Wear Something Nice, It'll Be A Fun Night

After reconnecting with Wang and feeling more confident in her decisions, Changying spent the following twenty-four hours helping the family prepare for the festival on Christmas Eve. Lio, Jules and Bianca arrived early the following afternoon and with the last of the tree decorations in place Joseph and Antonia rode the cherry picker up to place the star on the top of the enormous tree to great cheers from their children and grandchildren.

"Time to have a shower and get ready for the festival," Wang said leading her back toward the house ahead of his family. "There's only so much hot water to go around and with so many of us here, I say we get a head start," he laughed encouraging her to walk quickly.

"Yes, please, I need a shower," Changying said following him into the house and upstairs to her room. "Wait what do I wear is it formal or casual tonight," she asked as he turned to leave her and go to shower in his room.

"Cocktail party type stuff I guess, I'm not wearing a jacket if that helps," he shrugged.

"Not much," she laughed.

"Wear something nice, it'll be a fun night. I'll come and pick you up to go down to the party, just like a proper date," he kissed her then and turned to hurry away.

Unsure of what to expect here, Changying had brought several formal dresses. With Wang not being in the city she had been able to meet her mother after work and let her help to find suitable outfits to impress a traditional Italian family. With all her new contacts in her personal shopper business, Chunhua had been fabulous at finding just what she had needed. The change in her mother's attitude to her daughters looks was still startling to Changying, and as she surveyed the three gowns, she pulled out a short cocktail length dress and smiled. It was pretty and sparkly, and she could imagine it lighting up with the Christmas tree.

She quickly showered and took her time doing her makeup and hair before finally stepping into the dress. The low heels she chose to wear knowing she would be walking on the grass made the dress less cocktail party and more casual party orientated. In the end, she was happy with her choice. The white material hugged her torso and fell into a full skirt that ended just above her knees. The intricate red beading was heavy over the bodice and became lighter as it progressed downward. Like sparkling red snowflakes falling on a white landscape.

She opened her door looking down the corridor and not hearing any footsteps frowned. She had expected that Wang would have been here nagging her to hurry. She didn't know if she should try to find him now or just wait, so she sat down on the end of her bed and sent him a text, "Did you forget our date?"

"Never, be there in few," came the reply. Changying looked at herself in the mirror and began second guessing her choice of lipstick and the way she had swept her hair up off her neck. She wished she had a nicer necklace. She shook her head at the thought. Andi had offered to loan her some pearls for the trip, but she had said no. She wished she had them now.

"If you had wings you would look like a Christmas angel," Wang said standing in her doorway. "Shall we go?"

"Yes please," Changying said smiling widely. "You're sure I look okay?"

"You are perfect," he bent to kiss her cheek not wanting to mess up her makeup just yet.

"Is Lucia or Maryanne here yet?" Changying asked as they descended the stairs.

"Lucy spends the holidays with her husband's family, and Maryanne is spending the holidays with our Uncle in Melbourne," Wang said as if it was normal not to have his sister's home for the holidays.

"Do Ben and Emily ever take the children to her parents for the holidays?" She asked realising that at least part of Baozhai's feminist rant about her family was true.

"No why would they?" He asked not sure why she was concerned about where the girls spent the holidays.

"She must miss her parents over the holidays, even Chunhua and I have a few traditions," she smiled.

"Starting tonight you will be part of my family's traditions," he took her hand and led her down into the gathering crowd. "Chunhua will make new traditions with Robin," he added seeing her frown.

"Wang," a deep voice boomed, and a large bald man moved through the crowd toward them.

"Hide," Wang whispered and moved to step in front of Changying essentially blocking her view of the man. "Ang, if you think I am letting you anywhere near my girl think again," Wang said with a laugh.

"You wound me, I am a gentleman and a scholar. It is not my fault I am irresistible to the fairer sex," he said sadly as if it was a great burden to bear.

"There you are Changying," Antonia's voice cut through the crowd. "I've been looking for you. Come with me, I need you to do me a favour." She linked her arm through Changying's and started to walk her away from the boys.

"It was nice to meet you, Angelo," she called over her shoulder as she walked away making Wang laugh loudly.

"Hello dear, I'm Rosanna," a middle-aged woman took her other arm as she walked with Antonia. "I'm married to that loud-mouth back there."

"Hi," Changying said starting to become anxious as the women guided her to a small tent where the baskets were stored for when the guests began to leave.

"If anyone asks we had a basket mishap and needed help putting them back together again," Antonia smiled as they stepped inside out of sight. "I know it's been crazy around here today, but I want you to know I am very glad you are here with us for the holidays. You make my son very happy." She hugged Changying and kissed her on both cheeks. "Don't be too long," she said to Rosanna, "Wang tends to come looking for her if she disappears."

"Then give him a job, there's plenty to do," Rosanna laughed. "Just don't let on we are in here, or I really will have to tip over a stack of baskets." Antonia hurried off without another word.

"We don't have much time so let's just agree that I'm good, your good, it's a wonderful night and all that jazz," Rosanna said in a brisk, no-nonsense way. "Can you sing? Do you like Karaoke?"

"Umm yeah, I guess, though I am not very good," Changying said confused by why she was here with this woman.