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(A/N: Don't forget to give those power stones to Skyrim everyone!)
...
And as New Year's Eve continued unfolding around him, Francesco knew that regardless of how many trophies he won in the future, regardless of how many records he broke, and regardless of how many Ballon d'Ors might still come, these were the moments he would remember forever.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity of waiting for the food to be finished and several failed attempts to steal snacks from the kitchen as the moment everyone had been anticipating finally arrived.
Or rather, the moment Leah had been teasing everyone about for the last hour.
The mansion had become increasingly lively as the evening progressed.
Music drifted softly through the speakers.
The smell of food had spread throughout every room.
Laughter echoed constantly from somewhere in the house.
And every few minutes someone would wander into the kitchen hoping the feast was ready.
Only to be chased out again.
Usually by Sarah.
Sometimes by Amanda.
Occasionally by Leah.
The result was always the same.
Retreat.
Temporary retreat, anyway.
Francesco eventually found himself back in the living room with Jacob.
The PlayStation had somehow survived the evening despite being heavily used.
A football match was currently taking place on the screen.
A very competitive football match.
At least according to Jacob.
"I was winning before you got here."
"You say that every time."
"Because it's true."
"It isn't."
"It absolutely is."
Francesco scored again.
Jacob groaned dramatically.
"This is unfair."
"You're the one who picked Arsenal."
"I thought that would help."
"It should help."
"It clearly isn't helping."
From across the room, Mike and David watched with amusement.
Both fathers had settled comfortably into their chairs again.
Coffee had somehow reappeared.
Nobody knew where from.
Coffee simply seemed to materialize around parents.
Especially during family gatherings.
Mike shook his head.
"I remember when you were his age."
Francesco immediately looked suspicious.
"No."
"Oh yes."
David smiled.
"This sounds interesting."
"It isn't."
Mike ignored him.
"He used to get angry playing video games too."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
Jacob looked delighted.
"Really?"
"No."
"Really," Mike confirmed.
"There was one time he lost three matches in a row."
"Dad."
"He blamed the controller."
David laughed immediately.
"Oh, that's classic."
"I was twelve."
"Exactly."
Jacob looked victorious.
"This changes everything."
"It changes nothing."
"It changes everything."
Francesco pointed toward the television.
"You're still losing."
Jacob looked at the scoreline.
Immediately less confident.
The teenager sighed.
"Okay, maybe not everything."
The room erupted into laughter once again.
Moments later, the sound everyone had been waiting for finally arrived.
Leah's voice.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
The announcement echoed through the house.
Every conversation stopped.
Every head turned.
Even Cheddar looked up.
The small dog had been lying beside the Christmas tree, half asleep.
Now he was suddenly alert.
Food was involved.
His instincts knew.
Leah stood in the doorway leading from the kitchen.
Arms crossed.
A smile on her face.
Behind her stood Sarah and Amanda looking equally pleased.
"The feast is ready."
The reaction was immediate.
Jacob practically launched himself off the sofa.
Mike stood up.
David stood up.
Even Cheddar jumped to his feet.
The little dog clearly believed this announcement applied to him too.
Francesco laughed.
"Look at him."
Cheddar's tail wagged furiously.
Food.
Food had finally arrived.
Life was good.
Very good.
The group gradually made their way toward the dining room.
And the moment Francesco stepped through the doorway, he stopped.
Not because he was surprised there was food.
He expected food.
A lot of food.
But this?
This was something else entirely.
The dining table looked magnificent.
Absolutely packed.
Roasted meats.
Vegetables.
Potatoes.
Stuffing.
Fresh bread.
Salads.
Pasta dishes.
Various side dishes.
Several recipes from Mike and Sarah's side of the family.
Several recipes from David and Amanda's side of the family.
A mixture of traditions.
A mixture of memories.
A mixture of cultures and family history brought together around one table.
Candles flickered softly.
Christmas decorations still surrounded the room.
