Soon enough the big night had come, Christmas Eve, the celebration party was to begin at five o'clock on the dot at the Blake Manor. Fred had purchased a fitted tuxedo while at the mall, Daphne's choice of a dark green tie to go with it; though Fred didn't know it at the time, he would soon find out that it would match perfectly along with her own evening gown.

A formal party was nothing less than the usual for the Bake family, enough though Daphne was beginning to find it rather bore-some, she did admit to enjoying dressing in the most beautiful gowns. The vintage car pulled up to the front of the house and the Jones family stepped out. As Fred looked above to the house's balcony's, he noted that Daphne's window was covered by sheer white curtains and that a pale yellow light was emitting from it. He took this bit of information to mean that she was still attempting to perfect the image he found already perfected and smiled at her ways.

Inside he and his family were greeted by her parents, who with a slight chuckle added, "Daphne's still priming herself upstairs and attempting to have Velma help, Fred, I think you will be reassured to know that Norville and his family are near the right side of the foyer and were delighted to hear that you were coming."

After the greeting, the Jones' family moved to where they found themselves most comfortable, alongside the Dinkleys and Rogers. After exchanging a 'hello' and few laughs with each other's families, Fred and Shaggy decided to go off to get the girls. Attempting to go without being seen, both of the males crept up the stairs and soon made it to the specific hall, one of many in the manor, that they were in search for. Soon enough Daphne's room was reached and they stood outside attempting to listen in on any words that might be spoken of them.

Unfortunately for the anticipating males, the young women had heard the footsteps and guessed that it was the true 'culprits', therefore, they decided to play a trick upon them. "I can't believe he would actually believe you!" Daphne stated with a laughter to her tone.

"Yeah, well, I'm more surprised at Shaggy, he's such a klutz!" Velma retorted.

"I don't know, last time I was with Fred he almost walked into a pole, and he was captain of the football team! Imagine!" Daphne added.

"Well, at least the ... the..." Velma's voice died down as footsteps became clearer, close to the door. She opened it up, smiling at the quivering expression on Shaggy's face. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and he knew that they were only playing, unaware of what they should even say in the first place.

"And you, how come you didn't look upset about it? You don't like me after all, do you Feddie?" Daphne pouted, jokingly, as she sat with her back to him, looking in the lighted mirror that rested upon her vanity. He walked over with a smile as Velma and Shaggy spoke with one another and then left downstairs.

"You referred to me as Fred," he whispered in her ear, blinded a bit by the light bulbs which surrounded the mirror and therefore still could not completely see her.

"And?" She stated as she stood, then turned from the vanity, as if to request why that meant something. It was then that both she and Fred noticed his jaw had dropped slightly at the full-on sight of her. A few seconds past, though it seemed to be at least fifteen minutes to Daphne and she looked down, somewhat upset. "I know, I look awful...it's just that-" she was cut off short.

Fred took her hand within his own and smiled down at her. "Kitten," he began, knowing she would immediately look up.

She did as was suspected of her and shone a smile full of glistening white teeth, "Yeah, Freddie?"

Fred laughed a bit, glad that he was able to predict her so well already, and then regained his composure. "It really wasn't that hard to figure out after that, Daphne. First of all, you always call me Freddie. Secondly, the only time you won't is either around a reporter of a tabloid, or when you're attempting to prank me."

Daphne left out a "hmph" of displeasure and then laughed, turning the brightness of the bulbs down, making the bedroom's lighting become quite dim. He spun her about with one hand after saying, "Now, let's have a little look at you." He smiled, and could not help but doing so, eventually holding her in place by resting his other hand against the dip of her back, "Kitten, you look just as beautiful as ever. Growing more so every time I see you, though, I don't see how you ca-"

Daphne's next words not only cut him off, but they shocked him as well. "Freddie, do you like me?" He turned her about, no longer to look her in the eye, yet he placed them in a very beautiful position. A full length mirror captured it as would a camera should they be at a high school function and taking photos in their formal wear. Both of his hands were crossed, lying on top of her own, which had been currently crossed against her body, meeting near the hips. His chin was leaning against the side of her head and slightly tilted as was hers. They both stared into the mirror for some time, a good three minutes before any words were actually spoken.

"Well, Freddie, do you?" she repeated.

"You've been my Kitten for over four years and you ask me now?" Fred stated this with a boyish grin and then a glint of mischief entered within the coloring of his eyes, "No...I can't say that I longer do." It was a truthful statement, as a matter of fact he had not liked her for while; even still, he kissed the top of her head.

Daphne took the answer without any more questions and then turned out of his hold, regrettably. A look of pain had entered her eyes, they seemed to burn with the tears she was trying to hold in; if even one tear escaped her crystal colored eyes in front of him at that moment she would loathe herself for it. "I should go down-stairs, they'll wonder where I'm at and knowing that you're up here too they're probably worry," snapped Daphne's tone as she spoke to Fred. Wondering if he had severely messed up in his plans to toy with her for the moment, he led her silent and petite self down the stairway, not uttering a word himself.