AUTHOR'S NOTES: Okay I decided to do this and get it do before Christmas and all. For those of you who don't know let me explain a little. Dual Family is an erotic visual novel by Gumdrop Games. For starters this guy has talent. In the endless of sea of porn games and porn visual novels that are basically porn - Dual Family is a breath of fresh air. It is a true erotica, real, natural, with consequences. You feel the emotion. It's like you watch movie and a hit TV show. You will care about the characters.

For the sake of clarity you should stop readying and play the Dual Family LAST CHRISTMAS and the main story before continuing reading on.

Now that you have play the game you may read on. Get your cup of hot cocoa and enjoy.

Christmas Eve

08:39 PM

Dante Sparda and his wife Mirage and their two twin children Dean and Sarah, have certainly made ground this year. Well, most of it this month. December has a way of doing that. Mending wounds or suffocating good moods. Never both. Dante is not under as much stress as he was last holiday season. Mirage and he are doing pretty well. Work doesn't rob time like it used to. Time away from her, the family. Another plus is that the Demons that would stalk him all his life are now starting to become less of threat to him and his family. He starting to see less of them but he could sense them or hear them in the day or night. But rarely do they come for him for his family which is odd but still good. It was only months ago he was buckling his belt every morning. It was a huge gamble working from home, but he think he can make it work. Dante believes he and Mirage can move in a better direction. This Christmas is a testament to that.

. . . Or so he hopes.

The family is in the local mall and is taking a moment to get coffee. Dante sits a table by the café window and looks at the giant snow-white Christmas tree with white light and red ball ornaments in it. As he watches it he became lost in his own thoughts which something he always needed from time to time.

". . . Enjoying the view?"

Dante came out it to see his children stand by the rail outside the café. But who was it that spoke to him? It was none other than his wife's voice, commenting on what he was seeing.

". . . They seem to be getting along now." Mirage said. "I'm surprised! Still nipping at each other, even on Christmas Eve . . ."

Dante finally turned see Mirage return with the coffee, wearing a grey tweed jacket over her black shirt.

"Mirage!" Dante said as he snapped out of it.

"Yes, it's me. Welcome back to the world of the living." mirage commented. "Did you drink your coffee already?"

Dante moved the drink in his coffee cup around to see how much is in it.

". . . Well, most of it." he said. "Thanks by the way. Who knows if the kids would have stayed up tonight without it? Keeping them out of their rooms, even for the holidays can be challenging. Though Dean is more to blame there than is counterpart."

"They're not too bad, Dante." Mirage reminded her husband. "Like I said; Just a bit of coffee and they'll perk right up. Tonight should be a fun little thing; I know they'll stick around"

Dante shrugged. ". . . You might have to bribe them with another coffee or hot cocoa at home."

Mirage found that amusing. "Ha. Maybe . . ."

Dante looks back out the café window at the kids. ". . . But yeah, I agree. Tonight should be special. The whole Christmas thing, right?"

"Right . . ." Mirage looked at Dante and saw what he was doing. He wasn't just looking outside; something got his attention, which isn't new. ". . . Enjoy the movie?"

"Yeah. It was good." Dante said his mind elsewhere.

". . . Hey. Dante." Mirage asked.

Dante turned to face Mirage who wished to know his thoughts.

"You seem . . . distant. Everything alright?" Mirage asked.

Dante tilted his head at her; his eyes grew soft as he sighed. ". . . A little here, a little there."

Mirage knows about Dante life a demonhunter, him being a angel/demon hybrid (a Nephilim or Nephalem or whatever is a name for a hybrid god of this type) and his many hunts and battle across time and space. But despite all the things that happened in his life from the good to the bad and ugly he manages to put on a mask to hide how he feels when the situation call for it. But even with a mask on Mirage knows if something is bothering him. There was not hiding it.

"I . . . It's a little stressful, to be honest with you. We've been doing well. Us, the kids. I want to keep that up no matter what . . . and it's pulling my mind ten different directions. That with whatever is lurking out there in the dark and cold of Christmas Eve. That combine with being tired, It's . . ."

Dante was at a lost of words but Mirage thankfully remind him of what's good.

". . . Dante. We'll keep it up, trust me. Plus, we DID get coffee for a reason. Isn't that right? Drink ups, big guy. Let's go break up the kids . . . Don't worry, I'll tuck you in bed early if you get too sleepy. How's that sound?"

Dante chuckled at bit. ". . . Sounds good."

Dante and Mirage got up and exited the café and walked over to where their kids stood where they caught the last bit of their conversation.

