but made his way over to Millicent. She was being pushed in her wheelchair by Jeremy's wife, Amy. Her smile was absolutely radiant and warmed him far better than the fire.

"I am so sorry that we had to leave so suddenly and missed most of Christmas, Alexander, but babies come when they decide to and I did promise to be there for the birthing."

"I know, my dear girl. I wish I had been over my cold sooner so that I could have gone with you. Is everyone well?"

"Very well. We have a beautiful new great-grandson. Reginald."

"Saddled the poor lad with my middle name, did they? Well, perhaps he'll forgive them for that when he gets older."

Vasilisa danced over and pointed upward.

"Mistletoe, Ded Alexander! Babushka is parked under the mistletoe!"

Alexander and Millicent both looked up automatically. smiling as they saw that Amy had indeed manuevered them under the sprig. Jeremy just laughed from the side lines.

"Honestly, Amy. Like those two old lovebirds need any encouragement?"

Ignoring their grandson, Alexander helped Millicent to her feet. The grandfather clock in the hall began to strike the hour as they kissed and they held it until the chimes ended. As their lips finally separated, Millicent gave a contented sigh and settled her head against the shoulder of her husband of nearly sixty-five years.

"Merry Christmas, Alexander."

"Merry Christmas, Millicent."

Comments

:)

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You're welcome - and thanks for sharing that story from your family in turn. Merry Christmas to you and yours.