After the battle with the angels at both the Hazbin Hotel and Charon's home things began to go back to a sense of normal. With the help of the Hazbin staff a new hotel was made after the destruction during the battle. This lead to a new office for Charon and after a talk with Charlie, who was ecstatic, got a room for Meta as well. Since she was in hell now she needed a place to stay. Meta was very thankful for a place to stay constantly thanking Charlie and asking if there was anyway to repay her. After much discussion Meta became another one of the Hotel's new managers. Peace, or some form of it, came back to the hotel but a well known holiday was coming up very soon for hell that would allow a nice time for relaxation and maybe the rekindling of a special relationship.

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Who knew there would be so many case files to go through today. Thankfully with so little residents still in the hotel finishing this years balancing of the books didn't take too long. Then again most of it was done since I arrived at the hotel after taking the job of book keeper. Now it's time to look over cases being handled. With this amount it should keep me busy all day, perfect. Anything to distract me on what today is. 

"HAPPY SINSMAS!!!", Charlie said barging into the room. Her sudden appearance startled me making multiple papers scatter across my desk. Oh look, more work, perfect. This day seems to be going my way, minus the reminder of what today is. 

"Charlie, you could have knocked", I said folding my hands onto my desk. Charlie ignored my comment as she was jumping up and down excited.

"Sorry Charon, she's in her hyper mood. She's in hyper Charlie mode now, today is one of her favorite holidays so you can blame that", Vaggie said with a smile. She was enjoying this side of her girlfriend.

"I've already got today planned out! Me and Vaggie with meta are going to make sinsmas cookies with Nifty's help. though we'll make sure she doesn't get her hands on any of the knives for safety reasons. We'll also bake some other goodies for today's sinsmas party! it's going to be so much fun!!!!", Charlie said like a child hyped up on sugar. Then again, she actually may be on a sugar high. 

"Well I wish you all the best with the party then. For me I've got work I need to get done", I said returning to my work.

"Your not coming?", Vaggie asked slightly surprised. With no words I leaned back showing my case files stacked on my desk.

"Charon, come on! it'll be fun! plus I'm sure you can give it a day, right?"

"True but I'd prefer to get it done today"

"Sounds like someone is avoiding the holiday". Looking up from a case file I gave Vaggie an unseen glare. Pretty sure she was able to tell since she smirked at me. 

"Even Meta is getting into the mood! though she's mainly use to the human version Christmas but saw this as a way to understand hell's culture better. I know that you and her have...a...bit...of a...what's the word?"

"Rough patch?", Vaggie chimes in. 

"that!"

"If a rough patch is abandoning your wife for centuries leading to centuries worth of emotional trauma then yes, it's a rough a patch", I said with my eyes glowing for a moment. Though my anger wasn't pointed toward them.

"sorry, but hey! maybe this party will help you rekindle your relationship! there's still a chance Uncle. We even invited Corax, he helped so much putting that enchantment on the old hotel protecting it plus he is a friend of yours"

"Charlie, your optimism is something I've always admired about you in our short time of knowing and working together, considering we're in hell. Even honored that you would call me uncle after just learning we are family. But this isn't something that can be fixed I'm afraid. I was a different being at that time, coming to hell has changed me in a matter of good ways and bad ways. Even my looks have changed since then, a constant reminder of my choice coming down here. I'm not the same being she fell in love with all those centuries ago and I know she holds resentment toward me for what I did leaving her. She's just too nice to say it to me". Saying the words I knew there was something else hidden in those words. I was just too afraid to face them. Charlie walked over putting a comforting hand on mine. 

"It sounds like to me uncle that someone is afraid to try. Your so caught up in the past with it's mistakes your afraid to live in the now because your afraid you'll mess it up again. May not be able to see your facial expressions Charon but i can tell by your body language how you feel around her. Mostly the regret, it's time to move on. There's still a spark there", Charlie said with a friendly smile. Couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. Someone younger than me is giving me life advice, or after life advice.

