Charade

Sebastien knocked on a door, with a bucket of flowers in his arms, it wasn't an easy task. After a couple of seconds middle aged woman with bunch of brown hair and crystal blue eyes opened the door. The woman smiled the exact second she saw them, she bent down and kissed the top of Barbara's head and hugged her.

"Sebastien, I'm so glad to see you." Before she could hug him he extended his hands with a bouquet towards her. "Flowers for my favourite woman." He inhaled sharply when Barbara hit him in a lower leg. "Second favourite, I mean." He rolled his eyes and looked at Barbara. "That wasn't nice, kid." She hit him again, probably because he called her 'kid' again, although she pointed out she's 11 at least a dozen of times, Barbara came inside, leaving her father on the doorstep. Charming little child.

"You have a wonderful daughter Sebastien." The woman, Jenna, chucked opening the door further to let Sebastien in. "She's just like you when you were her age."

"I'm glad to see you, aunt." He kissed her cheek and came in before she could see him blushing.

Sebastien found Barbara sitting on a sofa next to blonde witch and whispering something to her. The moment she saw him, she stopped and smiled, she made a circle above her head, probably pointing that there's only halo missing, or something like that. Kids were still a mystery to Sebastien O'Sullivan.

Sebastien looked at his brother, pointed to the kitchen, and started walking in that direction hoping Christian would understand and follow him.
"Dad?"

Sebastien stopped. He still hasn't used to be called like that, he doubted he'll get used to it at all. He turned on his heels, immediately meeting Barbara's eyes.

"Where are you going?" He could still hear thick accent, but with every day that passed it was becoming less noticeable.

"I.. I need to speak with uncle Christian for a moment. I'll be back in a couple of minutes." His plan about quietly leaving the room was blown up now, he realized as the blonde witch glanced in his reaction. He did his best in ignoring her, he couldn't be rude in front of his daughter but that doesn't mean he couldn't ignore the blonde.

He entered the kitchen and leaned against the wall crossing hands on his chest. Sebastien gazed at Christian. "What's she doing here?" Ex-Slytherin sighed seeing brother's puzzled look. "Nymeria Evanesco?" He spat. "Little blonde? The irritating one? Ring any bells?" Sebastien was sure they broke up a year ago, maybe even more, so there wasn't a reason for him to bring her here, or to be near her at all.

Before Christian could open his mouth, to argue with him, Sebastien was sure. On the other hand, he wasn't sure why his brother liked that girl, she was annoying, naive, somewhat stupid and too much clumsy, or at least he saw her that way. The doorbell saved Sebastien, he walked outside of kitchen, but stopped on its doorway. "Don't forget that thought, I'll be back in a minute." He turned and walked toward the entrance door, hoping that there are Faulkners on the other side of the door, it was well known he disliked the Evanesco girl, and his best friend was one of few people that could force him to act politely, even if that means he'll see her brother too. His two least favourite people at one place, if this wasn't about Lilyanya's safety he would have already disappeared.

Lilyanya wore her favorite dark blue dress that stopped at her knees. She wore a pair of black mary janes that had a three inch heel. She was nervous to be going over to Sebastien's aunt's house but more so of the nature of the meeting they were having. She knew that Sebastien was concerned for her safety as was her brother James. She wanted the man who was following her to disappear but unfortunately that wasn't going to happen any time soon.

James was wearing a pair of black dress pants paired with a dark red shirt. He wore his dress shoes but felt like a monkey in the get up. He didn't normally wear things like this considering his job. He didn't want to make his sister mad by not dressing up for this meeting. He knew that she was just waiting for him to say something stupid and she would smack him up side the head for it.

They reached the door of the house and Anya rand the doorbell hoping that they heard them. She knew that Sebastien was a werewolf and had really good hearing. So she waited until someone came to the door. She smiled when it was opened by Sebastien himself. "Hey Sebastien I hope we're not late." She said still smiling then remembered the wine they brought. "Oh here, I didn't know if we should bring anything but I decided to anyway." She held it out to him with a small smile.

Nymeria giggled when she saw Sebastien kissing Lilyanya in her cheek and than doing the same thing to Lilyanya's brother who looked like he's gonna stab him. Sebastien moved before he could do that though, disappearing in the kitchen after he ushered them in the living room, saying he's going to grab some glasses. In her peripheral vision she saw Christian returning to the living room and nodding to the Faulkners. God, this is going to be one dull dinner if Christian stay in the same mood, the blonde thought before she rose from the sofa, and approached the Faulkners with a huge smile plastered all over her face. She hugged Lilyanya shortly, even since she saw the other girl only once time before today, then turned towards her brother and hugging him too although she never saw him before. "Hi, you must be James, right? I'm Nymeria." Every letter R she said sounded a bit awkward.

"I believe you already know her, but in case you don't this lovely lady here", she motioned towards the girl that was eying them curiously, "is a Sebastien's daughter Barbara." Christian told her Lilyanya was living with Sebastien after she was attacked in her place but she wasn't sure if she still lives with him since her brother seems to hate him (she really couldn't blame James, Sebastien's a hard person to love). "Fortunately, she didn't inherited Sebastien's personality." She chuckled when the girl frowned at her and glared at Christian forcing him to join them.

Sebastien chose that moment to came back, returning with a platter full of glasses, one of them was filled with something that seemed as orange juice, probably for Barbara, and a silvery cup with Sierra's family GRB for Lilyanya. Christian told her earlier that Anya's turned into a vampire against her will, also telling her Sebastien promised he'll have a little talk with everyone who decides to annoy Anya with questions about that. Although Nym didn't liked Sebastien, and could only shiver imagining that little talk with Sebastien, she couldn't disagree with him. It's Lilyanya's right not to speak about that and no one should force her to do that, so she understood why Sebastien did that, though she find his threat very cavemen-ish.

