It was Christmas Day, the 25th of December, one of my favorite days of the year. I nearly slid down the banister of the grand stairs as I ran to the kitchen.

Eliza wasn't there.

I wasn't worried though, because I had told her to sleep in this morning, even though she protested. After our little meatloaf fiasco, after which we resorted to balonga sanwiches, I was fully prepared to treat my beautiful girl to breakfast in bed.

Bacon, Sausage, Pancakes, Eggs, and whipped cream, the works! I slapped them onto a plate and tray, grinning widely as stalked up the wooden stairs.

Knock, knock.

"Room service!" I laughed as I knocked on her attic door.

"Come in." She spoke quietly.

I opened the door, bearing wonderful items of food. Eliza was sitting on the bed. Her hair was already fixed perfectly, she was completely dressed, and she seemed to radiate with energy.

"So, you've been awake for a while?" I asked, sitting on the bed.

Eliza smiled. "Well... I have an internal alarm clock. I tried to sleep in." She shrugged, and then her eyes drifted to the tray of food.

"Wait... is that for me?" She asked.

"Of course. Merry Christmas." I said graciously.

"Wow. I... Thank you." She smiled and took a bite. "Delicious."

I smiled as she did, and after a few more soft words, I left the room to leave her to eat in peace.

Eliza's POV

He doesn't know.

He hadn't heard.

I thought I had screamed it loud enough for the neighborhood to hear, but Edward had not heard me call Ludvig 'father'.

It was best he didn't know.

And it was best that he didn't know what they had been doing to me.

In time, I was afraid that Edward would see through my cheery demeanor, to the lost and broken soul that was within me. Secrets and sins would be my undoing, but that I could not prevent.

Edward cannot know. No matter how much I want to tell him, he can not know.

It would kill us both.

I finished my breakfast quickly as I bounced around in my own brain. The person I was without my notebook was not one I liked to be acquainted with. A lot of my annoying little tics began to come back, the way I would twist my wrists as a result of very minor Tourette syndrome, and occasionally a sniffing tic that I'd had since my younger years. Without something to occupy my mind, my thoughts were running rampant, and that description made me sound like a raving mad psychopath.

However, somehow, when I walked into the living room to see Mr. Richtofen with a daily paper in his hands, and snow beginning to pile up on the windowsills... all of those demons began to wash away.

"I hope you enjoyed breakfast, Eliza." He spoke, looking up at me from the couch.

I smiled, and it wasn't a fake one.

"I did. Thank you." I praised.

He smiled back.

I took a seat in the chair across from him, and began to fiddle a bit awkwardly with my thumbs.

I took a glimpse at Edward, and he had a look of curiosity upon his face.

"Eliza," he spoke, "what happened to your dress? The one that you made from the curtains?"

I looked at the hardwood floor. "I don't have it anymore... I..." I searched frantically for an excuse not to bring up Maxis. "I ripped it... so I threw it out."

Edward's expression fell, and he looked sad. "I loved that dress..." He mumbled slightly as he runbed his arm.

I glanced at him but couldn't say a thing. Suddenly, his pout broke into a light smile.

"No matter." He stood up cheerfully and walked toward the door. "Wait here. I'll be back in a moment."

My heart began to pound. Where was he going? What was he planning?

All of a sudden, a child's viewpoint scurried into my conscience. I was excited, for only the second or third time since I had been here. I felt like a little girl. Were there gifts, were there presents all wrapped in polka-dotted paper and striped packaging?

But my good and innocent thoughts never lasted long. Then came the fear of me being able to give nothing in return... and then I would owe him. Forever.

A few moments later, Edward returned, and confirmed my fears. A pit formed in my stomach as he carried in a plethora of items wrapped in green and gold, red and blue.

Even so,I couldn't help but gasp.

"Edward... no." Was all I could muster.

He smiled and sat down the gifts in front of my trembling form.

"Eliza... yes." He smiled.

I rose from my seat, and tripped in the process, falling onto Mr. Richtofen.

"Edward, no!" I exclaimed, ignoring the fact that his arms were wrapped around me firmly.

To my surprise, I was silenced with a kiss, which slightly helped in soothing my fears.

"Please... please accept my gifts, liebling... I want only for you to be happy." He said, helping me back into the seat.

