NEW LIFE : A SECOND CHANCE

All of them were gathered in the living room, with Delilah and Patrick monopolizing Keanu's attention. He talked to them amicably, being engaging and warm as always.

Yet, despite that, Delilah and Patrick couldn't help but feel like they weren't talking to someone who was of their own age, but rather, to the friend of their son.

Technically, the latter was true but due to Keanu's age, one would think they'd be more 'compatible'. At first, Delilah and Patrick thought it was their imagination, then realised it wasn't until finally, they simply accepted it. Strange as it was, they had long discovered that whenever it came to their kids - and friends - 'strange' was normal.

The kitchen was abuzz with all the help that Delilah had hired just for the dinner. She insisted that the kids didn't help or do anything, even though preparing for the dinner was normally viewed as a 'bonding' and 'family' moment.

In her case, however, Delilah felt that all of them were so busy (either with work or school) that they hardly spent time together as a family. Quality time. What sort of quality time would you truly have if you're slaving in the kitchen?

It was best to let the work be done by professionals so that they could truly just rest, relax and spend time together. Delilah watched her kids playing around in the living room (which Keanu soon joined) and leaned on Patrick.

"We are truly blessed," she said, hugging his arm.

Not only did she manage to have children, but she also had a pair and they never gave her problems (as in, drugs / stealing etc). Although she never got pregnant again, she didn't mind nor did she go for testing to find out the cause. She was content enough with the two she has.

Patrick nodded, then put his arms around her shoulder, bringing her closer and hugging her to him, "Yes. Thank you for giving birth to them."

Delilah was a small-framed woman, and carrying the twins had actually been a great burden on her. Thus, 14 years ago, on this date, she had been confined to the bed until the twins were born. She didn't mind at all, but it made Patrick be filled with intense guilt and immense love for his wife.

It was moments like these that brought the Smiths closer.

? Dinner ?

"This ... is your Christmas dinner?" Keanu said with his eyes wide open.

"Awesome, right?" Xing Han replied, his mouth drooling. He noticeably swallowed his saliva but still managed to wait until Patrick and Delilah sat down before taking his seat.

Country Tz's origin was rather unique. The large, barren land was discovered by several people from different countries, all fleeing to find a better life. As they had all experienced the horrors of oppression and discrimination due to various reasons such as being of mixed race, religion and so forth, they didn't fight upon discovery of the New Land.

In fact, they banded together. The land was huge, so they worked and fought together to build it up. Hundreds of years later, the entire land was populated and people lived in harmony. It was unheard of at that time, and still a rather unique feature at the present time.

Thus, the culture and traditions of Country Tz fused together to create a rather beautiful blend.

So, Christmas Dinner was also a combination of various types of food.

For the appetizer, there was Coquilles Saint-Jacques, which is scallops with herbs and cheese, served in little shells - and for the more adventurous, the Chiles en nogada (fire-roasted poblano peppers stuffed with meat and covered in a creamy walnut sauce and a pomegranate seed garnish).

The highlight of the whole meal was the roasted goose. It was stuffed with apples, chestnuts, onions, and prunes, then spiced with mugwort and marjoram. For its side, there was red cabbage, dumplings, gravy, and sauerkraut.*

The other main dishes were tamales (corn dough mixture that is filled with pork, wrapped in a banana leaf and then steamed), Janssons frestelse (meaning Jansson's temptation - a creamy potato and fish gratin, made with julienned potatoes, onion, ansjovis and cream) and spiced beef (silverside beef cured with spices such as pimento, cinnamon, ground cloves and black pepper, and saltpetre and then semi-steamed in water and roasted).

For dessert, there was B?che de No?l aka chocolate yule log (sponge cake, chocolate buttercream and shaped like a real log) and two versions of Melomakarona (sweet orange-zest cookies) : the traditional version (soaked in honey and topped with walnuts right after it is baked) and the variation (dipped in dark chocolate).

"This spread is breathtaking," Keanu couldn't help but say and everyone just smiled. "But pardon the question. How do you even finish all of this? Isn't this a bit too much?"

Xing Han almost snorted and he pointed at Kyle, "You haven't seen him eat, have you?"

"Today is a good day. It is cheat day," Kyle announced solemnly, his eyes glued on the feast in front of him, rubbing his hands.

Before they began, everyone held hands and bowed their heads as Patrick said a few words of gratefulness and wishes for a good new year.

"Amen" they chorused at the end and the feasting began.

It was noisy. It was rowdy.

It was fun.

By the time dinner was over, everyone waddled towards the living room for the last event of the day. Opening the presents. The tradition was to open each other's gifts at the same time - meaning, Kyle would open Kay's gift for him and she would open his gift for her.

There was squealing again, wrapping papers ripped open ... except for Sam. Sam was the only one that actually took time to open the presents slowly, taking care not to rip the wrapping paper. The presents each got was chosen with great care, bearing in mind what the person receiving it, liked.

Oh, except for the gifts by Delilah and Patrick. They gave what they felt was needed - for example, Kay got a make-up set and some jewelry while Kyle got a dozen ties. Their faces when they opened those presents were priceless. Their parents were "subtly" telling them that they're going to have to be more active socially and in the business community.

As Keanu left the penthouse late that night, he looked again at the gift given by Kyle. He hadn't expected it, and it was obvious Kyle had prepared the gift way in advance. It was a miniature model based on the 'Sad Keanu' but which had been modified.

Instead of him slumping over on the bench looking down dejectedly, he was sitting up with his back on the bench, smiling. On his left was Kay, and his right, Kyle. Both were grabbing on his arm and smiling widely.

Xing Han, Ali, and Sam were there, standing at the back of the bench - Xing Han putting a peace sign behind Kyle's head, Sam standing stiffly behind Keanu while Ali leaned forward a bit, his arm on the bench backrest, a smile on his face.

A small plaque at the bottom had the words, 'Friends Forever'.

Keanu smiled.