Chapter 2
It's been a year since that fateful Christmas. Ebenezer has heeded my warning, and has reformed with the guidance of the three ghosts. The length of his chains lessen with my every visit. I could never figure out how I got him to see me that night, so I content myself with observing until the pain comes.
London gets the slightest bit brighter every day. Ebenezer’s growing optimism is rubbing off on me. That, or it's rubbing off on the city itself. I don’t have the words to express how proud of him I am.
I find myself trying to find that dreary old town now and again, when I get reminded of that feeling. Such as right now. It's proving frustratingly difficult. Actually trying to find something in the Scottish Highlands makes me realize how hopelessly terrible I am at remembering landmarks.
I'm walking through a forest. I'm not sure if this is the forest I've been looking for. The cobwebs aren't here. A few of the trees look like ones I remember.
The lake was a dead giveaway. As were the two unchained ghosts quarreling on the other side of it. One of them is Nicholas, I’d recognise those whiskers anywhere. Their voices carry clearly across the clear waters.
“It has to be perfect!” Nicholas argues.
“Relax, he hasn’t dropped by in a year. I’m not sure he’d be able to find the place again.” The other ghost says cheekily.
Nicholas stomps his feet in the air. “Jackdaw!”
“Fine, fine.” The ghost, Jackdaw, wags his hands as if in preparation for something. He drags one down his face as he fiercely shakes his head, his expression sobering.
“Good.” Nicholas clears his voice. “Jacob?”
“Yes?” I replied. Jackdaw jumps, startled. His head separates from his body for a split second before he pulls it back.
“Merlin’s beard!” He says, placing a hand where his heart would be. “You’re surprisingly quiet.”
“Apologies.” I didn't realize how close I'd gotten to them as they talked.
With a scoff, Jackdaw waves dismissively. “No worries.” He pats Nicholas on the back. “You have this, Nick. I believe in you. I’ll just be over there.” He says, floating off and leaning on a nearby cave wall.
“Well. It’s.” Nicholas stammers. “Nice to see you again.”
“I share the sentiment.”
“Smooth.” Jackdaw comments sarcastically.
“Oh, hush!” Nicholas bites back, earning a shrug and a gesture to keep talking from Jackdaw. He turns back to me with a sheepish smile on his face. “Sorry about him. Scoundrel never learned his manners.” He laughs awkwardly.
“It's fine. You called my name earlier.” My fingers tap on the chain around my waist. “What did you wish to discuss?”
“You see, I-” Nicholas pauses to collect his thoughts. “After you left, I had a little time for self-discovery, and...”
He slowly takes my hands in his, running a thumb over my knuckles. “As it turns out, I…” He chuckles softly. “There’s no putting this lightly, is there?”
I don't have much time to react before I feel his lips on mine, the dull electric feeling coming back, hitting me harder than it ever has before as he drops my hands and pulls me ever so slightly closer into the kiss. It's chaste and quick, but it leaves me speechless nonetheless, and as impossible as it may sound, I can feel my heart stir in my chest.
“I love you.” Nicholas declares, as if for all the world to hear.
“I-” My thoughts run at a mile a minute. I'm feeling more emotions at this moment, with him, than I have in decades.
Nicholas’ brows furrow as he steps back, looking as though he's been rejected. I can’t let him think that.
My hands are on his cheeks, his eyes widening as I return the kiss. His head jostles when our mouths meet, and I almost pull away, but he puts his palm on my nape and I can’t help but deepen it. My chains rattle as we fall the slightest bit backwards. If the fates allowed, we could have stayed like that for all of eternity.
All good things have to end though, and the pain grows, my chains rattling violently. I break the kiss, holding Nicholas’ face. He’s smiling warmly at me, visibly flushed even with the absence of the blood vessels necessary for the action.
Reluctantly, I speak up. “I cannot stay long.”
“Come back to me.” He all but orders.
I nod. He kisses me on the forehead and lets me continue wandering.
I remember the way back.