Chapter 6 already! Wow! Anyway, enjoy the holiday chapter of "Open your heart"

Disclaimer:I do not own sonic the hedghog or mary poppins.

Sonic blinked his eyes blearily, feeling slightly frustrated. Normally, he could stare up at earth's stars without any problem. However, tonight was different. It had started to snow, and whenever the blue hero tried to look up at the sky's dark violet blanket, his eyes would be pricked with the ice-cold snowflakes and he'd be forced to shut them again.

He sighed in defeat, sitting up and rubbing the icy water out of his eye, when he heard a voice rise in excitement inside. The muffled noise boomed out in the quiet night, when young Christopher Thorndyke burst through to his balcony, elated.

"You mean it mom? Both you and dad are coming home tonight?! That's great!"

Sonic paused to let Chris have this moment with his parents, after all, you never knew when they would cancel, maybe they meant it this time?

"An hour!? Don't worry, we'll get everything ready, you should be in time to help us finish decorating the tree! Yeah, we saved it just in case! Yeah, love you too, see you soon!"

With that, Chris hung up the phone, and sighed happily, leaning against the balcony, almost like he was relieved.

"So your folks are coming home for Christmas?" Sonic asked. He snickered when Chris jumped from the unexpected voice.

But just as suddenly as he jumped, his smile came back, "Yeah! Can you believe it? For the past two years, they've had to be away for Christmas, but they planned two months earlier this year, so they can finally come home for the holidays!"

Sonic smiled, jumping down so he stood next to his human friend, ruffling his hair despite the height difference, "that's great kid, I know how much this means to you."

Chris looked out over his house's property, taking I the soft honey glow of the Christmas lights had set up in the gardens, turning the cold hard snow into a different world of some sorts. "Yeah.."

They stood there for a moment, when they heard voices down in the garden. They looked down to see Kassie, dancing unashamedly in the midst of a snow flurry, humming and then singing to herself. It was complete déjà vu to the night that she had first arrived, it was like she had lost herself in her own melody.

Sonic smiled at the sight, though he didn't show it (when did he ever?) sonic had been slightly worried about the girl, and how unhealthy she had looked when they first met, but look at her now? She was dancing in the snow, happy as a clam. She still had a long way to go to be pronounced healthy, but at least she didn't look like she was going to collapse at any given second.

"Kassie looks like she's doing better huh?" He asked, presenting his own thoughts to the young earthling beside him.

Chris made a noise of agreement, gazing down at his older cousin in slight admiration. He wasn't sure if he could express himself that freely, especially if he had been through what Kassie had.

Then they noticed something beside her. A red echidna watched her with his arms crossed disapprovingly, yet his smirk betrayed his stern stance, as he watched Kassie dance and sing.

"….So does Knuckles..in a way…"

Sonic gave Chris a curious look, having noticed the echidna now himself, "how?"

Chris shrugged, "Well, when I first met knuckles I thought he was, well, a grump who hated our world and everyone in it."

"Well he's definitely a stick in the mud.." sonic said tapping his foot and shrugging his shoulders with a smirk, "But he doesn't hate everyone in this world, he's just not very good at going with the flow, he doesn't like change. …don't get me wrong, I'd like to get home too, but we're here, so I might as well enjoy it while I can."

"Right. Well, since we first showed him to Kassie….it's not that he's changed but…it's like he's relaxed a little you know? Softened a bit.."

Sonic smirked down at his red friend, "That's cuz he's gone soft for Kassie..course I can't blame him, I get the feeling Kassie has that effect on everyone."

Chris laughed, "You're right, she definelty does."

Sonic stretched his arms above his head, before nudging Chris in the arm playfully, "Lets go get them huh? I've been waiting to decorate that monster of a tree all day."

Chris smiled, and followed the blue hero inside.

/

Kassie kicked the slush form her path cheerfully, scuffing her black boot against the pavement, and almost fell over from the tripping result.

"Kassie be careful.." Knuckles sighed exasperatedly beside her, catching her before she could fall and setting he upright again.

Kassie only laughed, "Sorry …..Oh Knuckles look!" She breathed, her eyes shinning at the sight in front of them.

They had finally arrived at the Thorndyke mansion, and in front of them stood a brightly light front garden. The snow had taken some of the flowers by surprise, so some were still in bloom when they had been first sprinkled by the powdery stuff, adding to the affect of the "winter wonderland. "

Swinging open the gate, Kassie didn't hesitate to run off of the path and into he center, looking up at the sky and the gentle falling snow. Her boots crunched in the hardened snow underneath her as she spun in a circle, she looked like a little kid excited by something so simple. But then again, that was Kassie for you.