The atmosphere felt warm.
Welcoming.
Special.
Francesco stared.
"I knew it."
Sarah looked pleased.
"Knew what?"
"This is not a reasonable amount of food."
Amanda laughed.
"Now you understand."
Leah looked entirely unrepentant.
"Looks reasonable to me."
"No."
"Yes."
"There are enough leftovers here to survive until February."
David immediately nodded.
"He's got a point."
"Thank you."
"You're still eating it."
"Also true."
Everyone laughed again.
The seating arrangement happened naturally.
Nobody assigned places.
Nobody needed to.
Families had a way of finding their spots.
Mike and Sarah sat together.
David and Amanda sat together.
Jacob positioned himself suspiciously close to several dishes he particularly liked.
Francesco sat beside Leah.
Cheddar received a comfortable position nearby where he could monitor everything.
Very important work.
Very serious work.
Dinner began.
And almost immediately the room filled with conversation.
Not one conversation.
Several.
The kind that overlapped naturally.
Stories bounced around the table.
Questions led to answers.
Answers led to new stories.
And somehow everyone managed to keep track of it all.
Mike was talking about Arsenal's recent form.
David was discussing travel plans for the following year.
Amanda asked Leah about her season.
Sarah wanted updates on practically everything.
Jacob mostly focused on eating.
A strategy that nobody could really fault.
The food was incredible.
Every dish seemed better than the last.
Every plate disappeared quickly.
And every attempt to slow down proved unsuccessful.
Because someone always insisted they try something else.
Or have another helping.
Or taste a recipe.
Or compare two different desserts that hadn't even arrived yet.
At one point Mike raised his glass.
The conversation gradually quieted.
Not completely.
Just enough.
He looked around the table.
At family.
At friends who had become family.
At the people gathered together beneath the warm glow of the dining room lights.
A smile appeared.
"I know we're supposed to wait until midnight for speeches."
Several people laughed.
"But I wanted to say something."
The room became quieter.
Mike looked toward Francesco first.
Then toward Leah.
Then around the table again.
"What a year."
Simple words.
Yet somehow they carried weight.
Because everyone understood exactly what he meant.
The trophies.
The celebrations.
The challenges.
The victories.
Everything.
Mike continued.
"A lot has happened."
"A lot of good things."
"A lot of memories."
He glanced toward his son.
"Proud doesn't even begin to cover it."
Francesco immediately looked down at his plate.
Already embarrassed.
Naturally.
Sarah smiled.
David nodded.
Amanda smiled too.
Mike raised his glass slightly higher.
"But more importantly…"
He looked around the table once more.
"We're all here."
The room fell silent for a moment.
A comfortable silence.
The kind filled with understanding.
Because he was right.
They were here.
Healthy.
Happy.
Together.
That mattered.
More than trophies.
More than awards.
More than headlines.
Mike smiled.
"To family."
"To family," everyone echoed.
Glasses clinked together.
A simple toast.
A meaningful one.
Dinner continued afterward.
The conversations became louder again.
The laughter returned.
Stories became increasingly ridiculous as the evening progressed.
Several embarrassing childhood stories about Francesco surfaced.
Then several embarrassing stories about Leah surfaced.
Jacob enjoyed every second of it.
Especially when attention wasn't focused on him.
At one point Amanda described a teenage Leah insisting she could cut her own hair.
Leah immediately buried her face in her hands.
"No."
"Oh yes."
"It wasn't that bad."
"It was."
"It grew back."
Everyone laughed so hard they could barely continue eating.
David nearly choked on his drink.
Even Sarah looked delighted.
Revenge had clearly been achieved.
Hours passed without anyone noticing.
Eventually plates emptied.
Desserts appeared.
Then disappeared.
Coffee arrived.
Tea arrived.
The feast gradually came to an end.
Not because anyone wanted it to.
Because eventually there simply wasn't room for more food.
A tragic situation.