". . . Sorry, I was thinking of a retort."

"There's a better word we for that Sarah. It's calle Y."

Mirage decided to chime in on their conversation. "Who's lazy?" she asked.

Dean Sparda, son of Dante Sparda tried to come up with an answer for his mother. But his Daughter, Sarah Sparda answered for him. "Dean, Obviously." she said. "He's beating himself up again for slacking off at practice over break. I'm surprise he admits it. He wishes he was running lines right now with coach in his ear."

Dante wonder who the hell would want someone yelling in there ear is a mystery to him. Some kinda of harmless gym fetish, he really doesn't know.

". . . I see. That's quite the surprise." Mirage said. " . . . Which one of you got the grande again? I'm assuming it was . . ."

"Yes, him." Dante answered.

"Got it. Kids, grab your drink and let's head downstairs. Were almost ready to go." Mirage said to Dean and Sarah.

". . . Downstairs? What for?" Dean asked.

"A picture! What else?" Mirage stated, as if they didn't know. "It's amazing that they've put up this year, it would make cute Christmas cards and prints."

Dean nodded in his yellow hoodie. ". . . Oh. Right."

"Duh." Sarah rolled her eyes.

". . . Come on you two, let's get going!" Mirage urged the children on. "We should try to get back at a reasonable time tonight. Early day tomorrow . . ."

Yeah . . . Christmas Day.

The family headed down stairs to the base of the mall's giant tree. they take a minute to look at the Christmas in all it twinkling and glittering glory. Dante walked over to his daughter to see how she was doing.

"Did your brother give you a hard enough time tonight?" Dante asked. "I'm impressed with your patience. By now you'd already be kicking his shins. Deservingly, of course . . ."

Sarah only shrugged with a sigh through her nostrils one does when one considering something. "Well . . . A little bit. He kept his dumb mouth shut for the movie, so that was an improvement. And I actually enjoyed it. The movie, I mean." Sarah then looked at the mechanical light-up reindeer near a smaller golden light tree. "That probably contributed to the good feelings too . . ."

Dante was surprised. ". . . Really? I'm glad you enjoyed it. Does that mean Dean gets a present this year? Or are you two still too feisty to trade a gift or two?"

Sarah look at her father briefly before looking back that the lights. "Oh, it's not feisty." she said. "He spends all his money, chores or not before he can even count it. I'd be surprised if he could even afford a card." Sarah then turns back to Dante to see what he thinks. "Y'think?"

" . . . There we go, that's m'girl." Dante said.

"It's a sign of a healthy bond, you know. Beating each other up once in a while. but be nice it is Christmas after all. Your mom and I don't expect you to shower Dean or anyone else with gifts. It's not free. Card's enough. for us old folks, anyway. I'm not so sure if your brother personally feels that way . . ."

". . . Eh. He's a big boy." Sarah said. "He'll live, trust me. Besides … Graduation is right around the corner. Next summer. I'm sure he'll get some money to play with, in whatever way he finds fit. Even if that way isn't as useful as most. That's beside the point. There's a ton to be distracted by moving out anyway, a million friends and things to do. He'll be fine . . ."

Funny, usually Dante would be the one to say something like: 'Nah, it'll be fine' or whatever.

"Will you? Be fine . . . with the college thing?" Dante asked.

Sarah turned back to Dante eyes deep in thought. ". . . I mean, of course." she said with upward inflection. "It's a headache with all the searching, writing and exams for senior year. But . . . I'm excited. a little nervous. I'm sure the latter will become stronger near graduation, but I feel good for now. It'll be something."

". . . Yeah. It will." Sarah knew when to hide her uneasiness about a subject. And sometimes it doesn't always go unnoticed. "We'll talk about it later, 'kay? Maybe tonight if we have the time. I hear your mom has some things planned first, a little fun for us."

"Oh! Speaking of which." Mirage said. "Sarah, Dean come here!"

Dean and Sarah came over to where Mirage wanted them to stand. ". . . Come on, don't be shy now!" Mirage held up her camera and gestured to the kids on what they should do. "Scoot in. She doesn't have cooties, I promise."

"Ugh." Dean groaned.

"Being a baby again. Baby . . ." Sarah teased.

"Chill, damn!" Dean exclaimed.

Finally mirage has the shot. "Perfect! Stay right there. And . . . All done! You two look really cute together. Jesus, Mom . . . are we going home now?"

"Yes, yes. You're free for the night . . . Until Christmas." Mirage stated, hoping to remind them.

They family walked through the mall to exit where the car is parked. Dante unlocked the car with his press of a button on his keys and they got in.

