A/N: sequel to calloused hearts story.

It was Christmas day today and the snow that was falling from the sky down onto the city of Erebor, making it look as if it was straight out of a photo...the way the pure white powder blanketed the city was absolutely picturesque. In the various snow covered abodes all across the city one could hear laughter and music spiraling out onto the wintery clad streets..the smell of food wafting upon the air tantalizing any passer bys on their way to their destination. In one snow blanketed home it was vacant of such laughter and music...inside sat three children around a small wooden kitchen table...heads hung low in sadness. Off in another room of the home a dark haired man with a manicured mustache and goatee, was pacing back and forth in front of a bed on his cell phone...talking heatedly into it.

"How can you do this? Daniel...they are your children too. Yes, I know you asked to give up your rights...Well...I know...Dang it Daniel! Fine...well you still should talk to them and at least wish them a Merry Christmas." Bard was arguing with his ex-husband on the phone..running his fingers through his hair in anger. Earlier he found Tilda sitting next to the phone...wishing her ex-daddy ,Daniel Kaine, to call today and wish them a Merry Christmas. She sat there for over an hour, before finally sniffing she walked away from the phone to go and sit in her older sisters lap as she cried...a feeling of rejection settling in her young heart. Bard watched all of it and anger flared in him..it was just another way Daniel showed how much he didnt want them..just another reminder. Even though a few days ago the man made it vocally clear in the grocery store that he didnt want anything to do with them, it seemed Tilda still held onto the hopes of a child. So here Bard was on the phone trying to reason with Daniel...hoping he would put his dislike for Bard on the back burner and be a human being on this day by calling the child...giving her hearts wish this season. It seems his ex lacked a heart after all...Bard sighed heavily at the answer he got over the phone.

"Fine...I understand Daniel. You have made yourself perfectly clear..Dan..iel. You want nothing to do with any of us..what..so..ever. Got it loud and f**king clear. Thanks a lot...arse hole. Bah-hum-bug to you too." he hit the end button as he gritted his teeth..suddenly he reared back his hand and forcibly threw the phone onto the bed..biting back a curse that was on the tip of his tongue. He sat down on the end of the bed, slowly breathing in and out..trying to tamp down his outrage before the children saw. Eventually he made his way down the hall calmly towards the kitchen  and right before he turned the corner he heard Tildas tear filled voice slicing through him.

"Why doesnt he want us?" she hiccuped into her sisters shoulder. "I guess its true Sig...no one wants us...we cant be loved after all." she began to cry in earnest into her shirt. Bard who was listening around the corner to her words felt tears streaming from his eyes..heart breaking that his daughter felt this way all because of heartless man. As he breathed he wiped the tears falling down his face away as an idea came to him suddenly.

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Sigris was holding Tilda, who was crying in her lap, trying to comfort her while their brother Bain sat on her other side rubbing circles on his baby sisters back in soothing motions. Suddenly Bards voice came from around the corner...flowing into the kitchen where they sat and stared as a piece of holly leaf floated from the doorway. Then Bard came around the corner holding a letter in his hand..looking like he was reading from it.

Take back the holly and mistletoe
Silver bells on strings
If I wrote a letter to Santa Claus
I would ask for just one thing.

He threw down the paper to the ground and came closer to the children who were looking at him as if he had lost his mind...smiling as he threw down a red bow and a empty stocking onto the table before them.

I don't need sleigh rides in the snow
Don't want a Christmas that's blue
Take back the tinsel, stockings, and bows
'Cause all I want for Christmas is you.

Suddenly he scooped Tilda up into his arms and began to dance with her on his hip as he belted out Christmas lyrics...staring intently into his little daughters eyes..trying to convey his heartfelt feelings.

I don't need expensive things
They don't matter to me
All that I want, it can't be found
Underneath the Christmas tree

You are the angel atop my tree
You are my dream come true
Santa can't bring me what I need
'Cause all I want for Christmas is you.

Smiling big both Sigrid and Bain jumped up from the table to join their insane father and sister...dancing along with them and all singing loudly at one another...not caring who heard them.

I don't need expensive things
They don't matter to me
All that I want, it can't be found
Underneath the Christmas tree.

They all finally wrapped their arms around each other...swaying to the music they were making...singing their hearts out at each other and reaffirming the love that they shared.

You are the angel atop my tree
You are my dream come true
Santa can't bring me what I need.

As they sang the last lines they all pointed and laughed at each other...joy filling their eyes once more.

'Cause all I want for Christmas is you
'Cause all I want for Christmas is you
'Cause all I want for Christmas is you.

Tenderly Bard gathered all three children into his arms and spoke lovingly to them...peering into those laughter filled eyes.

"Oh, my darlings. I love you three so and nothing makes me happier than being here with you today. I dont need anything more than this right here. He squeezed them in a hug as he smiled at each of them...seeing a cheerful glow within them that made his heart swell with the love he had for these three precious children. "Merry Christmas my darling."

"Merry Christmas Da!" they chimed in unison.