Otto smiled down at Liza as he led her out onto the dance floor. He could see Lenora with Toby across the dance floor while Eli happily danced with Antonia on his feet. Zhu Rong had Belrok for the moment as Douxie offered his hand to Nari. Skrel stood stoically beside Mary and Seamus at the head table.
"No tears this time?" Liza lift an eyebrow at him.
"Not zis time," Otto chuckled, "I learned my lesson at Bächen's vvedding und got most of my crying out before hand."
"Most?"
He shrugged, "I'll admit zere vvere a few tears vvhen I gave her avay."
Liza nodded and relaxed in his hold as they danced.
"Now," Otto grinned and looked around the hall, "Who's vvedding is next? Jim und Claire of Eli und Krel?" He turned his attention back to her. "Or Liza und Douxie?"
She colored and hit his shoulder with the heel of her hand. "Shut up. We're nowhere near marriage right now."
"I'm just teasing, Baby Schwester," He assured her, "I'm your older brozer. It's my job."
After all, he had over five hundred years to make up for. He smiled and held his little sister closer. He still remembered the day she had been born almost as clearly as Antonia's.
Mama had still been in bed, asleep he'd thought, when he woke up but Papa had been making breakfast. He had stood at their fireplace without his glamor mask, his long green ears trailing down his back. He had rarely worn the mask in the house.
"Why is Mama still asleep?" He'd asked. (1)
"Mama's not feeling well today, Bärchen." Papa had told him, "So, when you've finished your breakfast, why don't you go down to the valley and pick her some nice flowers."
He had agreed without hesitation. Most of the next several hours were lost to time. He did remember being oddly insistent that he bring his stuffed rabbit along with him and Papa had felt the need to remind him about transforming in the sunlight.
The next thing he remembered was coming home with an armload of weeds for Mama.
"Shh…" Papa had scooped him up as soon as he opened the door. "Let's let Mama and Baby Schwester sleep for a little longer."
"'Baby Schwester'?" He had asked before looking.
She had been tiny and pink with thin black fuz for hair, just like Antonia. But she had Mama's nose like he did and her hair wasn't nearly as curly as his or Antonia's.
"You alright, Otto?"
Liza brought him back to the present. The song was coming to an end.
"Ja. I'm fine." He gave her one more squeeze, "Just got lost in zought."
She reached up to kiss his cheek, "You're ridiculous, Big Brother."
He chuckled and watched her go before returning to his table with Lenora. Antonia grinned and ran around the table. Without a word, she climbed into his lap.
"Hallo, Hase,*" He cooed, "VVhat are you up to?"
"You needed a hug." She said, nuzzling more into his hold.
Otto smiled and kissed her hair. Lenora reached over and took his hand, looking over as Mary led Seamus back onto the dance floor. Liza accepted Belrok back, laughing as Douxie tickled the baby, and rolling her eyes as Archie swooped down to steel them. He flew Belrok over to his father to show off like always. Douxie pulled Liza close and kissed her temple while they watched the dragons and fire spirit. Mary and Seamus crossed the dance floor to her parents' table. Seamus offered his hand to Lenora.
"May I have this dance, Frau Scaarbach?" He asked.
She sat up and took his hand, "You may, Seamus. But I think we are well to the point that you can call me 'Mom'."
He smiled and nodded, "Yes, Mama."
Mary wrapped her arms around Otto's neck and pressed a kiss to his cheek, "And may I have the next dance, Papa?"
"I zink zat could be arranged, Princessin."
"No!" Antonia insisted, pulling on Otto's jacket, "You already dance-ed with Mary. My turn!"
"I've danced vviz you too, Hase," he chuckled, "So how about I save ze dance after for you. Zen I can dance vviz Mama."
Antonia pouted but nodded, "Ok."
She lay her head back on his chest and turned to watch Lenora and Seamus dance. Mary nuzzled into her father's cheek and sighed. Otto kissed her cheek before leaning down to kiss Antonia's hair.