CHAPTER TWENTY

"CHRISTMAS IS MY TIME OF YEAR"

The evening deepened, the stars beginning to prick through the dusky sky as the bonfire crackled softly. Juliana couldn't help but reflect on the moment, her heart swelling with the kind of bittersweet joy that only came when you realized something was fleeting but beautiful.

Stacy leaned closer, brushing sand from her hands. "So, you're really staying in California for a while?" she asked, her tone light but laced with curiosity.

Juliana nodded, tucking her knees to her chest. "Yeah, my dad finally relented about moving right away. He's going to finish out his contract—it's up in May so I've got about 6 months. After that, though..." She trailed off, her voice softening. "I'll probably have to move back to New York for a while. But I'm hoping to come back here after I graduate college. Once I turn eighteen."

Stacy's brows knitted together, and she tilted her head, her blonde hair catching the glow of the firelight. "You really love it here, don't you?"

Juliana smiled wistfully, gazing out at the waves. "I do. I feel like I was born to be here. I want to live here forever. The beaches, the people, the... everything." Her voice dipped, filled with sincerity. "But I'm going to miss you all terribly."

Stacy reached over, giving Juliana's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Well, we're not letting you go that easily. And who knows? Maybe you'll find a way to stay."

Before Juliana could respond, Micky's voice broke through the moment, loud and cheerful. "Alright, people! Let's sing!" Without waiting, he launched into "I Wish They All Could Be California Girls,"

The group joined in, laughing and singing. Davy leapt up and grabbed Stacy's hand, pulling her into a carefree dance. Their laughter echoed over the beach as their shadows twisted and swirled in the firelight. Peter, with his usual quiet charm, passed a bag of marshmallows, offering them like a host at a party.

Juliana sat cross-legged in the sand, her laughter fading into a quiet smile as her attention shifted. Across the fire, Michael sat slightly apart, tuning his guitar with careful precision. His expression was calm, his brows furrowed in thought. The flickering flames framed him in a golden glow, softening his sharp features and giving him an almost ethereal quality.

Despite the physical and emotional distance between them, Juliana couldn't deny the magnetic pull of his presence. Their only being friends, though still in its fragile beginnings, was something she deeply valued. Yet, there was an unspoken boundary between them—a line he never crossed, and she dared not breach. She understood why it had to exist, but that didn't stop her from wishing it didn't. Every moment near Michael tested her resolve; it was only her finely tuned acting ability that kept her from revealing how deeply it tore her apart to be so close to him, unable to brush even his hand or call him simply Michael.

Michael began to play. His fingers began to glide over the strings, weaving a melody that silenced the group instantly. The song was raw, unpolished, but achingly beautiful, each note carrying an intimacy that felt like a glimpse into his soul.

Juliana's chest tightened as she watched him, the music filling the space between them with an unspoken connection. When the final note lingered in the air, fading into the sound of the waves, the fire popped and crackled, breaking the spell.

"That was smashin', man," Davy said, his voice filled with admiration.

"Really cool, Mike," Stacy added, her grin wide as she settled back down.

Peter, ever the practical one, leaned forward. "Got any words for that yet?"

Michael shook his head, setting his guitar down on a towel. "Not yet. I've been workin' on it for a while, but..." He shrugged, his voice trailing off. "Something's missing."

Juliana felt the words leave her lips before she could think. "That was ethereally beautiful."

Michael looked up, his eyes meeting hers. For a brief moment, his expression softened, and there was a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze—surprise, maybe, or quiet gratitude. Then, just as quickly, it was gone.

Micky, ever the mood-lifter, flopped dramatically onto the sand. "Are you sure you're sixteen, Juliana? You sound like a walking dictionary. Actually," he added, jabbing a thumb toward Michael, "so does Mike. You two word weirdos."

The group erupted into laughter, the playful jab breaking the tension. Juliana smirked, brushing her hair behind her ear. "What can I say? Gotta love that word-a-day calendar."

Even Michael allowed the faintest of smiles to tug at his lips, though he didn't say anything. The moment passed, and the group dissolved into another round of chatter, jokes, and music.

