Howie grabbed Breanna's hand and placed a small box in it as they sat on their hotel bed. The Christmas rain fell in the background and the fire still burned in the fireplace. Breanna glanced down at the box then back up at Howie. "Don't stare at it! Open it!" He stated with a cute smile on his face. "Well, it's not an engagement ring, that's for sure!" She thought to herself. She knew it was too soon to become engaged. When she opened the box she let out a loud gasp. "Ohmigod!" She said to herself. "That was the exact reaction I was hoping for." Howie said proudly. "You like it?" He finally asked, unsure if she really liked it or not. "Like it!? I love it!" She shouted, throwing her arms around him. "I'm glad. It's a promise ring. As long as you wear this, I promise to never hurt you and to always make you happy." Breanna's eyes became large as she listened to what he had to say. "But I didn't get you anything nearly as special as this." She felt bad but Howie smiled at her instead. "You've given me everything I could ever want. You just don't realize it." She smiled back and took the ring out of the box. Howie took it out of her hand and placed it on her left ring finger. The ring was platinum with a heart shaped diamond. "People are going to think this is an engagement ring." She teased him. "Nah, if it was an engagement ring, it would be spectacular!" He smiled at her again. "Okay, and now for your other gift..." Howie reached across the bed and grabbed the phone. "Hey Kev, Breanna and I are on our way to your room. Have her gift ready, k?" Howie laughed into the phone.

They walked to Kevin's room, five doors away. When they entered the room everyone was there. Nick, his girlfriend Natasha, AJ, Mya, Brian, Izabel, Thomas, and Kevin who was beaming. "Hey Kevin! You look like your on Cloud Nine and Eve isn't even in town!" Breanna greeted Kevin with a kiss and hug. "I know she's not here but it's Christmas! The rest of my family is here." He said pointing to everyone in the room. Breanna and Howie smiled glancing around the room at everyone. When Breanna saw Natasha she screamed with glee and ran over to the shy girl to give her a hug. "Oh my God! I've never meet you before! You're so beautiful!" Breanna stated as she hugged Natasha. Natasha was a little taken aback but when she saw the happy look in Nick's eyes she relaxed and returned the hug. "Thank you." Natasha stated calmly. "You're Breanna I'm assuming." Everyone in the room laughed. "Um, yeah. That's right, we've never really met. I'm his girl." Breanna said pointing to Howie. Natasha smiled at both of them. They made a striking couple. After a few minutes of chatting Breanna looked around the room and noticed that there was a Christmas tree fully decorated but it didn't have a star yet. "Why no star?" She asked pointing to the tree. "We wanted to wait until everyone was here." Brian said smiling. "Oh okay." Breanna wondered over to the tree looking around at all the gifts. "What are you looking for?" Howie laughed as the rest of the room conversed with each other. Kevin watched Breanna with a silly grin on his face. "I'm looking for my gift. Where is it?" She pouted. "In the bathroom." Howie and Kevin said together. "The bathroom?" Breanna squeaked. "Yes...go get it." Howie said ushering Breanna into the bathroom. "Okay fine! I will." She teased him. Breanna walked into the bathroom and let out a scream and then a laugh. Howie and Kevin laughed. When Breanna emerged from the bathroom she tackled Howie to the floor. He laughed as she tickled him. "Oh hey! That ring cut me!" He laughed. "Sorry, you should have bought a smaller diamond, then!" She laughed. Eve stood in the doorway laughing at the couple on the floor. "I just love being a Christmas present." She commented aloud to no one in particular. "Wait, wait, wait! Ring? Diamond? What?" Brian asked. Nick and AJ both looked at one another before looking down at Breanna and Howie who were still wrestling. "Yeah, D! What ring?" Nick asked. "More exact, what *type* of ring?" AJ asked. "Relax guys! It's a promise ring." Everyone let out a sigh of relief. "This year has been too hectic. I don't think I could handle a wedding, too." Brian stated. Everyone laughed and Izabel tossed a pillow at him. "Mommy, you mean." Thomas shouted. Brian picked up Thomas and looked at Izabel. "Yeah mommy. You're mean! Daddy's a good boy and mommy's mean, right?" Brian asked Thomas. He nodded his head. "Mommy scare Santa." Everyone looked at Thomas and burst into laughter. He was going to grow up to be just like Brian.

