Christmas Time December 2031

I...I don't know. I might just pretend, and tell them tomorrow...so they don't have time to bother us...what do you think?

Reginald allowed the conversation to drop, fading back to an awkward silence.

Bob reappeared for long enough to remove the plates.

"Should I bring dessert when Mistress Ana has returned?" He asked.

Reginald nodded. "However much longer that might be..." He glanced across at Aiden.

Aiden nearly sent a "Why are you looking at me?" look, but refrained.

"My Dear the natives are getting restless.." he stated to his lovely wife., a mild bit of amusement in his thoughts..

"And any plan that involves them not having time to bother us, is good plan of action to me, My dear.." he thought over.. fighting to keep a smirk off his face.

Ana paused outside the door. I have an idea...Possibly.

"So...what're we all talking about?" She asked, re-entering the room and sitting back down.

In a oddly clumsy way, she jerked the tablecloth and the wine toppled, splashing across the white surface.

"Oops." She waved her wand, clearing up the mess.

Reginald raised an eyebrow, but the tablecloth had also jerked the remaining glasses, and his attention was distracted as he managed to grab the other three and keep them from falling.

Aiden raised an eye at Ana, it was clever move... though weather Reggie feel for it remained to be seen.

"Smooth Ana.." he thought over in amusement. As he held on to his wine glass, now he just hoped now Reg didn't give her another one..

He picked up Ana's fallen wine glass, "Perhaps you shouldn't drink tonight dear, don't seem to need it" he said in a light joking tone of voice to all in the room.

Naturally... Ana fought to keep herself from laughing.

Isabella and Reginald smiled slightly at the joke. "Perhaps not." Ana laughed.

"Perhaps not indeed." Isabella repeated, and Reginald's hand paused as it had reached to pour her another glass, returning to his side.

With a mischievous grin Nicolas knocked on the door.

Aiden was saved another awkward silence when there was a knock on the door.

"Hm? was another expected tonight?" he asked, though he doubted it.. as they would have waited for that person.

Reginald frowned. "We're not expecting more guests."

-----

Bob considered for a moment before opening the door.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"Hi Bob!" Darius waved at the house-elf appearing behind Nicolas. "We're here to crash the party!" Darius smiled at Nicolas who grinned back.

Aiden eyes widened slightly at the voices at the front door, Nicolas and Darius.

"Ah the party crashers... not sure weather I want to thank them or pity them" he thought over.. "This is about to get interesting at any rate..."

"Uh oh..." he muttered taking a drink of wine....

Bob was confused. On the one hand, Nick Casillas was probably not welcome. But on the other...Darius definitely was...

"Come in sirs." He bowed and stepped aside.

Darius smiled at the house-elf and stepped inside.

"Alright, good job, Partner, you got us in!" Nicolas whispered to Darius high fiving him. "Now where is your Grandfather?"

"I dunno." Darius looked around. "Bob, where is Grampa?"

Bob bowed again. "This way, young master."

He led the way to the dining room and held the door open. "Darius, Master...and Mr Casillas."

...He has guts. Ana thought across to Aiden in amusement.

Reginald smiled at the sight of his grandson, but the smile froze at the sight of Nicolas.

"Hullo everyone." Nicolas said unfazed by Reginald's rather... unwelcoming pose. "Merry Christmas!"

"Graaaaampa!" Darius said running to his grandfather.

Ana restrained her laughter, with some difficulty.

Bob remained, in case he was asked to escort Nick out.

Reginald rose and hugged his grandson. "How are you Darius?" He glanced across at Bob, then at Nick, and Bob looked at the floor. He wasn't meant to let Casillases into the house he knew...

Isabella ignored Nick completely, but rose to hug her grandson as well, pleased that he'd turned up for Christmas after all...

"Grandma!" Darius said after hugging his grandfather.

"So, is there any food left?" Nicolas said.

"Yeah! We're hungry!" Darius said.

Aiden Stood and got ready for the show to start.

"Nick you are one crazy bloke" he muttered.

"I'd have brought your sister, but she didn't want to come." Nicolas said to Aiden. "Heaven knows why though."

Reginald paused to consider.

Isabella kissed Darius, and glanced at Reginald. She didn't want to make a scene in front of Darius. "Of course."

Reginald silently fumed, and shook his head. "I'm afraid not." His tone suggested otherwise. "Although we have got after dinner snacks in the living room."

Ana rolled her eyes. "Looks like dinner's adjourned."

"I want some snacks!" Darius said.

"To the living room then?" Nicolas said.

Aiden nodded not surprised, " Oh yes, it is Christmas..." he muttered.

He nodded to Ana, "Now it gets interesting..." he thought his eyes shifting from Nick to Reg..

Isabella took Darius by the hand and began to walk towards the living room. "So what did you ask Santa for, Darius?"

Reginald shot a dangerous look at Nick, lingering in the dining room.

Ana watched her father carefully. Never a dull moment...

"A puppy!" Darius said eagerly. "Do you think he'll get me one?"

Nicolas decided that was a signal for him not to follow Darius.

Ana hesitated, glancing at Aiden. Hm...Should we go or should we stay?

Reginald waited for Aiden and Ana to leave, mind seething.

Nicolas tried to look as harmless as possible.

___

"Grandma, what did you get me for christmas?" Darius asked. He liked presents.