2022 Wilma: Y'all get two updates in one day! So, my 2016 counterpart is not with us because this chapter wasn't in the OG. Bonus chapter! When I took on the editing process I was just trying to make it readable, fix the timeline, and get rid of inconsistencies and plot holes, now I think this is the second new chapter that wasn't in this story before? I get way too into whatever projects I'm working on.
Angeline's family had never been in the habit of purposefully setting fires in the house, but she did have to admit that it was exciting.
Angeline stood at a table and watched as Francis dumped fruit on a silver platter before Alexis doused it with alcohol. The sickly sweet smell of fruit wafted to Angeline's nose, the sharp bite of alcohol making her eyes water. Edward then procured flint and steel, knocking them together to send sparks flying. The bright points of light descended onto the fruit, setting the alcohol aflame.
Elizabeth and Angeline both squealed- Lizzie in excitement, Angeline in surprise.
"Go! Go!" Alexis exclaimed. Angeline watched in horror as the Midfords reached into the flames, picking out pieces of fruit. Angeline threw a panicked look to Sebastian, who was standing in the corner should he be of service. He shrugged and tilted his head forward, encouraging her to participate.
There was no time to be hesitant, so she reached into the tabletop fire, concentrating on where she could see remaining pieces of fruit and swiftly picking out a few pieces. She grimaced as the heat pricked her fingers, pulling out fruit before her skin could get singed. The whole affair happened so quickly she was surprised she was able to react in time to get anything at all. The flames died down and Angeline looked at the piles of fruit the Midfords had accumulated in front of them. Even Ciel had a substantial collection and she was surprised to see him laughing with Edward as the fire fizzled out.
"Have you ever played snapdragon, Angeline?" Francis asked.
"I haven't," Angeline admitted, though she was sure it was obvious by her abysmal collection of fruit.
"It would have done good to explain the game to her, Alexis," Francis said.
"Snapdragon is a classic!" Alexis argued, his gruff voice surprised, then he turned to Angeline. "You are the first person I've met who hasn't played snapdragon at Christmas. I'm sorry if we frightened you."
Angeline smiled. "I'm fine."
The group was debating whether they should play another round when Mey-Rin entered the room and announced the table was set for dinner. Edward and Lizzie shouted their excitement, stumbling over each other to speak of how hungry they were as they exited the room toward the dining room.
Ciel followed closely behind, his excitement from the game adding an extra bounce to his step, though he was still more calm than the tousling siblings.
"Come, Angeline," Francis said as she took her husband's arm. "Sebastian prepares a feast every year, we need help clearing the table."
The entourage made their way into the dining room where Ciel sat at the head of the table, Lizzie beside him. Her brother sat next to her and Alexis took a seat on the other side of the Earl, his wife next to him. Angeline sat next to Francis, throwing a grateful smile Lizzie's way when she greeted Angeline.
The chatter around the table quieted when Sebastian entered the room. "Good evening, master," Sebastian greeted. The butler's eyes cast toward everyone else at the table as he added "And his esteemed guests, we very much look forward to having you at the Phantomhive Manor this year."
Angeline knew she shouldn't be surprised by Sebastian's stiff and professional demeanor- he was working. Angeline had become so used to Sebastian as her friend that she had forgotten how formal he was when working for the Earl. She certainly felt discomfort toward being spoken to this way by him right now, but she was an extension of Ciel's guests. It was necessary.
"This evening your meal will start with turtle soup," Sebastian began again. "For the main dish we have prepared a roasted ham with stuffing alongside spiced potatoes and carrots with parsnips. Dessert is mince pies and sugar plums."
Angeline had never been one to fuss over food- her family had been well off and she knew they ate well, but this meal would be extravagant. Tonight was Christmas Eve and her family didn't even eat like this on Christmas Day.
While she had been spending these months in the manor, she preferred to leave the Earl to eat in his home without intruding, so Sebastian would prepare her a plate to eat in her bedroom or the kitchen. Did Ciel always have this much food?
"I also offer wassail, warm brandy, and mulled wine to drink," Sebastian concluded as Mey-Rin, Finny, and Bard brought their dinner into the dining room.
The entourage soon settled into their dinner. Angeline's family preferred mulled wine at Christmas, but she feared the nostalgia would dampen her mood when she was trying to find reprieve in the holiday, so she requested wassail. She was pleasantly surprised by the spiced drink and hummed quietly in approval as it warmed her from the inside.
Angeline loved Sebastian's cooking, but the grand meal Ciel presented his guests at Christmas was divine. Even the parsnips, which she had never cared for, were seasoned to perfection and made her mouth water with every bite.
The Midfords reminisced on other holidays past as dinner went on and Angeline was happy to listen, laughing as Edward recounted the hilarious disaster of their Christmas dinner years ago.
They asked no questions of Angeline, for which she was grateful. She knew that recounting her own experiences would sadden her and the Midfords were happy to let her observe their conversation, chiming in with her own questions and opinions of the stories they told.
As the group finished their mince pies and sugar plums, the table was cleared by the staff. The Midfords and Ciel rose, Elizabeth chattering excitedly about presents.
