Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:43:08 -0800 (PST)
From: Caleb Wilson <cable4uw@yahoo.com>
Subject: The Spirits of Christmas (D.N.13) / Sci-Fi or Fantasy

The usual disclaimer applies to this story.

Okay for all the David Nearly 13 fans and for those who asked if I could
continue the story here's a little prezzy for Christmas.


			 The Spirits' of Christmas


As the clock chimed the midnight hour so husband and wife embraced and
kissed wishing each other A Happy Christmas.

Earl William of Wessex disengaging himself from his wife's embrace, and
accompanied by her walked across the room to wish their most trusted and
long serving employee.

With his wife at his side they took it in turns to wish Rupert The
Compliments of the Season.

"So what will you have to drink Rupert? William Jennings enquired of his
Butler after wishing him, and opened the Brandy bottle in readiness to his
response which was the same every year.

"Just a small Brandy William, have to be up early in the morning to see the
Christmas Dinner is made ready on time."

"Heavens Rupert," Claudette Jennings exclaimed, "can't you leave that for
the cook to deal with, I'm sure he can manage without you being present,
and having a lie in one day of the year won't do you any harm"

Rupert looked at Countess Jennings over the top of his spectacles, "And
what if something were to go wrong, who do you suppose is going to take
charge and put things right."

"Humph yes alright Rupert," William Jennings said handing him his brandy,
"now you've just given me the ammunition I needed. After the Christmas
Holidays whether you like it or not I'm getting someone in to assist you to
replace Angelo."

Rupert looked at his employers and surprisingly said, "Alright if you must
we'll employ someone after New Years. Then raising his glass said,
"Cheers."

They all sat sipping their drinks till the quiet was disturbed by sounds of
a baby crying over the intercom. Claudette Jennings jumped up left her
drink on the coffee table and made her way to the bedroom to attend to
Daniel Jennings.

The moment his wife had exited the room, William Jennings stood and walked
over to the window that looked out onto the back garden. Pulling the
curtains aside he gazed out at the expanse of grounds lit by concealed
lighting in various parts of the garden, where his son used to play.

Inside he was hurting but had concealed his feelings for the sake of his
wife. This would be their first Christmas since David and Angelo's deaths,
and without the boys' the Christmas celebrations were a bit muted.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to see the old butler standing
beside him, "It's very quiet without them around," the old man said.

"Oh God Rupert, you don't know how bad I feel, We never even had a chance
to say goodbye to them and it hurts every time I think of our being in
Istanbul at the time instead of here at home. Also not being able to find
their bodies in the wreckage to give them a funeral makes it just that
little bit harder." Then turning to look out into the garden again said,
"Claudette and I won't be making the same mistakes again, no more world
trips, at the expense of neglecting our child. I want to be part of his
everyday life, and be at hand whenever he needs me no matter what time of
day or night. I know you did a wonderful job Rupert, firstly helping in my
upbringing and then performing that same duty for David. But this time we
are going to do it ourselves," smiling and turning to look at the aged
employee, "with of course advice from you."

"Yes I should think so, but this time I think I'm a bit past changing
nappies."

 "Do you want another brandy?" William Jennings asked taking Rupert's empty
glass from his hand."

"Alright one more before I go to bed."

As he filled Rupert's glass so his wife entered the room carrying their son
who was feeding from a bottle. Handing Rupert his drink he went to his wife
and helped her to a seat.



Michael, David, I need you both in my presence, and the two beings answered
the summons immediately and were instantly in the presence of the Supreme
Being.

Looking at the young form, The Creator smiled saying "David, how would you
like to pay a visit to your parents at Christmas."

David was speechless for a moment then burst out with a loud "Yeah," then
moving quickly over to his creator and hugging him said, "Can I take
Michael with me?"

"What?" the Supreme Being responded, breaking the boys embrace and holding
him at arms length with an indignant expression,

"and precisely what do you think I'm going to do with him moping around
here while you're gone," he said smiling.

