Christmas Eve, 1979 Minneapolis

Doc and his wife were having the team over to their home for Christmas Eve dinner. I was excited because I loved Christmas and was excited to spend it with the team. Rizzo and I had decided to exchange gifts after the party back at his dorm. A few of the boys were going to Mac's house for Christmas because he just lived in St. Paul, but most of them were just staying at the dorms. I thought it was so nice of Doc and Velta to have us over for the holidays.

I had just finished dressing and found daddy sitting in the living room. "I'll be ready as soon as I do my hair." I told him.

"Hurry up, Ferrah." Dad said with a smile. I ran off to the bathroom to style my hair and finish my make up.

When I was satisfied with how I looked, I walked out into the living room. Dad had the news turned on. "Chev, you better sit down." Dad said.

I walked over and sat beside him. "Did the Iranians kill our hostages?"

"No, it's more bad news." Dad said and took my hand. We watched the TV together.

"…repeating once again that today the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Afghani president Hafizullah Amin has been captured. Many Americans fear that this is a step in the Soviets moving towards the Middle East…"

"The Soviets have invaded another country; that is going to set this country on its ear!" I said. "And at Christmas too. Just what we needed one more thing to worry about. As if the problems with gas, and the hostages weren't enough! "

"Well there is nothing we can do to change it. Let's go have a good Christmas." Dad said and kissed my cheek.

"I'm not going to tell the boys about this and spoil their evening. They can find out later, I want them to enjoy Christmas." I said.

"That is a great idea." Dad said. "Let's go."

Dad and I drove the short distance to Doc's house. When we arrived the team was there and so was Herb. I walked in and saw that Velta had prepared a huge meal and we were all preparing to eat. Several of the boys hugged me when I walked in. It was hard not to hug and kiss Rizzo more than the others, but I didn't. Dad and I sat down with the team as Velta began serving food. Rizzo sat across from me. Daddy sat on one side of me and Bah was on the other. I laughed watching Rizzo load up his plate with food.

"Hell, Eruzione are you starving?" dad asked him.

He smiled that beautiful smile that made me melt. "I am hungry, and it's been a while since I had a home cooked meal."

"He is excited to eat something that isn't meatballs." Silk said and we all laughed.

The meal was fabulous. Velta had made 4 turkeys for us. Everyone seemed to be having fun. Even Herb seemed to relax and enjoy the time with the team and the holidays. I saw Jimmy Craig get up from the table early and went into the kitchen with Velta. (I had talked to Jimmy a lot the day before. I knew it would be hard, his first Christmas without his mother and he had to be away from his dad.) Talk around the table centered a lot on football. The Pittsburgh Steelers were having a great year. Cox said it was unfair that one city win two championships in one year. Since the Pirates had won the World Series, then the Steelers shouldn't be allowed in the Superbowl. I laughed.

I stayed at the table talking to the boys, but dad went to sit with Herb and Doc on the couch. I moved over to sit next to Rizzo. A few minutes later Jimmy walked out dressed like Santa and carrying a huge sack. I knew that we had bought each other gag gifts; I didn't know that Jimmy was going to be Santa…literally! We started clapping and cheering.

"Nice outfit Jim." Buzz laughed.

"Bet you get a lot of dates wearing that!" Verchota yelled.

"Hey, I think he looks very handsome." I said. I noticed dad give me a funny look.

"Let's open some presents, huh boys?" Jimmy said.

"I think Chev should open hers first!" Bah yelled.

Everyone turned to look at me. "Any particular reason?" I asked.

"Your gift is a gift that benefits all men." Ramsey said.

I looked at Rizzo who was smiling. I wondered what those boys were up to. Jimmy handed me a package and whispered, "We checked with Rizzo first, he doesn't mind."

I wondered what that could mean. I looked around and saw everyone including my dad, Doc and Herb watching. I opened the small box and inside was a headband with mistletoe attached to it.

"You've got to be kidding me?" I said picking it up. The team started laughing and clapping.

"Put it on." "Come on lets see how it looks." They started yelling.

