Christmas Eve 2012

Brave was not a word most people would associate with Gabrielle Granger. But then, certain things had changed this year. Frank was gone. Cian was off gallivanting around the high seas with his mysterious new lady friend. It was just Gabi and Gordon in Beecham House this year. At twenty one weeks with twins wrestling one another for space beneath her heart, she couldn't get away with voluminous cardigans anymore, and for once, she'd decided not to. Warm in a form-fitting sweater dress, she made her way across the compound from Beecham House ahead of her father, fully intending to say her hellos, wish Humphrey a Merry Christmas, and then find a chair in a corner to hide in until Gordon decided it was time to take his daughter home again. That was the plan, anyway.

"Gabi! Hey, Gabi!"

So much for the plan. She paused in front of the open door to the main house, turning to find Dominic and Ashlyn racing across the snow-covered grass toward her, poking at each other as though they were still kids. And despite herself, Gabi smiled. It was good to see Dom smiling again, and Ash was always in high spirits, no matter what happened. They were coming in quite fast, though ...

At the last minute, Dom skidded to a halt, leaving muddy tracks in the snow as he reached out and hoisted Ash off her feet to avoid either of them slamming heavily into the shyest of the Grangers. As his sister kicked and laughed, demanding to be put down, he did so, offering to Gabi one of the gentler smiles that Dom was known for. "Happy Christmas, Gabi," he greeted her, leaning over to kiss her blushing cheek and taking opportunity to touch the bump no one had ever thought she would produce, at least not before getting married.

Before Gabi could open her mouth to respond, Ash had regained control of her own body parts from her big brother and flung her arms around her older cousin in an exuberant display of festive joy. "I can't believe there are gonna be so many babies next year!" she declared effusively, patting Gabi's expanding waistline as though it was a pet of some kind. "Are you really having twins?"

Unable to keep herself from laughing, however nervously, in the face of these very different but very Granger greetings, Gabi giggled, batting Ash's patting hands away from her midriff. "Yes, I'm having twins," she told the young woman, forestalling the next question with, "in April or May. But Jon's baby is due in February."

She slipped to Dom's other side as Ash squealed excitedly, relieved when the calmer of the pair gave his sister a shove through the doors and into the warmth of the big house. He held Gabi there for a moment, one finger against his lips. And a louder squeal echoed through the house, accompanied by an exuberant bark from the new doggie resident of the manor, as Ashlyn flung herself on Humphrey, Jon, and Victoria.

Dom laughed, shaking his head, and wrapped an arm around Gabi, squeezing gently. "How're things?" he asked her in his quiet tone, and she knew he didn't mean just things in general.

Drawing in a deep breath, she managed a half-smile for him. "Odd," was her answer. "It's too quiet at home, but we're trying to make it work. At least we know Cian's not gone for good."

Nodding, Dom's smile took on that uniquely sad quality he had developed in the months following his own wife's death, not even eighteen months before, and he hugged his shyest cousin into his side close, kissing her forehead. "It gets easier," he promised her softly. "I won't say it stops hurting, because it doesn't. But it gets easier to bear, I promise you."

Gabi nodded herself, smiling past the lump in her throat that always rose when she thought of her brothers ....one dead almost a full year, the other away on his adventures. Her hand touched reflexively against the swell of her stomach. "Where's your mom?" she asked curiously, deliberately changing the subject. "And Bells?"

Dom rolled his eyes. "Mom's insisting on bringing over all the presents by herself this year," he snorted with laughter. "Seriously, it's like watching an elderly ant pick up an entire beehive. And Bells ....well, she's got something else on this year, I think. She doesn't tell me what she's doing these days."

Gabi hugged him back, saddened that the rift in that side of the family was still as open as ever, but glad, too, that no one was going to be alone for Christmas. That was her abiding wish, and the reason Ennis had been invited around to Beecham House for Christmas Day. No one should be alone.

A voice echoed from inside the main hall. "Are you two coming in, or did Gabi decide to go into labor to get out of hugging everyone this year?"

Snorting with laughter, Dom grinned, giving Gabi a gentle tug over the threshold. "C'mon, kiddo," he invited her inside, drawing her from the cold to the warm and the bright festive greetings handed out by the family in residence at the manor this year. They might be the first ones there, but there was always a warm welcome for anyone at Maple Grove Manor.

"Turn there, at the gates," Correy pointed out the most obvious of places for them to turn considering there wasn't another turn off for another good five miles. Sitting back in the ancient bucket seat, he grinned as the sound of gravel crunched under the tires of the classic Pinto. He loved Christmas at Maple Grove. The lights, decorations, food and good company put him into a Christmas-y kind of mood. He watched Kenny's face, waiting to see his lover's reaction to the brightly lit up tree and house. It was just another bend in the road and....there it was. Correy's eyes lit up and he began to fidget in his seat. He was excited and anxious, not just to get there, but for the family to meet Kenny, and vice versa. "Well?"

He was wearing a pair of jeans, hiking boots and a hand crocheted sweater that Lala had made for him. He wore it in hopes to see her at the gathering. He missed her, and Gigi, and Jon and even Ollie and Humphrey. He played with the ends of the scarf, another Lala special, as they got closer to the Manor itself.

As the brightly lit tree came into view, overshadowing the house, Kenny's foot slid off the accelerator, letting the car grind to a halt as he stared at the house. They'd been driving through the grounds for what felt like an age already, with Correy pointing out other houses that belonged to this cousin or that cousin. Faced with Maple Grove Manor itself, Kenny felt his nerves ramp up higher. He glanced over at his boyfriend worriedly. "Are ye sure jeans are okay?" he asked for the umpteenth time. "Wouldn't take but a minute to change 'em, I brought a change just in case."

Correy looked up at the house with a childlike fascination. The lights sparkled in his blue eyes and he was beaming with happiness. He turned when Kendrick spoke and that smile faded a bit. He could see in Kenny's face that nerves were at work. "I'm sure. If I wore a suit, they'd think I'd gone even more mental." Correy chuckled at his own joke and laid his hand upon Kenny's shoulder. "It'll be alright, there's so many people coming and going and getting stuffed and getting so sloshed that they won't even know where they are tomorrow morning. And..." he leaned over to place a kiss to Kenny's cheek, "they're going to love you."

The Irish man's lips curved in a faint smile, visibly willing himself to calm down as he leaned into Correy's kiss against his cheek, setting the car back into gear to complete the drive up to the wide circle in front of the house. Cutting the engine, he gripped the wheel for a moment and relaxed, turning a smirk onto his lover. "If this is some kind o' trick t'get me int' your ol' bedroom, it'll go hard with ye, moonbeam."

Correy added pride to the list of emotions he was feeling that day. As he watched Kenny will himself to relax and finish the drive, Correy's grin came back in full force. "Oh, you'll see my old bedroom alright. But it's probably being used by a cousin or aunt or uncle or..." He laughed again and reached to ruffle Kenny' hair before opening the car door and nearly bounding out of it in his excitement. "Needless to say, until we return home, there won't be any hanky panky going on." Walking to the back of the car, he popped the trunk and lifted out the bag of gifts. "Unless you want to make a trip to the cottage to ease your nerves a bit."

Standing by the car, Kenny could hear the sound of the gathering inside, and felt a smile touch his face. This was something he could relate to. His own family was almost as meandering as Correy's, and though he'd only met Jon, he had a feeling the dynamics were going to be pretty much the same. He'd just have to steer clear of the inevitable arguments that would arise, circa What-He-Said-About-Our-Mary. He chuckled at Correy's offer of a side-trip, shaking his head. "You've got me here now, you'll just have t' be patient and behave yourself."

"I'll do my best." Correy promised, and hefted the bag over his shoulder like a too-skinny Santa Claus. The trunk was closed and he walked around to take Kenny's hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze and turned to look into Kenny's eyes. "Thank you for coming with me." It had meant a great deal to Correy. A year ago, at this time, when love was first blossoming between Kenny and Correy, there were whispers that Kenny was just a figment of Correy's imagination.

"Aye, well ..." Kenny cleared his throat, still a little awkward when it came to the loving displays between them. But he was getting better at it. "Can't ask ye t' come home with me for New Year if I don't get in there and make a fool o' myself in front o' your people, can I?" He grinned back; releasing his hand from Correy's to throw his arm around the younger man's shoulders, neatly filching the bag of presents in the same motion. He was going to need something to hide behind, after all.

Correy laughed, willingly letting go of the bag. Looping his arm around Kenny's waist, he led him to the front door. "I'd have gone anyway, to meet your family." Correy's brows raised a bit as he canted his head to consider Kenny as he spoke. He knew his family was a formidable force to be reckoned with and admired Kenny for being willing to meet them as a whole.

"Remember you said that when you've got six Doherty women gathered around you," Kenny snorted with laughter, letting himself be led easily. He loved his mother and sisters, but they were a bit much all in one place, even for him. "You'll have to go to church, too. Ma likes showing her family off when we're all in one place." He winked down at Correy, releasing his lover to let the Granger lead the way into the main room, from which filtered the sounds of people talking and laughing, and children playing.

"I'll make the sacrifice," Correy laughed and stepped into the main room. He paused just inside of the door, slowly taking in the ornate decorations. He'd been to every Christmas get together since he was a child, but the splendor never ceased to amaze him. The moment didn't last long, and he began to walk towards the large tree that took up a corner of the room. "Let's get these under the tree so we can eat, drink and be merry."

Correy hadn't got more than a few steps into the room, Kenny trailing along behind him, when a small shape barreled out of the throng and knocked into his hip, holding on in what could have been a hug. Lila beamed up at him, her mouth sticky with mince pie and icing sugar. "Hullo, Cossie!"

"Oh my gawd!" Correy over reacted, lurching to the side playfully as he got barreled into. "Is that a Lila?" He swooped the girl off of her feet and proceeded to lick her cheek. "Lila, I'd like for you to meet the best guy to ever come from Ireland. This is Kendrick." He turned them so that Lila could look at him upside down, cradled in his arms.