Knuckles smiled, shaking his head, and was about to call her t come back, when he heard a soft hum build up form where she was. Kassie had started to sing.

Her eyes looked far away, as she spun in graceful circles, dancing without music yet looking al the more magical. Her humming ceased and she began to sing Natasha Bedingfields "Pocketful of sunshine." A son she had expressed as one of her favorites earlier that day when they were talking.

"I got a pocket

got a pocket full of sunshine

I've got a love

And I know that it's all mine

Oh oh whoa oh!"

Knuckles watched in amazement, he had heard her hum before and knew from the sound of that that she was good, yet he hadn't been there when everyone else had heard her sing the first time, he had no warning of how good she actually was.

It was a soft, gentle melody, almost like a chant (considering what the lyrics were)

"Do what you want but your never gonna break me

sticks and stones they're never gonna shake me no

oh whoa oh!"

"Take me away!

A secret place!

A sweet escape!

Take me away!

Take me away!

To better days!

Take me away!

A hiding place!"

Kassie danced underneath the sky, staring up at it, lost in her own melody for just a few precious moments.

"there's this place that I go

where nobody knows

where the rivers flow

and I cal it home

and there's no more lies

and the darkness is light

and nobody cries

There's only butterflies!"

As she repeated the chorus, Knuckles walked forward, watching with a small, almost proud smile on his face. This talent of hers was going to take her places, that was for sure.

"the sun's on my side

take me for a ride

I smile up to the sky

I know I'll be alright

The suns on my side

Take me for a ride

I smile up to the sky

I know I'll be alright….."

Kassie finished slowly, letting the words sink in, knowing secretly how much they meant to her. Only she knew just how much she clung to the last phrase, espcially when she was hospitalized.

Kassie shook her head in an attempt to escape those thoughts, It's Christmas time, now's not the time to be thinking about that, she thought to herself spinning in one last circle before falling backwards into the snow, hearing it crunch as it molded around the shape of her body.

She moved her arms and legs in and out to make a snow angel, smiling serenely.

"You're very good you know.." Knuckles said quietly beside her.

"Thanks…..you know, the lights are my favorite part of Christmas?"

Knuckles blinked confusedly, "I thought it would be the songs…"

Kassie shrugged from her spot amidst the snow, "Maybe you think too much?"

Knuckles looked at her, but knew she had not meant it in a rude or mean way from the innocent smile she gave him.

Knuckles smirked before standing up, "Come on, we'd better get you inside before-"

"Kassidy Daniels! You get yourself out of that cold snow now! You'lll catch your death else!" Ella's' Latino accent bellowed form the front door, a silhouette of her wit her hands on her hips crossly sod forebodingly.

"Too late." Kassie gave a nervous laugh.

/

"Aha! There she is!"

Kassie yelped, when as soon as she entered the doorway, she was hoisted into the air by an unknown force, until that force crushed her in a bear hug.

"My little Christmas angel! How've you been Kassie?"

Knuckles looked up to see Sam Speed hugging a very panicked Kassie (remember, she's afraid of heights.)

"U-uncle Sam! Put me down!" She begged slightly, her voice cracking as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Oops, that's right, sorry."

Kassie's fast talking uncle gently lowered her to the ground, grinning broadly as he looked her up and down, "Look at you, you've gotten so tall! How long has it been since I've seen you?"

Kassie smiled up at her uncle, "A few years I think, how's the speed team going?"

Sam laughed cockily, throwing his head back, "Catching more and more bad guys everyday!"

Just then, Chris came down with sonic, "Oh good, you're already in, Are we ready to decorate the tree?"

Kassie smiled excitedly, absent-mindedly grabbing knuckles hand and guiding him with her to the front room, "C'mon lets go!"

Sam smiled after his niece an nephew as they left, soon joined by chuck who just came down the stirs, "It's good to see her so lively…"Sam trailed off, for once speaking seriously.

"She's getting better everyday…"Chuck agreed.

Their talk was interrupted when tails came flying down the staircase, cream in toe and his tails whirling.

Chuck clapped Sam on the shoulder, "Right, that's enough of this serious talk, lets go have some fun!"

Sam laughed, walking with him to help the kids decorate.

/

It had been a full two hours before the tree was even remotely finished. Even with sonic there to speedily wrap the lights around it, it was still a huge tree, which required a lot of attention. But as everyone knows, on Christmas, no one really minds spending the extra time.

Knuckles couldn't help but find himself smiling. He even laughed a few times, like when Amy caught Sonic under the mistletoe, and proceeded to chase him around. Normally he would roll his eyes, but the atmosphere at this time of year relaxed him.

However, he found something unsettling, when Kassie kept casting worried looks outside, as the snow fell.

