BCC Chapter 5: A Meaningful Life

When Basil finally opened his eyes, he found himself back in his room at Baker Street. The window had flown open, and the room was so cold he thought he was still in that gust of wind, snow, and gold dust. Basil ran over and closed the window, before tightening his robe. He rubbed his eyes feeling more tired than when he dozed off while reading the night before. It suddenly dawned on him that it was morning...but was it Christmas morning? He rushed to the stairs just in time to hear his friend come in.

“Good morning Dr. Dawson, and merry Christmas.” Mrs. Judson was always the first one up on Christmas morning.

“Good morning and merry Christmas to you too Mrs. Judson.”

Basil sighed with relief as he realized he hadn't missed a thing, say for a few hours of sleep, and trudged down the stairs. Though he still looked rather tired, he smiled and greeted his friend.

“Merry Christmas Dawson, I thought you'd have gotten back sooner.”

Dawson laughed as he hung up his coat. “Merry Christmas to you too Basil. I had hoped I would have been back before now, but so many things came up between last night and this morning. And before I forget, an old client asked me to give you his best. You helped find his wife a few months ago after she was taken out of revenge by her old boyfriend.” Basil remembered the case, and the mouse from his trip through the present the night before, but he wasn't ready to tell Dawson about that just yet. Dawson rubbed his own eyes having not gotten much sleep himself. It was then he noticed how tired Basil looked, and the book on the floor by his chair. “I see you were up reading my book.” He walked over and picked it up making sure it hadn't been damaged.

“Yes I did,” he winked at his friend, “and let me tell you, I had quite a night last night.” Basil gave a big yawn as he said this, and stretched his arms trying to wake up a bit.

Dawson shook his head sympathizing with his friend. “I should have warned you about that. I've noticed that when you fall asleep reading or even listening to a program on the radio you sometimes find yourself in the middle of the story in your dreams. It's happened to me many times, and with my work you can only imagine what kinds of dreams I've had.” The two laughed at the thought, before Basil headed back upstairs to get dressed.

By the time he came back down, Mrs. Judson had already brought in a tray of crumpets and tea for the two friends. Basil took a cup and sat down in his chair, grateful for something hot.  

After a few minutes, Dawson cleared his throat and pulled his medical bag toward him. “Basil, I have a confession to make...” He paused feeling a little embarrassed. “Last night I didn't head to the hospital...well, at least not at first...” Basil was surprised his friend had lied to him like that, they rarely kept secrets from each other. He crossed his arms and gave Dawson a small glare, though he never lost his smile. “I didn't mean to lie to you Basil,” he laughed as he pulled something out of his bag, “but it's not easy keeping a secret from The Great Mouse Detective.” Dawson handed the small package to his friend. It was a small box wrapped in green paper, tied with a silver ribbon, and on the side was a small tag.

To: My best friend who I am honored to work along side
From: Your friend Dawson

Basil was touched by the message, and smiled at Dawson. Dawson just gestured for Basil to open the gift and see what surprise had prompted him to make up a reason to leave Baker Street the previous night. “Go ahead Basil, open it.” Basil carefully untied the ribbon and undid the wrapping to reveal a simple brown box. When he opened it, he found a beautifully hand-carved pipe inside. “A patient and good friend of mine is a master carver, and when I told him I was trying to find you a Christmas present, and how you liked your old pipe, he said he could carve you a special one for those special occasions and holidays.” He paused waiting to see Basil's reaction. “Do you like it?” Basil quickly got up from his chair, and went to find his powder. “Like it, I love it!” He quickly filled his pipe and lit it, enjoying how the smooth wood felt between his lips, and how it smelled like the forest. “Thank you Dawson.”

Basil then went over to the tree to find the gift he had gotten Dawson, but found it had vanished. “Mr. Basil, you might be the best detective in London,” Mrs. Judson came into the room carrying a large box wrapped in red paper and tied with a white bow on top, “but your wrapping skills could use some improvement.” Basil crossed his arms and gave her a small scowl, but Dawson just laughed (there were things even he couldn't do very well). Basil took the box from Mrs. Judson and handed it to Dawson. “I hope you like it, you certainly need it.” He winked at his friend who, with a slightly puzzled look, opened the gift. Inside Dawson found a brand new medical bag that was sturdy and had a few smaller compartments inside. “Why Basil, you know me too well. My old bag has all but fallen apart. Thank you.”

Basil smiled as he watched Dawson organize his things in his new bag. He liked his old one the way Basil liked his old pipe, but it's place was on the shelf at his office by his medical certificate. After all, it was his first bag, and had great sentimental value. Still, he more than appreciated the new one, especially since the constant worry about things breaking was growing old. Also, the mere fact that this gift came from Basil made it even more special.

