A DeWitt Christmas

        The fire was roaring and the wood crackled as it burned, with the warm glow of the fire radiating outward from the fireplace.

 

        A baby cooed happily as it was held by Elizabeth. Anna was insatiable and restless in Elizabeth's arms, but always happy, ever since Elizabeth was around. Booker too, cleaned his act up ever since  the day she appeared in his room, and now both girls seemed eager and awaiting for the return of their father.

 

        "And then, your daddy grabbed my hand and we rode through the sky..."

 

        The story was interrupted by a doorbell. Elizabeth instantly perked up, expecting no one else but Mister DeWitt himself. No doubt he had the last of the Christmas stuff bought, presents too. So far the life was humble but comfortable and steadily getting better. Something was not right, as she heard two voices, singing carols. It was rather off tune as well.

        With Anna in one hand and the other on the door, she opened it, but her smile went bleak as soon as she saw who was at the door.

 

        The harbingers of trouble and companions of dimensional distress, their tan-colored suits and red hair marked them out. But the most terrifying of all were their faces, good-humored and lightened up. They stopped as soon as the doors opened.

        "Season's greetings to Miss DeWitt", said the man.

        "Or should we say Mis'ess DeWitt?" The woman added with a smirk.

 

        "W-what do you want?" She looked apprehensively at them and cradled the baby closer to her chest, who was silent all that time.

 

        "We come bearing gifts..."

        "And we would like you to choose."

       

        The man produced an earthware pitcher, while woman held a tall, dark glass bottle.

 

        "Eggnog?"

        "Or wine?"

        "Or perhaps a hearty drink."   

        "Nothing beats mulled wine."

 

        Elizabeth only rolled her eyes and sighed, before smirking knowingly.

 

        "I suppose I should let you in. Some host would I be if I left you on the doorstep."

 

         They entered and Rosalind took the gifts and set them on the table while Robert came over to Anna. The baby cooed and squealed happily upon seeing Robert's's face.

        "So how is the little scamp doing?"

        "As good as she can. I'm glad that Booker was able to find us some other place than that dreary office."

       

        Elizabeth handed the baby to Robert before heading to the kitchen to fetch glasses and mugs. The female Lutece moved over to her male counterpart.

 

        "Do you think this will last? Or is permissible at all?"

        "You are one to talk dear sister," Robert replied. "Besides, better to have her here than anywhere else. Do you think Rapture was fun for them?"

        "Right now this isn't King Lear as much as Much Ado About Nothing." She replied curtly. "But I suppose we all deserve a break, not to mention a multitude of other places that deserve a break." She looked at the baby too and managed the weakest of smiles.

        "I never had any desire or skill with children, Elizabeth was a nightmare to take care of in that tower..."

        "I don't think we need to talk about it..." Robert cut her off just as Elizabeth returned with a tray of glasses and some snacks.

 

        "I'm surprised to see you two here. Why the sudden visit? Why now?" Anna was returned to Elizabeth's arms and the Luteces went about pouring the drinks for themselves.

       

        "I suppose some of us couldn't stay away," said Rosalind, her monotone perfect and unmoved as usual.

        "And some couldn't really part with the other so they had to follow," explained Robert.

 

        Elizabeth didn't seem convinced but she only nodded along to what they said and with a suspicious eye sat down in the sofa in front of the fireplace.

        "I'm guessing you probably got lonely and bored," she grinned.

        "I don't think we are in desperate need of companionship of others," Rosalind was quick to respond.

        "Well, you are no Marley and Scrooge, otherwise why would you be here?"

        "Alright, I'll admit, we did miss Christmas somewhat," Robert suddenly spoke up, much to his sister' chagrin, who decided to concentrate on the wine.

        "That's sorted then, you are staying with us!"

 

        Rosalind refilled her glass and walked over to a piano that stood in the room. "I might as well entertain us while we are here. I didn't think you would be able to afford such a thing."

        "Who said we bought it?" Elizabeth replied cheekily. Robert swaggered over to his sister with a glass in hand and leaned on the piano.

