Bonus Chapter: Violets First Christmas-Eve

~A few months after Violets adoption on Christmas Eve ~

"C'mon I knew we shouldn't have left so late! Our reservations are for 6:00; and im sure the rest are already there" Cattleya said with a heavy breath pulling Claudia, and Violet along through the festive crowd of people.

...

It was the early evening of Christmas Eve, the hustle & bustle of the city was ever present; with numerous vendors, and street bands performing in the city's main square. Violet breathed in the smell of freshly baked sweets sold by local vendors causing her mouth to water as the scents wafted past them. With her eyes twinkling with wonder her gaze was shifted to a group of performers singing in a choir with their angelic voices in perfect harmony. The young girl pulled herself closer to her parents. "Papa can we go and um.. Look around the festival after we eat?"

Claudia smiled "of course Vi-a" before being cut off by Benedict seemingly popping up out of nowhere surprising the trio, and causing Claudia to jump. Benedict let out a chuckle saying "haha-sorry I just couldn't resist you were sooo spaced out" to a red faced Claudia who grabbed the young man by his collar. While the 2 men began playfully grappling, Violet quickly noticed that Erica was accompanying Benedict who greeted them. With the groups now merged walking together to the restaurant. Claudia, and Benedict idly chatting, Erica, Cattleya, and Violet caught up.

"Hmm hmm I couldn't help but notice that you and Benedict have been spending a lot of time together recently" The women's remark causing Erica's face to tinge pink. "You've both also been in much better moods recently…" Violet added in quickly after swinging her arm in rhythm while still holding Cattleyas hand. Erica nervously adjusted her glasses before quickly changing the subject asking about how Violets additional doll schooling went, listening to the young girls excited, and breathless response.

...

"GUYS WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!" the group looked to the steps of the restaurant "Procope L'Ardent" where they saw Iris calling to them. "I can't believe it why were you guys taking you sweet time?!" Iris said frustrated. Iris rushed them all inside to their already reserved table, quickly saying greetings to all of them. The dinner began in a flash with the first course of soups coming out. Between eating Violet excitedly talked about her next job at Shaher Astronomical Headquarters. "Its a really great opportunity but ...i'll be gone for over a month though" Violet said with a sudden gloom spreading across her face while everyone tried to console her.

Cattleya quickly switched the conversation to more lighthearted talk wanting to spare Violets feelings. So they instead talked about the festivities with Iris teasing "Violet you know if you've been a bad girl your gonna get coooal" causing the blond to pout mumbling that she was a good girl garnering a laugh from the rest.

...

When the main course arrived Violet was coerced into trying various foods off of her parents plates "Cmon Violet you have to try this… open wide ahh" followed by delighted noises from the young girl. With conversation, and food aplenty, it was enough to even have Violet laughing, and enjoying the meal like a normal girl. Violet couldn't help but feel warm inside, as she looked around at the happy faces of those closest to her she felt elated. And her parents noticed a new side to the young girl that must have just awakened. Violet although clumsily, and slightly awkwardly was able to mostly keep up with the conversations going along around her. Unlike the past with the quiet virtually emotionless girl that first entered their lives, it was night and day to how much she's grown.

…

~Hours later

With dinner finished the group began to separate as they left, all wishing one final merry christmas to one another. As promised Violet lead her parents though the center which only gotten busier. Snow gently drifted in, with people instinctively tightening their scarves, and putting on gloves. Violet exhaled leaving a clear cloud of warm mist as Cattleya fussed with the girls scarf. Violet couldn't help put nuzzle up her check against the women's warm comforting hands. Then suddenly Ding* Dong* Ding* Dong* the nearby cathedrals enormous bells rung to signal the beginning of the nights mass. Subconsciously Violet was now the one being pulled along, her eyes glancing over stand after stand of goods peddlers until her eyes fixated on a cart dedicated to jewelry. Cattleya quick to notice Violets interest smirked and lead the girl over. "Go ahead sweetie see if theres anything you like." Violet was about to protest but caught herself, remembering the many times in which Cattleya wanted to buy her gifts but was turned down leaving her mother figure in a sour mood. So instead Violet nodded; running her eyes over the merchandise, what caught her eye was not a jewel but a brooch with an empty slot for a main stone. Violets breathing shifted as her metallic silver fingers reached for the brooch around her neck. Gently taking it off her collar she checked to make sure the emerald would fit into the new brooch. All while her parents looked on in fascination. "So is that a keeper" Claudia said coming up behind the girl only to notice that she was sniffling with tears running down her face, but unlike before she was smiling. Holding the new brooch with the sparkling emerald as its new centerpiece. Violet nodded burying herself into a sandwiching hug softly speaking, almost as if a whisper "thank you… thank you ...thank you" between sniffles. Claudia reassured her and broke off to go pay the man, while Cattleya helped Violet put the brooch on her collar again; The silver with small Aquamarina, and Amethyst stones complemented each other nicely. With Violets beloved emerald gem as its centerpiece. "He'd be so proud of you if he could see you now" and at these worlds Violet broke into a big smile enveloping her mom a encasing hug.

~soon after

Violet laid in her bed with her stuffed puppy close to her chest, glancing at the brooch. The lights reflected and danced off the many gems, causing them to twinkle and seemingly glow. Enveloped in cloud like blankets she could no longer fight the urge to sleep. Being enveloped by warmth she took one last look outside before the comfort of sleep overcame her.

~meanwhile

Cattleya did a shushing motion as she cracked open the door to Violet's room; confirming that their daughter was fast asleep before retrieving the hidden presents with Claudia to carry downstairs by the tree. "She really looked like she had fun tonight" Cattleya said in a whispered tone. "Shes really grown up alot" added Claudia "But a month seems like a really long time Catt, are we sure shes ready?"- "well… in the past I wouldnt have been so sure but I trust her, and if we truly love her we need to continue to push her into growing into a wonderful young lady."

…

"Hmph" Claudia sighed before smiling "lets try to show her a wonderful first Christmas tomorrow"

Next is Christmas Day Chapter!

(and yes the new gems on the brooch are the colors of Claudia, and Cattleyas eyes.)