As Juliana leaned back on her hands, gazing up at the star-speckled sky, she felt an ache of contentment. This night, this place, this group—it was everything she'd dreamed of when she thought about California. And as fleeting as it might be, she knew she'd carry it with her long after the bonfire faded to embers.

—

The living room of Stacy's house was a cozy sanctuary that felt almost too quiet without the boys' usual lively energy around them. Juliana sprawled on the couch with her textbooks, pretending to study while Stacy sat cross-legged on the floor, a bowl of popcorn between them. They had spent hours like this lately, filling the silence with conversations about life, school, and the absence of their favorite four musicians.

Stacy tossed a kernel into her mouth and sighed. "It's so weird not having them around. I mean, I get that they're working hard, but just seeing them on weekends isn't the same."

Juliana nodded, flipping a page she wasn't really reading. "I know. Davy's probably charming everyone on set, even while he's exhausted. And Micky? I bet he's turning the studio into his personal comedy club during breaks."

Stacy laughed, tossing a pillow at Juliana. "That sounds about right. But seriously, they're putting in crazy hours. Makeup at 7:30 in the morning, working all day, and then recording into the night. It's a grind. I just hope it all pays off for them."

"It will," Juliana said, her tone firm with conviction. "They're too talented for it not to."

Stacy studied Juliana for a moment, a sly smile creeping onto her face. "You miss them too, huh? Especially Michael."

Juliana shot her a look, trying to play it cool. "I miss all of them. Besides, I've been too busy to dwell on it."

"Oh, right. Because you're helping out at that high school with Oklahoma! and fending off teenage suitors," Stacy teased, her grin widening.

Juliana groaned, dropping her book onto her lap. "Don't remind me. My parents practically pushed me into it. They were like, 'Juliana, you need to meet people your own age.' And now I'm stuck explaining to every drama student with stars in their eyes that fame isn't all it's cracked up to be."

"Let me guess," Stacy said, her voice dripping with mock seriousness. "'What's it like being on TV? Do you get recognized everywhere you go?'"

Juliana snorted. "Exactly. It's like clockwork. They're sweet, but it's... exhausting."

"And the dates? Are you actually going out with anyone?" Stacy leaned forward, her curiosity barely contained.

"Ugh." Juliana rolled her eyes. "My parents are insisting I say yes to at least some of them. 'You're sixteen, Juliana,'" she mimicked in a sing-song tone, "'you should be dating boys your age.' But it's all so forced. Most of them only ask me out because they think it's cool to date someone who's been on TV."

Stacy giggled. "Are any of them cute?"

Juliana shrugged, grabbing a handful of popcorn. "A few, I guess. But they're all so... I don't know. Immature. They spend more time talking about themselves than anything else."

"Sounds thrilling," Stacy teased. "At least the play's keeping you busy. Is it weird being the 'celebrity helper'?"

"Not weird, just... repetitive." Juliana leaned back into the couch, her expression softening. "The students are talented, though. And it's nice seeing how excited they are. I mean, I get it. I used to be like that when I was very young—dreaming of making it big, thinking fame would solve everything."

"And now?" Stacy asked, her tone gentler.

Juliana hesitated, her gaze drifting toward the window. "Now I know it's not about the fame. It's about the work. The passion. Watching the boys work so hard—it's inspiring, you know? They're not chasing fame; they're chasing something real. And I think that's what matters."

Stacy smiled, nudging Juliana's leg with her foot. "Deep thoughts for a Saturday night. You probably are too mature for those high school boys. But you're right. They'll make it, Juliana. They've got something special."

Juliana nodded, her lips curving into a soft smile. "Yeah. They do. And when they do, it'll all be worth it. I hope I can get back here to see it all happen."

—

The weekend was finally here. The salty ocean breeze swept through the beach house as Juliana found Michael sitting on the back deck, his acoustic guitar resting on his lap. He was softly picking out a tune, his head bowed in concentration. She hesitated for a moment, twisting her hands nervously before stepping forward.

"Hey, Papa Nez," she said, her voice tentative.

Michael glanced up, a hint of a smile touching his lips. "Hey, Lucky Penny. What's up?"

She took a deep breath, feeling a little foolish but determined. "I, uh, need your help with something. Kind of a Christmas present. From you... to me."

Michael raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Christmas present? From me? Well, what do you have in mind?"

