A/N: Hello, darlings! Yes, there will be more appearences of the other jellicles in later chapters. I also would like reviews! Yes, I'm begging for you to review. But I need reviews. How do I know if you like it and want me to continue if I don't get feedback? Oh, same as Prologue, my stories are in the process of being edited. Be prepared for updates frequently.

-Purrs, Anglina

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Chapter 2: Holiday Shopping and Past Memories

The next day, the three felines went shopping. Goldith and Alonzo went mainly because they were bored and Teazer went because she had to pick up material for Jenny that she couldn't order through her normal supplier because they either didn't have it or it was too expensive. The three of them were wandering around Manhattan's Golden Row. Teazer's hands were filled with huge shopping bags, most of them filled with bolts of cloth. There were however, several bags that held clothes, shoes, trinkets, and other such things she had bought for herself. She had an addiction to shopping and nice things in general. She made enough that she could live fairly comfortably. But for her, 'comfortably' meant nice clothes and food, rather than a nice place to live. That was the one main reason that she and Goldith didn't live in a nicer place. Goldith was a lawyer and a damn good one at that. But they both reasoned, if they didn't have to spend too much on rent, then they'd be able to have more to spend on other stuff. So as a result, the outside of their apartment was crappy, but the inside was very posh and luxurious.

Alonzo pulled Teazer aside and leaned down to whisper to her as Goldith dashed into a little boutique. "Could you keep her busy for a bit? I need to get her a present. I'm gonna stop in that jewelry store we passed. I love her so much and I'm gonna ask her to marry me." His white face showed his blush as he looked down at his gloved paws.

Teazer squealed and flung her arms around him. "Oh, my gosh! That's great! Yeah, no problem. Leave it to me." She winked at him and kissed him on the cheek as the brown and gold queen emerged from the shop, her ears twinkling merrily.

"Hey, hussy! Get off my tom!" she growled playfully.

"But why, he's so handsome!" Rumple shot back and wrapped her arms tighter around his neck.

Alonzo just laughed and hugged the calico back. "Awe, come on, Gold. I'm such a stud, what can I say? The ladies' love me!" he said cockily.

Goldith started to pout prettily and Alonzo released Teazer. As he hugged her, her pout disappeared and was replaced by a smile. "I guess that's what I get for having such a good-looking tom."

"Damn right, babe!" she glared at him. "But, that doesn't mean that I'm looking elsewhere. You're gorgeous enough for me." And with that, he kissed her hard and leaned her back.

Rumpleteazer started to applaud, and so did several other cats passing by. She whistled. "Yeah, baby!"

The two felines blushed and broke the kiss. As they stood up Alonzo slipped his arm away from her. "Hate to do this, ladies, but I gotta get going." He kissed Goldith again and winked at Teazer. "I got gifts to get."

"But, but, I," Goldith started to protest, but Rumple grabbed her by the arm.

"Come on. There are still several places I have to go to. I need to get that special silk that's only sold at Bergdorf's." she slipped her bag-laden arm through her friends' as they pushed their way through the crowd. "It's not that bad." She consoled her friend. "Did you ever consider that he was getting you a gift? How could he shop for you if you're with him?"

She looked sheepish. "I guess I didn't think of that. But you don't understand, I don't like being away from him! You don't have anyone to miss!" she immediately regretted her words when she saw the look on Teazer's pretty face. "Oh, honey, I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry, ok?"

Teaze looked down at the sidewalk as she adjusted her pants. She sighed. "It's ok, really. I mean, it was three and a half years ago! I can't dwell on it forever… But I still kinda miss him during the holiday times. They just hold too many memories…" she let her voice fade as a flood of memories returned to haunt her. She could still see his face, all laughter and ice. He had proposed to her four Christmas's ago. She'd accepted and they'd set a date. But then, several months later, she'd caught him cheating on her with a couple of the queens she worked with. He then dumped her and left for Europe. He hadn't heard from him since. They'd gone out for two years before he popped the question. She had loved him, and thought that he loved her. Maybe he had, at the beginning, but like too many nice things, it didn't last. Since then, she hadn't had any steady relationship. There had several flings and even two relationships that had lasted two weeks at most. She didn't want to get hurt again. She shook her head to clear the thoughts and smiled at her friend. Goldith didn't mean to bring it up, that's just how she was.

Right then they came upon Bergdorf's. Teazer grabbed Goldith's hand. "There it is! The last store! Come on." She pulled her friend into the store.

"Hello, may I help you?" came a smooth voice.

The two queens looked up from a rack at the queen who had spoken. Her tag said 'Holly.' "Hi. Yes, I'm looking for two bolts of the Californian Silk, one bolt each of the light blue cotton, white fur trim, and red taffeta, and then one bolt of white satin."

Holly nodded and briskly hurried to the back of the store to grab the material.

"Hey, Teazer! Come here. Look at this price!" Goldith called. She was fingering a length of the Californian Silk.

