Disclaimer:Disney owns Kim Possible. Only the story is mine.

Chapter 18: Last Minute Gifts
Kim felt all her energy sapped from her being at hearing the truth. One week no more, that was all the time they had left together. Every time Ron spoke the tears had come harder and faster. He had carefully gotten her to sit back down on the couch as he held her gently waiting for the pain to subside.

"KP? If I go out to the kitchen and use the phone will you be alright?" He didn't want her to be left alone. "I will ask Shego to come in and keep you company." As he stood and slowly walked to the kitchen making sure she was never out of his sight.

"Shego, would you go in and sit with Kim while I use the phone?"

Shego only nodded as she got up from the table and went to the living room.

Ron went over and took the cordless handset from the wall mount and started for the back door. "Mrs. Dr. P, would you come out here with me for a minute?"

"Sure Ronald, let me get a coat."

Putting on her coat she followed Ron out the door shutting it behind them once they were on the back step. "Ron, Amy told me about your condition. You told Kimmie, didn't you?"

"Yes, she took it better than I thought she would." Ron looked up into her face with sad and tired eyes. "I wanted to ask you a serious question. Actually I needed to ask you and Mr. P together, but I was hoping you could help with that."

"Whatever it is Ronald, of course I will help, and I know James will too." As she put a hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks." Ron looked like he was having trouble finding the words. "I know this is really short notice, but I need to do this as soon as possible. For Kim."

"What do you need help with?"

"I need to get Kim to marry me before it's too late. She was really set on getting married and then I went away. I need to contact everyone and get this arranged if possible. I realize it is Christmas, but I need this to happen for her. Kim has been hurt so much these past few months, I have to do this for her."

"Let me see what I can do Ronald. Give me the phone and let me call our pastor and Rabbi Katz and see what we can do." Ann took the phone from his hand and gently hugged him, feeling just how weak he had become. "Go inside and relax and let me get this done, leave it to me."

Ron left her with a grateful smile and headed back into the house as she began dialing the phone. This was the one time she wouldn't take no for an answer, an answer she never heard as she made call after call.

Kim looked like she was going to explode from the couch as he sat down next to her. Shego just nodded expectantly as he put his arm around Kim settling her down. Ron felt Shego touch his shoulder as she passed on her way back to the kitchen.

"Thanks Shego."

"It's alright Ron." She said softly as she passed into the kitchen doorway.

"Is everything alright?" Kim asked snuggling into his arms.

"Fine… fine KP. Nothing to worry about." As he kissed her temple. "Now, how about we get you to bed. You've had a lot of excitement for one night. I've already made a complete shambles out of Christmas Eve. I don't want you to be tired for Christmas day too. What do you say?"

Kim just nodded rubbing his cheek with her forehead. Carefully they stood up together, Kim still wrapped around his arm. Slowly they walked to the stairs leading to her loft. They stopped momentarily as she eyed him speculatively, an unvoiced question passed between them, and Ron nodded. Kim led them up the stairs holding Rons hand all the way up.

Ron's eyes darted around the loft picking out familiar objects in the dim light. His feelings of doubt intensified as he could see the outline of Kims back as she slipped her oversize nightshirt on and sat down on the edge of the bed to remove her cargoes. 'Why do I always get myself into this situation?' Ron thought. 'Because I love her, and she loves me." A smile crossed his face as Kim patted the mattress beside her.

"Come on Ron, I won't bite…" she cooed "unless you want me to."

Ron swallowed hard. "Well, that's good to know." Slipping out of his clothes he donned a pair of pajama bottoms and slid between the covers feeling the warmth left behind by his partner. "I do have to get an early start in the morning KP. There are some arrangements that have to be made, and I don't want to leave them till the last minute." Kim slipped an arm around his chest letting her fingers linger briefly, twisting his sparse chest hair. Slowly Kim pulled herself in closer, snuggling into the crook of his arm, and laid her head on his shoulder. "I don't know how I ever lasted this long in Kims company." He muttered under his breath."

"What do you mean by that Ron?" Kim asked pulling back to look him in the eyes.

"I mean, How did I manage to keep a respectful distance all those nights when we were flying here and there. And all the while you were catching a quick catnap or sleeping so close beside me. It must have been an act of sheer willpower unequalled by even the most devout monks not to have even tried to hold you tight."

"Well put away that willpower and wrap those arms around me tight. Tonight you are going to touch me, that is the most distance I will tolerate tonight." Her voice smoldered as it trailed off. Kim pulled in closer, snuggling ever closer as she began planting little kisses from one ear, down his jaw, and back up to his other ear ending up making a meal by nibbling on his earlobe. Softly she whispered in his ear, "Remember it's Christmas Eve, and I want you to give me the present I wanted." Gently she moved till she straddled his legs. Looking down into his face with a passionate gaze she let him ponder his current position.