Basil's mind briefly went back to the images of the future from the night before, and he remembered how tired and defeated his friend had looked. He shook the memory from his mind and cleared his throat. “I know I don't say this very often Dawson, but your friendship has become invaluable to me over the years. I really can't imagine working on these cases without you with me.”

Dawson was a little surprised to hear Basil say that, not because it wasn't true, but because he didn't often show such emotions. He smiled as he stood back up. “Oh Basil, I'll always be here to help you whenever you need it.” The two shook hands like they had done after Basil proposed the partnership to Dawson after Ratigan's case was over, before sitting back down. They spent a good part of the next hour enjoying more tea and crumpets while they talked about the previous night's events.  

A few hours later, sweet smells wafted through the air from the kitchen. Mrs. Judson was just about done making dinner, the gifts for the Flavershams were under the tree, and Basil and Dawson were enjoying some of the treats from their stockings. The calm atmosphere was soon broken by a knock at the door. Dawson got up and went over to let their guests in, while Basil got up and braced himself for the burst of energy he knew was just outside.

Sure enough, as soon as Dawson opened the door, Olivia ran inside and jumped into Basil's arms, knocking him back into his chair. “Merry Christmas Mr. Basil!” She was so excited to see him again, and she couldn't stop giggling. “And merry Christmas to you Miss Firecracker.” Basil winked at her and Olivia burst into laughter.

Dawson took the packages from Hiram so he could take off his coat. After he did, and Olivia got back down and took off her own coat, Basil had to do a double take. Hiram and Olivia were dressed so similarly to the spirits, he could have sworn he was looking right at them. Hiram had on a green suit similar to the Ghost of Christmas Present, but his wasn't so elaborately decorated. It was a simple suit with black buttons and a green plaid vest. He also had shiny black boots, a simple black top hat, and the chain from his pocket watch was across his chest. Olivia was dressed in a red plaid skirt and a cream colored sweater, just like the Ghost of Christmas Past, but hers had a red poinsettia and green leaves in the middle. She wore cream colored tights covered with poinsettias, shiny black shoes with gold buckles, and by her ear was another poinsettia, just like the Ghost of Christmas Future.

After holiday greetings were said by all, Olivia took out the Christmas presents her father had given her. Dawson recognized the pink doll from when they had rescued Hiram from Ratigan and asked. “Isn't that the doll your father made you for your birthday?”

Olivia nodded, remembering Dawson was the one who found her favorite toy after they were back on the ground and had gone back to the palace on request of the queen. “Yes it is, father fixed it and made me this one for Christmas this year.” Olivia brought out a purple flower and handed it to Dawson. He took it and wound the small key while she wound her pink one. Both flowers turned into dancers, one male and one female, and began to dance together. Even Basil had to admit he was impressed how the toys interacted with each other, and didn't just dance at the same time. “One day I'm going to dance just like her.” Olivia said while watching her favorite toy dance across the floor.

“Olivia has been taking dance lessons the past few months.” Hiram explained with a hint of pride in his voice. When Basil glanced at him, he noticed he was watching his daughter with the same look of pride that his own father had given him at his college graduation. This was also the look his former self had on his face after proving Ratigan was the real thief back in his childhood. Again, memories from the previous night came flooding back to him, but before Basil could get too lost in thought Olivia grabbed his hand and asked Basil to dance with her like her toys were dancing. Basil smiled at her and they began dancing around the room while Dawson and Hiram laughed and clapped to the music made by Olivia's toys. Later, the three sat down to chat while Olivia played and helped Mrs. Judson in the kitchen until dinner was ready.

After dinner, everyone gathered back around the fire to exchange gifts.

Hiram gave the box of spices he and Olivia had picked out to Mrs. Judson, who put it with the herbs and cookbook Basil and Dawson had given her earlier.

Olivia gave Dawson the new Winter boots her father had found when they went shopping for Olivia's new dress shoes. Again Basil did a double take when he saw them, because the boots looked exactly like the ones the spirit had worn.

Dawson gave Hiram the carving set he and Mrs. Judson had seen while he was helping her with her errands.

Basil gave Olivia the books he and Dawson had picked out for her. When Olivia saw what the books were she became very excited. Dawson had insisted on “A Christmas Carol”, while Basil's mind was on the music of “The Nutcracker”. “I'm learning some of the dances form the Nutcracker in my dance classes.” Basil smiled, pleased that she had an appreciation for the music as he did.

