And now, the chapter you've all been waiting for! (Fanfare! Confetti! Snickerdoodle cookies!) At this time, the author asks that you fasten your seat belts, synchronize your pace makers, and HOLD ONTO YOUR UNDERWEAR!!! (Another line from Kids Next Door!) (Crackes knuckles) All right! LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE...!

"Miracles happen once in a while when you believe." -Don't know who sang it, Miracles Happen from Princess Diaries I.

Chapter 25: Miracles Happen

Jimmy and April sat on cushions by Karen in her throne and watched some of the people singing karaoke.

"Today ends where your book begins," finished the pink-wearing blonde girl, "The rest is still unwritten."

The revellers all applauded her as she took her bows and stepped down from the Pillar of Performance. Karen stood from her throne and raised her hand for attention.

"My friends," she said, "you may cease your speculation and put your curiosity to rest, for my esteemable guest, Jimmy Neutron of Earth, has agreed to tell you all his story." She sat back down as Jimmy nervously cleared his throat and stood on the floor in front of the bottom steps to Karen's throne.

"Friends," he started, "I firstly offer my profound thanks and gratitude to your wonderful queen Karen for all she has agreed to do for me." They respectfully applauded their queen, who nodded and blinked (slowly) appreciatively.

(Camera switch)

The golden planet with the disco ball moon appeared before them.

"There it is!" Kirby pointed, "Keep going!"

"Secondly," Jimmy continued, "I thank her benevolent people for their warm welcome and excellent hospitality."

Kirby led them in single file as they swooped down the streets, making a beeline for the palace of Karen. Songstone loomed ahead of them.

"We're almost there!" yelled Kirby. Cindy's heart was pounding faster than her doe was flying (isn't yours?).

"Come on, come on!" she murmured, urging her on.

"Thirdly," Jimmy added, "I would like to comment that everyone who has sung so far had very lovely singing voices." The crowd laughed lightly.

The star deer landed in the landing dock. Kirby swiftly dismounted and ran to the man in the brown toga once again as a stable boy came for the deer. Cindy gave her doe's neck an affectionate stroke of thanks and joined the prince.

"There's no time for the password, Jonathan!" Kirby panted, "You must take us to the Revelry Hall, and quickly! I bring you sir James' loved ones!"

"Sweet heavens," Jonathan whispered, "Quick, this way!" And he led them on a swift foot down the back corridor, as he'd done with Jimmy and April. Kirby was right behind him with Cindy hot on his heels as Goddard loped alongside her, barking excitedly. Jack was excited too, but for an added reason: Something about this world was stirring up something ancient, deep in his blood.

Jonathan opened a door and turned a sharp right with the Earthlings in his wake. As he made a break for the gigantic doors, he shouted over his shoulder, "You might want to shield your eyes!"

All heads in the hall turned to the doors as Jonathan wrenched them open. Kirby immediately stepped past him and onto the threshold and declared in a loud, clear voice full of triumph, "Sir James, let your heart weep no more! Here are the souls for whom you have pined and suffered!"

Long before the first word had registered, Jimmy found himself in an emotional paralysis, and was once again rendered immobile: There she was, blinking the light of the gold out of her eyes, seeing him clearly, and then screaming his name across the hall. How a woman could move so fast in 2 seconds, he would never figure out; but somewhere in that time frame, he found himself in a fierce hug with blonde hair brushing his face and jasmine assailing his senses. He was wide-eyed and bewildered as he held her back at arm's length and got a good look. He gave his head a quick shake, as if waking from a dream.

"Cindy?" Suddenly, his brain clicked.

"CINDY!" he cried out joyously as he fiercely hugged her back, "YOU FOUND ME!" The crowd got up and cheered! (As if they knew what was happening.)

"Of course I found you, you idiot!" she wept into his shoulder, "You know me better than that!"

"Cindy..." He remembered how much his heart had ached for her, and now it was all but a memory as they kissed. That was probably the sweetest kiss they'd had in the whole term of their relationship.

Just after they broke it, they were bombarded by a group hug as Carl and Sheen and Libby yelled, "Jimmy!" Goddard barked happily and jumped up and down.

"Libby! Guys!" he said as he hugged each of them in turn, "You're here, too! And Goddard! Good boy!"

"Uh, duh!" Libby grinned, "You didn't think we were gonna stay home, did you?" Jimmy laughed and asked Cindy, "What about Alex? Where's she?"

"She couldn't come," Cindy answered, "but she was a tremendous help, and she sends her apologies and a hug."