Correy laughed out loud, proud of how Kenny eased right in with the rest of the looney birds, himself included. His plate mounded over, he found a place for them to sit so they could eat with their plates on their knees and mixed drinks beside them. "Not so bad, so far?" He'd still not introduced Kenny to Humphrey.

"Well, no one's tried to make me wear a silly hat or suggested I really want to make a snowman with the kiddies, so that's a plus," Kenny laughed through a healthy mouthful. He could just see, through the milling people, the Old Man sitting near the fire, chatting animatedly with someone unseen. "He's not so bad as you make out, is he?"

Correy lifted his head and followed Kenny's gaze to Humphrey. He considered the patriarch of the family for a moment, and then shrugged. "He's good to us, but he can be a bear. Mostly I think he likes for somebody to not back down from him." He smiled then and turned his head to chuckle. "You're not nervous, are you?"

"No." Kenny swallowed a gulp of something shockingly pink and ridiculously alcoholic, glad he wasn't going to be expected to drive home again tonight. "I am nervous." He smirked at his lover fondly, patting his knee. "He's havin' a good time. Why bother him with me?"

Correy leaned to bump his shoulder against Kenny's. "Because if I don't, he'll hound me for the rest of my life that I think I'm too good to introduce the love of my life to him." He turned a boyish grin on Kenny then. "And I'm not too good, and you're very good, so you're gonna meet him."

"I don't have t' sit on his lap, do I?" The look on Kenny's face was comically dismayed at this thought. There were a dirth of dirty old men in the world, after all. Blue eyes twinkled teasingly as Correy as he smirked again, taking half a mince pie in one bite.

"No, I think he draws the line at about 45 pounds." Correy chuckled. "He won't touch you except to shake hands. He's not overly touchy feely with anybody but the babies." Speaking of babies, he caught a glimpse of Caroline carrying Jack somewhere and he waved. "Besides, remember the masquerade party?" He lifted his brows and turned his attention back to Kenny. "Not going to make you feel that way, ever again."



His assurance brought a warm smile to Kenny's face, his eyes following Correy's in time to see someone who looked vaguely familiar lift a baby in the air and wave his pudgy little arms. He snorted in amusement. "Your family is pretty amazing', y'know."

Correy watched as Caroline had Jack give them a friendly wave. "Yeah, they are. We're not perfect and we fight more than most families do, but I think that we pull together when we have to." Correy looked around again, his eyes becoming misty at the memory of loved ones no longer present. It only lasted a few moments before he impetuously leaned over to kiss Kenny's sugar frosted lips. "You're pretty amazing yourself."

"Hardly. M'just a bog-trotter who got lucky." Kenny chuckled, patting Correy's cheek a little harder than was strictly necessary, and finished off the contents of his sweetly alcoholic concoction. "C'mon, then. Let's meet the ol' devil and get it over with."

Before Correy could get out that he thought that he was the lucky one, his cheek was patted. "Oooh, getting rough. I'll remember that later." He waggled his brows, finished off his drink and then stood up. "Alright then, let's meet the ol' devil." He laughed, holding his hand out for Kenny to take. Not overly worried about the empty plates and glasses, there were servants galore on hand.

Dragged onto his feet, Kenny found himself tugged through the mingling mass of people, introduced to a few more faces familiar and otherwise, before being drawn to a halt in front of Humphrey Granger. The Old Man of the house didn't look particularly imposing in that moment, settled as he was with a party hat over one eye and Jack waving his pipe around and repeatedly hitting his great-grandfather in the face with it.

It was difficult to keep a straight face when Jack was happily hammering out Humphrey's profile. It took all of two seconds for Correy's humored grin to reappear on his face. "Gramps, I'd like you to meet Kendrick Laurence Doherty." He turned slightly to look up into Kenny's face. "Kenny, this is Humphrey Granger." He then bowed slightly; it felt like the formal thing to do.

Kenny snorted at the sight of Correy bowing to his own great-grandfather, and nodded his head to the Old Man politely. "Pleasure t' meet ye, sir," he said, his accent somewhat thicker in self-defense, just in case the elderly gentleman took against him. In the moment just before the pipe went up Humphrey's nose, the Old Man managed to grab hold of it, laughing at his great-great-grandson's antics. He raised his head, smirking at Correy and giving Kenny a quick once over. "Not such a figment of the imagination then, eh?" His hand thrust out, quick as a snake, and seized Kenny's outstretched palm, shaking him firmly by the hand. "All right, introductions over. Unless you have a large glass of something bad for me, you can run away again now."

"No figments," Correy agreed with a laugh. He was beaming proudly as Humphrey gave Kenny the once over and then dismissed them both. He managed to sneak a kiss to Humphrey's cheek without getting smacked by Jack the Piper. "I'll go get you a drink, or have one brought. Merry Christmas, Gramps!" He took Kenny's hand and led him away. "He likes you," Correy affirmed with a nod.

Relieved, Kenny nodded to Humphrey again. "Merry Christmas, sir, thank ye!" Pulled away, he threw his arm over Correy's shoulders and squeezed. "Old men always like me, hadn't y' noticed that from work?" His grin was just slightly evil.

"You are being so naughty," Correy laughed with a shake of his head. "So is that why old man Higgins always gets a twinkle in his eye at bath time?" Correy teased Kenny with a giggle. "So, do you want to go see my old room now" I promise to keep my clothes on."

"Aye, but what about mine?" his lover laughed, ruffling his hand through Correy's carefully coiffed hair. "Nah, we can stay down here a while. It's nice." He turned, looking around at the disparate groups, the slightly garish decorations, the darkness falling on snow outside the windows. "Feels like home."

Correy led Kenny to a window and stepped in front of him. He pulled Kenny's arms around his waist. "I'm glad you feel that way," he spoke somewhat softly; just enough so Kenny could hear him. "This has always been home to me." The sun had set and the snow was glistening with the fairy lights reflection. Turning his head, he placed a soft kiss to Kenny's jaw line. "Love you."

"Aye, I know," Kenny murmured in answer, hugging Correy warm against him. Christmas was a time for family, and though his own were a world away from the here and now, he couldn't help feeling honored to have been accepted as a member of a new family, here in the strange city he now called home.

Correy sighed happily, leaning back against Kenny's chest. The party swirled around them in a sea of laughing, happy faces and Correy felt like they were in the eye of a storm. Calmness filled his soul for the first time in a very long time. He was home, with his family and their loved ones. He couldn't think of a better Christmas present than that.

(Huge thankies to the fantastic and talented player behind Kenny. Love ya!)

"oh but you'll be very proud"

How could Teddy be proud of her now"

This was the thought Gigi shoved back and swallowed down as she left Royan Field where her brother was buried with many Grangers before him. She finished reading to him from the book of Christmas poems she had picked up for their new tradition now that they could not dance and sing "Noel Noel" around the tree. Even during her time in Jenli she always made sure to come back to RhyDin to sit aside the marble monument for her brother, the carved slumbering boy with the strange little smile and Dickinson's verse at his feet, and read a holiday tale Teddy had loved out loud to him.

Unfortunately this year, Gigi needed to pay a second visit after spending the morning with her brother.

She avoided Maple Grove Manor as if it held the origins of the fever that periodically ravaged the city. But she had no luck so far tracking down her cousin, Eli, and though she doubted he would show up for the family holiday, she did believe one person there might have been able to open a new door. Humphrey had resources she didn't, especially when it came to keeping tabs on their family that grew like weeds.

Weeds" Maybe a virus.

These were the bits of black humor swirling through her head when she darkened the doorstep. Her appearance at Maple Grove would be suspicious on any day. At least today she could leave the vast network of relatives who might notice to speculate that perhaps her heart had softened. Perhaps she had been more widely forgiven or had come to plead her way back into the fold.

Gigi scoped the scene out. Her first priority before finding Humphrey was to make sure she did not cross paths with her parents. Her tailored black pantsuit might have been more fitting for a funeral than a holiday.

Gigi's second priority was downing a shot of tequila and taking a deep breath as she absorbed her surroundings.

"Lord, f**king help me."

Last year, Vicki hadn't been in the right frame of mind to really appreciate the familiar scale of the Granger Christmas gathering, far too nervous about being introduced to everyone in the room. This year, despite still having a few faces she couldn't put names to, she was far more comfortable in the heady mingle of people who were now her own family. By the third hand reaching out to fondle her belly, however, she was looking mutinous.

Last year, Jon's Christmas had felt a little like Ebenezer Scrooge waking up on Christmas morning to find he had a new lease on life. But this year was different. This year, Jon had even more reason to celebrate. He had a wife and a new baby on the way, and at long last, everything he had hoped for when he'd returned to Rhy'Din - all his hopes and dreams - had come true. Surrounded by family and friends, a loving wife, and an uncle who was more like a father, what reason did Jon not have to be happy' He was practically bursting with happiness, and it wasn't just because it was Christmas. In another day, he'd be one year older, one year wiser, and happier than he'd ever been in his entire life.

Spotting her husband lingering a short distance away - and remembering what he had told her about swearing at his more elderly aunts - Vicki summoned a polite smile from the depths of her soul and gently but firmly removed the hand patting her rounded belly. With a warm season's greeting, she backed away, grabbing some unfortunate child at random and offering him up as a sacrifice to the elderly aunt's need to coo over something. Free, she slipped away, coming up behind Jon and groaning into his ear. "If your Aunt Margaret doesn't stop feeling me up, I'm going to give her such a ding around the ear," she threatened cheerfully, hiding behind him as said aunt wandered past with a small child in tow.

Jon smirked as Vicki whispered in his ear. Thankfully, he wasn't sipping an eggnog at the time or he might have choked on it. As for himself, one of his great uncles a gazillion times removed had been chatting him up about how horrible it was to get old and what Jon had to look forward to as he aged and his looks went to hell, and Jon quietly excused himself as Vicki came to the rescue. He turned toward his wife, conspiratorially lowering his voice for her ears alone, that smirk widening. "Would you mind if I feel you up, darling?" he teased.