It was then Olivia brought Basil his present. It was a large box wrapped in holiday paper, and tied with a silver ribbon. Basil knew Olivia had wrapped the gift herself, but he didn't tell her that. He sat down and carefully unwrapped the gift. Inside was something that made Basil stop and stare for a minute. There in front of him was a very special case, just the right size for a violin. When he opened it, he found the most beautiful violin he had ever seen inside. It was a genuine Rativarius with dark wood so shiny Basil could see his reflection. He looked it over as memories of his old one rushed back to him. He use to play for hours at a time, getting lost in the many songs and melodies he had learned over the years. That is, until the day he accidentally sat on it while trying to explain to Olivia that it was too dangerous for her to come with him and Dawson to look for her father. He looked back at Olivia who just gave a small smile, and put her hands behind her back in a slightly guilty way (Basil might not have sat on it if she hadn't pulled her hat out from under it the way she had). “Father had a very special customer who asked him to make some toys for his children. He was so impressed with his work that he insisted on giving father a gift as a thank you. When I saw the violin I knew it would be the perfect Christmas present for you.” She paused a minute and looked down at her feet. “Sorry about your old one.” Basil shook his head and smiled at her. After all, he was the one who sat on it, not her. He lifted it to his chin and played a few scales to test it. He was thrilled when he found it had already been tuned perfectly. He stood up and winked at Olivia before playing one of the songs from the Nutcracker. Olivia's smile widened as she ran to Dawson and started dancing with him. Hiram laughed and joined in the fun, and even Mrs. Judson couldn't help dancing along to the wonderful music.

As he played, Basil felt all the wonderful feelings and memories rush back to him, along with everything the spirits had told him the night before. As he watched his friends dance and sing to the tune of his violin, he found a feeling that he couldn't quite explain...Olivia and her father had found each other, thanks to Basil and Dawson's investigation. Dawson had found his best friend, and he couldn't have been happier to have the old Basil back. London had found it's queen after nearly losing her to a sewer rat's desire for power. The queen had found a hero that she could count on, the same way the people could count on the ones who lived just above Basil at 221 B Baker Street. And Basil? The feeling that Basil had found was everything that made his life meaningful. He finally understood that even if his cases weren't successful, the ones who truly mattered in his life would still be there for him. Through highs and lows, good times and bad, regardless of what happened, he knew he could always count on the ones who cared so much about him, and who he cared so much about in return.

The hours passed like minutes that evening. Everyone had so much fun dancing and singing carols by the fire, while enjoying hot chocolate, cheese crumpets, and gingerbread mice in between, that they hardly noticed the time flying by. By nine o'clock the excitement had calmed down, the treats were gone, and Olivia was sound asleep on one of the chairs.

“My, where has the time gone.” Hiram asked while looking at his watch. “It feels like we just arrived, and yet it's getting so late.” It was true, time had slipped by without anyone noticing. Hiram got up, put on his coat, and picked up Olivia. Dawson helped him put her coat on her, then put on his coat.

“I can help you if you like,” he offered, “I promised a friend I would check in on them tonight.” He turned to Basil as he  picked up the Flaversham's presents. “I might have made up my reason for leaving last night, but I really do have a few patients to see tonight.” Basil nodded, knowing how important Dawson's patients were to him. He handed Dawson his bag and Olivia's two toys, before opening the door for them. As he watched as they vanished into the night he thought about how lucky he was to have the friends he did. These thoughts reminded him that he wanted to reach out to his childhood friends and try to reconnect with them after the holidays were over.

Basil sat back down by the fire, after placing his violin back in it's case. He took out his new pipe and lit it while he watched the flames dance about. He soon drifted to sleep in his chair, while everything that had happened since the night before came back to him. All the memories and events filled his mind, along with his plans to reconnect with his old friends after the holiday excitement was over. As he slept, four pairs of eyes were watching over him. Three of those pairs belonged to three special ornaments that had been hung on the tree without anyone knowing or seeing. The fourth pair belonged to the one who hung them there, Mrs. Judson. She walked into the room carrying a blanket she had been working on. It was soft and warm, and perfect for those chilly nights. She made it out of red, green, white, and gold fabric, it was full of gold dust glitter and sequence, and had the same designs that the ornaments were decorated with. She quietly walked over to Basil and took his pipe from him, and placed it on the mantle with his old one. She then put another log on the fire, and placed the blanket over him as she whispered “Merry Christmas Mr. Basil...” She walked over to the window and looked up at the starry sky before closing the drapes. “...and God bless us, everyone.”