"Ugh, cold." Dean said.

"What did you expect it?" It snowing outside." Sarah commented.

"Hey, Mirage. Can I see the picture?" Dante said.

"Sure." mirage took out the camera and cycled through the pictures on the screen until she found the one she took and handed the camera to Dante to take a look.

"Oh God." Dante muttered as his dear children look nice in the picture (or about as nice as two people force to take one for the holidays, but that neither hear or there).

"Dante! It's Christmas." Mirage called him out on the word he used.

"What? He would agree with me." Dante said.

"But, not in vain." Sarah added.

"I don't get it what's up?" Dante asked.

"Isn't he like your bosses?" Dean asked jokingly.

Dante sighs at the fact that, given his mother was an angel that would technically make the Big Man up Stairs his Great Grandfather, his family is an odd one. Imagine his surprise when he found out he was related to a few notable demons and fallen angels on his father Sparda's side of the family.

"He's the boss but he lets me do my own thing. Like start a family." Dante said and started the car's engine.

Mirage smiled and reached over to rubbed Dante's leg affectionately. Dante look over at here and smiled back bore look ahead and pulling.

About a halfway how the family got to talking again, this time about one of Mirage's friend.

"So your friend's father is . . . a bit off?" Dean asked.

"That's one way of putting it." Mirage said.

"But regardless, he goes on horse ranches with a bucket to get . . . what again?" Sarah asked.

"Horse manure." Mirage said.

"Ew!" Dean said.

"Gross!" Sarah added.

"Why?" Dante dared asked.

"From what she said, he told her it was good for his chilblains." Mirage said.

The children continued to be grossed out until the car got quiet again.

Then . . . Dante began to laugh. It started off quiet then he began to crackup out loud.

Mirage was surprised to see him laugh like that. Sure Dante laugh but to have full body laugh was rare. she had to know what's up. "What? What's so funny." she asked smiling.

Dante clear his throat before speaking. "He-He may think it's good for his chilblains, but if that's the only medicine he has faith in, I hope he never gets BARBER'S RASH! HAHAHA!"

Everyone in the car started to crack up and laugh out loud.

"Heh, Dante! Know keep your eyes on the road." Mirage said though laughter.

"Okay, okay, okay! I'll stop." Dante said.

The rest of the drive home was quiet and enjoyable.

09:24 PM

The family finally reached the house. They got out the car and into the crunching snow and headed for the door.

"You know, it'll only take an hour or two I think." Mirage offered a suggestion. "you're still hungry, right Dean? Or are you the same as your sister?"

"Hey, that's a little rude!" Dean objected. "I'm not sure I agree with you assumption here, Mom. Do you think I'm stuffing my face constantly or something?" he asked.

". . . Yes. I do." Mirage replied.

"Pshh." Was Dean's only reply.

"She . . . isn't wrong, Dean." Sarah chimed in with her own ironclad observation.

Dean put his hands up in surrender. "ˈEy, one at a time girls! Go easy on me for once, it's Christmas . . ."

"You're not funny." Sarah commented.

"Relax you to. Come on, I'll make something warm for us to drink, okay? I don't think anyone will disagree with that, even our special case Dean here." Mirage gave one last jab.

"Whoa, I thought you said relax!" Dean then sighs and relents. "Fine, let it hang. That one was weak. Sarah. Don't forget what we talked about earlier, 'kay? at the mall. I'll be waiting."

". . . Right." She replied, as she forgot.

Mirage turned to Dante. ". . . Dante? Fall asleep yet?"

Dante popped his neck to get rid of a chill. "Not quite. Almost there though. I was thinking on something existential." Dante half-joked, "I'm . . . not starving either. I think the snack bar was more than enough for us. I can't say no to a cup of cocoa though. I imagine that's what you're planning?" Dante asked with cocoa and . . . maybe something else later on.

". . . Something like that." Mirage said. "But tomorrow, you two aren't squeezing out of it, understand?"

"Yeah, of course." Sarah nodded.

"You bet, mommy." Dean replied sarcastically.

". . . Funny, Dean." Mirage said. Dean always would find a way to voice his dislike to something; especially if it's something he is forced.

"Are we watching another movie or . . . Is everyone heading to bed after this?" Sarah asked.

"Oh no! Of course not. We've got some plans if you're willing to join. Pulling your brother along may be the difficult part, but we'll figure something out."

"Mom!" Dean protested.

"Haha. Relax, Dean. Isn't that what I said?" Mirage asked with irony.