Truly tragic.
The dining room slowly emptied as everyone migrated back toward the living room.
The Christmas tree still glowed beautifully.
Soft golden lights reflected across the room.
The fireplace crackled gently.
Outside, Richmond remained wrapped in darkness.
The occasional burst of distant fireworks already appeared in the sky.
Some people always started early.
The television was switched on.
Almost immediately every channel seemed focused on the same thing.
New Year celebrations.
Live coverage.
Concerts.
Crowds gathering across the country.
The countdown to midnight.
One presenter cheerfully announced the time remaining.
Three hours.
Still three hours until the New Year.
The room reacted immediately.
"Three hours?" Jacob said.
"That's forever."
"It isn't," David replied.
"It is."
"It really isn't."
"It definitely is."
Mike laughed.
"When I was your age, three hours felt forever too."
"When you were my age dinosaurs existed."
The room exploded.
David nearly dropped his drink laughing.
Amanda covered her face.
Sarah looked horrified.
Leah looked delighted.
Mike pointed dramatically.
"That's disrespectful."
"Sorry."
"You should be."
"I'm not."
More laughter.
Even Mike couldn't stop smiling.
The television continued showing live footage from around the country.
Crowds gathering in London.
Families celebrating.
Music performances.
Reporters standing outside landmarks.
The atmosphere felt festive.
Exciting.
Anticipatory.
Everyone settled into comfortable positions around the living room.
Some occupied sofas.
Others claimed armchairs.
Blankets appeared.
Snacks appeared.
Nobody seemed particularly interested in moving again.
The house had entered that perfect phase of the evening.
The phase where dinner was finished.
The pressure of hosting was over.
Everyone could simply relax.
Enjoy each other's company.
And wait together for midnight.
Cheddar eventually squeezed himself between Francesco and Leah on the sofa.
Not because there wasn't space elsewhere.
Because he preferred attention.
Constant attention.
The little dog sighed contentedly as Leah scratched behind his ears.
Life was excellent.
Francesco leaned back comfortably.
For a moment he simply looked around.
The Christmas tree.
The television.
The fireplace.
His parents.
Leah's parents.
Jacob arguing with Mike about something completely unimportant.
Leah sitting beside him.
Cheddar half asleep between them.
The room felt full.
Not crowded.
Full.
Full of warmth.
Full of memories.
Full of people who mattered.
Outside, somewhere beyond the mansion walls, millions of people were preparing to welcome a new year.
Some with parties.
Some with celebrations.
Some quietly.
Some loudly.
But here, inside this living room in Richmond, surrounded by family and laughter and the soft glow of Christmas lights, Francesco couldn't imagine anywhere else he'd rather be.
Midnight was still three hours away.
Three hours until a new chapter began.
Three hours until another year of football.
Another year of challenges.
Another year of dreams.
But for now, there was no rush.
No pressure.
No expectations.
Just family gathered together beneath a Christmas tree, sharing stories, laughing at old memories, and enjoying the final hours of a remarkable year.
The next three hours somehow disappeared faster than anyone expected.
Which was strange.
Because earlier Jacob had confidently declared that three hours was forever.
Now?
Now it felt like somebody had pressed fast forward.
The living room remained warm and alive as the evening gradually drifted toward midnight.
The television continued showing New Year's celebrations from around the country.
Crowds gathered throughout London.
Reporters stood bundled in winter coats.
Concerts filled public squares.
Families celebrated together.
Everywhere looked festive.
Everywhere looked hopeful.
Inside the mansion, however, nobody paid much attention to the television for long.
There were simply too many conversations happening.
Too many stories.
Too much laughter.
Too many memories being shared.
At one point David and Mike somehow found themselves discussing football from decades earlier.
A dangerous subject.
Very dangerous.
Because once fathers started comparing football eras, there was no stopping them.
"The defenders were tougher back then."
David pointed confidently.
Mike immediately disagreed.