        "What shall I sing then? Its been a while since I did anything."

        "Make that never in your life dear brother, I should know. I did hear you wailing that dreadful barbershop quartet while you were taking a bath, but that was hardly music."

 

        Robert stopped drinking for a moment and Elizabeth could not stop giggling.

 

        "What can I say, the acoustics in the bathroom there were just right for it, I had to try a least once. And don't think I haven't caught you few times either, dear sister," Robert went for a quick riposte, following it up with another gulp of the eggnog.

        "Yes, but unlike you, I am a woman, my voice is naturally suited for that, just like you are suited for rowing."

 

        Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh some more, the baby squealed happily and Robert seemingly glued the drink to his mouth.

 

        "Chin up, we will never get started like that." Rosalind laid her hands on the keys and played few notes, as if to test the piano, before beginning to play.

 

        I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

        Just like the ones I used to know...

 

        Robert begun weakly, but Elizabeth quickly joined in with her melodious voice.

 

        Where the treetops glisten,

        and children listen

        To hear sleigh bells in the snow

 

        I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

        With every Christmas card I write

        May your days be merry and bright

        And may all your Christmases be white

 

        I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

        With every Christmas card I write

        May your days be merry and bright

        And may all your Christmases be white  

 

        ***

 

        They were halfway through the drinks, both Robert and Rosalind had healthy flushed faces, however Elizabeth didn't drink anything, but rather carried on singing and coddling little Anna. That was when they heard the front doors open and close, followed by heavy footsteps.

 

        "Oh, it must be him!" Elizabeth interrupted the singing, but Luteces carried on. Only when he appeared in the door, did they stop. Their eyes went wide and Robert nearly dropped his glass, had he not set it aside a mere moment later.

 

        The big, bushy beard was unmistakable, so was the nose and the same piercing eyes. The only oddity were his red clothes with white collar and cuffs. Despite their state of scattering and semi-corporeal nature, some things tended to surprise them.

 

        "Of all places..."

        ...he's here."

 

        His gaze trailed around the room, initially to Elizabeth but then to them, with no less shock than they had on their faces. Their faces went from shocked to confused when they heard him speak.       

 

        "Ho ho ho, whom do we have here?"

        "You're back!" Elizabeth got up and approached him.

        "Yeah, the event was rather long and they wanted 'Santa' there..." The beard came off and Booker's face was now clear to see. Luteces visibly eased up and sighed.

 

        "I don't know what were you thinking dear brother, scaring me like that."

        "I'm was not the one who constantly fretted 'Comstock this, Comstock that' back in our lab. Although I must admit, we might have been a little too liberal with our drink..."

 

        "The damn thing itches like hell," Booker said as he laid his beard to the side and got out of the Santa garments.strangely enough, the cap remained. "Did you invite them?" He raised his eyebrow, speaking in a hushed voice.

        "Not really, they kinda invited themselves. At least they are harmless, and they just want to spend one Christmas with us."

        "I don't know, all I remember is them being everywhere and messing things up."

        "If anything happens, I will fix it, I promise."

        "Well, at least they didn't come empty-handed..." He moved over to the drinks and poured himself some wine.  

        "Merry Christmas!" He walked over and touched glasses with Robert.

 

        "So.. should we get back to the singing? I'm dreaming..." this time around Robert was more loud, but much more out of tune as well. Rosalind was touch red on her face as well, but her brother's singing was clearly making her unhappy.

        "Robert, I think you had enough, of both singing and drinking."

        "No no, let him carry on!" Booker interjected. "We are here to have fun after all."

        "Y-yeah Ros, you sad bumpkin!" Robert cried. "Sing with me DeWitt! We wish you a merry Christmas..."

 

        As their back were turned, Elizabeth still stood in the door and quickly hanged something above it.

        "Booker, one more thing," she called out and he turned around to her.

        "Yes?"

        "Eyes up Booker." As he approached, he noticed the wreath of mistletoe and looked back at Elizabeth and Anna.

        "Merry Christmas."

        Their lips closed together in a soft, affectionate kiss.