Chapter Three: The Fire Within [Winter 2010/2011]

It was early Christmas Morning and Feebi was to exited to sleep anymore. She got up and sneaked down dragging Mr. Floppy with her to the tree to see what Santa brought her. Feebi froze as she got there. There was somebody there, in fact there were two somebodies there under the blankets on the couch. She saw the flicking tail of Ken as he slept holding onto Micheal under the covers in front of the smoldering fireplace.

They were still asleep so she put her little hands over her mouth so she would not make a sound as she looked at the tree. There were never a lot of presents under the tree, but she always felt she always got the best toys and games. She knew that some of them were clothing, but the rest she knew what she would get.

From Arthur she would get art supplies. From John it would be a book, but they were always a neat book. Taye and Teddy always got her a video game. From Ken and Micheal it would be something sports related like a ball or baseball hat. It was Papa and Dougy that always seemed to surprise her. Papa though seemed to get her things from some far off place and usually very colorful. Dougy seemed to be the one that got her the weird stuff, but she loved him for trying anyways.

As she looked over the tree she saw two unwrapped presents and those were the best, as they came from Santa. Her eyes got big as the one was a yellow bicycle. Not like her electric one, but a real bicycle. It had a basket and steamers and everything. In the basket was a stuffed tiger. It was about twice the size of Mr. Floppy and had a tie around its neck.

She thought about Mr. Floppy for a moment. Would he be jealous of...Mr. Stripes. She hoped not because Mr. Floppy was her favorite and she would always love him. She looked at Mr. Floppy as tears filled her eyes.

She remembered the night of the fire. She remembered her mommy and daddy coming in as she cried for them. She remembered the fireman that grabbed her. She remembered the horrible crash as the roof fell in taking both of them from her. She remembered funeral where she got to say goodby to them.

Feebi sat and quietly started to cry quietly.

Then she remembered her new Papa and how he looked so brave in his uniform. she remembered how he also cried as her mommy and daddy were placed in the white stone house made for the two of them, to be together forever in heaven. She remembered how scared he was when the man in suit told her that PJ was he new Papa. She remembered how he stopped at the fair and won her Mr. Floppy.

She was still crying a little, but then She remembered when he took her to his home. She remembered him letting her crawl on top of him to sleep. She remembered listening to his heart beat as she slept for the first time since the fire. She remembered waking up and it was not a dream, he was there for her.

Then she let out a smile. She knew her Papa loved her. She knew that in her new home that Dougy loved her. She knew That Jason and Becky loved her. She knew that the silly Taye and his Teddy Bear loved her. She knew that Ken and Micheal loved her. She knew that Arthur loved her. She knew that John loved her even though he did not know how to show it all of the time. She knew that Linda Loved her. She knew that the man she sometimes saw in the house loved her.

She was crying this time because she was now truly happy.

As quietly as she had come down the stairs she went back up them till she passed the bed where Papa and Dougy were sleeping and let out a smile. She knew that her Papa was happy. She looked at the painting and quietly spoke. "Thank you Mr. Paulie for letting your husband make my Papa happy." and blew him a kiss.

Giving Mr. Floppy a kiss on the nose she climbed into bed between Doug and PJ and give both of them a kiss on their noses. "I love you Papa, I love Dougy." she said quietly as she snuggled into both of them before going back to sleep with a happy smile.

Dear Jason,

We awoke to find Feebi sleeping between us this morning. She seemed more happy and content than normal. We both just laid there looking at each looking at each other until she awoke. PJ did not even go out for his morning run. He said this is where he belongs, with her and me.

She gave us both a hug and told us she loved us. That she was happy we were her daddy's, just like you, Paulie and me.

All seems so peaceful right now, like all is well in the world. I really hope it stays this way for a while.

Love, Dad

Doug thought it was odd. As exited as Feebi was last night she seemed really calm this morning. Even when they got down stairs to find Ken and Micheal snuggled up together in front of the fire. Taye and Marty were already up and warming themselves.