Juliana shifted her weight, her cheeks flushing. "I want you to teach me how to drive."

Michael blinked, surprised. "Drive? You mean a car?"

She laughed nervously. "Well, yeah. Unless you have a horse and buggy somewhere."

Michael chuckled, setting the guitar aside. "Okay, fair enough. But why me? Don't you have your dad teachin' you?"

Juliana groaned, plopping down in the chair next to him. "That's the problem. He's making me so nervous! Every time I hit the brakes too hard or speed up too fast, he starts shouting instructions like I'm in a Nascar race. And then I panic and make it worse."

Michael smirked, clearly amused. "Sounds like a real adventure."

"Oh, it's an adventure, all right. The kind where you end up with whiplash," Juliana replied dryly. "He's not trying to be mean. He's just... overprotective. I think the idea of me behind the wheel freaks him out."

Michael leaned back in his chair, nodding thoughtfully. "Yeah, I get it. But you're askin' me? You know I can't drive with you on the street since I'm not 25, right?"

"I know," Juliana said quickly. "You race cars and I just need you to help me with the basics—starting and stopping smoothly. We can stay in the driveway. It's long enough, and I can practice without the risk of hitting anything... or anyone."

Michael tapped his fingers on the armrest, considering. "So, you're asking me to risk my life in your dad's driveway?"

Juliana smacked his arm lightly, laughing. "Come on, you owe since you give me lectures like my dad. Papa Nez, I promise I'll be careful. Besides, you're always so calm and my dad is anything but calm. I think you'd make a great teacher."

He studied her for a moment, his lips quirking into a small smile. "You're really serious about this, huh?"

"Dead serious," she said with mock solemnity, then broke into a grin. "Please? It can be your Christmas present to me."

Michael sighed, feigning reluctance, but there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "All right, Penny. You've convinced me. But if I end up in a neck brace, you're payin' my medical bills."

Juliana beamed, clapping her hands together. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

—

At Juliana's house, Michael chuckled, shaking his head as he stood. "Let's just hope I don't regret this. Okay, let's see what we're workin' with."

Juliana practically skipped as she led him out to the car parked at the end of the long stretch of pavement. She tossed him the keys, but he caught them and handed them right back.

"Uh-uh," he said. "This is your lesson, remember? I'm just here to supervise."

Juliana grinned nervously as she slid into the driver's seat. Michael eased into the passenger seat, his relaxed posture immediately calming her.

"Okay," he began. "The trick to a smooth start is patience. Ease onto the gas—don't stomp on it like you're in a drag race."

Juliana rolled her eyes but nodded. "Got it. Patience."

"And when you stop, same thing. Don't slam the brake like you're tryin' to throw the car into reverse. Gradual pressure. Think of it like... playing an instrument. It's all about finding the right rhythm."

Juliana nodded, her confidence growing. "Okay. I think I can do that."

She started the engine, gripping the wheel tightly. Michael leaned back and gestured for her to go. Slowly, carefully, Juliana pressed the gas, and the car began to roll forward with only a small jerk. She glanced at him, and he gave her a thumbs-up.

"See? Not bad," he said. "Now, try stoppin'."

Juliana pressed the brake gently, and the car came to a smooth halt. She looked at Michael, her face lighting up with excitement. "I did it!"

Michael laughed. "Yeah, you did. See? No whiplash. You're a natural."

"Natural might be a stretch," Juliana teased, but her grin was undeniable. "Okay, what's next?"

"Keep practicing that start-and-stop," Michael said. "Once you nail it, we'll work on your turns."

Juliana's determination flared as she started the car again, focusing on everything Michael had said. For the first time, driving didn't feel so overwhelming. She couldn't help but feel grateful for his calm demeanor and clear instructions.

As she brought the car to another smooth stop, Michael quipped with a smirk. "Might want to tell your dad he's been demoted."

Juliana burst out laughing, her earlier nervousness melting away. "I think he'd be relieved. Thanks, Papa Nez. Seriously."

"Anytime," he replied, stepping back. "Merry Christmas, Penny. And welcome to the road."

