Family is like music, some high notes, some low notes, but always a beautiful song. ---- Unknown Author


    December 25th; Villa 8, Pearl Plaza??


    Everyone is very busy preparing for lunch and dinner feast. There are so many gifts under the tree and to the two other rooms. Luna didn''t forget to include the men and women of the Phantom. Harry was very shy to accept the invitation for this will be the first time he will celebrate Christmas with his people. The servants at Villa 8 together with their family are busy preparing for their talents for Luna announces that there will be a contest on show casting one''s talents. The men of Hades who are known as good cooks are the ones who are busy preparing the foods, the women on the other hand are the ones decorating the garden, and the rest of the bosses were busy preparing for the games. The Lee couple is exempted from today''s work.


    Marco and Jessica are the ones who instruct the cooks for what they are going to prepare, the menu for the lunch buffet family feasts are composed of 6 different kinds of appetizers; Marco forget didn''t to include the Dynamite Jalape?o; Spicy Chicken Feet, and Baked Chicken Wings because those are the twins'' favorites. Jessica remembered that Luna likes Vietnamese Chicken Salad and the Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad but still there are 5 other salad choices.


    They also ask the cooks to prepare the Punjabi Chicken in thick gravy and the Bhagari Jhinga for it was the Elder Cheung''s favorites, Steamed Barbecue Pork and Chicken Buns, Chinese Spareribs, Szechwan Shrimp, Kung Pao Chicken, Vegetable Lo Mien and Lion''s Head Soup for this are the great bosses favorites, for Aunt Lily Cheung''s favorites are Pad Thai, Pad Krapow Gai, Yam Taeng, Thai Pineapple Chicken Curry, and Thai Steamed Mussels.


    For the menu of the Knights, Ladies of the Court, Balania Siblings, Audrey and the men and women of Hades are consists of, Caprese Salad, Osso Buco, Calamari, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, Poulet de Provencal, Ratatouille, Alsatian Pork and Sauerkraut, Beef Bourguignon, Filet Mignons With Pepper Cream Sauce, Scallops Provencale, Egyptian Okra, Marrakesh Vegetable Curry, Chakchouka (Shakshouka), and Algerian Kefta. They also prepared roasted chickens and beef for the men and women of Phantoms.


    "I think we are feeding half of the people here at City A," Jessica told Marco. Marco laughs, "Don''t worry Mi Amore, our men, and women in Hades are trained to feed a whole army. They are trained to cook for international cuisine because we need it sometimes in our business trips abroad. We don''t stay in a hotel during our business trips for security reasons" Marco informed his fiancee.


    As the two foodie experts are very busy at the kitchen, Cassie and Samantha are very busy assisting some men and women of Phantoms at the garden for the stage and the tables and chairs. The great bosses are busy preparing for the desserts, they want to be hands-on in preparing and baking of the cupcakes'', muffins, creme caramel, panna cotta, tiramisu, baklava, cream puffs, and some mini roulades and mini tortes.


    Harry was very amused when he saw how busy the people of Hades and their bosses to the family feast. He was not used in celebrating Christmas Day with his people at Phantom for he was always at the hospital. Amber saw how he was observing the busy people running around the entire house just to have a decoration and some pieces of stuff needed for the celebration. Amber chuckled as she saw how the brows of Harry furrows and his lips sometimes curls up.


    "Hades used to celebrate Christmas Day privately and on our own, it is our tradition before Luna arrived in our lives. But when Luna arrived she change it all, she wants to celebrate Christmas and New Year together with the men and women of Hades and with the servants and employees. She didn''t want the men and women of Hades and even the employees and servants to be left alone and sad during the holidays, especially those who are single and orphans. That''s why she imposed the rules and new tradition that we will have a family feast every Christmas and New Year''s Day together with all men and women of HADES and the employees and servants of our family." Amber informed Harry while they are preparing the prizes for the games and raffles in the living room. Alexei saw the two who are immersed in conversation, he also needs to talk to Harry; he needs to inform him and Yuan that they need to prepare for their talent showcase, he will also inform him about the so-called "Last Man Standing" for Rosela and Pearl''s date later tonight. He approaches them and overheard that they are talking about the tradition of Hades.


    Alexei: "Luna changes so many rules in HADES and even in our own family lives when she arrives. She wants Christmas and New Year to be a special day for everyone especially to the children."


    Harry: "She always has this kind of magic that will make the other person to be charmed to her and follow her rules that she will be imposed."


    Then they''ve heard a very melodious voice that startled the three of them. "Harry, Be prepared for your talent later," Luna said as she walks beside Alexei and hooks her arms on him. "What?! Why? Does Yuan know about this?" Harry suddenly felt nervous about what he just heard and that gives Luna and Amber a laugh, then the voice of Francois was heard.


    Francois: "Welcome to the family Harry"


    Harry saw three men approaching him, Francois, Dimitri, and Ryder walk to where they are; and they are all wearing a simple white t-shirt, blue denim jeans, and rubber shoes, they all look boyish.


    Dimitri: "Since you and Yuan are new to the family and it is an initiation rite...you two will be the first to showcase your talents."


    Ryder: "Don''t let Luna down Harry Si."


    Harry: "Wait, what should I do?"


    "It''s up to you Mi Amore, all you need to plan is how will you get Yuan from Isabele''s grasps," said Amber to her fiancee.


