Chapter 2: Dec. 24th (Christmas Eve)

The Christmas shopping is done and Pernia has a Christmas party to plan.

Dec. 23rd that night

Pernia is upstairs in the master bedroom, on the phone with Arora.

"So what time do you think you can come by tomorrow?" Pernia inquires to Arora.

"I can by your house around 11 or close to that time." Arora answers her. "All I have to do is wrap Yami's present."

"Ok great! I'll call Mai and see if she can come by and give us a hand with the planning and decorating." Pernia replies with excitement, to Arora.

"Ok, sure thing." Arora says to Pernia. "Thanks a lot Pernia for inviting me over to help."

"No problem, anytime." Pernia says to Arora. "Well, see you tomorrow."

"Ok see ya tomorrow." Arora says, ending the call.

Pernia hangs her end up as well. Picking the receiver back up, Pernia then dials Mai's number.

Mokuba's room

Mokuba has begun wrapping presents.

"Ok, Noah's gift is wrapped and Seto's is just about finished." Mokuba speaks, now putting the label on the gift. Mokuba grabs his pen and writes in the areas to and from.

"Now his is finished." Mokuba says to himself, setting Seto's gift next to Noah's. "Now to wrap Pernia's."

Mokuba picks up Pernia's gift and reaches for the wrapping paper roll he is using.

"Ok, after I wrap Pernia's gift, then I'll wrap Yugi's." Mokuba reminds himself now taking a look at the wrapping paper roll and noticing how thin it has gotten. "Darn it. I better go see how much paper Noah has."

Setting the gift down, Mokuba stands and walks out of the room, now heading into Noah's room.

Noah's room

Noah has just finished wrapping Mokuba's gift and has started on Seto's. Mokuba, then, enters Noah's room.

"Hey Noah, do you have any extra wrapping paper?" Mokuba inquires to his cyborg brother, catching his attention. "I ran out."

"Sure Mokuba." Noah answers him. Looking to his left, Noah grabs a roll of green wrapping paper that is decorated with little Christmas trees and reindeers.

"Here you go Mokuba." Noah says handing the roll to Mokuba.

"Thanks Noah." Mokuba thanks him. "I'll bring it back when I'm done with it."

"Sure thing." Noah says to Mokuba, now going back to wrapping Seto's gift.

Mokuba leaves Noah's room and heads back to his, where he proceeds to wrap Pernia's gift.

Mansion's Study

Seto has gone back up to the study to wrap the gifts he bought.

"Ok, Mokuba and Noah's gifts are taken care of." Seto says to himself, now grabbing the bag Pernia's gift is in. "Now to wrap Pernia's."

Removing the gift from the bag, Seto opens the case the necklace is in and begins gazing at it. He continues gazing at the piece of jewelry as the light from the lamp on the desk, makes the sapphire stones shine.

"I can't wait to see her reaction on Christmas morning when she opens this." Seto says to himself as he pulls a decent amount of wrapping paper off the roll he's using and begins wrapping Pernia's gift.

Master bedroom

Pernia has just gotten off the phone with Mai and is now wrapping the gifts that she bought.

"I can't wait to see everyone's reaction on Christmas morning." Pernia says to herself, placing a bow on Seto's gift. "Especially Seto. When he sees this Rolex, he is going to be speechless. "

Pernia places Seto's gift on the bed and begins wrapping Arora's.

"Ok, after I wrap Arora's, I'm going to start on Mai's, then Yami, and then Yugi's." Pernia reminds herself. "And after those, I have one more, which would be Joey's."

Pernia proceeds to wrap Arora's gift.

For the remainder of the evening, everyone continues wrapping presents until they break for bed. Every gift that is wrapped and for those that hasn't been as of yet, but soon will be, will placed under the tree that very next day.

Dec. 24th Christmas eve

10:54 am

The Kaiba manor is awake, with Seto upstairs in the study working on his corporation's website's announcements and finishing up his wrapping, the boys in their rooms finishing up their wrapping and Pernia is in the living room, patiently awaiting Arora's arrival. While waiting, Pernia has started a list of foods that is going to be served at the party.

"Ok, We will have 3 types of cakes." Pernia begins reading aloud. "German Chocolate, Seto's favorite, white and yellow."

Pernia continues going over the list for when the doorbell rings.

"That must be Arora." Pernia says to herself, putting the list down and standing. Pernia walks to the door and once she reaches it, she opens the door to see Arora.

"Hey Pernia." Arora greets with a smile.

"Hey Arora, glad you could make it." Pernia greets back with a smile. "Come on in."

Arora comes inside and Pernia closes the doors behind her.

"Man, it is freezing out there." Arora comments, removing her earmuffs. "It feels like freaking below zero."

