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"Ella? That man over there is gesturing for you."

The eight-year-old looked up from her violin case, where she was prepping her bow. Across the auditorium, she saw her father, waving with one hand. Next to him sat the burly Butler, looking a little uncomfortable in the auditorium seating. To put it shortly, he felt much like a sausage stuffed into much too tight a casings. Artemis had snickered when they sat down and the older fellow groaned. Speaking of her father, he was dressed in his usual Armani suit, with a lovely diamond-patterned green silk tie that matched her dress. It was planned, of course. Ella wave back, beaming. She turned to the boy who had pointed her father out.

"Thank you, Michael." She said politely. She had only been with the orchestra for about two months, even since she'd transferred to the school. It was a private facility, co-ed, with a strong arts program. Ella had been exposed to much music upon entering the Fowl household. Her mother had always been a music lover, but Artemis had taken the passion much further. Her favourite had been the collection from the Met Opera. Martin had taken her once, when she was six. It had been magical. Artemis took her frequently to the Dublin Opera House (the one he had designed). About a month after moving to Ireland, he asked her if she would desire attending an actual school. She had requested admittance to the one of the school's orchestras. After a week's worth of violin lessons and a solo before the school's board of music, she had been accepted. Michael was one of the first to speak to her. They created a distance, acquaintance-like relationship filled with courteous motions.

Most of the children had avoided her, politely. Once her relation to the nation's most recognizable billionaire had become known, the others had given her a wide berth. Ella took this in stride, however. The isolation had been mild, in comparison to her New York City life.

The change had been quick. After Sophie had agreed to the terms, Ella had been instructed to begin packing all necessary items. Most of her belongings stayed in the US, for her summer and holidays were going to be spent in the city. Artemis had taken her 'round all the best shops, collecting a whole year's worth of a wardrobe a la Annie style. In less than two weeks she was in Ireland, leaving her mother behind in the LaGuardia Airport. Sophie hadn't cried, though she had been near it.

Her life had changed drastically. For the better. Everything had improved. She had a father, a real house, grandparents who clearly adored her—

The conductor had reached the podium, tapping his baton on the wooden ledge. The audience fell silent as the rows upon rows of children straightened their spines, at the ready. Artemis gave his daughter a final wave, shrugging when she raised one brow in silent question. "I have no clue."

Ella bit her lip. She had promised.

They had just finished their warm-ups when a figure, walking down the aisle at a leisurely pace, caught her eye. A redhead, in a pair of killer stilettos, still in the gray silk wrap dress and blue wool coat she'd worn to work that morning. Somebody had clearly just left the gallery. Ella beamed, ducking her head.

Sophie had stayed back in New York for two weeks after Ella and Artemis's departure to tie things up on the business end. Marvin remained in control of her general income in regards to the art work, shows and other details in the like, such as the gallery Artemis had insisted on buying before he left. He had also purchased a sister gallery in Dublin. She was to paint in Ireland most of year, and return to New York in the late winters and mid-summers to attend gallery showing.

Sophie slide into the fold-down seat next to her fiancé, squeezing his hand tightly and nodding to Butler. "Sorry. Stayed a bit late. Had a new shipment of Xia dynasty era pottery, and a few ceremonial masks…She's not mad, is she?"

"Not a bit put out." He assured her. "Concerned, naturally."

Sophie nodded. "Of course. My little worrier" She said fondly. He shhhed her, pointing to the stage. The children were starting.

The Christmas concert was just over an hour long. At some point, Sophie had rested her head on her husband's shoulder, sighing at the sight of their daughter displaying her new-found passion. Somewhere in the crowd she heard the distinct digital click of a photo being taken via cellular phone. It could easy be a parent photographing their little angel, but she suspected otherwise, as the sound was facing them, and not the stage. From the way Artemis tensed up she suspected he had heard it as well.

The concert ended, with all the students standing to bow. The solos were recognizes one at a time, and when Ella stood her parents and manservant stood as well to applaud her enthusiastically. She blushed, and the crowd laughed.

Afterwards there was a small reception with cake and punch. Sophie and Artemis greeted their daughter warmly, with Sophie remarking upon the matching dress and tie. "I knew they would look fantastic together!"

"You've said that a hundred times already, Mamma."

"Well, I've been right every time."

Artemis stooped to his daughter's height. "You were brilliant, Ella."

"Thank you, Father."

"All that practice really…uh," He glanced to his fiancé, who nodded encouragingly. "…showed in your performance. I am very proud of you."

"Thank you." She repeated. Things were still slightly awkward between them. Creating a relationship out of nearly nothing hadn't been easy in the slightest, even with Sophia's help. Though difficult, they had worked something out. Artemis was still learning the basics of fatherhood, and he was putting forth a good effort.

"Shall we go out for dinner?" Artemis asked. "I asked the kitchen staff to hold dinner. I wasn't sure what you wanted."

Ella pursed her lips, thinking. "Can we go to that Thai place Mamma and I went to last week."

Artemis cast Sophie a look. It was a cheap takeout restaurant. Not even two stars. Not his style, either. But it was what Ella had requested, so he faked a smile and asked Butler for the car. His fiancée smirked smugly, very pleased with him. She could see past his smile easily. Artemis rolled his eyes, but his grin deepened to become more natural.

Butler brought the car 'round. They piled in. Ella leaned into her mother, half on her lap. Artemis sat on the other side of her, stroking her hair fondly. They continued the praise of her performance, with Artemis adding careful criticism accordingly. Ella accepted these comments with grace. Later, in the restaurant, Artemis joined his daughter in a lively debate regarding bio-ethics over their seafood curry, with Butler occasionally observing a point they had missed. Sophie smiled quietly in the background feeling, for the first time in over a decade, peace. She was content and, more importantly, the family she had never dared to hope to have, was perfectly happy. It was not perfect. Not even close. She and Artemis argued just as much as they had prior, during, after, than during again, their engagement. She threw things and he glared, speaking in a low and dark voice. Ella had a few problems in school. The house was messier, the dog was loud and Sophie's rock music louder.

But that was their life. And to Sophie, it was the ideal life.

"Sophie?"

She jerked out of her reverie."Hmmm?"

Artemis's raised eyebrows carried a good humor. "Are you ready to go?" He held his arm out, and offering.

She accepted it easily and her fiancée helped her stand. Ella skipped ahead of them, bounding out the door with her youthful energy. Her skirt flounced up playfully. Stopping just before the glass double doors, she turned to Artemis. He paused as well. Sophia reached up to straighten his tie, smoothing it down his chest when she was finished. Artemis released a warm gush of breath. "Yes?"

Sophie looked up into his bright blue eyes, glinting in the dull light from the paper lanterns. "I love you." She whispered.

"I know."

"I know you know."

"Good." He softened, squeezing her shoulder. "Because I love you as well."

"Good."

"And I love our daughter."

"Also good."

"I like to think so."

"Let's go home."

"Yes. Let's."