The city seemed to be transformed into a winter paradise as you walked along the Winter Stroll that the citizens had created in the middle of the park. For it was the only place in the city that had any snow covering it. The rest of the city was cold, but dry as it usually was this time of year. But the Winter Stroll was everything but with its bright lights and white snow covering the ground. It made you feel like you were in another time as the three of you walked along the path.

Which was a good thing considering you were trying to stay calm as the three of you walked quietly through the lights. The whole scene seemed to have a calming affect on all of you. You each slightly smiled as you looked at the different lights and designs that lined the path. A couple of them were even silly, which made you slightly laugh as you looked at them.

"They really did a good job on this this year." Ignis said after you had walked almost half way through.

"They did." You replied. "They even added to some of them. The silly snowball fight between the sabertusk was a nice touch for this year. At least I think that's what those were suppose to be."

All three of you laughed for a moment.

"I was kind of wondering that myself." Noctis commented as he walked on your left while Ignis walked on your right.

"I would say that that would be a safe assumption." Ignis said as he glanced at you.

"Would it also be a safe assumption that you will listen to what happened and will hopefully forgive us?" You carefully asked as you felt your heart start to flutter as you searched his face.

Ignis dropped his head as he walked. "What's there to say that Noctis hadn't already told me?"

"And what did he tell you?" You asked as you felt your hands start to shake.

"He told me that you kissed each other in your kitchen." He calmly said before he felt his heart start to race.

"Which was a pure accident." You quickly said. "I reached up to grab an apple that he had been tossing and..."

"And what?" Ignis quickly said as he gave you a hard look. "His lips fell on yours?"

"In a sense, yeah." You said as you could feel the tears starting. "I never meant to kiss him. I was just trying to get the apple."

Noctis dropped his head as he heard what he had feared was the truth coming from you. You hadn't intended on kissing him like that. Even if it did seem that you liked it as much as he did. It had still been one sided. Perhaps the electricity that he had felt, had only been in his head as well.

"Was it the same for you? Noct?" Ignis asked as he gave Noctis a stern look as he saw Noctis with his head down.

"Perhaps." Noctis said in a dry tone as he looked away as he felt his heart start to crack again.

"Perhaps?" Ignis asked as he searched Noctis' face.

Noctis then quickly looked away and he kept looking around as he tried to avoid Ignis' studious eyes. "Let's just say that it never should have happened and carry on. You two have always been together and what happened between her and I never should have happened."

You looked at Noctis and could see the struggle that he was having with keeping himself under control. You could see that to him, that that kiss and moment had meant a lot more to him then what he was trying to let on. You could see that it was as if he had lived for that moment. Because now you could see him almost crumbling from not being able to do it again.

And if you could see that. Then you knew that Ignis could as well. You glanced over at Ignis and you could see the same concerned look on his face that you knew was on yours. You hadn't meant to hurt anyone. But now you had hurt both of them. And you weren't sure how to fix it without hurting the other.

Ignis then dropped his head as he saw Noctis get locked jawed and stare at the ground as the three of you slowly made your way along the path. He had known that Noctis had feelings for you since he had first met you. There was no way of denying that. Heck, that was why you were even in the picture. For if it hadn't been for that attraction, Ignis never would have met you to begin with. You would have always just been another face in the hallway to him. It was hard to be mad at him for kissing you, knowing that fact.

"How did the test go this morning?" Ignis asked as he tried to change the subject.

"I thought that you would have heard by now." Noctis said in a short voice. "But I guess you wouldn't have since you were out in town all day. But either way, we both passed."

"Thanks to you." You added as you grabbed Ignis' hand.

Ignis looked down at your hand, but didn't pull away this time. Instead he slowly interlaced his fingers with yours. You felt your heart start to flutter again as he slowly tightened his grip on you. You felt your tears starting to form as he did. You couldn't help but think that perhaps he had silently forgiven both of you for what had happened.

"That's good to hear." He quietly said as he slightly squeezed your hand. "That would explain why you're both out in your car."

"Well we had to celebrate with ice cream." Noctis said as he slowly started to relax again. "A promise was a promise after all."

