*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

That morning, Howard sat in his car alone driving to Clearwater. He wanted to get Lillie and left his family a note explaining where he was going. He was a few miles away and wanted to make things right with her. He reached in his pocket and took something out. He looked at it and smiled. Hopefully it worked. He turned left and drove a few blocks to Lillie’s house. He parked the car then walked up to the front door and knocked. He waited a moment until Lillie’s pap answered.

“Howie.”

“Mr. Jamison. Is Lillie available?”

“Yeah; come in.”

“Thank you.” He walked in.

“She’s in the kitchen. Wait here and I’ll go get her.”

“Thanks.” Howard stood there in the parlor and waited patiently.

A minute passed and he heard, “Howie?” He turned and saw Lillie looking as beautiful as ever. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to make things right and your Christmas better.”

“Wow! Um…”

“I’m sorry for hurting you the way I did. I hate myself for it. I want to be with you.”

“I want to be with you too, but…”

“Then let’s be together.” She looked at him. “I’m serious. I’m nothing without you.” He walked over to her. “I want to ask you something.”

“What?” He smiled and took something from his pocket again, while getting on one knee. “Howie…”

“Will you marry me, Lillie Mae Jamison?” He held up the princess cut diamond.

“Uh….I…I…I…yes. Yes I will!” Howard got up and she kissed him. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I’m so happy.”

“Same here.”

“Do you want to stay for breakfast?”

“I guess.”

“Let’s go tell Gram and Pap.” She kissed him again and dragged him to the kitchen.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Brian, when are we going to tell our parents?” Rachel asked as they all sat at the breakfast table.

“Do you want to do it now?” Brian asked.

“Yeah,” Rachel said.

“Mom, Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Jones,” Brian began, “we have some good news.”

“I told you they’re going to have a baby,” Brian’s mom, Jackie, said.

“Yes we are,” Rachel replied.

“Oh, I’m so happy,” Jackie said walking over and giving them a hug. “I’m going to be a grandmother finally.”

“How far along are you, Rachel?” her mother, Kathie, asked.

“It’ll be three months,” Rachel stated. “I’m due June 30.”

“A summer baby,” Jackie said. “How exciting.”

“Yes it is, ma,” Brian said. “Now get over there and finish your breakfast.”

“Sorry,” Jackie said. “I’m just happy.”

“We can tell, Dear,” Harold, Brian’s dad, dad said. “Sit down.”

“I am,” Jackie said walking back to her sear and the others laughed.

“Did you pick names out yet?” Kathie asked.

“Um, Brian Thomas if it’s a boy,” Brian said. “And Sunnie Snow if it’s a girl, but we’re not 100% set on them though.”

“They’re nice,” Jackie said.

“Yeah,” Kathie agreed.

“I’m happy for you both,” John, Rachel’s dad, said.

“Thank you, Daddy,” Rachel said kissing his cheek.

“Anytime, Honey,” John said.

“You got a lot of stuff to do,” Jackie said.

“We know,” Brian said. “We’re ready.”

“That’s good,” Harold said.

“I can’t wait,” Jackie said and Rachel and Brian laughed at her.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“It’s great your family came,” Kevin said as he put the last dish in the dishwasher.

“Yes it is,” Alyssa said. “I think they’re a little upset that Charisma wasn’t here though.”

“Did they know?”

“Yeah, but mom wants all her kids together for the holidays.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that. Besides, this is a great time for Alex and Riz to be together after what happened.”

“Exactly. I hope they get back on the right track.”

“They will and so will Lil and D.” She smiled. “Oh I have something for you.” He reached in his pocket and pulled something out. “This ain’t an engagement ring so ya know.” She looked at him. “It’s a promise ring and the promise with it is that we’ll get engaged and married one day.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” She smiled as he put the ring on her finger. “I love you very much.”

“I love you too.” They kissed.

“Shall we serve desert now?”

“I thought we were?” He smiled.

“I mean for the ones in the parlor.”

“Oh, I guess.” She smiled this time.

“I’ll get the plates and stuff while you get the pies.”

“Ok.”

“Lys,” Savannah, her little sister, said walking into the kitchen. “Mark wants desert.”

“We’re coming,” Alyssa said.

“Ok,” Savannah said. “Can I help?”

“I could use some help,” Kevin said.

“Cool,” Savannah said walking over to him and he handed her the silverware. “What’s for desert?”

“Whatever you want it to be,” Kevin said.

“Sounds good,” Savannah said and the three of them left the kitchen.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Valondra sat in the kitchen as she listened to her family and Nickolas’ family argue in the parlor. She shook her head, as Nickolas walked in and looked at her. He walked over to her and stood behind her. He put his hands on her shoulders and she looked up at him, as he kissed her forehead.

“What a great wonderful day,” Nickolas said and she continued looking at him. “Don’t you agree?”

“Oh yes, just wonderful, Nick,” Valondra said sarcastically and got up. “This was a bad idea.”

