Charlotte cuddled into Charles side as Anna watched them. She now understood their relationship.

Charlotte was the protector. Charles was a victim of anxiety attacks. They were always together because she helped calm him down when he started feeling ill. She was his savior.

"I'm sorry," William said, leaning forward from where he sat. "I shouldn't have started yelling. I should have been mindful of you. I'm sorry, Charles."

"It's fine," Charles said, his voice just barely above a whisper, "I have to learn to get used to it. Or, at least, try to control myself. Charlotte can't always be there to protect me."

Anna blinked in shock. That was the longest sentence she's ever heard him utter.

"This time," Charlotte replied, "I'm glad I was there. Anna too. Who knows what could have happened if we hadn't been there? All the servants left for Christmas."

Charles visibly shivered and grabbed his sister's hand.

"Speaking of Christmas, we have about an hour to go till midnight. Does anybody have any games we can play?" Daniel said, ruffling his youngest son's hair. Charles whined and tried moving away, but his father continued anyway.

Anna smiled at the pair and raised her hand. "I know a game."

William grinned and wrapped an arm around his fiance. "Oh, yeah? What?"

"It's a bit childish. We used to all play when we were kids, I'm sure, but it was a fun game. Hide-and-Seek, remember?"

William tilted his head to the side in confusion. "Hide-and-Seek? How do you play that?"

Anna's jaw dropped. "What? You don't know how to play Hide-and-Seek?" She turned to the twins who shook their heads as well.

"Unbelievable. Now we have to play."

~

Anna grabbed William's hand as they darted out of the family room. They turned one way and the twins the other way. Out of majority rule, Daniel was chosen to be It, and everyone decided that the game should only be kept to that story of the house.

"Ten! Nine! Eight!"

Anna pulled William harder and ducked into one of the rooms. It was a bedroom. She fell to her knees and she checked under the bed, only to be blocked be drawers.

"Damn!" She said, standing back up. William opened a door and found a bare closet. "Um...we could hide in here?"

Anna shook her hand. "No. Too obvious. Come on! We have to find an office!"

This time, William grabbed her hand and led her outside, running to a door at the end of the hallway.

"Three! Two! One!"

He pulled open the door and softly shut it as they entered.

"Ready or not, here I come!!!" Faintly, they heard Daniel cuss. "I sound like a child!"

Anna stifled her laugh and stumbled around in the room. She bumped into a desk and cursed as something glass fell. William wrapped his arms around her waist and chuckled, putting his head to her neck.

At the other side of the hallway, they heard Charlotte yell and laugh.

"One down! Three to go! I'm coming for you!"

William placed his lips on Anna's neck, and she could feel his hot breath. She trembled and turned in his hold. He softly caressed her lips with his own, and moved his hands underneath her pajama shirt.

Anna moved her arms behind his neck and pulled him forward, deepening the kiss. William swished his tongue against her lips, begging for entrance. As Anna opened her mouth, William's hands slid down her back, under her butt, and to her legs, wrapping them around his hips. Anna moaned and leaned back on the desk, dragging William down with her.

He let go of her lips and traveled down her throat, leaving several wet kisses. Anna's breath hitched and she panted as William kissed her soft spot. Her hands ran through his jet black hair and pulled, causing a shiver to run through her as he groaned and sucked on her neck harder.

Just as William was about to take off Anna's shirt, the door was slammed open, shocking them. Anna shrieked and pushed William off her just as he moved to hide behind the desk, wanting to hide a certain 'trait' of his.

Charlotte cackled and slapped the doorway. "Oh, no need to hide, love. We all know what you were about to do in here."

Anna blushed and turned her face away, fixing her shirt and shorts.

Daniel peeked inside and smirked at Anna, lifting an eyebrow. "We don't mean to pry, but there's five minutes before midnight. But, if you want to continue...we can just give you your presents in the morning."

William coughed into his hand and motioned with his hand. "We'll follow you."

Daniel smiled and walked away, pulling his reluctant children by the arms.

William sighed and laid his head against Anna's shoulder. "Uh... I'm sorry."

Anna laughed. "It's fine. I probably would have stopped us anyways. I don't really fancy doing...it...on a desk."

William froze, a semi-horrified look on his face. "Like...ever?"

"Well, maybe someday. Just...not now. On Christmas Eve... Now, come on! We have maybe three minutes before it's time."

~

"Merry Christmas!"

The group laughed and hugged and kissed. Anna saw William hug his father for the first time, and Charles as well. This family was all full of surprises.

William let go of his sister and turned to Anna, engulfing her in a big hug. She laughed in surprise and hugged him back. A tap on her shoulder caused her to pull back.

It was Daniel.

She turned back toward William, but he was already talking to his siblings. Anna looked to Daniel and immediately distrusted his devious smile.

"Congratulations," He said, "You succeeded. You got William to fall in love with you and propose to you. Part of your job is done."

Anna nodded, but Daniel wasn't finished yet.

"Now, you just have to marry him before the Rossi's think of a way to tear you two apart. Getting pregnant would solve that problem quickly, you know."

Anna glared at Daniel and spat out, "Just be quiet! You got what you wanted, so let it go!"

Daniel's eyebrows lifted in surprise before his face cleared of any emotions, and that was what scared Anna the most.

He wrapped his arms tightly around Anna, giving his children the illusion that he was just hugging her a merry Christmas, but in reality her arms were tied down in his steel grip despite her trying to escape.

"It seems the little mouse doesn't like receiving orders," He whispered into her ear menacingly, "But here's a warning, and it'd be good for you to listen to them... Either marry William as soon as possible, or get pregnant. Those are the only two ways your relationship with my son will be saved...Now, hug me back and laugh. Make them think everything is all right, little actress."

Anna choked, but held back her tears. As Daniel loosened his hold on her, she laughed as brightly as she could before wrapping his arms around his waist.

"Thank you, Mr. Winters, "She said, her eyes clearing from their tear-filled haze as she pulled back and stared at him, "Thank you for letting me into your home. It's been a great pleasure."

~

Author's Note:

And that's it. Can you believe that the Winters children have never played hide-and-seek? Unbelievable!!!

And I like this new thing we have going on!!! It's exhilarating! How do you all feel about this? I like it.

So, we find out more about the twin's and William's childhood, and that Daniel is still controlling Anna from the side-lines.

What do you all think we happen in the later chapters? What do you want to happen? Please, entertain me. ;D

Anyways, please remember to VOTE AND COMMENT!!!

Thank you!!!

BYE!!! :D

-RavenMoon06

©RavenMoon06

P.s. Please tell me if there are any grammar or punctuation mistakes. Thanks again! ;)

P.s.s. My real name is not Raven. ;P ;)