He looked up in surprise. "Webby?" Scrooge said sweetly. "What're ye doin' up so early? Dinn'a tell me you want to go shopping wi' all those crazies at th' mall!"

Webbigail shook her head, letting herself into the office. She was still wearing her nightgown, a frilly pink floor-length shift that was quite appropriately feminine for her but a little too adult for Scrooge's taste. While not actually related to him, Webbigail may as well have been for how he felt about her. It bothered him how eager she and his nephews were to grow up; their dreaded teen years were beating down his door and breathing down his neck.

"I heard voices," said Webbigail. "Was Mr. Crackshell here?"

Scrooge nodded. "Aye, m'dear. I hope we dinn'a wake you."

"Oh please tell me you're not making Mr. Crackshell work today, Uncle Scrooge! It's the day after Thanksgiving! He should be spending it with his mother!"

He couldn't keep from chuckling. She was so sweet and kindhearted, it was hard to get mad at her, let alone stay that way. And because of those traits, she seldom comprehended Scrooge's business savvy. The working world would be no place for a woman like her. He'd always secretly hoped she would find a man who would be able to provide well for her, lest she wind up in financially hot water. And he couldn't allow that.

Webbigail pouted. "This isn't funny, Uncle Scrooge! C'mon, you couldn't be making Mr. Crackshell work today!"

Scrooge's gaze wandered from Webbigail down to the newspaper spread out on his desk. "Go on 'n' sit, m'dear," he told her softly. "I . . . I have some news."

Her pout turned to a frown as she delicately took the seat where Fenton had been not too long before her. "Is everything okay?"

"Tegwen's alive."

It had been quite some time since that name had been mentioned in any context to the children in the household, and it was for that reason Scrooge wasn't sure how they would take the news. While waiting for Fenton to arrive, he'd debated whether to even tell them. But seeing Webbigail's reaction, the decision had been obvious though it was no easier to tell her.

Webbigail made a tiny, high-pitched noise that -- under any other circumstance -- would have been sickeningly cute. But in that instance, it broke his heart.

She covered her bill with both hands, her big eyes promptly welling with tears. "Oh!" She finally said amidst a deep gasp. "Uncle Scrooge! Is that true?"

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