~ Christmas at the Vaight Cottage 2031~

Isabella accepted some refreshment for herself, and passed a goblet along to Reginald, who took it without really thinking.

Darien grinned awkwardly. "Thanks." He whispered, taking a drink. The thanks was also partly for coming back in time to prevent another terrifying near-miss when it came to in-laws relations.

Ferderico looked at the clock. Hmmm... the pet store was about to close. Best be going.

"So, this was an.... eventful evening. But I best be going now." Ferderico said standing up.

Reginald also rose, and though Isabella had no idea what had prompted this swift exit, she did know it was likely related to his latest scheme, and so it was best not to ask.

"So had we." Reginald smiled, or rather, half-smiled at Diana and Darien, before sweeping into the hall with a small shout of "farewell.".

Isabella replaced their goblets on the tray and heaved a sigh.

Baffled, Darien glanced at Diana in the hopes she knew what was happening.

Diana shrugged to indicate she had no idea.

Ferderico too left. He left so quickly that Mateo was rather unaware of his plans and was surprised to find that everyone had left when he returned to the living room with Darius.

"Where did everyone go?" Darius asked.

Darien blinked. "I have...no idea."

"Well, thank you for having us anyway." Isabella sighed. "Anyone would think there was a competition to see which of them could get their feet out of the door first."

"...Are you staying, mother?" Darien asked, still completely flummoxed.

She shook her head. "No, I'd better follow your father. He gets rather annoyed if no one is around to tell his plans to...Genius needs an audience!" She smirked slightly, hugged Darius goodbye and left the building, with farewells to the three remaining adults.

Darien stared at the door as it closed behind her, and then transferred his gaze to the chairs the two men had previously occupied.

"Am I the only one who feels really uneasy now?"

"I should go and follow Dad... might get into trouble." Mateo said. "See you lot tomorrow."

"Bye Dad." Diana kissed him farewell. "Bye Grampa!!" Darius said following suit.

Mateo waved and disappeared to the outside.

"What does uneasy mean Dad?" Darius said hopping up to one of the seats. "Does it mean hard?"

Darien bid his father-in-law goodbye, the only Casillas who didn't seem to want to throw him headfirst into a lawnmower, and remained in his baffled state.

"...That was...quick?" It sounded like a question, as Darien could scarcely believe it.

"Uh...uneasy means um...slightly ...concerned. Anticipating...that uh...stuff will happen." He endeavoured to try and stick to the truth while making it sound appealing. Failure.

"Oh... why are you uneasy Dad?" Darius asked. Why would he be uneasy? It's Christmas.

"No reason really." Darien grinned. "Forget I mentioned it."

((cut to next morning or...?))

Christmas morning.... Darius was the first to wake up. "Presents!" Was his first thought. And he ran into his parents room and hopped up to their beds.

Darien opened his eyes, with incredible difficulty.

"Meurgh WhaTwimesit?" ((Meurgh, what time is it?))

He collapsed back onto the pillow, and shut his eyes. On second thoughts, it was immaterial what the time was. It was too early.

"Present time!" Darius said slightly concerned that his father was not as excited as he was.

Diana was a little more accomodating... well only a little. "Why don't you go down already? We'll catch up." After a few more minutes of sleep.

Darius took the bait though. "Okay Mummy." And he ran downstairs.

"Weldnun." ((Well done))

Darien managed to mutter before falling back into the land of sleep.

"Hmmm..." Diana said just because she thought she was obliged to.

Suddenly the doorbell rang.

Darien groaned. "Narf. Leamouzide." ((Narf. Leave them outside)).

He really couldn't be bothered with family, this early in the morning.

((lol Narf has no translation?))

"Mmmm." Diana replied.

"I'll get it!" Darius yelled from below. And with that he ran to the door and opened it.

((lol, its a ...technical term ))

"Crassyoy." ((Crazy boy)) Darien rolled over, tempted to duck under the covers. "Lessaere." He muttered. ((Let's stay here.))

Nope, he was not getting any more articulate. Or awake.

"Hmmm." Diana replied unable to say anything else.

"Happy Christmas Abuelo! Grampa!" Darius said distantly.

Reginald smiled, while Isabella watched him carefully. She wasn't fully happy with this plan, but what could she do?

Damn all.

"Hello Darius." Reginald greeted, as Isabella hugged him. "Merry Christmas Darius."

"Merry Christmas!!" Darius said hugging her back.

Ferderico and Mateo were back too.

"Feliz Navidad Darius." Ferderico greeted.

"Happy Christmas!!" Darius greeted them in the same enthusiastic fashion as well.

Reginald grew uncomfortable with lingering on the doorstep, and spoke again. "We've brought some presents, do you want to open them inside."

A deceptively small box...or should he say...cage.

"Presents!" Darius said. "Yes!"

"We brought presents too Darius." Ferderico said not wanting to be outshone by his rival.

"Yeah!" Darius grinned. He lead them to the living room where the rest of his other presents were.

Reginald and Isabella followed Darius to the living room, Reginald preparing to outdo his rival, and Isabella wondering why her grandson seemed unaccompanied.

Darien groaned as he heard his parents, and pulled a pillow over his head. It had no effect, but it seemed dramatic enough.

He'd already opened a good portion of the presents under the tree. A new train set, a Quidditch helmet, a sweater, a rubber ducky - why couldn't it be Christmas everyday?

"What did you get me Grampa?" Darius asked Reginald.

Reginald placed the large square parcel on the table. "Open it up and see."

Isabella sat wondering when her husband was going to stop being so excessively dramatic.