"I'll think about it. Don't want to come off as rude but would you please leave my office? I do still have work to get to", I said trying not to be rude. Vaggie walked out of the office with Charlie following after her. Before Charlie closed the door she poked her head in.

"Just think about it Charon"

After the door closed the room was silent leaving me to my thoughts. Trying to go back to my work I found I couldn't concentrate. Charlie's words shifting through my mind along with old memories. Most of them involving what today meant to me and how hard I always tried to hide it. Leaning back in my chair letting my body rest I just let my thoughts fly on everything. 

Should I go to the party? should I try to save what me and Meta have? Or let it be put to rest? like I thought I did many centuries ago? Rational. That was one word many in heaven and hell described me. Facts and Logic ruled my decisions. Especially when Judging on a case that it be public or private held ones. Now though, maybe logic isn't what is needed now. Now be one of the few times I truly let my emotions make a decision. Fate will have to tell me if this is the wrong decision or not. That what scared me in all of this. Fate hasn't been kind to me in the pas...She's right. I am making myself get stuck in the past. 

I was broken out of my thoughts at the sound of something pecking at my window. Looking towards it there was a crow. Now this is an interesting visit. Standing up and walking to the window I opened it letting the crow enter. Once it stood inside it quickly turned into Corax himself. He took a moment to look around at my new office. This was his first time visiting here. 

"Have to say this office reminds me of the one at your lovely home"

"Home away from home was my intention", I said taking a seat. Snapping my finger I summoned some tea with two tea cups. Corax took the invitation and sat across from me before grabbing one of the cups to take a sip. "What do I owe the pleasure?"

"Thought I would inform you of my invitation to a small Sinsmas party that miss Charlie and her friends are holding. Was surprised to get said invitation and to know you would play some part in it. Thought you didn't like this holiday considering your emotional connection"

"I still don't and before I had the intentions not to attend but after a conversation with her she has me second guessing my attendance"

"My best guess for that would be the reasoning of starting to mend you relationship with miss Meta. Not a bad idea considering both versions of the holidays for mortals and demons. Though knowing you your too stuck in past mistakes to try"

"Funny, Charlie was saying something similar", I said with a hidden smirk. Charlie's almost just as understanding of my character as is Corax.

"Issues such as these usually never garner my attention, but your my friend and you need to hear some sense here. The happiest you both were was when you were together, before and after the wedding. My trial in heaven lead to you taking a dark path making you end up here, though self chosen. The new life you made is a happy one but you never were truly happy because she wasn't here. I knew if from being your friend all these centuries that you hid this sadness without you even realizing it. Now that she's here your afraid of losing her again, understandable. But that fear is staying in the way of happiness for the both of you"

"I can't lose her again Corax. My choices lead to her going through so much pain. Nothing will ever make up for that. My punishment is keeping her at an arms length"

"There's another issue your having old friend. The same one that got you into this mess the first time. Your thinking about yourself instead of her. Does she feel the same? does she truly blame you? have you asked any of this? or really talked to her?", Corax said finally hitting me with some sense. 

Since she arrived in hell I never truly talked to her. Just quick moments of a wave or a simple hello. Each interaction I could tell her wanted to say more but I never stayed long enough to let her. It was my way to keep her at an arms distance. Even helping her from a distance from getting her a place to stay. If she stayed at my home she would have garnered unwanted attention from those watching me, mostly my enemies. They never had a way to get to me but now they do if they found out about her. Doing so has been figuratively killing me inside. How bad I want to feel her touch. How bad I want to be in her arms. It hurts. 

"Your right Corax, as usual"

"There's a reason many called me the wisest angel in heaven. Anyhow, I think I'll leave you to your thoughts. Hope to see you there old friend", he said before transforming into a crow. Following after him as he flew off to close the window.

"Maybe, maybe"

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After Charlie and Vaggie talked to Charon they were walking down the hall to the kitchen. On their way a resident who was the talk of the hotel was coming out of her room. On her way to meet charlie and vaggie as well.

