Christmas Time December 2031

Isabella smiled. "I can't tell you, or Santa won't come. He likes all children to have surprises at Christmas."

Once Ana and Aiden had left the room and the door had shut behind them, Reginald turned on Nick.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" His voice was quiet...but anger echoed in every single syllable.

"Bringing your Grandson to your Christmas party?" Nicolas said plainly. "I thought that was obvious."

Aiden sighed and here he wanted to watch the show..

"Umm I think we should leave... might get dangerous in here" he thought as he wrapped an arm around Ana and left.

"Ah if we are needed we will just be in the other room" he said.

Reginald glowered, expressing his displeasure solely via his eyes.

"Why couldn't his parents bring him?"

-------

"That man is insane." Ana muttered to Aiden.

"Why indeed." Nicolas said. "I think they're of the opinion that they aren't welcomed here. Can't say I blame them."

___

"Ana!!!" Darius said greeting his aunt.

"Of course my son is welcome here." Reginald's voice changed to peaceable politeness.

"He is family. He was invited." The emphasis was like knives slicing through butter.

-------

Ana smiled. "Hey Darius. How're your parents?"

"Yeah, I'm sure he was. And my cousin?" Nicolas folded his arms. "She was invited too I suppose."

_____

"Good, what did you and Aiden get me for Christmas?" Darius said.

Reginald spoke through gritted teeth. "Yes. She was. Darien said they wanted to spend a family Christmas...but then you bring my grandson, without even a by-your-leave!"

______

Ana laughed and glanced at her mother. She bent down to whisper in Darius' ear.

"Wait and see."

"Well I have to take the kid home too you know." Nicolas said folding his arms.

________

Darius pouted. "Why won't anyone tell me?"

Reginald glared. "And why aren't you with your family at Christmas time? Was your Christmas so tedious you felt the need to turn up uninvited at someone else's?"

_______

Isabella smiled at Ana, an oddly friendly gesture which took Ana by surprise.

"Because we promised Santa." Ana looked at Darius with a very serious expression. "We can't break a promise to santa can we?"

Nicolas's eyes flashed. "Don't be silly. Alright, you win, I'll leave now."

"Darius! We're going!"

Reginald's hand prevented the door opening.

"Darius will be fine here."

Aiden smiled slightly, Darius was cute, "Yeah Darius, supposed to be a surprise, Don't think we want Santa mad at us for ruining it eh? Might give us lumps of coal for Christmas" he said.

The words from the other room got his attention, "Uh oh... " he personally thought it was silly of Nick to come here with Darius, if he wanted to have his fun... Darius might end up getting upset should a fight break out.

Now that he thought about it he could feel Amy's irritation at the other end of there link...

"I don't think Nicks party crashing plan is turning out the way he planned it....." he thought over to Ana.

Darius look from his aunt, his uncle and his grandma. That's was right. They couldn't just break a promise to Santa. No one would dare.

Darius decided to change his tactic.

"Do you think Santa will give me a puppy?" Darius asked.

_______

"Leave Darius with you lot so you can start brainwashing him with how evil Casillas' are?" Nicolas said folding his arms. "Fat chance."

Depends what he planned I suppose... Ana thought back, trying to ignore the raised voices.

Isabella laughed. "Did you ask Santa if he'd get you a puppy?"

______

Reginald's scowl seemed to be in danger of becoming a permanent part of his face.

"Brainwashing is not solely reserved for Vaight children." He snapped back.

"Mmmhmm." Darius said nodding. "Grandma, I'm hungry."

________

Nicolas raised an eye brow. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

Isabella pointed to a small coffee table with snacks. "Help yourself Darius."

_____

"Nothing, I'm sure..." Sarcasm oozed from the words, spat from between clenched teeth.

"Food!" Darius said scrambling towards the coffee table. He attacked the first thing he could get his hands on and stuffed it in his mouth.

______


Nicolas rolled his eyes. "In any case, I am not leaving without Darius."

Ana grinned. "Are you eating or inhaling that?"

_____

Reginald debated. His grandson...and... Or neither.

"Very well. You can stay. But if you ever turn up without permission again, I will kill you."

"Jogeepo!" Darius said with his mouth full.

_______

"Yes, I'm quite sure Darius would love to have a murderer for his grandfather." Nicolas said and before Reginald could reply, Nicolas speeded off to the next room.

"Hullo everyone!" Nicolas greeted with a large grin on his face. "What's crackin'?"

Reginald, fuming silently, followed Nick with a sharp kick to the door en route.

Ana watched him carefully. He looks pretty mad...

"Hey look food!" Nicolas said eyeing the snacks on the coffee table.

"Hey Partner, which should I try?" Nicolas asked Darius.

Darius pointed at the ones he had been inhaling earlier.

"Alright then." Nicolas tried a bit. "Hey that's not bad."

Aiden turned his attention form little Darius and to his livid father in law..

He sent a mental nod to Ana.. "He make a remarkable impression of a angry hornet... really does Nicolas Casillas have any sense? " he thought out..

In the back of his mind came his sisters voice..

"When he chooses to use it.. yes he does... he isn't using any at the moment" she thought over in a irritated tone.

"You lot wants some?" Nicolas said gesturing at the foods on the table.

"This is yummy!" Darius said finally able to talk.