"I'll come down after I change and do some other stuff. Probably an hour or so." Sarah said to Mirage.

Mirage nodded. "Okay, I'll keep a cup warm for you, Sarah. And Dante?" Mirage looked back at Dante briefly to see if he was paying attention. ". . . I'll see you upstairs, okay?"

Dante nodded. ". . . Okay. Mirage . . ."

The family entered inside the house. Mirage, Dean and Sarah went to their room to get changed while Dante lingered in the foyer for a bit.

Home. . . To Dante It feels good to be back and strange at the same time. They were only gone for a few hours at the movies. But at least the kids had a good time. They looked like it anyway. Mirage seems to be in a pretty good mood too. They've been doing alright this month. Dante then heads up to the master bedroom get changed. Thought he's not quite ready to retire tonight. his earlier fatigue is mostly gone. Maybe it was just a post-movie, wandering outside in the freaking cold thing. Coming home always seems to help. Or . . . maybe it's just the caffeine talking. A little less romantic, but he didn't mind.

Dante looked down the hallway to his right saw the outline doors and windows that are illuminated by the light he stood under in the foyer. if there was ever a fetish that Dante developed it trying to find a quiet place and just . . . being in it. During his days as a demonhunter there where rarely a quiet moment thanks to the demons that were breathing down his neck every minute of the day. Now that the times have changed and the demons appear every so often on rare occasions the Dante was able to relax on this part. The between the claps is what counts, his brother once said.

They skipped dinner tonight. It was less intentional than seen on paper, though. They agreed that movie snacking was enough. Tomorrow, Christmas Day, They'll have a proper dinner. Surely.

It'll be great, he thinks, he like to say that the other times, the other dinners missed this year had the same reasoning. That maybe the kids ate a late lunch, that mirage or I were too busy with the work or otherwise. But it's okay. This month, we're really been picking things up again. Dinners, dates.

Generally spending time with her, Mirage. The kids too when they let them. Maybe it's just a holiday thing, something he might slip out of again, but he will try.

. . . I will try, Mirage. I promise . . .

Christmas: Once upon a time, seeing the Christmas tree. Just the sight of the decorations made me nostalgic of my own youth. But now, those feeling have been replaced by new ones. Ones with my family. Before the demon kill his mother and banished his father. There was even a one family that adopted him when he was little that wasn't demons or just bad people. They were good people. He can't really say that's it's a bad thing. He's indifferent about it at best. Christmas' definition, the feeling it evokes changes so much. As much as he cherished being young, have little to no concept of responsibility or future he wouldn't trade this for anything. His family.

Dante decided to head upstairs. Mirage is probably waiting. And he likes to keep her company tonight. The kids too, if they let him. Dean and Sarah are most likely in their rooms. Dean would be his grumpy old self (be a miracle if they spoke), he should talk to Sarah again tonight. But first I need to get changed into something more comfortable. I've been lugging this getup all day.

Dante heads up the stairs turns the corn and makes head down the hall to his right. Passed the bathroom, Sarah's room to the Master Bedroom.

"Mirage, it's me. I'm coming in . . ."

Dante turned the knob entered inside to see Mirage getting changed at the closets. She turns a to see him. She was topless and Dante got a view of her large breasts from the side.

"Needs some help he asked." he asked suggestively.

Mirage gave him an amusing stare. Dante chuckled a little and walked over to his side of the bed and began to undress into his home clothes.

"There is a reason why I wanted you to see … I want to talk you about your family coming over." Mirage said.

Dante looked behind him at Mirage briefly as he pulled off his jacket. "You mean my parents?"

"Sparda and Eva?" Mirage said and as she slipped out her pants.

"I'm sure they would love to come around again. See their grandkids."

Mirage noticed Dante's tone when she asked him; she knows he manage to free his mother from Hell and saved father from eternal banishment. Two now live normal lives like they wanted.

"What about your brothers? V . . . or rather Valen?" she asked.

Dante pulls off his shirt and unbuckles his pants. "I called Valen earlier in the month, he's up for it."

"Vergil?" she asked the big question.

Dante paused and sat on the bed thinking. "I asked him. And he said he will consider it." Dante said.

Mirage looked back at Dante, he the only thing he has on is his underwear. She knows his relationship with Vergil was turbulent in the past, to said the least. But now this conflict Vergil fighting his other two brothers has come to a pause thanks to Valen suggestion of a 20 year hiatus. Vergil will not try to do anything that involves things like taking over all creation as the one God. It was tough but Vergil agreed to it and now the three Sons of Sparda are together again.

