A more proper episode than the last due to having more free time on my hands and I'm feeling better mentally now . The XS fanfict will be ready in 2 more weeks as I have already written a test version to base the 2nd chapter on . As for my new followers and favorites sub, thank you for your support and I will see you soon with chapter 18 . Good bye .
Christmas is finally here and everyone is in the mood for some food and some fun , well most of them . Edd is still bed ridden , staying at his hotel with Chuck hiring a care taker to look after Edd while he is with his family . No expenses is on Edd after what he did for Chuck . Edd is like a human sticker figure with the amount of cast of his body to make sure his bones heal properly . He keeps himself entertained by practicing his singing skills and catching up on his school work since he only has just over a week before getting back to school . Most likely he will have Marie aid him or stay at home to study, either way , it's the only thing he can do . As for the money, he sends some over to Eddy to make sure his family is safe and fed when he is not there . His bike is with Chuck at the chop shop to get some much needed upgrades . Finally, spending sometimes online to buy a good Christmas present for Marie when he meets her again .
As for Marie , her parents didn't pick her up by themselves, instead letting their assistant drive her to the airport then to the family vacation home where all the family meet . Family reunion is often her favorite occasion of the year since she get to meet everyone in her family in full but it often can be quite daunting since she is often the focal point of their vitriol. It's in their nature to distrust outsiders , especially to those of foreign decent . Marie sits in the back of her dad assistant car for a long drive into the
high end suburbs of New York after a long flight fill with delays and bad passengers. Thinking of what the theme of their mockery of this year will be since she is a bastard after all . Her father is the current God father of the Flacily family , the same one that put Edd through one hour of brutal torture but she doesn't know this nor her family is the mob business. Her mother was still in college when she met him at a club in New York , one thing lead to another, she got pregnant with his child. She ultimately discovered his true identity is and his feelings for her is rather poor to say the least so knowing the amount of hardship waiting for her , she still went down to Peach Creek to starts her new life with a child waiting. Getting any jobs she can and taking any advantage that she could get , she managed to lives through the difficult months of her pregnancy , not landing on the street nor getting involved in any sort of business that could lead her back to him till the day of Marie's birth . Complications aroused as she went into labor early, combined with the fact she was suffering from a terrible fever. The doctors were able to stabilize her conditions till the baby was born but her already frail body couldn't handle the process, later died after the doctor asked for the baby name while she was being hooked up to multiple machines. Giving the baby the name Marie then died on the her bed . The baby was put in the care of the hospital for a week while police track down the father but they have no success cause she didn't let them anything to track him down ,except to someone she knew could get the words out without getting themselves in trouble. Chuck was there that night when the boss was getting lucky with the lady so she knew he was the only one who she could trust with the info. Keeping a good detail of what he looks like and a general ideas of where he live due to the many conversations she overheard before she had sex . The police tracked down Chuck and asked him about her to which he doesn't knows her exactly but knew if she got pregnant, then the baby is his boss's. The police thanks Chuck for his cooperation then heads home while Chuck goes to the head of the family during that time , Marie's fraternal grandfather. Upon hearing this story, he sent out scout to pick up the baby and test its legitimacy with Chuck leading the forefront. They found the hospital and pretended to be the child's family then they did a DNA test with his boss DNA and Marie . It's a match , she is his biological daughter. What's worst is he already has several children with his political marriage with a side branch of the family that owns territory up in Buffalo . With this new development, Marie's grandfather ordered Chuck to forge a fake profile for Marie so she could be released into their care then her grandmother will solve the matter due to her having more influence on her father than anyone in the family. Both her grandparents, her father and his wife gathered up to discuss the matter . Since Marie is blood related to Flacily family, she has rights and duty according to the long established rules of the family