The manor laid quiet all through out, the only sound made came from Finnian creaking the door to his room open. A finger to his lip to Baldory, Snake and Tanaka. Even Dottie. They tiptoe out meeting up Mey-Rin who zips her lips shut, smiling. Despite their efforts of tiptoeing the floor under them still cracked from the pressure. Giddily they make their way from the servants' quarters to the main floor. It was quiet. It was warm and bright.

The sun nearly awake, bring new light for this joyous day. Finnian stood looking out at the snow across the grounds. A white winter wonderland. Frost all around, a gentle cozy coat. Icicles hung. So many wonderful thoughts came through his mind, beamed on his face. Becoming excited when it hadn't started yet. It was hard to contain it all, his body trembled all over. Ready to blow, if Baldory hadn't come quickly and covered his mouth with a harsh shush from the others. A flick from the older to set him straight.

Using hand gestures Baldory reminds Finnian and gets him to focus. Nodding, Finnian salutes and follows Baldory's lead. Up the stairs and down the hall. Passing man doors, searching for the right one. Their pace picked up, tiptoeing was thrown out. Finally, finding the door Finnian grabs the knob before Mey-Rin could and rips it off its hinges. Bursting in and finally explodes.

"Merry Christmas! Lady Harmony!"

Harmony throws her blankets off rubbing her eyes, to be swooped up in Finnian's arms. He held her high shouting again and again. "Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!"

Giggles erupted from the little girl, partly from being thrown up and down by the young man and his behavior. Clapping her hands joining his merriment.

"Yes! Merry Christmas!" She said between each toss from him. Laughing more than she spoke.

Seeing their cue the others take out bells and jingle them festively. "Merry Christmas! Lady Harmony." They said in unison, living up the room it spread through the manor. Waking up others.

Rubbing her eye Lizzie steps out. "What in the world?" Searches for the noise. Quickly realizing why and sleep fell from her in place of a merry smile. Rushing back inside grabs her robe, runs out to join them.

An infectious it was affecting everyone. Sitting up stretch with a small yawn and rub of the eyes. Tossing the covers to side stand, Harmony's and others now including Lizzie cheers rang louder now. There was no point in trying to sleep and block it out, the holiday was now here. Hearth Day, correction Christmas. Christmas you sigh staring out the window...the snow was a beautiful white. Nothing like what you've seen in books it seem to have a spell over you. Walking to the window open it just a bit allowing it cool air to brush against you.

So fresh. So sweet.

You could stand here forever. Though you weren't a full fan of the cold...this kind was fine. Cider, apple cider would be good right now. Actually, it would be perfect. By now, you'd be making it. The cottage would be filled with its lovely spices. Cinnamon being the strongest. A hint of nutmeg, a special ingredient you'd add. Just to give it a spark. Gingerbread cookies or biscuits. With spice honey jam. Hot chocolate, with peppermint sticks in it. Whip cream to give it a lovely presentation. Berry pancakes, something Harmony loved having. Or it would be hot cereal. Eggs with parsley in them, whatever you needed you'd get from the garden to make Hearth-Christmas morning wonderful. Gifts under the tree mostly for Harmony. Some for you as well, Madam Red had come two days before to deliver them.

Madam Red.

Your eyes whimper, this was the first time not being with her. It was always so much...fun. She'd come in so extravagantly, nearly knocking the door down, her arms filled with gifts her butler behind her. Who carried the most, poor gentleman. When Harmony was two, you recalled how she waddled over to Madam Re...no..that wasn't what she wanted to be called, sighing, mother. How Harmony waddled over to mother arms stretched out, the woman instantly scooped up the toddler. Coddling her right away. And when Harmony could run to the woman did so, mother scooped her up just the same. Both their cheeks pressed together, their smiles the same. Though, mother's was more than even your own.

Yes.

