"Alright I'm back!  I needed out of that dress and into some Christmas pj's!  Are you boys ready for the movie?"

"Yes!  Alan and I made some popcorn.  Is that okay for the babies to eat?"

"Oh yeah, they love popcorn!" Arvilla giggles.

"Good!  Well get comfortable!"

"I will!  Here, I brought some blankets down in case you two get cold.  Let me know if anyone runs out of hot cocoa."

"We're fine.  Thank you, Mrs. Holden." Alan says with a smile.

Arvilla smiles and finds a comfortable spot on her recliner.

**

"That was so good!  Can we watch another one?"

"Miguel, we've been here for a while, Mrs. Holden has done so much for us.  She's probably exhausted, we should go."

"No, I don't mind!  We can watch another one."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely!" Arvilla smiles.

"Okay.  Thank you." Alan then turned to Miguel and said, "We can watch one more before we go.  But just one, Miguel."

"Okay." He smiles sweetly.

Arvilla chuckled and let Miguel pick the movie he wanted.

"How about The Grinch?"

"Ooh nice choice!  You boys go ahead and start it, I'm gonna run to the restroom." Arvilla says trying her best to stand.

She then laughs and says, "I guess run isn't the best choice of words."

"Here, let me help you." Alan walks over and takes Arvilla's hands.

"Whew!  Thank you, Alan."

"You're welcome.  Do you feel okay?"

"I feel fine, they're just really heavy now so it's hard to stand." She giggles and runs her hand down her large bump.

**

The night came to an end and the two boys were packing up to leave.

"Miguel, what do you say to Mrs. Holden?"

"Thank you so much for having us." He smiles.

"Aw!  It was my pleasure!  Come over whenever you'd like!"

"Great!  I'll come tomorrow!"

Alan chuckles and playfully taps the back of his head. "Get in the car."

"Okay!  Bye, Mrs. Holden." Miguel hugs her tightly.

"Bye sweetie.  Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!"

Miguel gets in the car and Alan looks at Arvilla.

"I hope you had a nice time." She says with a smile.

"It was great!  That's the most Miguel has smiled smile mom passed.  It's the most I've smiled as well.... Thank you."

"Aw.. Well I'm always here.  Maybe we can do this again.  I want to do whatever I can for you boys.. but remember, you're helping me as well.  I don't know what I would have done without you boys here today.... Thank you for coming."

Alan smiles softly. "No problem.  You don't have to thank you.  We all needed each other."

Arvilla nods her head and takes a deep breath.

"Next year you'll have these two." Alan chuckles and points to her stomach.

Arvilla smiles and rubs her belly.
"Yep!  These two little rascals.  I can't wait!"

**

That evening Arvilla laid in bed.
  Suddenly she got a phone call.

Arvilla groaned and reached over to answer it.

"Hello?" She sighs.

"Merry Christmas!  I hope it's not too late!"

"Robert?  No, not at all!  Hi!  Merry Christmas!" Arvilla smiles.

"How was your day?"

"Well.."

Arvilla told Robert all about her day, and he told her all about his.  Arvilla loved having Robert to talk to.  He really was such an amazing friend that came to her at the absolute perfect time.

***

New Years Eve.

"It's almost midnight!  Everyone get over here!" Margene shouted.
Emmett and Margene had thrown a party for their family and friends.

Arvilla was pretty quiet the entire night.  Understandably so, because this was the ending of one of the worst, yet most wonderful years of her life.  She knows this next year would be exciting and heartbreaking at the same time.

Arvilla watched as all of the couples gathered around for a New Years kiss with their partners.  Her heart ached for Joe.

One of Margene's nephews saw Arvilla sitting alone, so he decided to join her.

"I'll kiss you at midnight, Mrs. Holden." He smiles.

Arvilla makes a face at the teen and Margene whacks him on the arm.

"Timmy, No!  Arvilla, I'm so sorry."

Arvilla laughs and shakes her head. "It's okay, Margene."

"Stand up and we'll ring it in together!"

"No you go with Emmett.  We're okay." Arvilla smiles with sadness in her eyes as she cradles her baby bump.

"No come on.  You're not going to be alone.  Carol!"

Carol walks over and they both grab her hands.

"And up!  Good girl!"

"Thanks." Arvilla laughed and looked at Margene.

**

"Three.. Two.. One!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Carol and Margene kissed Arvilla's cheek, then kissed her belly making her laugh through her tears.

"We love you, Arvilla.  We're always here for you."

"I know.. thank you, and I love you too." Arvilla says in a shaky voice.  Arvilla wanted to scream she was so overwhelmed with emotions.  "Now go kiss your men and don't worry about me!" She chuckles.

Margene smiles and turns towards Emmett.  She gasps when she sees him on one knee holding a beautiful ring.

"WHAT?!" She shouts.

"Margene.. Will you marry me?"

"Are you kidding me, buster?!"

Arvilla laughs. "Oh my goodness!"

"I'm not kidding!  Marry me?  Be mine forever?"

"Well hell yeah!" She laughs.

Emmett slips the ring on her finger, then stands and kisses Margene's lips.

Everyone claps, and her best friends congratulate them with hugs.

"Oh honey, I'm so happy for you!" Arvilla smiles.

"Thank you!  I can't believe this right now!"

"It's such a wonderful surprise!
  Sweetie, Please think of my due date when planning this wedding!" She laughs.

"I will, sweetheart!" Margene laughs and hugs Arvilla tightly.