She snickered as his tease met her ear, leaning in to nip his earlobe as she replied in kind. "Only if you think you can get away with finishing what you start right here under the Christmas tree, poochie-woo." What a wonderful thought that was ....or would have been, had it not included upwards of thirty friends and family all looking on in various shades of disgust and amusement. It didn't stop her from turning just so, however, and letting her hand ghost somewhere it shouldn't.

He snickered when her hand traveled somewhere it shouldn't, at least while in public, and he reached to divert her hand, wrapping his fingers around hers and bringing her hand to his lips for a kiss. "Think we can slip away for a bit' I've got something to show you," he asked quietly, with a brush of lips against her hand.

Of course, her mind flashed straight to something she'd seen many times before and never minded seeing again, so long as she was allowed to do more than look. She smiled sweetly at him over her hand held in his. "Does it have a ribbon on it?"

He chuckled a moment, that smirk still dimpling his lightly bearded face. "Actually, it does." He drew her by the hand toward the foyer, multiple pairs of eyes following them curiously as they headed that way, known for slipping away in the middle of any sort of gathering and making themselves scarce only to reappear a few hours later looking a little more rumpled than when they'd left.

Vicki laughed, allowing herself to be led by the hand as they picked their way between people and furniture, relieved as they passed through the door and into the relative quiet of the large foyer beyond. She curled her free hand to the crook of his elbow, leaning close as they walked, her cheek touching to his shoulder for a moment. "You, sir, are a life-saver," she informed him cheerfully. "I'm not sure how many of your relatives I could kill before Humphrey expelled me from the house."

"He won't expel you," Jon reassured her as he slipped his suit jacket off his shoulders to settle it over hers. "He'd probably thank you." Once he had the jacket settled upon her shoulders, he turned her to face him, a slightly nervous smile on his face - the kind of nervous that comes from being excited about a surprise that one's kept to themselves for too long. "Close your eyes," he instructed, blue eyes shining as merrily as they had when he'd donned the Saint Nicholas costume earlier in the evening for the little ones.

She smiled as he wrapped her in his suit jacket, needing no further explanation to know that they were going to be heading out through the open doorway and into the snowy grounds where a plethora of cars had been parked for the afternoon and evening. Her brows did rise, however, when he asked her to close her eyes. "The last time you told me to do that, we ended up in Venice," she reminded him with a chuckle, obediently closing her eyes only to open one and eye him with cheeky suspicion.

Jon chuckled at her remark, remembering that event very clearly. It had been the day he'd proposed. "No portals. I promise," he told her as he waited for her to close her eyes. "Don't make me blindfold you," he warned with a grin. He wasn't above doing so, but with her being pregnant, he wasn't taking any chances.

"Oooh, kinky." Snickering cheerfully, Vicki finally closed both eyes, dramatically closing one hand over them as well. "I promise, no peeking. Unless you walk me into a snowdrift or something." Her other hand groped toward him, seemingly innocent enough until she took hold of something not very innocent at all. The smirk on her lips said it all.

There was a small group of relatives peering curiously over at the two of them, wondering what was going on, but Jon ignored them to focus on Vicki. He took hold of her hand and drew her slowly toward the door, watching carefully so that she didn't trip, trusting her not to peek. Even if she did, the surprise wouldn't be immediately obvious. He pulled open the door and led her out onto the porch, fat snowflakes drifting lazily from the sky.

He laughed again. "I'm not a car, but you can still ride me," he teased with a grin. "Want to take her for a spin?" he asked, as he followed her hand in hand toward her Christmas present. Behind them, Johnny had finally tackled Liv to the snow and the two of them were giggling madly. "It's even got a car seat for the baby," he pointed out helpfully, having tried to think of everything.

"That is a very tempting suggestion, Mr Granger," Vicki chuckled, studying the key thoughtfully before pressing a button, delighted when the doors unlocked themselves. Opening up the driver's door, she leaned inside, peering over at the back seat. "Oh, that's so cute! And not pink, well done." She snickered over her shoulder at him. "Get in the car before you freeze, daftie."

Tucked into the baby seat was a small stuffed teddy-bear wearing a blue one-piece suit with a big 4 in the corner, reminiscent of a certain superhero they both knew and loved - or at least, tolerated. Jon snickered when he saw it. "I didn't put that there," he told her, as he went around to the passenger side and climbed in. "I am not to blame for that!"

It took a moment to realise what the teddy was wearing, but Vicki laughed loudly when she cottoned on, easing herself behind the wheel and drawing the door shut behind her as she giggled wildly. "Oh, it's so tempting to set fire to it," she snickered, but they both knew that would hurt the Human Torch's feelings. "Trust him to hijack your present, though." As Jon settled into the warmth beside her, she leaned over to kiss him, easing her fingers against his cheek. "Thank you," she told him softly, her smile nothing but delighted and loving. "It's wonderful."

He chuckled at her remark, actually a little touched by Johnny's thoughtful gesture, even if it was a little conceited. He smiled as he leaned close to Vicki, sliding a hand against her belly and the daughter that made herself known against her father's hand. "Merry Christmas, Vicki. I love you," he told her softly, returning her kiss with one of his own.

"Merry Christmas, Jon." Her lips brushed his once, twice, curving in a fond smile as she felt their daughter push at his hand on her belly. It was a little daunting to think that in a matter of two months - less, in fact - she was due to squeeze the sprogette out and into the world. "But," Vicki added with a faint smirk, "no joyriding tonight. You still have to open our presents, and those ....are still under the tree, Santa."

"I'm not really Santa. I just play him on occasion," he remarked with another teasing grin. He brushed his fingers against her cheek, not really caring much about his own presents. Everything he ever wanted was right there in front of him in the form of a wife and soon-to-be-born daughter. "We should visit your father soon," he said, knowing she missed home. "If we wait until the baby is born, it might be a while before we can get away again."

She nodded in agreement, tweaking his nose between thumb and forefinger. She knew he wasn't so bothered about his own presents, but there were two little packets that she'd worked hard on finding that she wanted to see his expression upon opening. "We'll go in the New Year," she promised him, smiling that he remembered so often how close she was to her father. "But that doesn't get you out of opening your pressies, mister."

"Well, unless you got me a talking Johnny Storm doll that spontaneously combusts, I'm going to be very disappointed," he teased, having a little fun at Johnny's expense, but the Torch wasn't close enough to hear them, and even if he was, he was a pretty good sport.

"Get used to disappointment, then," was her chuckling response as she kissed him once more, patting his cheek gently. She twisted, leaning around to lift the little teddy-bear out of the baby seat, and winked at Jon. "Come on, then. I want to see your face when you open your presents!" Her impatience was almost infectious as she opened up her door, flailing to heave herself back out of the car and up onto her feet, despite her ever increasing bulk.

"Now?" he asked, arching both brows. "In front of everyone?" He frowned a little, hoping for a little quiet time later when they could properly exchange presents in private, but then he'd been too excited to wait until everyone left before giving her hers. "You didn't get me a pair of handcuffs, did you?" he asked curiously. If they were going to open their gifts in front of the family, kids included, they had better not be too risque.

She laughed softly, turning a teasing look on him. "Don't worry, there are other presents for you after Mass," she promised him, guessing the reason for his frown. "I just ....put together something else for now. And it's not from me, so there." She stuck her tongue out at him cheerfully, beckoning with a finger. "Come on, Jon boy. You know you want to."

"Not from you?" he asked curiously, arching both brows, as he pushed the door open and climbed out of the car, which was so new it still had that new car smell. "What I want is to curl up by the fire with my wife and a hot cup of Irish coffee." He shuddered once from the cold, thinking he probably should have made sure they grabbed their jackets before heading outside. He was just coming around the car when a snowball came flying their way and went splat against Jon's back.

"I didn't do it!" Johnny called, hands up to show he was innocent.

Vicki turned to find Johnny holding his hands up innocently, and a few meters behind him, Liv standing with her eyes wide and both hands clapped hard over her mouth. Three guesses who did do it. The redhead snickered softly, brushing the snow off her husband's back before it could melt too much. "Fire, coffee and present, or making a snowman out of Liv?" she asked him impishly.

Jon chuckled, more at Liv's reaction and the expression on her face than at anything else. Johnny wasted no time, taking advantage of the moment to move in and swoop Liv off her feet, hoisting her over his shoulder, and rushing back to the house before Jon could catch either of them. Of course, Johnny didn't really have much to fear from his girlfriend's boss who had no superpowers.

Jon tore open the paper on the big box, clearing away the tissue paper to see the contents inside.

It was, on first viewing, nothing special. A khaki-colored t-shirt, on which was printed in purple "Pint" and the British crown symbol of the brewing trade. But underneath it came the surprise. A tiny purple t-shirt, on which was printed in khaki the words "Half Pint". Vicki smiled as she watched Jon tear into his Christmas present, gently stroking the curve of her pregnant belly and hoping he wouldn't mind that their unborn daughter had bought him presents.

Jon didn't quite understand the full meaning of the present until he pulled out the little purple t-shirt with the words "Half Pint" printed on the front. Of course, he didn't mind one bit. In fact, he thought the gift was both clever and adorable, and his face brightened at the sight of it, laughing in amusement. "That's adorable, Vicki! Where'd you find it?" He held both shirts up to compare, the large one for him, and the tiny one for their daughter.

She chuckled, glad that he was pleased with his first Christmas present from his daughter, looping one arm around his shoulders as she leaned against him, getting her first proper look at the two shirts. "You two are going to look fantastic when you go out in those," she predicted merrily, stroking her fingers against his cheek briefly. "Dad saw them on sale on the internet and pointed me in the right direction," she added, answering his question with a faint smirk. That was twice now her father had been integral to Jon's Christmas.

"Your father found these?" he asked, duly surprised and impressed and not for the first time when it came to her father. "I don't think I've ever properly thanked him for rescuing Cosmo." The dog's head popped up, his ears perking when he heard his name mentioned. He poked his nose at the shirts in his master's hands but something else drew his attention and he hopped off the couch to go poke around at the girl who was sitting all alone with her nose stuck in a book. Who was she and why hadn't he met her yet'

"That dog has some serious ADD," Jon remarked, with a smirk, hoping he didn't irritate Gabi too much. He turned back to the second and much smaller box, and when he shook that, it made a little metallic sound.