"But we did bring someone like her!" Libby said. She ran over to Jacob and brought him to the others.

"Jimmy Neutron," she beamed, "meet Jacob "Jack" Turner, Alex's father!"

"Father?" Jimmy said, "but I thought you were"--

"Dead, I know," Libby cut, "Mr. Turner, this is Jimmy Neutron, the one we've been looking for!"

The kind red-headed man with the Chuck Norris style beard shook hands with Jimmy.

"Jimmy," he said, "It's a privilege to meet you at last. Your fiancee and friends here are of bold spirit."

"Thank you, sir," Jimmy said. The man's green eyes definitely made him Alex's dad, and his manner commanded such respect so inadvertently. He was, in the literal sense, charming!

"I've got another friend too, Jimmy!" Libby said as she drew the computer woman near, "This is my persocom, Leila!"

"Persocom?" he repeated, "You mean, like a person/computer? Like an android?" His scientific intillect kicked into overdrive.

"That is correct, sir," Leila nodded, "and I am honored to meet you at last."

"And she belongs to me," Libby emphasized, "so don't get any ideas."

"And who's that down there, Jimmy?" Cindy asked, seeing the seven elves at his feet. (The others are with April)

"These are my elves," he said with a smile, "This is Chidori, Chemnal, Sherem, Leriah, Marthis, and Taram. And this, Cindy," he picked up Coraham, "is our flower girl." Cindy and Coraham stared at each other; Cindy in confusion, Coraham in awe.

"My master's betrothed is beautiful, just as he said!" the child whispered. Cindy blushed.

"He told you about me?" she couldn't help grinning. Coraham grinned and nodded vigorously.

"Come here, cutie," Cindy took her in her arms, "Exactly what did he say about me?"

"Jimmy, where did you find these kids?" Libby giggled while playing with Leriah, "They're the most adorable little things I've ever seen, especially this one! She can dance!"

"I know that," Jimmy chuckled. Sheen was playing with Chemnal, and it seemed Carl had taken a shine to little Chidori. Cindy and Coraham seemed to be hitting it off pretty well too, as he'd hoped. Jack, however, was focusing on Karen, who had joined them. She was looking at Jack, too.

"A mother always recognizes her children," she whispered with misty eyes as she opened her hands to him, "Draw near, child of my line."

"Foremother!" he humbly knelt before her and held her hands to his forehead in a cracked voice, "Queen Karen, founder of my family! In my heart, I always knew you hadn't truly gone!" Karen stroked his hair and let him cry. Suddenly, he remembered!

"The prophecy," he whispered and looked up at her, "My family did save me! It was you who told me that!" She smiled.

"Yes, my child," she helped him up, "And when the time comes, I will send you home with James and his friends. It's time you were back where you belong."

"Oh thank you, foremother!" he cried hoarsely.

"April!" Cindy saw the Gorlock approach, "Hi! What are you doing here?"

"Helping Jimmy home," April said, "My ship is undergoing repairs at the moment, but I can take all of you back to Earth!" A new feeling of gratitude for the alien girl rose up in Cindy as she put Coraham down and hugged April, which was something no one expected to see!

"Thank you so much, April," Cindy cried, "for keeping Jimmy safe."

"He is my friend, Cindy," April said at arm's length, "As are you."

"May I personally invite you to our wedding?" Cindy asked on a third impulse, even less expected.

"Of course," April nodded, "I'd be honored to attend."

Karen then asked Jimmy to tell everyone his story. After he did, Cindy and Libby told how Alex had tracked down Goobot's ship, how they'd found Jacob and been kidnapped by the Council of Twelve, (Jimmy was flabbergasted to hear about Bolbi) and how they'd fought off the space insects and were picked up by the Camper Tribe Rescue Party (Jack told that part). After all was told, Karen stood up from her throne again.

"My friends and guests," she said, "I have heard all your story, and commend your courage & determination; and on such a joyous occasion as this, I can think of but one way to express my joy and yours..." And with the grace of a swan, she glided to the floor and ascended the Pillar of Performance. The Yortians murmured with excitement: It was a wonderful thing for their queen to sing. Men and women began grabbing dance partners and hurrying to the floor as gold-glittered light shimmered with the sunset throught the windows and with magic. Karen held a silver microphone with a gold mouthpiece as the mid-tempo introduction joyously played up.

"Hey..." Cindy frowned with thought, "I know this song." Karen's green eyes glittered with a smile.

"You showed me faith is not blind," she sang, "I don't need wings to help me fly..."

