CB does not belong to me [though I wish it did], which is why I write on here instead of publishing my stories in book form.

So sit back and enjoy reading "A Holiday to Remember". Next posting is whenever I finish!

So sorry about the delay, but so many things have happened all at once. Cat being diagnosed with cancer to me being sick, and him dying just as I was recovering - seriously, it sucked, and then traveling about 400 miles from my home to my brother's house to be a live-in nanny, which has kept me fairly occupied.

The story is starting to wrap up with just a few more chapters to go! And then I can get back to BK4 and a special project with the initials ATS. ;) Ta-ta for now!

Part Nine – New Year's Eve

Beary was cranky, yet again. He was mad about the fact plans had changed. The band wasn't supposed to leave for their tour until the tenth of January, and now since they were performing in New York City for the New Year's Eve celebration because another band had unexpectedly dropped out, they had decided that they'd stay up there and continue their tour from there instead of going back to Tennessee. While the band and the ones going with them had taken the buses [including the new one they had rented from Taylor Enterprises], everyone else had either driven up in a big van or their own cars, with Beary, Jewel, and Fēnglì all riding in Beary's '67 Impala.

At least Ted and Jade were getting married in a few minutes at a courthouse. It wasn't the wedding of the century that everyone expected, but it'd do the job.

While everyone was in their best, the ceremony would have to be short, as the band had to get ready and do sound checks at the stage. The vows were said, Aiden was the ring bearer, and Ray glared at his new son-in-law as the wedding was completed.

"Daddy, we're married now," Jade said after the kiss. "You can stop your glaring."

"I'm always going to glare at that punk after what he put you through," he growled in annoyance. "And rushing this?!" He clenched his fists.

"Yes, the ceremony was supposed to be more, but this came up unexpectedly. It's not his fault."

"He could have said 'no' to playing tonight!"

"Dad, calm down," Jesse responded. "At least they're married now. That's what matters."

"Shoulda taken him down with my shotgun, more like," he gruffed.

Cassandra shook her head. "Raymond, behave yourself. You have a son-in-law now." She looked over at Jesse. "Whereas you are hopeless."

Jesse grinned. "That's because I have too many women on the side."

The shorter black bear sighed. "Someday, you'll find love, I'm sure. Now then, as for Jade, it's a good thing she was able to clear her work schedule for such a long time to go with them."

"Yeah, because she bullied her underlings," Jesse laughed. "Nah, I'm kidding. She just gave those that wanted overtime her hours for a couple months while she works security with the band."

Ray nodded. "She won't be earning any money from her job during this period, though... At least Henry's paying her." He looked over at his friend, who was laughing with his wife at something their four cubs were doing. Well, two minor cubs, two adult cubs.

Lyra was playing with Trista and Jacob, happy as can be as she sat there in the courtroom while Ted and Jade signed the papers. Her cousins were trying to remain respectful, but they, too, wanted to play with the little she-cub. Their parents, however, wouldn't let them move, as it was almost time to go.

"There! Papers signed! I wish we could have done this in Tennessee, but New York City isn't half bad, either!" Ted laughed, kissing his wife's cheek.

"Could have done worse, that's for sure," Jade snorted, poking his nose. "Too bad I don't get you tonight as is customary because you're going to be performing."

"Yeah…"

"Short notice, I know. You don't have to tell me. At least I get you afterwards. But what are we going to be doing until the next concert?"

"Well… We thought maybe venture around the city and state. Maybe go visit a couple places, like the giant Toys R Us store? I do want to go upstate a bit, too."

"Now that sounds like some fun, actually. I think I'd enjoy that a lot."

He laughed. "You big child."

"Of course!" She poked his nose happily and looked around at everyone else who seemed to be having fun; all but a certain teenager. "Well isn't he moody…"

Ted looked to see who she was talking about and nodded. "He's mad that vacation's basically being cut short and that just about all of us are leaving."

"Well, it is a jerk move. Henry's taking away his entire family and leaving him there alone. That kid has hella issues, and taking Helen and Lyra, while on one hand may help, the problem is that they kept him sane. Mèngmèng and I are even leaving… Granted, Mèngmèng has to go because of her pregnancy and going bananas at home, but the point still stands."