such as inheritance to the throne when a vote needed to be cast when she is of age , etc . Due to these questions have already been discussed on the already existing 4 main child of the family, a new addition would bring problems down the line if these questions aren't answered correctly then . Her grandfather was a fair man , planned to cut up the share of the existing 4 and give it Marie but his son pointed out that would mean Marie would need to contribute to the family to which his mother object the notion. The death of their oldest grandchild at the age of 14 was a devastating blow to them and the others 4 have already made up their mind on the matter, they would join the family business so when a new child have arrived, her grandmother proposed that she would not join the family business unless she willingly joins when she is at suitable age . Till then she still is part of the family but keep her existence only in the main family with her grandmother being her care taker . The proposal was agreed upon and Marie was to return to Peach Creek, living with fake parents who are her guards with Chuck funneling the money to keep the profile clean . Basically all the times she acts like her parents won't be coming to attend her special moments, she simply lied to everyone, even to Edd but she does have reasons to do so since he always stays with her longer when she tell him that . She doesn't know Edd is with Chuck since she has never met Chuck up to that point nor Edd knows she is with the Flacily family . A web of lies that she didn't create yet has to maintain. Finally arrive at the mansion, she is escorted by her guards and head over to see her grandmother first as she always like to do for obvious reasons. Going through the hallway where she can hears her siblings are chatting and talking in their rooms about their daily lives quite detailed make Marie a bit uncomfortable. Walking up to her grandmother room , the guards check Marie and let her pass with her guards staying outside . Marie opens the door to find her grandmother, in her usual dress and sweater on her chair by the fireplace, looking at her late husband photo portrait while knitting a blue scarf .
Grandmother: Is my favorite flower finally arrive?
Marie giggle a bit : Yes , your delivery of Lobelia has arrived.
Her grandmother turns around with a bright smile on her face , opening her arms as Marie walks up to her and gives her a warm hug
Grandmother: How I miss you my sweet girl.
Marie : me too , grandma.
Marie breaks off the hug to give some space for the old lady to look at her .
Grandmother: My , one year older and the more beautiful you have become. I see you still keep your blue hair the way it is .
Marie comb her hair a bit .
Marie: I was going to make it shorter.
Saying it in a joking matter to which her grandmother pouts and lightly pad her on the arms .
Grandmother: Oh ,don't you scare your grandmother with another boyish haircut . They already drive me crazy enough.
Marie chuckle and take a seat next to her grandmother, watching her knit while hearing her grandmother gives her a quick run down of what happened over the last 6 months.
Marie : Despite how weird things are between us , I'm glad everyone is still safe .
She get a pad on her head from her grandmother with a warm smile on her face .
Grandmother: We all know the risk of this life . I pray to God that you won't have to see what we have to see everyday .
Marie : I'm not afraid because I'm alone over there anymore.
Grandmother: How so , dear ?
Marie snuggle in a bit more , her grandmother puts the scarf on the stool next to her as she let Marie rest her head on her lap .
Marie: I have friends that I could trust and call upon when needed , also I may have found someone to look after me up close too .
Grandmother awe : Ah , I see . It's not a strange thing for girl of your age to find a boy that you like . Tell me , how is he ? What is he like ?
Marie thinks of Edd back in the alley where things started to fly between them .
Marie : He was quite at first , cold , busy with his life but I always notice he make glances at me then look away when I look back. We knew each other already, just never could understand each other till now . Class was just starting and the teacher was asking questions. Everyone was asked but not him so I got curious. After class was done , I wanted to talk to him but he just disappeared like he always does .
Her grandmother notices how warm and innocent the smile on Marie's lips is .
Marie: I was meeting up with my friends then I bump into him . He warned me to watch it then just walked away . I didn't see him in the next class so as a good girl I am , I got worry since he wasn't really a bad person, he is just different. I went out to find to find him after class end and found him in the back alley of school, smoking. You won't believe how mad I was when I found out he was smoking .
Her grandmother chuckle, finding Marie already having wife instinct.