—

The beach house was alive with the warm glow of Christmas lights strung around the windows and a small tree decorated with seashells and homemade ornaments. The soft hum of a holiday record played in the background, blending with the laughter and chatter of friends. Micky was attempting to balance a candy cane on his nose, while Davy poured eggnog into mugs, humming a tune under his breath.

Stacy sat on the couch, her hands wrapped around a cup of cocoa, a melancholy look in her eyes.

"What's with the long face, Stace?" Davy asked as he handed her a mug. "You look like someone nicked all your presents."

Stacy sighed, blowing on her cocoa. "It's Juliana. She can't come tonight. Her parents made last-minute plans, and she has to go with them. Something about her dad's performance. She's stuck."

Micky groaned dramatically, the candy cane tumbling to the floor. "What? No Juliana? But it's Christmas! That's, like, a crime against holiday spirit."

Peter leaned against the arm of the couch, his expression genuinely disappointed. "That's a real shame. She loves Christmas parties."

Mike, seated in the corner with his guitar, strummed absentmindedly. "Her folks are always keepin' her on a short leash," he muttered. "Would've been nice to have her here. She's a part of the group."

Stacy nodded, her shoulders slumping. "She said she'd try to come by later if they can drop her off, but it's not looking good."

Davy plopped down beside her, his brow furrowing. "Poor girl. Bet she's miserable, sittin' through some boring concert when she could be here with us, having a proper laugh."

"Can't we kidnap her or something?" Micky asked, half-serious. "I mean, we could sneak in, distract her dad, and—poof—Christmas miracle."

Stacy couldn't help but laugh, despite herself. "Yeah, because that wouldn't get her grounded until next Christmas."

Peter tilted his head thoughtfully. "Maybe we could call her, you know? Just to say hi. Let her know we're thinking about her."

"Better yet," Mike said, his voice calm but purposeful, "we could record something for her. A little Christmas song. She'd get a kick out of that."

Micky's eyes lit up, and he snapped his fingers. "Now that's a brilliant idea, Mike. Let's do it! Something fun and festive."

"Something fast," Davy chimed in. "And catchy. We could write her a jingle on the spot."

Peter grinned. "We can make it a full production. Then can we sing Riu Chiu for her? She loves the harmonies."

Stacy smiled, finally feeling the Christmas cheer creeping back in. "You guys would do that for her? She'll love it."

Mike adjusted the guitar in his lap, already plucking out a playful melody. "Let's keep it simple. Something that says we miss her, but also tells her to have fun tonight, even if she's not here."

"Right," Davy said, standing and clapping his hands. "Gather round, lads. Let's get to work."

The group huddled together, tossing out lyrics and humming melodies, their laughter and creativity filling the room. Stacy watched with a smile, imagining how much Juliana would love their surprise. Even though she wasn't there, her presence was felt, woven into the music they were creating.

By the time the song was finished, they had something undeniably quirky and heartfelt—a true Monkees-style Christmas gift. Davy grabbed the tape recorder, and the group performed their little jingle, Christmas is My Time of Year complete with jingle bells played by Stacy, Gina and Skye, Peter's latest date.

When they were done, Mike grinned and handed the tape to Stacy. "Make sure she gets this. And tell her it's not Christmas until she hears it."

Stacy nodded, already imagining Juliana's reaction. "You guys are the best. She's gonna love it."

"Of course she will," Micky said with a wink. "We're irresistible."

—

The soft knock at the door was almost drowned out by the chatter inside the beach house. Mike, closest to the door, set down his guitar and went to open it. He was met with Juliana, bundled up against the December chill, her arms full of packages.

"Hey!" Mike exclaimed, quickly grabbing the packages from her. "Let me help you with those. So, you made it after all?"

Juliana stepped inside, her cheeks flushed from the cool night air, and before she could respond, Peter came bounding over, wrapping her in a warm hug.

"You're here!" Peter said, practically lifting her off the ground in his excitement.

Stacy appeared next, a mixture of shock and delight on her face. "How did you get away? We thought you were stuck with your parents all night!"

The rest of the group crowded around, their excitement bubbling over. Mike raised his hands, his voice cutting through the noise. "Hey, hey, give her some room! Let her breathe, huh? Come on in and tell us what happened."

Juliana stepped further into the cozy room, taking off her coat as she looked around at the smiling faces. "It was a Christmas miracle! My parents surprised me tonight by taking me to buy a used car with the money I'd saved up."