"He'd pretend not to know what you were talking about if you did," Vicki warned him, her eyes following Cosmo as he padded over to where the quietest Granger she'd ever met was pretending the rest of the house was empty. Confident that he wouldn't jump up on Gabi, however, she turned her eyes back to Jon, her smile growing just that little bit more interested as he shook the second box, knowing he wouldn't be able to guess what was inside.

"What is it?" he asked, though he knew she wouldn't tell him, and he had no idea what it was. He lifted the tag, reading what was written there, tears stinging in his eyes, and he hadn't even unwrapped it yet. The tag, which read "From Your Little Monster", touched his heart, reminding him of what Vicki's mother had once called her, reminding him of the woman he'd met only once when he'd traveled back through Vicki's life, reminded of the undisguised love she'd had for her own little monster that had been baby Vicki. But it was their turn now to raise their own daughter, a daughter conceived of their love.

"You'll just have to open it to find out," she told him, just as he knew she would, her fingertips gently brushing his hair back from his brow as she watched him. She knew he had a soft spot a mile wide for anything to do with their family, and though it might have seemed slightly cruel to have arranged this particular little present, she knew it would mean the world to him. And what was nestled in that little box, wrapped up in sparkling tissue paper" Just a simple keyring, a circular tag of polished steel on which had been carefully stamped the words "love you daddy".

Jon carefully tore at the paper wrapping and drew out the small, simple keyring upon which words were stamped that tugged tightly at his heartstrings. He stared at the keyring for a long moment, his vision misting with the threat of tears, rubbing a thumb against the words that touched his heart so deeply. He knew the baby couldn't really know him or love him yet, but she would, in time. He'd make sure of it. He wouldn't be like his own father. He'd be the kind of father their daughter be would proud to call her own. "I don't know what to say," he told her quietly. He'd given her a car, and she'd given him this, but for some reason, it was the best present anyone could have ever given him.

Vicki watched him quietly, warm and silent at his side until he finally found the means to speak. Then she smiled, easing her arm about his shoulders once more. "You don't need to say anything," she told him softly, touching her lips to his cheek tenderly. "We love you, Jon. Happy birthday."

He lifted his head, smiling through a misty veil of happy, heartfelt tears, not caring all that much who noticed - he was entitled once in a while. "I love you, too. Both of you. Thank you." He nudged her nose with his before touching his lips to hers in a soft, tender kiss. It was already proving to be a Christmas Eve to remember.

By the time Johnny got Liv to the front door, her clothing was already practically dry from the heat that naturally radiated off his body. He managed to get the door open and carried her into the house, still hoisted over his shoulder despite her girlish protests. Flashing a smile to the servants, he stepped inside and started through the gaping crowd toward the main staircase that led to the bedrooms and guestrooms on the second floor.

Liv's giggles didn't die down just because they were inside. If anything, she seemed somehow louder past the front door, her hand rising to cover her mouth and muffle herself as Johnny bore her through the little crowd who had gathered in the foyer of the big house. There were certainly more than a few interested glances their way as he carried his embarrassed fiance through the crowd ....and a smattering of laughter as people recognised one or both of them. Groaning, Liv pressed her face against the back of his jacket. "Everyone's looking!" she hissed through her smile, cheeks blazing.

"Let them look! It's Christmas!" Johnny proclaimed, without a shy bone in his body. He even grinned and waved to a few nameless onlookers as he wove his way through the crowd, calling over to one of the servants, whose name was not Jeeves, but he did sort of look like a butler. "Jeeves! Tell the Old Man we're taking him up on his offer to stay the night, would you?" he called as the crowd of Grangers parted before him like the Red Sea before Moses.

It wasn't "Jeeves" who replied. Humphrey's voice bellowed out from the doorway of the main room. "Do try not to set fire to anything this time!"

If Liv had been red in the face before, it was nothing compared to the shade of red that lit her up on hearing the Old Man call out to them. "What do you mean, let them look?" she accused her fiance. "There's nothing to see, is there?"

"Nothing except for the skin you're flashing them," he teased with a grin, though she was doing nothing of the sort, her dress inching up a little, but not enough to show anything it shouldn't be. He turned in place, circling around to toss an awkward salute to Humphrey. "Yes, sir! No roasting chestnuts on the Torch! Got it!" He swung her back around and started up the stairs, singing at the top of his lungs, "Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..."

"Oh dear god, someone kill me now," Liv muttered, going limp on Johnny's shoulder in an attempt not to meet anyone's eye as several gazes followed the exuberant Human Torch and his incandescently blushing lover up the stairs. At least Jon and Vicki were still outside. That her boss wasn't watching this was one saving grace.

Oh, but Jon and Vicki would more than likely hear about it later, if not from Humphrey, than from Caroline or any of half a dozen cousins who'd love nothing better but to tattle on them and might be curious why the pair was even there. It had been Jon and Vicki who'd invited the other couple to Christmas. Knowing they had no families of their own in Rhy'Din right now, it was the least they could do to make the other couple's holiday merry. Johnny's laughter colored his singing as he carried her up the stairs to the guest room they had used the last time they'd stayed over night.

"Swear to god, Johnny Storm, if you don't put me down right now ..." Liv threatened, but unlike Lucy, she had no conviction even when she meant it. She just wasn't capable of making any kind of threat that anyone would believe, least of all Johnny. He knew she'd rather cut off her own arm than do anything to hurt him, even if he went out of his way to embarrass her.

And almost as soon as the words were out of her mouth, he was dropping her - carefully, mind you - onto the bed and going down onto one knee in front of her, though he had already proposed and she had already accepted. He reached into a pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small colorfully wrapped box that was all tied up in a bright green ribbon. "Merry Christmas, Liv," he said with an adoring smile on his face, blue eyes bright with merriment - and it wasn't the booze!

She let out a soft "ooph!" as she landed, falling onto her bed and panting for a moment to get her breath back before pulling herself to sit up on the end of the bed. Her eyes widened when she found Johnny already down on one knee - again - holding a small box up in front of her. And just like that, her embarrassment was forgotten. He knew exactly how to wipe the slate clean in seconds. "Johnny ..." Her hand reached out to stroke his cheek as she smiled lovingly, her fingers closing tentatively about the little box. "Merry Christmas, sweetheart." Knowing he was probably more excited than she was about the little gift, she carefully began to pick open the paper, infuriatingly careful not to rip any part of it.

"Hurry up and open it!" he urged, as excited as a kid on Christmas morning, though he was no kid and it was only Christmas Eve, nervously watching as she carefully picked open the paper. He could have given it to her in public, but he had decided to wait until they were alone, having already embarrassed her at the skating party a few days earlier.

As she unwrapped the box, inside was a small green ceramic trinket box wrapped in tissue, with a frog on top. It might seem silly to anyone else, but he knew it held special meaning for Liv.

Laughing, Liv refused to let him hurry her, as careful as ever in removing all the tape before unpeeling the paper from the little box. And it wasn't just any little box, either. She felt her mouth drop open a little way as she found herself gazing at a little frog perched on a lilypad green box, delighted with it. "Oh, how lovely!" Her soft eyes lifted to his, tender and grateful. Frogs were always going to be special to this quiet little woman, after all. It took a moment for her to remember that she should probably look inside the box, too, gently stroking her fingertip over the frog before lifting the lid.

"Look inside," he prompted just as she was lifting the lid of the little green box. "I hope you like it," he said, watching nervously. Inside the box was what completed the proposal he'd made a few days earlier. A emerald cut into the shape of a heart glittered in a white gold setting, offset by another heart filled with tiny diamonds. He'd chosen the ring carefully, searching his heart for just the right one, finally settling on an emerald because it was her birthstone, the heart shape to symbolize their love, the diamonds because they were traditional for an engagement ring. "I love you, Olivia. I want you to be my wife." Though he'd already asked her, he felt the words needed saying again.

The ring took her breath away. She stared at it for a long moment, one trembling fingertip stretching out to touch the glittering stones in quiet amazement. She'd known he would have found something special, but she had been expecting something more flamboyant. Not something so perfectly tailored to match them both. "Oh, Johnny, it's beautiful," she murmured softly, tearing her eyes from the ring nestled in the box to gaze into his, barely aware that her eyes were wet with deeply touched emotion. A very small smile made itself known as she swallowed. "Do I have to put it on myself?"

"No," he replied quietly, as deeply touched by her reaction to his gift as she was by the gift itself. He plucked the delicate thing out of the box and reached for her left hand to slide it onto her finger. "I love you, Liv. I want to spend the rest of my life with you," he told her, as his eyes met hers, both of them shining with tears of happiness.

The glittering emerald and diamond hearts found their resting place snug against her knuckle, causing a moment of marvelling at how he'd managed to fit it so perfectly to her finger without her collusion. But then her eyes were on his, and her smile was rising, her body slipping forward to the very edge of the bed as her hands lifted to cradle his jaw. "Never another day without me," she told him tenderly, her voice shaking just a little with the force of loving emotion that had welled up in those moments. "I promise."

His heart swelled with joy at her promise, his face beaming, blue eyes bright with happiness. As her hands cradled his jaw, he settled his hands against her hips, leaning in to press a warm and loving kiss against her lips, reinforcing the declaration of love they'd just shared with each other. He was feeling touched with emotion, nearly ready to burst with happiness.

There was nothing else Johnny could have done to have made Liv happier. It had bee something of a turbulent year for both of them, between the horrendous love triangle that had brought them to one another, the loss and gaining of jobs, the unexpected marriage of her sister, and myriad other bumps along the way. But through it all, they had somehow stayed constant, proving to one another that this was no passing fancy, no idle fling. Liv curled herself around Johnny lovingly, embracing him tight. It didn't matter that they'd skipped out on the Christmas party they had been invited to; all she could ever want was right here with her, promising to be hers until death. It was, in its way, perfect.

