Merry Christmas! Okay, I'm late by two days. I've been ill and school has decided to run me over several times. Not to mention my desire to even write has been low as all hell, so I haven't had an update in ages. I owe it to you guys, so I made this. I hope the holidays were lovely for you lot and I hope you enjoy this present, I suppose.

Another day passes and Ceony has grown tired of waiting.

She was impatient, as she always was. She admitted that two years ago, when Emery was only two months into his new job.

Originally, she felt like it was a good idea for Emery to get a job. He'd get out of the house more and perhaps enjoy people yet again. He was traveling around England and parts of the world in order to gain more traction towards Folding, as apprentices complained that they were forced into the craft. As he was a talented Folder, Tagis Praff and even the Cabinet sought him out for the job. He reluctantly agreed and went along.

She believed that he was doing the right thing and made herself believe that for the first few bits, but as the letters came by, they started to become blander and blander, as though writing a letter to his family was more of a task on the list rather than something he desired to do. Hell, it even seemed like he didn't want anything to do with the family. His last letter seemed so dismissive, if one could even call it a letter. It was like a short response, without much to say about it:

Merry Christmas. I won't be able to come, I'm sorry. I've been requested at more schools. Send Bristol and Alexander my regards.

-Mg. Thane

He didn't even sign it with a 'love, Emery.'

When she received the letter, her small, trembling hands almost ripped it into shreds, but the children were in the room and would be able to put two and two together. The small little details bothered her, but she supposed she shouldn't complain. She knew he was alive and was working for their children as he did send money every week consistently, but with every single pound that was sent, it felt as though she was losing a bits of her lover.

Ceony had to take care of Bristol and Alexander by herself with Emery's departure. Patrice or her family came by occasionally to help or chat. Her heart ached for her husband despite her original insistence of the job, but he didn't seem to be coming anytime soon. The children were old enough to understand that their father won't be coming for awhile, but that didn't stop Alexander from asking. They were small versions of Emery, with the appearance to match. The children shared small little details with their mother, like freckles and their facial type, but for the most part, it was all Emery, wild raven hair and emerald eyes; they looked so much like him. Even in personality during some moments, but it was a mixed bag as they were still growing.

"Mummy, is Daddy coming for Christmas?" Ceony looked towards Alexander as Bristol huffed at the dinner table. Alexander gave him a look, "What?"

"You ask that question every day. You already know the answer." Bristol responded, shaking his head as though Alexander was incredibly stupid. Bristol was always the analytical one between the two and Alexander was more emotionally driven. Alexander tossed a pea towards Bristol, which earned him a glare from his mother. Bristol rolled his eyes and finished his food.

"I want Daddy back." Alexander muttered through chews. "He keeps saying he'll come back but Christmas is in two days."

"He might surprise us." Ceony responded, but her tone betrayed her words. Bristol was quick to catch onto it.

"You said that last year, Mum. And the year before that," Bristol quipped, "It's been two years and some months. He's not coming. I'm done being patient for him. He doesn't deserve it." Ceony watched as Bristol downed his glass of water, excusing himself and hobbled over to his bedroom. She had never seen Bristol act so coldly and it was quite a shock. She looked to Alexander, who also finished his food and excused himself quietly, muttering something about Emery as he dragged himself to his own room. Ceony was left by herself, but something inside her churned. She felt a range of emotions, from frustrated to lonely. She wanted her husband back. She decided to call it a night, cleaning up after the children and tiredly making her way to the master bedroom they once held each other and shared intimate moments. It was cold without his presence and felt barer. The coats that he had hanging in the wardrobe weren't there anymore and his most of his clothing items weren't there, as though he never resided in the household. Ceony sighed when she walked into the room, falling onto the mattress tiredly. Maybe the morning would be better.

The following morning wasn't any better at all. Bristol closed himself off after breakfast, stating he had to study the different crafts, starting with Folding. He was a young lad, but he had a thirst for knowledge, especially when he was brooding. Alexander busied himself with Fennel, staying silent if his mother addressed him. The shift in the household was off and Ceony despised it. If Emery refused to come, then she'd just have to come to Emery and face him.

Ceony, after some convincing of sweets and other things, brought the children to her parents' new home and explained her situation to them. They understood and agreed to watch the children as Ceony set out of find out where the hell her husband went.

Ceony then traveled to Tagis Praff, where they held the records of where her husband may be. Several teachers recognized her and had some small talk with her, but she really didn't have the time. Ceony went to several sources, though most did not have the information she sought. She went to her last hope: Tagis Praff's assistant.

