Chapter 4

It was Christmas time and the Cheetahs were gathered at Juanita and Luc's penthouse in Manhattan to celebrate Christmas Eve. The Boscos were all there too, as well as Aqua's dad to celebrate the holidays. The Garabaldis were on their way as well, minus Galleria, who was still in mid-flight back from Cambridge. Dorinda was nearly six months along, and sitting comfortably in a recliner, her feet propped up. Aqua and Chanel, along with Vic and Amar, were stringing lights onto the tree, while Luc played a CD of Christmas tunes. Juanita and Mrs. Bosco were serving up hot chocolate for the kids and preparing dinner when Chanel turned to Dorinda.

"Hey Do, you sure you don't want to string lights with us?" asked Chanel.

"No thanks Chuchie, I'm really tired, and Junior here is kicking like mad."\

Aqua rolled her eyes and looked at Dorinda.

"Maybe he is telling you to get up of your duff and enjoy yourself for once."

Dorinda glared at Aqua and sighed.

"No Aqua, I really am just so tired," said Dorinda.

"Are you feeling okay?" asked Chanel. "Maybe you should go into my room and lie down."

"No, I'm okay," said Dorinda. "It's just..."

"You still miss Joaquin," said Aqua.

Dorinda nodded.

"Yeah," said Dorinda. "I really do."

"Don't worry Dorinda," said Vic, "if it was meant to be, he would be here. That's why I am."

"Charmer," said Chanel. Vic grinned cheekily and pointed up.

"By the way, we're standing under mistletoe," smiled Vic.

"Poco Loco," said Chanel jokingly.

"Oh, so now I'm a crazy chicken!" said Vic.

"A very, very sexy one," said Chanel. Aqua and Dorinda rolled their eyes as Vic leaned down and passionately kissed Chanel.

"Get a room!' said Aqua.

Just then, there was a knock at the door and Chanel smiled at Aqua.

"Gee, I wonder who THAT could be?" asked Aqua wonderingly.

"I don't know, maybe DORINDA should get it!" said Chanel.

Dorinda sighed in exasperation at the laziness in her friends and carefully got up and waddled to the door. When she opened it, she gasped.

"Hey New York."

"Joaquin..."

* * *

"Joaquin, what are you, how did you?"

"I haven't been avoiding you," said Joaquin as he entered the apartment and closed the door. "I lost my cell phone."

"How did you?"

"Luc got a hold of me."

He finally noticed her bulging belly and placed his hand on it while wrapping his other arm around her waist.

"You really are pregnant."

"I'm sorry, we were so caught up in it..."

"Don't be," said Joaquin. "Do you know what it is?"

"A boy," smiled Dorinda. Just then, he did something that totally caught Dorinda off guard. He smiled, then it widened into a full blown grin and kissed her passionately, not caring that they had an audience now.

"Oooh," said Kiely. Mrs. Bosco was smiling happily at her daughter and hopefully, her future son-in-law and Chanel raised an eyebrow. Another knock at the door sounded the arrival of the Garabaldis and Dorinda answered it and greeted them with hugs.

"Merry Christmas!' said Dorthea.

"Merry Christmas Auntie Dorthea and Uncle Franco!" said Dorinda. "Look who I got for Christmas!"

Dorthea smiled and hugged Joaquin.

"Hello Joaquin, good to see you," said Dorthea. Chanel and Aqua smiled as they hugged Dorthea and Franco and Dorthea smiled.

"Who wants presents?" asked Dorthea.

"Oooh me!" cried Aqua. "Is it food? I'm hungry!"

"No, but it's something I know all of you girls will like," said Franco. He opened the door and the girls screamed.

"GALLERIA!" they cried.

"Merry Christmas Cheetahs!" said Galleria, who was carrying a huge bag of presents. The four girls engulfed in a giant hug.

"I thought you were still in mid flight!" said Chanel.

"I took an early flight in to surprise you guys!" said Galleria. "Dorinda, you got so big! You look so cute as a mama cheetah to be!"

"Aww thanks Gal," said Dorinda. "You do too! Have you lost weight?"

"Yeah, well when you're in a place with sucky food, you do tend to lose a few pounds," blushed Galleria.

"Cheetahs, families, the food has been served," said Juanita as she came back in from the kitchen.

"About time," said Aqua, "I'm starved!"

"As usual," smiled Chanel.

* * *

Everyone was passing out gifts later that night after enjoying a great meal. Joaquin pulled Dorinda aside from the group and brused some hair back from her face.

"I'm so glad you're here," said Dorinda. "But how are we going to do this? How can we raise our son together?"

"Simple," said Joaquin. "Marry me."

"What?"

"Marry me Dorinda," said Joaquin. "Become Countess Dorinda Thomas-Bosco Tovar."

Dorinda was sobbing as he knelt in front of her, holding up a gorgeous diamond ring.

"I may not have much money, but I love you with all of my heart, and I want to be with you. Do, please say you will marry me."

"Yes, yes I will marry you Joauin!" said Dorinda. He slid the ring on her left hand and Dorinda sobbed again. Joaquin smiled and kissed her gently before resting his forehead against hers.

"Merry Christmas Dorinda."

"Merry Christmas Joaquin."

They kissed again and broke apart blushing when they heard cheering and appaluse. Mrs. Bosco was crying against her husband's shoulder, and Mr. Bosco smiled warmly at his daughter and future son-in-law.

"It's about time you two," said Galleria.

"DItto," said Aqua.

"Yeah, we're really happy for you guys," said Chanel.

"Thanks guys, we are too," smiled Dorinda.

to be continued....