Ewan kept an eye on his bundled up family as they walked the short distance from their home to the Smith's. Along the lane of buildings, he could spot their destination with ease. The warm glow that came from the windows seemed different, more welcoming, than those sheltered lanterns and shadowed filled windows of the neighboring structures.

After the lengthy debate between he and Storm, resolved by Avery's decision that they should go, it seemed all of them had lightened their spirits. Avery's enthusiasm magnified by his getting to select the gift for the hostess and carrying it in its brown paper with the cheerful ribbon.

For Ewan, though, these were still the streets of Rhydin, and he was very aware of who and what might be watching nearby.

"And what is so funny, hmm?" Storm leaned to rub her nose lightly against Kellan's, which produced a wide, gummy grin from the baby. Laughing lightly, she adjusted his little hat so that it kept both of his ears warm.

"So Avery, have you decided what you are going to write down, this year?"

*Yes, but it's a secret, and I'm not telling!* As if being a secret did not already entail his silence, he grinned and moved to hide on the other side of Ewan.

"You know," Ewan mused as he grinned from his son back to his wife, "I cannot remember what I wrote last year. I am not sure if that troubles me or amuses me." In truth, it troubled him as he wondered what happened to his ability to trap things in his memory, but he projected amusement.

"We have arrived and from the sounds, or low volume of those sounds, I think we may be the first upon arriving." He gave a knock and turned to smile to Storm. "And is what you will be writing a secret as well?" Other traditions popped into his head and he wondered out loud before Storm could reply, "I wonder who shall be the first foot."

"Well, I remember what you wrote last year, and I would say you have done a rather fine job with it. In fact, I think we all have." She gave Kellan another playful rubbing of noses as they waited at the front door. Ewan received a sidelong glance and a sly smile, "Perhaps I will be generous enough to bestow my secret to you." Though clearly her voice was teasing and she sent him a wink before she heard footsteps approaching the door.

"Dammit." The ribbon was undone again. Eva paused in the alleyway, and looked around. Every possible place to sit was covered in snow. Frowning, she leaned against a building, bending her knees slightly and balanced the package on her lap while she pulled off her gloves and then tried to fix the bow. Her fingers tingled and she shook them to get the blood flowing.

She was nervous. She kept telling herself it was just a party, but it still filled her with dread. Her mother had always been good at these kinds of things. She always knew what to wear and what to bring. Eva's little gift was... well it was little. She guessed that people would be bringing gifts for the mother-to-be. Baby gifts. But Eva couldn't do that. She wouldn't. She knew better. She knew to be cautious. To wait.

Eva finished tying the ribbon, and pulled her gloves back on, then continued on her way. Shifting the package to one hand, she smoothed her coat back into place. She wouldn't be so nervous if she weren't going alone. Since moving back to RhyDin, she'd had to attend nearly every social event without an escort. Married people didn't get it. They took it for granted. The comfort of walking into a room full of people with someone's hand to hold. The comfort of knowing you'll never be left with no one to talk to. The comfort of being with someone.

Then again, it had never been just anyone she wanted. Time and again over the last year she'd thought to herself I wish Tucker were here. She couldn't think that any more. She couldn't wish him beside her. She couldn't imagine walking into the party holding his hand. That fantasy would never be.

She'd thought about asking Mason to come with her. Then she wouldn't be alone. And then no one would be tempted to ask her about Tucker. But she didn't want to start using Mason as just another someone so she wouldn't be alone. She didn't wear Tucker's locket anymore. But how would she know if she was ready for Mason? How would she know if she wanted to be with him and not just anyone. She wanted to want him.

Eva turned the corner bringing Sianna and Johnny's cottage in view, and paused in the snow. She could hear the voices of those who had already arrived drifting out the open door. Her stomach flipped. Breathe. Smile. Eva did both and then started down the path to the front door.

"And what are you young gentlemen up to?" Avery was not overlooked in Sylvia's questioning gaze. The requested cider was procured and delivered to Sianna along with some shortbread cookies for Bea to mangle.

Avery paused, his hand holding a tasty treat halfway to Aidan's plate. He mustered a large smile to Sylvia before smartly putting it in his mouth and not the plate.

Cian was as innocent as a lamb to all, but hearing Sianna, he rushed over with his plate and patted Bea's tam. "Master Hudson gave that to her. Mum was surprised it still fits." Sylvia halted Aidan's more clumsy run after with a hand and a grab at his plate. "Come with me, little man. You can sit and eat, not go pell mell over Mistress Sianna's home."

Sianna gave a smile in to Cian, adeptly hiding the heartbreak in her eyes. "Oh aye, he did? Did ye know that Master Hudson is my brother, aye? Jus' like ye are with Beata."

Cian had a thoughtful look, and then nodded. "Yes'm, only we're little." Attempting to prevent Cian from continuing his path of conversation, Sylvia guided him to take a seat by Aidan. "Be careful, now, and I will bring you some drinks."

Still smiling to Cian, Sianna noted the move by his mother. "Aye, ye are little but only for a spell yet. We were all small like ye once, aye?" A wink to the boy.

---

Taking the cider gratefully, Sianna took a sip and then sat the mug down, before turning her attention to Locke. "There is quite a stash of ales in th' freezer. I had Henderson sit them back for ye, especially. Dinna hesitate tae have him fetch ye as many as ye might like."

"Thank you most kindly, Sianna. I appreciate that." Another guilty look towards the gifts, before he lifted the bottle up and pressed it to his forehead. Half-open eyes watched the children's antics with a smile.

---

Making up a plate for herself, Juliane popped some sort of pastry in her mouth, freezing like stone at the mention of Hudson, concerned gaze going to Sianna.

Seeing that all was well, she breathed a sigh of relief. Happily crunching a slice of red pepper, she made her way back into the drawing room and the swirl of people.

---

Ewan found a seat to settle, adjusting the sleeping Kellan into the crook of his arm, propping up the elbow with a very fortuitous nearby pillow.

