The Beginning of the End ? Tom Riddle

" Raidon! Hurry up! They're almost here!" I yelled from the living room to our bedroom in annoyance. A moment later he walked in, fingers fumbling with his blue tie. I walked over to him and removed his hands before proceeding to adjust it for him.

" 45 years old and you still can't do your own tie." I smirked playfully, glancing up at him as I finished. He rolled his eyes before offering a soft smile in appreciation. I set my arms around his neck and we swayed in a comfortable silence before I spoke again.

" This is our first Christmas without Killian." I spoke quietly as my eyes began to gloss over, his doing the same as his arms wrapped me in a tight hug.

" I know. But I also know he'd be up in arms if we fell into a mournful vibe." He replied as I chuckled lightly into his shoulder. He was right.

" Agreed. I just worry about Mae and Leia. She's only 15 Raidon." I continued as I pulled my head from his shoulder to look at him.

" But she's strong, just like her Dad, Mom, and her Aunt." He replied as he tucked a bit of hair behind my ear. I sent a heartfelt smile back. Raidon has always been here for me, year after year. We were like a bonded pair, and often got mistaken for husband and wife when interacting with non-family.

I know how he feels about me, I have for a long time. But he knew on that day 28 years ago that I would never be able to love again. He's always respected that, and I'll be forever grateful for it. We pulled apart and I made my way into the kitchen.

" Ma, Leon, are the pies out yet?" I asked Mademoiselle Marchbanks and her husband Leon Laurent. After everything happened, she insisted Raidon and I come and live with her, Leon, and their son Marcel, who was born just a year later. They loved me like I was their daughter, and I'll continue to love them back just as much, for they stood with open arms when I had lost my parents.

" Shockingly, Leon hasn't burnt his, so yes, we're all set!" Ma replied, Raidon and I laughing as Leon let out a light hearted scoff. A knock interrupted us and I sped over to the front door, excited to see my family.

" Marcel, Marie so good to see you!" I exclaimed as I hugged Ma's son and his wife.

" Can't forget little Jean-Luc." I smiled as I squatted down to their 5 year old sons height as he jumped over for a hug.

" Hi tía! Did Grandpa burn the apple pie this year? Daddy was worrying about it the whole morning." Jean-Luc asked as we all laughed.

A/N : Tía is Spanish for "Aunt".

" Hey, have a little faith in your grandpas baking skills." Leon spoke as Jean-Luc ran over to greet his grandparents, parents in tow. Just a minute later, there was another knock on the door, and I opened it to reveal Ma's parents.

" Océane, Jean! Lovely to see you! How was the trip?" I asked the two as I lead them inside.

" Nothing we can't handle." Jean replied as he smiled over at his wife. I watched as Jean-Luc ran up to his Great Grandfather and tackled him in a hug. A grin broke out on the older mans face, his deep love for his great grandson eminent.

The next to arrive was Kenji, his wife Lapis, and their daughter Rubi. Lapis was an Irish born redhead like myself, and we'd always joke that the Suzuki brothers had a type. Rubi was a stunning mix of her parents, rich brown eyes like her father and uncle, and short, wavy red hair, a similar shade to her mothers and my own.

" Hola tía!" Rubi said with a smile as she came to hug me.

" Hola Ichigo!" I used the girls nickname, which meant "strawberry" in Japanese.

" Tan alto!" ( So tall!) I added as I studied the girl, who seemed to have grown since I had seen last seen her.

" Yeah but still not as tall as you." She replied with a little pout as her parents and I laughed.