The sun is starting to set when a large black truck pulls up and parks next to Matthew's jeep as a tall red haired man jumps out. "Fuck its cold." He mutters finishing his cigarette and throwing it to the ground as he grabs his bag. He hates that his nephews have to be alone on Christmas since his younger brother almost refuses to come home. Allistor shakes his head reaching for the doorknob, "I should go over there and drag his ass home." He's surprised when he opens the door to see not only a small group of people but the whole living room decorated for once in years, "Lads?"

Matthew nearly jumps realizing his uncle is now standing at the door, "Uncle Allistor…um Merry Christmas?"

Both twins watch him unsure what he's going to say or do but to their relief he lets out a deep chuckle, "Merry Christmas Matthew." He throws his bag down and closes the door, "Am I getting a hug from you Lads or not?"

Alfred stands from his spot on the couch with his friends and slowly walks into his arms, "Hi Uncle…" So Matthew joins him impressed that neither can smell the whisky on his breath, "How was your trip?"

"Same as it is every year." He looks up at the tree before a small picture catches his eye, "I see you brought out…your Mama's wedding picture."

Matthew shifts lightly, "Um should we have left it back upstairs?" He asks watching his uncle walk over and take it off the shelf, "We found it when we grabbed the tree."

The older man shakes his head returning the photo, "It's your house Lad you can have whatever picture you want hanging…now are you going to introduce me or not?" He smirks turning to the three boys on the couch, "Gilbert I remember…slightly."

Gilbert nods watching the older man carefully, "Hey…Allistor." The albino is positive he's never seen the older man sober but then he's never been around when their uncle arrives.

Normally Feli would be dashing over and giving the man a hug but something about the strange tension in the room tells him to stay put, "Hello…I'm Feli." The short Italian only dares to jump off seeing Alfred smile, "And you are Alfie's Uncle?"

"Alfie?" Allistor lets out a low laugh, "Yeah I am." He grabs the short Italian getting a soft squeak from the teen as he hugs him, "And who are you?" He motions toward Toris go gives him a small smile.

"Toris…sir."

Allistor finally lets go of Feli, "Well quite a party I walked in on." He chuckles striding into the kitchen and over to their fridge, "So boys did you father call yet?" He closes the fridge looking back at both twins seeing it in both their faces, "Really now?" He tries to hide his anger as he grabs a mug of hot chocolate off the counter, "Lads I'll be back in a minute then we'll order dinner alright?"

Matthew pulls at his brother's sleeve, "Okay…um Gilbert is kind of staying with us this week."

"That's fine Matthew. Like I said before it's your house now why don't you go watch one of those strange Christmas movies?" He waits until both are out of earshot before he starts to dial muttering under his breath as someone finally answers, "Why haven't you called them?!"

The voice on the other end just sighs, "Hello to you too Allistor."

"Lad don't get smart with me! It's Christmas Eve and you haven't called them. Hell I bet you don't know one of their friends or that they finally decorated the house!" Allistor can't control his anger as he pushes open the back door and walks out into the cold snow, "You know for five fucking years I've watched from the sidelines but god damn it Arthur!"

The other man sighs before answering, "And why have you? They're not your sons-"

"No they are yours!" Allistor practically yells into the phone, "They are your sons and I bet you don't even know what they look like anymore!"

"Of course I do I saw them at the beginning of the year."

"Arthur that was a year ago. You can't tell me you are this stupid and you know I don't come over just because you buy me a bottle of whiskey I come so I can see them."

Arthur chuckles on the other end, "Yeah right you come over because Erin won't let you get drunk at home."

Allistor can tell his brother's on the verge of hanging up so he tries one more time to get through to him, "They put up your wedding photo…right next to the tree." He inhales slowly shaking his head, "Arthur they need closer, they need love…they need their father."

"They don't need me Allistor…good bye." With that Arthur hangs up.

The red haired man just shakes his head, "Damn wanker is so blind by his own pain he can't even see his sons'." Quickly he pockets his phone and walks back inside as Alfred meets him at the door, "Yes lad?"

"You don't have to do that…we knows he does care." Alfred looks down as Allistor places a hand on his shoulder, "I mean why would he?"

The older man can't help but feel his heart rip in two, "Lad…you listen to me and you listen good. Your father does love you he just doesn't know how to show it. Okay?"

"Okay…and I have a question." Alfred nearly whispers as he reaches for a picture in his pocket, "Who are you holding in this?"

Allistor takes it and smiles, "Let's see…" He thinks back for a moment, "That's your brother I'm holding and you Mama is holding you Alfie." He watches his nephew's eyes light up instantly, "Do you have any more questions? Or pictures?"

Alfred takes back the picture as he shakes his head, "Not really…but thank you."

"You're welcome Lad." Slowly he follows the younger man out to see the small group watching the Little Drummer boy. He can't help but chuckle as he watches for a moment before taking his bag up the stairs to his brother's room, "Lads I'll take the master bedroom so Gilbert can have the couch." He turns back to see the group absorbed into the holiday movie and he lets out a light chuckle, "Alright I'll be right down to join you." He says mostly to himself as he disappears up the stairs.