Finally Christmas Eve kiddo." Al greeted Ulrich as he walked into their rather small kitchen.
"More like I've finally got a break." Ulrich sighed, this whole job thing was really cutting into his free time, not only did he have that to do but he also had soccer which left Yumi out of the equation most of the time. Come to think of it, he hadn't seen her since their argument, sure he had called her, but it just wasn't the same.
"Hey, you signed up for this. I think it's great that you're doing both anyway, you know in case the scouts don't come to the championship game after winter break." Al commented.
"I know. I just haven't seen Yumi." Ulrich frowned.
"Listen, that girl is the most understanding person I've ever met, I'm sure she has no problem seeing as this is for your own good," Al reassured. Ulrich smiled; Al always knew how to cheer him up.
"Ulrich! Your girlfriend is on the phone for you!" Isaak came yelling and holding up Ulrich's cellphone. All Ulrich could do was get up and answer, a slight blush forming at the word girlfriend.
"Yumi I am so sorry for anything stupid he might've said to you." He answered glaring at Isaak who simply smirked.
"Apology accepted." She answered quickly with a small chuckle. "Listen, Ulrich, how would you and your family like to come over for dinner?" She asked eagerly.
"Really? Are you sure?" Ulrich asked a bit unsure.
"Of course, and you think you can bring Aelita? I really like her." Yumi asked.
"Yeah, she usually spends the holidays with us anyway," Ulrich answered happily.
"Okay, I'll see you at six, that sound good?"
"A bit far from now but perfect." He answered smiling to the sound of Yumi's beautiful giggle.
"Alright see you then, I love you."
"I love you too Yumes, see you at six." He answered sincerely.
"You're leaving us on Christmas Eve?" Isaak questioned reproachfully.
"No. Yumi invited all of us over to dinner with her family, even Aelita."
"Oh, in that case, I need to pick out what to wear, especially since Aelita will be there," Isaak replied running to their shared room and Ulrich couldn't help but laugh.
"That's very nice of her, but I don't think that's such a great idea son," Al responded, the seriousness in his tone evident.
"Why not Al? I can't go if you guys don't, I won't leave you guys on the holidays." Ulrich replied, confused as to why Al wasn't on board.
"I just don't think it's a good idea is all, we don't even have the proper clothing for the occasion," Al responded a bit hesitant.
"Al, I have enough for myself, you, Isaak and Aelita, that's not the problem here and you know it, now what is it?" Ulrich asked a bit uneasy.
"It's nothing son, I'll attend if it's what'll make you happy," Al smiled reassuringly.
Ulrich, knowing Al wasn't being honest with him decided it was best to just drop it, he didn't want to have to tell Yumi that he couldn't attend their dinner.
"Are you sure father will be here tonight? He's usually home by now." Yumi sighed as she sat on her mother's bed and watched her fuss about what to wear.
"Your father promised, besides your boyfriend's family is coming over. I suppose he has to be here for that show." Mrs. Ishiyama answered obviously uninterested in the conversation.
"What do you mean show, Mother?" Yumi asked defensively.
"Nothing Dear, just, I'm sure this is just a phase and soon you'll end up with someone more, more of your stature to say the least." Mrs. Ishiyama replied indifferently.
"And I thought father was the shallow one." Yumi angrily retorted as she walked out the room.
"Hmph." Was all she heard her mother say before storming into her room to get ready for dinner.
"Ulrich you really didn't have to bring me along, let alone buy me this dress. I really appreciate it, but I don't want you to think I'm taking advantage of you or our friendship." Aelita murmured for what seemed like the hundredth time that day.
"Aelita I've told you a thousand times you're like my little sister, I did this with pleasure," Ulrich replied smiling genuinely as he walked towards the door to knock.
"Besides," Isaak whispered into Aelita's ear, "green really suits you Aelita, you look beautiful."
Instantly Aelita's face changed from its usual peachy color to a fierce bright red. Isaak simply chuckled, he loved how innocent she was.
