I loved this! Glad Gene listened to all his Christmas spirits and made an effort to not be a Scrooge and go round to help Alex. Loved the ending!

With awful Christmases like those, I can see why Gene might prefer to excuse himself from festivities. Curious to find out the next spirit to visit him.

Gene really can be a right bastard when he wants to. It’s a shame he keeps everyone at arms length instead JF taking Alex up on the offer for Christmas festivities. Here’s hoping all these Christmas spirits can change his mind.

Yet again, wish this happened! Love how you included good old Sam! And Chris was hilarious!

Well, I've only found this ONE Christmas late! It's a delight - I love Ray's attempts at being ghostly, Chris's tripping over his robes, Shaz as the Christmas fairy, and above all the suggestion that Gene could stop Alex entering the pub by ceasing to be a Scrooge. Gorgeous!

A WONDERFUL ending - the guv in blue and in love, and even willing to tease Shazzer a bit, plus show Alex his domesticated side.

You've done a lovely Christmas tale, and it's just what I needed right now.

I have to admit you shocked me with Shazzer's attraction to the guv, but at least she's still loyal to Alex (and of course capable of being embarrassed about it all).

And I wish Messrs Graham and Pharoah had sent in benevolent spirits to run interference for Alex and Gene, instead of allowing Keats free rein almost till the end.

Finally, the image from my favorite film version of "A Christmas Carol" was much appreciated, as was the scene of Gene waking up very early on a snowy Christmas morning.

This is my favorite chapter so far, both for your decision to lighten the mood a bit by sending Chris out to be the goofball dressed as Death (It's not what Dickens did, but I still like it) and for your setting the emotional stage for Gene and Alex. The Christmassy images and atmosphere are just right, too.

I dreaded the scenes of Gene's childhood. This is very Dickensian in its own way, and also in character for the guv.

Now I want to see him redeemed and have a bit of happiness, but I suspect there's more angst on the way.

"Sounds like my idea of hell." Yup, that's the guv. I do like the way you have described his Christmas Eve plans; they're totally in character, and I can just see it all unfolding.

And I needed a little Christmas, as the song goes, and so I'm glad to be reading this at last.

Aw- this whole fic was just a tonic- loved it- lucky Alex!

That was gorgeous, & very heart warming GH, thank you !

Awwww! What a cute ending! :')

This story has got me in the festive mood! Thanks for sharing it! :)

x

Awwww yay! Lovely final chapter. Glad Gene got his act together. Can't wait for another festive offering from you if you've got the time.

This isn't me reviewing me own fic - just a quick explanation for Jazz and anyone else who might have been confused.

When Gene whispers in Shaz's ear, she just thinks he's being a bit naughty and flirtateous. The "private joke" was meant to be private to him only. Obviously I didn't quite make this clear. Mea culpa! :)