When 8oclock rolled around and no one was up yet Mai asked if anyone had seen them and she learned they were outside. She walked outside and smiled seeing them make snow angels in the snow. She walked out, "My King, Master Yami breakfast will be served shortly."

"Tell the cook to hold off for a while, we'll eat later." Seto said.

"Never mind Mai. We shall be in shortly." Yami said.

"What but Yami…"

Yami shook his head. "Mokuba, Maura run along inside, Mai will show you where to put your things to dry. Then go upstairs and change clothes. Then get cleaned up for breakfast and we'll meet you at the table. Then after breakfast we'll open presents."

"Okay, big brother." Mokuba said.

After Mai and the kids left Seto looked at Yami.

"What you doing? It's time to open presents, now!"

"Seto, I understand your being excited, so am I. But we are parents now. Its our responsibility to make sure our kids are well cared for."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Seto look your anxious to get to the presents. You always were. But there will be plenty of time for presents after breakfast."

"When did you become the all high and mighty parent?"

"Because someone has to be the adult around here and obviously it's not going to be you!"

"Well excuse me for being excited. Its Mokuba's first Christmas and our first Christmas with him. Why do we have to eat first?"

"Seto have you taken a good long look at the family room? This was the first year you ever wanted to even decorate the tree; sometimes you'd only help me when I force you. Otherwise you'd just get the servants to do it. I'll admit it was fun teaching Mokuba how to decorate the tree. But after all the present we bought and all the new ones you bought and the ones the kids got for us. The whole sidewall is covered in presents just for Mokuba! It'll take at least an hour if not more to get through them. It'd be better to eat first rather than do presents first and starve. I've already hired a couple of people who agreed to come in tomorrow and expand the playroom. Seto the playroom is going to be bigger than the family room at this rate! It's already made up two rooms. I'm adding two more."

"Not, that I mind, but why two?"

"Well when it was made it was made just for Mokuba, to help him feel safe and free and not confined. Plus he's a growing boy who loves to run and jump and play. Now with the addition of Maura, she's learning to become as free as he is. It took a while to get him to adjust as well as he has. If the room was larger it would give them both more room to spread out."

Seto sighed, "Fine, your right, one or both kids would start asking if they could get something to eat if we don't eat first. Though I'd bet more on Maura speaking up before Mokuba."

"Unfortunately your probably right."

"I just wish he'd open up and tell us he's hungry."

"I know, I'm sure he will someday. But we just have to understand that he's always been told he's not allowed to eat."

"Yeah, I guess we can only hope that as he gets older he'll be more open when it come to things like that."

"Who knows he may turn out like you, when you were hungry even if it was close to dinner you'd sneak food."

Seto glared at him, then said, "Lets just go eat so we can hurry and get to presents." Seto said going inside.

Yami shook his head and followed.

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

Jasmine and Diana arrived while Seto and the others were playing. As they heading upstairs to Jasmine's room they heard screaming and laughing.

"What is all that noise?" Diana asked.

Jasmine smiled. "You shall see."

Once they got to the top of the stairs Diana placed the basket with the baby in it on the bed and followed Jasmine to the window.

"What's are they doing?" Diana asked.

"They're playing. From what I can tell the one in the dark blue coat is Maura."

"I can't believe our little Maura is so happy."

"Why do you look so sad about that? I think it's wonderful! She's in a loving caring home. Their treating her as if she'd always been a part of the family. What wrong with that?"

Diana moved and sat down on the bed. Jasmine followed sitting next to her and grabbing her hand.

"When we found out for sure David here would be alright, I was thrilled. I was scared to even venture to ask Mahaado, but I did."

"Ask him what?"

"Well, I didn't believe Maura would be accepted into this home as well as it seems she has."

"Diana, your beating around the bush and you know that I hate it when you do that!"

Diana sighed, "Fine, I told Mahaado about where Maura's currently living. He's arriving next week because he realized that we have no treaty with the country and wants to make a new alliance. He wants to meet with Maura then. I asked him if we could adopt Maura as a part of our family. She could help me care for little David and hopefully someday any other children I may be blessed with. Now I'm afraid that Mahaado will be angry with me for suggesting it when he sees how well Maura has adjusted. I never dreamed that she would adjust so well and be accepted so quickly."