"Good morning, welcome. Can I help you?" The assistant was bright, her voice optimistic. Her black hair was long and reached to her inline and her skin was ever so pale. Ceony partially wondered if this was what their daughter would look like, if perhaps they had one. Not that it would be happening anytime soon with these current events.

"I need information on where Emery Thane is. I really need to talk to him." The assistant raised an eyebrow, opening one of the many drawers in the office and looked until she found a specific one. The assistant opened it, skimming through the text. A picture of Emery was in the file, as well as a bunch of other papers she could only assume was his record in the school, even after all the years that had passed.

"Is there an emergency? He's on a tour-," the woman glanced at the paper once more, "for a while, actually. I could get a letter or we could call him if you'd-," Ceony chuckled, her hands visibly shaking.

"I don't want a letter. I've had it with those letters already. I just want to talk to him. In person. A phone won't do." Ceony responded, colder than she had intended. The assistant looked to her, her blue eyes filled with confusion.

"I'm sorry, but I can't pull him out of the tour. I have no jurisdiction and it seems he signed another contact for a commitment-," At that point, Ceony sighed, exasperated. She was sick of this. She wanted her answers, but then it clicked. Another contract?

"I'm sorry, he what?"

"Committed to another contract." The assistant explained. Ceony laughed dryly. The assistant sat there, squirming slightly under Ceony's gaze.

"I believe he made a commitment to me and our children first. He can sign a paper and stay there but can't even bother to come for a birthday or Christmas. That's just rich." She responded through gritted teeth. The assistant's eyebrows raised high and a flicker of recognition came to her eyes.

"Magician Twill?" The assistant inquired.

"Magician Ceony Thane, actually." Ceony corrected the young woman, "Please. I just want my children to have their father. It's been two years. Certainly he can come home this year." The assistant seemed torn, but after a bit of an inner argument, she pulled out a piece of paper from a stack nearby and wrote down an address with a pen nearby. The assistant handed it to Ceony.

"Here. We update these files frequently and this is the address we have on him. I'm sorry, Magician Thane."

"It's alright, I know you were just doing your job. Thank you." The assistant nodded and Ceony smiled softly. She looked at the paper in her hands. A four hour drive, how infuriating, but she might as well get a move on.

She never ran faster in her life.

It was noon when she reached the city he resided in. His address was a small flat around the outskirts, but regardless, she made it. The trek was tiring as it was and she could have used a mirror, but she chose not to risk it. She didn't know if he had a Gaffer mirror or a mirror at all, so she decided not to risk it. The buggy dropped her off in front of the flat and she told the driver to wait. As she stepped out of the buggy, she noticed how busy it was, something she was sure Emery didn't like; it was so unlike him to even dare reside in a city unless it was absolutely necessary. She made her way up a flight of stairs and stopped in front of the forsaken door. She reached to knock, but hesitated. She wanted to go to him, hug him, kiss him, and more importantly, slap the daylights out of him.

Ceony didn't have to even knock, however, as the door swung open. She was met with an extremely tired looking Emery Thane, though his posture and facial expression said otherwise. He held a suitcase in one hand, some paper in the other. She could read his eyes like an open book now. They stared at each other for a moment and Ceony could tell he had many questions, but she beat him in speaking.

"How dare you." She whispered, feeling her eyes well with tears. "How dare you." She repeated again. Emery stepped back and Ceony stepped forward. She noticed how clean the flat was and that was unnerving as it was. He was always a mess, an organized mess, but still a mess. He wasn't even himself anymore.

"Ceony, I-,"

"Shut up! Just shut up!" She must've look pretty damn terrifying, as Emery's eyes actually widened in slight fear. "How dare you sign another contract without telling me?!" His eyes roamed her face as the gears turned in his head, then it clicked.

"Ceony, I signed another contract because they needed me. I was going to get a raise and I wanted to support you, Bristol, and Alexander. They would have great birthdays and Christmases, I needed to work some more." Ceony laughed dryly, like she had done with the assistant.

"I'm sorry, I think you're mistaking me for another person." Emery made a small noise of confusion and Ceony pressed on, "I didn't marry you for money or anything of that sort! I married you because of all your qualities and everything in between. I don't care about any of that. I just want you to come home. Alexander asks for you every day. Bristol tries to brush his feelings aside, but I know he's crying in the evening about you. And me. Our home does't feel the same."

"Ceony...my contract doesn't end until September." He'd be missing both Bristol and Alexander's birthdays, as well as her own. Palm connected with cheek and he stumbled back into the nearby bookcase. He dropped the items in his hands. A book fell from the shelf, as well as a picture of their small family, three years ago. The glass shattered, but Ceony didn't care. Her loneliness, her heartbreak, and desire had combined to create what she was now: a woman who just wanted everything to go back to normal.