"But he still has the Barringtons!"

"Yes, he does, but that's not the point. Henry shouldn't be doing this to him and you know it."

"But Helen wants to go, and Lyra needs to be with her father… especially since she thinks he's neglectful."

"Ted, she's three. She has no idea what 'neglectful' even means!" Jade argued. "I just think it's a bad idea, but, hey, what do I know?"

He sighed. "This was Henry's decision. I suppose he was just trying to lighten the burden on the kid. Leaving him there with both Helen and Lyra was a bad idea from the get-go. One blind, the other, well, having good days and bad days where she can't remember how to do things... It's amazing he hasn't cracked yet."

"Or maybe he has and you all haven't noticed yet." She shook her head. "Ridiculous, the lot of you."

"Yeah, well... We'd better get going. Gotta get to the sound check and get checked in before the streets are fully closed off."

She sighed. "Yeah... Okay. Let's go."

He gave her a kiss. "Hey, it'll be fun! And this time, we don't have to worry about those Biashocks showing up and ruining things."

"Yeah. Bunch of snot-nosed brats. I don't know why they thought they could get away with what they did. I'm just glad that Henry kicked them out."

"That was quite the show, though, seeing that happen."

She nodded and laughed. "Indeed it was. Now, speaking of the show, that last song all of you performed. Uh, 'Remind Me' or something? Who was that for?"

He blinked. "You... don't know?"

"No... That's why I'm asking."

He turned shy and scratched the back of his head. "Well, I wrote it for you."

"Wait, what? For me?"

He nodded. "A little while after the fight. I sent it out to the Hall, but I guess you never got it. Beary and Jewel did, though, so they sang it for us."

"And you all rehearsed it in your spare time, huh?"

He nodded again. "Yup."

"You ass! Why didn't you tell me you wrote me such a song?!"

Ted laughed. "I take it you liked it, then?"

"Enough that when you're done with your concert tonight that I'm going to give you a surprise."

"Oh, myyy... That sounds very promising indeed," he teased.

.~*A Holiday to Remember*~.

"New York City! It's so busy!" Jewel laughed as she looked out the hotel room window down at the streets in awe a few hours after the ceremony. She, Beary, and Fēnglì were sharing a room together, as they weren't able to fit in anywhere else, as the other rooms had been taken by the various families.

Beary sat on his and Fēnglì's bed, shaking his head. "Too busy, if you ask me."

She turned to look at him. "What's your problem?"

"Nothing. Just annoyed."

"You've been 'annoyed' ever since we left Tennessee for here, Beary," she huffed.

"So what?"

"Well, I'm just going to have to fix that."

"Huh?" He glanced over at her. "JEWEL! NO!"

Jewel took a running start, jumped off her bed onto one side of his, and sent him flying before getting him trapped between the wall and the bedframe. "Winner!"

"Jewel!" he complained, trying to get free but failing. "This isn't funny! Stop laughing!"

She grinned and lay flat on the bed, looking down at him and poking his cheek. "But it's hilarious. And now I have you trapped."

He huffed unhappily. "You're a jerk."

"Aw, but you love me," she responded playfully.

"The bane of my life," he smirked.

She laughed and leaned down, kissing his cheek happily. "You want some help out of there?"

"Nah. Rather comfortable, actually." He shifted positions until he was on his back. "Though, there is one thing you could help with."

"Oh?" She let out a startled yelp when he reached up and pulled her down on top of him.

"You can help me keep warm. Now then, nap time."

She blushed hard at this turn of events. "B-Beary..."

"Not so funny now, is it?" he chuckled. "Now, shh. I'm tired."

"Are we interrupting?" Trixie's voice rang out, followed by a growl from Tennessee.

Jewel looked up at her parents. "Well, not really. I trapped him back here, and now he's holding me hostage. Free me?"

Tennessee reached down and yanked her up. "You two better behave, or I am going to regret allowing the three of you to stay in a room together unsupervised." He then pulled Beary out.

"Yeah, yeah," Beary muttered. "You're still going to be leaving us alone at the Hall for about three months with only a few people to watch us."

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing, nothing."

Jewel shot him a look.