“Yeah, but ya think with it being Christmas they’d get along.”

“Exactly, but no they need to argue.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Oh my.”

“What?”

“Imagine what the wedding will be like.”

“Ugh! Even worse.”

“Yep.”

“Then let’s elope.”

“It’ won’t solve anything, Baby. They’ll just blame each other for making us elope.”

“I guess you’re right, but let’s do it anyway.”

“What?”

“I’m being serious.”

“I know you are and I’m being serious when I say ‘no’.”

“Why not?”

She shook her head saying, “Let’s not get into this now, ok?” He looked at her. “We have enough problems in there.”

“But I don’t want to wait anymore.”

“Wasn’t last night good enough for now?”

“Well, yeah. It was great.” He smiled and kissed her. “Actually words can’t describe last night.”

“No they can’t.” He kissed her again.

“What happened last night?” Aaron asked standing at the kitchen entrance and interrupting.

“None of your business,” Nickolas stated.

“You two had sex last night,” Aaron said. “I ain’t stupid.” He smiled. “Don’t worry; I ain’t going to say anything.”

“There ain’t anything to say. Nothing happened last night.” Valondra smiled.

“Whatever. Loni’s smile says more.” She shrugged. “I’m hungry.”

“You just ate,” Valondra said.

“I’m a growing boy,” Aaron said.

“Ha!” Nickolas exclaimed. “The only thing growing on you is your lips.”

“Nickolas,” Valondra said.

“He never shuts up anymore,” Nickolas said. “It’s driving me nuts.”

“And some nice ones you got,” Valondra said under her breath.

“What’s that?”

“Nothing.” She smiled.

“Uh-huh,” the two guys said.

“Go away.” She pushed Nickolas from her. “Oh, Nicky, baby, I’m still waiting for that thingy you had to get from Brian’s last night.” She smiled.

“I can’t believe how impatient you are,” Nickolas said and she continued smiling. “Aaron, go get it.”

“Ok,” Aaron said leaving the kitchen.

“What is it?” Valondra asked.

“You’ll find out,” Nickolas said smiling. “You’ll love it. I’m sure.”

“Uh-huh,” Valondra said as Aaron walked back in.

“Here ya go,” Aaron said handing Nickolas an envelope.

“Give it to her,” Nickolas said and Aaron did so.

“What is this?” Valondra asked.

“Open it,” Nickolas said smiling. Valondra looked at him then opened the envelope and took out the papers. She began reading them then looked at Nickolas. “Well…”

“Nicky, these are ownership papers in my name.”

“Yeah.”

“For an island! Nick, you bought me a fuc—island.”

“I know.”

“What the freaking hell were you thinking?”

“About you.” He smiled.

“Nick, I…”

“You don’t like it.” His smile faded. “I understand.” He took the papers from her. “I just thought that since you love the island so much you’d like to have it as your own.”

“Nick.”

“I understand.” He put the papers back in the envelope as Aaron walked out. “I’ll just go back and get it reversed. No biggy.”

“Nickolas…”

“You don’t need to explain, Lon, because I understand, ya know. You don’t want it and I was wrong to assume you would. Am I hurt? Yes. Will I get over it? Yes. I just wanted to do something for ya that’s all.”

“Stop your whining please and…”

“I ain’t whining. Just surprised you don’t want it, but it’s all right. I ain’t mad. It’s all good.” She smirked and shook her head. “What?”

“You’d rather complain than listen to what I have to say.”

“What can you possibly say that’ll make me a happy man?”

“I do want the island and I love you.” She kissed him. “More than you’ll ever know.”

“You really want it?”

“Yeah, I’m just surprised you bought it that’s all. It was the last thing I was expecting from you.”

“I’m full of surprises.”

“Yes you are.”

“So are you.”

“How so?”

“Last night.” She smirked. “You were really…”

“Lon needs support from you guys,” Jane said as she and Millicent interrupted.

“I don’t need advice from you on my daughter,” Millicent said. “She’s perfectly fine.”

“How often do you see her?”

“That’s beside the point.”

“No it’s not. She told me she sees me and Bob more than you and Bailey. I think it’s appalling.”

“What’s appalling is how you’re trying to tell me how…”

“Both of you just shut the hell up!” Valondra interrupted. “This is ridiculous. Your constant bickering is ridiculous. You might hate each other, but it ain’t stopping Nick and me from getting married. You can just let the thought leave your mind, ‘cause it ain’t happening anytime soon. I wanted to have a nice holiday, but that’s impossible when both our families are together. Excuse me.” She went upstairs.

“Lon!” Nickolas called after her and he shook his head.

“Hey, where’s Lon?” Leslie asked interrupting.

“She just went upstairs,” Nickolas said. “No thanks to anyone in this room.” He walked to the stairs with Leslie behind him. “Excuse us.” He and Leslie walked up with the other two watching.