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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