Angeline opened her mouth to thank the family for including her and take her leave, but Elizabeth interjected enthusiastically before she knew Angeline was going to speak.
"Come, Angeline," she said, rounding the table to take and tug Angeline's hand.
"Elizabeth," Alexis said. "If Angeline wishes to take her leave we must let her, it would be rude to include her in gifts when there are none for her."
Elizabeth looked at her father, confused. "I do have a gift for her."
The breath left Angeline's lungs as Lizzie spoke the words, emotion rolling through her in waves. Lizzie had always been kind to her, but to think of her while doing her Christmas shopping and buying her a gift? Angeline never would have expected such generosity.
Lizzie continued speaking to her father, unaware as Angeline blinked back the emotional tears that had sprung in her eyes. "You were there, Father, when I bought it. You don't remember?"
Alexis let out a small, surprised grunt. "I suppose I don't," he said. "Well then, I suppose Angeline should join us."
Elizabeth let out a gleeful sound and Angeline let the young girl pull her by the hand to a lounge where a tree teeming with presents was set up, a fire roaring in the hearth.
As if Angeline's stomach wasn't already stuffed full of food from dinner, she and the Midfords and Ciel were presented with a chocolate pot by Sebastian as they settled in near the tree. Pure gluttony, Angeline thought as she took a cup and saucer full of the decadent drink from the butler. She couldn't bring herself to care- she had much bigger sins to worry about than overeating at Christmas.
Angeline watched quietly as the group began passing gifts around. From Edward Lizzie received a new hairbrush gleaming with silver plating, and from Ciel a pair of silk shoes. The Midford parents informed her that her gift from them was at their estate and she thanked them. Always eager to be with her fiancé, Lizzie was sure to (for once) be excited to return home on Boxing Day for her gift.
While Edward opened his gifts, Lizzie dug through the pile near the tree and emerged with three packages, which she brought to Angeline at her perch on a chaise.
"These are all for you," Lizzie said. "Though I'm not sure who two of them are from. Ciel, perhaps."
Angeline looked toward the Earl, who was distracted watching Edward open his gift from the Phamtomhive boy. She turned back to Lizzie, giving her a grateful smile as the girl set the gifts next to Angeline. "Thank you," she said. "Truly. Your kindness is received with much gratitude."
"You have been through enough," Lizzie said, patting Angeline's hand as she started back to her fiancé. "The last thing I'd want to do is forget you on the holiday."
Angeline swallowed, willing the sore lump in her throat away. She lifted the first package, wrapped in pink and gold marbled paper. She had no doubt Lizzie was behind the frills. She unwrapped it carefully, opening the box underneath to reveal a pair of leather boots.
"You only have one pair," Lizzie said. "And the soles on them are wearing."
Angeline thanked Lizzie again. It was true- though protecting her prevented her from going out much, she had noticed that the few times she did leave the manor her feet would get wet from the puddles soaking through her soles. A new pair of boots would do her well.
The two other packages were wrapped in brown paper. Angeline looked to the Earl as she picked one up and he shrugged before turning to Alexis to say something. Angeline gave her own shrug- the Earl was often stoic, especially when it came to how he treated others- and began unwrapping.
The box beneath the paper revealed a green ribbon and Angeline had to stop herself from gasping. Her gaze snapped toward Sebastian and he subtly inclined his head toward her.
"Oh, that's so pretty, Angeline!" Lizzie exclaimed. "I never noticed you had green in your eyes, the color of the ribbon brings it out so much!"
It matches her eyes. She'll be delighted that the Earl put in the thought.
A strange emotion overtook Angeline, a common occurrence for her lately. Sebastian hadn't been looking at the ribbons to buy for Lizzie on Ciel's behalf- he had been looking at them for her. He and Lizzie had both made sure she wasn't forgotten when Lancaster's family and the rest of the world acted as though she'd died with the rest of the Redthornes.
Perhaps it was fate or just luck that Angeline had chosen a green dress for Christmas Eve, she mused as she tied the ribbon into her hair. She flashed a teary smile toward Sebastian and his eyes softened, his heart beating harder at the thought that he'd been part of that smile.
After she'd secured the ribbon and discarded the wrapping, she moved on to the last gift. When she tore the brown paper away a book was revealed, bound in green fabric with the title and decorative flourish stamped in gold.
Anna Karenina. Angeline was partial to romance by the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen, authors from England like herself. She was unfamiliar with Leo Tolstoy, but she guessed the name was Russian.
As Angeline studied the first few pages of the book, Ciel and the Midfords fell into conversation, leaving Angeline to her thoughts.
She picked up her head from the book to look at Sebastian. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice too low for human ears but no doubt ringing loud and clear to him.
He nodded, whispering "Merry Christmas," back to her. She didn't have the hearing he did, but she could read his lips just fine. Her brilliant smile was her reply. Sebastian wanted more than anything to make her happy regardless of her reactions, but nothing was as rewarding as the smiles she gave him when she found joy through him.
It was not long before the house retired to bed, bidding Angeline goodnight. She sat by the fire a bit longer, unwilling to put the peace and joy the holiday had brought her to bed. It was not long before Sebastian joined her, presumably after ensuring the rest of the staff had the holiday cleanup under control.
