Guest Chambers (currently occupied by Ciaran McConn and his son)

Ciaran chuckled, finally hearing and believing Kiara. "Horatio must have told her about me dislike of em..." he muttered.

His smile grew even larger when he unwrapped his painting, barely keeping himself from kissing Kiara as the picture changed.

Tav died and went to heaven when he saw the baby phoenix. "Wicked!" he shouted. Ciaran looked up from the painting and saw feathers, as Tav all but stuck the baby bird into his eyes. Pushing it away slightly, he nodded.
"Very beautiful, lad."

He wondered briefly if Kiara had ever wondered why he had never shown her his phoenix...
"What are ya going ta name him, lad?"

"I don't know..." Tav replied. "What do you think, Mum?"

Kiara smiled "Mum... that will take some getting used to" she thought, "Perhaps the story of how I found him will help you in naming him, might take a few day for him accept a name though, Phoenix's are remarkably fussy about what their name is. I found him just outside a fire cave in Northern Russia, while picking up a present for another friend of mine. He wasn't in very good shape, effects from a dementor attack from the look of it. So I brought it with me, warmed him up, he has been doing much better now." she said with a smile. " When you find the right name you will know".


Then she turned to Ciaran, "And speaking of Cat's what are we to do with my cat? Lav? After we marry?" she asked That had been one thing that had been worrying her, about what to do with the little cat once she and Ciaran moved in together. She didn't want to cause any problems, but she had come to love the spunky little cat. She owed Lav her thanks, without the little cat she would have never finished everyone's gifts.

Tav nodded and carried his bundle of feathers closer to the fire. He didn't want it to be too cold. The little bird nuzzled his hand with its sharp beak and he smiled.
"Don't you worry. I won't let any dementor get you." he promised it.

Ciaran's smile faded. Ah, yes...her cat. Wasn't it bad enough that her adopted mother was one? Did she have to own one as well? apparently so.
"Well..." the wheels turning in Ciaran's head clanged and whirled as he sought an answer.
"Um..." no, offering to allow the cat to stay in a dog house would not work!
"Hmm..." he was stuck.

Kiara smiled as Tav started to get to know his new Pheonix she was glad that they seemed to be a match.

As she watched Ciaran struggle to give her an answer, her little worries over the problem got bigger with every "well... ummm... and hmmm"

Kiara bit her lip, What was she to do? The little cat had saved her life when she has been attacked by the Black Pheonix, and agian when the smoke bomb went off, she might have slept throught the whole thing, if she hadn't been killed it she would have had more serious lung damage and still be in need of hospitaliazation.

No she could just abandon her cat, she deserved a chance, her and Ciaran hadn't even met properly yet.

"Please Love, give her a chance, at least meet her first" she said. Then she leaned in to closer and whispered. "If it weren't for Lav I wouldn't be here right now. She saved my life the night the bombs went off near my quarters. Please Just meet her first and we can decide what to do from there" she said.

"I can't abandon her" she finished.

Ciaran was beginning to feel badly... He had already assumed "Lav" was dear to Kiara's heart and therefore he was hardly surprised with her impassioned plea for it. Ya have a heart of stone, Ciaran, he told himself, ta say nothing ta that...

And thus the Scot sighed and smiled. "We'll just have ta be making sure she and Haggis get along..."

Tav rushed over, having heard everything and punched the air with a happy fist.
"Yay, I get to have a cat now!" of course he knew the cat was Kiara's but the cat would be in the house at least and he had all sorts of fun planned already.
"Haggis is the hamster..." Tav murmured. "A stinky hamster." he stated, pinching his nose.

Kiara beamed "Thank you!" she exclaimed as she hugged him tightly and kissed him.

"I don't think you will have that problem with her, there is a reason I named her Lavorne. It is french for woodland, she is a really out doorsie Kitty, the trick will be getting her down from the trees then anything. I have gotten real good at that" she said with a chuckle.

"I promise she won't be any trouble, I will make sure of it kay?" she said with a smile.

She was so relieve he said yes, she wasn't sure what the sulution would be if he said no..

" She managed to get along with Junior over there" she said as she pointed to the baby Pheonix with Tav, as well as Saturn, and they are birds." she said trying to make Ciaran feel more comfortable with the idea.

Then she smiled at Tav, "You will love her Tav, she hops on you should her doesn't even use her claws, she is a sweet little thing and only 3 months old." she said to her almost step son.

Ciaran felt like mush with both Kiara and Tav so happy about the kitten. He wasn't so sure about Lav being friends with the hamster... since it was of the rodent species... but, it hardly mattered as long as a certain pair of large melting eyes were on him.

"I'm sure, love." he smiled.

Tav jumped up and down. "A kitten! Oh boy!"

Kiara laughed softly and kissed Ciaran on the forehead, "Don't worry Love, I will keep Lav under control and keep you hamster safe. Promise" she said holding his hand.

She smiled at Tav, "I should take you to meet later Tav.." and then she looked at Ciaran. "You to Dear... if you are willing"

"But we can do that later, Now are we done for presant opening or is there more under there somewhere? she asked.

Tav looked elated at the prospect of seeing Lav....Ciaran did not, but he hardly could be expected to.
"Of course, love." he muttered.

Tav began to search under the tree and smiling emerged with several more boxes.
"This one is for you, Mum." he murmured. "Not from me though."

The delicate wrapping paper and elegant penmanship gave away who the present was from.

Inside the paper was a hair-brush, obviously a family heir-loom, by its ornate appearance and make. It was made of ivory, with unicorn horn inlaid to create several dancing bears, surrounded by flowers. KIARA was carved into the handle with runes.

