The end is in sight! And I can't believe I didn't fall behind schedule til Day 11. Tis the season of miracles. And with that said, this was minimally edited so adjust your expectations accordingly.

Also I think it'll become fairly obvious but this chapter will be shifting POVs throughout. Switches will be indicated by the fun little strips of tinsel or snow or whatever ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧ looks like to you.

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･: ✧･ﾟ: on the 11th day of Christmas :･ﾟ✧:･

"We're Here Tonight, And That's Enough"

You don't know what you've got til it's gone. Darren spent the last sixteen years wishing he could go back in time and tell his human self not to take a single moment for granted.

Today he wondered if while he'd been doing that, his future self had been wishing he could tell him he'd get all of it back. And then some.

The rest of the vampires and vampaneze didn't join the Shan family under the Christmas tree at seven in the morning when they gathered there, but Daen wouldn't have cared if they did. It was picture-perfect from start to finish.

He'd never forget the way Darius's eyes grew wide with excitement as he unwrapped the gift Darren had wrapped up for him - a brand new journal. Identical to the one Darren had been writing in since day one. Darren knew it was a gamble; not every young boy will appreciate that kind of thing. All he knew was that his journal had been his own saving grace more times than he could count and if he could give his nephew one tangible thing to help keep himself sane, that surely was it. And Darius loved it.

Darren went on to unwrap an Arctic-expedition-approved parka from his parents. In one pocket was a pair of thick alpaca wool socks, and in the other pocket were matching mittens. Considering he'd told his mother it sometimes got cold out there, he didn't know what he'd been expecting. And the best part was that the jacket was much too big for him - which meant he'd get many more decades out of it.

With all that said, gifting wasn't the prime focus of this Christmas. It all took a back seat to the lingering disbelief that they'd all found their way back together. And the absolute last thing Darren was expecting was for Darius to reach back under the tree to retrieve a box that he'd clearly wrapped all by himself with zero supervision from any qualified adult.

"This one's for you, Uncle Darren!"

"No way! What more could I possibly need?" Darren laughed as he picked it up and took a closer look. The name tag on the side read

To: The Best Uncle (Darren)

From: Darius & Aunt Gracie

Darren couldn't explain it, but he felt it. There was a huge amount of love in this terribly-wrapped box. His hands were shaking as he peeled away the paper and finally flipped open the brown cardboard box within… to see a shiny new soccer ball.

For a moment the rest of the world faded away as he sat there holding it in his hands.

He'd already known Darius had a ton of fun playing soccer with him a few months back; he'd never seen the kid so happy. But Darius had no idea what the memory meant to Darren. It was the first time he played soccer since he'd left it all behind.

Darius's exuberant voice eventually pulled him back to reality. "Well? Do you like it? Can we play outside later?"

Darren leaned over and hugged him as hard as he could. "I love it. And I love you. This is amazing. We can play all afternoon."

"Thanks for everything, Uncle Darren."

Darren caught Annie's eye over Darius's shoulder as they all sat on the floor by the Christmas tree, surrounded by a sea of wrapping paper and pine needles. There was profound sadness in Annie's face, as there often was when she was reminded of the dark path Destiny chose for her son. But sometimes, like now, there was a ghost of her youthful sparkle flickering back to life in her eyes. There was hope.

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

Technically the full-bloods shouldn't have been awake at all at this point in the day. But the laughter and Christmas music coming from downstairs proved irresistible. As was the smell of frying bacon. It even reached Vancha out in the garden shed. He came tromping through the back patio door shortly after the others got downstairs.

The house was abuzz with festivity. Kurda took over the breakfast preparations so Dermot could help Darius assemble his new Lego set. Gannen busied himself blocking Vancha from sneaking half-raw strips of bacon off the frying pan. Angela and Annie disappeared into the basement pantry to retrieve the supplies needed to start cooking the Christmas feast. Renley and Shane took their coffee outside to the snowy porch; the day was overcast enough for the fully blooded to enjoy a rare bit of quasi-daylight.

Gracie headed for the living room. Darren was the only one in there, and (bless his heart) he was dutifully cleaning up the sea of discarded wrapping paper. His soccer ball was gleaming like a white beacon beneath the tree. He looked up - grinning from ear to ear - as she approached.

