The next few days were a blur. Sophia had a meeting with Nikolai and the director, and they came to the conclusion that she would drop out on the last few weeks of the tour and get some much needed rest. Seto had promised her a family Christmas when she got home. Albeit a few days late, but she was happy with it all the same. Mokuba has called numerous times, reminding her each time that she had presents to open when she got home.
"Seto, I've not brought you or Mokuba anything."
"Don't worry. We expect nothing Sophia, we just want you home safe." He said, caressing her face. She shook her head.
"I've got to get you both presents. You both mean the world to me, and this is our first Christmas together." She smiled gently, drinking in his beautiful face.
"Well, we are in a good place for it. Let's have a look today before we go home." He embraced her, feeling as if she was about to melt away from him, as if this was all a dream.

"Do you think Mokuba will like it?" She asked him nervously, opening the bag to reveal the GameBoy colour with original Pokémon games. He had been harping on about a GameBoy for months, and Sophia had found an American one in a small tech store.
"I think he'll love it."
"What did you buy him?"
"A car." He smiled widely, pulling up a photo on his phone. There was Mokuba, his face lit up in happiness as he stood next to a brand new BMW in bright red.
"A car?? He can't even drive yet!" She gasped,
Not wanting to know how much the car had cost.
"He can drive it on the Kaiba Industrial Estate, supervised of course." He smirked, proud.
"Ah nuts." She said, suddenly feeling as if her gift was inadequate. Seto places a hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
"You listened to what Mokuba wanted, and you kept him in mind. He'll love it." He kissed her cheek tenderly, and she leaned into his kiss.
"Now, go and wait in Starbucks. I need to find your present." She poked him in the ribs, and he grumbled in protest, but gave in. As she watched him take a seat in the cafe, she took in the Alexa, in awe of its size. .

"What do you buy the guy who has everything already?" She muttered to herself, stuck. She took a look around, trying to think. "What does he need?" She thought carefully. Pulling out her phone, she dialled Marcy.
"Hello?" The bright, chipper voice of Seto's assistant answered.
"Marcy! Hi! Quick question, did Seto ever find his fancy fountain pen?"
"Not that I know, Sophia. It's been gone for a few weeks now." She snickered.
"Great. I'll get a new one for him for Christmas. Thanks Marcy! I gotta go, I'll speak to you when we get home."
"Speak to you later, Sophia." Sophia replaced her phone in her bag. Searching the stationary section, she selected a sleek black fountain pen with a silver tip, picking up ink cartridges. Searching, she found a simple black moleskin notepad. She took her purchases to the counter, happy that she had found something he would use.

"What did you get me?" Seto asked as she pulled the bag close to her.
"You can open it when we get home!" She laughed. Setting down her latte, he smiled at his wife.
"But it's already been Christmas."
"Not our family Christmas. You'll just have to wait." She stick her tongue out at him playfully, enjoying the easiness between them. Taking a sip of the latte he had remembered by heart, she smiled as she allowed the hot milk to slowly warm up her cold fingers.
"I ordered you decaf, I hope you don't mind." She whimpered slightly.
"Decaf? I need caffeine, Seto." She snickered.
"Too much caffeine isn't good for the baby!" He exclaimed, worry written all over his face. She rolled her eyes playfully, grabbing his outstretched hand across the table.
"You worry too much. Baby is in the safest place possible." She grinned at him.
"I never thought I'd be this giddy about a baby." He said mostly to himself. "You know, after years of people thinking you'd die a miserable old bachelor, it's kind of strange to gain a wife and a child in the same few months."
"Seto, don't say that. You'd have found someone, one way or another." She said quietly, making small circles on the back of his hand with her thumb.
"I'm Seto Kaiba, I settle for nothing short of perfection." He said haughtily, making Sophia giggle once again. "And you, my beautiful wife, are a goddess." He winked at her, causing the heat to rise in her cheeks.
"Seto, stop. You're making me blush." She stumbled. Reaching their interlocked hands to his mouth, he gently kissed the soft skin of her hand. "Don't go soft on me now, Mr Kaiba." She stopped, realising how he could use her words against her.
"I assure you Mrs Kaiba, you're the only person that can make me soft and hard at the same time." He said softly, casting his eyes up at her in a lust filled gaze as she choked on her latte.