You smiled back at Noctis and grab his hand with your other hand. He looked up and slightly smiled at you as he interlaced his fingers with yours. That was one promise that you had both enjoyed. Which was one good thing that had happened that day. Besides passing the test and getting your license of course.

"Of course Ms. Chef here, went and got herself a job in the process." Noctis added as he jokingly narrowed his eyes at you.

"Really?" Ignis asked as he turned to face you. "Where?"

"I...." You started to explain before Noctis interrupted.

"Where else? But at the 4x4 Cafe." Noctis said with a smirk.

"Mr. Brian's cafe?" Ignis asked Noctis as he gave him a shocked looked.

"One in the same." Noctis confirmed.

"And how in the world did you happen to do that?" Ignis asked as he gave you a stunned look.

"I have been wondering the same thing." Noctis stated as he gave you a curious look.

"Well, why Noct was changing, I saw how busy Mr. Brian was and I offer to help out once the swim season was done." You said as you looked down at the ground as you felt your cheeks start to heat up.

"So you offered to work for him?" Igis asked as he studied your face.

"Well yeah." You said as you looked back over at Ignis. "He could use the help and I could use the money."

"Which I still don't understand why. Since all she has to do is ask me and I'll get her whatever she needs." Noctis commented as he glanced away for a moment.

"I commend you on offering to help like that. I'm sure that he will be blown away with your knowledge of the kitchen and serving skills." Ignis said with a smile. "But will you really have time?"

"I'll make time." You said as you looked at Ignis. "I'm not just doing this for me after all. I also want to be able to help out my dad with the house and bills. And I would like to be able to buy my own car some day."

"If you want a car, I can get you a car." Noctis said as he looked back at you again.

"Not everyone has the same resources that you do Noct." Ignis said as he gave Noct a stern look. "And one appreciates something more when they have earned it. Oppose to when someone gives it to them."

Then he looked back at you. "I, for one, am proud of you for taking that step."

"Thank you." You said as you felt your cheeks heat up from his praise.

"I still don't understand it." Noctis said as he looked around.

"Perhaps you will over time." Ignis said as he squeezed your hand tighter as he pulled you closer to him.

"Maybe." Noctis said as he stopped when he saw the main centerpiece of the entire the path, the city's holiday tree.

Below the tree was a shrine where the citizens asked for all of their wishes and said all of their prayers to the gods for good fortune in the next year. Each year the tree would be visited by almost every citizen in Insomnia as a way of paying homage to the gods that had protected them for generations. Each group would ring the bells twice before they would clap twice and each pray to the gods to grant their wishes. It had been one of the longest standing traditions in Insomnia since the gods vowed to protect them after the war.

"Wow." Noctis said as he looked at the tree. "I had no idea it was this big and beautiful."

"Really?" You asked as you gave him a surprised look.

"I do believe that this is the first time in a long time that you have actually been to the city holiday tree isn't it?" Ignis asked as he looked at Noctis with a smile.

"Yeah." He said as he stared at it in wonder. "I usually just go the one in the ballroom. But that one doesn't have the shrine like this one does. And it has to be replaced each year since it's inside. But this one is actually planted here and grows taller every year. The last time I saw it was when my mom brought me here. She use to bring me every year."

You heart stopped at his words. That had been the first time in a very long time since he had even mentioned his mom. You tightened your grip on his hand as you felt the tears threaten to fall. For this year would be the first year that you would see the tree without yours.

"My mom would bring me each year as well." You said as a stray tear rolled down your cheek. "But it looks like we brought ourselves this year."

"It would appear so." Ignis said as all of you were now looking at the tree with your heart filled with both love and pain as you each thought about your moms.

"Shall we?" Ignis asked after a few moments.

"Yeah." You and Noctis both replied.

Then the three of you made your way to the tree and stood before the shrine. Then since no one else was there, Ignis rang the bell twice. You each clapped twice before your closed your eyes as you silently said your prayers to the gods.

Please don't take her away from me. That's all I ask and I will serve you and in any way I can. Noctis prayed as he swallowed hard.

