Holiday Season

The Christmas and New Year Break finally arrived after 3 months of school. The school gave all the students this 2-week long break, yearly, that lasts from the last week of December until the first week of January.

Paul was quite ecstatic, as his parents also took a break from their business plans to celebrate the holiday season with their only child. Though, they only planned to celebrate at home, which Paul recommended heavily, so that he could still continue with his studies. Still, it was a nice enough holiday for Paul to relax and slacken a bit from his continuous learning.

Today, it was December 24, which means Christmas Eve. The Crimson Family set up their manor, with Paul's suggestion, into a winter wonderland. Snow decorations could be spotted from here and there. Christmas lights and leaves attached to windows, banisters, and few more spots where they could be placed. The manor had a wonderful Christmas charm, that the past two years didn't have.

During the past two years, they only celebrated quietly but together, in the warmth of their home. It was nothing extravagant, Mrs. Crimson only chooses to cook whenever she wants to show her love to the only two men in her life, Joseph, and Paul. Although, the holidays are an exception, as she doesn't miss to cook for them during birthdays, anniversaries, seasonal events, and such. Normally, the cook that they hired, Mr. Hiroko would cook their daily meals, except at times when Mary decides to cook for her family.

There were only few people employed at the Crimson Manor, as the Crimson Family values their privacy. They do not have their own butler or maids even, as the Crimson Couple arrange their times by themselves. Especially when dealing with their "shady" job, they need to be extra careful. There are only a handful of cleaners who cleans their manor every two days, who also deals with their laundry, and the daily cook, Mr. Hiroko.

The family functions mostly by themselves, as Joseph and Mary did not want to cultivate Paul's laziness at the event of having a maid. Thus, they decided that they could function well without any help, but themselves. Dishwashing was a job that they share equally, though Paul needs the help of a step stool to reach the sink. He insisted, though, once he turned three years old, to share the burden of washing the dishes.

Mary and Joseph weren't able to disagree, as Paul's arguments were very convincing and persuasive. Thus, the three of them took turns to wash the dishes. Sometimes though, Ditto helps Paul with dishwashing, which pleases the red head. Ditto is a good fellow after all, despite having the habit of a trickster.

Currently, at the Crimson Manor, a large Christmas Tree could be seen in the living room. It was a real Blue Spruce Tree that was located in the living room. Joseph, with the help of his Pokemons, was able to transfer the tree from a certain part of Petalburg Woods.

The three of them decorated the tree, by themselves, with snow garnish and other Christmas decor such as Christmas lights and bells. Though, instead of Christmas balls, different types of Pokeballs littered the whole tree, with stuffed pokemons of their family located in the tree. Joseph's pokemons, Mary's pokemons, and of course, Paul's pokemon too, which are Ditto and Eevee. Also, instead of a star, the Christmas tree's top was placed with a Shiny Staryu.

Overall, it was a very wonderful tree, and the house looked beautiful. The whole decoration experience was a happy thing for Paul, one being able to adorn one's home with decorations. Despite being rich before, he never really had the opportunity to really celebrate with people who he cared about at the holidays; or even an opportunity to decorate his own house. Because even though he had his wealth, his house would seem emptier with adornments, so he did not bother.

He had friends, yes, but each of them had their own families to celebrate with. He also had lovers, either girlfriends or boyfriends, but Paul never really fell in love with any of them enough to celebrate holidays with. So, he drowned himself in his company and worked over the holidays. Sometimes, he just goes to vacation at places where no one knows him at all. It was peaceful and beautiful, but lonely at the same time.

That's why Paul is so thankful for having the opportunity to have a family in this lifetime. The warmth in his heart is overwhelming, that sometimes, Paul feels like he is in a dream. A wonderful and beautiful one, but a dream, nonetheless. Though, he will shake this feeling off as soon as he could, as he knows that his family is real. He has parents, they exist, and they do love him.

"Paul, go downstairs, you have guests!"

The red head came out of his thoughts as Mary shouted his name. He immediately replaced his home clothes with ones that could welcome a house guest as he shouted his reply.

"Noted mom! Coming down in a few minutes!"

Paul wore a long black sleeve shirt, with a red necktie, and black slacks. His apparel was finished up with a pair of black leather shoes, a belt, a mechanical watch, and a black colored tie clip with the symbol of the Crimson Family, a pair of feather wings mostly colored blood red. Though, at times, Mary and Joseph customized the symbol to be made in other colors, in cases that their outfit clashes with the colored red. An example is Paul's necktie for today, thus the tie clip he chose was black.