Storm's eyes moved over to Ewan and the sleeping Kellan with a soft smile on her lips. "Already asleep before it all starts." She leaned to brush her fingers over Kellan's forehead.

---

Henderson made his rounds with trays of drinks and small plates of savories, depositing them within reach of Ewan and a nearly frozen ale to Locke.

"Thank you," he smiled to the artful and helpful Henderson, reaching for something looking very tempting on the nearby plate.

"Oh, thank you," Sylvia stopped in mid step as Henderson seemed to anticipate the need, bringing glasses of juice for the boys. She took them with a smile and nod of her head and then took a seat behind the boys, holding their glasses in hand to avoid their being spilled.

Locke murmured his thanks to Henderson, before switching the half-finished bottle of ale for the colder and fuller one that the man had just given him. He tried not to feel to self-conscious about the fact that he was now in possession of two alcoholic beverages at the same time, even if one was serving as a makeshift ice pack. The thought suddenly brought a flash of a wicked grin to his lips, but only for a moment, before he managed to tamp it down.

---

With the game over, Avery sat next to Storm with an impatient look, and she stopped it with a single warning glance. Sighing, he leaned against her and she looked down at him, "Are you going to fall asleep like Kellan, also?" There was a tease in her voice as he frowned at the idea. *No.* His face looked determined.

"I should think not. I am counting on Avery to keep me on top of the traditions of this night since he recalls them so well."

With the talking of traditions, he scooted over to sit closer to his dad to try and see if he could get a different answer, *Mom said I have to wait to write on the paper until she says something.*

"I think your mother is right. Best we should wait for our hostess to say when it is time. Still know what you are going to write down?"

He put his hands on his hips, *Yes, and it's still a secret!* He gave a silent giggle before trying to probe an answer from his father, *What are you going to write?* Storm watched their conversation with a grin.

"Good evening, Peredhil." Storm's smile warmed upon his arrival.

"Good evening, Storm and Ewan. I believe congratulations are in order." He smiled warmly, indicating the new addition to the family.

"Yes, and thank you again for your gifts. You will have to teach Kellan your game, once he is old enough."

"Thank you, Peredhil," Ewan added. "And quite an interesting gift. I hope you are anticipated to be around in order to teach the use of it."

He nodded to Ewan. "I hope to. Depends on Juliane though."

---

Sianna spun her head around to catch site of the boys being very good and very... restrained. "Would th' lads like something more tae drink or eat? There are some sugared pecans in pretty paper cups if they would like tae have them."

"Thank you, Sianna, perhaps later if they successfully manage to not destroy your home with their playing. Now then," she smiled as she rose from her seat, "let me ease you of this little mover." She approached to gather up Bea so she could let her toddle around with supervision.

---

"Avery, could you do me a favor and see if Cian and Aidan would like to play a quiet game in the corner?" Of course asking for a quiet game did not mean they would get one.

He looked to his wife with the 'please return my mind to me' look, but then gave her a wink and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

Storm simply chuckled with a large grin and rested a hand above his closest knee.

Avery needed no further encouragement to slid off his seat to bound to the other boys. They understood some his sign, and *game* was accompanied with a large and excited grin, followed by a clap of his hands.

The boys walked to the corner of the room and unceremoniously sat down to play what looked like a complicated hand game. Occasional giggles were the only noises for now.

---

Locke quirked an eyebrow, partially hidden behind an unopened bottle of ale pressed to his head, at Peredhil. "Lad? How old are you, mate?" He was trying not to show the entirety of his irritation, but it was hard for him, so instead, he took another sip of his open bottle.

Peredhil blinked in surprised at Locke. "Not old enough, I guess." He attempted a chuckle, although his cheeks colored about being called out.

Juliane gave Peredhil a look of glee as she crossed her arms to await such an announcement. "I think he was askin' for somethin' a bit more... concise, Eldarion."

---

"Well, 'tis no' like they will do any more damage than a fresh set of twins in time, so please, dinna worry, aye? There is nothing in life that canna be mended." Handing over the child almost reluctantly, she smiled to herself as she toddled.

Sylvia stayed by Bea's side as she went walking about, exploring here and there, refused one item or another and moving on about the room, sometimes touching one person or another in passing.

The minute her hands were free, Henderson reappeared, plying her with a fresh plate of savories. "Eat up, missus. Ye 'ave ta keep up yer 'ealth." Rolling her eyes in teasing exasperation, she took the plate and began to nibble.

Beata came to a stop at Locke and wide eyed she began to toddle up close to him. This fellow was worth closer investigation. Only, she was thwarted by Sylvia turning her aside. "Sorry about that, Locke."

"No worries, Sylvia." He paused briefly, to hand an empty bottle to Henderson with another thank you, then turned his full attention to Beata and Sylvia. "You have a beautiful daughter." A sideways glance, as Kellan was switched from Storm to Peredhil.

Sianna ate and sipped at leisure, enjoying the feeling of a full house, as it ought to be.

At her age, Beata was able to easily find something else of interest, and what was of interest was Sianna's plate of goodies. She went to investigate at as high a speed she could manage. The little girl in more of a lope than a run, arrived at Sianna's knee and reached up to the plate. Sylvia, not being so small, had to dodge a bit more before she could spare Sianna from a food snatcher.

Plucking a cracker from her plate, Sianna held it out to Beata as a peace offering.

"Thank you, Locke. " She laughed and sighed. "She is a bit stubborn." Beata took the cracker and began to munch happily. Definitely this lady was a friend. She started to try and climb up again on the lap. "Bea, say thank you." Not that the child could, but always good to start early, but with the crawling up, she picked up the little girl and had her sit in a chair nearby. That did not last, and with the cracker gone, the girl slid of the chair without grace, showing her pantelettes a moment, and then took off to investigate what her brothers were doing.

"She's a whirlwind, tae be sure... but a darling just the same, aye?" Chuckling as she deposited her mug and plate to the side table so that her hands would be free for the next pass by.
---

"Do not drop my son," Ewan feigned the threat, easing it into its proper humor with a grin.

