Vincent-McWilliams: A Christmas Carol

Epilogue

The two girls fell out of bed, tied up in their own bedding. The two ran around, scared before running into each other, and falling to the floor. They unwrapped themselves from the bedding and saw that they were both alright. And so was Chewy. They were back in their room. Yes, the bedposts were their own. The bed was their own. The room was their own. They were home! And, to prove that none of that was a dream, some wax footprints from where Pirate appeared slowly vanished and the crack in the mirror also disappeared. Pippa opened the window to see the sun rising on Christmas Day. They hadn't missed it yet.

"It's Christmas, Chewy! It's Christmas, and we're alive!" Pippa said happily

"Wait, what time is it?" Maddie asked

Pippa opened her watch and showed Maddie. It was nine o'clock. But the two couldn't help but look down at the engraving.

"I'm glad Eric found the happiness he deserved," Pippa commented

"Perhaps..." Maddie started to think to herself, "Perhaps it's not too late for us to find our own!"

"Thats... right! We can!"

The two then got dressed, ready to face the day. The two started to write as many letters as they could, inviting everyone that they knew to their house for Christmas Dinner. When they were done, they walked outside, ready to send off the letters. They saw the orphans from yesterday and called out to them. They asked them if they could run a few errands for them. They even offered to give them money if they would do this for them. They happily agreed and did everything on the girl's list. They all worked together to cook a Christmas Dinner, decorate and clean the house, and get everything done before anyone showed up. They even somehow managed to get Chewy to wear a pair of antlers.

"Miss! Almost done," the orphan girl said smiling

"Magnificent! What wonderful children you all are," Maddie said smiling

"And, well, sorry to ask again, but you're sure you managed to get everything on the list?" Pippa asked just making sure.

"Yes, Miss. The butchers and the bakers thought I was having a laugh. But then I gave 'em the checks. They'll be here soon."

"Splendid. And you did deliver the invitations? All of them?"

"Of course. No guarantee they'll come, though, is there? It is very short notice."

Maddie laughed, "Quite. My, you are a clever young lady, aren't you?" Maddie took from her pocket some money and gave it to the girl, "As promised, a gold sovereign for each of you."

"Boys, since it's Christmas, I ain't even gonna take my cut," the orphan girl said giving her friends the money

"That's the spirit," Pippa said smiling, "And you'll all stay for dinner, won't you?" the orphans looked at her, "Won't you?"

The children celebrated and Maddie added that they could even have a gift from under the tree. They all left to get one just as the doorbell went off. Pippa looked at her watch, seeing that it was now three o'clock.

"Ready, Chewy?" Pippa asked

Chewy barked and went to the door. Pippa smiled and the two left to answer the door.

'I'll begin again,' Maddie promised

'I will build my life,' Pippa promised

'We will live to know that we've fulfilled our life.'

'I'll begin today,' Pippa promised her sister, 'throw away the past.'

'And the future we build will be something that will last!'

The girls hesitated but soon opened the door to see that everyone they had invited had arrived. The butchers and the bakers with some of the feast, the ladies who asked for a donation yesterday, the Smith family, their nephews with their lovers, and Piro. They all came in and sat down at the table. Everyone had their spot at the table with a present in front of them.

"What's all this about then?" Piro asked taking the present off

On the plate was the paper she signed to pay fifty pounds

"Piro, your debt is canceled!" Pippa told her smiling, "Merry Christmas, my friend. Oh, and give my best to your mother, won't you?"

"Thank you. Thank you very much," Piro said smiling

The ladies from the donation opened theirs to reveal two bags of money.

"Oh, my giddy aunt!" they both said shocked

"Ladies, 1,000 pounds for your fund, this and every Christmas to come," Maddie said smiling

"Oh, such generosity."

Chase and Loki opened theirs.

"It's the dolls from our mother and father's picture," Loki said looking down at the elf and Santa

"Auntie, I can't accept this," Chase said

"You must!" Pippa said smiling, "It's a gift from two fools who regrets all the Christmases we never shared."

"Oh, Auntie. Thank you," Loki said smiling

Selena opened hers to see a form

"'Business partners'?" Selena asked

"Yes, Selena. If you'll have us, that is," Maddie said, "Let's build a brighter future for the Smiths together. What do you say?"

"I say yes! God bless you, Miss McWilliams!"

The sisters smiled and made a toast.

'We will start anew. We will make amends and we'll make quite certain that the story ends on a note of hope, on a strong amen, and we'll thank the world and remember when we were able to begin again!'

"God bless us, everyone!" Adam said smiling

And the girls were better than their word. They did it all and infinitely more! And to Adam, who did not die, the girls became second mothers to him. They became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good women as the good old city ever had! And It was always said of them that they knew how to keep Christmas well if any women alive possessed the knowledge. And, just as they promised each other, they would find happiness again. Both would marry and have children of their own. Maddie married Christian and had triplets, Sofia, Patty, and Ebenezer, and a sister-in-law named Kylee Stafford who had two daughters named Sarayah and Elyanna and Pippa with three children, Daroga being the eldest boy and May and Philip as twins. And they would teach their children the meaning of Christmas and be kind to all those around them. Their futures would always be happy with their new love for Christmas

~Merry Christmas!~