Amalia's father had left her school, so had the other adults who'd come to watch the schools Christmas concert. he made his way over to his car it was a bit colder today he could tell winter was defiantly here, December had just started but it was freezing. he was glad he had his scarf and gloves on, and thankful there was no snow or ice on the ground but then again living in a town that hardly got snow was a plus, he got into his car turning it on and letting it warm up.
(Car is up top)

He took his gloves off and sighed, he knew people's reactions and their thoughts learning he was a father to a 7-year-old it can't be true. he rested his head on the headrest of his seat and closed his eyes for a moment as if to collect his thoughts. after a few minutes he took his scarf off, the car warm enough he looked at his phone and saw a few miss calls and texts. he had decided to put his phone on silent when in the school, he hadn't also paid any mind when he had been recording his daughter. "Am I doing the right thing?" he asked himself sighing, like any parent he doubted if he was a good father or not. he looked to see who had called him, as he scrolled, he saw it was some friends likely wanting someone to listen to their problems. he saw one from his closest friend who was basically his brother in all but blood "strange, why would Ciel call me? he rarely calls in the week, it's usually the weekend" he said to himself confused.

After looking at all the miss calls, he looked at the texts he saw Ciel's name yet again which he found very, very strange Ciel rarely called and text close to each other. Sebastian wondered if Ciel or his family was ok, Ciel's family had become like his own, his own family was not the best he decided to read the message from Ciel 'Sebastian my mother wants you and Amalia to come and visit this year, and no bs excuse of your busy I swear if you reply with, I'm busy I'm driving down there myself on my way home and drag you there, alright call me when your free Ciel' Sebastian couldn't help laughing. Ciel was Sebastian's oldest friend he'd met Ciel when he was 10 Sebastian was in high school, at 14 almost 15 the boys seemed to hit it off almost. well, if you include the fact Ciel being 10 made a contract with Sebastian, which was for Sebastian to protect him and in exchange, Ciel would give him some of his cake, Sebastian found that funny and agreed minus taking Ciel's cake.

"I know Ciel will actually carry that threat out, it has been a while since I last visited them last time I believe was when Amalia was very small" he sighed and looked at his messages, and saw Ciel's mother Rachel had sent a message. he read it 'hello Sebastian, how are you and Amalia? I hope you'll come see us before the new year comes in, even if it's for a day we all miss you but if you do stay your rooms always here ready and waiting for you Rachel' Sebastian sighed again and said "Ciel wasn't joking, maybe I should I hope they aren't there, I don't want a headache" he put his phone down and started the car. he drove to do any errands as usual one or two women and even men would flirt with him, he was polite to them but he couldn't see himself dating anyone. he had one person he loved Amalia's mother, who had passed away when she was very young too young to remember her voice or name, he had planned to even marry but fate decided to not let that happen.

Sebastian soon arrived back at his home he opened the door and said "I'm home" of course no one was there to greet him and say welcome back. a small black cat rubbed against his leg, he knelt and scratched their head he closed the door and took his coat off. he made himself some lunch and ate he heard his house phone ring, so went to answer it and said "hello" the voice said, "Sebastian is that you?" "who's calling?" "it's Ciel you idiot, who else so get my text?" "Yes, I did, you will actually come and drag you home when I come and visit from college so?" Sebastian chuckled and said, "as blunt as ever Ciel, I see so how are things?" "The usual, you?" "the same, Amalia had her Christmas concert today I recorded her so I'll send it" "no you'll show me, Sebastian, I get this time of year is hard for you, but come on come back home" Sebastian sighed and said "alright, I'll come" "alright and I will come and pick you up, because I know you'll come and not cancel last minute on me, I'll let my parents know no doubt spoil Amalia" Sebastian chuckled and said "true, she loves them it's also not just that reason Ciel they might be there, and if they are" "oh yeah damn, I forgot about them don't worry they wouldn't do anything in the village, or anything so I'll see you in a few days I'll come the night before and we can leave the next day first thing in the morning plus I want your cakes"