It had began to snow outside the cafe, and they decided the short walk to the hotel would be good for them both. They walked together, Seto wrapping his arm around her waist and carrying the bags in his free hand.
"Is it snowing in Japan right now?" She asked.
"Quite heavily."
"You know what that means?"
"What?" He asked.
"Snowball fights." She snickered. He rolled his eyes.
"I have a company I've been neglecting, you know." He feigned being annoyed. She tweaked his nose gently.
"Your company will be fine for a few more days. Just while we get... reacquainted." She responded smoothly, snaking her hand to his rear and squeezing it. His brow shot up, startled by her provocative response.
"Hmm... maybe I could take a few more days. I have years worth of holidays to use." He stopped, swinging her to face him, locking his lips with hers. She felt warmth wash slowly over her, the prickly heat starting at the top of her head and travelling right to her toes.

As they lay naked and entwined in bed together, Seto raked his eyes over Sophia's sleeping for. She was perfect; smooth, creamy skin, athletic limbs, golden hair cascading down past her breasts now. Laying his hand on her stomach, he planted a kiss on her forehead. Hovering his face above her stomach, he began talking to the baby growing inside his gorgeous wife.
"No matter what, I'll protect you and your mother with my life. Nothing will ever come between us, my princess."

"What do you mean she's pregnant?" Carlos screamed at his partner, panic setting in.
"Calm down. Now. We've come too far for us to lose our heads now."
"How far along?"
"Four months." He lies easily. "The baby is yours, no doubt about it Carlos." He watched as Carlos's face lifted.
"Are you sure?" He smiled widely.
"Positive. Now, back to the matter at hand."

Sophia awoke as they touched down on the tarmac. She was starving, more hungry than usual around lunch time. But she wanted to wait to get home before she ate, wanting to see Mokuba and the staff again.
"Seto?" She called gently, sticking her head up from the seat and looking around the jet. He was nowhere to be seen in the seating area. "Seto, are you in here?" She poked her head into the cockpit, where she saw him talking to the pilot.
"Ahh, Sophia, you're awake." He smiled, closing the distance between them and wrapping a protective arm around her, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Are you ready to go home?" He asked softly.
"Yes. More than ready."

Arriving at the mansion, she once again marvelled at the size of it. It dominated the estate, dwarfing the tiny house she had shared with her grandmother in Italy.
"How can a home for three people be so big?" She poked at Seto's ribs, gently making fun of him.
"It'll be four before you know it." He places a hand on her stomach. "I can't wait for the baby to be here, in our arms." He smiled softly, thinking of the not so distant future.
"Do you think it'll be a big, or a girl?" She asked. Seto's smile widened.
"I want them to be a girl."
"Really?" This took Sophia by surprise. She was sure he would have wanted a boy.
"I've raised a little boy already. I want a little princess I can spoil." Sophia's heart swelled at his words. She could picture it now; the cold, ruthless Seto Kaiba picking up a little girl from her ballet classes. Helping her pick out her first pair of school shoes. Taking her to their first day of school alongside Sophia. The three of them, curled up on the couch under a blanket on a cold night by the fire, watching tv.
"Sophia?" Her reveres was interrupted by Seto's voice.
"Yeah?" She said, a grin plastered on her face.
"I said; what do you want them to be?"
"A girl. A girl would be good." As they opened the door, all she saw was a shock of black hair running towards her.
"Sophia! You're home!" Mokuba cried, his arms wrapped around her waist.
"Hey buddy! Did you miss me?" Putting her arms around him. She felt her hearts swell. She had missed being home and spending time with them both.
"So much! Seto has been so grumpy without you here!" He snickered, releasing Sophia.
"I've got your present wrapped up in my bags. Let's sit down and open them." She suggested. "Come on Seto." She smiled.

