Hey guys, MT here!

Sorry if I'm a bit late. I've been having test after test these two weeks and I haven't been able to just sit down and write. On top of that I finally was able to get a job :D

Anyways, so this will be an interesting chapter but I'll let you guys find out what I mean by that :3

ENJOY!

Chapter 36

Soul sat on the bed in the room, fidgeting worriedly.

"Dammnit, Maka. If you're going to go out at least bring your phone…idiot," said Soul, wondering where his meister could be. Soul had gotten back almost 20 minutes ago and he immediately noticed both his meister's absence and her lack of a note. He heard the door creak open and he all but leapt from the bed before walking towards the door. "Maka, where the hell have you-…been."

Soul had paused because he saw his father standing behind Maka and glared at him when he said 'been'. So far he hadn't seen his father at all since the incident on the first night but even he knew he would have to face him eventually.

"I'm sorry I took so long, Soul. I left my phone and I got a little lost while I was exploring," explained Maka, trying to cover for herself before Soul got mad at her. Soul was looking past her, causing her to frown, but she couldn't hold that frown before she was suddenly, and unexpectedly, pulled into Soul's chest and away from Edgar.

"Why is he with you? Trying to force you into some kind of paternity test?" growled Soul.

"Soul, relax. He showed me the way back and he apologized for that. Hear him out, Soul. I think he really wants to make up with you," said Maka, peering up at Soul from her position against his chest. Soul glanced at her in disbelief but was met with a serious expression.

"Fucking dammnit, Maka," cussed Soul, causing Maka to frown.

"Language, Soul," scolded Maka, Soul rolling his eyes in response.

"Yeah, Yeah," said Soul as he released her, said girl giggling at his reaction. Maka glanced between the two men and slipped out of the room to leave the two to themselves.

Silence ensued and Soul and his father stared at each other without even attempting to speak. After a few minutes, Soul became annoyed and spoke first.

"If you're going to say something, say it. Mom said to make sure I'm downstairs with Maka so we can spend Christmas dinner together," snapped Soul, annoyed.

"Soul," began Edgar, his expression still mostly serious. "This isn't the easiest thing for me to do. I was always taught by your grandparents to be hard on you and Wes because it would make you strong. I don't really know how to be 'soft' on you. That's what your mother is there for."

"But you were soft on Maka," stated Soul, bluntly.

"Well, of course. I was always taught the proper way to treat a lady and what I had said to her prior was because of my own insecurities," said Edgar, catching Soul's attention. Before Soul could ask, Edgar told the same story he told to Maka to him.

"Well, Maka isn't like that. In fact, it's practically impossible for her to be like that," said Soul, confusing Edgar. Soul could see the confusion on his father's face and sighed. "Maka and I can literally see and feel each other's souls. If she was lying to me, I would know. If she was hiding something from me, I would know. The only things she ever hides from me is when she's either not feeling well or hurt from a mission because she's so damn independent that she doesn't want to rely on anyone."

"I'm sorry that I didn't understand that even though you had mentioned it prior," said Edgar, still confused as to how the whole soul thing worked.

"The average person doesn't. Really only the governments know because they donate so much to Shibusen," said Soul, nonchalantly. Edgar frowned, feeling even more distant to his son than before he left for Shibusen.

"You've moved so far and I can't even reach you because I have no way of understanding what you do," said Edgar, surprising Soul. It remained silent for a moment and Soul shifted uncomfortably. "Forgive me, Soul, for not being there for you. I wanted you and Wes to be like your predecessors but it hadn't even occurred to me that you might not have been the same as your predecessors. I'm happy that you found what makes your life worthwhile."

Soul stared at his father, wide-eyed, and couldn't help but remain speechless. He had never heard his father sound so sincere. To be quite frank, it made him a little happy that he could crack open his father's normally impenetrable shell.

"Fine," said Soul as he walked past his father. Just as he was about to exit the room, Soul paused and tightened his grip on the door handle. "Y'know, I never hated playing the piano. I just wanted to play the music of my heart."

"…I hope Miss Albarn enjoys your music," said Edgar, simply. Soul smirked and showed off his sharp teeth.

"How did you think I got her to fall for me?" joked Soul before exiting the room, leaving a chuckling Edgar behind.

Some time later…

Everyone was gathered at the table, including Edgar who was only allowed at the table because Maka explained to Rosalie that he had apologized and made up with Soul. The group were just finishing their meal when one of the butlers came in and whispered something to Rosalie.

"Oh my!" said Rosalie, excitedly. Soul finished the last bite of his food, making him the last to finish, and he cocked a brow at his mother. "The servants just finished preparing the parlor. We should go and open presents!"

