Chapter Text
Graham bounds into her office with a large smile on his face, Ace looks up, shaking her head. “What is going on, what’s got you so happy.”
“Oh, nothing, just that I am looking forward to my first Christmas with you.”
“Graham,” she lets out a sign, putting her pen down before standing up to move closer to him, resting her hands on his sides. “I don’t celebrate Christmas. Nothing ever good comes of it.”
“What, how can you say that?”
“Manisha died right around the holiday, people have tried to take over my company on the holidays and my own brother stopped wanting to see me.”
“But I want to see you,” he pouts.
“You can see me, but I don’t need any gifts or want any. I only need them on my birthday” She pecks him on the lips.
“It’s Christmas though, a time for family. I was hoping to have you, Ryan, Tegan, Nyssa and their family with us.”
“You are really sweet to want to include them. They don’t celebrate much either.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, or at least they tell me that. I chose to believe they don’t.”
“Ok,” he says, trying not to sound sad. “I guess I should cancel my order.”
“Unless you want to save it for my birthday?”
“I can give that, I guess I should head out and let you get back to work.” He gets out of her arms and exits the room, keeping his head high until the door is closed. Feeling the door between them, that it’s thicker than he has felt something between them since they met.
“Graham,” he looks up and sees Nyssa coming up to him. “Is everything ok?”
“She doesn’t like Christmas.”
“I see, follow me,” Nyssa takes him back to her office. “Sit, want some tea? I always have the kettle on.” He nods and slumps down on the chair across from her desk. “I have known Ace for years, Tegan has for even longer, we both have seen her only celebrate when the kids were young, and she only did it for them. Her own joy was never in it. She doesn’t celebrate much.”
“What, she said to save what I found for her birthday. Tegan even has helped me a little.”
Smiling, “I knew she was hoping Ace would change a little once she seemed serious about you.”
“What?”
“Are you about her?”
“Of course I am, I want her to get to know Ryan better, I wouldn’t do that if I wasn’t about her. I just move fast.”
“Ace doesn’t usually, but with you everything just clicked.” She hands him his tea, “drink up.” She sits down in her chair, “so what did the two of you have planned? I know she wants us and our now adult kids over to yours for dinner.”
“Two things, for Neeka and Yaz to meet and Liam is coming by to surprise her.”
“How did you get in contact with Liam?”
“I searched for a Liam McShane and met him in a pub. There is no denying they are siblings.”
“I know. I met him a few times. You want Ace to have her family again?”
“I do. She deserves all the happiness in the world.” He sits back and drinks his tea as Nyssa excuses herself.
“Dorothy,” she calls her friend's name as she exits her office. Ace pops her head out and Nyssa marches to Ace’s office. “I have a broken hearted man drinking tea in my office. He had more than just a gift planned for you. That man might haven’t said it yet, but he loves you.”
“I love him too, I just can’t celebrate Christmas, it causes too much pain. I was able to pretend when the kids were little, but I can’t anymore.”
“Eventually that is going to cost you more than you know. It might even cost you him. Maybe more.” Nyssa turns and walks out and back to her office as Graham is rinsing out his cup.
“Thank you Nyssa, I’m just going to head home. Maybe visit Grace’s grave. Christmastime was her favorite, minus the influx of people coming to the hospital that sometimes got her pulled away from her patients."
“You hang in there. You have only been around the happy Ace so far.”
“I know. I am trying not to take it personally. I wanted to share more with Ace?”
“She knows, but she can’t get it through her mind that she isn’t alone anymore.”
……
Christmas Eve, Ace puts down her phone after trying Graham again that night. She gets a text from him, he and Ryan are busy visiting Grace’s grave. “Did I really screw this up?”
“You sure did,” Ace turns at the voice.
“It can’t be,” her hand rises, “you have been dead for decades.”
“I know that, but you are screwing up something that could be amazing. Yes, I was too young to die. But the Doctor made sure you knew you could be happy. You have had some happiness, but when we played the cards.”
“Am I always just a pawn in everyone’s game? Manisha, it's just never been a good time. There was losing you and the attempted coups that always seem to pop up now.”
“Yes, and if you don't change your ways, eventually all you will have is that job.”
“What? I will lose Tegan and Nyssa?”
“I can’t tell you how. You will have to learn that as three spirits visit you tonight.”
“Am I in the Christmas Carol or something? I am not like Scrooge.”
“You may not say bah humbug and donate, but you do crush others spirit. I know we joked about stuff like this, but come on. You have a family, more than just Graham that wants to spend the holiday with you.”
“I know,” Ace rolls her eyes.
“You may have not been loved as a kid, but as an adult you have many that love you.”
“They chose you to tell me because we were friends right?”
“They did. Each spirit was chosen for a reason. Be it a short lived crush of yours, someone looking out for their family or someone that if you change will get to know.”
“What does that even mean Manisha?”
“You see. Just like the story, as the clock strikes 12, you will be visited by 3 spirits.”
“You mean I have hours.”
“Yes, and I advise you to get some sleep. You need to learn that people will always love you.”