The Christmas season came and went for the group of friends and their significant others. Alec and Leslie moved back into their apartment again once she was given clearance to do heavy lifting from her doctor. Billy came back to Washington D. C. for the entire month of December to be with his friends, and more so, to be with Wendy. Jules and Scott continued to grow closer and more attracted to each other as they continued to date- and she began to wear more red around him. Kirby and Emily continued to go out together and became boyfriend and girlfriend- not to mention that they won her case, and Elizabeth grew more attached to Kirby and vice versa. And Kevin and Ada finally got past everything, continued on with their relationship, and professed their love for each other on New Year's that same year.

Did everyone's relationship would out perfect for the rest of their lives? Of course not- but what relationship is perfect? There's no such thing as perfect in anything. But then again, who wants perfection, anyway, being imperfect is so much more fun?

-/-/-

Alec and Leslie Newbary, married in the year 1986. Alexa Leah Newbary, born 1988. Lewis Adam Newbary, born 1992.

Billy and Wendy Hixx, married in the year 1987. Melody Anna Hixx, born 1984, adopted by Wendy. Harmony Gwenyvere Hixx, born 1989. Dorian William Hixx, born 1991.

Scott and Jules Bailess, married in the year 1990. Robert Thomas Bailess, born 1991. Daisy Rose Bailess, born 1996.

Kirby and Emily Keger, married in the year 1989. Elizabeth Amelia Keger-Parker, born 1981, adopted by Kirby. Steven Daniel Keger-Parker, born 1990. Joseph David Keger, born 1991.

Kevin and Ada Dolenz, married in the year 1987. Peter Aaron Dolenz, born 1988. Priscilla Adaline Dolenz, born 1991. Philip Alexander Dolenz, born 1993.

-/-/-

Christmas Eve, 1995, 10 years later.

"Alexa," Leslie called to the other side of the dining room, "Bring the cups over here, please?"

"Sure, Mom," Alexa Newbary- who was the spitting image of her mother- called back in obedience.

"Where's your brother?"

"Lewis is with Dad in the living room finishing the tree decorations."

Leslie gave her daughter a gentle smile. "Why don't you go and help them, sweetheart." The seven year old girl gave an eager smile, nodded happily, then rushed to the living room to help her father and three year old little brother decorate their Christmas tree. Leslie smiled to herself and released a light chuckle as she watched her daughter skip to the next room as she finished setting the table. Once she finished, she left the dining room then went to join Alex and their two children in the living room to help finish decorating the Christmas tree before everyone arrived.

-/-/-

"Melody, stop playing with the hem of your dress," Wendy reprimanded her adopted daughter, but her husband's biological daughter.

"But I don't like dresses," Melody Hixx complained.

"Don't you want to look nice for Christmas?"

"Why can't I wear a nice pair of pants?"

Wendy thought quickly. "How about this," she tried, "If you wear the dress today, you can wear your pants on New Year's Eve. How's that sound?"

Melody smiled. "Ok," she agreed happily.

Wendy and Melody walked out to the front hallway where Billy stood with their six year old daughter, Harmony, and their four year old son, Dorian. The three all stood, waiting patiently and playing a bit as the blonde and the ten year old girl walked up to them. Billy looked at the two and smiled. "You two ready to go?" he asked. The two smiled and nodded, and the family of five left the house.

-/-/-

"Jules," Scott called, "Are you ready to go yet? We're gonna be late."

"We won't be late," Jules waved off as she entered the room and straightened her son's clothing. "You ready to go, Robbie?"

The four year old boy smiled and nodded eagerly.

Scott went to grab Jules jacket. "Just make sure to stay warm," he said sternly, "You're four months pregnant, so you can't afford to get sick." Jules rolled her eyes at his warning, but laughed anyway. She knew Scott was right, but she didn't want to appear as anxious as he was at times. She leaned down to her son, helped him with his coat, and then turned to her husband. "Let's go," she said with a smile as she walked out of the house with Scott and Robbie.

"Will Lewis be there, Mommy?" Robbie asked excitedly. When she nodded, he jumped once in excitement to see his best friend.