"Merry Christmas. What'd Santa bring you?" Gracie greeted him nonchalantly as she flopped down on the couch.

Darren let out a great snort of laughter as he chucked the ball at her. "You would know!"

He really didn't think that one through. Luckily Gracie's reflexes were lightning and she managed to catch the ball in one hand.

"Charna's guts, dumbass! I'm holding coffee here!"

"That's Sire Dumbass to you." Darren clapped back with complete confidence. It sounded a lot better in his head.

"You're right. It is." Said Gracie.

They both chuckled at the sound of Gannen scolding his brother from the next room while Darius laughed in the background. And Gracie added more seriously: "I told them to give your family space this morning. I guess they held off as long as they could."

"There's twelve people living in a three-bedroom house for an entire week. I wasn't expecting space." Darren reassured her.

"Fair enough."

"I wasn't expecting a top of the line soccer ball either."

"Your nephew has good taste."

Darren picked the ball back up and admired the immaculately clean exterior for a moment before reaching into his pocket. "I got you something too." He admitted with a wry grin as he pulled out a tiny envelope and held it out. "I was going to give it to you just before I left, but then you ended up coming with me. So I figured I might as well wait til Christmas."

"Feels like a gift card." Said Gracie as she carefully peeled it open. "Better be Starbucks."

She wasn't entirely wrong. It was a gift card in the sense that it was both gift and card. One second she was laughing like a kid without a care in the world. The next second the oxygen had been sucked from her lungs. Aside from the one shaky hand drifting up to cover her mouth, her entire body froze as she stared down at the small piece of plastic in her hands.

It was a new copy of her driver's license. Same numbers. Same address, now outdated. Same unflattering mugshot. Same everything. But one thing was different - her last name.

Grace Arra Smahlt-Ver Leth

Almost two years had passed since she completed the paperwork to legally remove Kurda's surname from her identity. The name on her license read Grace Arra Ver Leth ever since. But what once felt like an act of self-empowerment became a source of shame and regret when she learned the truth.

Of course, she didn't need a plastic card to tell her who she was. Ultimately those legal records meant nothing now that she was a vampire. The clan knew her as Gracie Smahlt-Ver Leth - as they should.

Nevertheless she hated having a tangible reminder of the time she lost faith in someone who loved her more fiercely than she knew. She didn't even remember making one passing comment ages ago about how much she wished she could undo the change.

But Darren remembered. And when she tore her eyes off the card to look back up at him, he was forcing himself to hold back a smug grin over the way he'd manage to render her speechless. Not an easy feat.

"…How in the fuck?!" Was the heartfelt expression of gratitude she eventually managed to croak out.

"Mr. Tall." Said Darren. "I have no idea how he pulled it off, honestly. He's got his ways. I never ask. All he told me is that it's a hundred percent real."

Gracie has never been one to go around giving out hugs. She tends to save them for special occasions. Like the major triumphs or severe traumas. It's rarely anything in between. But Darren earned this one. Gracie didn't even bother to cringe at the shaky laugh-sob that came out of her mouth as she looped her arms around his shoulders.

"You're my best friend. You know that, right?" Darren snuffled into her shoulder as they hugged it out under the Christmas tree.

"Could've guessed." She snorted eventually, half-heartedly rolling her eyes as she disengaged from the embrace.

"I mean it. I'm just glad you liked it. I worried it might be a little too personal."

"Pfft. You've been directly involved in all of my family turmoil for the past eight years. If we had matching friendship bracelets they'd say trauma bond."

All Darren could do was laugh at her ever-lethal sarcasm. "Call it what you want. All I know is I don't know what I'd do without you."

She was spared answering by a shout of great alarm from the kitchen. More specifically, from Angela Shan.

"Dermot! The turkey!"

"What, dear?" Dermot called back placidly, completely failing to match her energy.

"The turkey! It's still in the freezer! I thought you took it out last night!"

The radio silence that followed said it all. Dermot's descent down the basement stairs could only be described as a walk of shame. Eventually his voice drifted up to the main floor as he witnessed firsthand the consequences of his actions. Or lack thereof.

"Oh. Oh dear."

"It won't be properly thawed til tomorrow! I can't believe this! What are we going to eat for dinner now?! Everything's closed!"