"We have nothing to say to each other then. Goodbye, Emery." Ceony turned on her heel, quickly walking out of the flat. She wanted nothing to do with him. Nothing at all. She was already near the stairs when Emery stumbled to the doorway.

"Ceony, wait!" He heard him call. She stopped at the top of the stairwell. He looked at her as her eyes inflated and tears spilled, yet a smile donned her face. A sad one.

"What do you think I've been doing all this time?" She didn't even bother to let him try to catch up with her; she was nimbler and quicker after having to deal with many children in her lifetime.

The buggy driver did indeed wait and she muttered a rushed thank you as she stepped into the vehicle as Emery continued to cry out for her to wait. She didn't care. She didn't even bother glancing out the window, where he was banging on the glass for her to open up.

"Do we wait for-," The buggy driver tried to say and Ceony shook her head.

"No." The finality of her voice was apparent and the driver nodded silently, driving off away from the city, leaving Emery all by himself, standing in the street.

Emery walked back slowly into his flat, the feeling of rejection deep inside his heart. He forgot everything. He forgot what he used to have and drowned himself in work, something he didn't expect himself doing yet again. Ceony had every right to do this, come to his flat and give him a good, hard slap. He picked up the photograph of their family, Bristol and Alexander doing their best to smile brighter than the other, with Ceony sitting beside him and holding his hand. The photograph hardly captured her beauty. He imagined the boys were slightly older now, despite it only being two years.

He was mad to sign that contract.

He placed the photograph onto the shelf where it had been and he went to his office, his hand reached for a pen and paper, writing a detailed letter, explaining that he just couldn't do this anymore; that his family needed him and he needed to be there. He Folded the paper into a bird, taking it outside and bringing it to life. He sent it to where it needed to go and he rushed back to his flat, starting to take down his personal effects and such.

After these two years of showing Folding all around England and the world, he was finally taking the trip that mattered.

He was going home.

Ceony decided to stay at her parents' house for a bit longer when the four hour drive was up, discussing the whole ordeal. Her father wasn't a violent person, but the way he spoke clearly indicated he was absolutely irritated once Ceony finished her story. Her mum was more of a listener on the other hand, gladly listening to her qualms about their marriage and such.

Once it was dark, Ceony took the boys home on a buggy, not a word spoken between any of them. Bristol and Alexander both saw their mother positively reeling, but neither of them wanted to ask what she had been doing. Not that she expected much from her dear husband, but she thought he'd at least put some effort into something. When the buggy stopped at their cottage, Ceony walked through, hardly noticing the paper rose petals that started at their front door. Alexander and Bristol, however, did.

"Mum, look." Bristol pointed towards the petals. Ceony looked down at them as Alexander picked one up.

"They look so cool! They even feel real! Who made this?" Alexander said, grabbing more and throwing them up into the air.

"I have no idea, Alexander." She breathed, unlocking the cottage door, only to be bombarded with different scents of food. The cottage felt warm and bright, for the first time in awhile. Alexander and Bristol both shared a glance of pure awe before running into the cottage, making their way to the kitchen, as the paper rose petals led there. She pursed her lips, already having a good idea of who had chosen to invade their cottage.

"Daddy!" They both cried in unison, loud enough for the entire cottage to hear and Ceony's eyes widened. Since when did he get here? Ceony took off her shoes, making her way slowly to where the smell of cooked turkey started to become stronger. She noticed the signature coat slung over a chair and she smiled. Walking into the kitchen, she was met with a lovely sight.

Emery Thane, with both of his boys in his arms as they giggled, the most emotion she had ever seen Bristol have in awhile and the brightest smile she had ever seen Alexander have. Emery put the boys down and they excitedly went to the dinner table to set it up. Emery and Ceony stared at each other, before they both cracked a smile.

"I didn't know you finally learned how to cook." She said, pointing towards all the ingredients behind him.

"I only just started on the basics. Had to pick up a cookbook or two during my travels. I missed your food and tried to imitate it. Unfortunately, I can't make things turn to gold like you can." He said and without warning, he picked her up and spun her around, placing kisses all over her cheeks and one on her lips. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay." She breathed as he continued to hold her. "I love you." He seemed to have so much more to say, but Ceony silenced him with another kiss, something she had longed for so long.

"I love you too." He responded once they let go. Ceony touched their foreheads together in response.

"I've missed you. I've missed your 'I love yous'. Are you staying?" She asked, cupping his cheeks with her warm hands. She didn't want to get her hopes up only for him to leave the following day.

"Yes." He murmured, "I terminated the contract. I'm home now." A sigh escaped her lips, the relief washing over her.

For the first time in so long, their cottage truly did indeed, feel like home.