"Well despite this, you should still at least give Maura the option. If she says no at least you wouldn't have to worry about her."

"Well that's true. How are we going to tell her we're here?"

"Well I hate to spoil their Christmas. Obviously if she's this adjusted they've got plans and presents. We'll wait and I have a maid assigned to me. I'll send her to let them know you're here and then let them decided when the best time to tell her would be. This way they can enjoy their Christmas."

"Yes, you're right that is the best way."

"I gave the king our mothers doll."

"WHAT! WHY?"

"He wanted something special that he could give to Maura from our family. I thought that would be perfect. I know Maura probably thinks Hera destroyed it."

"She would have if father hadn't given it to you before he married that witch."

"I never knew what father say in her. I mean when they first started dating I could see she attraction. I couldn't believe how father just allowed her to marry us off like that!" Jasmine said.

"I was going to be 11 in another month. When she found out that father was ignoring the marriage age law she had a hissy fit!" Diana said.

"Yeah and two weeks later you and I were told it was to be a joint marriage."

"Yeah, I'm happy for Maura though. I know it was tough on her when we were only allowed to come home for a moth or two at a time."

"Yes, I'm still surprised our husbands just allowed us away like that. But I am happy that Maura didn't have to go through the same pain and heartache we did. I sorta wish papa had fought harder for us. Not that I don't love Nitesh, but I'd been nice to had a childhood."

"Me, too."

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

Upstairs Maura grabbed Mokuba's arm as they got to her room.

"Come here, I've got something for you."

Mokuba was confused but let her pull him into the room.

Maura quickly went to a draw and pulled out a present. Then she walked back over and handed it to him.

Mokuba looked at her even more confused.

"Go on, open it. I want you to open it now." Maura encouraged.

Mokuba thought it strange since Yami had said they were going to do it after breakfast but Maura seemed so insistent that he opened it and was shocked at what he found. It had a sleek pair of black pants and long white shirt and a gold colored vest."

"Now, while I get changed, I want you to put that on." Maura said pushing him out the door and shutting it.

Mokuba still was slightly confused as to why she wanted him to wear it now, but didn't argue with her and went and changed clothes. Maura finished and knocked on Mokuba's door. Mokuba opened it and Maura gasped seeing the outfit. He wore his new boots the man he met at Thanksgiving made for him.

"Oh it looks perfect!" Maura said.

"B-but the shirt is too long and too l-loose." Mokuba said. The shirt was a hands length above his knee.

"It's supposed to be a little long. You'll get use to it. As for being too loose, that I have a solution for. Now, did you finish your belt like I told you to?"

Mokuba nodded. He hadn't wanted to but he figured Maura would only yell at him till he finished it. Though at the time had no idea why she cared.

"Good now get it for me."

Mokuba couldn't understand what she wanted it for but got out the bracelet belt and a small ribbon with two small seashells on it he'd made for Maura. He walked over and handed her the bracelet.

Maura took it and checked it over till she was satisfied that he had finished it. Then she took his wrist and dragged him in front of a mirror and then turned him to face the mirror and the put the belt around him and checked the mirror to be sure it was okay before tying it. Then she turned him to face her so she could be sure. "There we go perfect. What do think?"

Mokuba gave a shy smile. "I d-don't know Maura. W-what if Seto and Yami are m-mad I never told them about the b-bracelet."

"Why didn't you?"

"I w-was afraid they'd take it away."

"Well I wouldn't worry about that. I don't believe they will be upset. Now do you like the outfit?"

Mokuba nodded, "I l-love it." Then he walked over and picked up the ribbon. "I m-made this f-for your hair."

"Really? Thanks. Now go sit down and when I finish with my hair I'll brush yours. You really need to do that more often. It'll take at least 10 minutes just to get out the tangles."

Mokuba whimpered at that. Remembering all the times Ryo brushed his hair and how long it too.

"It won't be that bad!" Maura said and then left as Mokuba sat down on the bed.

Maura returned with a brush and a ponytail holder. She gathered just a small bunch of hair in a small ponytail and put the holder around it then put the ribbon around it. Then when she was satisfied she walked over and sat down on the bed behind Mokuba and proceeded to try to get his hair straight.

x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x-x-x-x-x

Seto and Yami had changed and were both surprised that the kids weren't already in the room for breakfast. They thought it was strange but decided just to wait for them.