Dante felt movement on the bed and a pair of arms hugging him from behind. He felt Mirage's warm chest pressed again his back. She then kissed him on the cheek before returning to her side to resume dressing.

"I mainly was talking about your only sister." Mirage finally clarified.

". . . Oh. Figorn . . ." Dante uttered.

Figorn the half-sister of Dante, Vergil and V and Sparda's firstborn from a relationship he had with goddess long before he encountered the angel Eva. Figorn was actually ally to Vergil at one point, view mankind as evil and the demons to be the cure. But after a turn of even she began to see that it was the opposite and Vergil was a monster that need to be stopped. When the 20 year hiatus began she decided to finally settle down. She found a job that suited her and me and guy who she date for awhile before the married and had children.

"I don't think she would be able to come, Mirage." Dante said as he put on his causal shirt and pants.

". . . Wait, really? Why's that?" Mirage asked.

"She's . . . awfully busy these days." he said. "At least that's what she tells me. Whether or not that's embellishment, I can't really know. I'm not one to press. Like Vergil, if she doesn't want to come over for the holidays, that's fine. I do wish she would be up front about it, though. If she's just making excuses. That's all I ask . . ." he said.

". . . That's just the game, Dante." she said, "You should know that by now. Especially after years dealing with your sister-in-law . . ."

Dante finishes getting dress with his blue sweater and tan kakis. ". . . Yeah. I know. At least your sister has the balls to be blunt more often than not. To say no without baggage."

"Balls?! Dante . . ." Mirage chuckled a little.

"Spine! Backbone. Woof! Meow! Moo, whatever." Dante said.

". . . And a partridge in a pear tree." Mirage added.

"You know what I mean . . ."

"Haha!"

Dante looked behind to see her sitting on the bed with her back to her back to him. was only where her black warm bottom underwear with silver and gold Christmas trees printed on it, emphasis how big her rump.

". . . Don't be so self-conscious, Dante. It was an off choice of words that caught me off guard. And I don't disagree. She truly, truly does have the balls sometimes."

Dante was silent which mirage took notice.

"Dante?"

"She gave me a promise the last phone call we had, I think a week or two ago. She said she'll make it next Christmas. The husband, kids and all." Dante said and shrugged before adding, ". . . Maybe even that ugly lookin' dog."

"Dante! Rude." mirage said.

"I'm jooooking. you know she it when I say that. Ugly as homemade soup. With my brothers, it's an old, inside thing between us from when we were kids. You wouldn't get it."

Mirage shrugs to that. "Surely. What hilarity I'm missing out on. I guess we'll have to wait to until next year then, huh? It'll be nice, Dante . . . Seeing your sister again."

Dante got up and walked over to the mirror and leaned down to look at him; He used his power to conceal his silver-white hair before they when out which he always does so he doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. His black-brown hue began to fade back to permanent color it now it.

Mirage finished changing and walked up behind him and scratched his head.

"Silver bells buddy boy." she teased.

"Stop it Haha!" as he dodged out the way until they were outside. In the hall.

Mirage went off downstairs Leaving Dante alone again. The night's still young for another hour or two maybe. That coffee is already is starting to wear off. Best to wrap up any unfinished business for the night before passing out . . .

Someone has to stuff the stockings, after all . . .

Dante decided to head for Sarah's room hand have that talk. Dante knocked on her door. "Sarah? You in there? Can I come in?"

"Hold on!" Sarah called out to him. ". . . Just a minute. What's wrong?"

"… What's wrong? Oh. Nothing at all. I just wanted to talk to you for a little bit." Dante said through the door, "I wasn't sure when you were signing off for the night. …"

"Not for a bit I'm a little tired, but I wanted to check up on some things anyway. Mom is still making cocoa, right?" Sarah asked hopefully.

"She sure is." Dante said. "Thank goodness . . ."

"So . . . This is about the college thing, right? What we talked about Earlier, at the mall?" she asked.

"Yeah. I . . . I just wanted to clear up a few things. Now that we have the time to talk to each other at lengths greater than dinner. Before break, you and Dean slip between the cracks so easily. Especially with me working from home, I . . . I want to share more time. More presence. share some of the crass, dry dad humor you've been missing out on."

"Ha. Joy …"

"… More important things too, of course. Graduation, college included . . ."

". . .Yeah?"

"Yeah."

". . . then hang tight, I'm coming. But … only if you promise to keep that humor to a minimum. I've had enough to last me all break already thanks to the dork …"

"… Heh. You bet Sarah. Anything."

Sarah opened the door to let her father inside. The two sat on her bed and continued their discussion from there.