Sebastian laughed, Ciel had a major sweet tooth "alright ill make some for you, I'll see you soon I won't tell Amalia where were going, but I'll say you're coming she loves her uncle Ciel" "alright well see you soon" "bye" Sebastian hung up and went to pack somethings for the trip. he hoped it would go smooth as in spend time with his family and leave, not his birth family or anyone he didn't want to see, but he knew that was a 50% chance of happening, but he'd do anything for his daughter to see her happy. he spent the next hour or so getting his things ready to be packed, he then heard his alarm and switched it off. he had to go pick up Amalia from school, he left and got there "at least I left before the traffic got bad, Ciel never mentioned his boyfriend wonder if they broke up again or not? I can never keep up with them" he said to himself. he waited at the school gate not long after kids of all ages ran out to find their parents, he saw Amalia come over she had her little grey cat earmuffs on and gloves. she hugged him well his waist he said "now do you have everything you need; you didn't leave anything?" she shook her head her little bells jingling he said "alright then let's go"

She held his hand as they walked to the car "what's for tea?" she asked looking at her dad, he said "well since it's cold, I was thinking of making a shepherd's pie now cheesy mash or not" he looked at her. she thought and said "no, cheese and gravy don't go together" he chuckled and said "alright normal it is, now when we get home you do your homework first then you can play" she nodded and said "ok, but I have one thing to do but it doesn't need to be handed in until new year" 'that's strange' he thought. "Well, what is it?" he asked "I have to keep a Christmas diary, of different things we do over Christmas, then in the new year we get to tell our class about our traditions, I think the teacher got the idea from what I wrote," she told him. Sebastian said, "well did they say how you have to do the diary?" Amalia shook her head and said "no, we just need to write down what we did each day" "well, how about we make it a scrapbook? so you can add what you think is important for each day leading up to the new year" Amalia gasped at the idea. to her it was amazing how had she not thought of that, she nodded and said "yes please! and thank you" he chuckled and said "you are very welcome, we'll look some ideas up after dinner" she nodded smiling swinging his hand.

When they got home, they took her coats and shoes off, Amalia went to sit and watch some TV Sebastian started on dinner. he looked at the calendar he had on the wall and saw it was next week the school broke up. it was actually breaking up a week earlier because there was some work happening, Sebastian seemed to be in his own world when he felt a small tug. he looked and knelt and said "yes Amalia" "is tea ready yet?" she asked, she was starting to get hungry Sebastian said "very soon, the pie is almost done now can you set the table for me?" she nodded he gave her the knives and forks to put on the table. which she did he plated the meal up and even put a small bit of the pie into the cat bowl and set it down. he put Amalia's plate down, she said "thank you" Sebastian smiled at this and ate. he was a good cook he had a talent for it, it seemed anything Sebastian did he could master in a short period of time, but he himself had no idea on what to do for a job. he had enough money to live on from his mother who had passed away, so he didn't have to worry about that but still he wanted to do something.

When the meal was over Sebastian said "alright, go get changed into your pj's and well look at some scrapbook ideas and then watch a Christmas film" Amalia nodded and went to her room to get changed. Sebastian cleaned up and washed the dishes, he got the blankets out and put them on the sofa and locked the door and closed the curtains. it was a little early but at the moment he just wanted to relax and enjoy his night, soon Amalia came down he took her bobbles out of her hair and brushed it out. he said "now let's look shall we" she nodded the cat got on between them and curled up.

They'd found some ideas they could use; Sebastian had saved them then it was soon time for Amalia to go to bed. Sebastian looked down to see shed already fallen asleep leaning on him, he chuckled to himself he moved her hair out of her face and smiled he picked her up. He took her to her room and put her down in her bed, he closed her curtains and switched her flower fairy lights on, so she'd have some light in her room. he gave her a goodnight kiss on her head and made sure she was covered up and had the toy she slept with and left her to sleep while he cleaned the house up and packed his things for the trip to his family's home.