Though he'd been considering it for some time and had even mentioned it once or twice, it had taken Steve and Lucy's wedding to give Johnny that last final push he needed to ask Liv to marry him, terrified she'd say no, even when he'd been reassured she'd say yes. He'd been spurned once too often in the past by girls and women who either didn't or couldn't understand him, but all that was behind him now. He thought he could not be happier than he was at that very moment, but instead of jumping out a window and bursting into flame, he only let his inner fire burn with love for this amazing and beautiful woman who had stumbled into his life and taken him into her heart.

Very gently, her lips parted from his, the hand on which his ring sparkled tenderly tracing the curve of his cheek as she smiled at him with those big soft eyes that had caught at his heart what seemed a lifetime ago. "We should go back down," she murmured softly, not really wanting to, but not wanting to do him out of a party he'd been looking forward to for more than a week. "I'll even let you announce our engagement, if you really want to."

He frowned just a little, almost wishing they were with their own families for the holidays - that they could share the good news with Sue and Reed and Steve and Lucy. He wondered if they'd ever all be together. Maybe for the wedding, whenever that was going to be. Though he felt torn, this was home now. They both had jobs here and were building a life for themselves that they and their families could be proud of. He shrugged his shoulders and rose from his crouch on the floor to sit down on the bed beside her. Though happy to be with Liv and grateful to have been invited to spend the holidays at Maple Grove, they weren't really family. He reached for her hand, linking his fingers with hers. "Next year, we're going to have our own family gathering, with Sue and Reed and the baby and Steve and Lucy." Whether it was on Rhy'Din or New York didn't matter, so long as they were together.

"I'm trying, I am," she protested quietly, a little distressed that she had somehow disappointed him with one unthinking comment about herself. "I don't mean to be so difficult, Johnny, really I don't. I will try harder, I promise." Her hands tightened on his, not willfully misunderstanding but simply unused to such fervent insistence that she was anything as wonderful as he was. "I won't say it again. Please don't be angry with me."

He smiled warmly and affectionately back at her. She was so much like himself in some ways and so different in others, but he understood this part of her because it was part of himself. "I'm not angry, Liv. I just want you to know how special you are, not just to me, but to everyone. To Lucy, Steve, Jon, Vicki, everyone you meet. You don't even have to try, Liv. Just be yourself. That's all you have to do." He stepped close to touch his lips to hers in a warm, gentle and reassuring kiss, brief but full of love and affection.

His smile kept the upset at bay, his kiss easing her away from the distress of having upset him with her obtuse insistence on not being exactly what he knew she was. Her hand rose to rest over his heart as he stepped close, the tension bleeding from her gently in that instant. She wasn't foolish enough to declare that only his opinion mattered to her, because they both knew that everyone's opinion struck deep, good or bad, stranger, enemy, or friend. But she managed to raise her smile for him again as he retreated, determined not to spoil his evening with silly self-esteem issues. "At least we know I'm good at that," she offered, a compromise of sorts offered with an apologetic half-shrug.

He smiled, as if nothing she could say or do could take that smile from his face or the happiness from his heart. "I love you, Livvie. We're going to have an amazing life together. You'll see." He brushed a kiss against her cheek before stepping back to offer her his arm again and brave the crowd of Grangers who were watching and waiting.

"I love you back." Hooking her arm through his, she stayed close to his side, never at ease in a crowd especially when she knew their attention was about to be called to her. But Johnny was good at that, at being the center of attention, and she never denied him the chance to enjoy the limelight, however brief or long it might be.

Johnny led Liv through the group of people that was slowly changing, diminishing as some departed and went their own ways, while others stayed on. The party seemed to be moving to the study where Humphrey was entertaining those who had stayed on. Johnny recognized a few faces, some of whom he knew by name, some who he did not. Jon and Vicki were snuggling on the couch, seemingly with eyes only for each other, while others mingled and quietly chatted with family and friends.

Liv, for her part, recognised a few more purely by chance, unable to keep herself from smiling at the sight of the children who remained sat together in front of the study's Christmas tree, still stuffing their mouths with the sweet treats that were so prolific on the tables in the other room. She glanced at her boss and his wife, feeling almost voyeuristic in the face of their obvious adoration for each other, and quickly looked away, steeling herself for the announcement Johnny was so eager to make.

Johnny's gaze drifted to the group of children gathered together beside the tree, remembering his own less than happy childhood and knowing Liv's hadn't been much better. He quietly wondered if they'd ever have children of their own, but if they did, he knew they'd make sure to give them a happy childhood, the kind neither of them had ever had. After a moment, he blinked out of his thoughts and looking to Humphrey almost expectantly, not really wanting to interrupt but wanting to share the good news.

The Old Man raised his eyes from his own conversation, catching Johnny's eye, and smirked a little to himself. He apologised quietly to his companion, turning to clear his throat loudly, the sound cutting through the conversations to draw most of the attention to himself. "It would appear Mr Storm has something he'd like to say to us," Humphrey declared, not even attempting to ease into some kind of introduction. He nodded once to Johnny, his gaze flickering to Liv for a split second before he stepped back to his companion's side, giving the Human Torch the floor.

Johnny cleared his throat a little nervously, not expecting to be given the floor quite so easily by the Old Man, especially considering the fact that this was not his family and he and Liv were only here because of the kindness of Jon and Vicki. He had only planned on making a toast, and now it seemed, he was being looked upon expectantly to do more than merely announce a wedding engagement.

As much as she might have liked to have sink into the floor or run away as curious eyes turned toward them, Liv forced herself to stand her ground, albeit it so close in beside Johnny she might as well have been hiding behind him. She swallowed, her hands squeezing convulsively about Johnny's arm, hoping this was going to be over fairly quickly.

Johnny felt Liv sink into him, and he tucked her close, patting her hand reassuringly. "I, uh....I know some of you are probably wondering what we're doing here, intruding on your family gathering. Unlike most of you, Liv and I aren't from Rhy'Din, and we don't have much in the way of family here. With Humphrey's leave, Jon and Vicki were kind enough to invite us here to join in their family's festivities, since we have no families of our own here to join us. I'd just like to take a moment to thank you all for welcoming us and inviting us into your lives, if only for one night. I'd....uh..." Johnny glanced to Liv for a moment as if to ask permission to continue. "If you all don't mind, I'd also like to take a moment to officially announce our intentions to be married, if Liv can put up with me long enough to be my bride." He turned to Liv again, beaming a smile as bright as the sun.

The smile he received in return for his beaming sign of adoration was equally bright, equally loving, and dissolved very quickly into an embarrassed giggle when what could only be Victoria Granger let out a whoop of a cheer, joined by an excitable bark from the dog draped over hers and Jon's laps. "I told you!" the redhead declared triumphantly to her husband. "Didn't I say?"

Jon chuckled, having lost yet another bet. He would more than likely be at Vicki's beck and call for the next week because of it, not that he minded really. A bet was a bet, after all, and Vicki had won fair and square. He was the first one to get to his feet - carefully so as not to jostle his very pregnant wife overly much -and congratulate the newly-engaged couple, disturbing the dog on his lap who hopped off and barked in excitement, watching his master grasp the hand of one of his other favorite humans and give it a squeeze. "Congratulations!" Jon clapped Johnny on the back, cheeks dimpling beneath the light beard. "It's about time!" he added, letting go of Johnny's hand to sweep Liv up into an almost brotherly hug.

Liv let out a startled squeak as her employer and friend almost lifted her off her feet in a hug she hadn't been expecting, laughing quietly as the sound seemed to signal the restart of the many conversations that had been paused for the announcement. There wasn't a cheer or round of applause so much as a ripple of warm congratulations from the various corners of the big study. As Liv slipped away to hug Vicki, who had taken full advantage of being pregnant not to get up, Humphrey reached a hand toward Johnny. Only the twinkle in his brown eyes spoke of the very definite approval that he felt. "Silly girl said yes, then," he said, his tone just short of being teasing by sheer dint of effort. "Try not to break her, there's a good lad. Jon's only just got used to having her around, you know."

Johnny beamed a grin back at Humphrey, sensing the approval beneath the teasing warning. "She did." His head turned to follow Liv as she slipped way to hug Vicki. "To be honest, I was terrified she'd turn me down." Jon chuckled at both men, a sly wink to Humphrey, as he patted Johnny on the back. "Anyone can see she adores you. You were a shoo-in."

"No woman who can put up with you for eight months without a single incident is going to turn you down, you daft boy," Humph pointed out with a smirk, rolling his eyes at the ridiculous idea that Olivia might ever have even considered saying no. "You're not that bad." He nodded to Johnny once more, and returned to his conversation again, leaving the newly engaged Torch with his girlfriend's employer, while a peal of laughter from the couch suggested that Vicki was taking advantage of the moment to make a few less than socially acceptable suggestions into Liv's ear.

"Well, at least, he's not yelling at me anymore!" Johnny said to Jon with a smirk, and the two of them turned back to their girls who seemed to be conspiring against them. "She said she's going to get drunk and do lewd things to me," Johnny whispered beneath his breath to Jon, but Jon only laughed.

"And you have a problem with that?"

"Hell, no!" Johnny replied. "Just never saw Liv get drunk before." Lucy, yes. Liv, no. Johnny had a feeling Liv would be worshiping the porcelain god, rather than him, if she got a little too tipsy.

If the blush on Liv's face was anything to go by, it would appear that she was being given some quite explicit instructions on some of those lewd things she might well be attempting later in the evening. When, finally, she broke away from Vicki, she was giggling wildly, red as a beetroot, and not quite able to meet Johnny's eye, much less Jon's. "Your wife," she informed her boss as she tucked herself against her fiance's side, "is absolutely shameless."

Jon grinned shamelessly back. "Yes, I know. That's one of the things I like best about her." He was about to return to his wife's side when he was struck with a sudden afterthought. "I'm not sure what you are planning, but if you need anything, let us know. Anything at all." He left the offer open-ended, allowing them to interpret it however they wished.