Sebastien put the platter on the table and took the silvery glass before anyone could see what's in it. He gave that glass to Lilyanya and sat, making sure he's far enough from James, probably thinking it's better not to sit beside him after he kissed him.

"Jenna said that the dinner will be ready in a minute, and she ordered me to make sure that no one tries to help her", he said the last thing looking at Lilyanya and smiling thinking she'll be the one to offer her help first, "because she's almost done and she wants to.."

Barbara interrupted him before he could finish his sentence. "Dad, is that man, James," she smiled politely at his direction, "your boyfriend? Is that the reason you kissed him?" Nymeria tried to hold it, she really is, but after seeing Sebastien's face slowly blushing while he looked like he's thinking whether it's easier to strangle his daughter or to simply dissapearand never see any of them again, she lost it and started giggling.

"Dad, is that man, James, your boyfriend? Is that the reason you kissed him?"

This is going to be the best day ever. Even though he seriously doubt whether he should be here, Chris was more than happy for coming. He just loved that girl. Seb's face was priceless so before he answered Barbara's question he took his phone and took a shot of his brother. "I'm so going to save this one." He looked his brother like 'sorry bro but you started first' than turned to Barbs. "Oh well darling, daddy's love life is much more complicated that you think. However, I personally believe that there is something romantic going on between them." He kissed the girl in the forehead, avoiding Seb's face (Christian knew that look on his face, the one that makes him feel guilty so it was best to just avoid it).

Standing behind Barbara, Nym was still smiling. Christian hugged her with one arm and the other he put on Barbara's shoulder. He looked at vamp girl, wondering how but he had no intention asking her and making the atmospheric ever more awkward. But he understood why his brother loved her, he just didn't understand why was Seb so sceptic about Nym. He'll just need to learn to love her because she will become part of their family once Chris proposes her. That thought made him a bit nervous so he  gazed away to the kitchen. Where is Hayley when you need her?

Jenna showed up with red wine, and her timing couldn't be more right. Her appearance destroyed that awkward mood. She talked loudly with big bright smile on her face. "I wanna make a toast." she said while she was pouring the glasses with drink. "Unfortunately, we're missing one member but hopefully she'll come around before dessert." When she poured the last glass, she took one and waited for all of them to do the same. "Let's leave this simple. To family."

Anya smiled when Sebastien kissed her cheek and almost burst out laughing when he kissed James' cheek. James glared at Sebastien's retreating back and then gave Anya a stare. She simply shrugged and walked into the living room after Sebastien introduced them. Anya smiled when she was hugged by Nymeria.

"Nice to meet you Nymeria." James said still seething about the kiss Sebastien did.

Anya was having a difficult time trying not to laugh as she reached into the purse she had with her. "I got you something Barbara. I found it in that store you love," She said holding out a doll that looked similar to her with a pale purple Victorian era dress. She smiled at Barbara as she held it out to her. She knew that she spoiled her but she couldn't help herself when it came to her.

She smiled when Sebastien handed her the silver cup and took a sip from it. "Thank you Sebastien." She said as she relaxed into her seat. She knew that everyone would have questions about her being a vampire. She also knew that Sebastien wouldn't want her uncomfortable when they were there.

Anya laughed at Sebastien look when he said that Jenna was almost done with dinner and didn't want help. "Ok I promise to stay right here." She said with a wide grin. Sebastien knew her all too well and she knew that all of that was directed at her.

Barbara's question that was directed at Sebastien nearly made her spit out her drink. She turned her head away from her brother her shoulder's shaking in laughter. She heard James groan which made her shoulders shake more. Christian's next words had her giggling out loud now and made James' face go completely red.

Seeing Jenna walk into the room and Anya smiled as the woman decided to make a toast. James had taken a glass filled with something and waited. Both James and Anya raised their cups saying in unison, "To family." Anya wondered how everything was going to work and what was going to be discussed.

Sebastien smirked seeing Barbara accept the doll and murmuring thank you. Judging by the spread of her eyes he could say she liked the doll. He tried to persuade Lilyanya to stop buying her dozens of gifts but he couldn't say the conversation was successful. At least he made her promise she won't buy any pets to Barbara, it was a small victory, but it was a victory if that meant he won't be waken up with wet snout on his face because the puppy wants to go out and Barbara forgot about that. It was enough to have one being with a snout in the apartment, too bad that being was him.

"Christian Erik O'Sullivan!" Sebastien gazed at his brother with his cheeks bright pink. He was grateful for the beard that covered the biggest part of his cheeks and made that pink colour less noticeable. He wanted to check on James to see his reaction but changed his mind thinking that's probably the worst idea he had ever, that would only make them laugh even more. He ignored Barbara's comment knowing he can't do anything, his daughter simply always finds a way to make him uncomfortable, but Christian was other thing.

O'Sullivan took the glass and rolled his eyes. Was he the only one who thought toasts are pointless? He stayed silent gazing at Christian the whole time. Maybe he couldn't say anything in front of Jenna and Barbara, but he could show him at least, his cold gaze would work for now. When everyone raised their glasses he took the opportunity to drink his. He placed the empty glass at the table, a glass of wine won't do anything for him, assuming his organism works faster than he worked while he was human, and he really needed a drink after Christian's last words. He still fight the need to look at James, he'll probably end up avoiding him during the whole dinner thanks to his lovely brother and a daughter. Maybe that was better, they won't have a chance to kill each other and it would be easier to disappear later without Anya knowing. "Aunt Jenna, is the food ready?"