Once sat together, she handed Mokuba her purple wrapped gift. As he ripped the gift wrap off the first present, his eyes widened.
"Sophia, you remembered! Thank you!" He flung his arms around her neck, and she could feel his grin. "Thank you so much!" He held his new GameBoy close to his chest, clutching it like a lifeline.
"No problem buddy. I saw it and thought of you straight away." She ruffled his black hair.
"Here, open yours! This is from me." He handed her a silver gift bag, with white tissue paper sticking out of the top. Opening the bag, her jaw dropped. It was a Pandora box. She had always wanted the jewellery from Pandora, but had never had the money in Italy. Opening the box, a tear slipped from her eye as she took in the beautiful silver bracelet. Three charms adorned the bangle. One, a sapphire blue gemstone, nestled in a silver setting. Another, a lucky cat charm. The last one was a silver charm with the word 'sister' engraved on it.
"Oh, Mokie." She held him close.
"See? You're not the only one who listens!" He grinned, patting her back gently.
"I'm glad you like it."
"I love it." She wiped a tear away from her eyes, putting it on her wrist.
"Open Seto's gift!" He encouraged. Turning, Seto handed her a dark blue envelope. Looking at him and raising an eyebrow, she opened the envelope. Pulling out the contents, she read the letter that was inside:

Dear Madam Kaiba

We at Josephina's hope you are well, and would like to congratulate you on your recent nuptials. Your husband has been arranging this surprise for you for months, he's a very convincing man.

As you may know, Josephina's is a top quality dance and show shoemakers. Your husband has ensured you will never have to worry about new ballet shoes ever again. You will have a new pair of personalised shoes delivered to you once a week, free of charge, from now until the day you hang up your ballet shoes for good. If you find yourself in need of shoes more frequently, do not hesitate to contact me personally.

We hope you have an excellent Christmas and New Years,

Yours personally,

Josephina Hernandez.

Sophia was dumbfounded. A single pair of Josephina's ballet shoes were worth $600 a pair, without personalisation. Seto had ensured nothing but the best for her, supplying her with the most elite dance shoes in the world for her.
"Seto... I don't know what to say. Thank you, so so much." she sniffled, climbing onto his lap and snuggling her head between the crook of his neck.
"You're welcome. Your first pair arrived earlier today. If you ever need any more than once a week, just text her."
"Her?"
"Josephina handled this request herself. You're a lucky lady, Sophia." he winked. Sophia's gift suddenly felt inadequate. She began pushing it to the side gently with her foot, hoping he would forget about it.
"Ohh, is that for me?" he chuckled, reaching down and picking up the present.
"Seto... I'm sorry. It's not really very much..." she mumbled as he carefully opened the box. His face lit up as he laid eyes on the new fountain pen.
"Sophia, thank you! I lost my old one a few weeks ago now and biros just aren't cutting it. Thank you so much." he kissed her cheek gently.

At their belated Christmas dinner, they sat close together on the large table, smiling and laughing with each other. Sophia ate heartily, content with being with those closest to her.
"So, Joey and Mai are heading off on the cruise together in the New Year." Mokuba said, taking a bite of his turkey.
"Seto, you reoffered him the contract?"
"Like I was left any choice." he frowned slightly, but Sophia could see the slight smile on his face. She placed a hand on his knee, squeezing it lightly. He placed his own hand over hers, warm and slightly calloused. It was comforting to be near him once again.

Laying in bed, Sophia exhaled. She was so full, not having to stick to her dance regime anymore. She stretched out, her muscles sore and a little stiff. Yawning, she propped her pillow up, sitting straight.
"Sophia, come on, lets get you in the bath." Seto called through to her, emerging from the en suite He had one towel wrapped low on his hips, another he ruffled through his damp hair.
"Your hair is getting long, you need a hair cut." she giggled at his hair, now curling at the ends because of how long and damp it had gotten.
"I never found them time while you were away. I was... busy with the company." he looked forlorn for a few seconds.
"Seto..." she began, and he took a seat next to her on the bed.
"I didn't like being without you, Sophia. The house felt so... empty. I missed you." he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"I missed you too Seto. Every single day." she grimaced, remembering the long days and sleepless nights in strange places, alone.
"It just wasn't the same."
"Well, we're together now, I'm home and I'm safe. You don't need to worry about me leaving ever again, I promise." He looked happy, thankful, at her words. Kissing her forehead softly, he basked in the smell and feel of his wife.