-/-/-

"Elizabeth Amelia Keger-Parker, if you're not ready to go in the next five minutes, you won't be happy," Kirby warned his adopted- but biological to his wife- daughter.

"Kirby," Emily said in a calm tone, "She's a fourteen year old girl trying to build a self-esteem. She needs time to get ready."

He sighed. "I know. I'm just not used to having a teenager in the house."

"Well you better get used to it, cause we still have four more years of it with her. Not to mention two boys… speaking of Steve and Joey, why don't you go and check on them."

Kirby nodded and left the room. He first walked over to his older son's room and opened the door. When he saw that the five year old boy was dressed and ready to go, he told his son to go and wait by his mother. A moment later, the youngest of the three children ran out after his older brother, dressed and ready to go as well.

"You look beautiful, Lizzie," Emily complimented her daughter as she approached them all.

Elizabeth looked up at her adopted father. "Dad?" she tried hopefully, "Do I look ok?"

Kirby smiled and gently kissed her forehead. "You look absolutely beautiful."

-/-/-

"Peter and Priscilla are dressed and ready to go, right, Kevin?" Ada called from the other room.

"After I finish Priscilla's hair they will be," Kevin called back.

Kevin confusedly gather his four year old daughter's hair gently in his hands and tied the strands back into a ponytail. He pulled it tight a bit to make sure it stayed in place. Just as he finished her hair, Ada walked into the room, carrying the two year old son, Philip, on her hip. She handed the two year old to Kevin and straightened their daughter's outfit, then the same with their seven year old, Peter. After taking one more look over their appearances, the five all headed to the front door and out of the house, all in a hurry to get to their friend's house on time.

-/-/-

Leslie, Alec, Wendy, Billy, Jules, Scott, Emily, Kirby, Ada and Kevin all sat together at one table. At the table at a lower level sat Alexa, Lewis, Harmony, Dorian, Robbie, Steven, Joseph, Peter, Priscilla and Philip, with Elizabeth and Melody closest to the adults, due to them being the oldest of all the children. The adults all laughed and talked together, occasionally checking on all the children to make sure they were all doing alright.

At the end of the night, as they all sat in the living room around the Christmas tree, waiting for midnight, the television playing A Christmas Story for those present. Leslie leaned over to her husband and whispered something to him. Alec nodded, called for attention, and then muted the television, leaving the picture up for the younger children. He stood up with his wife, and everyone looked at them curiously.

"We just want to thank everyone for coming over," Leslie began, "It's been a tradition for years, ever since we were all in college, and it makes me happy that we still do it. We've all been through a lot together, with a whole lot of ups and downs, so I'm really thankful to have you all still in my life after all these years."

"I'd like to propose a toast," Alec said, holding up hi smug, "To friendship, family, and the success of all of our relationships not going up in flames."

Everyone let out a laugh at his words and joined in on his toast, just as midnight hit.

-/-/-

Growin' up, you don't see the writing on the wall
Passin' by, movin' straight ahead, you knew it all
But maybe sometime if you feel the pain
You'll find you're all alone, everything has changed

Play the game, you know you can't quit until it's won
Soldier on, only you can do what must be done
You know in some way you're a lot like me
You're just a prisoner and you're tryin' to break free
I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky
I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher
Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels
Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire

Burning up, don't know just how far that I can go (just how far I go)
Soon be home, only just a few miles down the road
I can make it, I know I can
You broke the boy in me, but you won't break the man

I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky

I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher

Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels

Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire

I can climb the highest mountain, cross the wildest sea
I can feel St. Elmo's Fire burnin' in me, burnin' in me

Just once in his life a man has his time, and my time is now, I'm coming alive
I can hear the music playin', I can see the banners fly
Feel like you're back again, and hope ridin' high
Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels
Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire

I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky

I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher

Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels

Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire

I can climb the highest mountain, cross the wildest sea
I can feel St. Elmo's Fire burnin' in me

Burnin', burnin' in me, I can feel it burnin'
Oooh, burnin' inside of me

The End.