    "Alexei, please help Yuan escape from your sister''s grasps. I know she craves Yuan''s scent but the poor guy is very hopeless when it comes to your sister''s request. Yuan''s neck and body seemed full of her love bites for she always wants Yuan on her side" Ryder informed them. Alexei laughs "Now don''t be surprised if my niece or nephew will be the spitting image of Yuan. Don''t worry I will get Yuan for we need to have a meeting about the "Last Man Standing" and you ladies of the court will not intervene" Alexei informed everyone as he walks out to get Yuan from his sisters to hawk eyes and grasps.


    Harry: "What''s Last Man Standing?"


    Dimitri: "Don''t ask, you will just witness it tonight or tomorrow."


    Xavier who has just arrived with the 5 right – hand guys heard the question of Harry. "Are we going to inform the great bosses about the tradition?" The 5 men gave an evil smile when they heard that their boss likes the idea of giving Pearl''s date the so-called tradition of HADES.


    Luna: "I have already informed father about that and he approves it. Uncle Rainer and Uncle Stephen also gave their approval."


    The right-hand guys smiled even wider upon hearing what their Lady Luna has just said, Luna looks at Eros and gave him a smile with a hidden meaning on it; Eros nods his head for he got the meaning of it. "Lady Luna wants Mr. Louie Chen to join the Last Man Standing. I hope the poor guy can endure it even the two other guys" Eros told to himself. He needs to inform the other four so that they can prepare the drinks and the side dishes.


    Jamil, Sapphire, and Audrey joined them and heard Luna''s words about the approval of the said tradition. "Poor soul of the two guys" Sapphire blurted out when she walks beside Ryder and gave him a peck on his lips. "Why is it that then word "Last Man Standing" gives shiver to my body?" Harry suddenly voices out.


    The eye connection between Eros and Luna didn''t escape for Dimitri''s eyes, just last night before they retire for the night Luna, Francois, Eros, and he talk to the great bosses of Hades. Their father agreed to their plans about the "Last Man Standing" in regards to Pearl and Rosela''s dates especially if the two men have plans to pursue them. But Francois has other plans, he is the one who initiates that Louie must be included in the said tradition. Dimitri remembered Francois''s exact words that surprised the great bosses and Luna and because of that Dimitri respect Francois deep into the bones. Francois informed them of his reasons why Louie must be included.


    ----


    FLASHBACK


    Penthouse 2


    Dimitri: "Dad, Eros, and the rest of the guys planned to give the last man standing to Pearl and Rosela''s date. They have this feeling that the two will pursue them, and since they are Louie''s friends they must undergo in such tradition like that."


    Prince Stephen: "Aren''t Yuan and Harry are also Louie Chen''s friends?"


    Francois: "Yes Uncle, but My Queen vouches that both of them don''t have any concerns about what happened to her in the past."


    Duke Rainer: "So Eros and the boys will do it tomorrow after dinner?"


    Dimitri: "It depends Uncle, but if we will do it Luna is requesting it must not be in front of the twins'' for they might tamper the needed things for our tradition."


    Prince Timothy: "It is okay with me, especially that our Angel of Darkness is the one who will be wooed by a man. He has guts and I hope he will conquer the 5 boys and Angel Pearl."


    Francois (looks at his father and to Duke Lawrence): "Father….Dad…. I am requesting it…I want Louie Chen to participate in the said tradition."


    Everyone looks at him in unison and all of them are very surprising. Luna was just silent for her husband already told her about his plans. He explained to her so that she will not misinterpret him in the end.


    Duke Lawrence: "Why Son? Why are you asking a quite difficult request?"


    Francois: "Louie wants second chance…..actually he was asking for a second chance to My Queen. And we all know that it can''t be for we are already married and he was 5 years too late. But I know he will do anything and everything just for him to get a second chance even as a friend and as a father to the twins. I will not stop him for that, especially for being a father to the twins…that was his right but I want him to suffer quite a little because of our tradition for him to prove to us that he was worth it for the friendship and for the twins'' to acknowledge him as their father."


    Dimitri looks at him, his respect for his brother-in-law is now at the highest peak, he was right to choose Francois to be his brother in law to Luna. "Do you anything about this Luna?" Dimitri asks Luna. Luna nods her head, "Francois wants me to give Louie a chance to become my friend, even though I have doubts that it can be given to him right that moment but at least in front of everyone he can prove to all of you if his intentions is pure. I trust my husband for his decision" Luna informed them as she looks at Francois and smiled. "I have high respect for my husband Dad, for he was the one who always tells me that I have to forgive Chen''s and the Su''s and it''s time to forget everything. Maybe after the tradition I can forgive and forget everything" Luna added.


    The great bosses nod their heads, "Do the twins'' still didn''t acknowledge him as their father?" Duchess Anastasia asks Luna. Luna shook her head, "They just thank him for donating his seed to me, that''s all" Luna replied.


    Duke Lawrence: "I think the twins'' have some grudges to their biological father. Eros, you plan the tradition eagerly so that it can be safely and smoothly be done."


    Eros nods his head, "I''ll just talk to the four guys Sire, for they really want to see if Pearl''s date is worthy for her."


    Duke Lawrence: "Let''s call a night. DJ, it is your decision if it will happen tomorrow night or the day after tomorrow." Dimitri and the rest nod their head and they all call the night.


    END OF FLASHBACK