Please guide me to do my best to serve those around me as I learn what I must do to best serve you. Ignis calmly prayed.

Thank you for your protection and guidance as you help me learn how I can best protect those around me. And the ones that I love. You prayed as you could see flashes of various scenes from your visions.

After leaving the tree behind, you decided to call it a night. After watching Noctis drive off in his car, you got into Ignis' so that he could take you home. He had insisted on taking you home since he wanted to talk to your dad. You weren't sure what it was about. But you had a feeling that you would enjoy whatever it was.

"Ignis?" Your dad said as soon as he saw Ignis walking through the door of the house as he was sitting on the couch with Tracy. "I wasn't expecting you tonight."

"I had run across (y/n) and Noctis at the mall earlier and decided to join them for the evening." Ignis explained with a slight grin.

"I'm glad. I was a bit concerned after yesterday." Your dad said as he searched Ignis' face.

Ignis dropped his head for a moment. "I apologize for that. That was not very considerate of me to act like that."

"It's alright." Your dad said in his usual father voice. "I'm just glad to see you with (y/n) again."

"Me too." He said with a smile as he looked at you.

You smiled back and wrapped your arms around his waist. "Not as glad as I am."

"Speaking of which." Ignis said as he looked back over at Paul. "I was wondering if I might talk with you in private for a moment?"

Paul gave Ignis a slightly baffled look as he started to get up off the couch. "Sure. We can talk in the study if you like."

"I would really appreciate it." Ignis said as he started to feel butterflies in his stomach.

"We'll be back in a moment ladies." Paul said as he led Ignis away from you and up the stairs.

You smiled at Ignis as you followed him with curious eyes. He simply smiled back as he climbed the stairs and out of sight. You stood there for a moment as you considering sneaking upstairs and listening through the door. But right as you were about to head towards the stairs you were interrupted by Tracy.

"Why don't you have a seat for a moment and let them talk." Tracy said in a motherly type of voice. "It must be important if Ignis wants to talk in private. So give him that courtesy."

"Alright." You said as you reluctantly sat down.

"So," Tracy started as she gave you a curious smile, "tell me what happened tonight. I'm curious to know how you happen to run across him while you were out."

"Sure." You said to her with a smile.

You then proceeded to tell her about the evening and everything that had happened. She seemed to hang on every word as you spoke. Which added to your delight in telling her what had happened. You couldn't help but smile as you talked. It seemed like a lifetime since you had been able to talk to someone like this about these kind of matters. For the last person that you had talk to like this, had been your mom. Sure there had been Madam Claustra. But she didn't really get it most of the time and would just tell you that you had more important things to be concentrating on.

By time your dad and Ignis came back down, the two of you were happily talking about the ball that was in three days. The two of you were making plans to go get her dress the next day after helping them set up the ballroom, so that she would be ready. You had told her that you had already gotten your dress. But she had still insisted that the two of you go since you knew what your dad liked and what color suits he had.

"That sounds like it will work out perfectly." You heard your dad say from the foyer as you heard your dad and Ignis descend the stairs.

"Shhh shhh." Tracy said with a smile as she tried to get you to act normal as they came back into the living room.

"So we'll see you tomorrow then." Paul said to Ignis as he stopped behind you as you sat on the end of the couch.

"Yes sir." He replied before he looked back down at you and smiled.

You smiled back at him as you started to get excited about seeing him smile again. He truly was very handsome when he smiled.

"Sounds good." Your dad said then he patted you on the back. "Until then, why don't you say goodnight so that he can head home himself. I'm sure we could all use a good night's sleep."

"Okay." You said and practically flew over to Ignis as he stood there smiling at you.

"I'll be right back dad." You said as the two of you started to head out the front door again.

"Night Ms. Tracy and thank you Mr. (l/n)." Ignis said as he addressed them both.

"Anytime Ignis." Paul said back with a smile.

Then the two of you stepped out the door. You stood there for a moment as Ignis closed the door behind. Then he grabbed your hand and led you to his car as it sat in the driveway. You couldn't help but smile the entire time. To you, everything felt right with the world again now that he was with you again.

