~*3 1/2 Years Later*~

"Honey," Adrienne gasped, stumbling over the already spilled Legos of Angelina's. Her heart nearly tore from her chest, stress and fatigue plaguing her body for days now. Her youthful beauty has been pulled from her fair face, but she still had that hungry twinkle in her eye. "I'm trying get this apartment together. Please keep your toys together."

"Sorry Momma," Angelina replied sweetly as she scampered from her Barbie dolls to clean up the Legos, her tight chocolate ringlettes bouncing about her head.

'Moving so close to Christmas was a mistake,' Adrienne concluded as she sat down on top of one of the many brown boxes that screamed to be unpacked. Their apartment only had one room, but it was the best Adrienne could do. Overlooking the dim lighting and cramped kitchen, it was a workable establishment for the time being. She just wanted to get out of her parents apartment, out of the criticism and guilt her parents inadvertently laid over her head ever since Angelina was brought into the world. So when she made enough money at Friendly's (after she was promoted to Day Manager), she got out as soon as she could. She appreciated her mother watching Angelina as much as she does, but it was no excuse for her cruel treatment. Of course, all of Rina's dreams like finishing high school, going to culinary school, clubbing in the darkest of night; basically a figment of a normal life were shot out of the sky with the coming of Angelina, but sometimes such a sacrafice is worth it in the long run.

Adrienne sucked in a sharp breath of air, her short light brown curls starting to dampen onto her tanned face. She moved her head in the direction of Angelina, the crucible. Angelina sat on the bare wood floor in her blue dress, stubby legs sprawled opened as she made her Ken and Barbie doll kiss, excitement fluttering in her eyes; the eyes of her father's. "Did you and daddy ever kiss like this?" Angelina asked her mommy innocently, thrusting her arms to the left so Rina could see the Barbies' position.

"Once upon a time, Darling," Rina replied exausted, hopping from the box and laying her lips on Angelina's cheek. Angelina just smiled, taking the Legos in her small, tanned hands and costructing a beautiful rainbow of a palace only a child could appreciate.

Rina lifted a small box used to pack Florida oranges up to the kitchen counter. She didn't remember what was put in this box, so with her nail file she discovered in her purse, she ripped the file through the tape. Cocoa was staring blankly up at her.

A memorial of Cocoa sat at the top of the box; a gold picture frame bearing several pictures of the dog from over the years. Rina's light brown eyes started to tear up as she delicately lifted the picture frame out of the dark abyss. Two years Cocoa had been MIA, but it felt like milleniums to Adrienne. She smiled, remembering his loud bark and twinkling eyes as she positioned the frame on a bookcase. The next trinket in the box was the picture frame Chris gave her for Christmas 4 years ago. Memories flooded her mind like a breaking dam. She grazed her hand over the tarnishing frame. Cheapskate, she thought to herself, a smile sneaking on her lips.

Ahh Chris...Chris and Dream Street were still in tact, working on their 4th album as we speak. Chris hasn't been around much to see Adrienne or Angelina; he's been practically chained to the recording studio's door for a month straight. Dream Street has definatley grown in popularity from the 'It Happens Every Time' Days. Dream Street now sells out arenas with a snap of your fingers when a few short years ago, they couldn't even fill Nassau Coliseum. Angelina absolutley adores Chris, jumping at the chance to see her daddy perform on stage or just to hear his voice on the phone. Also, you would relish having four loving uncles who bring lavished gifts on birthdays and Christmas, wouldn't you?

Rina refocused herself, straightening her light purple thermal shirt as she pushed the box to the right. She glanced at the TV, making sure nothing bad was on MTV that small ears could pick up. One big brown box had masculine items in it including basketball jerseys and bathroom products, so she left that for its tentant to take care of. A box labeled 'Rina' stood close to the front door. She picked it up slightly and it slammed back down to the floor like it was a magnet, attracted to the cold wood. 'Way too heavy,' Rina concluded as she feel to her knees and started to slowly push it into her room like a bulldozer.

"Mommy," Angelina shreiked, jumping to her feet and running to Rina's side. Her cheeks were turning red from excitement. "Daddy's on TV!"

"What?" Rina asked, her ears not computing what Angelina said.

"C'Mon," Angelina urged with a semi-toothy smile. She grabbed her mom's clammy hand and trudged her to the TV. Chris was sitting in front of a red curtain being interviewed by MTV News. Holiday lights speckled in his beautiful hazel eyes.

"What is Dream Street doing now? The fans are aching to here your new material," Sharon Halberry implored, shoving the mic into Chris's face. A smile of remembrance appeared on Rina's face, sitting down next to her daughter, Angelina's small hand still clenched to Rina's.

"We're working on our 4th album called 'Always' after the new single," Chris responded, his manly face sparkling like a thousand stars. His eyes were just as Rina revoked; some things never change. He still sported his spikes, but they were tiny comared to his ehm, bigger features. "We have a few more songs to finish. We're planning on doing a New Years' concert to benefit music departments throughout New York State at the end of January. We're really excited for it because we're going to premier a few songs from the upcoming album there. But in spite of that, I think we all are looking forward to the break for the holidays."

"Speaking of the holidays," Sharon continued, her red hair sneaking from its black bandana toward her pale cheeks. "What are your plans?"

"I plan on just chilling with my family," Chris responded, scratching his forehead, "I need more personal time with the people close to me. You really have to appreciate what you have this time of year, you know? It can be taken away faster than you realize like it almost did a few years ago for me. I can't wait to see my daughter Angelina. She just grows more and more every day and I'm sorry I can't see her as often as I want to. If your watching, Daddy misses you and can't wait to see you, Angel Dust." He blew a kiss to the screen, his eyes peering directly into Adrienne and Angelina's souls.

"Well it's safe to say that we greatly appreciate your openess about your family life," Sharon stated, professionalism and awe leaking from her once powerless voice.

"Mommy, Mommy," Adrienne yelled smiling like she won a Grammy, leaping to the TV screen pointing to Chris, "He said my name on TV! And he misses me. I miss him, too...so much!"

"Me too, Baby," Rina responded, Angelina sprinting into her mother's awaiting arms. Angelina nuzzled her face into Adrienne's chest and sprawled her small arms around Rina's waist, her angelic face tripping under the influence of sleep. "More than you know."