Chapter 7 – Big Things in Small Packages

A/N: Well guys, this is it.

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"I think I'll start with the biggest surprise," Ray announced.

Ray asked his kids to come by his side and then asked Breezy to come over and sit on the couch. Meanwhile, he placed another CD in to his player. Sure, the song he had was written by a bunch of young men who were far younger than he was, but he felt the message was appropriate.

I feel the magic whenever you're near
I feel it even this time of the year
Because I love you girl
I always will

"Breezy," he started, "you know how hard it has been for me and the kids after my wife died 14 years ago. Since then, while I know that nobody can exactly replace her, I believed that she would bring to me someone who she thought would make a good mother for her kids and a good wife for me. Breezy, from all the time we've spent together, I know she sent you. Your personality reminds me so much of her and I have seen how well you have bonded with Otto and Reggie. I just can't imagine life without you."

And now I know the moment is right
The moment is right!

Otto and Reggie stared in amazement as Ray got down on one knee and produced a small box from his pocket. He opened up the box, exposing a beautiful diamond ring. "Breezy, will you marry me?"

Because I've been waiting to give
This gift tonight
I'm down on my knees
There's no better time
It's something to last for as long as you live
Tonight I'm gonna give you
All my heart can give

Breezy was speechless. She hadn't expected this, especially on Christmas Eve in front of everybody. "Ray, there's nobody else I'd rather be with. Of course I will!" Breezy said softly with tears in her eyes.

"Otto?" Ray asked. "Can you bring that mistletoe over here?"

"Sure thing Dad...and Mom" Otto replied. He went over to them and held the mistletoe over them as Ray slipped the ring on to Breezy's finger. The two then exchanged a long, passionate kiss. Everybody burst out in applause.

"You know, Ray," Breezy said, "I have the perfect song to sing in honor of this occasion." Everybody was anxious to listen, as they knew that one of Breezy's hidden talents was her musical ability--and she was damn good at it. She walked over to the digital piano that Sam had loaned the Rockets recently (for an unrelated reason) and began to play, with Ray standing right beside her with his arm pulling her in close to him as she sang.

I never felt alone
I was happy on my own
And who would ever know there was something missing
I guess I didn't see, the possibility
It was waiting all the time
But it never crossed my mind
Till you opened up my eyes
Now all I think about is you

You in my life
In my dreams
In my heart I know it's true
That I belong with you
Because of you in my world
In my arms
I have everything and now
I can't imagine what I'd do
Without you

I never thought that love could be
Such a curiosity
But what attracted you to me
Was so unexpected
But it was waiting all the time
And it never crossed my mind
Until you opened up my eyes
Now all I think about is

You in my life
In my dreams
In my heart I know it's true
That I belong with you

Because of you in my world
In my arms
I have everything and now
I can't imagine what I'd do

I can't imagine what I'd do
Without you

Without you

Reggie was so touched by this evening. In the matter of one night, she had received the best gifts she could possibly ask for. Not only did she find out in person that she had two "angels" among her, who really cared about her and vowed to be there for her, but she received a gift she had hoped for almost all her life: someone she could once more call "Mom."

"So, Dad," Reggie asked, "if that's your big surprise, what's the other surprise?" Her question was answered as Sam and Twister came downstairs with a card and two boxes. "I wonder what this could be in such a small box?" she pondered as she opened the card. The card was signed by all four guys and Breezy and was a congratulatory card in honor of all her accomplishments. Sam then handed her the first box, which she was told she had to open first anyway. Inside was a small tape player. She took it out and pressed Play. Immediately, she realized that what she heard was strangely familiar.

Zoom zoom zoom. Zoom zoom zoom (Yeah, zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom)

Zoom zoom zoom. Zoom zoom zoom.

Yeah zoom zoom zoom, yeah zoom zoom zoom.

After a few seconds, she identified it as the song used in the Mazda TV commercials. She thought she knew what was in the other box, but she knew it couldn't be possible. Ray knew she had always wanted her own set of wheels from the day she returned home with her driver's license. She just didn't think he could afford it, especially in light of the now upcoming wedding. With a smile of optimism, she opened up the other box. Inside was a key--attached to a remote control for the door locks. Reggie began to cry and uttered a soft shriek of joy as she took the key out of the box.

"Look outside, princess," Ray suggested.

Reggie rushed to the door, followed by the other boys, Clio, and the adults. In the driveway was the red Mazda 6 that Ray had picked out for her at the dealership a few days back. Reggie's eyes lit up as she studied the vehicle. She loved the way it looked. The exterior with its spoiler and air dam gave the car a "Watch it: I'm not your average sedan" look to it. Seeing that it was red, she immediately knew that her favorite shirt had something to do with the color choice. She had always wanted a stick shift--Sherry had taught Reggie how to operate it on her dad's car and Reggie immediately fell in love with it. Now she had one of her own, along with 220 horses to control with it. From the window sticker that was on the car, she saw that the car also had side airbags ("I guess that was Dad's idea," she thought), a moonroof, and a Bose stereo. She couldn't wait to load her favorite CDs and crank up the volume with the top open and her friends right beside her.

"Merry Christmas, Rocket Girl," the kids shouted in unison. Otto went over to his sister and hugged her. She returned his embrace and was soon joined by Ray and Breezy.

"Well, don't just stand there!" Cleo shouted. "Let's take it for a spin!"

"Go right ahead," Ray added. "Just don't go too far. Remember, Tito, Kioni, and Breezy are coming over for brunch tomorrow at 11."

"No problemo," Reggie replied as she, Clio, Sam, Twister, and Kioni ran toward the car. Otto stayed behind as he knew he would have plenty of chances to ride in that car. She was his sister, after all. Hey, he could even find some way to get the car for a day. He had his ways of getting her to give in to him (as most siblings do). Besides, he wanted to sit down and congratulate the soon-to-be Mrs. Rocket, his friend and, soon to be, his mother.

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Later that night, after everyone had gone home, Reggie lay in her bed. She was fighting back tears, as she had many times before when she was sad, frustrated, lonely, or emotional; however, this time, they weren't tears of pain. They were tears of joy. In one night, she had kissed two boys, who she had known for a long time and loved very dearly. She had received a new mother and then a new car for herself. She knew that, in spite of all she had encountered in life, both good and bad, someone had been watching her. Someone who loved her more than life itself and had brought her so many people who cared about her. Never would she feel lonely again.

"Thanks, Mom. Wherever you are," she whispered as she closed her eyes. No doubt about it, she thought. This was definitely the best Christmas ever.

THE END

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A/N: The song that Breezy sang is called "You." I picked it especially because Jane Krakowski (the woman who plays Ally McBeal and provides Breezy's voice) actually recorded the vocals for this song along with pianist Jim Brickman. There is a holiday version of the song, but I couldn't find the lyrics, so I stuck with the original version.

Hope you liked this fanfic. I don't know when or if I will be writing another. If I get another good idea, I'll try to write it, although I have a feeling I will have less and less free time as the year progresses.

Peace out!

Oh, by the way, only 101 shopping days left until Christmas as of September 15 :)