Trixie frowned. "Come on, you two. We're going to get some food before heading to the plaza. Everyone else is waiting."

"Yeah, yeah," he sighed. "Let me just find something to wear for tonight." He disappeared over to where they had left their suitcases and began hunting for some clothing while the others left. He sighed unhappily. Maybe he had been too snippy. But, dang it! They didn't have to change the plans on him like they did! And his father taking both Lyra and Helen... What was he supposed to do? Yes, he had Jewel, but what if Tennessee and Trixie changed their minds and decided to take her, too? Same with Fēnglì?!

'No, no, no. Don't think that way. Jewel wouldn't allow that. She knows what you're like when you're alone. How much you hate it. She wouldn't do that to you, even if it meant she couldn't tour the country,' he reminded himself as he changed into some nicer clothes – non-ripped jeans and a green/blue plaid shirt.

Stepping out of the hotel room after making sure his phone and room key were in separate pockets, he made his way to the elevator and then down to the lobby. From there, he met up with the large group at the hotel fancy restaurant, which was packed.

"There, now we're all in one nook of this fine establishment, we can get ready for food!" Jewel cheered as she and Beary sat next to each other. "Chocolate milk, here I come!"

"You're ridiculous."

"You're not having chocolate milk?"

"Nope! I'm ordering myself a man's drink! Strawberry lemonade, baby!"

She snorted and poked his nose. "You're the one who is ridiculous. But at least you're finally coming out of your cranky shell."

He huffed. "I'm not cranky."

"Uh-huh. Totally are."

"Am not!"

"Are, too!"

"Nope!"

"Yep!" She poked his nose, earning a yelp of complaint.

Ray glanced over at his daughter. "Are they... always like this?"

"Pretty much. Best friends all their lives. You get used to it. Cubs, pipe down! You can flirt later! Now is the time for eating!" Jade called down the table at them, thankful that the hotel restaurant was big enough to have two party rooms as well, one of which was occupied by the large group.

"I see... And their parents accept this shameless behavior?"

"Raymond! They're young. Let them be young!" Cassandra argued, flicking his ear. "Focus on what you'll be filling your belly with and leave the playfulness to the youngsters."

He huffed in response and picked up his menu. "Brats."

"Now, Ray, they're just cubs," Henry argued from beside him. "And they aren't just some bratty teenagers. They're hardworking and well respected in Pendleton."

Ray simply rolled his eyes, while Helen giggled in response.

"What so funny, Mama?" Lyra asked, playing with her crayons on her framed children's menu. She always carried a little frame around to put on coloring objects so she could keep track of where the edges were.

"Oh, Uncle Ray iz bully."

"Bully?"

"Uh-huh. M-Meanie."

"Oh! Meanie! You big meanie! Be nice!" She attempted to throw a crayon at him, but missed and Akela went to pick it up, depositing it back onto the table by the little cub.

Henry blinked a few times. "Well, she's a feisty one."

"Ill-behaved, is more like it," Ray growled.

"Jade was just the same way, Ray. Hush and pick out your food!"

"Yes, dear."

"He's so grumpy!" Ted complained softly to Jade as he played Tic-Tac-Toe against Aiden.

"That's Dad for you."

"Yeah, well, he's weird."

"So are you," Jade shot back. "Don't you dare! Ted!" she complained when he poked her nose.

He laughed and grinned.

Aiden looked up at his parents, confused. "Daddy, why poke Mommy's nose?"

Ted looked down at him. "Because it's fun."

"Oh. I poke?"

He nodded and picked the cub up, setting him on his belly, and let him happily poke Jade's nose, much to her amusement.

On the other side of the table, Fēnglì amused himself with playing with his younger siblings in a rousing game of Go Fish, with Zeb and Méngméng joining in cheerfully. Other families were much the same, with Fred watching over them all quietly. What he wouldn't give to be with his own children or Tyrion. But at least here with everyone, he still had family, one he was proud to have. It was a big family, and sometimes was broken, but they always came back together.

Food was ordered – with the manager of the restaurant coming up to make sure Fred would be able to even pay for his large spread – and everyone ate happily, drank merrily, and spoke gaily.

