Twister jogged across the street into his mother's outstretched arms and returned her hug. He could hear plenty of voices coming from inside the house, many of his relatives came to stay during the holidays. He and his mother walked into the living room and his cousins Scotty and Clio came to greet him first before various aunts, uncles, and grandparents came to welcome him home.

It was as strange as ever to see Scotty now towering above him by almost an entire head, but Clio still looked so much like Reggie that it had almost become difficult to tell them apart but for their differing fashion styles. Once the extended relatives gave Twister some room to breathe, he walked over to his father sitting in his favorite chair and he bent over to give the older man a hug.

"Welcome back, mi hijo. Thank you for taking time to see your family." His father's welcome was genuine but Twister knew that his father never approved of his staying friends with those Rocket children all these years later, or his decision to go into filming for television instead of coming to work at the company his father worked for.

"Glad to see you, dad. Any word from Lars?"

"He couldn't get away from the garage over the holidays, he won't be able to come visit until after the new year at the earliest."

"At least he gets to come by more often than I do. I kind of miss him sometimes."

"That is the price of moving away from family. But no one stays in their parents' home forever."

Twister's mother, Sandy, came out of the kitchen and informed everyone that dinner would be served soon.

"Oh, that's right. Raymundo and Noalani invited us to come over and visit tonight. I'm sure we could bring our food over and have a big cook out for all the families."

"Nonsense, we have all the family we need here, no need to spend all of your time with them instead of with your flesh and blood" Raoul dismissed the invitation rudely. He was always disapproving in the most polite way he could be of Raymundo and his kids.

"Everyone can come, Raymundo and the guys have always been good with our family."

"Come on, Raoul," Sandy coaxed, "Ray and Noalani have always been friendly and inviting, you just never want to go treat the man like a friend."

"Anyone who wants to go is welcome to go. I would prefer to stay in my home and spend time with my family." Raoul stayed firm in his armchair.

To his surprise, everyone else shrugged and got up to carry platters of home made mexican cuisine across the street to the Rocket home leaving him alone in his chair.

Reggie and Paula arrived at the back porch of the Rocket house just as the Rodriguez family began to cross the street. Sam and Tito came from the Dullard house not far behind them. Ray and Noalani already had the grill going and got dishes and silverware out enough to feed a small army- which might be just enough given the entire extended Rodriguez family who came over and were introduced by Twister.

Sam remarked at how 'Little Scotty' had even surpassed his own height, and Clio and Reggie hugged like a pair of long separated twins.

"So does Raymundo know yet?" Clio asked hiding a sly smile.

"I don't know, I didn't think to bring it up. If Rocket Boy hasn't said anything then they probably don't know anything about you two."

"I wish I could see him. Its so hard to keep up a relationship with someone always on the road or in traction." Both girls laughed at the strange life Otto led.

"Dad told us he's up in Reno, that's not really that far if people are willing to give up a whole day going to see him."

"Could we? Imagine how great it would be to get everyone together again. Oh if only we could get Tito's nephew to visit us too, what was his name again?"

"Oh you mean Keoni? I still think he's living in Hawaii, but yeah it would be slammin' to have him around for once. I haven't seen him since high school."

The younger people continued their conversations while various adults became acquainted.

Raoul crossed the cul-de-sac after several minutes of arguing with himself. He walked straight over to Ray and the two men stared each other down for a few moments before Ray extended his hand, and in symbolism an olive branch. They may never have seen eye to eye, and they never had been good at discussing their problems with each other. The holidays were a time for family, joy, peace, and goodwill, and now was as good a time as there could be to have a new start between neighbors. The two men shook hands for the first time ever and parted ways as Raoul went to go sit with his wife and siblings. They may never be the friends their children were, but it was the first step in the right direction.