"… it's not a huge difference, really. Out of state scholarships throw a few thousand on top, that's it." Sarah explained.

"Only a small piece of the pie, eh?" Dante asked.

"Yeah …"

"Well, I'm glad to hear that. Going to college in-state makes a lot of things easier, especially with your mom." Dante said, ". . . Getting you a nice car, not getting stranded, and being around for the holidays. Being at arm's length to help you out, whenever you need it. School, life or otherwise. It would be lying to say it's a one way transaction, though. Both your mom and I would prefer you kids to stick around. not necessarily living in the house, but … you know. Around. If for whatever reason you decide dorm or apartment living isn't worth it. It's a certain lifestyle, surely …"

". . . Yeah." Sarah said feeling tired.

"Sorry, I feel like I'm talking a lot. I didn't mean to steamroll you, Sarah . . ." Dante apologized.

"It's okay. There's not much to say, really. I am curious about something though, the driving stuff." Sarah pointed her current interest. "Are you and Mom both teaching me, or …"

"Well … It'll be me for the most part. I'll find the time from work, somehow. being home all the time should help a bit. Your mom can throw her hand in too, but I imagine she has other things to attend to. Besides, who better to peek over your shoulder and hound your form than me?"

Sarah smiled. "Ha. No one, apparently . . ." she said.

Dante then noticed her feet; she was wearing these light pink wool socks.

"Cute socks. Cozy?"

"Thanks … And yeah. I heard its get cold tonight." she said, letting him know ahead of time.

"Hmm."

"Hey Dad?" Sarah asked, "For the driver's license thing, do I really have to take a whole course? Isn't that almost a month or something? Or is it different after high school?"

Dante scratched behind his head. "Well, I can only speak for our state … Since you're eighteen now, you're not required to take the full course. It'll just be a proficiency exam followed by the driver's test itself. Can't skip that latter part just yet. One of these years, though …" Dante thought for a moment on how to word this better. "Listen, it's like this. They let the senile, the boomers through to roller the streets freely. If they can do it, I think you can. Piece of cake." Dante reassured.

For some reason the siren ambulance was heard as it drove past the house until it faded out of hearing range. Wonderful timing.

"Geez. Talk about no pressure. Thanks, Dad." Sarah said causing Dante to laugh.

"Haha! Of course, no pressure." Dante reassured her again, "We'll get you started in the spring, summertime then. Get you a head start and all that. You'll be bounds ahead of the elderly AND your brother if we do it right."

"Dean? Hah. Then it's a mystery which one of those will catch up first." she said.

"Hilarious if I didn't believe you, Sarah." he said. "Brilliant …Well, I'd best get going. you should tag along too when you're ready, Sarah."

"Oh, for the hot cocoa?"

"Plus whatever else your mom has planned. We'll figure it out." Dante stood up and looked at Sarah who is deep in thought on what they talked about. "I enjoyed out talk, Sarah. Thanks for sharing a few minute with your ol' man." Dante reached over and patted Sarah's head affectionately. "See you downstairs . . ."

"Yeah. . . love you Dad" she replied.

"I love you too, Sarah." Dante replied.

Dante left Sarah alone in her room and preceded elsewhere.

Sarah like her brother took after their parents Mirage and Dante, but also their grandparents Sparda and Eva. When Dean and Sarah were born as twins Dante was a worried like any parent should. But Dante he was concern about what he was passing on to them. He was a Nephilim, hybrid of an angel and demon, and like any God-like being the offspring will take after parents. It funny really wondering what powers Dean and Sarah could have. Mirage reassured him that when it comes to genetics thing something appears and other things don't. There could be normal as a human, but surpassed his father Sparda in power. His trails, journeys and battles have made him into one of the most powerful being in existence. And despite him being a God he still chose to live as a normal man with a family. When he was young his family life was ruined when Mundus killed his mother and imprisoned his father. He built a new family for the one he lost. Even though he saved both his parents he still had to think about the life born from him and Mirage. Dean and Sarah are proud of Dante, and Dante is glad that they are, but that's the bind on them because he doesn't want them to be like him. Sparda didn't want Dante, Vergil and V to be like him and now Dante wants his children to do them same. Maybe the day will come when the demons and God-knows-what comes around and Dean and Sarah will use their powers to fight them while protecting the mankind, but Dante Mirage will show their children that it is good to find someone you truly love and start a family. Trouble will still come around, but at least the four of them have each other. And that's indestructible, unique and eternal.

The conversation Dante and Sarah had been a good. He missed that; trading stories, sharing laughs with her. The holidays, if only to give more time.