Being a good sport I put it on and they started clapping.

"Let's line up to kiss her. Who is first in line?" Christian yelled.

"I think Santa should get the first kiss!" Baker yelled.

"Boys, you can't kiss me. My dad is right there, and you know how protective daddies can be!" I said with a laugh.

"Awww Chev, I think every guy should get to kiss a cute girl under the mistletoe at Christmas." Dad said with a smile.

"DADDY!" I pretended to whine. "You're no help at all!"

"All right, Santa kisses her first. Then I say we go in alphabetical order. Baker, Broten get ready." OC said.

I walked over to where Jimmy was. I could see Rizzo smiling so at least this wasn't making him angry.

"There is one catch." Dad said. "You can only kiss her on her cheeks. No choking her with your tongue!"

We all laughed, knowing this was all in fun. Jimmy leaned down and kissed my cheek and I gave him a hug. All the guys whistled. Before I could turn around Baker had jumped up and was puckered up. We all laughed as he kissed my cheek as well.

It turned out to be a lot of fun. The guys kissing my cheeks, me hugging them everyone laughing and cheering. When I came to Rizzo, everyone was laughing harder, I think because Rizzo had to kiss my cheeks, when he kissed me all the time anyways!

"I have waited to long for this." Bah said when it was his turn.

"But I am not a blonde!" I said.

"It's okay. You're still cute." Bah said and swept me over his arm in a dip. He kissed both my cheeks in dramatic fashion. When he stood me back up I saw dad, Herb and Doc laughing. This really was fun.

One by one the team kissed me on my cheeks. Janny, Rammer, and so on and then we got to OC.

OC kissed my cheek then hugged me and whispered in my ear, "I just kissed my best friend's girl. I am such a bastard." He said sarcastically and we both chuckled.

"I get to kiss the prettiest girl on the team." Buzz said.

"You get to kiss the only girl on the team!" I said and Buzz kissed my cheek.

When I got to Verchota he jumped up, "I have been waiting a long time for this."

I laughed as he kissed my cheek. "Was that as good for you as it was for me?" I asked him and I swear he actually blushed when the rest of the guys started laughing.

The rest of the team then began opening presents as Jimmy passed them out. I took a seat next to Rizzo and watched everyone open their presents. I sipped on a beer and Velta put out some cookies. Christian got a clown's wig that he put on. He looked funny and we cheered. Verchota put on the bull horns he opened and Suter put on his large green leprechaun hat. Bah got a workman's hat. And it made him look cute. OC got a large cigar and Buzz was wearing a clown nose!

"Rizzo, here is your gift." Jimmy said.

I smiled at him. "Open it; I want to see what you got. It couldn't be as silly as mistletoe on your head!" I said, wishing I could kiss him.

"Just wear that mistletoe later." Rizzo whispered with a wink.

I watched him open his package. Inside were little alien antennae with silver balls on the ends. I giggled. He pulled them out and put them on to be a good sport. I laughed and hugged him. Mac was blowing bubbles at us. I looked down the table and saw Johnson wearing a beanie. All the boys looked so cute in their holiday gag gifts, and they were smiling and happy.

"I think it's time to give Silky his gift." Mac said to Jimmy.

Jimmy handed Silky a package and Mac went to stand by Silk. I watched with half interest while eating a few cookies and taking a sip of Rizzo's beer, having finished mine!

Silky opened up a small box and pulled out a pair of purple silk and lacy women's underwear. I recognized them as those Mac and Jimmy had me buy a few weeks earlier. I nearly choked as I swallowed the cookie that was in my mouth.

"Those are…" I started but Rizzo put his hand over my mouth.

"You're girl left these at my place." Mac told Silky as everyone started laughing and clapping. Rizzo let go of me to join them. I was laughing too but rolling my eyes, finally putting together why they needed the panties and all. "With some milk and cookies. Give her a hug for me." Mac finished.

Silky was chuckling, "You guys are unbelievable."

When Mac sat back down I gave him a look and he shrugged his shoulders. I laughed and hugged him. The boys were still laughing, most nursing beers.