"Mother, you do know that none of us our children here, right?" asked Wes, jokingly. Rosalie rolled her eyes at him and smiled brightly before rising up.

"Come now, everyone. It isn't Christmas without exchanging gifts. Everyone to the parlor," said Rosalie, excitedly, as she quickly walked out of the room, followed by Maka, who was also dragging Soul. Wes and Edgar were the last to get up and they leisurely made their way to the parlor.

When they entered the parlor, everything was decorated with Christmas decorations. Red and green streamers lined the walls along with winterberry and winterberry leaves bundled together in between the streamers. There was a large, deep green Christmas tree in the middle of the room covered in a plethora of ornaments, golden streamers, and a glowing star at the top. There was even a mistletoe by the window.

"It's so pretty!" said Maka in awe as she looked around the room. The most she and Soul ever did for decorating was put a tiny, fake Christmas tree on the kitchen table. Well, Soul did put up a mistletoe every year as a joke, though both of them avoided it like the plague since they weren't together at the time. Now, though, it wouldn't have mattered.

"Now, now, Miss Maka, you shouldn't just stop in the middle of the doorway like that," scolded Wes, causing Maka to blush in embarrassment and then properly enter the parlor. They all funneled in and Edgar and Wes took their seats next to the tree while Rosalie and Maka went to talk about how beautiful they thought everything was. Soul just kinda of stood in the background watching the scene. He never really thought that he would be back nor did he think he Maka would be there with him and getting along with his family as if she was a part of the family.

"Alright! Time to open presents!" said Rosalie, excitedly. She moved down to the tree and began to pass out her presents to everyone, starting with Edgar and moving along and ending with Soul and Maka. "Here, you two. I thought this would be a great present for you to use in your apartment."

Maka took the large box and laid it down on the ground in between her and Soul. The two pulled off the wrapping and Maka's eyes widened.

"You really didn't need to, Rosalie," said Maka, glancing at Rosalie. The present was a 50" plasma screen TV and, although it was a bit much, it was a great present. Maka and Soul's TV is already almost 6 years old and it's starting to go.

"Oh, it really wasn't anything big. By the way, it even comes with a subscription to Netflix!" said Rosalie, happily. Soul chuckled about something to himself and Maka glanced at him, confused.

"My turn~!" said Wes, popping in. He gave his mother and father their presents and then turned to Maka and Soul before holding out two presents, one small and one larger. "For my future little sister and little brother."

"Thank you, Wes," said Maka as she took her present. She unwrapped to reveal a small, box-like velvet case. She glanced at Wes, suspiciously, and opened it. Inside were a pair of diamond earrings encased in white gold.

"I remember Nana saying you didn't have any earrings so I thought you could use a pair for special events," said Wes, smugly, as he watched Maka's eyes light up at the jewelry.

"They're beautiful, Wes," said Maka, just making Wes more full of himself. Soul, on the other hand, was scowling at his brother, annoyed that he had given her something like that considering jewelry was supposed to be what the boyfriend gets her. He saw Wes glance at him and then down at the present. Soul sighed and began to open it finding a book inside.

"Music Theory by…Wes Evans?!" said Soul, annoyed by the fact that it was his brother's own book. Meanwhile, Wes was struggling not to burst out into laughter at his brother's reaction.

"I just couldn't help myself," said Wes finally breaking out in laughter. Soul growled at his brother before setting the book off to the side. Before Soul could say anything to his brother, Maka caught his attention.

"Now it's my turn!" said Maka, excitedly. She noticed that Edgar wasn't moving so she assumed he wasn't going to go and she had gifts for everyone. She passed out a present to everyone, feeling bad that her gift to Wes wasn't as good as the one he gave her. She then moved to Soul and held out a box. "Merry Christmas Soul!"

"Thanks, babe," said Soul, causing Maka to blush because he had called her that in front of his family.

He opened said box to find an IPod Touch inside. It was white, like his hair, and brand new. His was an older model that he had had for quite some time and it wasn't the best device, though he could listen to most of his music on it.

"I know yours is really old and I thought it might be having some problems so I got you a new one," said Maka, happily. Soul smiled as he saw hers and leaned over to peck her on the cheek. Maka blushed a bit, again embarrassed by his actions in front of his parents. "Your turn, Soul."

Soul grinned and moved over to the tree to grab his presents. He gave one to each of his family members and then he looked at Maka with a loving expression and Maka cocked a brow in confusion.

"Maka, I love you," began Soul.

So? What did you guys think?

I think some of you know where I'm going with this :3

Anyways, Review to let me know what you guys thought and until next time...byeee :D