They're magical, he believes, for him and the family.

10:59 PM

"Ugh! Shit."

After he made a quick check his laptop for work Dante head down the stairs to the ground floor and just as he round the corner he stubbed his toes against the base of the railing. The light was turned off in the foyer and he could have sworn he would have missed it.

"Dante? Are you alright." Mirage called to him from the living room.

Dante walked into the living room to see Mirage sitting on the couch watching TV with the Christmas tree lights near the corner of the room near the window.

"… Oh. Mirage. I … didn't realize you were still up. I thought you were heading to bed."

Dante walked up the couch and looked down to see his wife. She wore a red sweater while sitting with a green blanket covering her legs to keep her warm.

". . . That's my line, Dante." Mirage said. "I thought that at least you would make it down, but you didn't grab the cocoa I made. Your own mug and everything . . ."

Dante sighed in agreement. "Sorry. I checked my laptop. Mistake."

"Oh?" Mirage said.

"Just some minor work things I caught up on. Burnt an hour or so." he said. "Stupid as it sounds, I almost forgot it was Christmas for a minute. Then I … Sorry, I'm a bit sluggish tonight."

Dante was going to continue until he saw and usual sight. In Mirage's hands was a glass of red wine. While at first the red color certainly fits with the holiday season, to Dante it was a sign of something turbulent.

. . . Or at least that's what he thought.

"Is that . . ."

"… Huh?" Mirage wondered what is wrong.

"You're … drinking?" Dante asked.

"I thought … I thought that we-" Dante tried to get the words out.

"… I'm sorry?" mirage asked starting to get irritated by what he's saying. "Are you really doing this, Dante?"

Dante had to be careful on reopening old wounds. "Mirage I …I'm just trying to keep things … Like they're been going. Things have been good this month. The kids. Us. I just-"

Mirage interrupted him before he could finish. "And me having a SINGLE glass of wine ruins it? That's your genius take?" she asked offended by all this.

"Mirage. I didn't mean-"

"No." Mirage finally gets up having enough. "… You did. And you're right." mirage turn off the TV and headed into the kitchen. "… I have no agency whatsoever, barely human. Unlike YOU who'll never know the concept. My stupid, hollow head makes me lash out in a violent frenzy after a sip of wine."

"Stop." Dante urged.

"That's what YOU are saying, by the way. Mirage paused and before she exited the living room. "Is it not?"

"It's not, Mirage. Please. Let's not do this." Dante said to try and calm her down."We were doing so wel-"

"YEAH." Mirage flicked on the light switch to the kitchen and went into it. "… We were. And here we are now. Thanks to you. Are you happy?"

"Mirage . . ." Dante followed after her.

". . . I understand, Dante. You're remembering how it was back then, years ago." mirage reached the sink and poured the wine out as her tone started to soften.. "When I . . . I messed up. I WAS messed up. Addicted. Emotionally abusive. Disgusting. Never when the kids were around, but I . . . You handled a lot. And I'm thankful for that. But . . . I don't want to be treated like a god damn convict, Dante. For the rest of my life, treated as if I'm incapable of any amount of control … Where a drop of anything toxic will slip me into a blind, furious state again." Mirage turned around and walked over to Dante. "That's not … That's not me, Dante. Not … Anymore."

What mirage said was true. Dante now feels that perhaps her drink the wine was just because it was Christmas Eve and nothing more. Sometimes he can misread a situation. An honest mistake, but he doesn't want to hurt anyone and they don't want to feeling like they can't do things right.

"I'm sorry. It was dumb. I had a knee–jerk reaction. I don't want you to feel bad. I don't want to see you hurt or feel miserable. I know that y-"

"Dante … It's okay. I know. It's not your fault. You … probably remember those days more vividly than I do. For all of the wrong reasons. I know you're just looking out for me. For us. The family." Mirage said understandingly.

she walked past him and stopped just as she was about enter the living room and look back at him.

"… Hey. Dante."

Dante turned around and looked at her with the kitchen light illuminating her face. She looked tired for the night was calling her for sleep as it was him.

"Yes?"

"I'm heading to bed. Okay?"

Dante nodded. "… Okay. I'll see you in a bit."

Mirage turned to leaving Dante alone. Dante then turned to see on the kitchen table was a mug of cocoa that was his waiting for him. He walked over to it and pressed his fingers to it and found it was still warm though slightly. He picked it up and drank all of it down. It was good cocoa. He put the mug in the sink and walked in the living room. The red, blue and green lights on the tree create a dream-like atmosphere that was perfect for the holiday nights. Dante sat down on the couch to relax and looked at the lights.