"Hey boys, we still got two more presents to open up." Jimmy said holding up two packages. He handed my dad a package. "Coach Patrick from the boys."

"Thought you forgot." Dad said taking the package. He read the card. "To Craig……that's beautiful boys."

We all laughed and watched as dad opened the small box. He laughed when he saw what it was. "Oh you're gonna like this one." He said to Herb and pulled a small plastic whistle out of the box.

We all laughed as Herb turned around and muttered something at us. Dad blew the whistle.

"Again" a few yelled. Dad blew the whistle again.

"Again." We all yelled and laughed. Dad blew the whistle.

"Again."

Herb took the whistle, "It's going back in the box." He said and put it away. We all laughed.

"And Herb, Merry Christmas from the boys." Jimmy said and handed a package to Herb.

Herb took the package and looked at us. We all started a drum roll as Herb opened his gift. Herb opened his gift to find it was a bullwhip.

"Ah yes, the gift that keeps on giving!" Herb said and we all snickered.

We all started calling for Herb to make a speech. Herb stood up and faced us. "Well this may come as a shock to some of you guys, but I'm really not very good at making sentimental speeches." Herb said.

We all pretended to be shocked.

"And I don't think I should start tonight, so…" Herb hesitated and actually smiled. "Hey thanks for having me over Velta."

"Goodnight Herb." Velta said with a wave.

"Merry Christmas, Doc." Herb said and shook Doc's hand. Herb waved at my dad. Herb looked at all of us. "You guys have a great holiday!"

We all called out our goodbyes and good wishes to Herb as he walked out.

As Herb left we all watched him, then OC announced that he was getting a football game started. While dad stayed with Doc, the rest of us bundled up and headed outside. Verchota built a small bonfire and I stood by him watching the boys play football. For a time I forgot about the problems of the world, Afghanistan, hostages in Iran, problems in transportation and the cold war. The only thing on my mind was I was happy, it was the holidays and I was with people I loved.

The boys were all running and laughing. Buzz slid down the hill and the boys went chasing him. I laughed as Verchota went to join them. Even Jimmy Craig in his Santa suit was out there playing.

"Are you a cheerleader?" dad asked walking up behind me.

"I don't know. They're just so fun to watch." I said. "Are you having a good evening?"

"Great. This is a nice way to spend the holiday." Dad said. "I am going to head back to the apartment in about a half hour. You gonna stay?"

"Yeah, I am going to head back with a few of the boys and hang out a while." I said.

"Okay, just don't forget we have to be at the Brooks' tomorrow for Christmas dinner." Dad said.

"Oh don't worry, I'll be back in time to have Christmas morning with my daddy!" I said and gave him a hug.

"Have fun." Dad said.

I watched dad walk back in the house and turned to see the boys chasing Mac who had the ball. I laughed and cheered as Mac got a touchdown. Rizzo walked over to me.

"Having fun?" Rizzo asked me.

"So much fun." I said and hugged him tight. "I am so happy. I can't think of anywhere else I would rather be."

"You look so cute in that mistletoe earlier."

"I am glad you didn't mind the guys kissing me." I said.

"They were just kissing your cheeks. Besides, it was funny to watch your face. It was so funny when your dad gave us all permission to kiss you!" Rizzo said. "As long as I am the only one who gets to kiss you on the lips."

I laughed as a few of the others came over to stand with us by the fire. We stood around talking for awhile, till Mac and OC thought it would be fun to start a snowball fight. I hid behind whoever I could find and tried to avoid snow. I remember diving behind Pavelich and then ducking behind Cox. We were all laughing so hard; I was almost out of breath. I fell down in the snow tired.

"Chev is making snow angels!" Jimmy yelled. The guys all gathered around me and looked at me.

"Rizzo, help me up. I am too tired to move!" I said. Rizzo laughed and helped to pull me up. "I am going inside for awhile."

I walked inside, leaving the boys to play football or have a snowball fight or whatever they were doing! I walked into the kitchen and saw Velta cleaning up. She smiled at me.

