Chapter 5: Christmas

Disclaimer: I own only what Rowling doesn't. :P

Dedication: To my wonderful nieces and nephews. I adore you all, yes, even you CJ, you bugger. I hope you all grow up and have wonderful lives.

December 23, 2011. Christmas Eve

"When I-ow!-said I wanted to-fuck!!-have a real Christmas, I am pretty sure I didn't mean we would go out-bugger!-and cut down a damn tree, drag it into the house and spend hours-fucking damn!-figuring out how to make the damn tree stand work. How the fuck are you supposed to make this work!"

Phoenix and Fey had to hold onto each other, they were laughing so hard that they had fallen off the couch. Ian looked up, not pleased by the mirth, and glared at them.

It was the sight of Ian Malfoy, usually impeccably dressed, not a hair out of place, now frazzled and annoyed, his silky blonde hair disarrayed from frequently running his hands through it, struggling with a tree stand that had the girls laughing so hard they were hysterical.

"By any chance, would one of you like to help?" he said dryly, watching the girls collapse into uncontrollable giggles again. Phoenix managed to sober enough to shake her head before starting again.

"Fine." Ian decided that surrender was the better part of wisdom…or however that saying went, and pulled out his wand. "Reparo." The stand mended itself and sat up right. With his wand, he managed to get the tree in the stand and tighten the screws to hold it in place. He stepped back and grinned at his achievement.

"So, what do you think?" he asked Phoenix and Fey. They looked at each other and then at Ian.

"Nice," Phoenix said, extending her hand to him. After a moment of consideration, he helped her up. "I like it. Ready to decorate, Fey?"

"S…haha!...su…ahahahahaha!" Fey was still on the ground, laughing, "Sure!"

"I'm…going to get some…drinks…" Ian sighed, backing away from Fey. After a month, he still wasn't used to the exuberance a thirteen year old witch was capable of.

Well, you wanted different, Draco reminded him. Fey is…

She's fun, Chase cut in. He and Draco had found Ian's plight just as amusing as Phoenix and Fey. I'm glad she's here.

Ian smiled as he conjured up two glasses of wine, one well-watered, and a Dr. Pepper, levitating them before him as he returned to the living room. Phoenix made a face at him as he handed her the soda.

"Here Fey, try this." He offered her the glass, pointedly ignoring Phoenix's protestations. Fey gulped half the glass down before she realized it wasn't soda and started gagging.

"What is it?" she demanded. Ian smiled mildly.

"Watered wine. You're thirteen, old enough to try it. If you're going to be a Malfoy, you have to learn these things."

"Ian, I don't…" Phoenix began, but he cut her off.

"It's okay, I made sure to water it a lot. Besides, I started drinking wine what I was six."

"I'll be fine, Phoenix," Fey chimed in. "I was surprised. It tastes funny. But I like it."

"Well, alright, but…"

The ringing of the doorbell interrupted her. They heard the butler open the door and Phoenix reached for Ian's hand. He had gone very pale and was staring off into space.

"The master and mistress are waiting for you, madam," the old butler said as he opened the door to the living room. Ian braced himself as the young blonde entered the room, followed by a fourteen year old boy and a nine year old girl. The woman paused before wiping a tear away and smiling at Ian.

"Ian," she said softly, taking a step towards him. "I…thank you for inviting us."

"Of course," he replied automatically. "I…Phoenix, this is Grace Raven. Grace, my fiancé, Phoenix Gallagher."

"Oh, Ian, you sly dog!" Grace laughed, breaking the tension in the room. She crossed the room and threw her arms around Phoenix, who stiffened momentarily before accepting the embrace. "Oh, I'm so happy for you! Let me look at you!" She drew away from Phoenix and looked her up and down. She grinned. "You are absolutely beautiful. Simply gorgeous. When are you due?"

"May. Mid-May. And before you ask, no, we don't know what it is." Phoenix grinned at Ian, who was greeting the children with unusual warmth. "Someone wants to be surprised, although they are positive it is a boy."

"How like a man," Grace giggled. Then she looked behind Phoenix and smiled. "And who is this?"

"This is my daughter, Fey," Phoenix said as she motioned Fey forward. The girl stepped to her mother's side and smiled shyly at Grace. "Fey, say hello to Mrs. Raven."

"For Ian's daughter, blood related or not, I am Grace," the blonde laughed. "You can call me Aunt Grace if you want."

"I've never had an Aunt," Fey said softly, eyes bright.

"Well then, it's settled." Grace offered her hand. "Would you mind coming closer? You are so pretty, but you're half hidden by your mother."

Cautiously, keeping an eye on Phoenix the entire time, Fey stepped away, her smile unsure. Grace smiled back.

"Like your mother, you're simply beautiful. I'm very jealous."

"What tales are you telling them, Grace?" Ian asked as he joined them, leading the young girl to the group. The boy hung back sullenly.

"Oh, nothing," Grace laughed. "Phoenix, my daughter Jaci and the one sulking is Tim."

"Hi!" Jaci said brightly. She grinned at Fey. "Who are you?"

"This is my daughter, Fey," Ian said before Phoenix could answer. Fey smiled at him, eyes dancing with joy.

While the rest of the evening was fun and Phoenix was delighted to discover a kindred spirit in Grace, the moment she would, without hesitation, claim was the most special, was the moment when Ian declared for the first time, that Fey was his daughter.