"We could just deep-fry it!" Darius spoke up with far too much enthusiasm. "I saw it on YouTube! You just get a big pot and a whole ton of oil and -"

"No!"

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

Kurda understood the disappointment about the turkey. Really, he did. Tradition is an important thread in the grand tapestry of life and it's valid to feel a sense of loss when that thread unravels.

But a year ago today he'd been working in a soup kitchen feeding the homeless. The weather was miserable. He was the first one to arrive and the last one to leave. The other volunteers praised his dedication but the truth was that he just didn't want to be alone with his thoughts.

And now, only one year later he was safe in a warm house full of friends and food. He had a purpose again. He was alive again.

Kurda truly took nothing for granted these days. But it hit him all over again as Gracie pulled him aside to show him the new license Darren had gifted her.

"I never should've changed it in the first place. I'm so sorry, Dad." She whispered, voice breaking as Kurda wiped tears of joy and disbelief. First his own, then hers.

"You made a decision based on the information you had at the time, Honey Bee." Kurda murmured, pulling her into a tight hug. "You were trying to heal the hurt I caused, the only way you knew how. I'll never fault you for that. Just know I loved you then. I love you now. You are everything."

They stood there in the living room for a moment, both momentarily deaf to the turkey debacle unfolding nearby. But this wasn't the time for tears. That was so last year. This was the time for pure festive bedlam.

Things settled down within minutes, though. Breakfast was served, and it was magnificent. Darren and Annie appeased their frantic parents by looking up local restaurants to see what was open for supper on Christmas Day - it'd be pizza, Chinese, or McDonald's. It was still early in the day so there was ample time to decide. Meanwhile Gracie opened YouTube and showed Darius the difference between deep-frying a thawed turkey versus a frozen one. He was so enthralled she practically had to rip her phone out of his hands when it was time for everyone to shuffle outside for the soccer game. The sky was even overcast enough for the full-blooded vampires and vampaneze to join in the fun.

Gracie and Darren were the captains of their respective teams. They'd take turns choosing players. A coin flip gave Darren first pick. He didn't hesitate to call Darius over. Then it was Gracie's turn. Kurda's heart swelled in anticipation. But Gracie looked right past him, and frowned as she scanned the group.

"Where'd Uncle Vancha go?"

"He said he was going out to feed." Said Gannen with a shrug. "Could've sworn he refilled his vial the day before yesterday. But I do not take responsibility for him."

"I'm still here!" Kurda spoke up, trying to sound casual.

Gracie grimaced and sighed. "Dad, I love you. It's just… you don't love sports. And I want to win. It's nothing personal."

Kurda's jaw was still hanging off his face when Gracie carried on to gesture at Gannen instead, who cracked a smile as he slipped over to her side of the field.

"Gods, you're ruthless." Darren groaned, elbowing Gracie lightly. "It's okay, Kurda! You can be on my team."

"Thanks, Darren. I knew I could count on you." Said Kurda with a mock-melodramatic sigh as he crossed the line to stand with Team Shan.

By the time everything was decided, Gracie's team was stacked with Annie, Gannen, Renley, and Dermot. Darren had Darius, Kurda, Shane, and Angela.

Things started out pretty tame. Every time Darren got the ball he made a point of gently passing it to Darius. Kurda thought it was heartwarming to see how magnificently Darren had stepped up to mentor his nephew. Gracie also thought Darren's strategy was great. Getting the ball from Darius was like taking candy from a baby. She's got a gentle soul in there somewhere - but competitive sports are competitive sports.

But what Darren seemed to be forgetting was that Darius was as tough as any of them. Darius figured that out around the third time Gracie sniped the ball from him. She blazed right past and was about to score - until Darius appeared to have some kind of epiphany in which he remembered he could also run fast. Not to mention his short stature gave him an advantage in the agility department. He darted past Shane's defence and intercepted the ball just before it sailed through the makeshift goalposts (two flower pots). Then he charged back across the yard and scored his team's very first point.

This may or may not be relevant, but his grandfather happened to be goaltending. It's impossible to know for sure, but several witnesses insist Dermot didn't even try to block the shot.

"I did it, Uncle Darren! Just like you showed me!"