"No they weren't."
"Yes they were."
"No."
"Yes."
"They absolutely were not."
Amanda looked toward Sarah.
"How long do you think this lasts?"
Sarah didn't even hesitate.
"At least thirty minutes."
Both women nodded knowingly.
Leah laughed.
Jacob rolled his eyes.
Francesco simply sat back and enjoyed the show.
Because this exact debate had probably happened hundreds of times in living rooms all across the country.
The topic changed several times throughout the evening.
Football.
Travel.
Childhood memories.
Future plans.
Holiday stories.
Random subjects that somehow became important for ten minutes before disappearing again.
The conversation flowed naturally.
Nobody forced anything.
Nobody checked their phones very often.
Nobody seemed interested in doing anything except enjoying the evening.
At some point Jacob challenged Francesco to a rematch on the PlayStation.
Again.
And once again the teenager claimed victory was inevitable.
And once again reality disagreed.
Twenty minutes later Jacob collapsed dramatically across the sofa.
"I hate this game."
"You said that last time."
"And I meant it."
"You'll play again tomorrow."
"Probably."
The honesty earned another round of laughter.
Nearby, Cheddar continued living what was clearly the greatest day of his life.
The small dog had received food.
Attention.
Multiple belly rubs.
And approximately six different blankets to choose from.
His standards for happiness remained refreshingly simple.
As the evening continued, the atmosphere became softer somehow.
The energy shifted.
Not quieter.
Just more reflective.
The realization slowly settled over everyone.
2017 was ending.
Actually ending.
An entire year was about to become a memory.
The television eventually began focusing more heavily on the countdown coverage.
Live cameras showed central London growing increasingly crowded.
People waved flags.
Groups posed for photographs.
Couples stood together beneath festive lights.
The city looked beautiful.
Excited.
Ready.
A presenter smiled toward the camera.
"Less than one hour until midnight."
The announcement immediately drew reactions.
"Already?" Amanda asked.
"No way."
"It can't be."
"It is."
Jacob sat upright.
Suddenly interested.
Now the countdown felt real.
Very real.
The final hour passed in a blur.
Coffee cups were replaced.
Desserts mysteriously reappeared despite everyone claiming they were too full earlier.
Someone found old family photo albums.
Which turned out to be both wonderful and dangerous.
Especially for Francesco.
Because childhood photographs quickly became ammunition.
"Oh, look at this one."
"No."
"Oh yes."
Sarah held up a photograph triumphantly.
A much younger Francesco stared back from the picture.
Missing a front tooth.
Wearing an oversized Arsenal shirt.
Looking deeply unhappy about something.
Jacob immediately burst into laughter.
"What happened?"
"He lost a football match."
Mike answered instantly.
"I was eight."
"You took it very seriously."
"I still do."
"That's true."
Leah leaned closer to examine the photograph.
"It's actually adorable."
"It absolutely isn't."
"It absolutely is."
Unfortunately for Francesco, nobody supported his argument.
Not even slightly.
The photo album remained open for another thirty minutes.
Each page seemed to contain another story.
Another memory.
Another reminder of how quickly time moved.
Eventually the television volume increased slightly.
The presenters had begun preparing for the final countdown.
The room immediately noticed.
Something changed.
Not dramatically.
Just enough.
The awareness settled over everyone.
This was it.
The final moments.
The final minutes of 2017.
The final chapter of a year none of them would ever forget.
Outside the mansion, occasional fireworks already illuminated the night sky.
Distant bursts of color appeared above Richmond.
The first signs of midnight approaching.
Inside, everyone gradually moved closer together.
Not intentionally.
It just happened.
Mike and Sarah sat together on one sofa.
David and Amanda occupied another.
Jacob claimed a position near the television.
Leah sat beside Francesco.
Cheddar somehow managed to position himself directly in the center of everyone.
A remarkable achievement.
The Christmas tree glowed softly nearby.