"I love this song!" Libby lit up, "C'mon, Sheen!"

"Lord of the dance," he agreed, "away!" Coraham ran off with Leriah and Diana dragged Kirby off.

Jimmy looked at Cindy, held his hand open, and jerked his head towards the floor. Cindy smiled, accepted, and the two joined their friends on the dance floor.

Miracles happen once in a while
when you believe

"I thought you didn't dance," Cindy said wryly.

"Just with you," he said and kissed her.

You showed me dreams come to light,
that takin' a chance on us was right
All things will come with a little time
when you believe

Cindy felt a tug on her pant leg and saw Coraham.

"May I dance with you, Ms. Cindy?" she asked sweetly.

"Aw, how can I say no?" The blonde picked her up and they all danced together. As Karen sang her heart away, the toga wearers danced until they fell unconcious with exhaustion where they stood as dusk settled in. Some of them got to their seat cushions and fell asleep. Karen finished her people off with "Stay Awake" from Mary Poppins, then quietly stepped down from the pillar and walked to her throne, picking up a vacant cushion on the way. She sat down and gazed over the silent, prostrate corwd and nodded, smiling serenely. Then she fluffed the cushion, laid it on her left arm rest, and settled her head in the elbow of her folded left arm. She was asleep within minutes. Kirby and Icarus were sleeping back-to-back in a sitting position while Diana slept with a cluster of elf girls on the throne steps. Everyone felt safe in the peaceful quiet of the star-watched night.

Only 53 people remained awake. April and her 50 men were standing guard in a silent vigil along the walls. Libby, Carl, and Sheen were in various spots of the hall. Libby was sleeping with her head on Sheen's stomach while Leriah had her own head in Libby's lap. Chemnal's head was upside down, touching Sheen's on the other side (get it?). Carl was nearby on his back with Chidori curled up on his rising and falling stomach. Jimmy and Cindy (the only two other people awake) were sitting against a pillar with some cushions. Coraham's head was on Jimmy's left thigh, and her legs were over Cindy's right. They were both looking down at her, and Jimmy was stroking her rich red hair.

"She's a sweet thing, she is," Cindy smiled sweetly.

"I know."

"And this Sneris lady just gave her to you like a possession?" she asked, a little shocked.

"That's how space elves are, Cindy," he calmly responded, "They literally live to serve."

"You're not keeping all of them, are you?" she asked, "I mean, there's gotta be 20 of them!"

"They agreed to help me get home, and then they'd be free to do as they please," he explained, "But if Libby, Carl, and Sheen want to adopt the ones they're with, I wouldn't object." Cindy looked down at the child again and thought for a minute.

"You want us to adopt Coraham, don't you?" she asked. Their eyes met, but Jimmy couldn't read her expression. Finally, he caved and sighed.

"Yes," he said emotionally, "I do. I want her to be our daughter. I want to raise her on Earth and be her father. She's so sweet and so smart, Cindy. She's got so much potential, and she could teach us so much as well."

"What made you decide on her?" Cindy couldn't help asking. He smiled.

"They're all very devoted, and they've been wonderful...but Coraham was there for me more than any of them. She was the only one I told about you and home; when we took down Kan-core, she led the others on the attack. She started that power burst that froze him. She's been the closest elf to me since I met her, even though I met Taram first." A long moment of silence followed this. Cindy watched him stroke the child's soft hair; Coraham's sparkly blue body was gleaming with moonlight. Cindy was sure she'd never seen such a beautiful child in her life. She looked at her future husband intently.

"You really love this kid, don't you?" she asked gently.

"Yeah," he smiled, "I do." She nodded thoughtfully.

"One condition," she said, "We wait till after the honeymoon. I'd like us to be just married for a while."

"Really?" he turned to her, "You're sure?"

"Hey," she shrugged, "I can see how important she is to you, and I've gotten attached to her, too." Jimmy lifted Coraham up and put her on a pile of cushions. Then he returned to Cindy and took her in his arms.

"I love you, Cindy," he told her just before kissing her with unbridled passion, and Cindy returned it with all the aching her heart had suffered in the search.

After all the tears and danger and frustration, it was worth it to be here with him again, just like this, and Cindy realized that if she could, she'd do it all again just have this beautiful moment with the man she loved.

Jimmy held her back a bit and touched her face. She was positively drowning in the moonlight, but the stars still managed to find their way into her eyes; the love they held for him couldn't be truer.

