Chapter Text
Williams Office December 22nd
William sat at his desk reviewing a particularly intricate case that recently had been assigned to him. He was just digging into the facts when someone swept, unannounced, into his office. Of course, he didn’t need to look up to know who it was. Eliza’s unmistakable footsteps had announced her presence long before her arrival.
“Anything interesting today William?” she puffed out of her mouth as she unceremoniously plopped herself into Williams visitors chair.
“Why good day to you too Eliza? And yes I am doing fine today, thank you for asking,” he replied sarcastically, with an affectionate smirk.
“Very well, how is your day going, this terribly awful day?” she said with a grand sweep of her arms and a returned sarcastic look.
“What’s gotten into you today?”
Eliza met his eyes briefly and he could see sadness there, which surprised him, before glancing down at her fingers, which were engaged in fiddling with her mothers ring. Another clear sign to William that something was bothering Eliza.
Pushing back his chair, William rose and came around his desk. Eliza needed him right now, even if she didn’t know it yet.
Leaning against his desk, he folded his arms, looked down at her with tender eyes.
“Eliza, what’s wrong?”
She avoided his gaze, keeping her eyes downcast, and with a small voice answered, “Nothing is wrong.”
“Eliza…”
“Really, it’s fine.”
“Then why have you graced me with your presence this afternoon?”
“Well, I um. Was wondering, if you didn’t have any plans on Christmas Eve, if you might want to come with me to Ivy and Barnabas’s house for dinner?” she asked, chancing a glance up at his face, a hopeful look on her face. “I know it’s a bit of late notice, but Ivy just invited me and…”
“And…?” William asked.
“And I couldn’t bear to go over there by myself. They are so …” Eliza said, rising from her chair and beginning to pace in front of the desk.
“Affectionate?” William supplied.
“Yes! And, and...” Eliza said with animated arms.
“Loving?”
“Yes! And always acting like newlyweds.”
“Well, they are newlyweds,” William provided with laughter in his voice, careful to keep his head down to hide his smile.
“I know. It’s just they are so happy!” She said in an exasperated tone, dropping her arms heavily against her sides.
“Is that a problem?” He asked.
“No, of course not! I mean… Oh! I don’t know what I mean. I am likely just a truly horrible person!” She lamented, dropping into the chair once more.
William took a moment to observe the woman in front of him. This was vibrant, full of life, Eliza Scarlet, but this woman before him was sad, and frustrated, and it seemed a bit hurt.
“Eliza, what is truly going on here?” He asked gently, pushing off the desk and dropping to his haunches in an effort to see her eyes.
“I suppose that I am just not looking forward to Christmas this year.”
“Wait, I’m sorry, I thought Eliza Scarlet was sitting in my visitors chair? The Eliza Scarlet I know loves Christmas and counts down the days till the season. What has brought on this change?”
Christmas had always been Eliza’s absolute favorite holiday, no ifs, ands or buts. She often spent a week decorating the house with Ivy making sure everything looked just right. The joy she brought to the household with her holiday spirit warmed the heart and always made for very Merry holidays. So this strange turn of events was rather alarming.
“Yes, well, I’ve never before had to spend the holiday alone,” she whispered, and William thought her heard her voice catch just a bit.
Ah there it was.
“But you aren’t alone Eliza,” William said, “You will spend Christmas Eve with Ivy like always, and I’ll be there too.
“I know. It’s just I’ve never woken up alone on Christmas Day. My father or Ivy has always been there with me. And this Christmas will be the first time I am completely alone. And I know I sound like a horrible, selfish person. I am so incredibly happy for Ivy and Barnabas, even if he still won’t let me in the mortuary, and I am so excited for them to spend their first Christmas together, I’m just…well I don’t know, I suppose I am feeling sorry for myself. Which I know makes me a terrible person.” She said hanging her head.
“Eliza, look at me,” William said, “You are not a terrible person, you are lonely. Anyone would be in your position. You have never lived on your own before. You have always been surrounded by love and affection, especially at this time of year.”
“William, I haven’t even put up any decorations! They are just lying in the boxes in the sitting room, I can’t even look at them. I just can’t bear the thought of doing it alone, so it was easier just to not put them up.”
“Would you like for me to help you put them up this week?” he asked, the idea popping into his head.
She looked up into his eyes and said “You would do that with me?”
“Of course,” he returned with a gentle smile, “There is nothing I would rather do.”
The smile that graced her face chased away all remnants of sadness and he was caught breathless.
“Very well then. Shall we say 6 O’clock tomorrow evening then? I will even provide the dinner!”
“Now um…,” William hedged.
“Fear not William I will NOT be cooking, I will ask Ivy to kindly come and help me prepare something.” She said with a wry smile and a roll of her eyes.
“Until tomorrow,” she smiled at him before turning and walking out of the office, a renewed bounce in her step, which put a smile on his face.