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Ebenezer Scrooge had become a joyful man. He suddenly found his life bustling with love and kindness from his friends and family. His Nephew Henry and his wife Mary were expecting a child any time now. The Cratchit family were nearly financially stable, and in the meantime had moved in with Ebenezer as he had plenty of room to house them in the three storey manor. Tiny Tim had become slowly less ill over the year, and had begun walking without his crutch more and more. However, one thing still did not sit right with him. He had amended everything he could, with the exception of one thing. He never apologized to Isabel. She had moved on with her life and he knew not where he could find her. Scrooge knew that she was happy, and had been shown that she had a family, however he felt the need to apologize. Without wasting much time, he began looking into finding her. He searched newspapers hoping to find a lead to her, but alas he could find none. A few months passed this way, with him looking desperately to find her. He had nearly given up when he saw an obituary.‘In Memoriam Frederick Holywell. Survived by his wife Isabelle Holywell (Fezziwig), and three children…’ Immediately Scrooge knew that she had been happy, as she had always dreamed of children. He wrote down the date of the service and sat to think. Would she be angry at him for showing up on such a cruel day? However, if he did not attend, would he ever be able to find her again?Scrooge looked down at Prudence and patted her tan fur, before asking her “What should I do sweet girl? Should I go to the service or risk losing my chance to apologize?” The dog merely rolled onto her back and let her tongue hang out, leaving his question unanswered. Eventually he decided to go, if nothing else he could give her back her ring. As he got dressed for the ceremony, he pulled a small silver chain out from under his shirt. Scrooge took a deep breath as he removed the chain from his neck, and let the engagement ring slide off of the chain. He had worn it faithfully as a reminder of her betrayal, until he wore it as a reminder of his mistakes. A reminder to treat others better than he had treated her. He reached the graveside service right before it began and he stood as far back as possible, letting his black cloak hide him within the crowd. When the service finally completed, he watched as the people around gave their condolences to Isabel and her children before leaving. She gave each of her children a hug, they all looked to be adults. The three all walked away leaving Isabel standing alone staring at the lonely casket in front of her. Scrooge took a long deep breath before walking to her side. She didn’t look up until he spoke.“I am certain this must sound monotonous, but I am truly sorry for your loss.” He did not face her, and merely looked at the coffin lying in front of him. She gasped as she looked up and saw him.“Ebenezer?”“Isabelle” Scrooge started, lifting his hand “I am certain I am the last person you wish to see. I promise to leave you in peace. However, I have come to apologize.”She looked at him and opened her mouth to speak, before closing it. Allowing him to continue.“I have done wrong by you Isabel. For years you treated me with nothing but kindness and patience, and I repaid you with coldness and dismissal. Please know I wish nothing of you, and I certainly do not expect you to forgive me for the cruelty I have inflicted upon you. I merely wish to apologize for that cruelty.” Scrooge’s gaze had dropped to the snow on the ground where he stood. Isabel looked at him, and he could feel her gaze as she began to speak. “It has been twenty five years, Ebenezer. Why has it taken you so long to change your mind? Why have you waited till I was left truly alone in the world to come and speak to me?”He sighed, thinking of what the ghost of christmas past showed him “I apologize for the timing of when I have come to you. I had, what I can only call an epiphany without being called an insane old man. I was shown the error of my ways, and how cruel I have been to those around me. I have spent this whole year trying to do good, that I may undo some of the damage I have caused, and I have given every kindness that I could. Every person I have wrong that I can do right by, I have!” A small smile graced his lips, and a few tears gathered in his eyes. His voice softened as he continued. “However, of those I wronged the most, I was unable to find you. I never would have come to you now if I knew how to find you again.”Scrooge took another deep breath, and brushed the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes. He lifted his other hand, and opened his palm to look at the ring inside. Quickly he closed it again and used his free hand to lift Isabel’s.He turned her hand over and placed the ring in her hand before closing her fingers around it. “This ring should not belong to me. I know it might become hard without your husband. Please, sell it and use the money as you see fit. It is yours to do as you please with.” She looked at the ring in her hand and Scrooge took a moment to look at her.Her hair had become snow white, and her skin now had wrinkles, yet she was still just as beautiful as the day they had met. Ebenezer took a step back as Isabel looked up at him. “I truly am sorry-” He had begun to say, when he felt Isabel wrap her arms around him. Had her arms not held such a tight grip around him, he might have tried to wiggle away. However he gently wrapped his arms around her. They stood there silently for a minute before Scrooge felt Isabel shaking, and heard gentle sobs coming from her mouth. Carefully he held her tighter in response. Slowly she began to sink to the ground, and Ebenezer guided her gently into the snow.He allowed her to cry into his cloak, knowing she had given him the same kindness when both his sister and mother passed away. When she stopped crying, she looked up at him. “I forgive you Ebenezer.” she whispered. He let himself smile gently as he helped her to her feet. “If you wish, when you are ready, I will walk you home. Afterwards, I will leave you be. You’ve once again given me kindness I don’t deserve.” Isabel smiled softly and nodded. She placed her hand on the casket a final time, and whispered something that Ebenezer could not decipher. Slowly, she removed her hand from the wood and began walking out of the cemetery with Scrooge. When they arrived at her home, Ebenezer spoke gently “If you need anything, I will do anything in my power to provide it for you. If you wish to never see me again, you never must.” “Eb, I would like to become friends with you. I do not think that it could ever be the same as it was, however I would like to have you in my life again. So long as you truly are changed for the better.” Scrooge could only smile at her.“I promise you, I will never be that cruel and heartless man ever again.” The two parted on that note, and Isabel would become a large part of Scrooge's life again. What Scrooge would not know, however, is that the ring now sat on a little silver chain. Wrapped around her neck, underneath her dress.