The fireplace crackled.
The room felt warm despite the freezing temperatures outside.
The television showed live footage from London.
Crowds stretched across the city.
Thousands upon thousands of people waiting together.
Waiting for midnight.
Waiting for the future.
The presenter smiled.
"One minute."
Immediately the room reacted.
"One minute?" Jacob said.
"Already?"
Mike laughed.
"Earlier three hours was forever."
"That was different."
"Of course it was."
The countdown clock appeared on screen.
The room gradually fell silent.
Not completely.
But enough.
Enough for everyone to feel the moment.
Enough for everyone to appreciate it.
Francesco looked around one final time.
His parents.
Leah.
Her parents.
Jacob.
Cheddar.
The Christmas tree.
Home.
The people who mattered most.
The people who had shared every success.
Every challenge.
Every victory.
Every difficult moment.
Every celebration.
He felt Leah's hand gently find his.
He squeezed it softly.
She smiled.
No words were necessary.
The television presenters began counting.
The crowd in London joined them.
And immediately everyone inside the mansion joined too.
"Ten!"
The room filled with voices.
"NINE!"
Jacob practically shouted.
"EIGHT!"
Cheddar looked confused.
"SEVEN!"
Laughter mixed with excitement.
"SIX!"
The energy became contagious.
"FIVE!"
Everyone was smiling now.
"FOUR!"
The entire room seemed alive.
"THREE!"
A year of memories flashing by.
"TWO!"
A new chapter waiting.
"ONE!"
Then—
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
The room erupted.
Cheers.
Laughter.
Applause.
Voices overlapping.
Everyone speaking at once.
2017 was over.
2018 had arrived.
Immediately hugs followed.
The kind that happened naturally.
Mike hugged Sarah.
David hugged Amanda.
Jacob received several enthusiastic head pats he pretended not to appreciate.
Leah wrapped her arms around Francesco.
"Merry New Year."
He laughed.
"I don't think that's the phrase."
"You know what I mean."
"I do."
He kissed her forehead gently.
"Happy New Year."
Around them the celebration continued.
The television showed fireworks exploding above London.
Brilliant colors illuminated the sky.
The crowd roared.
Music filled the air.
The new year had officially begun.
Then another sound reached them.
A sound much closer.
Boom.
Then another.
Boom.
Boom.
Everyone turned instinctively.
Outside.
The fireworks around Richmond had started.
Not just one display.
Several.
The night sky beyond the mansion windows was already beginning to glow with color.
Jacob jumped to his feet immediately.
"Outside!"
The teenager didn't wait for permission.
He was already moving.
The others followed soon after.
Doors opened.
Cold winter air rushed inside.
The contrast was immediate.
Warmth behind them.
Winter ahead.
Yet nobody cared.
Not tonight.
The entire group stepped into the backyard.
And immediately stopped.
Because the view was incredible.
The Richmond skyline sparkled in the distance.
Fireworks exploded everywhere.
Red.
Gold.
Blue.
Green.
Silver.
Colors burst across the sky in every direction.
Some displays came from nearby homes.
Others from larger organized celebrations further away.
Together they transformed the night into something magical.
The cold air carried distant cheers.
Laughter.
Celebration.
The entire city seemed awake.
The entire city seemed determined to welcome 2018 properly.
Jacob stood staring upward.
"Worth staying awake for."
Mike laughed.
"Told you."
More fireworks exploded overhead.
The light reflected across smiling faces.
Across the frosted gardens.
Across the mansion windows.
For several minutes nobody said much.
They simply watched.
Sometimes moments didn't need commentary.
Sometimes they were enough on their own.
Eventually Francesco reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
Leah immediately noticed.
"Photo?"
"Photo."
"Good idea."
The suggestion was instantly approved.
Naturally.
Because no family gathering escaped photographs.
Not anymore.
The challenge, however, was organizing everyone.
Especially Jacob.
And especially Cheddar.
