Home for the Holidays

 

Synopsis: A Punisher fluff fic, which yes, I am aware, is the exact opposite of what we typically expect from anything happening in Frank Castle’s life. A reunion between Frank, Micro and his family. Paige is able to call in some favors, and she comes along with Matt and Foggy to celebrate. Amy is invited along with her marine biologist fiance, Jack. She has a surprise to share with Frank. The final present of the night is a chat with Beth and her little boy, Max in the flesh.

‘No one should be alone during the holidays.’--quite possibly every Hallmark film ever written/produced

‘Christmas time is here

Families drawing near

Oh, that we could always see

Such spirit through the year.’--From the Charlie Brown Christmas Special

Chapter 1—The Unexpected Call

Dinah Madani had pulled quite a few strings to procure a rather cushy house for Frank Castle to abide in. She felt, after all the hard work he had done, he deserved something nice to balance all that rampant killing. She also gifted him the comfortable house because she had a little school girl crush on him but only she knew and she wasn’t about to let anyone know about it or she would never hear the end of it.

Dinah had legally changed Frank’s name to Johnathan Gibrese. He went by John or Johnny for short but when working directly with whomever contracted him or by himself with friends or co-ops, he was still ‘Frank’ or ‘Peter’. Most of the time, ‘Frank’ was his operative moniker.

Frank laid back in his soft bed, savoring the poly blend sheets. In the corner glowed a Christmas tree that he had set up. It had been the first year since he had put one up. The holiday was bittersweet and there were times he felt ambivalent about it. Despite this, he lounged in his bed, sipping on a cool glass of whiskey, watching his beloved Blue Shirts kick the tar out of the Red Wings. He sighed. This was definitely the life. Right about when his eyes were going to close, there was a call on the phone.

So far as Frank knew, only a few select people had his private number since he had been relocated thanks to witness protection and being under the shield of the DEA, FBI and CIA.

‘John Gibrese speaking. Who’s calling ?’, he asked, curiously. He didn’t feel any foreboding or dread, especially when the voice from the other end was none other than Foggy Nelson.

‘Frank ! Gosh, but it’s been a minute since I heard your voice ! How are you, you old dog ?’, Nelson questioned. Frank was a bit surprised that Foggy was being so congenial but it seemed that Foggy liked him now. Perhaps it was Karen that changed his mind ? The two conversed for a good, long time and informed him he had gotten him tickets to come and visit.

‘I think you already know who wants to see you for Christmas.’, Franklin stated. Frank could almost see his smart-alek smirk and couldn’t help grinning himself.

‘David, Sarah, Leo and Zach are inviting you and honestly they can’t wait to see you again.’, came the familiar voice of Matt Murdock.

‘Damn it, Karen. You had to have been the one to set this up.’, Frank said, starting to tear up. He was happy, even more joyful than he ever thought humanly possible. Even though he had been savoring his whiskey, he didn’t think any further and asked Franklin for all the information he needed before he boarded his flight to New York.

‘There are more surprises when you arrive. I know you’re not really a fan of surprises, Frank, but I know you’re gonna flip once you arrive to the Lieberman’s place.’, Foggy said, eagerly. Frank knew that Foggy meant him no harm and his heart was prepared for the incredible presents he would be receiving for Christmas day.

Chapter 2—The Lieberman Residence

When Frank took his sweet new GMC rental to the Lieberman’s, he expected the house to be decorated to the nines, and approaching it, he chuckled, realizing how right he was about how sentimental David could be. Frank came to the door and rang the doorbell. Sarah was nestled next to David and David boasted a humongous smile on his cheeky face. The whole gang literally yanked him inside and hugged him.

‘So good to finally be back together. Man, I bet you have all kinds of stories from your tour in Afghanistan. If you got to go to Israel, show me pictures !’, David gushed. Zach was a whole lot bigger now than when Frank had initially made an acquaintance with him. He had changed, mellowed out considerably. He was exactly like his dad in his aptitude for computers but he often did volunteer work helping to rebuild skate parks (which in his somewhat troubled youth were a place that he could escape to and burn off pent up angst), he had created a way that vandals could make a living and not deface priceless statues and historical monuments. He had created a company called Inkd that worked in using graffiti as templates for tattoos and also making designs for skateboards (and other objects of recreation). Through Inkd, he had given thousands of would be reprobates a livelihood and reduced crime in the big city by nearly half.

Then there was Leo. Leo had become a white hat freelancer and she had made the Liebermans proud on more than one occasion.

‘Come on in, make yourself at home. Sit down, prop your feet up, buddy.’, David said, hugging his friend from the side. Frank was shocked that Dave would even come near him after the hell he had put him through, but all that had been forgotten. He had overlooked the brutal interrogations of the past and easily treated him like a brother. He even handed him his favorite beer, Fosters.

‘Damn, Dave. You really know how to make a guy feel at home.’, Frank said, his expression becoming bright, cheery and downright festive.

Chapter 3—It Just Keeps Getting Better

There was a musical ring from the secure doorbell. Dave peered through the peephole and his smile grew wider. ‘Oh, Frank ! This is about to become a real party.’, he said. At the door was Amy, and she had a rather dapper looking young man by her side.