"I can imagine." Pernia adds to Arora's statement. "Oh, Mai called and she said she would be a little late coming because Joey is sick and Serenity had to run to the drug store for him. So when Serenity returns, the she'll be right over."

"Oh, alright." Arora replies, now removing her coat. "Does this mean we have to wait until she arrives to get started with the planning and the decorating?"

"Well, not entirely." Pernia answers her. "I already started a list of foods that will be served at the party, so we can work on that and once Mai arrives, then we will work with the decorations."

"Ok, that we can do." Arora says to Pernia, now hanging up her coat on the coat rack. "What do you have listed so far?"

"So far I only have the cakes listed." Pernia states. "And a few appetizers."

"Well, I'll help you finish the rest." Arora says to Pernia. "I know of a few good drinks that can be served, that Mokuba can drink without getting plastered, along with the normal stuff."

Both Pernia and Arora head to the couch to finish the Christmas party food list.

"Um, one thing before we begin Pernia." Arora begins as they take a seat on the couch. "Will we be cooking all of this food or just some of it?"

"Well, I was thinking that once we make the list out, I will call the caterers and have them cater the entire party, while we decorate." Pernia explains to Arora. "I want us to make the Christmas cookies, but everything else will be pretty much taken care."

"Ok, that's an excellent idea." Arora states, as she begins looking over the list Pernia had started. "So what kind of food were you thinking of serving?"

"Well, I was thinking pizza, caviar, and soda." Pernia answers her. "That's all I came up with so far."

"Pernia, you're throwing a Christmas party, not a country club social." Arora says to Pernia. "Just leave everything to me.

Pernia nods.

"Now I'm going to name some food and I want you to tell me if you agree or disagree." Arora says to Pernia.

"Alright." Pernia agrees.

"Ok, Brownies." Arora begins naming.

"Ok, brownies would do." Pernia answers Arora.

"Alright, pound cake." Arora continues.

"Seto doesn't like pound cake." Pernia answers her.

"Ok, so "no" on the pound cake." Arora replies. "Ok, gingerbread cookies."

"We'll make those." Pernia answers her. "It's my tradition every year."

"Ok, chips and dip. No party is complete without chips and dip." Arora continues. "What kind of chips do your family like?"

"Well." Pernia begins. "I like Ranch style, Seto loves the salt and sour and Mokuba loves Bar-Be-cue."

"Ok, good, good." Arora speaks, writing down what Pernia just said. "Ok, what kind of dip do you want to serve with the chips?"

"French onion and ranch." Pernia answers her. "Knowing Seto, he'll eat it up the ranch dip before I get a chance to go for it."

"Alright, hamburgers and hotdogs." Arora continues naming. "Those will be for anyone who doesn't want to eat the pizza."

"Ok good call." Pernia agrees with her. "I was thinking about those, but I wasn't sure if that's what anyone would serve at a party."

Pernia and Arora continue listing foods for the party, when Seto comes downstairs with his wrapped presents, neatly stacked in his arms.

"Hi Pernia, I'm all done wrapping and finished my corporation's announcements." Seto happily announces as he walks into the living room. Setting the gifts down in the arm chair by the big screen TV, Seto turns to the couch, now noticing Arora sitting next to Pernia. Seto eyes Arora evilly.

"Oh hi Seto, Arora is helping me plan for the party." Pernia speak turning to Seto. "We're almost done."

"Don't you have someone else's holiday to ruin?" Seto speaks harshly to Arora. "Seeing you just ruined mine."

Arora turns her attention away from the list and to Seto.

"No, I just couldn't resist being away from you so you know I had come see you." Arora says in a smart tone, now turning back to the list.

Seto snorts and exit's the living room, now heading towards the kitchen.

"Do you have anything else that you would like to add to the list Pernia?" Arora inquires to Pernia.

"Well, not really unless we're missing something." Pernia says to Arora.

Arora takes a look at the list and notices they didn't include the drinks.

"We forgot the drinks." Arora announces. "Ok what kind of drinks were you thinking of serving?"

"Well coke, sprite, those drinks you named, and some ice tea for those who don't drink pop." Pernia says to Arora.

"Alright, good, good." Arora speaks writing down what Pernia just said. "Now the drinks I was talking about, those I will make. They are a secret recipe."

"Ok, it looks as if we are done with the list." Pernia says as Arora hands her the list. "Yep, everything seems to be in order and all I have to do now is call the caterers. Thanks so much Arora."

"No problem Pernia." Arora replies.

"I'm going to go call the caterers and once I'm done with that, We'll begin decorating." Pernia says to Arora as she stands.

"Sure ok." Arora replies.

Pernia walks from in front of the couch and to the table behind it, now picking up the phone. She begins dialing the number to the caterers.

Mokuba's room

Mokuba has gotten all his gifts wrapped and is now throwing away the wrapping paper scraps.