"I love you, Jimmy," she whispered with tears in her eyes, "and I'm never losing you again." Then she let her head fall on his neck and fell asleep. Jimmy scooted over to the pile of cushions where Coraham was and laid his head on one. For the first time in a while, he was truly happy: His friends were safe, the woman he loved was in his arms where she belonged, and the divine child from space would be his daughter!

Happy again at last, Jimmy fell asleep with Cindy in his arms and Coraham overhis head, blending with everyone else into the sleu(?)of happiness, friendship, love, and safety. And really, that was all he'd wanted.

Another Chapter Epilogue!

The apartment was dark. The sliding window doors adjacent to the front door gave a spectacular view of the buildings across the street. A combination of moonlight, starlight, and streetlights reflected the smoky gray eyes of a she-cat; her clean silver fur, specked with darker gray in random places, gleamed with the special care she took for it. She also had a white chest and belly and dark gray forepaws. She was sitting on a stool, swishing her tail against the pink drawn curtains. Her gaze traveled up and down the street, but kept straying to the empty parking space directly in front of the iron-railed balcony. She would have been on the railing of the balcony, but the glass doors were locked. She was waiting for someone: her owner.

Finally, her dark gray ears pricked up as the red motorcycle took its spot in the parking space, followed shortly by a car. The car unlocked with a click, and a tired voice sighed and said, "Frankie, I'm home!"

"Alex!" the cat mewed in human language and jumped into her arms. (I'll explain later.)

"You're late," she purred in a pouty voice, "I was starting to get worried."

"My fault entirely, Francesca," Mrs. Vortex appeared behind Alex, "I thought she could do with some Japanese." She produced two styrofoam carry-out boxes and carried them to the kitchen table. Alex sat across from her, and Frankie jumped from her shoulder onto the table between them and sniffed as Alex opened her box.

"So what are you and Charlie doing tonight?" Alex asked her cat as they ate.

"He'll be here soon," the cat said, "He heard Sam complaining about rats sniffing around the Candy Bar dumpster, so we're gonna meet some of the others and see if we can't chase them off. Hey, can I have some of that broccoli?"

"Help yourself," said Alex. After Frankie devoured the vegetables, a meow was heard as a yellow tom poked his head in the kitty flap.

"There's Charlie," spoke Frankie, "See you, Alex. Bye, Sasha!" She hopped down.

"Remember, Frankie..." Alex warned.

"...Don't talk to the humans, I know," said Frankie.

"And, Frankie?" she called.

"Yeah?" the cat stopped at the door.

"Don't stay too late, okay?" Alex said, "I don't want to sleep alone tonight." Frankie blinked sympathetically. She always sleeps in Alex's bed next to her.

"Okay, Alex," she mewed and slipped out.

"Have you heard from your friends at all?" Mrs. Vortex asked.

"No," Alex shook her head, "They're too far out of the galaxy. There's no way I can get them." The mother looked troubled.

"It's been nearly a week," she fretted, "How far could they have possibly gone?"

"Knowing Cindy," Alex said thoughtfully, "they'll get as far as they have to...I just hope they don't end up..." Her voice shook as she tried to blink back tears "...like my father." Sasha took the food away, then held Alex's fists. She knew the whole story.

"I went to see her again today," Alex wavered, "And there she was, same as always, rocking on her bed, hugging that stupid, stupid doll of hers like it was me! I want to strangle that thing and pop its head off, and crawl into her lap and tell her to rock me, her real baby! She won't stop talking about him! She still believes he's just gonna stroll back into our lives, and everything will be peachy again! But he's not! He's gone, he won't come back...And she's..." She crumpled into her elbows and sobbed intensely. Sasha walked over to her and held her with a serious face.

"Alex," she said softly, "there's something you should know about today." The young doctor whipped up her head with tears still spilling over.

"What?" she demanded.

"While you were with your mother," she explained, "I spoke with the doctors. They showed me her records."

"And?" Alex nodded, "What did they find? What did they say?"

Sasha watched the young woman that she'd raised with Cindy for 7 years, whose personality and habits and trademarks she now knew frontwards and backwards. There wasn't a thing about Alex that she didn't know, so she certainly knew the weight her next statement would carry, and the impact it would cause. But it had to be said; Alex had to know the truth.

"Your mother," she said, looking into her eyes, "has been sane for the last nine years."

Author's Review:

Dun, dun DUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!!!! The evil cliffie strikes again!!!

Only thing I can think of which is really cute is that the chapter number is the date of Christmas! Yay! And holy moly, how about Alex?!? Her mother's case takes a shocking turn, and she has a TALKING CAT!! Review please, y'all!!!