Given the nature of the conversation she'd just been having with Vicki, Liv could be forgiven for her mind leaping straight to something that made her eyes grow wide with disbelief. "A-anything?" she stammered, her blush returning hot. A moment later, she'd hidden her face against Johnny's chest, hoping like hell neither man had picked up on where her mind had wandered.

Despite his love of having the house filled with family, with the festivities well under way, Humphrey had managed to drag himself away from the growing gathering of small children who always seemed to congregate around his chair on Christmas Eve to rise and mingle with the adults who had taken time out of the evening to come and celebrate with them. He didn't ask much of his family, just that they come to him on Christmas Eve, and often most of them obliged.

Every year there were a few faces missing, and this year those missing faces were numerous. But there was one lingering near the alcohol that made him smile, however briefly. It had been more than ten years since Gigi had come to the manor of her own volition, and though he doubted it had anything to do with wiling away a few hours with family, he was happy to see that she was there.

He reached her just as she breathed her hope for some undisclosed deity to assist her, and couldn't help offering up a comment in return, leaning heavily on his stick at her back. "Would you like help, or just a f**k?"

"What an obscene proposal. I see you've gotten more perverted in your age, Old Man." Gigi's voice retained its dry humor though for a brief moment she caught herself smiling. It was reflexive in his presence. If their family was a twisted tree, Humphrey was the sun that saw to every leaf and twig. He may very well have been the firmament that encased their whole world and stood between every Granger's reality and the heavens.

Teddy would have appreciated the grandiose allusion. Gigi hated that no matter how far she ran or how much rage she held in her heart she would never shake free from the spell of their great patriarch. She could not separate herself from those childhood memories tied to her core of so many days spent happily in his company. Even the smell of his familiar cologne felt comforting.

With a sigh she turned around to face him. "You're still spry enough to sneak up on people, I'll give you that." She smirked. "You should show me where you keep your swords if you're intent on becoming a ninja this late in life." The disconcerting eyes took a look around at the gathered family before fixing on him. She leaned in so that her next few words would be lost in the hum of noise from their merry relatives. "We should talk." Privately. That last word lived in the stress placed on the other three without needing to be said.

Humphrey snorted with laughter at her allusion to his sneakiness, knowing it was kind words and nothing more. But kind words, however they were wrapped up, were rare enough from Gigi that he appreciated them more than if they had come from another source. "You think I'm bad now, wait until you see the slinky stealth wheelchair waiting in the wings for when the hip gives out completely," he threatened through a smirk of his own, the quirk of his lips echoing that of his younger relative as he leaned near her.

Her own lean was not lost on him. Nor were the curious glances being sent their way by several of the older Grangers. Gigi's own generation knew not to make a fuss of her appearance, but her parents" generation hadn't yet tied together the sweet child with the prickly adult. They were also notorious gossips, most of them, and Humphrey didn't want suspicion and difficulty falling onto Gigi's head just because this was the only place she could have guaranteed finding him at short notice.

"Well, since you're here," he said, his voice loud enough to carry to the curious ears nearby but not so loud as to be obviously laying a false rumor, "- and it is charming to see you, of course - why don't you come into the library' It's been a long time since you and I shared a drink over a good book." Tactfully, he didn't mention that the drink she'd had the last time it had happened had been chocolate milk, simply offering her his arm with a charming display of old-school manners. He had a feeling he knew what she wanted to talk to him about, and hoped she found something a little lighter to take home with her, however long she chose to stay.

With much effort she willed a small smile onto her face, one that held less bite than normal. Gigi took his arm and mentally cursed herself for momentarily relishing the more intimate gesture. Away from Maple Grove it was easy to block out any things she missed about the people and the place itself and only focus on what poisons the Granger name could carry. Here, drinking in the old sights and smells on their path to the library she, Teddy, and even Clayton when he could bear their company, spent many rainy afternoons exploring, it was not as simple to forget.

Once they were tucked away from prying eyes (though one never knew what sneaking ears lurked inside the mansion), Gigi broke free from the embrace as if Humphrey's arm burned her. It clouded her head to be here with him and she coveted her clarity. "You're a good actor, Old Man. We both know I'm the farthest f**king thing from charming." A last immature stab at rebelling against her own nostalgic feelings and love for him with the crude opening. "I'm here because Jon may not have his memories but he's gotten enough of the picture of what happened after his accident that I have to find Eli. And from what I gather Jon hasn't learned the full picture," she locked eyes with Humphrey then, 'so you're going to want to help me find him and figure out how to clean up his motherf**king mess."

It might have hurt him how quickly she slipped from his grasp, but the Old Man knew this particular generation of his family better than perhaps they might like. Just the fact that she was there was enough to bring a smile to his face, even if it was on business unpleasant to most. "Crude as you try to be, Gigi love, you are still a charming young woman, whether you like it or not," Humphrey informed her with perfect clarity of his own, letting her move away and turn to the business she had come to discuss.

The reminder of how close Jon and his wife had come to total disaster brought a faint frown to his face as he painfully lowered himself into a chair. He knew most of what went on with the family, and Jon himself had shared quite a few of the details after the ....incident. He looked up at Gigi, meeting her gaze steadily. "I gather your search has proved fruitless thus far, then," he said calmly, refusing to give into the temper that flared at any hint of danger to his family. "I am uncertain, truly, what has happened with Elias. He had a laboratory beneath the Community Faith Family Medicine and Triage Center in WestEnd, though reports indicate that he has not frequented that locale for almost a year. I have also heard that he may have gone looking for vampires, in which case you may well be searching for the first Granger vampire."

Gigi refrained from rebuking Humphrey on the matter of her charm. She grimaced at the last piece of news. "I knew he was bat sh*t crazy but I didn't take him for a masochist."

Humphrey's brown eyes turned concerned, deeply worried for her in that moment as he looked on one of the self-proclaimed black sheep of the family. "Be careful, Gigi," he warned her, sounding as old as he looked in that moment. "If, at any time, the danger to you grows too great, abandon the search. We can live in ignorance without losing you, too." We've lost too much already.

It had been so long since she experienced someone in her family exhibiting such paternal concern for her that Gigi hadn't realized she missed it until she saw Humphrey's expression. Little girls with daddy issues hit the pole, not the streets to deal drugs, Gigi, she reminded herself snidely, harshest to herself most of all. It pricked her though to note the weather of the years in his face. She forgot the consequences of being careless with time. It was a finite resource and who knew how many more occasions for meeting they would have.

"I..." Gigi lost her thorns for a moment but could not bring herself to give life to those words that should have been shared. She could only nod. "OK."

Then she remembered what started this all in the first place. A lovesick girl with a crush and a gun. "I should have taken care of it all myself the first time." She darkly remarked. Humphrey may not have known the particulars, what tasks Gigi and Elias split amongst them when they found Susie, but he had not been left in the dark. He knew they meant to handle it outside the law and that they thought their work finished. Their error proved disastrous. "You will look harder too, yes?" She could not outright ask for his help, at least not without the guise of blackmail or some other threat that made them cohorts out of shared circumstance and not family.

He smiled gently, rising to his feet once more to lay a warm hand on her shoulder if she would allow it. "I am always looking, little one," he assured her quietly. "One by one, I will find you - all of you - whenever you go astray, even if it takes me to the end of my life and beyond." From the desk behind him, he took a small leather-bound book, offering it to her. "Your Teddy gave me this the year before he died," Humphrey told her gently. "But the inscription, I think, was intended for you. I should like you to have it, Gigi." His hand, so gnarled with age, was soft against her cheek for the barest moment. "Family is bone-deep, my spiky little love. Even if you walk away and never look back, there is always a place for you, here at the heart of it. All of you."

"You've still got balls." Her gaze ticked down at his hand on her shoulder but her words were quiet. Not soft by normal standards, she carried too much steel and iron in every part of her needing protecting for softness to stick to her words. But they lacked that jagged edge meant for the barbs she usually chose to spit.

Her fingers wrapped too tightly around the book and gave away her eagerness for the gift. Another relic of her brother's who grew more saintly every year her memory was all she had left to know him by. She did not dare to read the inscription now. Whatever her brother left there could entirely undo her with the memories it might trigger. "All right, Poppy, all right." The "thank you? that belonged there would have to be heard in the fact that she slipped into calling him by the childhood nickname for him. Humphrey had served as another grandfather regardless of the technicality.

"Well, my darling, without my balls, this family would be a lot smaller," Humphrey chuckled, appreciating the childhood nickname more than most would imagine he might. But then, only the Grangers ever saw this side of the Old Man - the gentleness that tempered his own steel, offered freely to those of his blood and those they had chosen to make their lives with. Even when he dressed someone down for their behavior, he never lost that milder side that softened the blow. "Now that we have that serious business done, would you indulge an old man by matching me drink for drink at the bar, little one?"

"May as well make a f**king Christmas miracle out of it." Gigi paused to qualify her point. "I'll stay but can't promise I'll behave."

That would do for today. Humphrey offered her his arm once again and guided her back into the common room, his twinkly-eyed charm once more in full view, knowing he couldn't hold her there for long. But however long she chose to stay, it would be enough. She had her place here, like all the others who had come before and would come after, a last bastion of the family she had almost eschewed for good.

((A giant thank you to Humphrey's player for working on this with me, lots of fun!))

"Is it just me or is she trying to play matchmaker?" he asked, turning to Piper as Caroline retreated. He shifted the glass of bourbon to his left hand in order to offer her his right. "The pleasure's all mine," he countered, hoping that didn't sound too much like a pick-up line. The smile he offered Lyneth, though, was really something to behold. It was unexpectedly warm and friendly. "Hello, sleepyhead. I'm Desmond. If it's okay with you, I'm going to talk to your mother for a little while."

His fish impression brought almost identical smiles to Piper and Lyneth's faces, a tiny giggle bursting from the little girl nestled close against her mother's side even as she watched his hand take Piper's in a friendly squeeze of introduction. Piper's smile deepened a moment at the comment about Caroline. "Well, if she is, she's not being very subtle about it," she agreed quietly, tucking her hand back under Lyneth to hold the girl securely, surprised and touched that he then chose to speak directly to her daughter.