Gasps of surprise rippled through the group.

"And…" Juliana grinned, pausing for dramatic effect. "I got my license!"

The room erupted in cheers, and Davy let out a celebratory whistle. "That's brilliant, love! Congratulations!"

"You drove here by yourself?" Peter asked, his eyes wide.

Juliana nodded proudly. "I sure did. After we wrapped everything up, I got in my very own car and drove straight here. And I have to thank you, Papa Nez," she said, turning to Mike with a playful grin. "Those lessons paid off. I passed with flying colors."

Mike crossed his arms, his face breaking into a proud smile. "I knew you could do it, kid. It was all you."

"Oh, come on," Juliana teased. "I might still be stalling out in the driveway if it weren't for your patience."

Micky clapped his hands together, his grin as wide as ever. "This calls for a celebration! Someone get the eggnog! And Juliana, you've got to show us this new ride of yours."

Davy smirked, winking at her. "Yeah, let's see if it's got room for us all to pile in. We could take it for a Christmas cruise."

Juliana laughed, feeling the warmth of their excitement. "One step at a time, guys. I'm still getting used to it. But soon."

Stacy hugged her tightly. "I'm so proud of you. And so glad you're here. It wouldn't be Christmas without you."

Juliana smiled, her heart full as she looked around at her friends. "Thanks, everyone. I wouldn't have missed this for the world."

Mike carefully placed Juliana's gifts under the tree, making sure they fit neatly with the others. Juliana stepped up beside him, her eyes drawn to the twinkling lights and colorful ornaments.

"This looks great," Juliana said softly, glancing at him with a warm smile. "You guys did a fantastic job."

Mike shrugged, his usual understated demeanor intact. "Peter's the one who went all out with the decorations."

"Hey, you two!" Skye's voice rang out suddenly, drawing everyone's attention. She pointed above Mike and Juliana with an impish grin. "You're standing under the mistletoe! You've got to kiss!"

Juliana's eyes widened, her face flushing instantly as a hush fell over the room. Everyone froze, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events. Juliana's heart pounded in her chest, her gaze darting nervously to Michael. The fluttering in her stomach was impossible to ignore.

"What did I say?" Skye asked, frowning as she looked around at the frozen group. "It's just a bit of fun, isn't it?"

Mike cleared his throat, finally breaking the tense silence. His voice was calm, steady. "You didn't say anything wrong."

He turned to Juliana, his expression unreadable, and leaned in slightly. Time seemed to slow, and Juliana's breath caught as her heart raced. Was he actually going to kiss her?

She closed her eyes, tilting her head up in hopeful anticipation, every nerve in her body alive with the possibility. But the moment shattered as quickly as it had built. Instead of his lips meeting hers, she felt the softest graze against the top of her head—a brief, platonic gesture.

Juliana opened her eyes, her face falling as she quickly masked her disappointment. The room broke into awkward chuckles, Peter let out an exaggerated cheer to lighten the mood.

"There we go! Christmas tradition upheld," Micky joked, giving an over-the-top clap to ease the tension.

Juliana forced a smile, stepping back from Mike, her cheeks burning. "Right. Wouldn't want to break tradition," she said lightly, though her voice felt hollow even to herself.

Mike gave her a small smile, but his eyes didn't quite meet hers. "All in good fun," he murmured, stepping away to join the others.

Skye frowned, looking between them, sensing the shift. "I really didn't mean to make things awkward…"

Stacy slid over to Juliana, looping an arm around her friend's shoulder. "You okay?" she whispered.

Juliana nodded quickly, brushing it off with a tight smile. "Yeah. I'm fine. It's no big deal."

But inside, her heart felt heavier than she'd expected. No big deal, she told herself again, even as she glanced toward Michael, who was now laughing at something Davy said. Yet a small part of her couldn't help but wonder if it had meant something to him—or if it was just another moment he'd already let go of.

—

The living room was alight with the warm glow of the Christmas tree and the sound of laughter as everyone gathered for presents. Wrapping paper already littered the floor from earlier exchanges, but now Juliana stepped forward with her gifts, a mix of nervousness and excitement on her face.