"Black Holes… Deep Black Holes…" Ron mumbled as Kim pressed closer to him.

"Not tonight Ron. If anyone tries to take you from me they will have the fight of their life on their hands. Tonight you and I are together and here we will stay." Never before had she seen the want and need reflected in his eyes, but now she did. His arms wrapped around her drawing ever closer. What began with slow deliberate kisses quickly changed into long heated exchanges. Tongues twisted and breaths came in quick gasps as pairs of hands roamed and clutched in ways long past denied by both, love would be sated and grown in the hours of peace and joy.

Kim awoke Christmas morning feeling content and happier than she had in quite a long time. She kept her eyes closed not wanting to ruin the magic of the moment. Warm beneath the heavy blanket she rested her head on Rons chest as he slowly caressed her arms and back. Occasionally he would stroke her hair and receive a gentle purring as she rubbed against his shoulder with her cheek. Gentle kisses to her temple and forehead, that was the way to be awakened by the one you love. Stirring slowly she wrapped her arms around her Ron and opened her eyes to behold warm chocolate brown eyes sparkling back at her.

"Kimmie… Kimmie… Time to get dressed, we're going to church for the morning service." Mrs. Possible whispered into her daughters' ear.

"Come on KP. I heard they're having a special service this morning. Everyone is going to be there. I don't want to be the last ones there." A soft and gentle voice resonated from beneath her.

"You're coming with us Ron?" came a little girl voice.

"Yes Kim, even my parents are going to meet us there. What do you say we get you showered and changed and head over that way huh?"

40 minutes later and many anxious moments later Mr. Possible had rounded up the entire household and herded them out to the waiting van.

"Where is Ron daddy?" Kim asked looking confused and slightly trepidatious.

"Kimmie-cub, your mother wanted Ronald to take a blood test before we got too busy this morning, so she took him to the office and they will meet us at the service." He felt bad for his daughter, they had been less than an hour apart and already she was feeling the pangs of separation. "Don't worry Kimmie, Ron is with your mother. Everything is fine, he will be there."

Drakken stepped out from the rear seat of the minivan and placed Kim between Shego and himself. As he slid the door shut Kim grabbed his and Shegos' hands clutching them tightly. He just smiled softly at her, noticing her pleading eyes. "He will be there." He said with a gentle squeeze of her hand.

The ride to the church had been tense, but uneventful. Kim kept scanning the roadside all the way there fearing Ron was stuck on the roadside in trouble.

Drakken and Shego had stayed with her on the steps as she watched the driveway for her mother and Ron's arrival. Music had begun from the main hall signaling the service was about to begin. Fear gripped her until she felt a pair of hands slip around her pulling her back into the entryway. Kim gave a short and startled yelp.

"Come on Kim, we're missing the start of the service."

"Ron! When did you? How?" she asked pleadingly as he ushered her into the church. "I didn't see dad's car."

"We got here a little while ago." He whispered walking her down the center aisle. "Your mom wanted to park out back for a faster getaway later." A wide smile crossing his face.

The service was spectacular. The beautiful story of how God sent his only begotten son to take human form. Teaching peace and love to the masses, and ultimately to die in payment for their sins. The message of hope evermore present in the minds of all; given recent events occurring in their midst. A message not lost on one particular auburn haired beauty and her blonde fiancée, one not lost on anyone with half a heart. Hearing his voice in song right beside her sent chills through their joined hands and across her body. Kim would see his smile as he sang, and felt the gentle squeeze of his hand as they joined their voices.

The service was coming to a close as Pastor Smith was giving the closing prayer. As he finished he motioned the congregation to please stay seated for a minute. "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to invite a special young man to the pulpit for a special announcement. Ronald."

Kim turned with a questioning in her eyes as Ron stood smiling and stepped forward. Ron received a hearty handshake and a gentle embrace from Pastor Smith as he took the podium.

"I wanted to thank all of you who have offered their assistance on such short notice. My thanks seem woefully inadequate for the kindness and generosity you have shown Kim and I." Ron took a deep breath before pushing on. "I just hope the second part of today's special service can be just as special as the first."

Kim showed a look of puzzlement listening to his speech. Slowly she looked around the auditorium and spotted familiar faces. Familiar from any other aspect, except that they were here at her church. The cheerleading squad was seated about three or four rows behind her on the right, Monique and Felix were seated with Ron's parents, and they were flanked by Rabbi Katz. She had the sudden feeling of having been ambushed.

Ron stepped from behind the podium watching Kim with a steady gaze. "Kimberly Ann Possible… a little over a month ago we were poised to make a sacred pact before god and all our friends, right here in this church. That event never took place for reasons that are all too familiar to us all." Ron began a slow march toward her. "Here today on the most joyous and precious days I would like to give the ultimate gift to the woman I love."