Jewel had quite a lot of fun constantly stealing bites of Beary's banana cream pie dessert, much to his annoyance. He taught her a lesson by biting her ear... and getting his lip caught on her piercings, much to her pain and annoyance, especially when they had to be carefully pulled apart without too much damage to either her ears or his lips, much to both their embarrassments.

Ray crossed his arms. "Seriously? Damn cubs. Immature little brats."

Cassandra gave him a look.

Dex laughed. "Way to go, doofus. Not every guy manages to get his lips stuck on his girlfriend's piercings! Kinky, bro!"

Beary's ears lowered in embarrassment. "Shut up, Dex."

Jewel grinned. "He has a point. You do have a kinky side after all," she pointed out, running a finger over his ears and giving them a good scratch. He leaned into it happily, purring loudly.

"Teenage romance. It'll never last," Ray added before going back to his own dessert.

This time the other adults shot him a look, though a few had the same thought on their minds. What if Beary and Jewel's teenage romance ruined their friendship if things went south? Would they be strong enough to fight for their relationship? Or would it destroy them? Few high school loves lasted, and even fewer stayed together forever.

Beary and Jewel paid no mind to the thoughts and worries of the adults, for all they wanted in the world was that they were together at that moment, and that they were happy.

Henry set down his phone. "All right, gang. The buses are here. Time to load up and head out!"

Beary's ears lowered, and he sighed with a nod. "Okay, Papa." He looked over at Jewel. "Ready to go?"

"Of course! And your lip is fat."

"Huh?" He touched his lower lip. "Damn!"

She snorted, getting up and letting him help her with her coat. "Musta been the earring. You silly boy."

"Which wouldn't have happened if you hadn't stolen part of my pie!" he complained playfully, following her out of the room and thanking the hostess, telling her that the food was absolutely delicious and to send his compliments to the chef. It was time to head to Times Square!

.~*A Holiday to Remember*~.

"Why are you annoyed now?" Jewel asked, looking at Beary in amusement as they walked the crowd, Fēnglì in tow.

"Probably because I'm being a third wheel," Fēnglì teased.

"No... Besides, we're all supposed to travel together. Papa's orders," Beary responded. He sighed and looked out at the large crowd. "It's just... there's so many people."

"Not a crowd person, huh? And yet you want to perform... and you work in a grocery store... and at the Hall."

"Shut it, Fēnglì," he growled. "This crowd is a lot bigger, and we're in the middle of it! Not off to the side or on stage, but right smack dab in the center. It's so crowded and noisy that it's wigging out my hearing aid." He put a paw over his right ear, trying to block out the noises.

Jewel frowned and looked at him. "Beary, take it out. We're right here with you and won't leave your side."

"Yeah, but..."

"Do it. You'll be more comfortable."

He sighed and did so, carefully placing it in the protective case in his pocket. He frowned at the low volume of sounds he was hearing on the one side. It always threw him off. "You won't get mad if I don't answer right away?"

"Of course not!" Jewel said close to his left ear. "Do we ever?"

"Yes, actually."

Fēnglì huffed. "That was one time!"

Jewel snorted and shook her head. "Come on. Let's go get our faces painted!"

The two boys looked at her incredulously. "Are you joking? We have fur, Jewel!" Beary laughed.

"So what? They have fur paint!"

"You just want to get glow-in-the-dark fur paint and scare the crap out of me tonight!" he complained.

She grinned brightly and kissed his cheek. "Don't sleep tonight." She trotted off, and the boys had no choice but to follow her.

"Your girlfriend is evil. You know that, right?" Fēnglì asked, glancing at his friend as they followed Jewel.

Beary didn't hear him and glanced over, noticing him staring with his peripheral vision. "Huh?"

"I said your girlfriend is evil!"

"Oh. Yeah, that she is."

"But you love her."

"Of course I love her."

Fēnglì grinned. "But are you in love with her?"

Beary blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Just what I said. Are you in love or do you just love her?"

The older teen frowned. "I... I'm only sixteen. I don't know what you mean."

Fēnglì sighed and shook his head. "One day you'll get it. Mǔqīn explained it to me."

"Yeah, well... I don't really have parents who can explain things like that to me," he muttered in response.

The panda frowned. "They already have through their actions towards each other."

