The Power of Love

December 25, 1998 and Epilogue

December 25, 1998. 20 years later. Christmas.

Keith and I walked up to the familiar house and rang the doorbell. As soon as the doorbell rang through the house, we could the dog yapping away as she ran to the front door. I couldn't tell if the miniature dachshund could tell it was us, or if she was just excited that there was something or someone on the other side of the door. The two of us let out amused laughs at the dogs as we continued to wait for the door to open.

About a minute later the door swung open, revealing Mariah. She smiled an excited and greetings mile as she quickly hugged the two of us and let us inside the house. Jazzy, their miniature dachshund followed behind us excitedly, her tail wagging so much that it could make someone dizzy if they tried to follow it. Once we all walked in, we could see that Darry and Mariah had already gotten to the house.

As the years went by, Christmas traditions changed as our group all grew. Other family members started new traditions and events for the holidays. We all got together as often as we could, taking advantage of the fact that all our kids were friends- and some of them even related in one way or another- as they all grew up. That was definitely a help and a factor for all of us to stay together. There was also the fact that a few of the kids had started to date each other, and even get married- like KJ and Mariah did- as they got older.

Once everyone was inside, we all exchanged warm greetings with one another. It was only the six of us this year, since everyone else was temporarily dispersed for the holiday season. It was KJ and Mariah who invited the four of us and just the four of us over. They'd never done that before since they got married in 1996. They always invited the four of us, obviously, but they always tried to have as many people over as physically possible, so it was a bit weird.

"So, I have to ask," Marilyn began, "How come it's only the three of us?"

KJ and Mariah looked confused. "What do you mean?" Mariah asked.

"Well you guys just invited the four of us," I pointed out.

"No one else could make it," KJ shrugged nonchalantly.

Keith gave a suspicious look. "Oh really?" he tried, unconvinced.

KJ just nodded, but looked unsure to me. "We tried everyone. They're all doin' their own things this year."

We all decided to just give up for the moment and take their word for it. It was obvious that the two were hiding something from us- but we weren't exactly sure what it was just yet. I shared a look with Marilyn that said: We gotta figure out what it is before the nights over. Honestly, I don't know if Keith and Darry caught this look between us, but I know they had the same thing in mind, based off of the facial expressions that they were wearing.

When KJ and Mariah left the room, the four of us got together and spoke quietly so they couldn't hear us from the other room.

"Something is goin' on with the two of them," Darry announced quietly.

"KJ's lying," I stated, "He didn't look at me when he was talking. He looked past me. He always did that when he was hiding something from me."

"What do you think they're hidin' from us?" Keith wondered aloud.

Marilyn shrugged. "Could be anything," she answered, "The question is: is it something they're gonna tell us or not?

KJ and Mariah re-entered the room, both carrying a carefully wrapped box- one in her hands, the other in his hand. The four of us quickly stopped talking and looked up at the two with confused looks on our faces. They sat back down with us, both with eager smiles on their faces.