Quartet Gathering

The three followed Paul as he guided them to the Library at the second floor.

Once they arrived and took a seat at the library lounge, Paul immediately launched his question.

"When did you plan this?" The red head intently looked at his friends.

"Well… a week ago." Amber honestly replied, a little bit queasy at Paul's stare.

"Why?" He launched another query.

"Did you not like our surprise?" Steven countered, looking disappointed.

"Of course, I did!" He smiled before continuing, "I'm just confused why."

"Well, you seemed to want to meet us during Christmas, remember?" Jake reminded the red head.

"Oh… right." Paul absently nodded as he recollected the last day before the Christmas and New Year Break.

That day, Paul asked them if they could meet at Christmas, which each one of them replied negatively, as they weren't quite sure about their respective families' plans. Though, when Paul despondently made his way home, the others stayed for a bit to talk about today's plan. Thankfully, their parents agreed at meeting on the Crimson Manor during the 24th of December for a Christmas greeting.

So, the results of the planning were today's events.

"Oh right! Before you go home, remember to bring back my presents for you and your parents." Paul reminded the other three as he recalled his prepared gifts.

"Really?" Amber squealed, though she does not admit that it was a "squeal". According to her, she just cheers loudly on occasion. Receiving a nod from Paul, the pink head continued, "That's awesome, I also brought a present for each one of you and your parents."

"The same for me." Steven interjected.

"Me too." Jake added.

"Well then, we should exchange gifts before you guys go home. How long would you stay though?" Paul advised, before he asked them about their time of departure.

"As it's already three p.m., I think we would leave after dinner. I hope that wouldn't be a bother." The blue head answered.

"Us too, if it's not a problem." Amber followed.

"Yeah, if it isn't a nuisance." Jake finished.

Paul immediately reassured them.

"Of course, you guys aren't a bother. Thankfully, my mom prepared a lot of food for today, not just for our Christmas Eve. I'm confident you would enjoy her cooking; I assure you it's a delight. It would be great though, if she would always cook for us; but she's usually busy so…"

The three of them discussed what they remember so far about their Christmas celebrations. Surprisingly, Amber was able to receive her Happiny as a gift from her godmother, who was a Pokemon Doctor. Besides that, books were usually given to her as a present. Paul also shared that he similarly mainly receives books that he requested from his parents.

Steven, on the other hand, received Beldum from his 4th birthday. His Christmas presents usually contains different type of unique stones. Meanwhile, Jake was usually given different coupons by his parents, mostly for food joints that he likes. The blonde is really a foodie, through and through. If not restaurant or food coupons, he was usually taken to a trip as a present, for him to move his lazy bones, according to his parents.

Indiscernibly, it was already 6:00 p.m., meaning, dinner time is upon them. Despite Paul's worry about the upcoming dinner atmosphere, it was actually a very pleasant meal, with a flowing conversation about their schoolings, and their respective parents' jobs or business. Overall, the Crimson, Stone, Rose, and Azure Families enjoyed the dinner prepared by Mary.

After the meal, the four friends exchanged the gifts they brought for their friends and their friends' respective parents. Subsequently, the four friends bid each other and their friends' parents goodbye. While the latter also said their farewells to their fellow parents, promising each other for a future meet-up.

Later, when it was nearing Christmas Eve, the Crimson Family celebrated their Christmas outside, on the lawn. So that all of their pokemon could join them in their celebrations. It was a very delicious meal, with Paul eating more than he usually does. The ham was especially delectable, matched with his favorite macaroni and cheese. Afterwards, they went inside to open their own presents.

Paul was able to receive a Silk Scarf from his mom, which he immediately wrapped Eevee with. His dad, like the past two years, gave the books that he needs for his further studies. The red head was glad, as his collection of books are growing further, each and every year.

Amber gave him a book regarding Pokemons inclined to healing, while Jake sent a cookbook for Pokemons. Steven, on the other hand, sent him a brooch made of red gemstones. It looked similar to his family's symbol, though this one only has half an angel wing, which is colored red. It looked quite beautiful, but also quite expensive.

Thankfully, he gave Steven a Helix Fossil. Unfortunately, it was only half of it, meaning it's unrestorable. It was still quite a good gift though, which he found once in a stone market in the city. Amber was able to receive a book from him, a limited edition one authored by the Joy Family about their tips on raising a Happiny. Meanwhile, Jake was able to receive a Mid-grade Miracle Seed from him, to be gifted to his Cherubi, who would soon evolve into Cherrim.

On the other hand, his friends sent health supplements to his parents, the same thing he did for their parents. This coincidence amused Paul so much that he laughed the moment he saw the gift of his friends for his parents.

The Crimson Manor was covered in a jovial atmosphere as the Christmas season passed. Unnoticeably, the New Year came, along with an invitation from the Steven Family to pass the New Year at their house. Paul contacted Amber and Jake, who informed him that they also received an invitation.

The red head later on contacted Steven to ask about the guests present on the event. He was notified by the blue head that only their families were invited, as it was a private event. The Stone Family were supposed to celebrate it privately, though Mrs. Stone recommended to Mr. Stone about celebrating with the families of Steven's friends. It could also be considered as polite gratitude for the wonderful acceptance of the Crimson Family to their family on the previous Christmas Eve.

The four families, again, gathered together, but this time it was on the Stone Manor at 10:00 p.m. Same as its name, the Stone Manor was made out of stone. Thus, the passage of time could be observed when one looks carefully at the construct. Nevertheless, proper maintenance made the place preserve its elegance and grandeur.

With the same set-up as last time, the adults separated from the children. Consequently, Steven brought them first to their Stone Collection Room, which was very impressive. There was a wide array of different stones, some beautiful, while some comes in bizarre shapes. It was a remarkable sight if Paul was honest.

Afterwards, the four of them stayed at Steven's drawing room. The blue head shared that each of them have their own drawing rooms, so that they could entertain their own respective guests. Their parents are currently located at Mr. Stone's drawing room at the ground floor, while Steven's could be found on the second floor.

They chattered with each other, discussing different things and school, until it 11:50 p.m. They made their way downstairs as they all went to the balcony to enjoy the firework display prepared by Mr. and Mrs. Stone. It was gorgeous and beautiful and makes one so little with the broad expanse of the fireworks in the sky.

Once the clock struck twelve, all of them said their greetings to each other.

"Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year children!"

"Happy New Year mom!"

"...."

The scene was full of chatters as all of them greeted each other a Happy New Year. After the fireworks display, the four families came into the dining room in order to eat at the New Year's Eve. The dinner was full of delightful and light conversations, laughter could be heard here and there. It was more comfortable than the last dinner that the four families shared at the Crimson Manor.

Once they were finished eating, Mr. Stone proposed a toast, "To a prosperous and healthy year ahead."

"To a prosperous and healthy year ahead."

All of them said in unison as the adults clinked their champagne glasses containing either red or white wine with each other. The children, on the other hand, had orange and strawberry juice instead.

"To the future years of friendship." Paul initiated a toast, albeit softly, to only the four of them.

The others responded, clinking all of their champagne glasses at once.

"To the future years of friendship." The three said in unison, as all of them shot each other their brilliant smiles.

'What a wonderful start of the year.' Paul thought, before diving back into the discussion they were having earlier, prior to the toast.