That was easy. Gazing down in wonderment at Kellan, his green eyes danced with delight when Kellan sighed. "He's even more handsome up close." Grinning at Ewan, "I'll do my best."

"Ewan!" Storm laughed and gave his knee a light slap.

Juliane giggled and stood to stretch her legs, positioning the firescreen in front of the flames, as the room's temperature climbed slightly.

As he held Kellan, Peredhil watched Sylvia's daughter Beata, then gave Juliane a quick look when her attention was on adjusting the firescreen.

Acting like the light slap did harm, he pouted and rubbed at his knee, but then stood to check on the boys, and their new companion.

---

"Was this how you were, Sylvia?" Delighted, Storm watched Beata in fascination.

Locke laughed as well. "I am personally acquainted with stubbornness. And understand completely." He popped the cap on his new bottle of Silver Lark, and started to drink from that.

Turning back to the group, she caught Peredhil's gaze, her green eyes darkening slightly. Hearing the comment from Locke, she piped up. "Of course ya are. Ya spend time wi' Kates. She's perfection personified, but as stubborn a Smith as ever there dared ta be."

Sylvia's smile, though it remained, emptied some. But she managed to bring back the warmth when she answered Storm. "I do not think so, but I cannot say as I recall. Stubborn, however, I have been told is my trait." The smile warmed even more.

Ewan turned to give a concerned glance to Sylvia, but at her handling the question, he looked back to the kids and crouched down to try and grasp the gist of the game.

"Now now, dinna try tae trump yer hostess when it comes tae stubbornness... for no' only am I a Smith, but I'm Scots tae boot." Waggling her finger teasingly at each.

With his hands full, Peredhil hadn't been able to get in a sip of cider. Nudging Juliane with his elbow, he whispered so as not to wake Kellan. "Want to hold him for a while?"

"Sure." Open arms accepted the warm little bundle, Kellan nuzzling happily into her shoulder. It was obvious Juliane had had some practice with children.

Storm watched Kellan being passed on with a warm smile, before watching the attack from the warband.

After Kellan had been passed off, albeit reluctantly, Peredhil reached for his mug of cider and brought it to his lips, watching Ewan deal with a two-pronged attack rather effectively.

---

Stirred by the action, Sylvia stood up and ushered Bea near Sianna's knees while she went to deal with her sons. "Ewan, put Cian down. Aidan stop it." Though the boy actually had already stopped when the attack utterly failed. He scrambled to his feet.

Avery was very visibly pouting that his father was not going to play with their game.

Reaching down, Sianna swung Beata up before repositioning her on her lap. Bouncing her knees gently, she hummed in time to the cadence.

Ewan put both boys down on their feet. "Avery, I think you need to spend some time considering where you are. Please take a seat next to your mother."

Locke thought he had detected a serious note in Sylvia's voice, which nipped any thought of laughing at the children's antics in the bud quickly.

On the verge of engaging Sylvia in conversation, Peredhil waited as she dealt with the situation at hand. Turning to Juliane with a small smile, he watched, impressed, as she expertly handled Kellan.

Her hand moved in a rhythmic circle over Kellan's back, but Juliane paused a moment to return the smile ten-fold.

Kellan barely did anything other than sleep against Juliane, only now his lips parted slightly, which would eventually lead to escaping drool.

Without any sort of reaction, Juliane's hand paused mid-cicle and tugged at her sweater so that it would capture any moisture that may escape.

---

Storm patted a seat next to her, and Avery reluctantly sat there with no hand motion for silence. Wrapping an arm around his tiny shoulders, she leaned down to whisper in his ear, "Are you going to tell me what you are going to write yet?" It produced the right smile as he gave her a teasing nudge.

Avery accepted the temporary time to sit, and slightly swirled the juice in his glass and watched the movement

Hands on both her boys heads, Sylvia turned them about and marched them to take a seat at her feet. "I think Master Ewan has the right idea. I normally would not mind such playing, but not inside and certainly not inside a host's house." Cian frowned. "He started it." But he knew that was the wrong thing to say at the look of his mother, and he sat down in silence and taking the opportunity to take a good look around the house. He was a clever lad, and smiled brightly to Sianna. "You have a very pretty home, Mistress Sianna." It was as if to say 'see how good I am, Mum?'

Pausing in mid-bounce, Sianna beamed down to Cian. "Thank ye, laddie. 'Tis verra kind of ye tae say."

"You're welcome. I think we should return the favor. My aunts are in town, and they are both having babies, too. I think it would be best to keep you all together." It seemed completely logical to him. Sylvia corrected with a flush to her cheeks. "While Marghaid is close. Rian is not."

"Oh, 'tis verra kind of ye tae invite me, laddie... but I dinna think any household could stand three pregnant ladies at once, aye?"

Not finding this of significance, Cian let the offer stand as it was and looked around the house again. The boys were still for a few moments before they started in on the hand game again, and feeling their punishment suitable, she sent them back to the corner. Cian enthusiastically waved for Avery to join them.

"If I can find the time." He muttered something under his breath that sounded like "And I probably won't," before raising his voice. "Fashion week's a month away, and I'll be bloody busy just about every day until then."

Beata was content to play with the fringes on Sianna's wrap. Nimble fingers tickled the girl about the neck and belly, bringing forth loud exuberant chuckles. "Are things going well then, with th' line, Locke?"

Peredhil observed Locke quietly, unaware until then of the impending deadline. "I have plenty of free time now, Locke, so if I can help you with something, please let me know."

---

Avery rubbed his hands in anticipation for the set up to be completed so that he may be the first one to write something down. *I don't need help.* He signed happily to Storm even though she didn't offer any help.

Peredhil turned to Aidan with a smile, his eyes meeting Sylvia's briefly before falling on the boy. "If your mom lets you, perhaps you could come along too."

Aidan clasped little chubby hands together, his round face with round forest eyes looked up at her. "We will see." It was all Sylvia was going to allow at the moment with things so uncertain in their home. Accepting that as a yes instead of a 'we will see' Aidan was satisfied and went to join Avery and Cian in their waiting.