"Ok, finally done wrapping." Mokuba says to himself, throwing the last of the scraps away. Walking away from the garbage can, Mokuba goes back to his presents and picks them up. He then heads out of the room.

Noah's room

Noah is finally done wrapping his gifts and begins cleaning up the big mess the wrapping paper made.

"Man, I didn't know wrapping paper could make this big of a mess." Noah complains, cleaning up the mess. "But I am glad I'm done wrapping. Wished I could have finished this last night if I didn't have to go on the charger."

Noah picks up his presents and begins heading out of his room.

Downstairs

Pernia has just gotten off the phone with the caterers.

"Ok, I just got off the phone with the caterers and they said they would have everything delivered by 7 pm tonight." Pernia announces to Arora.

"Ok great." Arora replies. "I hope Mai can still come by and help us."

Before Pernia can reply to Arora's statement, the door bell suddenly rings.

"That must be her now." Pernia says now walking over to the door. Upon reaching the door, Pernia opens it and sees Mai.

"Sorry I'm late, I had to change before coming." Mai announces as she walks in. "Joey has the flu and he threw up on me."

"Awe, sorry to hear about that." Pernia says closing the door. "Too bad he won't be able to come to the party tonight. I hope he gets well soon."

"Well, it's his own fault really." Mai says removing her coat. "He was outside without a coat while snow boarding with Tristian. I'm surprised Tristian isn't sick himself."

"Men, you can't tell them anything." Pernia replies.

"Well, I'll bring him back something from the party." Mai says, now hanging her coat on the rack. "So did you already decide what you're going to serve at the party?"

"Yeah, Arora helped me." Pernia replies to her. "The caterers will cater the entire party so all we have to do now is decorate and I want us woman to bake the gingerbread and Christmas cookies."

"Alright, let's get to it." Mai says happily.

"I keep the decorations in the basement." Pernia says to Mai, as Arora joins them by the door. "Follow me."

Arora, Mai, and Pernia are now heading to the basement. As the three woman leave the living room, Mokuba and Noah come down the stairs with their gifts in their hands. Going over to the arm chair, both boys stack their gifts on top of Seto's.

"I can't wait until they finally get the tree up." Mokuba comments. "This arm chair won't hold everyone's gifts."

"I know." Noah agrees. "Well, since we're done wrapping and have nothing else to do, let's give them a hand."

"Good idea Noah." Mokuba agrees. "I know exactly where Pernia keeps the decorations. Follow me."

Mokuba begins walking in the direction of the basement, not knowing that Pernia, Mai, and Arora are already down there.

Basement

Pernia, Mai and Arora have gathered up some decorations and are now deciding on who would do what room.

"Ok, Arora, you do the living room, Mai, you take the upstairs hallway, and I'll do the den." Pernia instructs. "We'll work our way around the house so every room gets done."

"Ok, I got it." Arora agrees.

The three are about to head up the stairs to begin decorating for when Mokuba and Noah come downstairs, catching all three women off guard.

"Oh hi Mokuba, Noah." Pernia greets him. "What's up?"

"Hey, we were wondering if we could help you guys out with the decorating." Mokuba inquires. "You know, so you guys won't have to do the whole house yourselves."

Pernia smiles and nods.

"Of course you two can help us out." Pernia says to him. "There is another box in the room by the water heater so you and Noah can grab that and once you come up, you two can do the kitchen."

Ok great." Mokuba speaks. "Come on Noah."

Pernia, Mai and Arora head upstairs to begin decorating while Mokuba and Noah go grab the last box and then head upstairs themselves to begin working on the kitchen.

Everyone begins working on the areas they were assigned to decorate and soon work their way around the house, making sure that each room has been decorated.

Later, after the major decorating has been done

The entire mansion has been completely decorated with the most beautiful Christmas decorations anyone could ever see. Each room is made up beautifully, with chasing lights and different garlands of all colors. In the den stands a 6 foot tree, decorated with white dove ornaments and streaming gold garlands. At this moment, Arora, Pernia and Mai, along with Noah and Mokuba, are putting the finishing touches on the 6 foot tree in the living room, the same size as the tree in the den.

"Just one more." Pernia speaks placing a red bulb ornament on the tree. "Done."

"Not quite." Arora speaks up. "We haven't placed the star on top of the tree."

"I always seem to miss that every year." Pernia says. "Thanks for saying something."

"Yeah, but who's tall enough to reach up that high?" Mokuba inquires.

Arora looks at Pernia, who looks at Mokuba, who looks at Noah, who turns to Mai. Now everyone's attention turns on Mai.

"What?" Mai inquires, seeing everyone's eyes on her.

"You're the only one who's tall enough to reach the top of the tree." Arora speaks to Mai, handing her the star.