It was always wonderful. Today, you wondered how it would be, even though you presented yourself as such. Would it be the same? As it had been many years ago? Still staring at the snow, it was just so white, so pure. Never had you seen such a rarity. No taint upon it. Not a single drop of poison. Nothing red. This was to something joyous to behold, if it was, why was your hand trembling slightly? Covering it, hold it still. But, it didn't stop. It began to burn, squeezing your hand more trying to suppress it, nails nearly digging in. Pierce from the cold shiver through your spine. You nearly gasped, backing away from the window. Your eyes wide, that wasn't any ordinary chill.

No.

It wasn't. No chill could make your body tense up. Except one...that smile. That ear-to-ear grin spread thinly across their lips. Those eyes...those luminescent eyes! Pierced right through you. The thought sent a sharp pain through you. Clenching your chest, nearly fall only if you hadn't caught yourself. It hurt. It burned. Their presence you could feel it, standing over you. Their shadow swallowing you up, reminding you...reminding you of...

"Baroness." A knock came to your door on the other side. It was Paula. "I've come to get you. Have you risen?"

You didn't respond, she knocks again, asking the same thing. There was again no response, Paula stood waiting. Lizzie had instructed her to get you, while she joined Harmony and the others. With everyone else up and out, it was only the Baroness who hadn't been accounted for. It was believed she was still sleeping. Knocking again lightly. Paula calls again.

"I suppose," she said woefully. "she must still be sleep-"

The doors opens and you come out, right as rain. Robe and all, giving a slight yawn. "Oh! Paula, excuse me, I did not mean to present myself in such a way." Covering your mouth, with another small yawn.

She smiles relived. "That is alright, I've come to get you, everyone is gathering by the tree and-"

"Let me guess, Harmony is most eager to open her presents?" You said finishing for her.

She nods with a light chuckle and nod. Which you join with her, to her surprise. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to speak ill about Lady Harmony-"

You stop her. "No. It is alright, I know my sister well. She can be," you give a thought with a soft chortle stepping out the room, shutting the door. "rather impatient. I believe even more so because of Ciel." You laugh again. "Well, I suppose we best be off then." You walk down the hall, she quickly follows. "It's such a lovely morning isn't it?"

It took just a few minutes to reach the others, you enter with Paula behind. The room was lite with natural lighting and of course Harmony and the others merriness. Everyone was gathered around the tree as Paula said. Ciel though didn't look well, more annoyed anything. From his twitching brow that seem to whip with each passing second. Francis and Alexis stood together, robes and all, like Edward and Lizzie, Francis looked right at you once you entered. You bid morning with a smile and nervous laugh. That jolted away from her sharp glare. You were sure it cut you.

What you wouldn't do to tug on something right now. "Good morning, Aunt Francis and Uncle Alexis." You smile kindly. "Merry Christmas."

"Yes, good morning and Merry Christmas." She said back, to your surprise. You were expecting some sort of discipline or scolding from her, the way you arrived later than the others.

"Good morning and Merry Christmas." Alexis said after his wife. Though he offered a warm smile.

Turning to Edward you walk over to him. "Good morning, Edward." You smile softly. "And Merry Christmas." Holding your breath, was he going to return the same wish and greeting to you?

He'd been rather off lately, you weren't sure why, it made your stomach drop. The seconds that passed seem like hours, the silence in return cut deep. He wasn't going to say it back. So you move away and he jolts right up.

"Yes! Good morning and Merry Christmas!"

His outburst brought all eyes on him, hushing the room. The only sound was his racing heartbeat, that increased from the eyes on him. His face now a tomato. Begins slightly fanning himself. "...Ahem.." he coughs clearing his throat. Calms down. Composing himself. "I mean, good morning and Merry Christmas, May."

Your face lite up. Finally, he spoke. No jittery or stammering. Just Edward. He saw the brightness return back, it was either his eyes or something because the room seem to light up more when you smiled, pleased. His cheeks warmed with the smile he gave you.