"I told you! You're a natural!" They exchanged a high-five. Darren looked like he'd never been happier.

They played for hours and hours, until not even Gracie could be bothered to keep score.

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

Gannen has his reasons for keeping himself distanced from Darius. It's a delicate balance between all that baggage and the undeniable fondness he feels for the kid. By all accounts, that part doesn't make sense. But that doesn't make it any less real.

Nothing about Gannen's journey with Darius's father - the Steve Leonard, the Vampaneze Lord - was simple. But the overwhelming contentment and relief he experienced as he watched the boy gallivanting through the snow, laughing with his family, that was simple. That was pure happiness. It wasn't even his own happiness and he could still feel it permeating his bones from the other side of the yard.

He'd almost forgotten what that felt like.

And there's some irony in the fact that he was pondering the vast complexity of the familial bond when his very own flesh and blood reappeared.

Gannen was the first to notice. While the others were distracted by Renley and Shane bypassing the rules of soccer and moving straight to wrestling over the ball, Gannen's attention was pulled to a dark mass slumping over the back yard fence. It almost looked… furry.

Not almost. Definitely furry.

With a decisive thump, it cleared the fence as if it had been tossed from the other side and dropped like a stone onto the ground. It was an animal. A massive, hairy beast that looked dead. Vancha clambered eagerly in behind it before anyone could react. The proud grin on his face was reminiscent of a Labrador Retriever who'd just dropped a soggy bird carcass at its owners feet. Except this was no bird.

"What is that thing?!" Angela yelped.

"Christmas dinner, of course!" Vancha boomed, pumping both fists in the air jubilantly. "I went hunting for a fresh turkey. But I found something much better. We'll all feast like Princes for nights to come!"

"It's the size of my car!" Said Annie, jaw agape in disbelief.

"It looks like a giant pig." Darius piped up. He walked right up to the thing and curiously ran his hand along the bristly hair.

"Oh, gods." Darren groaned. "Vancha, please tell me you didn't steal that thing from a zoo, or somebody's farm…"

"Do you know me at all?" Said Vancha rather huffily, side-eyeing Darren with reproach. "This majestic beast lived as wild and free as they come. He originated from the great forest of the north, and he led me on a hell of a chase! The crafty bugger! But it was a swift, clean kill in the end. And I offered a prayer of gratitude to the Vampire Gods on all our behalf. You're welcome." Vancha turned back to the others, arms spread wide as if expecting applause. And he got it - from Darius.

"If I had a nickel for every time you hiked out to the middle of nowhere and came back lugging some massive, dirty that has no business being anywhere near this neighbourhood, I'd have ten cents. Which is a lot for one week." Kurda remarked, raising a golden eyebrow at Vancha.

"Good news. It's a wild boar. Invasive species." Said Gracie, studying the screen of her phone as she ran online recon. "Says they're wreaking havoc on local ecosystems, so there's no restrictions on hunting right now. And apparently the meat's really good. Wow. Can't believe I didn't have Uncle Vancha saves Christmas on my bingo card."

"Well, then. I suppose we shouldn't look a gift boar in the mouth." Dermot offered at last. He managed a weak grin, but Angela was shaking her head.

"Mr. March… I truly appreciate your resourcefulness. But it won't fit in our oven. And I'm afraid cooking our meat is non-negotiable."

"Why would I put in your oven?" Vancha snorted. "I don't even know how to use the thing. Just leave it to me!"

Darren and his family headed back to the house to warm up. The rest of the nightwalkers hung back, gathered around the boar.

"You just can't help yourself, can you?" Kurda sighed, casting a wayward glance at Vancha.

"I'm a solutions man, Smahlt." Vancha replied. "Now let's get this beast fit to feast!"

Doubt and skepticism hung heavy in the air between them. Of course the boar would've made an easy meal for a vampire or vampaneze. They didn't even need their meat to be cooked, much less prepared nicely. But there were humans to factor in here.

"It's a great boar, Sire March." General Renley Azerion ventured. "My only question is how do you propose we cook it out here in the yard? The humans aren't exactly accustomed to wild game. Perhaps it'd be more appropriate if we assisted them by picking up some food from a restaurants. Then we can retreat to the forest and eat the boar ourselves. Just a suggestion."