I sighed and looked around at all the fancy gifts. "Thank you..."

Though I was grateful, there was still a knot in my stomach.

"Don't thank me... just let me see you open them!" He gave a slight hand clap and my fave turned red.

My father never got me anything for Christmas. Mother rarely had enough money to after he was gone... so in a sense... this was a new experience for me. The only person I'd really recieved an actual gift from was Tank.

I picked up the biggest box first, and couldn't help but smile as I did so.

"Largest first? I see." Edward chuckled. "Open!"

"I-I'm going!" I giggled, preventing a snort.

Edward's eyes softened substantially as I ripped the paper and crinkled the severed sheet in my hands. From what I had already revealed, I could see inly the white, smooth surface of a tailor box. I glanced at Richtofen, almost to ask if it was okay to continue. He nodded.

I tore the rest of the paper off and opened the box slowly. I gasped when I revealed a fabric within. I cupped my mouth and unraveled the blue cotton.

It was a dress, the perfect length, the perfect material, and seemingly the perfect size.

"To be honest, I don't know much about dresses or whatnot... but I'm pretty sure you could pull of anything, so I hope I'm not too crazy with the blue. I think it suits you... it'll bring out your eyes." Edward said, as if I could hear him over the panic in my head.

"Richtofen. This is..." I cut myself off as he eagerly awaited my sentence.

And for once, I had a change in demeanor. I wasn't going to break down and freak out... at least I was going to try not to.

"This is amazing... and I love it." Both he and I lit up. I smiled and held the dress close, for I really did like it. But the issue... might come with actually wearing it.

I pushed that from my mind and tried to fill myself with happy thoughts. For the most part, that worked, as I continued to cycle through the numerous gifts I had gotten.

The next gift was another box.

I opened the box to reveal a coat, along with a pair of nice gloves, a tobbogan, and wooly earmuffs.

I looked at the contents in confusion.

"It may seem a bit strange right now... but you'll see." Edward gazed at me with his hazel eyes. His lips twisted up in the smallest mischeivious smile.

I wasn't comforted... I hadn't been outside in nearly two years, not for more than twenty seconds. What made him think I needed these things?

I moved to the last gift of many, with caution.

It was a smaller one. When I picked it up, it did not feel lenient, and was inflexible in my hands.

Edward was already smiling wide as he looked at me with anticipation.

I peered over at him nervously as I tore the paper, and pondered on what it could be.

Suddenly, I had an epiphany.

I ripped the paper from the box and revealed what I had suspected. A brand new, black leather, hardback sketchbook, along with an entire kit of drawing utensils. Erasers, pencils, pens, and rulers, protractors, and the like.

I gasped, looking over at Edward, who had gotten up to take a seat next to me in his excitement. All I could do was shake my head in disbelief. The demons inside my head previously were slowly vanishing, retreating, as I looked at him with wide and watery eyes.

He grinned. "I hope you like it... It's not enough, I know, but-"

Whatever he was saying vanished from my thoughts, my memories. His words were a blur from that point on. He didn't know... no, he had no clue what this meant to me.

Tics gone.

Twitches gone.

Demons, gone.

Worries, gone.

But then what was left? Him. Edward.

And as cheesy as it sounds? He saved me... from myself.

Whatever he was going on about went straight over my head, as emotions filled my heart and mind. Before he could continue his ranting, I threw myself forth, wrapping my arms around him in the most thankful manner. Tears began to stream down my ivory cheeks as I pressed my lips into his, with every fiber of my gratitude.

At first, his eyes were wide and surprised, and I felt him tense beneath my weight. He relaxed slightly as I combed through his hair with my nimble fingers, and I felt his hands caress my waist. I sighed and broke away from him, out of breath only slightly.

It was uncharacteristic of me to say the least.

But I didn't give a damn.

Edward looked up into my crystal blue eyes, his hair ruffled and his breaths sloppy at best. Our faces were red as cherries that topped chocolate milkshakes.

His lips twisted into a smirk of sorts.

"So... you did like the gifts..." He chuckled as he held me on his lap.

I suddenly snapped out of my trance of lust, and cleared my throat. I considered inching off of him, but with the way he was holding me? Impossible.  