He glanced at his shorter friend. "What do you mean?"

"You're an idiot."

"What? Why?!"

"I can't believe you don't know what I'm talking about."

"Papa's barely home, and Mama isn't... isn't right in the head sometimes. What am I supposed to have seen?"

"Oh. I see what you mean." He frowned. Beary was right about his parents, as hard as it was. Fēnglì pitied him. Sure, his parents were busy, but not like Beary's. "Well, let me put it like this – you love her because she's your best friend, right?" At his nod, Fēnglì went on. "So you love her as a friend, an object. But are you in love with her as a lover?"

Beary looked thoughtful and glanced over at the booth where Jewel sat on a stool getting her fur painted. He loved her, that much he knew. But was Fēnglì correct? Was he only loving her as a friend, an object? Or was he in love with her and everything about her? "I... I think I am."

"Would you die for her?"

Beary shot him a scowl. "I was ready to do that years ago, Fēng. You know that."

"Right, right. Took the bullet for her. Huh. Maybe you've always been in love with her and just never realized it."

"Why are you such a romantic?"

"Hello, look at my parents."

"I don't think their physical activity counts."

"Shut up."

Beary barked a laugh. "But it's true. They're like rabbits."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. It'll be nice to have a break from them all for a few months, since Sawyer and Nolan are going with them."

"Wait, what? Don't they have school?"

"Just kindergarten." He frowned. "Maybe you have a point. They'll probably send them back with us for me to watch."

"Yup. Most likely. And they'll have their paws full with the next litter."

Fēnglì shook his head. "Litters. Good grief. Four of them... What the hell were they thinking?"

"Better you than me!" Beary teased before letting out a yelp when he was yanked over to the stool by Jewel and made to sit. "Jewel, no!"

"You gotta! Do it! Do it!" she laughed.

He sighed. "All right, all right." He looked at the selected colors and picked out a red glow in the dark dye and a simple design. "Fēng, you're next!"

"Oh, hell no."

"Yup!" Jewel grinned, pulling him onto another stool. "We're going to paint your stripes and your panda markings!"

"Screw both of you."

Jewel laughed and shook her head and smiled at him. "Time to get yourself painted!"

Sometime later, when their heads were painted, the three paid their dues and set out again, grinning brightly but also wondering why they bothered. Deciding it was all good fun, they went off to find more trouble.

Instead, they found a group of people dancing to another concert on the other side of the square, and just for fun, Jewel pulled them both into the group and began dancing, too. She bumped hips with both and laughed loudly.

Beary shook his head and did a weak attempt of dancing, trying to not make a fool of himself, while Fēnglì purposely made a fool of himself. However, when Jewel decided to make her boyfriend really dance, Beary's face heated up at how close she was with her body moving. She wasn't doing anything provocative, but it still made him unsure of how to respond. So he just froze.

"Beary, come on and dance! Loosen up a little!" Jewel complained, pausing when she spotted the look on his face. "Is it because you're so awkward? Come on, hon. Dance with me? I'm not going to rub up against you. At least, that's not what I was going for. Holy crap, Beary. You know damn well I wouldn't do that. A few playful hip bumps, but not grinding! We're just kids! Ha, maybe if we were older... I'll let you off the hook for now!"

He looked at her dubiously. "You're... one of a kind."

"Is that a good thing?"

He thought for a moment. "Indisputably." He leaned down and rubbed her nose. "But this kind of dancing isn't my thing. Not in public and such a big crowd... Especially when people are noticing us."

"Noticing us? How could they find us?"

"Jewel, your fur is gold. That is incredibly rare. You also look like Trixie. It's no wonder people have noticed us." He glanced around a bit, noticing those with their phones held up. "Let's just get out of here. It's time to be heading back, anyway."

Jewel glanced around quickly and nodded. "Yeah. I'll get Fēnglì. Stay here." She moved a bit away, but a surge of an unexpected crowd forced them further apart and suddenly Beary couldn't see her again.

Heart racing slightly, Beary called out her name, but was lost over the sound of the band starting up a loud new song. He reached into his pocket, but being jostled around so much, he couldn't get ahold of his hearing aid, so he backed up, trying to escape, deaf on one side. Feeling heat on the back of his neck, het let out a fearful yelp when he turned around and came face to face with a flame breather that blew high flames into the sky.