Marie : I was like . How could you be so stupid , smoking young and he was trying to his best to covers his actions but he doesn't lie to me . I notice that through out the time we have known each other , he never lied to me so I made a promise . If he could quit , I'll be his date to out school dance which he won and we kissed on stage then I drank too much punch and passed out drunk then he and my friends drove me home .
Marie blushes a bit in embarrassment .
Grandmother: Quite the story but it's just recently. What about when you first met , I'll bet that will be a good story .
She chuckle then a knock on the door .
? : Mother , dinner starts in 5 , everyone is already seated. You should come down to greet everyone.
Grandmother: I'll be there , don't worry .
Brushing her son off , she and Marie get up .
Grandmother: Here my flower , you look lovely in it .
She puts the scarf around Marie's neck then put the needle away .
Grandmother: Mind helping me get down , my knees are getting worse every year.
Marie let her grandmother lean on her to ease the old woman pain on her knee as the two walk out of the door with the guards covering all side .
Grandmother: Are you certain about this boy , he seems to be quite special in your eyes .
Marie : He promised that he would walk back all the way from hell to be with me and I have seen him in worse shape.
Grandmother: Quite determined, not the usual pick up line . Your grandfather was promising to clean up the streets so I would never get my dress dirty , he was such a charmer in his days .
The 2 giggle, Marie remember when Edd stood at her doorstep, body bloody yet still smile at her with all of his heart .
Marie : I'm certain he is .
She said that in her mind as they approach the dinning room where the guards open the door for them . Inside , everyone immediately looks to the door as the only remaining elder of the head family enter with the youngest member. Marie aids her to her seat before taking a seat next to her via her request as the old lady gesture everyone to continue the chat before the food arrives . No longer loud chatters , only whispers fill the air with vitriol souring the mood as the 4 main children of the main family who are adults now , aiming their hatred toward their half youngest sister with the third oldest boy , Franco make one remark a bit louder than a whisper .
Franco : I didn't remember we ordered American trashy food for our dinner .
The others grin in spite toward Marie who heard it and instantly remember how they told her real mother was a street beggar at one point and died alone giving birth to her .
Grandmother: Franco , you will not soil my dinner party with hatred towards your own sister .
The rage shuts Franco down and the others turn away to not get into trouble . Marie's dad who is sitting at the end of the table with his wife aren't bothered by Franco nor their mother , but rules are rules , someone needed to be punished.
Antonio: Franco , you will be grounded tomorrow for what you just said .
Franco can't help but pouts yet still have to keep silent or things could get much worse .
Marie: Grandma , you don't have to be mad at Franco . We just don't ever spend time together at much so it's fine for him to dislike me .
Her grandmother pat her on the head for her sympathy toward Franco .
Grandmother: Alright, Franco , you won't be grounded but you won't get to eat my chicken Parma tonight .
Franco sighs , he still lost something but at least it's not too terrible.
Grandmother: With that out of the way , let take turns sharing their stories as the year come to an end with Marie starting first . Go ahead my dear .
Marie : Well , my year was uneventful, for the most part . I stay focus on my studies and finish last grade as the top of my class and this semester I just finished 2nd .
Some of the children chuckle .
Patricia: Thought you were focus ?
The 2nd oldest sister speaks then take a bite of her pasta dish . Grandmother doesn't like the tone but still harmless compared to Franco .
Marie : Well , I got second on test score but overall is still the top student.
Grandmother: That's great , you have done better than most of the people here .
The other 4 rolls their eyes
Marie : Thank you , grandma but I can't say I'm first without mentioning the one who got top test score , is my boyfriend.
Grandmother eyes widen with her father doing the same and the other 4 children.
Marie: Wow , admitting Edd is my boyfriend feels so good after how many time he protected me .
Grandmother: So you are certain about this boy , what's his name ?
Asking in curiosity but her father already knows , he is just amazed at the tense . Is , meaning Edd survived the walk home despite being already at death door after the Passage .
Marie : Edward Nylas Kanker . We made it official at our school winter dance . You should have seen the dress he bought for me , ...