Shane and Kurda nodded in agreement. And gods, Gannen wanted so badly to side with them. Vancha's idea was beyond misguided. Again. Gannen literally hadn't the slightest idea what had been going through his brother's mind. If anything.

But how many times over the years had Gannen looked up at the moon and stars wondering what Vancha was doing, if he was alright, and if he ever looked up at that same sky and wondered the same about Gannen.

Gannen didn't have to wonder anymore. He got his brother back. And gods damn it, he'd have his brother's back for the rest of their lives. Even when the idiot did shit like this.

"Have a little faith, Azerion." Gannen countered, arching an eyebrow. "I haven't a single doubt in my mind that Vancha knows exactly what he's doing."

Technically was lying through his damn teeth, which isn't something the vampaneze do. He wasn't proud of it. But he knew Vancha knew all of that - and the wide, wayward smile on Vancha's sunburned, battle-scarred face was worth a little white lie.

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

At first Darius hadn't wanted to go inside at all. He was having too much fun. But as soon as he sat down at the kitchen table to build a gingerbread house with his mother, he decided this was where it's at. He was beyond exhausted after three solid hours of snow soccer but he refused to let it show. One yawn and Annie would suggest he go take a nap. Please. Who's still taking naps at the age of nine? And he couldn't imagine missing a single second of today.

"Good Christmas so far, dear?" Annie asked him as they carefully glued two gingerbread panels together with more icing than was necessary.

Why did she feel the need to ask? Hadn't it been obvious?

"Oh, yeah! This is the best Christmas ever! I wish it'd last forever." Darius answered without hesitation.

She laughed. "Then it wouldn't be Christmas anymore, would it?"

"That'd be okay. I don't need the Christmas part." Said Darius with a shrug. "I just like when everyone's here."

"Me too, love. Me too."

Darius had a thought. He thought it was a pretty good thought if he did say so himself."Why don't we all just live here? You and I could move into Grandma and Grandpa's house forever. I don't even like my school back home anyway. And everyone else could just stay here too! We already know the house can fit everyone."

Annie laughed again. Darius frowned. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but it wasn't the same kind of laugh as before. This laugh sounded sad. What on earth was there to be sad about on a day like this?

"I wish it worked like that." Said Annie. "I really do."

"Why doesn't it?! Can't you just find a new job up here instead of back home?" Darius blurted out. He regretted his words immediately as he remembered Annie didn't know he knew she lost her job. His voice cracked as he added, "…Sorry."

She sighed. "Nothing to be sorry for. I should've just told you right away, but I didn't want you to spend your Christmas worrying."

"Oh."

"Can I tell you a secret, though?"

"Yeah."

"I've been doing a lot of thinking this week. And you're right. It would be nice to be closer to Grandma and Grandpa."

Darius's jaw dropped, and so did the piece of gingerbread he was holding. It broke in half but that was the furthest thing from his mind.

"So we are going to stay here forever?!"

"Slow down!" Said Annie. There it was again - the happier laugh. "We're still going home like we planned. We're not doing anything til you finish your school year, you hear me? That's not up for debate."

"But I hate that school!"

"I know you do. But it's your third school in as many years, and you've been doing really well. I'm not pulling you out halfway through the year again."

Darius was nine, not stupid. What she really meant was "this school hasn't considered expelling you yet so let's ride that wave as long as we can". But he nodded and let her finish.

"So here's the deal: I'll find a temporary job for the next few months. You keep working hard. And by the time summer comes, hopefully I'll have found a new job and a nice place to rent here in this town. That way Grandma and Grandpa will only ever be five minutes away, instead of five hours. And when Uncle Darren has time to take a break from vampire business and visit his family, he only has to make one stop."

Darius continued to nod as he took all that in. He'd known deep down Uncle Darren couldn't just drop everything and stay in the human world permanently. He just didn't like to think about that, because it reminded him that he wasn't human himself.

Just then, Uncle Darren popped his head around the corner. "I heard my name. What have I done now?"

"I was just filling Darius in on my plan I told you about last night." Annie replied. She was smiling again but Darius wasn't entirely consoled. There was something else weighing on his mind.