Seeing the boy puckering his lips and moving his face forward to kiss him
"Don't you dare," The Supreme being said, in mock horror the last time you
did that we ended up in the back end of nowhere"

David laughed and planted a kiss on his creators forehead then asked "How
long can we stay?"

"A few hours should be long enough David, to put your parents mind at
rest. I took you away from them before they had a chance to say goodbye so
now you can give them peace of mind and let them know all is well with you.

"Thanks," the boy said, then walking over to Michael asked, "You ready?"

Michael didn't answer instead he wrapped his arms around the boy, and the
next instant they were in the back garden of his father's house.

They stood there in the early hours of Christmas day with a gentle fall of
snowflakes settling around them.

David smiled, "You caused this?"

Michael with a twinkle in his eyes responded with, "Do you like it."

David leaned forward and pecked him on the lips, "Yeah, it's what we always
wanted but never got one, A White Christmas."

Michael took the boy by the arm, "Let's go," and as he steered the boy
towards the house asked? "How do you think we should appear to them David,
at the front door after ringing the bell or at the Christmas tree when they
come to open their gifts?"

David didn't hesitate, "At the tree, we'll materialize when they walk into
the room," he said with a ring of excitement in his voice, then stopping
and grabbing Michael, "they won't get scared when we materialize will
they."

"I think they may get a bit apprehensive at first but as soon as they see
who it is, they should soon lose any signs of nervousness."



They finished their breakfast and William Jennings looking across at Rupert
asked, "Have you given the staff their presents?"

"Yes before breakfast."

"Alright Rupert let's go and do it just like David always insisted on how
it had to be done.

They made their way to the drawing room where the Christmas tree stood in
all its splendour lights flashing and presents scattered around the base.

As customary Rupert threw the double doors open so that the family could
walk into the decorated room.

As they all stepped into the room so the lights dimmed which was not
normal, they looked at each other then on either side of the Christmas tree
two figures began to materialize. The adults at first sucked in their
breaths and halted their progress into the room. But as the forms took on
the familiar looks of the absent boys so they broke into smiles of joy and
wonderment.

David with a grin a mile wide made for his mother, and wrapping his arms
around her kissed her on the cheek, and then looking at his baby brother in
her arms kissed him on the forehead. Turning to Rupert he embraced the old
man kissing him on both cheeks, then it was jumping into his fathers arms
and wrapping his arms and legs around him at the same time kissing him.

Meantime Michael had been greeting the others and now turned to Earl
Jennings to greet him also while David was still in his arms.

Before Michael could say anything William Jennings had put the boy down and
grabbed hold of him hugging Michael saying,

"Thank you Michael for looking out for him."

"You don't have to thank me Mr Jennings it's a pleasure to look out for him
one that I can never tire of." Then explained to the adults, that after his
death, of David's return to the age when the two of them had first met.

David interrupted any further discussion between them all by announcing,
"Okay let's see what prezzy's you've bought each other."

And they all made for the tree to unwrap their individual presents with the
able assistance of David, who had always taken as much pleasure in the past
in helping unwrap the others presents just as much as his own.

Once the business of unwrapping the gifts and thanking each other was over,
they spent the rest of the morning talking and just revelling in each
other's presence. Now as it approached the time for them to depart David
stood in the middle of the room with Michael by his side. Looking at the
three adults he said, "Dad, Mum, and Rupert, you know all is well with me,
there is no reason for you to be sad that Michael and I are not amongst you
anymore. Be happy, don't be reluctant to talk about me, and tell Daniel all
about his older brother. Oh and one more thing teach him how to swim from
as early an age as possible," grinning and looking at Michael, "I don't
think God can spare anymore angels to come and rescue him if he falls in
the river."

David and Michael said there goodbyes to the adults, then making their way
over to the Christmas tree Michael enveloped the boy in his arms and with
one final smile from both of them they disappeared from view.


				  The End

Happy Christmas

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