---

Henderson brought forth an assortment of papers and pens finally, after clearing away the dining room of messed plates and glasses. He spread them across the coffee table so that all who wished to partake, could do so with ease.

Avery all but pounced right in front of the table, grabbing the first pen and paper in sight before started to carefully shape each letter. "Easy on the table, Avery." Storm watched his death grip ease slightly.

Politely waiting until all was prepared, Cian took up two pieces of paper and two pens, explaining to Aidan who looked at him like he was being unfair, "For mum." And he went to present the spares to Sylvia. Sylvia, anticipating her need to assist Aidan, thanked Cian and then moved to the edge of the chair to help her youngest boy.

Kellan shuffled, noisily into Juliane's shoulder only to find himself repositioned to the opposite side.

Storm couldn't help but glance over towards Juliane to make sure Kellan was all well. Even though she knew it so, she had to see it first before she looked back over to Avery again.

---

He addressed Sianna first. "They are going as well as I expected. It's...been a touch tricky, figuring out how the whole thing works, but I am starting to get the hang of it." He chuckled to himself, before turning to Peredhil. "Unless you would like to take over my morning and afternoon constitutionals, I am not certain there is much that can be done."

Peredhil watched Aidan walk away, then flashed Sylvia an apologetic smile, mouthing "I'm sorry" to her. His attention turned back to Locke, he shrugged. "Well, good luck with everything then." He finished off his cider and stood. "Anyone need a drink or refill?"

Sianna and Beata were now deeply engrossed in a game of patty cake. and she shook her head, her own cup and plate all but forgotten at the moment.

"What are you drinking, Locke?" He was already moving into the other room, refilling his mug with cider and pouring another one for Juliane.

"Silver Mark. Dark Ale." He couldn't help but twist his lips into a grimace at the words, looking quickly at the floor as he did so to hide the gesture.

Peredhil pulled a Silver Mark out of the ice chest and carried it and the two mugs of cider back into the living room. The Silver Mark was placed in front of Locke and the ciders deposited on the table in front of Juliane.

---

"I want to keep getting bigger." Aidan announced and then looked to the paper waiting for his mother to write. Sylvia, having caught Peredhil's words, gave him a smile and shake of the head to let him know there was nothing at all wrong in the offering, then looked at her son. "I think you will do that on your own. Perhaps something else?"

Locke nodded to Peredhil, before standing to grab a pen and slip of paper from the coffee table. "What precisely am I doing?" He sent an expectant look to the others present in the room.

To answer Locke's quiery, Sianna spoke up. "I believe th' tradition is tae write a wish for th' future year ye'd like tae have come true. Or something ye wish tae change with th' dawn of Ne'erday."

Grumbling softly, Peredhil nudged Juliane gently with his shoulder and then scribbed something on his paper. Folding it in half, he held it between his fingers. "Now what?"

"Now we hold on to it until we're told ta do otherwise."

---

A puff of white "smoke" formed in the air as a petite elf knocked on the door to the Silver Lark with her free hand::

Henderson went to the door and swung it wide so that Elessaria could enter.

In the other she held a bottle of elven champagne and a bottle of sparkling fruit juice as well:: "Why good evening to thee! I'm Eless." She smiles to Henderson and then winks as he ushers her in, adding softly, "Thank thee."

---

The bottle of ale was finished, and Locke still hadn't thought of something to write. He handed the empty off to Henderson, bending slightly to retrieve the second bottle and pop the cap. He placed the bottle cap in his pocket, and resumed his contemplation.

His contemplation broke as there was a knock at the door. When it opened and Eless stepped inside, he winked and grinned at her, before suddenly (and with his tongue sticking out more now) scribbling his answer on the slip of paper. He folded it neatly into quarters and pocketed it, before getting up to place the pen back on the table.

---

Bea had discovered Sianna's shoulder and was resting contentedly against it, drawing off the tam and playing with it. Sylvia gave a questioning look to Sianna to see if she wanted to be relieved of Bea's company.

She waved her hand, assuring that all was well and then make a game of tugging on the tam lightly.

Bea giggled at the game, giving it her all, as little as that was. Seeing all her children in a state of delight and lack of chaos, Sylvia felt herself sink back into the chair again and sent up a wave to Elessaria.

---

"Sylvia! It hath been too long!" Elessaria shrugged out of her cloak, handing it to poor Henderson as she rushed to greet her friends, smiling happily. Pausing in mid-step, she turns and then dumps the bottles on the poor fellow as well.

Henderson stumbled under the hasty acquisition of goods, and moved to deposit them accordingly.

"So it has, Elessaria. I trust you are well." More a question than a statement.

Eless bent to touch a kiss to Sylvia's cheek with a wink. "I am yet among the living."

"Very good news, I must say." Sylvia laughed, with an exchange of touch to her cheek.

---

Avery pulled out a pecan that had to be coated in the most sugar and cinnamon than any other. He switched it out with another one, before offering that to Ewan.

"Thank you," he smiled and took the offered pecan, popping it into his mouth.

Avery glanced over to Elessaria, recognizing her face but not remembering her name, *Who is that?* He discreetly signed to his father.

"That is Mistress Elessaria. She is a good friend of your mother's and mine."

Hearing her name, she turned towards it. "Ewan...Happy Hoga..Hogmanay to thee and Master Avery." A curtsey with a playful flourish for the lad.

"And to you, Mistress Elessaria. You are a vision as always." Ewan bowed his head.

At that information, Avery gave Elessaria another look, this one longer. He grinned and gave a silly bow in the exchanged greeting.

There was a cracker for Avery, too.

Ewan leaned his head to grin at his son's battle against sleep. "Are you going to pop your cracker, then?"

He glanced down at it, and looked back up to Ewan in question with his hands full.

"Hmm, I see." He offered to take up the pecans so Avery could manage.

Grinning and nodding eagerly, the moments of tiredness vanished as he popped open the cracker to reveal the goodies inside. A blue top in particular caught his interest, and he held it up in line with his eyes, with Locke in the background. He suddenly moved over to Locke, and pointed to the top, and then his face, trying to show they were the same color.