While Marie tells her stories to her adoring grandmother, Antonio whispers to his wife .
Antonio: That boy proved to be quite the special one to have survived that night .
Veronica: You don't have to tell me , I watched the tape . Have you done research on this boy ?
Antonio: He is a trailer trash that worked under Chuck for a while before that night . I didn't expect him to make such bold move on Marie but he doesn't know her true identity so he is out of our hands, for now .
Veronica: Do you believe Chuck plans this to happened?
Antonio: Even Chuck didn't know they were friends, only till the boy managed to walk his way back to Marie's house he discovered that they are together.
Veronica: And what about that middle name ?
Antonio: I heard , strange one . Kinda reminds me of an old folk tale of our homeland but does it connected to this boy ? I doubt it .
Veronica: It's best to keep watch of them . We can't have any weak link since you are the God father now .
Antonio: I know and you are right . I can't về having any weak links .
The two ends their chat as his mother pinches Marie's cheek with a bright smile on her face .
Grandmother: Why didn't you tell me Marie was having a school dance , you cost me a good photo on my fireplace, Antonio.
Glaring at her son .
Antonio: I have the photos copied from the ones that were there so no need to be angry, I will send them to you as my Christmas gift.
Grandmother: I can't deny your ability to calm me down but you will inform of any special occasion that Marie has from now on .
Franco : Grandma , you didn't ask for my photos at my last school dance .
Pleading his case .
Grandmother: Franco , you were only good in sport and nothing else . The girl you invited were a bitch too so I wouldn't dirty my photos collection with your pathetic records .
Marie ends her stories with her grandmother praising her to keep focus on her studies and be cautious with her boyfriend to which she nods . With the food coming in , everyone get a turn to tell the stories about their year . Laugher fills the room when Franco embarrassing mistakes is mentioned by the other siblings. Food arrives and like every years , Marie devours at least 2 full plate of food by her grandmother request to grow a bit bigger to wear some of her old clothes . Marie simply adore her grandmother and later help the old woman to bed once the party is over . With everything taken care of and everyone else goes back to their separate places , it's time for Marie and her father to have their annual talk in the back of his car while driving Marie home .
Marie: I did what you always ask of me . keep my true identity to a minimum .
Antonio: I have guards and spies everywhere to keep an eye on you . I would know if you slips up .
Cold as ever .
Marie : Still can I ask you for a favor? I don't really ask
Antonio: You are wondering how did your boyfriend came home in such bloody mess and I will tell you that I did it .
Marie eyes widen in fears and shock .
Marie : Why did you hurt him ?
Try to slap her father but he catches her arm , simply throwing her back into her seat.
Antonio: You should blame Chuck for trying to score big on our deal with the Marrone. By tradition, the broker must endure the Passage to ensure neutrality and Chuck asked Edd to do it which he agreed. I tell you , that boy can certainly take a hit , I heard bone cracked yet he never screams or let that infuriating smile fade away .
Marie : That's because he is stronger than you know .
Shedding a tear of guilt for her love .
Antonio: I agreed, the usual Passage is about 20 minutes but he lasted over an hour by my request on the ground that I deemed he was a threat to you . You can blame a father for being concern .
Saying it with a smirk on his face .
Marie: I doubt it , just leave him alone and I keep my silence as always.
Antonio: To which I don't doubt but , how long can he lives now with the damage he suffered, I bet he can't even walk for the rest of his life .
Laughing to her crying as they pull over at her house .
Driver : Sir , the house have someone waiting outside.
Antonio turns on the camera from the back and see it's Edd . Bodies full of cast yet still standing with two crutches on each side with a small present in his right hand .
Marie : Oh my God, open the door .
Marie hurries outside and runs towards Edd , stopping first to make sure her hug won't hurt him . Slowly wrapping her arms around him , seeing that ever sweet smile on his lips .
Marie : Oh my God, you should be in bed . What are you doing here in the cold .
She leans back to take a good look at him.
Edd looks down : Merry Christmas .