Lyneth studied him for a long moment - almost too long for comfort - before nodding, giving her permission for him to stay and talk. She poked her mother's shoulder. "Hump'y got me a presthent," she informed Piper seriously. "I wanna go see."

Piper raised an eyebrow at the little girl until she added a belated, "pleasthe", and bent to put her back on her feet. "Go on, then."

Beaming her gap-toothed smile, Lyneth patted Piper's knee fondly and turned to Des. "We didn't get a presthent for you," she told him apologetically. "'Costh we didn't know you wasth - were - comin'. I'll find thsomething for you." Nodding importantly, she toddled off, picking her way between adults to leap on Humphrey with merciless enthusiasm.

Desmond chuckled a little at the girl's forthrightness. She was obviously brighter than an average child of her age, and completely adorable. She was going to break a few hearts herself one day - he could see it coming - so long as it wasn't his. "A bit precocious for her age, isn't she" How old is she" Two' Three?" He took a guess, not all that familiar with children, but noticing the little girl was unusually mature.

He watched as she patted her mother's knee fondly, almost patronizingly, before toddling off to tackle poor Humphrey. "His knee is getting a workout tonight," he remarked, as he watched the old man and his entourage of children. Despite his feelings of awkwardness, the old man was slowly growing on him. He couldn't really say the same for the rest of the family just yet.

Watching her daughter pounce on the Old Man, Piper chuckled softly, lifting a hand to sweep her sable hair back out of her face. "She turned one in November," she told Des without a flicker of hesitation, well used to this explanation by now but not offering it unless he pressed further. "Humphrey doesn't get to play with all the children very often, but he does enjoy it. He spent most of last year's party hiking Lynnie around on one arm." She turned her large eyes onto Des, her expression declaring polite interest before she spoke again. "What brings you to Rhy'Din, Desmond?"

He arched a curious brow, but said nothing more about her daughter's obvious precociousness. He might not know much about children, but he knew enough to know very few one year olds spoke in clear sentences and walked around like miniature adults. He blinked out of these thoughts as she brushed off his questions and posed one to him. "Me?" he asked, taking a small sip of his bourbon. "Short story' Miranda. It's the only way I could get her to stop pestering me about meeting family."

"Miranda?" She paused, trying to put a face to the name, and eventually came up with an appropriate link. "Oh, Cian and Gabi's aunt, of course." Piper laughed quietly, shaking her head a little. "I've been in this family for over a year and I still have trouble with names and faces," she confessed. "Thankfully, they don't seem to mind very much."

He huffed, completely able to relate to her frustration, though he had been gifted - or cursed - with the kind of memory for names, faces, and details that served him well in the courtroom. "She's a pain in my *ss, most of the time, but she means well," Desmond remarked with an amused smile. Complain as he might about Miranda Granger, she was more than likely his closest friend and confidante. "She tracked me down in New York a few years ago, and I haven't been able to get rid of her since."

"Yes, Grangers do tend to be persistent," Piper agreed, and for a moment that pall of sadness that wrapped about her came into stark contrast as she glanced away, her beautiful face solemn before she made the effort to resume her smile. "I didn't know Jon had a brother," she said, attempting to restart the conversation and take her thoughts away from the hope that one Granger would not be so persistent as his family were. "He's never mentioned you, I don't think."

"You haven't heard then," he replied, noticing the hint of sadness in her eyes, as she glanced abruptly away. A natural master at reading people, he caught the frown that clouded her face before she tried to mask it with a smile, but said nothing of it, knowing enough about her from what Caroline and Humphrey had told him to make a guess at the cause. "Well, you're going to find out sooner or later, so I might as well tell you. I'm David Granger's dirty little secret, the bastard son he refused to acknowledge and kept hidden from the rest of the family."

"Oh." There wasn't much she could say about that, coming from a world where a bastard child wasn't even noticed, much less allowed to visit the family seat of power. "You don't look that dirty to me," she heard herself say, surprised by her own willingness to engage in something like teasing. "Trust me, I have a toddler. I know dirt intimately." The faint quirk of her lips gave away the smile before it blossomed on her face. "If we're confessing to dirty little secrets, then I suppose I should tell you that I was married to a Granger until recently, and no, Lyneth is not his daughter."

Even the way Piper sat was the result of years of education, delicately perching and slipping back until she was comfortable but upright, one knee crossing over the other to preserve her modesty in that tight sheath of a dress. She folded her hands on her lap, leaning toward Des as they talked, her entire body language inferring that he had her almost complete attention. "Oh dear, a lady never runs, according to my mother," she heard herself chuckle, almost a little shy of how enjoyable she was finding his company. "She retreats at a moderate pace."

As she laughed again, quieter but no less warm, her gaze flickered over to Humphrey's chair, where Lyneth was ensconced on the Old Man's lap, whispering ferociously into his ear. Reassured, she looked back to Des. "I'm a writer," she confessed, pleased and embarrassed in the same breath. "Only recently published, and only on my own Earth, but legitimately a writer."

"A writer," he echoed, arching a curious and interested brow. That small admission of hers really didn't tell him much, only that she was published. It told him nothing of what she wrote - fiction or non-fiction - or what media she was published in. Her brief statement revealed several other things, however. First, she was not a Rhy'Din native, like most of the others among their company. Second, from what she was telling him, there seemed to be more than one Earth, other than his own.

The logical side of his brain had to push that piece of information aside for a moment, so that he could focus on the rest of what she was telling him. A few years ago, he might have thought the idea of multiple Earth realities absurd, nothing more than the product of science fiction, but unless Miranda had slipped him some hallucinogenic drug unawares, all of this was real and not just some product of an overactive imagination. He chose to focus on the question at hand, and not delve deeper into the physics and more philosophical questions just yet. "So, what do you write, Miss Davidson?"

The sound of her surname on his lips made her smile tighten into something a little drier than most people would be comfortable with. "Fiction, Mr Granger," she answered him in kind, one delicate brow rising as she looked him over. "And I do believe you have just given yourself away. Caroline didn't use my surname when she introduced us, and I certainly have not." Her eyes danced, more amused at having caught him out than discomforted by the knowledge that he had obviously been asking about her.

He shrugged an unconcerned shoulder as she called his bluff. "Guilty as charged," he admitted, unshamefully. "Were you expecting anything less than due diligence from a heartless lawyer" I've done my homework, if that's what you mean. So, sue me." He had to smirk just a little at his own brand of sarcasm, but how much of it was the bourbon talking and how much was his usual bubbly personality was hard to tell.

To her credit, Piper didn't mind that the Granger gossip mill had got to him first with the story of her circumstances. It saved her from having to weather the surprise and confusion of a first impression and explanation, after all. "Oh, I couldn't possibly do that," she smiled, one shoulder rising and falling comfortably. "You'd have to defend yourself, and you are better suited as a prosecutor, after all." There was a pause as she eyed him, taking quiet note of the handsome face and appealing smirk, storing them away to consider later, when no one would be able to carry stories of her flirting to ears that shouldn't have to hear.

An outlandish yell made itself known, and Piper flung out her arms to catch Lyneth as she launched herself up onto her mother's lap, clutching a potted chrysanthemum plant and a pilfered gingerbreadman from the Christmas tree.

Desmond smiled at Piper's repartee. It was rare that he met anyone who could either keep up with him or challenge him to an intelligent conversation. Most of the women he met were as interesting as watching paint peel, but they served their purpose and after a few rolls in the hay, so to speak, they parted ways amicably enough that he was always welcome to call on them again, if he so desired, but he rarely ever did. He'd never had any complaints, but then, he'd never really stuck around long enough to disappoint anyone either. It wasn't that he wanted to be like his father.

On the contrary. It was just that he hadn't met anyone he'd felt any kind of lasting connection with. He leaned back as Lyneth flung herself back onto her mother's lap, keeping a polite distance between them. So much for pleasant conversation, and they were just starting to get acquainted. Desmond had the feeling it was the little girl he was going to have to charm if he wanted any chance of getting to know Piper better. "I considered becoming a defense attorney when I was in law school, but..." He paused a moment, alluding to the fact that there was more to the story than what he was willing to tell. "I changed my mind."

Piper sensed the story there, even without the carefully timed pause, smiling apologetically as Lyneth demanded her attention. "Look, mummy, Hump'y gimme - gave me - a flower!" the little girl crowed happily. "An' it'sth got rootsth and everything thso we can plant it an' the fairy won't go 'way!" The pot was thrust between the adults to be inspected, a bright spray of yellow chrysanthemums wobbling on their stems.

Piper's eyes were bright above the foliage for a moment as she glanced at Des, wondering if he was going to take the hint and exclaim over the present as she was. "That's wonderful, Lynnie," she told her daughter. "Did you say thank you?"

Lyneth nodded cheerfully, hugging her potted plant back to her chest and cooing into the bright flowers, beneath which was just visible - to those who knew what to look for - a tiny being peering out. "An' I founded a bikkit for Seddoms."

She held the gingerbread out to Des, meeting Piper's slightly suspicious gaze with an innocent smile. "His name is Desmond, Lynnie, as you well know. Stop trying to be pre-emptively cute."

Desmond chuckled a little at the toddler's honest enthusiasm, which was like a breath of fresh air to a man who had become somewhat cynical in his not-so-old age. He wondered how Humphrey liked being referred to as Humpy and made a mental note to tease the Old Man about it later, if there was a later and if his bourbon-addled brain remembered it later. Something the girl said caused him to arch a brow, but he quickly pushed the thought aside. Something about a fairy, which he quickly attributed to the child's overactive imagination.

"I didn't get to ask what you write about. You said fiction. What kind of fiction?" he asked, changing the subject to safer topics of discussion. "You don't write sappy romance novels, do you?" he teased, with a hint of that gleam in his eyes again.