Darren grinned as he sat down at the table across from them. "What do you think, Darius? Can you handle brunch with Grandma and Grandpa every weekend?"

"Yeah. That'd be great." Said Darius. "But you'll still visit me, right?"

"Of course." Said Darren. "You've come a long way but you've still got a lot to learn. So I'll visit you as often as I possibly can."

"Right. And when I grow up… will I have to pick?"

He watched his uncle and mother exchange a sad look. He wished they wouldn't do that right in front of him.

Annie was the first to break the silence. "Pick what, dear?"

"You know!" Darius huffed. "Am I gonna have to pick between staying here with you, like living in a house and stuff, or travelling around like Uncle Darren?"

Darren shook his head. "You're way too young to be worrying about that. And I promise I will never let you end up in a situation where you have to make a choice like I once did."

"Are you sure?"

"Come with me and see for yourself." Uncle Darren got up from the table and eagerly beckoned Darius to follow him. Annie smiled in encouragement and away they went.

Darius followed them into the kitchen, where Kurda was helping Grandpa gather armloads of plates and silverware to bring outside. Uncle Darren opened the patio door to let both of them pass through.

The yard was illuminated beautifully by the full moon and the outdoor lights strung through the trees. The wild boar was roasting on a spit above a crackling fire. It smelled as delicious as any barbecue restaurant. Vancha was watching intently as Gannen rotated the spit. How they'd made a spit out of materials found in the garden shed was anyone's guess, but nobody seemed worried about that.

Renley and Shane were busy assembling two plastic folding tables that Darius remembered seeing in the corner of the garage earlier. If you stood them end-to-end they'd be long enough to seat everyone. A collection of plastic patio chairs stood in a line at the ready, as did Grandma and her best tablecloth. She proudly placed it on the makeshift tables once the vampire and vampaneze stood back and gave her the thumbs-up.

Uncle Darren turned to face Darius, and crouched just enough so they were at eye-level with each other. "Listen to me. Even if it looks different than most people your age, your family will always be your family. And nothing can take that away from you. You understand?"

Finally Darius felt himself exhale some of the anxiety that had been eating away at him. He did understand. And if Uncle Darren said it, it had to be true.

Just then, Gracie appeared from the garage holding an armful of soda cans that said White Claw on the side. She was rosy-cheeked from the chilly night air but grinning as she handed a can to Darren, then Annie, and finally held one out to Darius before seeming to change her mind.

"But I wanted one." Said Darius, frowning as Gracie handed the extra can to Kurda instead.

"You wouldn't like these ones, darling." Said Annie. The twinkle was back in her eye as she cracked it open and took a sip. "But you can have a root beer from the middle shelf in the garage if you want."

Darius shrugged and turned in the direction of the garage. But he froze on the spot as another thought crossed his mind. A thought so exciting it eclipsed everything from the existential crisis to the root beer. How could he have forgotten?!

"Mom, it's Christmas Day. That means I can play with my shuriken now, right?"

---

Now that the Shan segment is complete (ch12 will shift back to Vamp Mtn of course) I will say it occurred to me this chapter could theoretically be interpreted as me soft-launching some sort of shipping dynamic between Darren and Gracie. (This note is mostly inspired by AO3 user mikurda_verleth's ongoing investment - I see you. I love you. Your comments light up my life.) I fully admit the idea of them having some kind of future has crossed my mind, so maybe I shouldn't have been surprised to see it appear in the comments. And in my opinion they are highly compatible and they have a unique understanding of each other's life circumstances.

With that said I want to be clear I'm not setting groundwork anything at the moment. And I could write an entire essay on why neither of them are ready for that but I'll condense it down to: while they aren't technically kids, by vampire standards they kind of are. They're both still working through their individual traumas from the war. And now that the war is over they deserve some time to just… chill out and grow into their new lives. So that's where we're at right now. Yes, they shared a moment of emotional intimacy. But so do Mika and Arrow in almost all of their interactions and I've yet to have anyone question their platonic devotion to each other ;)

So TLDR: Haven't ruled it out for the distant future. But speaking as the author here, there's no subtext. If you as a reader wish to draw a different conclusion, I'm just honoured I was able to write something you felt was worth reading more deeply into. I think it's amazing and I'm just happy you're here!

See you in ch12!