Teazer went over. "What? How much is it?" A wide-eyed Goldith turned the tag over and Teazer could plainly see $34/yd. on the tag. It wasn't really that expensive. She'd seen more. Besides, it would be part of her present to Aunt Jenny. "Ok, I've seen stuff more expensive." She said dismissively and headed back to the counter where the salesqueen was waiting patiently.

"Can I get you anything else, Miss?" Holly asked politely.

Rumpleteazer pulled out her credit card and shook her head. "Nope. That's it, thank you. Here." As she handed over her card, she saw the shocked look on the brown queen's face.

As they left, Goldith spoke in a low voice. "Are you sure you want to spend that much on fabric?"

Teazer rolled her eyes. "Goldith! It's part of my Christmas present to Jennyanydots. She's done a lot for me and I'm getting her something special. The other material she specifically requested. I faintly remember her looking at a dress made of the Californian Silk. She mentioned something about wanting some of that material. When I got older, I was able to figure out what it was and so now, I'll give the silk to her. Besides, remember my sketch that you like so much?"

Goldith nodded.

"I'm gonna make it for you to wear to the show. Merry early Christmas." She finished.

A gasp escaped her mouth as she proceeded to wrap her friend up in the biggest hug ever. "Oh, my, gosh! Really! I love you!"

"I though you loved me?" a new voice sounded behind them, sounding a little hurt.

The two friends turned to see Alonzo with his paws tucked in the pockets of his leather car hart (jacket). He had a small bag hanging from his arm.

A huge smile lit up Goldith's face as she leapt at her tomfriend who caught her and kissed him soundly. "Of course I love you, Alonzo. But Teazer said she'll make me the dress that I've always wanted!"

The black and white tom smiled at his queenfriend's enthusiasm. It was just one of the many qualities that he loved about her. "Ahh, of course. Never try to break up the relationship queens have with clothing." He said knowingly.

Teazer stuck her little pink tongue out at him and shifted the weight in her many bags. "Come on, let's go back. I'm hungry, cold, and tired."

"Actually, let's not." Alonzo stopped her. "I know of a nice little café about two blocks from here and I'll treat you two lovely ladies to lunch." He proposed charmingly as he put a long muscular arm around them.

Rumple and Goldith exchanged looks and rolled their eyes.

"Are you sure, honey?" Goldith asked.

"Of course! I feel great. And… I did promise to make up for that finished bottle of wine last night." He propelled the unresisting queens in the direction of the café.

It was a snug little place set in between two tall buildings. It had two stories and as they entered, the smell of brewing coffee and fresh bread teased their senses. There was a staircase near the back that led up to the 2nd floor. Once on the second level, they found that there were several medium sized rooms attached together and filled with couches and coffee tables. It even had a little balcony with tables for patrons to sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city. The middle of the largest room was cut away and surrounded by a metal railing. The cut away revealed a view of the main floor. It had a very homey atmosphere.

"Alright, ladies, what's your fare?" Alonzo asked as they studied the menu.

"Um… I'll take the club sandwich, apple pie, and a mocha latte." Goldith said after a bit.

Teazer took a little longer. Everything looked so good. "And I'll take one of those maple-walnut scones, a ham-and-cheese wrap, and a peppermint-mocha cappuccino." She couldn't resist the smell of the scones. They looked like they were fresh, too. "'ey, Lonzo, me and Goldith'll find a place to sit." She called as the two of them took off for the stairs, bags in tow. It took them a bit to get up the stairs seeing as they had tons of bags. But they made it up to the top and looked around. In the main room they found a couch and a chair beside a coffee table. Teazer took the chair and Goldith took the couch, making sure to leave room for Alonzo.

"Uuuhhh. These heels are killing me!" Goldith moaned as she slipped them off and curled her feet up on the seat.

Teazer sank into the plush chair and crossed her legs. "I told you to wear sneakers, but did you listen? Nnnooo. You just had to wear your brand spanking new leather Carlo heels. I have no sympathy for you at all." She laughed at the sour look shot her way. She'd come prepared wearing jeans that hugged her slim legs, walking shoes, a double-layer short/long sleeve shirt, wool coat, and a matching scarf/hat set. Goldith had insisted on wearing her new heels, dress pants, and a slinky top. Luckily she'd managed to convince her friend to take her jacket.

"Ok, ladies! I have a mocha latte with a club sandwich and apple pie, a-la-mode; and a peppermint-mocha cappuccino with a wrap and a maple-walnut scone on the side. Here you are." Alonzo announced as he showed up juggling two trays loaded with food and a cup holder. He managed to set everything down on the table without spilling anything. He then set his own small bag down and settled himself beside his queen.

Teazer reached for her coffee and held it up. "A toast. To holiday fun and friends."

The other two did the same thing and said in unison, "To holiday fun and friends."

Then they all touched cups and drank.

"Tomorrow, we leave for Cattail."

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