Feebi looked at her bike with a big smile and then headed over to it with Mr. Floppy and Mr. Ducky and introduced them to Mr. Stripes. Taye almost had another cuteness induced stoke over that.

Unlike the last few years Feebi did not tear into her presents. She sort of took charge without telling anyone. She looked at each name tag and not needing to much help she read the name and then took the present to that person and gave them a hug and told them that she loved them. Everyone just looked at each other and then just smiled.

Marty got Taye a script he had found on e-bay from the original Broadway production of Rag Time that had multiple autographs and director's notes. Taye had got a pair of watches that were synchronized with each other, so they both knew they would always be as one.

Ken got Micheal scrapbook with all of his unpublished photos just for his eyes only. Micheal got Ken a pair of personalized Boxing Gloves and Boxing Robe.

Doug got PJ a Blue tie with white bunnies. PJ got Doug a small box of saffron and the copy of Play-Girl.

When Arthur and John showed up and once more refused to talk about what they got each other.

Linda showed up dressed as an Elf and just gave everyone a small, but personal snow-globe.

Feebi got more than she wanted for once. Taye and Marty got her a racing game. Ken and Micheal got her a helmet for her new bike. Arthur gave her some art supplies and some coloring books. John got her a nice hard bound Art Book with her name on it. Doug got her simple play tea set for four. PJ got her set of cars for her doll house including a VW Van.

PJ spent the rest of the morning using the snow blower to clear all off the sidewalks of Kinsey Circle. Once he finished clearing the sidewalk they all watched as Feebi rode her bike along the cleared path. Sure it still had its training wheels on, but she was still ridding it. In the basket was Mr. Floppy, Mr. Ducky and their new friend Mr. Stripes. When she got to the end she turned around and came back.

Everyone watched her as she rode in her new sweater that Ms. Nussbaum had given her and her new helmet. She could not be happier right now.

As she rode snowfall began to lightly drift down dusting everyone in white. No one wanted to miss this moment even Ken stayed out in the snow and for once did not feel cold.

Dinner was the big affair once more. It was really special for Doug as all of his family was there. Arthur and John brought the bottle of wine that PJ had given them, much to Marty's delight. Once everyone had some in their glass it was John who stood up.

"I know I have not been myself recently. Part of that is how I felt about Paulie and trying to deal with it myself." He then looked at PJ. "Then you came into our lives and while at first I did not trust you, I did trust Doug to make good decisions. Then you got close to Doug and it felt like you were replacing Paulie. I see now that is not true and have felt so for a while. It was the long talks with your mother that really changed how I felt. I now know what a good and caring person you are...even if at times you do some really oddball things, but our family is full of oddballs which it why you belong. I hope you and Doug have a long and happy life together."

With that he raised his glass and took a taste of the wine. "And boy you do have a good eye for wine."

PJ just smirked and toasted John back. "I think...I know we all want everyone to have long and happy lives with the ones we love."

After the toast was done everyone slowly ate as they conversed, the only one the seemed to sit on the sidelines was Marty. He sat there missing Taye and wishing he was there. The feast was half over when Taye burst in.

"I'm back." said with a flair as he walked in. "Did everyone miss me?"

"With every bullet so far." Let out Ken with a smirk.

PJ looked out the circular window and then back to the sleeping Feebi, she was curled up on the couch with Mr. Floppy's ear in her mouth.

Then he looked back at the falling snow and smiled. "I miss you so much Steve. I know you would have loved her to."

Dear Jason,

These are the times I miss Paulie the most and in a way I feel like he misses me too.

For now we are all at piece here.

I wish this feeling would never end.

I love you so much Jason.

My love for you seems to get stronger every day.

As does my love for Phillip and Feebi.

My love for Paulie also continues to grow.

I know someday we will be together once more.

Love, Dad

This it the end of 'The Winds of Change'

This will continue with 'Time Marches On'

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