The dog had become deeply interested in the fireworks.
Or perhaps deeply offended by them.
Nobody was entirely sure.
After several attempts, multiple adjustments, and one brief negotiation involving dog treats, everyone finally gathered together.
Mike and Sarah stood side by side.
David and Amanda beside them.
Jacob positioned himself proudly in the middle.
Leah stood beside Francesco.
Cheddar sat in front.
Looking almost professional.
Almost.
Behind them, fireworks continued exploding across the night sky.
The backdrop couldn't have been more perfect.
Francesco held the phone.
Everyone squeezed together.
Ready.
Smiling.
Happy.
A family photograph.
Not perfect.
Not staged.
Not professional.
Something better.
Real.
The camera clicked.
Then again.
And once more for safety.
When Francesco checked the picture, he smiled immediately.
It was perfect.
The fireworks illuminated the background.
The mansion lights glowed warmly behind them.
Everyone looked genuinely happy.
Not posing.
Not performing.
Just happy.
The kind of photograph people kept forever.
The kind of photograph people looked back on years later.
Remembering exactly how that moment felt.
Leah looked over his shoulder.
"Oh, I love that."
"So do I."
The others agreed.
Even Jacob.
Which was rare.
Very rare.
A few moments later Francesco opened Instagram.
The familiar process felt almost routine now.
He selected the photograph.
Looked at it one final time.
Then typed a simple caption.
Happy New Year 2018 🎉🎉🎉
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
He posted it.
And almost immediately the notifications began.
Again.
Likes.
Comments.
Messages.
Thousands of them.
The football world was clearly awake.
Arsenal supporters flooded the post.
Friends appeared.
Teammates appeared.
Former teammates appeared.
Fans from every corner of the world joined in.
Walker commented first.
Naturally.
Family photo before midnight? Amateur.
Robertson replied beneath it less than a minute later.
You're literally commenting within thirty seconds. Go spend time with your family.
The argument immediately continued.
Exactly as expected.
Francesco laughed and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
The notifications could wait.
Tonight wasn't about social media.
Tonight wasn't about football.
Tonight wasn't about awards.
As another burst of fireworks exploded across the Richmond sky, he wrapped an arm around Leah's shoulders and looked out across the celebration.
2017 was gone.
2018 had begun.
A new year.
New challenges.
New dreams.
New opportunities.
But standing there beneath a sky full of fireworks, surrounded by family, laughter, and the people he loved most, Francesco couldn't help feeling grateful.
For the journey.
For the memories.
For the people who had made those memories possible.
And as the first moments of 2018 unfolded around him beneath the brilliant colors lighting up the winter sky, he silently hoped for one thing above everything else as the year ahead would give them many more moments like this one.
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Name : Francesco Lee
Age : 19 (2017)
Birthplace : London, England
Football Club : Arsenal First Team
Championship History : 2014/2015 Premier League, 2014/2015 FA Cup, 2015/2016 Community Shield, 2016/2017 Premier League, 2015/2016 Champions League, Euro 2016, Premier League Champion 2016/2017, and 2016/2017 Champions League.
Season 17/18 stats:
Arsenal:
Match: 30
Goal: 37
Assist: 1
MOTM: 4
POTM: 0
England:
Match: 2
Goal: 2
Assist: 0
MOTM: 0
Season 16/17 stats:
Arsenal:
Match: 55
Goal: 87
Assist: 5
MOTM: 14
POTM: 1
England:
Match: 1
Goal: 1
Assist: 0
MOTM: 0
Season 15/16 stats:
Arsenal:
Match Played: 60
Goal: 82
Assist: 10
MOTM: 9
POTM: 1
England:
Match Played: 2
Goal: 4
Assist: 0
Euro 2016
Match Played: 6
Goal: 13
Assist: 4
MOTM: 6
Season 14/15 stats:
Match Played: 35
Goal: 45
Assist: 12
MOTM: 9