"Okay, so I went the homemade route this year," Juliana announced, holding up a small stack of wrapped parcels. "Don't judge me too harshly."

Micky grinned. "Homemade gifts are the best kind—unless they're cookies I can't eat because you burnt them."

Juliana rolled her eyes. "Not cookies, Mick. I'll let you bake your own."

She handed the first package to Stacy and Davy. As they tore it open, their faces lit up. It was a beautifully hand-drawn picture of the two of them laughing together, their expressions perfectly captured.

"Juliana, this is amazing!" Stacy exclaimed, holding it up for everyone to see.

"It's like we're in one of those fancy galleries," Davy added, his grin wide. "Thank you, love."

Juliana blushed and moved on to Micky and Gina, presenting them with a similar drawing of the two, their playful energy shining through. "I tried to capture your...chaotic essence," Juliana teased as Micky burst into laughter.

"I love it! Chaos and all," Gina said, smiling warmly.

Peter's gift was next, a drawing of him sitting cross-legged with his rescued kitten curled in his lap. His eyes widened as he stared at it. "This is incredible, Juliana. You even got the little white spot on her nose. Thank you."

Finally, Juliana approached Mike, handing him his package with a small smile. "This one was tricky, but I think it turned out okay."

Mike unwrapped it carefully, revealing a detailed sketch of him playing his guitar, his hat tilted slightly back as he looked absorbed in the music. Juliana pointed to the book that was with the picture, "That's a journal for writing your songs. I got you an extra gift for teaching me to drive, I painted the cover for you." His lips curved into a rare, genuine smile. "Juliana, this is...well, it's perfect. Thank you."

"Wait, there's more!" Juliana announced, her excitement bubbling over. She pulled out a set of homemade buttons and passed them around. Each was emblazoned with a cartoon prairie chicken and the words, Save the Texas Prairie Chicken!

The room erupted in laughter as everyone examined their buttons.

"I'm serious!" Juliana insisted, though she was laughing too. "We need to get this campaign going. Those prairie chickens need us!"

Mike chuckled, pinning his button onto his shirt. "Well, you've got one supporter already. This is great."

"Make that two!" Peter added, proudly attaching his to his sweater.

Next, it was Juliana's turn. Stacy handed her a box first. Inside was a bright red "I California" T-shirt.

"So you'll always remember us," Stacy said, giving Juliana a quick hug.

Micky stepped forward with another gift—a new lens and filter for her camera. "This is from all of us. We figured you could use this to keep making your art," he said. "Gotta support the talent, you know."

Juliana's eyes shone as she opened the last gift from them all: a reel to reel tape labeled "Christmas Mix" in Davy's handwriting. "We recorded some Christmas songs for you," he explained. "It's not perfect, but it's from the heart."

Juliana immediately popped the tape into the player. As the first chords of the carol began to play, tears welled up in her eyes. "This is amazing," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You all sound so wonderful. Thank you. This is the best Christmas ever."

As the music softly played in the background and laughter filled the room, Mike cleared his throat and stepped forward, his eyes warm but serious. He held a small, neatly wrapped box in his hand.

"Penny," he began, his voice low and sincere, "you've done so much for all of us this year—more than you probably realize. I wanted to give you something... just from me."

Juliana's breath caught as she took the little package, her hands trembling slightly as she carefully unwrapped it. Inside, nestled in soft tissue paper, was a delicate silver charm bracelet. Dangling from it was a small guitar pick charm, polished and engraved simply with the words Papa Nez.

Her lips parted in surprise, and tears shimmered in her eyes. "Oh… it's beautiful," she whispered, her voice catching. "I'll never take it off."

Her gaze met his, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade. Juliana handed him the bracelet, holding out her left hand. "Will you... help me put it on?"

Michael nodded, taking the bracelet with surprising gentleness. His fingers brushed against her wrist as he carefully fastened the clasp, his touch steady despite the slight flush that rose to his cheeks. Once it was secure, he let his hand linger for just a moment before stepping back.

"There," he said, his voice a little softer than before. "Now you've got a piece of home with you, no matter where you go."

Juliana looked down at the bracelet, her heart full. She ran her fingers over the tiny charm, the engraved letters feeling like a quiet promise. "Thank you," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "This means so much to me."