Angeline listened to his footsteps approach her and looked up at him as he came upon the chaise.
Before he could say anything to her, she stood on her toes and looped her arms around his neck, her forehead resting on his shoulder. She felt him hesitate a moment before his arms circled her waist, his hands holding her to him by the small of her back. She didn't thank him again, didn't say anything. She knew she didn't need to.
A few beats of silence passed, the two holding each other as the fire crackled beside them in the darkness of the lounge. "I have something for you, too," Angeline finally said. "Come with me."
Sebastian gathered Angeline's book and shoes.
"Let me," she protested. "You work for Ciel, not me."
Sebastian shook his head. "I'm not doing it because I think I have to. I want to. Please lead the way."
With a smile, Angeline made her way through the expansive manor with Sebastian in tow. She stopped in front of her bedroom door, turning to the butler to tell him to wait outside for her. She slipped inside, Sebastian watching after her curiously.
Several moments later she emerged, a scruffy black kitten with a red ribbon around its neck in her arms. Sebastian's heart swelled when he looked at the little creature and the gentle woman who held it.
"I haven't named her yet," Angeline began, lifting the kitten up to his face. "She's yours, so I wanted to leave that to you."
Sebastian chuckled at the sight of Angeline holding the kitten up to him, the animal's legs sticking out toward him as she sniffed at his face before her rough tongue licked his nose.
"Juliet," Sebastian said as Angeline handed the kitten over to him. She settled in his arms almost immediately and Angeline gave him a beaming smile at the sight.
"That's my middle name," Angeline said.
Sebastian nodded. "I know."
Angeline gave him a surprised look. "How?" She asked, wracking her memory in search of any time she might have told him her full name.
Sebastian gave her a wicked smile, his free hand scratching behind Juliet's ears. "I am simply-"
"One hell of a butler," she interrupted, rolling her eyes with the grin still plastered on her face. "I don't know why I ask you anything, honestly."
Sebastian laughed, looking down at the furry animal in his arms. "Where did you get her? Has she been in the manor this whole time?"
Angeline shook her head. "I found her when we went Christmas shopping- when you bought me the green ribbon. She was a stray. I asked Lizzie to take care of her until Christmas. She snuck up to my room when she got here to hide her."
Sebastian nodded thoughtfully. His memories of that day were plagued with the incident of Lancaster's family and the atrocious way he'd handled Angeline snapping at her formerly betrothed's father. Relief flooded through him that the memories would be lightened by the knowledge they had been thinking of each other that day, each finding a gift for the other so neither of them would be forgotten on Christmas when the rest of the world had every reason to. Sebastian sighed quietly, contentedly. It had been a long time since anyone had taken him into consideration as Angeline had tonight.
"Thank you," Sebastian said. "I never would have gotten a pet on my own."
"I know."
In one arm Sebastian still held Juliet, the cat wriggling out of his grasp and trotting out the door with a happy meow. Sebastian looked toward where his new pet had disappeared affectionately, then reached for Angeline's hand, his gaze cutting toward her. She looked from their entwined hands to his face, smiling at him warmly. Sebastian's heart stuttered at the way she looked at him and he tugged at her hand, pulling her closer to him and bending down to capture her lips in a kiss. Angeline couldn't bring herself to care about what this meant- what she was to Sebastian, what he was to her, what this meant for her soul. All she knew was that it felt right.
Her breath seemed to leave her body as Sebastian pulled away from her— so quickly she swayed on her feet, her balance lost as he stepped away from her and she no longer had his solid body to support her. Her eyes flew open as she stumbled and regained her balance, her confused gaze meeting his. "Sebastian-" She began.
He shook his head, a hand wiping down his face, as if to shake him out of the kiss. It was bad enough that he no longer had his own humanity, that he'd cost Sophia her own; he could not be the reason that this beautiful and sweet woman lost herself, but she tempted him at every turn— with every smile she gave him and every longing gaze he caught before she realized he was looking at her.
"You're a walking mistake waiting to be made," Sebastian snapped, a hand running through his hair with frustration. Angeline stepped back as though the verbal blow had physically struck her, hurt flashing in her eyes.
"You kissed me!" She exclaimed, disbelief lacing her voice.
"And it was a mistake just like the first time," he said, the words leaving his mouth before he could think rationally about them.
"Well," she started, her voice soft with the pain his words caused but still firm. "If that's how you feel, you may take your leave."
Something like hurt flashed in Sebastian's own eyes, but only for a moment before his expression turned neutral once again and he stalked out of the room, the thumping of his shoes on the carpet the only sound as he exited the open door, not bothering to close it behind him.
Angeline waited for the sound of his footsteps to fade before she rushed to the door and shut it firmly before she turned, leaning back against it as tears welled in her eyes. Her back slid down the door and she landed with a thump, her head resting against the wood as she let the tears fall.
It had been such a good Christmas only for her mood to be soured just as it was almost over, just as she was about to retire to bed happy.
2022 Wilma: God, Sebastian just can't stop screwing up, can he? What a LOSER.
Anyway, merry Christmas everyone! See you soon!