Chapter Text
25th of December - Home For Retired Bears
At the balcony by the sunrise, Lucy is pouring herself a cup of tea as Paddington’s letter is placed next to her marmalade sandwich plate. She sat back on the rocking chair after she finished pouring her tea, and then opened Paddington’s letter with a tea cup in her hand.
“Merry Christmas Aunt Lucy”
Meanwhile, at 32 Windsor Gardens.
“I’m so happy to hear that you are coming to celebrate the new year with us”
Paddington in the same red hat, sat next to the window in the attic, gazing out the window where the cabbie just arrived at the front door.
“Mr. Brown’s parents just arrived here today, they booked a room at the Hilton Hotel almost a month before we actually called them!”
“Let’s go! Paddington, Grandma and grandpa’s here!” Jonathan’s voice came from the attic stairs.
Paddington quickly put on his blue duffel coat, and rush to greet Mr. Brown’s parents who looked at him in confusion.
“Mom, Dad, this is Paddington” Henry introduced and gestured at Paddington.
Henry’s parents remained silent for a moment before they squealed, and jumped in joy, “This is so cool!” Henry’s mom beamed, “Hi! AAUGH AAUGH GRR GRR!”, Henry’s dad tried to mimic a bear’s voice making his son, and grandchildren look at him awkwardly.
“He understands English, dad” Henry told him.
“Oh! Okay” he replied, “Nice to meet you, I’m Montgomery, in short Monty” he added with a wink before shaking hands with Paddington.
“And I’m Harley” Henry’s mom added, and patted her chest.
“Can we go inside?” Judy asked as she started shaking, “It’s freezing out here!”
“Of course!” Harley replied, and all the Browns went inside the house.
“I was so excited when Mrs. Brown showed me the family special album that is updating only once a year!”
~ Flashback ~
The album included the pictures of every New Year’s celebration since Mr & Mrs Brown’s early dating years to after marriage, becoming parents, and then adopting Paddington. Monty, and Harley participate the event almost every year except last year when Paddington was first adopted. However, after Paddington skimmed through the pages he started to realize something…
“There are no signs of Mrs. Brown’s parents coming, I guess the invitation must have been lost.”
Paddington closed the album, and a small envelope fell down on the floor. He picked it up, and looked at the address.
“From: Mary Poulette Brown
32 Windsor Gardens
London
To: Mr. & Mrs. Poulette
76 Upper Richmond Rd
Putney, London”
It’s the letter that Mary wrote to her parents, but had never sent. Paddington looked at the address, and thought.
“So I’ll send them another invitation to make sure they come!”
Meanwhile, in Putney, London
Mr. Poulette stepped down the stairs, and walked to the letterbox at the door. He skimmed through the addresses to see who it’s from, and stopped immediately after he saw one address.
“From: Paddington Brown
32 Windsor Gardens
LondonTo: Mr. & Mrs. Poulette
76 Upper Richmond Rd
Putney, London”
~ Flashback Ended ~
The Browns entered the kitchen, and start cooking as they talked about life. Mary Brown seems to get along pretty well with Monty, and Harley, and they also welcomed Paddington with open arms. They might be goofy, and embarrass Henry at times, but he’s also happy to see them.
“I hope Mr. & Mrs. Poulette will reply, because it’s my new year gift to Mrs. Brown.
Lots of love from Paddington.”
The whole family sat at the table, and enjoyed their dinner, they were so happy. They sat on the floor near the Christmas tree and start exchanging gifts. Paddington handed Monty a present box, and Monty opened it. It’s a 70% coupon at Gruber's Antiques.
“Mr. Brown told me you collect roller skate shoes, and my friend Mr. Gruber had a very beautiful pair.” Paddington explains, “It’s reserved for you, and ready to be picked up before New Year’s Eve.”.
“Oh, darling. We’ve got a cosmic connection!” Monty replied, and handed Paddington his present.
“Thanks, sir” Paddington replied, and opened the box.
It’s a coupon for 1 free dish at The Marmalade shop at The Portobello Market! The expiration date is also New Year’s Eve! Judy, and Jonathan gave Mary a red balloon that said “We love you MUM!”.
“Oh! Thank you!” Mary beamed, and took the balloon, “Woah, it’s heavy.”, she added, and then looked at her children, “Wait, why are you guys wearing raincoats?”.
Instead of replying, Judy pulled out a needle, and popped the balloon, causing the water to explode right into her mother’s face.
“Surprise!” Judy, and Jonathan shouted as Mrs. Bird wiped the wet floor.
Mary laughed and looked down in her hands. Expecting to find a flat balloon, she instead found a pair of red swimming goggles.
“You like it?” Jonathan ask.
“Our budget is pretty tight, so I shared the price with Joe, and added the balloon as an extra” Judy explained.
“Of course! I love it!” Mary replied with tears before she held her children.
Henry unwraped his gift, and turned the frame around. It’s his graduation photo, he remembered back in high school no one wanted to be near him due to his strict, and responsible behaviour. He often bored his friends, and as a result no one wanted to take any photos with him on graduation day.
He smiled, and looked at the shaggy hair girl in big glasses that stood next to him in the photo, and then looked at Mary as she held her children...their children.
“You have married the right woman, son” his father said, and patted his back.
“I did,'' he replied.
He hung the photo frame on the wall, and looked at the family he had made. Everything before him wouldn’t be possible without his amazing wife.
“Mary…”
“Yes?” The woman turned around at the call.
Judy, and Jonathan let go of their mum after Henry took her hand, and pulled her into his embrace.