---

Sylvia was not oblivious to Sianna, and concerned the woman was tiring, she stood to claim Bea with a smile to Elessaria. "A very dear friend gave it to her." Turning to whisper to Sianna as she took up Bea into her arms. "Are you all right, Sianna?"

A nod, as she smiled bravely, willing any vestige out of her expression. "Oh aye, I'm fine." Handing over Beata with a bit of reluctance.

"It is the only hat she will wear for any length of time. I try to put bonnets and caps and all sorts of things on her head when it gets cool, and she tears them off as if they are the most evil thing I could do to her." She laughed and sat close to Sianna, holding Bea, so the lady could still play if she wished, but not feel forced to tend to the child.

She laughed softly. "I am nay particularly fond of shoes or hats myself, Sylvia, so I can relate." A whirl of emotions flit through her gaze as she watches the gathering. Another gentle smile graced Eless's face as she touched Si's shoulder gently, releasing a soothing tendril of her mana.

Feeling better, Sianna bestwoed a grateful smile to Eless as she reached for her own drink.

---

Peredhil stifled a yawn, glancing over at Juliane.

As if orchestrated, Juliane covered her mouth to hide a yawn. Things had hit a momentary lull as everyone seemed to be caught up in their own thoughts, and the combination of cider and warmth made her limbs heavy.

Yawns were, true to old's wives tales, contagious.

Eless paused to struggle not to yawn herself; those contagious cootie yawns.

Storm looked over the room for changes, and smiled to Eless and Luna. She leaned gently against her husband for more discreet affection.

"Happy Hogmanay, Elessaria." She motioned to Kellan, "Would you care to hold him?"

He rested his cheek a moment to the top of Storm's head. The moment brief as he lifted it again to look to Kellan. "Asleep again, is he?"

Sianna made an involuntary wince as a tiny foot or elbow made contact with a kidney. Ahhh, they were awake. Hands moved rhythmically over her belly as if to lull them back into resting.

"Yes. I believe it is too much excitement for him." Storm did not miss the wince by Sianna, and recognized the sensation. Still, she said nothing unless she saw further discomfort.

"Isn't th' point of excitement tae leave ye excited?" Even in pain, Sianna managed a small chuckle and wink to Storm.

---

Bea was in snuggle mode, the tam in her hands, and her head resting back against her mother's chest as she watched the goings on with solemn green eyes. Cian and Aidan were making a successful turn of playing within a restricted amount of space so as not to cause too much trouble. It was rather like playing in the cabin on a ship.

---

At the familiar name, Locke turned and waved a quick greeting to Eva, before returning to the game at hand. He dipped his left hand into his pocket for just a second, before he frowned a little at Avery. "Hmm..." An inarticulate vocalization, equal parts confusion and mischief.

Avery took the opportunity to take a turn to spin the top when Locke reached into his pockets, but at the "hmm", his eyes lit up with interest. He looked between Locke's face and pocket to visualize his silent question.

---

Eva shrugged a shoulder, and shifted in her seat. "I wanted to." Then looking up, she reached to accept a glass of something to drink from Henderson. "Thank you." Locke across the room received a smile and then she looked back to Sianna. "How have you been feeling?"

Sylvia's wise eyes absorbed the expression. "Discomfort or just a swift reminder of they find their current home confining?" Recollection of the days still drew up a smile even in her concern.

Looking between Sylvia and Eva, she nodded. First to Eva. "Feeling verra broad at th' moment and like a ripening melon." A shake of her head before nodding to Sylvia. "And a bit of both, I dinna doubt. I hope it does no' indicate that they will no' get along."

Eva's eyes shifted to Sylvia with her little one, smile warming again.

Bea was slow to smile, only due to drawing closer to tired, but the smile came all the same, and Sylvia gave a little bounce that brought out the little giggle of the girl.

Bea's little giggle made Eva laugh, before she looked back to Sianna. "They'll get along like peas in a pod. Don't you worry." Then back to Sylvia, a nod towards the girl on her knee. "I have a nephew about just that age."

"No more or less than any other siblings, I should think." A warm smile accompanied the wink. Cian and Aidan came over with grins and enthusiastic explanations of their latest adventures and a singular complaint. "Mum," Cian came to the point of his ramblings, "I thought you said she had dogs." Sylvia blinked at the recollection and looked around for the animals thinking they must be very well behaved animals if they were in the room.

---

"It would seem that you have something stuck behind your ear. May I take the liberty of removing it for you?" Locke's left hand was carefully by his side, hidden from view, while his eyes were entirely focused on Avery's ear.

Avery frowned in confusion of something being behind his ear, but he turned and tilted his head to make it easier for Locke to remove whatever was behind his ear.

Without the glove on, the cold temperature of Locke's hand was definitely noticeable, even if it didn't touch Avery. The palmed coin was kept out of sight until the last minute, when, with a shift of his fingers, it appeared, seemingly from behind the boy's ear. He brought the copper coin in front of Avery's face with a broad smile. "TaDa!"

Ewan watched as Locke performed the slight of hand as magic for Avery with a grin.

"The boys are now in canine paradise. We may hear nothing but laughter and yips for the rest of the night." Sylvia laughed and let Bea down who wanted to go investigate as well, fighting her weariness to play with doggies.

Glancing to Beata and then back to Sylvia, she couldn't help but grin. "She reminds me verra much of myself. But dinna fret, they are verra gentle, the both of them."

"I have more fear for the dogs than for her." It was only half in jest. "She is used to a Briggara hound." Contemplating a commonality, she offered, "Somewhat like an Irish wolfhound from what I have seen of those. And if my little Bea reminds you of yourself, then I am well content that she will grow to be a fine young lady."

---

"Let's not dash out your brains, my boy, for the trying. I think we might need to tell the story of the goose that lay the golden eggs." Ewan suggested it sagely, though the lad's attention was elsewhere.