A small pink blur flew past her down the aisle. Rufus raced at top speed down the aisle and scurried up Ron's pants leg. Holding out something shiny for Ron to take.

Ron continued down the center aisle, his eyes never left Kim's as he continued to speak. "For a long time I denied, even to myself, my own true feelings for you. I have been by your side through so much. I owe so much of my life to you; I wouldn't be the person I am today without knowing you. You know the situation that stands before me. You asked me once to share that burden with you. Today, on this Christmas Day, a day of profound joy and love. Marry me Kim. Marry me now, here, before all our friends and family let the love we shared through all our adventures be the final memory I take with me. Be my wife."

Ron knelt down taking her hand holding, the ring with his opposite hand, he waited. A tear ran down his cheek continuing to meet her gaze. Weeping could be heard from their friends on the cheer squad behind them resonating through the church.

Slowly she slipped from her seat and knelt with him. "Ron I will marry you on one condition." Tears streaming down her cheeks as she spoke with words clipped with sobs.

Sheepishly he replied, "Anything."

"When it comes my time to pass from this life, I want it to be you that carries me through the gates of heaven. Without your love to guide me I will be lost, and eternity would be unbearable. Promise me…"

"KP, I promise."

Kim threw herself into Ron's arms as they held each other tightly.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Pastor Smith announced from the pulpit. "If you will give us approximately 45 minutes to get prepared, we are going to have a Christmas wedding." A thunderous applause rose as the couple rose to adjourn to their respective dressing rooms. Kim smiled brightly as she laid her head on his shoulder as they were escorted to the rear of the sanctuary for the final preparations.

The decorations and re-arrangement of the sanctuary took less time than was expected, as so many stayed to help. Soon all that was left to do was wait for the wedding party to finish dressing and take their starting places.

"Mom, How did Ron get all this set-up in such a short time? I mean he got back late last night and he really didn't have the time to set it all up."

Bonnie and Tara were doing Kim's hair, and Nana was sitting in the back of the dressing room just watching and listening with her usual twisted grin. Ann Possible sat down next to Nana. With a sly smile she regarded her daughter with a certain amount of pride. Kim had finally realized after so long that Ron was the right man for her, even if it seemed it was going to be a little late.

"Kimmie, Ron asked me for help last night. You remember when he went out into the kitchen?"

"Yes."

"Well he asked for my help in arranging this ceremony. He wanted to give you what you had wanted."

"So you got all this done last night?"

"No, not all of it Bonnie, Tara and Monique assisted for the greater portion. I just got the bigger ticket items, like the church and Pastor Smith and Rabbi Katz. Although it seemed like the bigger of the tasks, really it wasn't. Both almost fell all over themselves when I asked. I thought Rabbi Katz would appear moments after I hung up the phone he was so enthusiastic."

"I never realized how much everyone thought of Ron." Kim said getting slightly misty eyed.

"Hold on Possible," Bonnie snapped "No more tears this morning. I just got your makeup done, and we don't want you looking like a raccoon today."

Tara and Monique just giggled at Bonnie's admonishment. And returned to fixing up Kims flowing red hair.

"Now for the dress Kim." Monique's voice as calm as could be, like this was everyday for her.

Kim stood and watched as Nana slipped out the door, she took her place behind a hastily fashioned curtain and waited for the dress.

"Kimberly Ann, I couldn't find your original dress, but I think this one will do." As the door shut behind Nana.

Horror. "My dress, my wedding dress, it's missing. Now what will I do?" carefully she peeked from around the curtain. Her mother looked awestruck and absolutely immersed in tears. Her three friends stood there with eyes as big as platters as Nana stood holding the most beautiful antique white wedding dress she had ever seen.

Kim felt as though she would collapse at any moment. "Nana, where did you get that beautiful dress?" Something about it seemed familiar but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Then she remembered, this was Nana's wedding dress. "But Nana," she stammered. "This is your wedding dress, the one you wore when you married grand-pa. I couldn't."

"Nonsense Kimberly, I couldn't wish for a better time for it to come out of retirement." She handed it to Bonnie, who began to remove it from its protective wrappings. "It served me so well, I know it will do the same for you."

Kim relaxed at the comforting words of Nana Possible. Before she knew it she was standing in the entryway to the sanctuary. Gripping her fathers arm so tightly a soft groan loosed from his lips. After the wedding march started she barely remembered anything. All she saw was the look in Ron's eyes, pure, longing, absolute love reflected in his eyes. Reaching their places before Pastor Smith and Rabbi Katz, her father smiled brightly with tears in his eyes as he kissed her cheek for the last time, as his little girl.

Turning he placed Kim's hand in Ron's, "Ronald, I know it never needed to be said, especially to you, but take care of my Kimmie-cub." He firmly shook Ron's hand and took his place beside his wife.