"I..." I looked around, regaining my composure. "Edward... y-you surely must know that I can't repay you for all of this..." I wiped my eyes.

Edward smiled. "Nonsense... this right here.. is payment enough." Edward sat up with me connected at the hip, and red faced, he spoke again, bringing my face closer to his. "Eliza..."

The next part was a mere whisper into my ear as Edward pulled me into a tight hug, causing me to blush even harder. "You... you are my Christmas present this year."

The tiny hairs on my neck stood up and he dared to plant a light kiss on the nape of my neck, leaving me nearly trembling in place.

My bottom lip slipped between my teeth, and my pearly whites sunk into the soft pink flesh. He didn't see, I didn't dare let him.

Dear God, my composure threatened to slip away more each second that he held me in his warm embrace.

Our eyes met again. Electricity shot out of his, interconnecting with mine. My heart swelled and I could see the sweet emotions swirling in his all but darkened irises.

Stop it, Edward... before I...

Ding, Dong.

I gasped and froze in my place, my eyes widening in sheer, raw horror as I looked at the door from the couch. Edward planted to the spot and looked mortified.

"Edward, my boy!"

Oh my god. Oh my god.

Edward looked up at me, terrified for a split second before both of us jumped off of the couch and sprinted to clean up the giant mess of wrapping and gifts.

My heart was beating at ten times its speed. We were dead. It was over.

I sprinting and carried my things to the attic and threw it all around.

"Edward, are you in there, son?" Two knocks.

I heard Edward rush to the front door as I hurried down the stairs and tidied to place, trying to look unsuspicious.

"Doctor Maxis? Sir, I... I did not expect you here this morning!" Edward opened the creaky door and greeted Ludvig as best he could. I watched the scene go down.

And then, my eyes drifted up to Edward's dark brown hair.

Oh my god. It was messy. I'd messed it up. It was a dead giveaway.

My heart dropped into my stomach, and my knees felt like buckling.

"Hello, Edward! We just thought we would drop by and bring you some food for your Christmas feast." Maxis pushed himself through the doorway.

Edward gave a confused look. "We, sir?"

Suddenly, a little girl in a frilly pink dress stepped through the door, her long. black, curly hair put up into a big ponytail. In her hands, she held a teddy.

"Uncle Eddie!" Samantha jumped at Edward, seemingly very happy to see him.

I suppressed a gasp and prayed for the day to take place without horrendous failure. Heaven help me... heaven help us.

Edward's POV

"Samantha... hah, hello." I hugged Samantha lightly as she gripped onto my pants leg.

Maxis smiled and a saw him looking upwards.

Oh god. My hair.

Maxis, to my surprise, began to chuckle. "Ah, Richtofen, I see you still have your bed-hair." He laughed as he made his way to the kitchen and sat down the brown bags he had been carrying.

Curse living this close to Maxis. Leave it to him to ruin a smooth moment.

I laughed a real laugh, simply thankful that he hadn't caught on.

I breathed in. I had apprehensions that Eliza's scent had stuck on me, which normally I wouldn't have minded. However, thankfully today her sweet musk had not lingered.

Verdammt. Stop thinking so much about her... 

I had felt too much back there, things were getting out of hand. My senses were tingling and still were then. I swear, two more seconds and I would have had a-

"Edward, the house looks great. The decorations are superb." Maxis smiled.

I cleared my throat and nodded. "Thank you."

Samantha ran to the living room as I joined Maxis in the kitchen.

"Well then, Merry Christmas, Edward!" He unpacked numerous items of food, and I began to wonder about his motives. He was being... nice. And it didn't seem fake like usual. "Tell me, Richtofen, where is your little servant?"

My body tensed. Oh no.

"I believe she is in the living room, Ludvig... why, shall I get her? Is there a problem?"

He smiled. "Nein. I just want to give her a Christmas present."

I nearly choked. He wanted to what? Give a Christmas present to the woman he had relentlessly beaten into submission just months before?

He took hold of a bag, carrying it to the living room.

"Not to worry, Edward, you have one too!" He laughed, sitting on the couch. I followed him, and I looked up at Eliza, who was in the corner, watching Samantha as she played around with her teddy bear. Her eyes screamed with fear and grief.