His eyes widened, and he froze in place, enraptured by the flames. Then slowly he crouched, slipping into a position of fear. He couldn't run. He couldn't hide. It was as if the flames were chasing him. Paws over his ears, he tried to make himself invisible. If only it was possible. His body was shaking in terror. He had no control over that.

The sounds of the crowd drowned out in the roaring of flames around him, licking at his fur and melting it. He found himself crying out and coughing on smoke. The Hall burned around him, and his father held him in his arms, trying to protect him from the heavy heat. But all Beary could see was the pain in his father's eyes as the fire caught his leg, burning him. The panic, but still Henry refused to leave his side, not wanting to leave him alone. Besides, it wasn't like he could move anyway – not with his shot knee.

Finally, Henry had to sit up and bat at the flames and moved them both very carefully further away from the flames. Then again, they were surrounded, so no matter where they went, they were doomed.

Beary knew Henry was speaking to him, but he couldn't understand it. The roar was too loud. Either that, or he still couldn't hear very well. He couldn't decide.

Paws on his shoulders, shaking him. Slowly, the flames died away, and his vision returned to normal. He wasn't at the Hall. His father wasn't holding him. Instead, it was a pair of golden arms pulling him close. Instead of the roar of flames, he heard the heartbeat of the girl he loved.

"It's okay. I've got you. You're safe. The fire won't get you again. I promise." She rubbed his back, feeling him start to relax. A smile crossed her face as she rested her chin on his head, talking into his ear with words of comfort. She wasn't sure if he could hear her, what with his good ear up against her chest and the other being his semi-deaf ear.

Beary could hear her, but couldn't make out what she was saying. "C-Can't... h-hear..."

"Okay." Jewel reached into his pocket and pulled out his hearing aid, turning it on and carefully putting it in his ear. "Is that better?"

He flinched at the sudden burst of noise, but nodded. "T-thank you," he stammered.

"Can you stand and walk?" Jewel didn't want to draw further attention. At least not many were looking over at them, but if they didn't move, a bigger crowd would gather.

Becoming aware of just where he had had his anxiety attack, he whimpered and nodded, just wanting to get back to the stage and hide behind it. Away from prying eyes and cell phones recording him. "F-Fēnglì?"

"Over there." She gave a whistle, and Fēnglì responded, coming over and standing beside them, helping Beary up. "Let's get going. We've got quite a journey, and we've got to avoid any more firebreathers. There's at least three other ones."

Fēnglì nodded, and together, they all walked their way back through the large crowd, avoiding what they could, and generally just made the almost forty-five-minute trek back to the main stage. About midway through their journey, Beary had recovered mostly from the ordeal, and could walk on his own. After showing their IDs and passes, they were allowed backstage, but they tried avoiding their family the best they could. They didn't want to cause a scene.

They had arrived just in time, as the band went up to the stage and sang a few songs to crowds that either roared, some who ignored, and others who didn't care and just wanted to party the night away.

Family backstage watched the show and looked up as the ball began to drop at the end of the show. The countdown began.

Beary glanced at Jewel, and she glanced back. Then they both looked at the couples who were ready to kiss each other on the New Year, and laughed.

"Good thing we're not like that, right?" Jewel asked.

Beary grinned. "Yeah. But, you know? There's no one I'd rather be here with than you. The girl who keeps me calm and saves me from my nightmares. The girl who is my bestest friend and the one I love." He touched her cheek and moved in for a kiss.

Jewel stood there, surprised at what he had said. Was he drunk or something? This didn't sound like her shy Beary. It was as if he was loud and proud. His lips on hers, though... Soft and warm, perfect against hers. This wasn't one of her playful kisses. It was one of his true kisses. Full of love. Had he really said he loved her? The way he said it didn't imply he meant it as a friend, but something more. So she kissed him back with just as much passion, hoping to show that she loved him, too.

Outside among the loudly cheering crowds, voices rose up in song, welcoming in the new year full of hopes, dreams, and new beginnings.

Please review, as I want to know what you all think! Thanks for reading! See ya next time!