The Dreaded Dinner of Doom

"No, I'd like to know where he is at all times actually..." Nicolas said. Then he felt Ana's glare. "Fine." Nicolas stood up and headed out.

"What?"

Ana shut the door behind them.
"Okay...my dad has the power to destroy all the plans for Darius...but..." She paused.
"If we can get him on our side, he could be useful. But I decided to talk it over with you first. He...I know he wants to be able to see his grandson. He's always been obsessed with heirs. Would it do so much harm if he popped in once every few years? Or just allowing him to send postcards or something...or presents? He could be like an obscure grandfather who exists to send presents and money. You wouldn't have to put up with him...And he knows Reg is his grandfather now...it'll seem odd if he never hears from him again."
She sighed. "Merlin, I don't want him around much, and I know you don't really want to see him ever again...But he could tell Darius the truth..."

"I know and that's why I don't want to risk it," Nicolas said honestly. "I don't want to talk about this now, Darius is mine." Nicolas re-open the door to the study and glared at Mr. Vaight.

"He isn't Darien's alright? He's mine. I've raised him, I've taken care of him. All your son did was f**ked Diana and got her f**king pregnant then he left. He didn't do anything else. Darius is mine."

"Ana have you suggested anger management to your husband?" Reginald asked, an eyebrow raised at Nick's declaration.

"Shut up Dad." Ana forcibly dragged Nick away from the door and shut it.

"Nick...Calm down. Darius'll wonder why you're getting so angry." She glanced up at the staircase.

"Look, you know as well as I do that Darius thinks I am his mother and you are his father. For what it's worth, he also thinks the sun shines out of your trousers. But he still thinks that I am his mother and therefore that my father is his grandfather. And don't you think it'd be a bit odd if he never got any cards or presents from his grandfather at christmas? Or on his birthday? Wouldn't that be a bit strange for him? He might feel he'd done something wrong! Please Nick, just let him send stuff. You won't have to talk to him, or see him, ever. I don't want Darius to feel he's being left out. And I can persuade my father to send stuff to Eliza and Fitz too...But they won't know him. They just get presents. You'll still be the one they love the most, and the one they run to when they're hurt, and the one they obey without question, and the one they want to play with. All my father will do is send presents every now and again. They'll still love you far more than him." She smiled. "Let's face it, my father is hardly as loveable as you." She then promptly shut up.

Nicolas took a few calming breaths and he let Ana grab him.

"I could fake those presents...." Nicolas muttered. Darius was his and he wouldn't let anything change that. Then he stopped as he listened to what Ana had said.

He cracked a grin. "So... you think I'm... lovable?"

Ana was tempted to hit her head on a wall.
First rule of not embarrasing yourself...DON'T SAY ANYTHING STUPID!

Ana opened her mouth to reply, then shut it again. She closed her eyes momentarily, gathering a defense.

"Of course not." She rolled her now open eyes at Nick. "But from a child's perspective, you're a loveable dad."

"I have got places to be in about three years you know..." Reginald shouted at the closed door.

Ana rolled her eyes.

Nicolas glared at Reginald but since the door was closed, he really glared at a door.

"Alright," Nicolas said finally, "I'll let him give Darius presents... but that's it alright? No visiting, no borrowing Darius over the weekend so he can take him forever, nothing of that sort."

"Thanks." Ana smiled.
"And I'm just glad the whole family Christmas idea is out the window...Family holidays suck."

She pushed the door open.

"You two are finally finished I presume..." Reginald muttered.

"Yes. In return for not telling Darius or anyone else, we shall allow you to send presents and cards etc to your grandson...And also to Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth. However, no visiting."

Reginald considered for a moment. He glanced at Nick, then at Ana.
"I suppose that seems fair...But on the condition that I get to properly introduce myself now."
Ana glared suspsiciously. Reginald raised his hands. "Just literally say hello I am your grandfather, give him this, and leave." He reached into a pocket and withdrew a small carved wolf.
Ana caught her breath. "I made that for Darien's sixteenth birthday..."

Nicolas folded his arms. He really had no choice in the matter now. Reginald seemed to have good intentions but if anything happened to Darius, Nicolas would make sure Reginald would pay.

"Wait," Nicolas said. "Before I let you see him, I want an apology."

Reginald folded his arms. "For what exactly?"

Ana sighed.

"For being an A**hole." Nicolas wanted to say but he felt that would be counterproductive.

"For calling my cousin a whore." He said simply. "She is after all, the mother of your Grandson."

Reginald swallowed his pride, metaphorically of course, and only temporarily.

"I..." Ana glared at him, forcing him to continue.

"I apologise." It sounded sincere. He was not going to mess up his chances of meeting his grandson, and heir of heir. "It was wrong of me, and I understand your anger."

Ana glanced at Nick, wondering if he'd accept the apology.

"Good," Nicolas said. He seemed satisfied with Reginald's apology. "Now I want you to swear, swear that you won't tell Darius anything. I want you to do the Unbreakable Vow."

"Ana, if you please be our binder..."

Ana nodded. "Alright."

Reginald raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Why is it no one ever thinks my word is enough?"

Ana raised her eyebrow in reply. "Because you are Reginald Vaight."

Reginald laughed. "That I am. Very well Mr Casillas, I shall make an Unbreakable Vow."

He extended a hand, and Ana grasped her wand.

Nicolas took Reginald's hand and said the following.

"Do you Reginald Vaight swear to kept the pretenses that I, Nicolas Casillas is Darius Casillas' father and will not reveal the truth other wise?"

"I do."

Ana tapped the hands, and a tongue of flame appeared.

"Do you Reginald Vaight swear to not to take Darius Casillas away from me, Nicolas Casillas?" Nicolas continued on.

"I do."

Ana tapped the joined hands once again, another flame encircling them.

"Do you Reginald Vaight swear to protect Darius Casillas from any harm?" Nicolas continued on. "Even if that harm would be yourself?"

Reginald met Nick's gaze. "I do."

Ana tapped the hands a final time, and the flames encircled them completely, glowing brightly. The Unbreakable Vow was complete.

Nicolas glanced at Ana then at Reginald, fully pleased with what has happened.

"Alright then," Nicolas said. "Killa!"

The elf popped in. "Master?"

"Bring Darius here."

The elf bowed and disappeared again. He re-appeared with Darius looking slightly confused.

"Daddy?... Mummy?" Darius said.

Ana smiled. "Hello Darius. There's someone here we want you to meet."

Reginald stood up and walked to stand in front of the boy. He crouched down in front of him and smiled. "Hello. I'm your mummy's daddy. So that makes me your grandad."
He reached into his pocket and drew the carved wolf out. "I brought this for you."

Darius shyly reached for the carved wolf. "Granddad?"

"Yes Darius. That's me." Reginald smiled.

Ana smiled encouragingly at Darius. "But Grandad's got a lot to do now Darius..."

Reginald smiled and stood up. "Your mother's right Darius...Now be good for your parents, and I'll write to you soon."

He held out a hand for Darius to shake.

Darius looked slightly upset. "Where are you going?"