Avery was fascinated with the way the coin moved and flicked over Locke's hand. It brought a true smile out as he used both hands to reach out and catch the coin. When he did, he carefully set the coin over his thumb and tried to flick it as well, only it went well over his head and backwards.

Locke chuckled as the coin flew out of reach, leaning back and readjusting so that he was no longer kneeling, but sitting with his feet underneath his legs.

Scrambling around for the coin, Avery picked it up and offered it to Locke again, motioning with his other hand to flick it up again.

Storm's cheek rested on Ewan's shoulder for a short time as she continued to watch Avery. She couldn't help but chuckle quietly.

---

Amusement shone in her eyes as she watched Locke and Avery, then she shook her head slowly while she kept her laughter quiet so as not to disturb Kellan's sleep. "Children and dogs - 'tis a lovely combination, methinks. 'Twill be wonderful for the twins to grow up around them."

Overhearing Eless, Sianna grinned. "Aye, that's what my good-cousin insisted when she bought the pair for th' twins. One of their verra first gifts."

Eva laughed as well, then turned towards Sianna. "So, you'll have to forgive me my ignorance, but... what is it we're celebrating tonight? Hog-uh-many?"

---

Eless' delicate fingertips traced the backs of the baby's tiny ones as she watched him; she was completely enthralled.

A smile up to Eless, Ewan's laugh low and brief, "Has Kellan captured you entirely, Elessaria? At least I think we found another who can look after the lads should the need arise."

"Already charming pretty ladies." Storm said with a sigh and a smile as she looked to Eless and the perfectly content Kellan.

"My heart is lost to him already as to the other little ones here." She chuckled softly as she glanced up to note where the children were at the moment, alert even if relaxed. "And aye, I would be happy to watch the both of them if thou dost ever need, Ewan."

---

"I can never pronounce it properly either, Eva." She reassured her friend with an impish smile; the champagne colored silk whispering as she continued her gentle rocking motion.

Eva looked over towards Eless, oblivious. "I didn't pronounce it right?" Then looked back to Sianna for confirmation either way.

Sianna smiled warmly. "Did I say ye did no'? Though if ye want tae hear it in pure scots..." A sly grin as she uttered the syllables slowly. "Hogmanay."

Eva's lips formed the word like she might repeat it, but she didn't attempt it. Instead she just grinned. "Yeah, that."

Eless flashes Eva a smile that said "See, I can't do it either." Then she stepped slowly over to Eva so she could admire Kellen, but she was not ready to hand him over yet. Nope, she was a greedy little elf.

Sianna's laughter bubbled up brightly. "Dinna fash ower it. Ye'll no' be ranked on yer impersonation of my accent."

More laughter as Eva watched Eless, then nodding to Sianna. "You're ever so generous." A playful grin, before she looked up and saw Eless with baby Kellan. She set her drink down and stood to lean over the boy. "Oh..." Her smile in a slow fade.

"I am very sorry," apologizing for failing to make proper introductions. "Eva, my wife Storm. Storm, this is Eva."

Eva nodded with a warm smile to Storm, while simultaneously dismissing Ewan with a waved hand, staying beside him as she watched Eless with his son.

"Mayhaps Eva would like to hold him?" Eless asked quietly so as not to press if Eva did not feel comfortable holding him.

Storm chuckled, "You are not stealing him, and he is not the entertainment. You may hold him for as long as you choose."

---

A cry from the other room. It was not a hurt cry nor a mad cry, but the kind that comes from her little girl when weariness thins her feelings. "Do excuse me a moment."

Ewan's eyes followed Sylvia for a moment, but then smiled his agreement with Storm to Eless.

Sianna would have gotten up if she was readily mobile, but nodded with assurance to Sylvia. Her gaze followed her out the room and awaited to know that all was well.

Eless chuckled and blushed, she knew she had the "baby - gagas" but bad! "Somebody is a bit tired," she chuckled some more as she watched Sylvia go in after Bea. How these women balanced their lives with not just one, but multiple children just amazed the empath.

There were some defensive sounds from the boys, which were quelled by their mother's response of understanding. When Sylvia returned, she held her little girl and rubbed her back. The black curly haired head rested on her shoulder and little pantellette covered legs dangled from where the little bottom sat on her mother's arm. When Sylvia sat once more, she continued to rub the small back knowing that soon the green eyes would be closed. She smiled to let others know everything was fine.

---

Standing just beside the boy's father and mother, it felt impossible to decline, even as brief flash of panic hit her. Eva smiled to cover it and tried for a joke. "Alright, but I should warn you I have a long history of making perfectly content babies cry." Moving towards Eless.

"Now thou art an aunt, so thou canst nay be that bad, Eva." Her tone was both playful and reassuring as she released a soothing wave of her empathy as she carefully passed the sleeping bundle to her. She then gave Avery's hair a fond tousling as she whispered, "Watch both of his hands closely, Avery. That Locke is very nimble fingered."

"Either you will break your record or keep the history. Either way, a remarkable feat." Ewan teased the more.

Eva does take him with ease and experience, cradling him to her in a supportive hold, her eyes down on his sleeping face.

Storm chuckled at Ewan's remark, but showed no signs of concern for Eva's history warning. Her eyes moved to check on Avery, and then to Sylvia and the toddler before looking to the arm exchange of Kellan with a small smile.

As the boy remains sleeping, Eva looked up to his parents with a smile. "So far so good." Then gently twisting from side to side, a sweet humming to him.

The baby safely passed, she found a few of the sugared pecans and gamely gave them a nibble. "Oooo...these are quite good!"

Ewan patted his stomach and eyed the packets of sugar pecans. Resolved to give in, he went to collect a packet and ate one or two on the way back to his seat where he offered some to Storm.

---

Avery glanced up at the hair tousle, but finding it to be Eless, she received a shy smile. He gave her a thumbs up, and watched Locke with surprising concentration with his age. Still, he couldn't figure it out at all, and his lips parted in more silent laughter and he clapped his hands together happily.