"You mean a lot to all of us," Michael replied, his tone still calm, but his eyes holding something deeper. "Merry Christmas, Lucky Penny."

Juliana's tears spilled over, but she was smiling, her heart brimming with gratitude and a warmth she couldn't quite put into words. The bracelet jingled softly as she threw her arms around him in a quick but heartfelt hug, her voice muffled against his shoulder. "Merry Christmas, Papa Nez."

As the music filled the room, everyone gathered around the tree, their laughter and joy blending perfectly with the holiday melodies. For Juliana, it truly was a Christmas to remember.

—

The car was filled with laughter and music as Juliana expertly steered her new convertible toward Micky's mom's house. Stacy sat next to her in the front seat, while Davy lounged in the passenger seat with his usual charming grin. In the back, Micky, Gina, Peter, and Mike were squished together like sardines, sharing jokes and elbow nudges.

"Juliana, I don't know how you managed to convince us all to pile into this thing," Peter teased, his knee awkwardly pressed against Micky's.

"It's called charm, Peter," Juliana quipped, glancing at him in the rearview mirror. "And the promise of embarrassing old TV footage."

"Ohhh, that's exactly why I'm here." Mike drawled, adjusting his hat while giving Juliana a teasing smirk.

They soon arrived at Micky's mom's house, where they were greeted warmly by Mrs. Dolenz and Micky's three younger sisters, who immediately swarmed around their older brother.

"Micky!" his sister Coco squealed. "You brought everyone! Mom said you were just bringing friends for Christmas!"

"These are my friends," Micky said, laughing as he tried to fend off a playful tackle.

After introductions and hugs all around, the group headed downstairs to the cozy screening room. Micky had already prepared a lineup of clips to showcase his and Juliana's early acting days.

"Alright, prepare to be amazed!" Micky announced dramatically as he set up the projector.

The first clip began—a black-and-white episode of Circus Boy. The room immediately burst into surprised laughter when a young, blonde-haired Micky appeared on screen.

"Blonde!" Gina exclaimed, clutching her sides. "You were blonde? This is priceless."

"Who knew you could rock golden curls like that?" Davy added, smirking.

Micky grinned, throwing an arm around Gina. "I was adorable, wasn't I?"

"You were really good," Juliana said sincerely, leaning forward. "No wonder you ended up where you are."

"Penny, don't inflate his ego any more," Mike joked. "It's already takin' up most of this room."

The next clips featured episodes from Williams Family Life. Juliana's name popped up in the credits, eliciting cheers from the group.

The first episode had Micky playing a member of a football team with Juliana's TV brother. Seven-year-old Juliana, playing "Penny," delivered a series of sharp, witty comebacks after being told she could only be the waterboy. Her comedic timing had everyone howling with laughter.

"Juliana!" Stacy said, clutching her arm. "You were a riot!"

"I can't believe how sassy you were!" Gina added. "You had the best lines!"

"I did," Juliana admitted with a grin. "But my dad wrote the episodes, so maybe I had an unfair advantage."

The second episode had everyone sitting up in their seats. A young Micky appeared, strumming a guitar and crooning Elvis Presley's Hound Dog at a school talent show.

"Micky, you were rocking even back then!" Peter said, throwing an arm around him.

"Born for the spotlight," Davy added with a wink.

But the highlight of the night was when Juliana appeared in a cowgirl outfit, complete with a hat, fringed red vest and white boots, singing and dancing to I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart. Her high, clear voice and enthusiastic dance moves had everyone mesmerized.

"How old were you there?" Stacy asked.

"I was seven," Juliana said, her cheeks flushing. "I loved doing that show. My dad based a lot of the episodes on moments from our lives. He just added more humor."

"Well, it was perfect," Gina said. "You looked like you were born for it."

"Penny!" Mike said, sitting up straighter. "You were incredible! Who taught you how to yodel like that?"

She smiled, "We had a lot of big names on the show. It was actually Gene Autry who taught me."

Michael was impressed, "He was a big influence on me, you learned from the best. No wonder you're so good at it. "

Juliana smiled, her heart swelling with gratitude. Sharing these moments from her past with her closest friends reminded her just how much they had become like family. For the first time in a long while, she felt completely at home.