"Oh, I guess I am." Mai says, dumbfounded.

Mai approaches the tree and places the star on top.

"Ok, now we're done." Arora speaks. "And this tree is beautiful."

"Thanks to you two and Mokuba and Noah." Pernia thanks them. "Thanks a lot guys for coming by to help."

"Hey, no problem." Mai says. "It's what we do."

"Ok, now that this is done, Mai, Arora, I need some help in the kitchen, setting up the table for when the food to arrive." Pernia announces. "Mokuba, Noah, if we are still in the kitchen when the caterers arrive, then direct them to the kitchen.

"Ok, gotcha." Mokuba says to Pernia, placing a Christmas throw pillow on the couch.

Mai, Pernia and Arora head off into the kitchen as Mokuba and Noah begin placing the Christmas gifts under the tree.

The two boys continue placing the gifts under the tree for when Seto comes downstairs.

"Hey guys, did those two leave yet?" Seto inquires to the boys.

"No, they are in the kitchen with Pernia." Mokuba answers him.

"Oh great! The last thing I want is them being here longer then they have to be." Seto fusses. "Did they mention when they are going to leave?"

"No Seto, they didn't." Mokuba says, a bit annoyed. "Seto, Mai and Arora are my friends and I would rather have them here then by themselves tonight."

"They are staying for the party." Noah adds in.

Seto sits on the couch and begins holding his head.

"This is not how I planned my night." Seto mumbles to himself.

The door bell suddenly rings, catching Seto's attention.

"Great, now who's this?" Seto inquires getting off the couch and heading over to the door. "I hope it's not more of who I don't want to see."

Upon reaching the door, Seto opens it to see two guys holding silver platters.

"Who are you guys and whatever you're selling, I don't want it." Seto greets the guys harshly.

"Those must be the caterers." Mokuba says running to door.

"Caterers?! Who called them?" Seto inquires.

"Pernia did. Duh, we're having a Christmas party." Mokuba says to Seto. "Come on in guys and I'll show you were to put the food."

Mokuba shows the way to the kitchen.

Kitchen

Pernia, Mai and Arora have set the table complete with paper cups, paper plates and plastic silverware.

"Ok, everything looks in order here." Arora says taking a look at the table again.

"Yes it does." Pernia agrees. "Good job."

"Ok, let's get started on the Christmas cookies." Mai says heading over to the counter with Pernia.

As Pernia and Mai look over the Christmas cookie recipe, Mokuba enters the kitchen with the caterers.

"Ok everyone, the food is here." Mokuba announces. "Just set it down here guys."

The caterers do as instructed.

"Here Mai, you go ahead and get started with the cookies, while I go grab my purse and pay these gentlemen." Pernia says to Mai. "Arora, you spread everything out. I'll be right back."

Pernia exit's the kitchen and begins heading for the staircase, for when Mokuba catches up with her.

"Hey Pernia." Mokuba calls out to her, making her stop and turn to him.

"Yes Mokuba?" Pernia inquires to him.

"Would it be ok, if I invited Yugi, Tea, Joey, Tristian and Yami over for the party?"

"Of course you can." Pernia permits. "But Joey is sick so he won't be able to make it, but for everyone else you can."

Mokuba smiles.

"Thanks Pernia." Mokuba thanks her.

Pernia nods and proceeds to the staircase. Mokuba runs to the phone by the couch and grabs the receiver. Dialing Yugi's number, Mokuba hears the other side ring three times before someone picks up.

"Hello." Yugi's voice answers.

"Hey Yugi." Mokuba greets.

"Hey Mokuba." Yugi greets back.

"I know this is on such short notice, but is it possible that you and Yami can come to our Christmas party tonight if you're not doing anything?" Mokuba inquires.

"Sure, I don't see why we can't." Yugi answers Mokuba.

"Ok Great!" Mokuba squeals happily.

"What time should we come by?" Yugi inquires.

Mokuba turns around to the lock behind him and can see what time it is.

"Ok, it's 6:15 now." Mokuba announces. "Come by about 6:50."

"Ok, we'll be there." Yugi says to Mokuba.

"Ok, can you inform Tea and Tristian?" Mokuba inquires. "I would call them, but I have to help set up the food."

"Sure I can do that." Yugi says to Mokuba. "See you at 6:50."

"Thanks. See ya." Mokuba says as he and Yugi end their calls.

"Great, I can't wait to see Yugi." Mokuba says placing the phone back on the receiver and running back into the kitchen to help Arora and Mai.

A/N: Ok chapter 2 done and next chapter, Christmas day. I know I am kinda rushing things along and I apologize for that. Sorry if this chapter is long and boring as well. I am working up to Christmas day. If anything is confusing, please let me know and I will come in and change it. Please no flames and if nothing else, please review.

Review and Thanks.