‘Who’s this ?’, Frank asked, inquisitively. He hadn’t heard or seen Amy since she had left him last, but Jack was all too eager to meet the soldier everyone had been talking so much about. He couldn’t hide his massive appreciation and was starry eyed around ‘The Punisher’ and Frank honestly didn’t know what to make of it. He had experienced what it was like to have fans gushing around him but he was surprised just how much he had molded this youth to become a strapping young man.

‘We plan on getting married in April. Amy wanted to surprise you...’, Jack began, feeling a bit anxious in telling Frank his big plans with his fiance. Amy was all grins, though.

‘I couldn’t be happier !’, Frank said. Even though he was as tough as nails, there were some tears of joy that fell from his eyes when Amy gave him the invitation to give her away at the wedding. He was certain that his boss could do something special for him in order for him to make it. He wouldn’t miss their celebration for anything in the world.

Everyone gathered around the table and Frank was asked to bless the meal. Frank was a spiritual man and he didn’t dismiss there was a Higher Power out there. It was one he didn’t fully comprehend, but he said his piece and everyone began to feast. The Lieberman family truly knew how to celebrate and in spite of their heritage and tradition, they passed out gifts and feasted on homemade treats Sarah had crafted with meticulous care. Frank thought he had died and gone to heaven. He had never felt so warm, loved, acknowledged or wanted in his entire life.

Chapter 4—Foggy and Nelson Depart

Paige had savored her time with Frank, but she had another engagement to attend. She, Matt and Foggy said their farewells and left the party, seeing that it was still going strong even in the wee hours of the morning. Amy and Jack had already left, long after he had shown off slide film of his recent marine expedition and how he and Amy were keeping the oceanic ecosystem in tact for ‘future generations’.

‘I can’t believe she’s grown up so much. It’s like one moment I’m seeing a tomboy, the next, I’m seeing a princess.’, Frank remarked. David slapped an appreciative pat on Frank’s shoulder and offered him another Fosters. Frank knew to pace himself since he was no lightweight, but this Fosters would be his final one of the night. He would have to sleep at the Liebermans before returning home the next day.

“We have one more guest coming tonight.’, Dave said. Frank looked at his Fitbit watch. It was 1:00 am.

‘Who could be up at this ungodly hour, other than the obvious ?’, Frank howled in laughter. Everyone busted a gut for a moment, cut up and waited for David to go open the door. A car had just driven up the driveway and two familiar faces popped out. Without saying anything, Frank rushed to hug Beth and Max. He drew her up in his arms and kissed her with every breath. He never wanted to let her go again, never wanted her to see pain and suffering like she had been through. He mentally kicked himself for leaving her alone that one time. Fortunately, Max hadn’t been harmed, but had Beth seen the worst of the Irish, she would not be around to tell the story of her chutzpah, grit, moxy and resilience. This woman was a pure beast and her tough shell was a marvel to Frank.

‘I promised I’d come back.’, she said, breathily.

‘I knew you would. Hey, you’ve gotten bigger, Max.’, Frank stated, obviously. Max was older and a bit more cheeky, too.

‘So, when you gonna marry mom ? She’s got plenty of suitors, you know.’, he added, smugly. Frank tousled the adolescent’s hair. Max was brilliant and going places in the world. He was playing baseball but he wanted to be a video game programmer. Frank knew that he would be one of the best someday, even though he had a long road to travel before he reached his ultimate goal.

Chapter 5—Christmas Morning

Max woke up a covered nude Frank spooning his bombshell mom. Though no noise had been made the night before it was obvious what had happened beneath the sheets. He gave Frank a knowing look and said, with a catcalling growl, ‘Ooh, la, la, Frank.’ Frank shook his head and then glanced at his watch. It was only 8:00 in the morning but the smell of Sarah’s breakfast awakened him and Beth rolled over to face him.

‘Good morning, handsome. Merry Christmas.’, she said, sweetly.

‘Ugh, I’m going back downstairs before I puke.’, Max said, pretending to gag.

Frank and Beth proceeded to get dressed and head downstairs for a resplendent Yule fete. It was more food than Frank had ever seen, but he wasn’t complaining. Frank had nothing to give Max or Beth but he promised to be in their lives more even if it was from a distance. One day, he would marry her but it would only be when he found someone worthy of the mantel, and not many men were.

Epilogue

Beth and Max had another family to visit Christmas day but the Leibermens surprised them with an overflowing goody basket filled with all sorts of confectioneries. Both of them hugged David and the entire family before they had left. This is what Frank had envisioned as far as ‘family Christmas’ was concerned. His heart felt light, whole and full. This was the feeling he would hold on to, one that would buoy him in rough times. After a while, he was sated and had to take his leave back to his rental car and return home. While he was being taken back to the airport, he felt calm for the first time in his life. Yes, he would go back to ‘work’ after the holidays were through, but he knew he could call upon his friends whenever he needed them. He was aware Matt would always be a lawyer whenever he required one and the Lieberman’s would be his family no matter where he traveled. He thanked whatever Presence got him to this point and was grateful. The warmth and deep gratitude he felt would always keep him uplifted and he would never forget the best Christmas anyone could’ve ever asked for for as long as he lived.

The End