Epilogue: Goodbye to the Old, Hello to the New

Marissa marveled at how fast the time passed between their return to the Foundation on Christmas and now, almost a week later. Michael, strangely enough, didn't have any cases the entire time and stayed at the Foundation. When he asked Devon about why, the older man simply smiled and said that he wasn't taking any chances until after the first of the year. There had not been as much material the little girl was reading up on as there had been the past 2 holidays.

"At least there's one holiday that hasn't been changed around much at all," she said as she read it in front of Devon and Kitt, "Simply celebrating the end of one year and the arrival of the new."

"Yes," the Englishman replied, "Although the manner of celebrating it varies, depending on what part of the world you're in."

"And what about around here, father?"

He still smiled at her softly whenever he heard her call him that. He replied, "Well…normally, the Foundation holds a part for everyone…although this year, I'm thinking of something more…personal."

"Oh?"

"Yes. You'll be staying up rather late tonight," he said, "After all, you'll be ringing in the new year right along with us."

"Really? Wow," she replied.

Michael came in at that moment, hearing the last part of the conversation. "Where at?" he asked.

"Somewhere with an excellent view," Devon replied with a little smile, "My own surprise."

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Later that night, around 10:30 PM, two vehicles, one of them being Kitt, left the parking lot of the Foundation. Devon's Mercedes was in the lead, since he was the only one that knew where they were going. Kitt was behind the other car, also curious.

"One heckuva year," Michael said quietly to the other passenger in the car: Marissa.

"You said it, for everyone," she replied, "and new lives for everyone, especially Kitty, father and I."

"Papa was right," he said quietly, "I've never seen Devon happier or so touched when you call him that."

The little girl looked about her as they travelled…and about an hour later, the two vehicles stopped…on a cliff.

Michael and Marissa got out of Kitt and looked around…with wide eyes.

The place that Devon chose was a wide cliff that overlooked the ocean.

"Wow…you sure know how to pick 'em," he said to Devon.

"But of course. I know you and Marissa both like places like this…and it's the perfect place for this little family of ours to have our own party for bringing in the new year."

"Hear hear," Marissa replied as Michael opened the trunk and took out a few things…like a large blanket, snacks, cups…and a basket.

Devon took out of the Mercedes trunk a two bottles…one was a regular bottle of soda, while the other was green, with a cork in it.

"What's that?" Michael asked after Bonnie took the things from him and started setting up the blanket and other stuff. RC, who was in the other car, went with her.

"A memorable drink for us adults…for a memorable time." He whispered quietly, "Dom."

Michael's eyes widened. "Whoa. Memorable is right!"

"Marissa, c'mon over here," Bonnie waved to her, "And help me get this set up."

"Okay!" the little girl replied and hurried over.

"Don't run, Rissie. It's dark and you could fall off!" Devon called out, then had Michael help him with the drinks before they both headed over to the spot.

Behind them, Kitt moved until he was directly behind the whole group, then remained still.

"It's been such a year," Devon said quietly as he sat down and saw that Marissa sat beside him, "Full of surprises and changes for everyone. Parkson was finally brought to justice, you're finally free and living a new life with a family that loves you very much…"

"Aw, father," she chuckled, feeling her face become hot.

"Well, it's true!" He chuckled and continued, "And even the past two months have been most memorable…for everyone. A few close calls, some surprises…and through it all, we're still together, with a bond that's become stronger than before."

"That's more true than we realized," Michael agreed as Bonnie set out the glasses.

At this moment, Kitt activated a timer, which counted down from 15 minutes. At ten then five minutes, he would announce the time, then count down from one minute vocally.

"What a pretty place to have a private party," Marissa said with a smile as she leaned against Devon.

He put an arm around her, nodding.

"Hey, can we do this every year?"

He looked at her for a long moment, then said, "I don't see why not. To be honest, I prefer being with only all of you tonight than at a large reception hall with a lot of people that I don't know all that well."

"Sounds good to me!" Bonnie agreed.

"Ditto, guys. Ditto," Michael put in.

"Right on, dudes and dudettes. Right on," RC said with a grin.

"A yearly thing it is, then."

After a quiet moment, gazing at both the stars and the ocean, Kitt put in, "One minute until midnight."

The Englishman nodded and opened first the Dom (and poured it into the first four champagne glasses), then opened the soda pop and poured it into the remaining glass.

Michael helped him with giving out the glasses, making sure that Marissa got the non-alcoholic one.

"Forty-five seconds."

"Farewell to the old year," Devon spoke out loud.

"And hello to the new," Bonnie added.

"May it bring plenty of memories, mostly good, I hope," was from Michael, "and see us all through good and bad."

"Got that right, guys. This is one family that's gonna make it through it all," RC agreed.

"Knock on wood," Kitt said with a light chuckle in his voice. "Fifteen seconds."

All of them picked up their glasses, facing each other with warm expressions, excitement…and smiles.

"14…13…12…11…10…"

Everyone took up the count, right along with Kitt, starting with Marissa.

"Nine, eight, seven."

Michael joined in. "Seven, six, five!"

Bonnie and RC, "Four, three!"

Devon grinned and raised his glass as he took up the count, "Two!"

"One!" was said by everyone, then all the glasses clinked together as they all said at the same time, "Happy New Year!"

Marissa couldn't help but laugh as she drank some of her soda, while the others sipped Dom. Behind them, Kitt began playing a song that was in his databanks, one that certainly fit the occasion.

The little girl frowned, confused, but the others' faces lightened when they heard it, and most of them sang along.

"Father, what is this?" she asked.

Devon smiled at her, then replied, "Auld Lange Syne, dear…Auld Lange Syne. Originally a song from Scotland, it's sung by many, many people all over the world at this very moment. I'll teach it to you so that next year you can join in."

"I'd like that," she answered, but tried to pick up on the words and sing along anyway, much to the delight of everyone.

Sin' auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin' auld lang syne.
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.

THE END