When you reached the car he spun you around so that you were facing him. You looked up at him with a huge smile on your face as you felt your heart swell from having him once again smiled back down at you. Then you felt your body melt into his as he wrapped his hands around your waist and pulled you close to him. Then you closed your eyes as he leaned down and gave you a short gentle peck.

"I love you (y/n). And I always will. No matter where you are or who you're with." Ignis quietly said as he placed his forehead against yours. "Even if I can't get to you."

"And I love you too Ignis." You returned as you looked up at him. "And I'm not going to be with anyone but you. Because I don't want anyone other than you. And I won't be anywhere that you can't get to me. At least not by my own free will."

Ignis slightly laughed. Then he lifted your chin back up so that he could see your face. "Not that that would stop me anyway. I'll always come get you. No matter what."

"Same here." You said back with a smiled as searched his beautiful emerald eyes as they seemed to twinkle as they looked at you.

He then smiled as he leaned in a gave you a hard passionate kiss on the lips as he savored the touch your soft lips on his. Then he kissed you again as he became lost in the softness of your lips. You reach up and wrapped your arms around his neck as you eagerly returned each kiss with the same passion and love that he was giving you. Then you became just as lost in the moment as him as you both shared in a tender private moment as you both become lost in the pure passion that the other was giving.

After a few moments and several passionate kisses, you broke away as you tried to catch your breath. You smiled back at Ignis as he gave you the same loving look as you both stared loving at the other.

"I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning at the citadel." Ignis said in a deep voice as he loosened up his grip.

"Okay. I'm looking forward to it." You smile back as you slowly released him so that he could head home.

Then after one last quick good night kiss, Ignis climbed into his car. Then you walked over to the front door as he back down from the house. Then with one last glance towards him and a quick wave, he pulled away as he headed home.

The next day, as promised, found you back at the citadel. But this time you were running around with the majority of the citadel staff as everyone was setting up the grand ballroom for the Holiday dance that was in two days. There was a huge tree set up by the stage that had several people decorating it as they had to use ladders in order to reach the high branches of the tree. Each table was being covered with white tablecloths and gorgeous centerpieces that featured the Holiday theme. For each one had bright red flowers and gold ribbons that wrapped around the flowers and pine branches that made up the base of the centerpiece.

You and Ignis were helping with getting each one set up with the plate settings for the meal that was also to be served. Gladio, Monica, and Iris were helping out with the tree. Gina and Jeff were helping out with the decorations that were going up around the pillars and railing all around the room. You couldn't help but smile at Ignis as he was giving instructions all while setting up the tables. He had been the one who was apparently assigned to run the decorating committee for this year's ball. Which you were proud to tell him later, had gone off without a single snag.

Once everything was done, you gave Ignis a goodbye kiss since you both had something else to do. He had to pick up a few things and get back to the condo. While you and Tracy headed to the dress shop so that she could pick out a gown for the dance. But as you were leaving he mentioned that he had to go to the mall as well.

So you all met up at the mall. This way you walk with each other. You couldn't help but smile at Ignis as he walked with the two of you as you headed to the dress shop and he headed to the tuxedo store which was right next door.

"The ballroom looks amazing Ignis." Tracy was telling him. "I don't think that I have ever seen it look more elegant then it does now."

"Thank you." He said as he held your hand as you walked through the mall. "I must have seen that room decorated a hundred times before the queen passed. And each time she did it, she would always added a bit more each time. I just followed her example."

"Well it shows." Tracy beamed at him as you reached the dress shop. "Well thank you for walking with us. And we'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yes ma'am." Ignis said back with a smile.

"I'll call you later tonight." You said as you leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Please do." He returned as he released you.

Then you both parted ways as he headed into the tux shop and you walked into the dress shop with Tracy. Right away Tracy was looking at several dresses. Then she looked up and beamed at you as you entered the shop. You smiled back at her. Then you beam brightly as she pulled out one dress and did a silly pose with it as she acted like she was wearing it.