He didn't mean to instigate her. To ignite the flames again. They been so good this month

Mirage … That more rough than I intended.

Suddenly Dante heard something and looked at the living room's sliding door window. He thought there was on something out there in the snow and darkness of the night.

Please, not tonight.

Dante stood up from the couch and readied himself for attack. His scanner the window left to right … And that where he saw a shadow reflects in the glass from the lights. He narrowed his eyes and was surprised to see who it was hiding behind the Christmas tree.

". . . Sarah?" Dante said. "What are you doing back there?"

Sarah came out and stood in front of her father looking timorous.

"Hon?" he said gently.

"Dad . . . Sorry." Sarah apologized.

". . . What for?" Dante asked wondering what was the matter. Sarah remained silent for a moment causing to understand why. "It's … okay, Sarah. We've . . ." He was started to notice that she was getting sadder as he tried to sugarcoat it. But he just couldn't do it. "We've seen it all. Much worse. I'm sure you've known that for a long time. Growing up. You've seen me a fool out of myself every other month of the yea-"

"Dad." Sarah interrupted him. "Don't beat yourself up so much. She … It's not always easy to make some happy. Especially when she's … difficult too. But I … I think you can do it. You know how, Dad. How to try …"

Dante walked toward his daughter and gave her a big warm hug. Sarah believes him, even if he has a trouble believing in him sometimes.

"Sarah … Thank you. I … won't let you down. I promise … I love you, Sarah." Dante said.

"… I love you too. Dad." Sarah said.

Sarah said goodnight to Dante went up stairs. Once she went into her room and closed the door Dante sighed with exhaustion and went up the stair as well. As the light of the full moon shine through the window Dante observe the moonlight shine on the snow outside. He ran he fingers along the walls while thinking until he came to the door of the master bedroom.

11:36 PM

Dante closed the door behind him look at Mirage who was reading a book by the light of the lamp on her side of the bed. She looked up at him. Dante gave a tired smile and she gave one back. Dante walked over to the window and looked out into the night.

"Considering it's Christmas Eve I should have poured myself a glass of wine and join you on the couch watching TV, like we use to."

"That would have been fun." Mirage said with a smile in her voice.

Dante looked at mirage sitting on the bed in the reflecting of the window. "What are you reading?"

"A book on Atlantis." Mirage said.

Dante turned around with a raised brow. "Really?"

"Well you been to the lost city before." Mirage said.

"Oh … right." Dante said as he remembered that event.

After the small talk ran its course Mirage closed the book and put it on the nightstand and looked over at her husband. Dante finally walked over to the bed and got on it and lay back on his pillow with a relaxed exhale.

"… Hey. When are you going to take care of the presents? Stocking too?" she asked.

Dante blinked as he stared up at the ceiling. "Oh … In a minute." he said.

"I thought you forgot there for a moment. You didn't, right?" she asked.

She turned off lamb plunging the room into darkness. Their eyes adjusted and they saw the room was dimly light by the moonlight from out side

Dante looked over at her. "I'm dead now, Mirage. But I'm not that dead. Give me a few more years." he said.

"Oof. Dark ..." Mirage commented.

"… Just dry." Dante clarified. "It's Christmas. For the kids, right?"

"… That old standby." Mirage intoned. "I … remember that. You made that one up, right?"

"Yeah." Dante said as he scratched his nose.

After a couple of minutes of laying on the bed in silence Mirage remembered something about the kids. "… Back when they used to run around the house, wreaking havok. Not able to go a minute without harassing us in one way or another. I feel … I was more appropriate then … More than now."

". . . I don't disagree. They're bigger now. Their responsibilities, their problems become bigger too. but even if they're on their own now, they don't need us as much, I … I don't see why we can't make it work. Yeah?"

"... Yeah" Mirage shrugged, it was worth a shot so why not.

Mirage leaned over on her right side facing Dante wanting to ask him an important question.

"… Hey. Dante. Are you …"… Still tired When Mirage paused that caused Dante turned to his head to Mirage. Something in her half-closed eyes that suggested that she wasn't ready to sleep yet.

Dante's blinked his eyes slow has his heart began to beat. "… not anymore. But even if I was, I … I still love you. Mirage ..."

Dante lean over close to Mirage. His blue-grey eyes looked into her green eyes. They lips touch and they kissed softly and deeply . . .

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Decided to stop here due to me being on a tight schedule (Don't cha know). The next will be up soon and if not then Merry Christmas and Happy holiday.