Piper actually looked faintly embarrassed, before his teasing brought out her softer laugh, easing her past the discomfort of blowing her own trumpet. "Thank you, I do not write smut," she informed him with teasing primness, relaxing a little more as she turned to trying to explain what made her brand of fiction on her own world unique. "I've heard it called fantasy," she tried to explain. "At least here, and apparently on other Earths. But, you see, my Earth ....magic doesn't exist there. We don't even have fairytales for children, no old gods that came before Christianity. So ....well, I wrote my book based on what happened to me, so according to my world I've invented the concept of magic and Fae and a world where magic exists in myriad forms. And I can't even tell them the truth. They'd never believe me." She chuckled softly, absent-mindedly touching a kiss to Lyneth's forehead as the little girl sighed sleepily.

Desmond's expression changed again, the teasing gleam in his eyes fading and turning to something more akin to confusion, puzzlement. Miranda had told him enough about Rhy'Din that he knew magic was a reality here, though he wasn't quite sure if he believed it yet. He wasn't even sure any of this was really happening, or whether, as Ebenezer Scrooge had once claimed, it was just a bit of indigestion. That wasn't what had him confused, however. It was the subtle way she hinted that her novel, while a work of fiction, was at least partially based on her own life and that life seemed to include magic. He shook his head, for the first time since they'd started talking, feeling a little light-headed with confusion. "Wait," he said, absently reaching over to touch her wrist in hopes of either slowing her down or explaining further. "I don't understand."

She paused, biting her lip as a new flush spread from where he touched her bare wrist, her smile taking on an apologetic touch. "I'm sorry, I have a bad habit of assuming that everyone else knows what I'm talking about," she apologised softly, gently slipping her wrist out from under his hand. It had been a long time since she'd been touched by anyone not her daughter or ....something pretending to be a husband ....long enough that the attraction she was trying to pretend didn't exist had flared abruptly in the moment of contact. "I'll try to clarify, if you point out what has you confused."

He seemed to sense some kind of conflict in her, even as he touched her, a chaste and gentle touch, however brief, and he pulled his hand away, as if he'd burned her, or she'd burned him. He knew from past experience that he could pour on the charisma and charm nearly any woman he met, but he found that wasn't what he wanted from her. Though he couldn't deny he was feeling some kind of attraction to her, he didn't want her to be another conquest. He didn't want to sleep with her and forget her. She was as fragile as a bird with a broken wing, and he found himself wondering what would happen if he tried to mend that wound. Would she even let him try'

"I, uh..." For a lawyer used to swaying even the most difficult of juries, he found himself at a sudden loss for words. "I'm sorry. It's just....All this is new to me. Rhy'Din. This family. Magic. I'm a criminal lawyer. I've been trained to look for proof. Without proof, there's only speculation."

Her smile turned wry, easily setting aside that moment of uncertainty as her arms instinctively curled a little tighter about her daughter, almost asleep now on her lap. "I have proof," she said quietly, "though I doubt you'd believe me if I told you. I almost don't believe it myself. I was brought up to be rational and logical, and one event changed everything." Deep blue eyes rose to meet his, quietly amused at this strange conflict and lack of conflict. "How open is your mind, Des?" Without thinking, she'd shortened his name like a friend or lover, not even realising until the pause was too long to take it back.

He didn't immediately realize she'd shortened his name, as if by doing so, she pushed past the polite distance and claimed him as a friend. It was a subtle change and one he didn't immediately notice, accustomed to people shortening his name. Instead, he was focusing on her explanation, realizing the irony in it. She had been raised to be rational and logical, but something had happened to change her, While he had been raised by a mother who believed in things that couldn't be proven, he had lost his own faith in such things long ago, and yet, here he was, in a place that wasn't supposed to exist, talking to a woman who claimed to have proof that nothing was as he'd always believed it to be. He found himself once again perplexed, at a loss for words.

"I stopped believing in Santa Claus a long time ago, Piper," he replied, lowering his voice for her daughter's sake, and for the first time, calling her by her first name.

"Did you, by any chance, notice what color Lyneth's eyes are?" It was such an innocuous question, so innocent and so softly spoken it could have been a query as to his health or the weather. But the watchfulness of her eyes declared it to be very important, that the detail she was asking him to have noticed was one that he should not forget. She had noticed her name on his lips, unable to keep the small smile from rising at how natural it sounded, pleased that her friendly overture had not been rejected. But the continuation of that friendly exchange depended heavily upon how he reacted to what she was about to tell him.

God, Santa Claus, faeries, magic - he believed in none of it, nothing he couldn't see with his own eyes, proof positive that they were as real as he was. He wasn't sure why her question was relevant, and his expression turned thoughtful, confused even, the bourbon numbing his brain just a little and loosening his tongue. A master of observation, even after four glasses of bourbon, he'd noticed the little girl's eyes, but hadn't thought much of it at the time, a strange shade of blue that reminded him of the sea.

She didn't pretend to understand what he meant by "grand jury", instead focusing on the hopeful implication that his sneaking away might include a visit to their little house in the Temple District. "If you have the inclination, I'd like to see you again," she heard herself confess, and there was that soft blush once more, a quiet hope that none of the interested ears were paying too close attention. "Lynnie would enjoy seeing you again, too, I'm sure. I could even be persuaded to cook a proper meal." The smile was inviting, almost teasingly baiting the hook to try and entice him back.

He needed very little baiting, though he wasn't sure how he was going to explain yet another absence to his colleagues, without going into details. If they found out it was because of a woman, there'd be no end to the ribbing. But hell, they all had private lives, and he was entitled to one, too. He noticed the blush and found it charming, wondering if it was for or because of him. He gave her hand a brief squeeze before untangling his fingers and withdrawing his hand, hoping no one had noticed, least of all Miranda. "I'd like that. Humphrey seems in no hurry for me to leave, but I have responsibilities back home."

She nodded, sorry when the warmth of his hand left hers, curling her arms close around Lyneth to allay that feeling. "Of course," she agreed. "I wouldn't dream of taking you away from your work. It seems very important to you." She glanced up as a sensation of movement betrayed that the party was thinning, her eyes travelling to the clock over the fire. A reluctant smile touched her lips as she then glanced down at Lyneth. "Something tells me I'm not going to midnight mass this year."

He frowned at the mention of church. Except for his mother's funeral, he hadn't been to church in years. Once again, he found himself saying something he would have never expected to hear himself say. It wasn't a pick up line, nor did he expect to be staying the night, finding himself reluctant to let the evening end. "Do you need a ride home?" he asked, unsure how she'd arrived, if she'd driven or been chaffeured.

Piper's face lit up with another of those soft smiles, the full lips curving warmly beneath sparkling blue eyes. "Thank you, that would be very nice of you," she told him, glancing over to where Humphrey was still holding court among sleepy children. "I don't want to take you away, though, if you would rather stay a while longer. I realise you haven't had much opportunity to mingle with your family before today."

"My family," Desmond echoed, with a frown, which reflected the feelings of loss and loneliness and confusion he kept hidden behind the carefully constructed mask he wore upon his face. "Does it look like anyone is in a hurry to mingle with me?" he asked, casting a pointed glance around at their surroundings.

The party seemed to be winding down, at least, this part of it, couples pairing off, families heading home to tuck children into bed. Before long, the only ones left would be those who had no family to go home to, no loved one to bed down with, no little ones to tuck into bed in hopes that a certain jolly old elf would find his way down their chimney that night. But he wouldn't press the matter. She had a small one of her own to tuck in and tend to who would always be the most important person in Piper's life. He wouldn't begrudge her that; it was as it should be.

Her smile faltered for a moment, emotions skidding across her eyes as she wrestled with herself. And ultimately lost. Clearing her throat, Piper drew his attention back to her, throwing a certain amount of caution to the wind. "Would you like to come back with us for a couple of hours?" she heard herself offer, her soft voice low enough not to carry too far in the decreasing melee around them. "I won't be going to sleep for a while yet, but I think Lynnie needs to get to bed. You'd be very welcome."

"No, I..." He glanced to the little girl asleep in her mother's arms, his thoughts turning back to his own childhood, stirring memories he'd thought were better left forgotten. "I don't want to intrude. I just want to drive you home. That's all. It's the least I can do." He wasn't quite sure what it was he was feeling. He'd only just met her, after all, but for some unexplicable reason, he wasn't ready to say good-bye just yet. "Let me get your coat," he offered, moving to his feet. He'd have to confer briefly with Humphrey to procure a set of car keys, and he'd have to depend on Piper to give him directions, but those were the least of his worries.

She smiled her gentle smile once again. "I wouldn't offer if it was an intrusion," was all she said, but she wouldn't push him if he wasn't comfortable with the thought. As he stood up, she nodded to him. "Ah, Lyn's is the bright blue with purple buttons, and mine should be right underneath it." With that little instruction offered up, she turned her attention to waking Lyneth up just enough to say goodbye to Humphrey, Jon, and whoever else was still conscious, gathering up the presents they had been given in a bag, and hoisting the sleepy girl back into her arms.

Desmond nodded his acknowledgment of her instructions and quietly excused himself with a brief glance around the room to see if anyone was watching. Those left seemed preoccupied with their own conversations, but he knew that meant nothing. If they hadn't noticed the lingering conversation between himself and Piper by now, it wouldn't be long before they noticed them leaving together. He slipped away to inquire about their coats, leaving Piper and Lyneth alone to say their goodbyes.

Humphrey had been imprisoned in his chair by not one but two grandchildren, now fast asleep on him, but he managed to offer his goodbyes to the quiet pair of Davidsons with a warm smile, and a warning to make sure Des didn't get lost. Still smiling to herself over that addendum, Piper slipped from the study with Lyneth high in her arms, moving slowly through the foyer as she murmured to her daughter. It was just an innocent ride home, after all, nothing wrong with that.

The Old Man watched them go, brown eyes thoughtful and perhaps a little hopeful. Though Piper was no longer a Granger, he still considered her family, and Des, though he did not yet consider himself family, could do with a friend on Rhy'Din. He couldn't have planned that little connection, even if he had tried. Perhaps miracles really did happen at Christmas.

((Many thanks to Des' player for this scene, which will be continued elsewhere. And Happy Christmas, all!))