Oh yeah, this was going to be fun. You thought with a huge grin as you walked over to her as you recalled how much fun you and Monica had had the first time you had tried on dresses.

After a couple of hours and several dresses later, Tracy had finally decided on one very elegant and classy dress. You couldn't help but smile as you thought about what your dad was going to think about it. You had both had a rough year and deserved to have a bit of fun for once. And you grinned broadly as you thought about his reaction to her after she had everything on.

"So tomorrow afternoon, I'll take you out and we'll get our hair and nails done for the dance." Tracy said as she drove back to the house.

"Really?" You asked her with a surprised look. "You would do that?"

"Of course." She said back with a smile.

"What?" She asked as you gave her a stunned look. "You have had your hair and nails done before right?"

"Not since my mom died." You said as you looked down. "And even that was only once. For a company Christmas Party at my dad's old office."

"Well, then your in for a treat." She smiled back at you. "But first, how about we grab some things for dinner tonight. I know that we don't have that much at the house right now and we haven't had a chance to go grocery shopping in awhile."

"Right." You smiled back.

You sat there in her car and smiled as you relaxed. You couldn't believe how much you had gotten use to her now. Sure you had know her from before since she had been in the office a few times when you had gone in to see Korn. But it was different now. She was around as much as your mom had been, if not more, since you saw her at work a lot too. But for you, the more and more time that you spent with her. You were starting to see why your dad really liked her.

The next day, you and Ignis were busy in the citadel kitchen helping out Marge with preparing food for the dinner that was to be served during the ball. The two of you were hopping as you went from one dish to the next as you prepared enough food to feed a small army. Which was a good thing. Since that was about what you were expecting for dinner.

You were very grateful that they had decided to go with a buffet style service. This would make it much easier for the smaller kitchen staff to handle, considering you and Ignis would both be out of pocket that night as far as working the dinner. Which was something that they weren't use to. You and Ignis hadn't missed working a single banquet dinner since you got back. But even King Regis had insisted that the two of you were to sit this one out and enjoy the festivities for once.

Once you had helped clean up from preparing the food and from dinner, you and Tracy headed over to get your hair and nails done. Your dad had said that he would meet you back at the house after he did one final check of the security measures for the event. He didn't want any issues this year and was taking a lot more precautions than usual, considering the last few events had been slight sketchy in certain areas.

"So are you excited about tomorrow?" Tracy asked as she drove you both back to the house.

"For once, I can honestly say yes." You answered with a smile. "I think this is going to be a lot of fun."

"I couldn't agree more." Tracy said as she gave you a huge smile.

Suddenly Tracy's phone went off. She put the phone going through her car as she saw that it was Paul. "Hi honey. We're just about to the house now."

"Okay good. I'm should be there in a few. I just need to lock up and I'll be home." You heard your dad say through the speakers of the car.

"Well don't take too long dad. I would hate for you to miss the movie tonight." You said back to him.

"Movie?" Tracy asked as she gave you a curious look.

You then heard your dad chuckle through the speakers. "We have had this long standing tradition that we always watch a movie on the eve of the day of Truce. We've been doing it for years."

"But tomorrow isn't the day of truce." Tracy stated as she gave you a curious look.

"No it's not." Your dad chimed in. "But since we will be a bit busy tomorrow night, we had decided to do it tonight. And we want you to join us."

"Really?" She asked in surprise as she looked at you.

"Really." You answered as you smiled at her. "Because whether you know it or not. You are now a part of this crazy family of ours."

"And this is the season for family." Your dad continued.

"Thank you." Tracy said as she started to tear up. "Both of you."

"You can thank us by saying yes." You said with a smile.

"So what do you say?" Your dad said over the phone.

"Well yes of course." She said with a teary smile.

"Good. I'm leaving now and I will see both of you in a few moments." Your dad said.

"We'll see you then. And don't worry, I'll have everything set up." You said with a smile.

"That's my girl. See you in a bit." Paul finished, then hung.

"Well that was a bit of a surprise. I didn't know you guys did that?" Tracy asked as she smiled at you.

"We had started it long before my brother died." You said as she pulled in front of the house.

