Chapter 1: The Chan Family

Within a town in New York City was a charming, beautiful little house. Inside of this house lived a well-loved Chinese-American family, the Chans.

On a lovely Friday afternoon, Charlie Chan, a world famous detective, sat down on his couch, reading the newspaper. As he released a relaxing sigh, he soon heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Chunhua?" Charlie called. "Chunhua, darling? Is that you?"

From the stairs came Charlie's beautiful wife and crime-solving assistant, Chunhua Chan. "Yes, dear," she responded. "It's me. I was just tucking little Mimi in her crib." Chunhua sat down and giggled as she continued, "You know, I still can't get over how she started walking last week."

"And on her very first birthday, too," added her devoted husband. "My, our children sure are growing up fast."

"Yes," Chunhua agreed, but her smile quickly faded as she remembered something greatly important. "Oh, dear! Look at the time! It's after 3:00 already. The rest of the children will be home from school soon. I better wash the dishes and get their snacks ready."

Charlie stopped his wife. "Chunhua," he spoke, "we've been over this. You shouldn't be working so hard in your condition. Our new child is due very soon. Allow me to help with the chores."

"Oh, Charlie," Chunhua chuckled as she rubbed her large, pregnant stomach, "stop worrying so much. After nine times, you should be used to this by now."

Charlie laughed alongside his calm, relaxed wife, but their laughter was soon interrupted by the sound of their doorbell ringing rapidly. Charlie didn't have a hard time figuring out who it was. "They're here!" he said with an amused tone.

The very moment Charlie opened the door, his eight elder children dashed inside. "Hi, Mom! Hi, Pop!" they happily greeted their parents.

"Shh!" Chunhua hushed them. "Children, quiet. You'll wake your baby sister."

The eight kids quickly toned down their voices. "Sorry, Mom."

"So, Henry," Chunhua asked her eldest child, "how was middle school?"

"Great, Mom," Henry replied. "I'm really getting the hang of playing the drums in band class."

"Boy, I can't wait 'til I start middle school," his younger brother said.

"Be patient, Stanley," Charlie assured, "you'll be graduating this year. Do not rush things."

"That's right, Stanley," his wife agreed. "And besides, you need to focus on getting your grades up. I've seen your report card. You know, the one you tried to throw away on garbage day last week. And it appears your grades are slipping…again."

"Yes, Mom," Stanley nervously chuckled.

"And how was school for the rest of you?" Charlie asked.

The fourth eldest child answered, "Swell, Pop. In history, they told us about the stuff they did when you and Mom were in school and the clothes you wore. They looked pretty cool to me. I think when I'm older, I'll wear one of those hip sunglasses."

His younger sister, whom wore a bracelet on her left hand, boasted, "I totally nailed the other kids in gym class! You should've seen me! We were playing softball and I ran three home runs! The other team didn't stand a chance! Maybe I'll be a baseball player when I grow up."

"That would be great, Anne," her mother approved.

"Yeah, right!" the fourth child mocked his younger sibling. "A girl baseball player? Good one, Annie! Ha!"

"Don't call me 'Annie'!" Anne demanded.

"Now, Alan," Chunhua scolded, "what have I told you about teasing your sister?"

"Sorry, Mom," her son apologized.

"Mom, Pop, look!" The sixth child, who wore glasses, pulled out his math test from his backpack. "I got a 100."

"That's great, Tom," his father complimented.

"Another 100?" Chunhua praised. "Well, what else can I expect from our little genius?"

"And, Flip, Nancy, I trust preschool was fine for the two of you," Charlie said as he looked at the two youngest of his eight school kids, "I can tell you've been good, Flip. We didn't receive a phone call from your teacher today."

"Well," Chunhua sighed as she got up from the couch, "I better get started with the snacks. Sandwiches sound alright for everybody?"

Her children all nodded as they said, "Yes, Mom."

"I'll help you, Mom," the eldest daughter volunteered.

"Why, thank you, Suzie," Chunhua smiled. "But first, you, Anne, and Nancy go to your room and put away your things. And try not to wake Mimi. Boys, do the same. Go up to your room and put your stuff away before you have your sandwiches."

As told, the eight children headed upstairs to their rooms.

"They can be a handful sometimes, but they're wonderful," gushed Chunhua. "I wonder how our next one will be like."

"Only time will tell, my dear," Charlie replied. "Now let's get the sandwiches ready."

"Oh, and, honey," his wife reminded, "don't forget, Anne's birthday is next week. Did you get my birthday present for her?"

"Yes, Chunhua," Charlie nodded. "And don't worry. I'm certain Anne will love it."

With that, the happy couple exited their living room and walked into their kitchen to prepare their snacks.