"Mrs. Nagobads, you have done enough. Let me finish. Go spend some time with the others. Enjoy the evening." I told her.

"Oh you don't have to…" she started.

"I want to. I'll finish up. You have done more than enough. Thank you so much for having us in your home!" I said.

Velta walked out of the kitchen and I began washing the last of the dishes. I found myself humming Christmas tunes. I put some leftovers in the fridge. And began wiping off the counter. I felt cold hands wrap around my waist and cold lips on my neck. I knew it was Rizzo and leaned back into the embrace.

"Hey beautiful." Rizzo said.

"Mike, be careful. Doc or Velta may see us." I said but made no effort to pull away.

"They are both talking with some of the guys who came in to warm up." Rizzo said. "I came in here to get warmed up!"

About that time Silk walked into the kitchen. His cheeks were red from the cold.

"With those rosy-red cheeks, you really could be Santa!" I told him. "Can I sit on your lap again, Santa?" I winked at Rizzo.

"Craig's dresses as Santa, go sit on his lap." Silk said.

"But you're my Santa from way back, and you keep telling me I am the young sexy Mrs. Claus." I said and put my arms around his neck.

"Mac must have spiked the eggnog!" Silk said with a wink. "I knew you were kidding. You're so crazy about Rizzo I don't think you have even thought about another man since July."

I hugged Silk. "Merry Christmas, Silky."

"You too, Mrs. Eruzione." Silk joked. He grabbed a beer from the fridge and left the kitchen.

I giggled and turned around and hugged Rizzo. It felt good to be in his arms. "This has been so nice of Doc and Velta." I said.

"Yeah, but I can't wait to have some holiday time alone with you." Rizzo said and kissed me quickly.

"We can leave anytime you want." I said. "OC hid your gift in your dorm room for me, so it is already there."

"Great, well let's go." Rizzo said. He started to walk out of the kitchen then turned back to me. "Is there something going on with you and Silky I should know about?" Rizzo said with a wink.

"Well, he did kiss me under the mistletoe. And I bought him panties!" I said but couldn't keep from laughing. "Come on, let's go back to the U."

We walked into the family room and said our goodbyes and wished everyone a good holiday. I hugged OC goodbye as he was going to Mac's for Christmas. Then Rizzo and I walked to his car.

As we drove I moved to sit close to Rizzo and we listened to Christmas tunes on the radio. I held Rizzo's hand and sang along.

"What did you get me for Christmas?" Rizzo asked.

"I am not telling; you'll have to wait!" I said and kissed his cheek.

"OC told me I would love it, but wouldn't tell me what it was!" Rizzo said.

"I knew I could trust OC." I said with a laugh.

When we arrived at the dorms, Rizzo and I walked inside. The college had put up a few decorations for the holidays. Walking into Rizzo and OC's room I saw they had hung up a few small decorations.

"Okay, you can have yours first." Rizzo said motioning for me to sit down.

I threw my jacket on OC's bed and sat down on the couch. I watched Rizzo dig behind the couch, and when he turned around he was holding a large teddy bear wearing a Boston University Jersey. He handed it to me.

"Sorry I didn't wrap it. I am not much good at wrapping." Rizzo said.

"Oh, Mike. He is adorable. I am going to call him Mike after you." I said hugging the bear.

"The bear is for you to snuggle with on the nights that you can't snuggle with me. That way I am kinda with you, when I can't be physically." Rizzo said. "And that Jersey is my old practice jersey from Boston. I thought you would look cute using it as a nightshirt the nights you are able to snuggle with me. It's big enough for you to wear to sleep in."

I was almost in tears. "Oh Mike, that is the most…I love you so much." I said and hugged Rizzo tight. I couldn't believe he had given me something so wonderful.

"I love you too." He said and hugged me just as tight!

"Okay, now you get your gift." I told him and went to dig under OC's bed for Rizzo's gift. I pulled it out and walked back over and handed it to him than sat with him on the couch. "Open it."

"What is it?" he asked.

"Will you just open it?" I said.

