Christmastime at the Plaza

chapter 1

A horse-drawn carriage was bringing a familiar family as there was Cherry holding a bundle in her arms with her family, her husband, Forte, and their daughter Felicity as they came into New York in front of the Plaza Hotel while an adult couple with twin children were waiting for them. It was Atticus, Mo, and their children, Akito and Estelle, but Atticus couldn't stay long, he had a case to solve in France.

Felicity bounced out, smiling at Akito and Estelle. "Bonjour, Akito and Estelle! It has been a while."

Forte stepped out, seeing the Fudo family for the first time.

"Yeah, it sure has, cuz." Akito said.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Forte," Atticus said. "And I wish I could stay, but I have case to solve in France, but I'll try to back in time for Christmas."

Felicity hugged Akito and Estelle.

"What's happened?" Forte asked as he helped Cherry out as she held the baby in her arms, who was covered up from the others to keep warm.

"A man was murdered in his own house, I've been called to solve the case." Atticus said.

"Good luck, Uncle Atticus." Felicity told the man.

"I know he can do it," Mo beamed. "Oh, Cherry, is that your baby?"

"Yes, everyone, meet Simon..." Cherry uncovered the baby, showing he was pale as Forte and also had ebony hair and seemed to have chocolate-brown eyes like Cherry, even had a tiny mole under his cheek.

"Aw! He's so adorable." Estelle said.

"He's not doing anything..." Akito looked.

"He's only a baby," Cherry said as she held Simon close, then handed him a rather sharp toy. "Here, sweetie."

Simon clutched the toy that looked like a deathly weapon and started to slash around with it, though not harming anyone with it.

"Do you need help on this case?" Forte asked Atticus.

"No, thanks." Atticus said as he was waiting for the horse-drawn carriage that would take him to the airport.

"Monsieur Valjean..." Cherry came to the driver. "Pourrait vous prendre mon ami à le aéroport?"

"Oui, Madame." the driver replied, allowing Atticus to go in.

"Be careful, okay?" Mo hugged her husband.

Felicity stood next to Akito and Estelle as they looked anxious to see their father go. As their father went off to the airport, Estelle was worried about her father.

"It will be okay, Estelle..." Felicity attempted to soothe.

"Come on, let's get you all inside before you freeze." Forte said, linking arms with Cherry and walking into the Plaza Hotel with them.

The hotel looked busy around Christmas time, everyone just hoped they would be able to get checked in and spend the holiday in New York.

"Ever since I was a young girl, I've wanted to spend my first Christmas away from home in New York..." Cherry looked around as they looked for the front desk.

"Your first Christmas was with me..." Forte reminded her with a smirk.

"And I suffered from six years of nightmares for that, thank you very much!" Cherry glared up at him.

While they were looking for the front desk, Estelle began to practice her ballet dancing.

"Welcome to the Plaza Hotel," the man behind his desk greeted. "I am the manager, Mr. Salamone."