Locke finally returned with a plain black winter hat in his right hand, and quickly moved to return to his previous seat. He held the hat to his side, as he reached his left hand into the air and seemingly plucked a coin out of thin air. He "dropped" it into the hat, then reached his hand into the air yet again, removing what seemed to be another coin. Again, he dropped it into the hat. He repeated this two or three more times, the effect seemingly that he had a limitless supply of coins at the ready.

"I would like a hat like that, " Eless quipped as she watched Locke with the never ending coins.

A wink and grin up at Eless with her words. He half-bowed as best he could from his seated position, before he flipped the coin back into the palm of his hand.

Cian peaked out the door and looked to his mother. "Yes, I think it is time you and Aidan returned. Or better yet, now that you have riled up Mistress Smith's dogs, I suggest you take them out to take care of their business. That is," she looked to Sianna, "if that is all right with you."

"Oh aye, 'tis more than alright. Their leashes are tae th' back door, hanging on a hook." Smiling between Sylvia and her sons, Sianna pointed down the hall. "Just go tae th' kitchen, laddies. Right down there."

Cian and Aidan, feeling the need to control the dogs the entire way, though likely it was not necessary, fast walked the direction indicated of the leashes. Henderson, good fellow, was there with their cloaks in anticipation of the need. "Thank you, Henderson," Sylvia smiled her gratitude, knowing her sons would have dashed out the door without a thought to outer garments.

Elessaria idly wondered for a moment about Sylvia's comment and quietly chuckled to herself. "Mmmm... I am taking mental notes if I am ever to be blessed with children. " She nods to her friends, their children always so well-behaved and yet still free to be children. Then she resumed quietly sipping the cider, watching the boys hurry off to complete their task, a warm smile gracing her lips.

---

Eva looked up and over at Eless at her comment about having children. Then the smile came. But she said nothing, simply rocking Kellan her arms, meandering back towards his parents, a smile up at Storm and Ewan. "This is making me miss my niece. Mary. She was born last April."

"Does she favor your side of the family, little Mary?" Storm looked back to Eva with a gentle smile.

---

Avery gave a bright smile and thumbs up for Locke. His next attention went to the spikey white hair. He pointed to it, and gave an attempt to his hair, only making it rather messy and disheveled.

Locke laughed at Avery's effort, as he finally placed the coin back in his pocket and put his left glove on again. He started to pat his own hair, in an attempt to demonstrate that no matter how much he pushed down on it, it stayed spiked straight up.

---

Eva nodded. "My brother, yeah. Red hair." A laugh. "And always complaining."

"Oh, I had hoped that Kellan would have Ewan's hair." Storm looked to the top of his head with a teasing, longing sigh. "I think it a fine color."

Ewan reached forward and tried to help Avery in his task by holding it up for him, but released it and grinned with some sympathy to Eva, glancing to the sleeping infant.

"Avery." Storm gently scolded while trying not to laugh at the mess he had made of his hair. Avery tried to smooth it down, watching how the spikes continued to remain. He reached out slightly, indicating that he wanted to touch Locke's hair.

---

The boys outside and Beata sleeping soundly, Sylvia smiled contendly. "So, Elessaria, how is the perfumery?"

"'Tis definitely in it's infancy stages, Sylvia, as I have only just begun making the signature scents for my friends, " she blushed as she was so far behind to even call them holiday gifts anymore. "But I am hoping to open by the Valentine's celebration. I would hope 'twould be an especially good time for selling perfumes."

"At least I can hope, " Eless added with a chuckle. "I may have to ask Antonio for his opinion to make sure. The whole business part is completely new to me."

"I most certainly agree that it is an excellent time for the selling of your wares. Well planned, I say, Elessaria."

Still her eyes sparkled with anticipation and excitement as she discussed the shop. It brought her much joy to share her gifts in another way. "Thank thee, Sylvia. I value thine opinion."

---

No sooner had Sianna gotten truly comfortable and the twins back to sleep, than she realized that the necessary was calling. She lifted one foot down and then the other, from the stool and then began to scoot to the edge of her chair so that she could put her arms behind her, for leverage.

Sylvia rose to give Sianna what assistance she could in standing.

A small wry smile as she gripped the offered hand with gratitude. "Thank ye, Sylvia. Excuse me a moment, aye?" With that, she made her way through the room and up the stairs.

An assuring nod to Sianna, she watched until the woman was out of sight and then turned back to Elessaria. "If there is in some way I can be of assistance. Your perfumes are they of fully natural ingredients?"

"Everything is perfect, Sianna. Thank thee again for inviting me." Eless smiled reassuringly at their hostess.

"Your returning company is all we need." Storm smiled encouragingly to Sianna to reclaim her seat.

A nod of thanks for Sianna checking in on Bea. "Good, good. She needed to rest. And I think you need some of the same. Is the hour yet come to burn the notes?" She was trying to recall the year before, but so much was tied to the year before and it kept getting in the way.

She waved her hand, dismissing the need for Eless's thanks and expressing gratitude for Storm's welcome. Her voice dipped low, just for Sylvia's ears. Brilliant blues darkened as the women shared the same memories, the same thoughts. "Aye, 'tis th' hour. A new year has come in earnest."

---

Locke leaned his head forward a little, half-cat-like in the gesture, the spikes of white fully exposed. Even through gloves, they were cool to the touch. However, rather than being soft, each spike felt brittle, hard, almost as if his hair was frozen.

Avery tentatively and lightly touched his hair for a moment, before looking up at Eva. He pointed to Locke's hair, and shook his head and hands to signal not to touch. But, he removed one gloved and offered it to the pretty lady with a smile, before pointing to Locke's hair again.

Elessaria's head tilted slightly as she watched Locke and the boys, an errant wisp of gold falling in front of her eyes as she did.

Eva looked down at young Avery with a smile and shook her head. "No, thank you. I'll take your word for it."

By way of explanation for Avery and Eva, Locke spoke a single word, pointing to his hair. "Water."

Shrugging, Avery went back to lightly touching and testing Locke's hair. At the word "water", he tried to look like he understood, but in the end, he didn't.

That made Eva laugh, lightly, her head tilting back.