"Aunt Meta!", Charlie said excited running over giving her a hug. Meta with a friendly smile was nearly knocked over before returning the hug. Like how Charlie sees Charon as her uncle she saw Meta as her aunt. 

"How are you today Charlie?"

"Wonderful! can't wait to get started! though I am a little sad since it seems Charon may not join us for the party", Charlie said getting a little depressed. Hearing Charlie mention her husband's name dampened her mood slightly.

"I'm sorry to hear that, it...would have been nice to see him there. That shouldn't ruin our plans though. I'm very curious to learn more about this holiday", Meta said with a fake smile. This was something that Vaggie caught onto.

"Hey hon, why don't you go ahead and get everything ready while me and Meta have a chat", Vaggie suddenly said. 

"Will do! don't too long!", Charile said before running off. Vaggie couldn't help but smile with a shake of her head finding her naive girlfriends reaction adorable. 

"Tell me what's wrong", Vaggie said with her arms crossed. Meta looked at her confused but before she could say she was fine Vaggie gave her a knowing look. Letting out a sigh she caved in.

"It's Az..I mean Charon. Ever since arriving in hell it feels like he's been avoiding him. Minus the short greetings we give each other. Every time I try to talk to him I find myself hesitating. I knew why he left heaven all those centuries ago and it hurt me. Even when I eventually understood why he left it never left. It ended up hurting more seeing him again twice. Hearing his words full of regret I could tell he was sorry for everything, but also knew he couldn't bring himself to say sorry. Not out of pride but out of grief. Funny enough I never hated him when he left"

"You should try to talk to him about this. Charlie talked to him but it's not my place to say what exactly. I can say this, Charlie still sees that spark. Charlie has an interesting way of seeing the best in people, it's something I admire with her", Vaggie said with a smile. Meta couldn't help seeing the love her and Charon had in both of them. 

"Your both lucky to have found each other"

"More like I was the lucky one", Vaggie said making both laugh. "Someone once told me to fight for love and it made me able to face my past as an angel head on and protect the one i love. So keep fighting for it Meta, I'm sure Charon will come around eventually"

"Thank you Vaggie, I appreciate it. Now we should go meet up with Charlie. Don't want to keep her waiting"

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Soon the time of the party arrived. The main lobby along with most of the hotel was decorated for the occasion. Thankfully this lobby was much bigger than the old hotels. The New Hotel did have a ball room but do to the small size of it's staff and friends it was better to just use the lobby. On multiple tables were food to eat but most of it was baked desserts made by the combined work of Charlie, Meta, Nifty and Vaggie. All the desserts were enjoyed by the staff. 

The party was a hit was many were having a great time. Husk was enjoying the drinks for the party while trying to ignore Angel Dust's harassment but instead of usually finding it annoying he found it entertaining. Even Cherry Bomb decided to join and she was the life of the party chatting with many of the others and talking about stories involving her battles with other upcoming overlords. Nifty was running around hyped up on sugar, with Husk keeping a watchful eye on her. The whole time Corax was in his own little space enjoying a nice glass of whiskey, something he only drank for special occasions. Everyone else was enjoying the music and chatting with many of the guests. One though was patiently waiting to see if one person specifically would attend. 

"Aunt Meta, you look so good in you dress!", Charlie said walking up. She currently replaced her suit with a nice casual dress for the occasion. Vaggie next to her wore something a little nicer was well.

"Oh thank you Charlie. Honestly wasn't so sure on it"

"Well you look beautiful Meta", Vaggie complimented. Meta showed a smile happy with the compliment. She looked away at the main stair case expecting someone to walk down at any moment.

"Still waiting for him?", Charlie asked carefully. Meta just showed a sad smile.

"Yeah, just thought he'd show up. Guess I just let my hopes get too high is all", meta said with a sad smile while also fighting back tears. Which didn't go unnoticed by Charlie and Vaggie who comforted her. 