Rizzo opened the smaller package to reveal an engraved flask that Rizzo had been admiring a few weeks earlier when we were shopping. He looked at it a few times and then looked at me.

"You went back and bought this for me?" Rizzo asked. I nodded. "Chev, I don't know what to say? I love it. Thank you so much." He said and hugged me.

"You're welcome. Now open the other box." I said.

I watched as he opened the box to reveal several types of home baked cookies. "Chev, this has chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar cookies. This is great, all my favorites. How did you know?" Rizzo asked looking at me.

"I called your mom." I said. "You mentioned missing your mom's cookies for Christmas. So I called and got her recipes for your favorite kinds of cookies."

"Thank you so much. That is…thank you." Rizzo said.

"It's no problem, I love you, and I didn't mind doing it at all." I said and hugged him.

"I love you too." Rizzo said and kissed me.

I wrapped both arms around Rizzo and he deepened the kiss. I gently stroked the back of his neck and moved closer to him. I felt him slide his hand under my shirt and rest on my sides. He gently pushed me back onto the couch and gently lay on top of me. He started to move his hands upwards inside my shirt but stopped and pulled back.

"What's wrong?" I asked him.

"You didn't stop me?" Rizzo said.

"I didn't want you to stop!" I told him and kissed him softly. Rizzo looked at me a bit confused. "Make love to me, Mike!"

"Are you sure? We don't have to. I can wait. I don't want to rush you into anything. I can wait till you're ready." Rizzo said.

I put a finger over his lips. "Mike, I love you and I want to be with you in every way." I told him and touched his cheek.

Rizzo stood up and picked me up and carried me the short distance to his bed. He gently laid me down on the bed and then he lay down next to me. He leaned down and kissed me.

"I love you Chevon." He said.

"I know." I said. "That's why I trust you. That's why I waited for you."

I leaned up and kissed him again pulling him down with me. I couldn't believe how much I loved this man. I knew I would be safe and okay with him. And I trusted him more than I had ever trusted anyone in my life before!

I woke up snuggled safely in Rizzo's arms. He was lightly stroking my hair away from my face. I smiled up at him and kissed him softly. I noticed the clock said 2:30 AM.

"Are you okay?" Rizzo asked.

I looked up at him, "Yes, I've never been better. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well I have heard, you know, about girls' first times…it hurts and that. Are you okay? Did I hurt you or anything?" he asked and I put a finger over his lips.

"It was more perfect than I ever imagined my first time could be. You were very gentle…and it was amazing." I said and kissed him.

"This is turning out to be such a great Christmas." Rizzo said.

"It is. You make everything in my life better." I told him snuggling against him.

"I wish you didn't have to go back to the apartment and you could spend Christmas day here with me."

"Me too, but I am all daddy has. We always spend Christmas together. And the Brooks' are expecting me." I said. "But I do have about four hours before I have to go to the apartment."

"Well," Rizzo said rolling over on top of me. "We shouldn't waste it. I know the perfect way to spend it." He said and kissed me.

Note- The movie has the invasion of Afghanistan taking place before the game against the IHL All-Stars. In reality, The Soviets invaded Afghanistan on Christmas Eve, so I wrote it that way.

This was a long chapter I know, but I enjoyed writing it and hope everyone enjoys reading it

Emador- I love your reviews! I never knew that Silky getting drunk would amuse so many people! And OC just seemed like the type that would joke a little about country people. Thanks for the idea about reminding Silky of his Santa antics, hope you enjoyed it!

Meadow567- Thank you so much, I am so excited that you would recommend my story. (hug) I have ideas for a new Miracle story floating in my head, I may ask for your advice!

Nikkd03- The Bullwhip that the boys give Herb would be a gift idea from another of the boys that Chevon and Rizzo wasn't involved in.

Klinoa- Thanks for the review! Loved your joked about plugging the story. And thanks so much for all the kind comments. Chevon wants to hug you for saying she is cool! LOL

Also want to say hi to my other readers babe7878, Mrs. Rizzo, PrincessBethy, Alyssa, and DarkDestiney2000! Hope you're all out there in ficland having fun!