"Well, maybe we should tell them?" Howie asked Breanna loud enough for everyone to hear. "Tell us what? Just promise me you're not announcing a pregnancy, a wedding, or a break-up." Nick stated. "No, it's not that!" Breanna smiled at Nick. He relaxed a little bit and laughed at how concerned he was. "Okay, what's the announcement?" Kevin asked. By that time everyone was staring at Howie and Breanna. He took her hand when he saw how nervous she was. Eve never knew Breanna to be nervous but this year was taking it's toll on her. "As of this morning, Breanna is signed with Jive." The room was quiet for a split second before it errupted into hollers, yells, cheers, and whistles. Everyone was excited for Breanna. Brian picked her up and spun her around. "I've been writing a lot of songs lately. If you want, I'll work on a few of them with you." Breanna smiled and accepted his offer. "Oh you have no idea what that means to me." He kissed her cheek and smiled back at her. "What's family for, anyway?" She punched him lightly in the arm as he laughed at her. "Bree mean, too. Girls mean." Thomas stated. Breanna giggled and lowered herself to be eye level with Thomas. "Geez, for a two year old you have a lot to say. You're gonna have a big mouth like your daddy." Thomas looked at her and smiled. She grabbed him and picked him up for a hug as she spun him around like Brian had done to her a few minutes before. Breanna handed Thomas back to Izabel. "You have your hands full." "Oh I know it!" Izabel laughed. "I mean, you have to deal with TWO children!" "Hey I heard that! I'm hurt!" Brian yelled out. Breanna looked around the room to make sure Thomas wasn't watching them before she flipped Brian off. Brian picked Breanna up and tossed her over his shoulder. "BRIAN! PUT ME DOWN!" Breanna yelled as the rest of the room laughed. "Okay, get this rockstar out of here." Brian shouted handing Breanna over to Howie.

The room was in high spirits as everyone opened presents. Thomas got the most gifts but that was to be expected. He was the easiest to shop for and the easiest to please. When everyone was finished opening their gifts the girls quickly helped clear away the mess that was left behind as the guys left with their bodyguards to go pick up some food that the caterers had left for Christmas. After Christmas dinner was over, everyone sang Christmas carols and played games. Of course Howie video taped the entire scene focusing most of the attention on Breanna who was very lively that day. By 8 o'clock Eve and Kevin stood up near the mantle of the fireplace, champagne glasses in hand. "Sorry Bri, you're out of luck this year." Eve stated. Brian looked at her quizzically. "We have an announcement." Kevin stated. He held up Eve's left hand and smiled at the room. "We're getting married." "That's no surprise!" AJ shouted. The room laughed. "Yeah, it'd be more of a surprise if Breanna and Howie announced an engagement. We knew you two would be engaged by the end of the year." Brian laughed. "I win!" Nick shouted out of nowhere. "You win? How?" AJ asked. "I said by Christmas day. You all said by New Years, so I win!" Nick replied. "Win? What'd you win?" Kevin asked with a laugh. "I won $500, man! Pay up guys! And I don't accept personal checks." Nick laughed. Howie, AJ, and Brian groaned. "Ah man! We actually have to pay you?" Brian complained as Nick nodded his head.

When everything was over, Breanna and Howie made their exit. "We have to be up early tomorrow so we're gonna go try to sleep." Breanna stated as everyone shouted "Uh-huh" and "yeah, right". "Honestly, I'm exhausted! I have no idea what he plans to do but whatever it is, it won't involve me." "Hey, D! You give her a ring and she gives you the cold shoulder?" AJ teased. Howie laughed at the room. "It's a sacred holiday and you're all talking about sex? C'mon guys!" Howie shouted pretending to be offended. He couldn't surpress the cheesy smile from his face. "Let's go!" Breanna stated as she grabbed at his collar to drag him back to their room. "Night all! See ya tomorrow!" Breanna shouted as she closed the door behind her back.