"Ulrich!" Yumi greeted excited as she jumped in his arms, Ulrich simply chuckled, he was glad she still got excited when she saw him, it felt like he hadn't had her in his arms for so long.
"Yumi, you already know Al, Isaak, and Aelita." Ulrich greeted.
"Of course come on in you guys, dinner is served; my father is running a bit late because of work but my mother is here." Yumi sweetly informed them.
Ulrich and his family were astonished by the size of the house. Even though Ulrich had already been there twice it still surprised him how big the sitting room was. Not to mention that they weren't going towards the same dining room Ulrich had already been in once.
"Hello, Ulrich and fam…" Mrs. Ishiyama's eyes almost bolted out of her head as she laid eyes on Al.
"Miyu, I see you still stay true to the meaning of your name." Al greeted as he smiled sincerely.
"What is he talking about?" Isaak whispered in Aelita's ear.
"Miyu means superior beauty," Aelita responded quietly.
"Albert Belpois, I.. I didn't know you were his father." Mrs. Ishiyama responded still in shock.
"Yes, the boy is my son," Al replied quickly.
"You, you're married?" Mrs. Ishiyama asked, finally snapping out of her trance.
"I, well no," Al answered seriously.
"He raised me Mrs. Ishiyama so he's my father," Ulrich smiled genuinely as he placed his arm around Al.
"Oh." Mrs. Ishiyama's face lit up instantly as she heard the news. "Well, follow me, dinner is served."
"I suppose they know each other," Yumi whispered as she reached for Ulrich's hand and they walked towards the dining room.
The dinner continued with small talks here and there and Mrs. Ishiyama slowly but surely warming up to Ulrich, and from time to time glancing in Al's direction.
"That was a wonderful dinner Mrs. Ishiyama." Ulrich politely said.
"Thank you, Ulrich, I'm glad you guys were able to attend." Mrs. Ishiyama sincerely responded.
"I suppose we should get going," Al suggested.
"Al, I was hoping I could get a word with you outside." Mrs. Ishiyama quietly mumbled.
"Of course Miyu," Al replied, getting up to pull Mrs. Ishiyama's chair out.
"I wonder how they know each other," Ulrich mumbled.
"I have no idea, but it sparked my mother's attitude change towards you," Yumi responded lost in thought.
"I suppose that's all that matters," Ulrich smiled as he gently kissed her on the forehead.
"Ulrich, Albert is waiting in the car for you guys, I suppose you'll be leaving, good night and thank you for joining us." Mrs. Ishiyama quickly said without facing them.
"No, thank you for the dinner Mrs. Ishiyama, would it be too much trouble to invite Yumi for dinner with us tomorrow?" Ulrich asked, hoping to meet her gaze.
"Of course, it's no trouble at all. Goodbye." Mrs. Ishiyama quickly made her way upstairs and was gone all too soon.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow?" Ulrich smiled at Yumi.
Yumi sighed and smiled faintly back. "I suppose, I know something is wrong with my mother."
"I noticed it too, I'll get going, if you find out what was wrong please let me know."
"I will, I love you." She smiled.
"I've always loved you." Ulrich responded as he headed out the door.
"Al, I thought Isaak and Aelita were here with you." Ulrich stopped in his tracks as he noticed they weren't there.
"They took off, I guess they wanted some time to themselves." Al slightly chuckled.
"Al, can you stop playing everything off and tell me what's wrong, please?" Ulrich pleaded as he leaned on the car by him.
"I, let's just talk about it later kiddo," Al responded refusing to face him.
"Right. Then here are the keys, I'll walk home too." Ulrich sighed as he began making his way home.
Ulrich sighed as the events of tonight's dinner replayed in his mind over and over again. He couldn't help but wonder what in the world Al and Mrs. Ishiyama had to discuss about. Maybe that was why Al had been hesitant about attending the dinner.
Suddenly Ulrich's thoughts were interrupted by a loud gunshot. Almost by instinct he ran towards the noise and ended and much to his surprise face to face with William and Mr. Ishiyama? Talk about an eventful night.