Checking the time, Paul noticed that he took ten minutes to arrange himself into a somewhat decent appearance. He quickly went down the stairs and slowed down when he arrived at the first floor. Paul directly went to the living room for welcoming his house guests. If the red head wasn't mistaken, it would be the three wonderful friends he made at school, as he didn't know any other people who he could be close enough to visit his house.

As he came into the living room, he verified his guess, as he was able to see three of his friends, Jake, Amber, and Steven, wearing fancy clothes along with their parents.

"Hey guys, Merry Christmas!" Paul greeted them with a bright smile.

"Merry Christmas!" The trio replied back in unison, with smile attached to their faces.

After greeting his friends, Paul also addressed his greetings to the parents of his friends.

Mr. Joseph Stone had dark grey hair and eyes, looking amiable but also had that aura of someone in a high position, quite similar to his past life's stature. Mrs. Diana Stone, on the other hand, was a beautiful, sophisticated woman, who had similar features to Steven, including her eyes and hair. It seems like Steven received his looks more from his mom than his dad. They were both polite and kind enough when they replied to Paul's greetings.

Mrs. Mia Rose, on the other hand, was quite a stern looking woman. Though she had a pair of kind black eyes, which make Paul thinks that she was a strict but a nice person. She also had the same pink hair as her daughter. Meanwhile, Mr. Evan Rose was a kind looking man, with gentle brown eyes and bronze colored hair. Both replied to Paul as well, the former with a firm and stable voice, while the latter with a gentle and warm voice.

Jake's parents were surprisingly amiable, despite the horrors Jake shared to them over the months. It seems like Jake was exaggerating the actions of his parents, or they were only like that to their one and only lazy son.

Mr. Brian Azure had black hair and same pair of electric blue eyes as Jake. He had a calm temperament and a gentleman's smile. Mrs. Penelope Azure, on the other hand, was a very warm woman, with lush platinum blonde hair and pair of beautiful green eyes. Though, she had that aura that you shouldn't disagree if she offered you cookies.

Overall, the people present in the living room, including him and his parents, had top notch appearances. If Paul didn't know better, he would think this was a party with celebrities. 'Is that logical at all?' Paul thought, as he pondered about each one of his friends' family. Though, knowing that as a host, he should start a topic for the house guest so they wouldn't feel uncomfortable. Thus, he ultimately asked his question.

"So… What brings you to my humble abode?" Paul finally asked, really curious about how they planned to meet at the same time at his house for Christmas Greetings.

"You know… My parents were very curious to meet you. What nice excuse would it be, if not for a Christmas greeting?" Steven first replied.

"The same with me, as both of them were curious about a child smarter than me at my age." Amber shrugged as she responded.

"My parents though…" Jake started, looking quite undecided to continue, but was cut off by his parents.

"Paul, darling, we really wanted to meet you as someone capable of making my son move his lazy bum, we are really quite curious." Mrs. Azure interposed, as Mr. Azure followed.

"We're also very thankful of the positive influence you have over Jake, not to forgetting to mention Amber and Steven's influence too. We are quite grateful." He finished.

"Mom, dad! That's embarrassing." Jake whispered to his parents, blushing.

"Well, honey. If you have a negative characteristic, you should be able to admit it yourself. Why are you being shy now?" Mrs. Azure countered her son's complaint.

Jake was turned speechless by his frank mother. Paul, Steven, and Amber laughed at the blonde head, knowing the extent of Jake's laziness.

"Steven mentioned to us, that their friends would bring their parents along to the Crimson Manor for a Christmas Greeting. We would like to extend our thanks for being a wonderful friend to our son, as he had difficulty having friends so far, with Amber being the exception." Mr. Stone interjected after the laughter faded.

"He did look happier and became more studious. I should thank you guys for that." Mrs. Stone added, while smiling kindly at them.

"I think you overpraise us, sir, ma'am. I think we are all quite good influences on each other, no one being more helpful than the other. So, please, I think that we should be the one thanking each of you for allowing us to be each other's friends." Paul politely replied.

"Oh, enough of the pleasantries. My Amber was so much happier nowadays, having a study buddy and all." Mr. Rose countered, as Mrs. Rose also shared her insight.

"I do agree with you, Mr. Crimson. I do think each on of you have great influences on each other. I hope you continue being friends."

"Of course, ma'am." Paul replied as he winked to his friends, who chuckled at his gesture.

"Well, I think this the kids should have their own things to discuss." As all parents present nodded, Mary continued speaking. "Paul, would you kindly guide your friends to the Library as we would have our own discussion here in the Living Room? Thank you, dear." She finished as she saw her son's nod.

"Yes mom, have a good day everyone." Paul gave salutations to his friends' parents as he turned around and looked at the trio.

"Let's go guys." Paul said to his friends as he guided them to the Library on the second floor.