"Really? Now that's a long standing tradition." She concluded as she got out of the car.

"You bet." You said with a smile.

Then the two of you made your way up to the house. But suddenly something felt off and you stopped her from entering the house by grabbing her hand. She stopped and looked at you as she stood fast. Then suddenly you heard someone behind you. You both quickly turned around and saw Tredd walking up to the two of you. You started to relax when you realize who it was.

That was until you saw Tracy start to freak out. But she didn't freak out to the point that everyone knew it. In fact if you didn't know her as well as you did now, you wouldn't have been able to notice. Because for her, she would clutch her chin and take short quick breaths when she was starting to get nervous.

"Hey Sara, (y/n). How are you?" He asked as he slowly approached both of you.

"Hey Tredd." You answered as you carefully watched both him and Tracy. "What brings you by tonight?"

"Well you know. I just wanted to stop by for a bit. It's been awhile since we have talked." He said as he looked right at Tracy as he took a couple steps towards her.

"You know, tomorrow would be a better time to chat." You said as you got in front of Tracy as you saw her start to shake. "And it's late and we really should be heading in for the night."

"That's fine by me." Tredd said as his eyes never left Tracy's. "You can head in. I just need to chat with Sara for a bit."

"Well you see that's not going to work." You said as you started backing her up towards the house. "You see I really need her help with a few things. I am just a kid after all and I shouldn't be doing some of it without adult supervision."

"Your smart enough to figure it out on your own." Tredd said as he took a couple more steps forward. "And besides, you will have even better supervision with both of us here."

"No that's okay." You said as you handed Tracy your house key. "I only need one adult watching me at a time." You continued as she started to frantically unlock the door.

"What's the matter Tracy?" Tredd said in a sinister voice. "You seem a bit nervous?"

"You know I thought that I made it clear that I don't want you anywhere near my house anymore Tredd." You heard your dad's voice say from behind you.

Tredd quickly stood up and started walked backwards. "Paul?"

"Now would you mind leaving my property? Or do I have to remove you myself?" Paul asked in a stern tone.

"I'm sorry for the intrusion. I'll leave now." Tredd said then turned and walked away.

"You do that. And consider this your one warning." Your dad said in a firm voice.

You then stood there and watched Tredd climb into his car and drive away. Tracy then quickly looked around for Paul. But she didn't see him anywhere. She then gave you a puzzled look.

"Where is he?" She half whispered.

But just as she asked that, you saw your dad pull into the driveway.

"Right there." You said with a smile.

"But how?" She asked in shock as she stared at Paul as he quickly got out of his car and jogged up to the two of you.

"Are you both okay?" He asked as he looked at both of you.

"Yeah. But how...?" Tracy started to ask but was at a sudden loss for words.

"Don't worry. I'll explain inside." He said as he put his hand on her back as he walked both of you inside after you unlocked the front door.

Then after entering the house he explained to her that one of the new security measures on the house was a new sensor, audio camera that would call your dad whenever anyone got anywhere near the door. It had come in hand a few times now with keeping people away from the house that he didn't want there. Tracy sat there in shock as she watched the two of you get ready for movie night like nothing had happened. She silently was very glad she hadn't know anything able that security measure until now.

The next morning was a huge blurr for you since it all started off with you heading over to the citadel early to drop off your dress and makeup in the spare suite. Before you headed down to the kitchen to help them start to get all of the food down to the downstairs kitchen that was right outside of the ballroom. Once that was done, you sat down with everyone else as Marge cooked and served all of you as a means of saying thank you for helping her out.

This was truly grateful and you were impressed on how well she cooked pancakes. After eating, everyone headed to the bedrooms to get ready. As you closed the door to the bathroom so that you could get dressed you couldn't help but feel the excitement start to take over as you smiled over at Tracy as she smiled herself as she looked at her dress. You couldn't' help but feel the magic of the season start to take over as you both got excited and started to get ready.

******Author Note******

Okay, so I had to do the lead up for the Holiday Dance.

But don't worry. I think that your going to really like the next chapter. And not to worry, you won't have to wait very long.

Thanks for reading. :)

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