GHOSTS OF THE PAST: THE REUNIFICATION OF EBENEZER AND RANI SCROOGE

the most beautiful name in the world

After a cry, a few swigs of water and a much needed nap, Joshua was already making plans for the funeral, giving up his career on Broadway and movies to take care of the girls, and now...now he was naming the youngest daughters from their mother's side of the family. Scrooge looked on.

The first two had been named Kimiya Rika, and Krishna Mako.

Kimiya Rika was pale like her mother, with her paternal grandmother's dark hair, and Grandpa Jim's dark brown eyes. Little Kimiya looked quiet and solemn.

Krishna Mako was a multiracial mix, and she had chestnut brown hair and brown eyes, much like her maternal grandparents. Little Krishna was loud and feisty, not at all like Kimiya.

The youngest daughter, was hard to name. She was the picture of her father, with his skin color, her mother's Asian features, her father's wavy hair black as night, and her eyes were a beautiful dark brown, much like his. The youngest daughter was babbling softly, and looking inquisitively at her father.

Joshua wracked his brain on what to name this beautiful little girl he and Mary created.

"Rani."

Joshua looked around, bewildered. The voice he heard sounded female. Was it Mary?

"What is it? You all right?" Scrooge noticed.

"Did you...? Did you hear anything?" Joshua asked.

"Uh, no." Scrooge shrugged.

Joshua went back to thinking about names for the youngest daughter—

"Rani. Name her Rani." The female voice said again, in Joshua's ear. It was more insistent, and it sounded British.

Now unnerved, Joshua rose to a standing position, summoning his Scepter from the Pridelands, and looking around in trepidation. In his other arm, he held the youngest baby.

"I know you're there. I know you can hear me, so come out where I can see you." Joshua demanded softly to the silence.

"There will be no need for your Scepter, sir." The female British voice said as she obeyed.

Joshua returned the Scepter back into a necklace, as he still stood.

Walking into the room was a woman with pale skin, dark curly hair tied up in a single woven braid, dark eyes. She was wearing a golden cloak with brown matching boots and faux fur. Scrooge saw, too, and froze.

"Who are you?" Joshua asked.

"I feel like I've seen you before. Have we met?" Scrooge asked.

"A long time go, yes, we did meet. We were close." Lottie said with a small smile.

"Close as in boyfriend and girlfriend?" Joshua looked at Scrooge and Lottie.

"No, not like that." Lottie scrunched her nose at this notion.

"You're related, then?"

"You could say that." Lottie said. "Now if you don't mind, Ebenezer, I would like to talk with Joshua alone."

"Of course, ma'am." Scrooge took his leave. "I'll be downstairs with the others if you need me, Joshua."

Joshua nodded. Lottie watched her brother go.

"Why Rani?" Joshua asked Lottie once they were alone.

"On Christmas Day, 149 years ago, it was the day of the Lime Street Curse in London. That day was supposed to be a wonderful day, but it ended up in terror and despair. That youngest baby girl that you hold in your arms is the reincarnation of a young woman named Rani Gupta, renamed Elizabeth Smith. Once she was adopted by my brother, Ebenezer Scrooge after his visit with the Spirits in 1843—me being the Spirit of Christmas Present, she reclaimed her original name and became Rani Scrooge. That day on Christmas Day eight years later was also Rani's wedding day, but it was spoiled by our father, Franklin Scrooge." Lottie explained.