Maxis glanced to the corner. "Come here, girl." He commanded, with a bit of force.

Eliza looked up, frightened. She complied and hurried to his side. "Yes, sir." Her eyes occupied mine as Ludvig shifted through the bag.

My heart skipped a beat.

"Here you are!" Maxis threw a package in her direction. "It would seem I have started a trend... so I thought you could use some supplies."

Eliza shakily looked at Maxis, her very knees shaking in his wake.

"Open it." He demanded lowly.

She did as he said and opened the white box beneath the initial wrapping. She looked confused slightly, as she shifted through the box of... medical supplies.

I caught on quickly. I sick joke. I should have suspected.

"Now, at least you can bandage yourself when you mess up." Maxis chuckled. "I figure that Edward is getting the hang of punishment by now."

Eliza shut the box, mortified.

"And what do you say?"

She didn't answer, and I held my breath as the tension began to build. She seemed too caught up on something.

"I said, what do you say?" He grunted angrily.

"T-Thank you, sir..." She stuttered.

Maxis chuckled and I immediately felt sick. I had caused that by spinning a lie.

:Speaking of, Edward. Why don't you show me? Show me what you can do!"

I gaped at him. "What?"

"She always needs a little discipline... show her what that means." Maxis nodded toward Eliza, who was still staring at the floor. She looked up at me.

"She hasn't done anything wrong, Ludvig. I only discipline her when she steps out of line, sir." I spoke through half-clenched teeth, venom threatening to drip into my words.

He sighed. "Very well..." He looked at her. "Go make us a meal, wench." With one wave of his hand, Eliza was gone.

Suddenly, Samantha came crawling up, as I regained my composure.

"Eddie?" She said, peering up at me.

My vision snapped down to her. "Yes, Samantha?"

"Play with me?"

"Not now, Samantha!" Ludvig scalded.

I took one glance at him, and saw the disappointment in his young daughter's eyes as he commanded her. How could a father be so mean to his own daughter?

His own daughter...

I took Sam's hands. "Yes, of course. I will play with you. Do you have any more dollies for me to use?"

I heard Maxis sigh loudly.

She ran off, smiling.

"Edward, your gift." He said, a bit tiredly.

I looked at the larger box and nodded. "Thank you, sir." I faked a smile and opened the box unenthusiastically. However, what was inside surprised me.

A lab coat, with my name sewn in to the fabric on the pocket side.

"You've made it to the inner circle, Edward." Maxis smiled. "I thought it was time for you to have your own personalized coat... and I have decided that I am going to put you in charge of your own team of scientists."

My eyes widened. This was a great honor.

"Doctor Maxis... A-Are you sure?" I asked, feeling nervous.

Maxis smiled. "Do you want to know something, Edward?"

I listened to him intently.

"I have watched you... for a very long time. In fact, I have watched you since your mother bore you nearly 24 years ago."

This was mind-blowing.

"W-What? You knew my... parents?"

Maxis nodded and I nearly fainted.

"Your father was a well-known doctor, of course. He and I were around the same age. I seem to recall having a science class or so with him."

"Are you serious?" I asked in disbelief. "That's... incredible."

Maxis turned serious. "I am so sorry... about what happened to them."

Suddenly, my world turned black. I blocked off what feelings were surfacing toward my mind at this point.

"Your mother... it was tuberculosis, yes?"

I had no choice but to nod in agreement, gritting my teeth. "Father... couldn't cure her." I growled lowly.

Maxis paused for a moment.

"And your father-"

"Please. Let's discuss this another time, Dr. Maxis." I found myself interrupting, as normally I never would. He understood, and took it down a notch. He cleared his throat and place a hand on my back as I hunkered over my knees.

"Anyway... from that time forward... I kept a close eye on your endeavors. I kept tabs on you through high school, and also tracked your progress at Heidelberg University... all of your teachers said you simply were their most talented student. Then when you chose to become a scientist, with a degree in medicinal studies as well... I just couldn't pass the chance to have you on my team. And well, here you are."

So that was it... he knew me? All this time, he was watching me... watching my schooling. No wonder the letters came in so soon after I arrived back home.

"Well... I suppose this is a wonderful honor then.." I looked at the coat, unsure of what