Kiara chuckled as Ciaran didn't really look thrilled at the prospect at seeing her cat. "You don't have to Dear" she said giving his hand a squeeze.

"Thank you Tav" she said as he handed her a present.

At the present she had gotton form Eglantine form the look of the writing.

She gasped at the brush inside," it's beautiful" she whispered and smiled when she saw she name on it.

"Thanks Mother" she thought to her self, with she ever present smile that had been on her face all morning.

Ciaran peered at the brush, his eyes widening at the simple elegance of it.
"From Professor DeLanquar?" he asked, fairly certain, but wanting to be sure.

Tav suddenly gasped as three glass cases popped into existence in the centre of the room. The smoke images in each clearly stated they were from Horatio.

A smoke troupe of flipping puppies was for Tav.
A complete forest scene, with a cottage, a brook, and several trees was for Ciaran.
And finally there was a rose with a phoenix curled around it for Kiara.

An envelope floated into Kiara's pocket.
In loopy handwriting, Ciaran and Kiara McConn was printed on it.

Within the envelope were two first-class round tickets to Hawaii. Along with a note with one word printed on it... Honeymoon. Obviously Horatio and Eglantine had given their adopted daughter her honeymoon.

Kiara blinked up at Tav when he gasped and she gasped softly as well when she saw Horatio's smoke class scultptures.

They were beautiful as well and Kiara absoutely loved the Rose and Phoenix sculture, Ciaran looked wonderful as well.

Then she looked curiously as the envelope floated into her pocket. Taking it out she her eyes widened slightly and her smiled got bigger if that were possible. Opening it, her eyes widened as large at they could go.

"Merlin.... Ciaran Love, look look" she said excitedly as she showed him what was inside the envelope.

"Thay are sending us to Hawaii on our Honeymoon" she said holding up the tickets she hands shaking with excitment.

Ciaran was admiring the great detail in his uncle's gift when Kiara called him over.
His mouth made contact with the floor as he saw the tickets.
"Hawaii?" he repeated, the word bouncing about his head.
"That old coot..." he muttered, smiling. It was perfect. For Kiara's troubles with cold and he had always wanted to go there...

Kiara was smileing form ear to ear, this was the best christmas she had ever had. "Ah I certianly hope they like there presents" she mused to herself.

Then she looked at Ciaran and Tav, the two who had rapibly took over her heart. She knew they all still had alot to learn about eachother. There was still so much about Ciarans past she didn't know. Same with Tav, she knew he had saddness in his past. Yet she admired him for being so cheerful, then agian that had probably alot to do with Ciaran.

One thing was for certain she was looking forward to being a Wife and Mother again.

"So Tav? What to try out your new wand? " she asked.

Tav nodded happily. "But we can do that later." he assured Kiara. Christmas morning traditions had to be upheld. Rushing off into the kitchen nook, he soon returned with a carefully balanced tray of drinks.

A cup of hot tea for Kiara, a mug of mulled wine for Ciaran and hot chocolate for himself.
"I'm going to win this year, Da." he smiled.
Ciaran chuckled, taking his mug.
"Ya never have before, lad."

Obviously being new to the McConn family Kiara looked up just a little confused.

"Umm just so I know what this is about, could someone explaine?" she said looking at the other two curiously.

Tav and Ciaran smiled at each other.

"Simple, Mum. First person to finish the drink and give the loudest burp wins!" Ciaran chuckled at Tav's explanation but nodded in agreement.

"On my mark..."

Kiara blinked and she was amused with the tradition, unfortunately it went against all the manners and things she had been taught growning up.

With a blush she said "Ah..I see," she said not entirely sure if she would do it or not.

The nagging whining little voice in her head was screaming loudly... "Do I have to?!"

Ciaran chuckled as he began the count-down.

"3...2...1...go!!!" He and Tav guzzled down their drinks with speed from long practice. Tav finished a hair before his father, but Ciaran's burp far outdid his young son's.

"You magically loudened it!" Tav accused his father, laughing as the chocolate dripped down his chin. "Fun, eh, Mum?"

Kiara barely got a sip of tea in by the time Ciaran and Tav chugged their drinks, not that she really tried mind you, she was more interested watching her Fiance and soon to be step son. It was funny to watch by any rate.

She laughed softly in amusement " Yes honey, may I ask who won? or it is tie? I didn't stand a chance" she asked.

Tav nodded. " I finished mine first, so I won the first round... Da cheated to make his burp louder and I won again!"
Ciaran shook his head, as if he could not belief his son.
"Very funny, Tavish." he chuckled, his face becoming stern. "Me voice was not loudened." Tav shrugged.
"Can you prove it?"

Kiara laughed at the two, it was comical aguement, funniest one she had ever heard. The father son relationship the two had was adorable.

She wasn't exactly sure what to say other then, "How about a tie breaker?" she said with a chuckle.

"Ya want ta be it?" Ciaran teased, setting his cup aside and leaning back. Tav chuckled, moving over to play with his presents.

Kiara leaned back with Ciaran still chuckling to herself and taking a sip of tea, "Interesting tradition dear, one I might have to get used to, it is cute though, i think he might beat you when he is older" she said with a wink.

When Tav started looking at his presents more, Kiara waved her hand conjuring violin. Putting her tea cup down she started to play, it occured to her this would be the first time Tav hearing her sing.

The Christmas Song (Lyrics and vocals)

Violin Music

Ciaran chuckled but said nothing, instead he leaned back and listened to the beautiful music. Kiara was beyond talented, he surmised, perfection never came in a more lovely package...