"Wow! who knew the angel of death himself would look good in red!", Angel suddenly shouted. This drew everyone's attention to the main stair case to show Charon himself walking down. Though this time instead of his usual suit he wore a red one with some black of course. It is his favorite color.

Many were amazed with the suit as he walked down. For so long they saw Charon mainly only wear black with hints of red but seeing him in all red was a first. He walked with a grace that not many have seen before. Reaching the lobby floor his focus was on no one else except meta. Many were complimenting his suit but he ignored it. He only cared about one thing at the moment and he was walking towards her. As he arrived where the three were standing Meta developed a noticeable blush.

"May I have this dance?", Charon asked kindly, holding his hand out. Meta looked at it unsure before looking at Charlie and Vaggie. Charlie was trying very hard not to squeal at the moment while Vaggie gave a kind smile with a nod. She took his hand as they walked into an empty space before he wrapped his hands around her waist and her arms around his neck.

"Not sure if this is the best music for a dance", Meta said embarrassed. Charon simply snapped his fingers changing the music and causing it to snow in the room. 

With the change in music both began to slowly move with the rhythm. Meta though was unsure how to move due to not dancing in a while but was quick enough to match the movements of Charon. Everyone else was amazed with the magic of the snow and nostalgic. None of them have seen snow since they were alive on earth, all they've known is the heat of hell. But that wasn't where Meta and Charon's focus were. The snow was his gift to everyone knowing some haven't seen it in forever but was also a gift to meta.

"You know it's Sinsmas, not Christmas", meta said sparking conversation. Charon let out a chuckle that made Meta's heart flutter. Even after all this time he still had a way into her heart.

"Both aren't too different if one is to look at their similarities. Also, not sure if this is appropriate or not but....happy...anniversary", Charon said hesitantly. Meta's eyes went wide, she thought he forgot.

"Honestly I thought you forgot. Then again, you haven't really been easy to reach", Meta said with a hint of sadness. For a moment Charon stopped but just as quickly was back to moving to the music.

"I'm sorry, sorry for everything. Never properly got to say that to you, without a door in my way. Whatever reason I could give to explain why I did doesn't fix it. I lost you Meta, and for a while I thought I made peace with that. That was until we went to visit heaven to plead our case again I learned it wasn't true. That hole created by your absence in my life could never be filled. Even now I'm afraid I'll lose you again. There's no telling what'll happen if that happens. So I kept you at an arm's distance just out my reach so I wouldn't put myself through that pain again. Then with the help of a few friends made me realize during all of this and even then, never did I once think about what you wanted. That is also something I ask forgiveness for. If you never want to interact or even see me, just say so. It's what I deserve". Meta couldn't help but let tears fall down her face. Moving one of her arms she gently put her hand on his cheek making his heart flutter this time. Leaning his head into it she looked at him with sadness.

"I know why you left, that isn't what hurt me Az. What hurts is you didn't say goodbye or even try to take me with you. That's what hurt me so deeply ever since you left. Hurt even more when it seemed you wouldn't give me the time since arriving here"

"I'm..."

"No, no more apologies. You've done enough of that. All I want right now is to dance with you, my husband. Like you I chose to come down here because I couldn't stand knowing you were down here and I wasn't there with you but I made sure heaven knew my choice. My place is here with you and don't you dare apologize to me. Just dance with me and promise me you'll never do anything like that ever again", meta said barely holding back a sob. Charon leaned his head against hers.

"The first time was the greatest mistake of my existence, never would I wish to make the same mistake again. I'll never leave you Meta and for as long as I exist you will never be hurt down here. Anyone who dares will face a fate worse than death", Charon said, his eyes beginning to glow. Meta just held a gentle smile before taking a step back and putting a ring on his hand, his wedding ring.

"That's my Judge. Guess we can say, Court Adjourned?", Meta asked, getting her face closer with a smirk. Charon couldn't help but chuckle as they shared a kiss. She leaned her head against his chest as they continued to dance slowly.

"Yes, Court Adjourned"

Have a Merry Christmas everyone and a happy new year!