---

Aidan found Cian's response to be untrustworthy because of its abruptness and sat down beside him to press his cheek on his older brother, which did not go over well. With a fuss and push away, Cian scowled. Aidan did find that funny, though and pursued his attempt to press a cheek no longer cold against his brother. "Stop it." Cian whined and pushed again. "Mum, make him stop."

A touch of guilt flitted in Elessaria's eyes as she watched the brothers fuss at each other, it was she who had started them on their path of mischief.

Sylvia turned to her boys. "Cian sit there, Aidan, sit there." That ended the attack -- for the moment.

Sylvia patted Sianna's arm, communicating much of what she was feeling of her support, her remorse, and a tumble of anxieties that were held inside. The smile came in sympathy and to assure the woman of strength to be found.

---

Then Eva's gaze shifted back to Locke, a soft smile. "Where's Katarina tonight?"

Sianna paused what she had been about to say to cast a quick glance to Locke at the question, a familiar flash of silver glimmering from around his wrist.

She is out of town until the 10th. She has an audition, and then she is visiting her family on Hope." Head half-twisted sideways, he made quite a sight, talking to Eva while Avery poked at frozen strands of his hair.

---

Storm's attention went back to Avery and Locke for a moment, before leaning against Ewan. "I am glad we came tonight, beloved." She kept her voice low and soft for his ears only.

His smile was half hidden by the knit capped head of Kellan. "As am I. The hour is late, though, and Avery should be following soon upon the heels of his brother."

She nodded in agreement, though for now made no move from her snug position. "We can leave whenever you wish."

Eva's pen was poised above the slip of paper. She had a thousand wishes. And a thousand regrets. When the pen finally began to move, she wrote just two words. 'Let go.' Crumpling the paper, she straightened back up, and hesitantly moved for the fire.

---

"I can change the temperature for you, if that would be easier." Storm could truly understand the uncomfortable feeling.

Sianna motioned to Henderson, and he brought forth a long steel pole, that would allow Locke to deposit his into the flames without going closer than he absolutely must.

He looked about ready to respond to Storm, when the pole was offered by Henderson. "Thank you." He removed his wish from his pocket and speared it on the end of the pole. He looked to both Aidan and Storm, in turn. "Thank you both most kindly, but it seems I shall be all right." He stood, and made his way closer to the hearth.

"Oh," Aidan thought on the problem, but at the variety of solutions, he beamed triumphantly up to Master Locke. "Yay!" Hands up above his head as he believed they had one the day over the difficulty.

Aidan's exuberance brought forth a bubble of glee from Sianna.

Even from a distance, he was hesitant to mess with the fire, lowering the end with the paper into it slowly. He let it sit in the flames for a while, the orange tongues licking and devouring the paper and the words within before it crumbled to ash and fell off the tip. When that was done, he went over to Henderson and returned the pole.

---

Cian's hand reached for his mother's. He needed to feel her there and alive beside him.

A soft smile to Elessaria. "Thank you, Elessaria. It is kind of you to say so." It would not do any good to numerate the many faults of her children, but she accepted the compliment and thought of Kieran and all he had done to guide them in the short time he had.

Aidan ran up to Sylvia. "Mommy, can I spear mine next year?" With a point to Master Locke's spear.

Sylvia looked down at her son, her expression devoid of any surprise or anger, and as calm as you please, replied, "Absolutely not."

It must have been an expected reply, because Aidan sighed and then went to find the toys from his cracker.

---

Eva waited a moment, as if she still weren't entirely sure she wanted to put the note in the flames. Then when the space before the fire was briefly clear, she approached, and dropped in the little note. Quick. Turning away so as not to watch it burn.

Elessaria then took the pen Eva had set down and wrote a brief phrase in her flowing script, then folded the paper. The empath then went to the fire and tossed in her wish as well, stepping back to allow the rest room to do so as well.

Avery, finally done with the set task of the evening, went to Storm to lean against her legs. Storm nodded to Locke with a smile, before resting a hand on Avery's shoulder to draw him closer.

It was time to go. Eva made her way across the room towards Sianna. "Thank you, Sianna. I had a great time."

"Well done, lads!" Elessaria nodded approvingly to the group effort with a merry chuckle.

---

Sianna held up a hand to Eva to stay her leaving just yet, and withdrawing several slips of paper from the pocket of her cardigan, she stepped forward to the fire and tossed them in. Hands resting against the mantle, she watched them curl and smolder until nothing was left.

She waited another moment before she took the poker and broke up the logs and embers, the cinders and such quickly paling to a dull gray. Returning the poker to its stand, Sianna turned back to her guests. "Aith-bhliain Fe Nhaise Dhuit."

Oh. There was more to the tradition. Eva blushed, tugging again at the sleeves of her sweater.

---

Avery gave Locke another thumbs up at the accomplished paper burning.

Locke returned the thumbs-up, before returning to his earlier seat. Or rather, to retrieve the almost finished bottle of ale near that seat. He took a sip from it, cobalt eyes bouncing from guest to guest to gauge their emotions.

---

Eless moved to link her arm through Eva's as they watched the tradition, a sympathetic smile to poor Locke as she did.

Cian was like glue to his mother's side with the flames hypnotizing him. Sylvia watched as the many notes went in and burnt away.

Noting that Avery drew nearer to wearying, Ewan offered Kellan back to Storm. Smiling gently, Storm removed her hand from Avery's shoulder to reclaim her other son. His warm body brought comfort as she rested her cheek lightly on his cap as she looked back over to Sianna.

---

Grateful for Eless' friendship and presence, she pulled in closer, lowering her voice for a whisper. "I'm not sure my wish was right."

"There are no right or wrong wishes in this tradition, Eva," she whispered back with a half-hug. "In fact, I do nay believe wishes are ever right and wrong, they are just words from our hearts."

---

It had been some time since Sylvia heard the Gaelic, and it made her smile even in the memory of other words.

It had normally been tradition for her to sing, but Sianna did not trust her voice as the future seemed to unroll unknowingly.