Lizzie sighs inside, relived. Watching the two. Yes, the room seem to have become brighter. Holding out his arm for you. "Would you like to start?"

Taking his arm, laughing just a bit nod. "Yes. I would."

"Yay!"Harmony squeals, clapping up. Jumping up and down with Finnian. Wasting no time she starts, with the others help. Picking up a gift and searching for her name.

There where so many, so many gifts she would have drowned without help from Sebastian. Who had to pry her from a few that weren't her and prevent her from being crushed by a few. Lizzie joined her, they searched for gifts for the other. A few times Harmony popped up before Ciel, startling him. He nips at her, she smiles giggling. Begging him to help her search for more presents, he tired to set some ground rules but it didn't work. She overlooked them.

A new dollhouse.

New sets of shoes. New dresses and gowns. Hair accessories. Dolls. Toys. Books and so much more. Her little heart was overwhelmed with such treasures. As she went from end of the tree to around it, you opened yours mildly. The gifts were lovely, though some you felt weren't you or didn't need. Took pleasure in the amount of books you received, that you started to read them nearly forgetting about the rest of the gifts you had. If not for Francis who came over with a elongated box or package, wrapped in icy blue paper with gold ribbon with a matching bow.

It wasn't a book, you could tell that from the size. What was it? She places it in your arms. "I personally picked this out for you." She said, there was a hint of pride in her words and eyes that soften for a second. "I believe it will suit you well."

Taking it gratefully from her, she remain standing before you waiting for you to open. Actually her eyes urged you to do it. Grabbing some of the paper pill it off, taking off the bow and ribbon. Watching it slide down to the floor. Find a Cherrywood box, with gold engravings. It was fine and delicate. Your fingers trace the designs, stop on the latches, open them.

Surprised at what laid there softly on its mahogany cushion, you nearly gasped stunned. It was beyond beautiful. So poised and cold. Yet, it gave off a warm heartbeat or maybe it was just your mind. It was a master piece, you could only imagine how much it must have cost. Francis studied her niece's reaction, smiling to herself.

"I-It's..."you try to find the right words to say, eyes remained on it. Should you pick it up? You weren't sure, it looked to...important to do so, but the eyes of Francis told you so. Reaching out pick it up, holding just a bit from its cushion.

It was light, like a feather. Its grip was firm but also tender. Nothing like what you used to use back with...back then in...what was it? How well did this cut? It seem sharp enough to cut the air. It could pierce more than flesh it would seem. Though of course you didn't want to try it. Despite how tempting it felt, the air was just fine.

"I knew you'd like it." Francis said pleased. "I felt it most appreciate this be your gift from me and me alone. You have proven yourself well, and," her eyes slide to another. "worthy. I am very proud in calling you my niece, May. You are a strong woman, more than you know, you hold yourself well and steady. Your love and strength coincide together, I know the feeling well. I have hope, that one day it will join you to another. Who shares your values."

Not sure what she meant remained marveled at your gift, the teachings, trainings...lessons came back gripping the hilt. A perfect fit, a rush went through you that calmed from Francis's hand on yours. It brought you back, finding her staring at you with warm pride and joy. For a woman like herself, she expressed it well, in her eyes. A sensation came over you, it was...was...you weren't sure what it was, but it felt...good. Glancing quickly over at Harmony who was now throwing up wrapping paper with Lizzie while eating a peppermint.

A smile on her face, a treasured one, looking back at your gift. This was the reason why, why you did it, those lessons...everything. Closing your eyes briefly...Francis was right, your love and strength did coincide. They had to, they needed to. Opening your eyes find them upon Ciel, who was trying hard not to snap at Harmony who now began to dress him in paper, laughing. Something inside you swelled, mirroring the same feeling you had towards Harmony. Gripping the hilt tighter, release and set it back onto the cushion. Close the lid.

Hold case close. "Thank you, Aunt Francis."