"Something wrong Kassie?" Sonic asked finally, raising a brow.

Kassie smiled, shaking her head, "mm, it's nothing sonic, could you pass me that ornament over there?"

Sonic didn't look convinced but nonetheless left it alone, passing Kassie the bright red orb to be hanged on the tree.

Suddenly, the door burst open in the other room, letting in a snow flurry, as a loud squeal was heard. Everyone turned to see Lindsey and Nelson enter the room, finally home.

"Hi mom! Hi dad!" Chris cried out happily. Letting out a surprise squawk when Lindsey enveloped him I an embrace,

"My little boy, merry Christmas darling!" She looked up and spotted Kassie

"Is that my Kassie? That tall lovely thing?"

Kassie laughed, "Hello Auntie Lindsey, uncle nelson. "

"It's good to see you Kassidy, where's your mother? Isn't she coming?" Nelson Thorndyke asked.

Kassie's slightly worried look returned, "She should be here…I know she was planning o coming. "

Lindsey gave her a hug, "well never mind that now, I'm sure Rena will be here soon."

"Yeah.." Kassie trialed of uncertainly, casting another worried glance out the window upon release of the hug.

Knuckles looked at his friend, not liking at al seeing her upset. He stood up without a second thought and sat beside her. , "Anything I can do to help?"

Kassie smiled at him gratefully, happy that he was trying to take her mind off of her worry, "Help me strand this popcorn?"

He nodded; mildly confused as to whey they were putting popcorn on a tree, but brushed it off, dismissing it as a human thing.

About an hour passed when Ella finally sighed, "Well Cream, I think it might be time for bed don't you?"

Being the youngest, Cream ha started to look sleepy, and even tails ha begun to rub his eyes.

"B-but, I want to stay up and help decorate! I'm not sleepy yet Ella, really!"

Ella sighed, getting ready for a battle with the young rabbit, when a soft humming sound out from the tree.

No one was surprised to see Kassie, going about her business, humming the soft melody of Mary Poppins "Stay awake."

The mesmerizing tune soon caught the attention of everyone in the room, when Kassie started to quietly mutter the lyrics.

"Stay awake

Don't rest your head..

Don't lie down

Upon your bed

While the moon drifts

In the skies

Stay awake

Don't close your eyes…."

Slowly at first, Creams eyelids began to droop, as well as Tails who yawned. Even the older sonic crew found themselves laying back, feeling incredibly sleepy all of a sudden; such was the power of the lullaby.

Kassie smiled knowingly

"Though the world

is fast a sleep

Though your pillow's soft

And deep

You're not sleepy

As you seem

Stay awake

Don't nod and dream

Stay awake

Don't nod….and….dream…." Kassie finished quietly, turning around to find Cream had successfully been lulled to sleep as well as tails. Even Chris and Amy had sort of bleary-eyed look, and Kassie was sure she caught Sonic and Knuckles rubbing their eyes as well as the adults.

Ell gently picked up the sleeping rabbit, giving an appreciative look to Kassie.

The young redhead merely gave a sheepish thumbs up, smiling when Sonic rolled his eyes at Tails, swinging him over his shoulder and carrying his little brother up to bed with cream.

Al was peaceful for a moment, when Kassie perked up suddenly, seeing car headlights travel into the Thorndyke's driveway.

"She's here!" she exclaimed happily, dashing for the door.

Knuckles attempted to stop her, but his cries fell on deaf ears when Kassie flew out the door and into the cold, running straight into her mothers arms, which were open and ready.

"Mom!"

Rena smiled and laughed, hugging her excited daughter, dragging her in back to the warm. Knuckles smiled at the sight, holding the door open for them.

"Mom, these are my friends, Sonic, Knuckles and Amy, Tails and Cream are in bed right now…"

Rena took in the sight of the mobians with an appreciative curious glance, "Kassie has told me so much about you all, I'm glad I finally get the opportunity to se you for myself…..tell me..have you ever been asked to pose for a painting?" she asked, her eyes getting an excited gleam in them.

"Mom for pete's sake you just got here!" Kassie scolded, laughing her head off.

They continued to joke with each other, and Knuckles felt relieved, Kassie had everything she needed to have the perfect Christmas now.

He turned to leave, when he felt someone grab onto the cuff f his glove. He looked back confused to see Kassie giving him a sad look; "You have to leave already Knuckles?

"Well, it's getting dark, and it's only going to snow harder…"

"So why don't you stick around Knucklehead?" Sonic asked, giving a cocky smirk to the echidna. Knuckles could feel the word "No" dancing on his tongue, ready to spill out, but again, he had to take one look into Kassie's chocolate brown eyes to feel himself sighing in defeat.

"Fine…"

Sonic looked slightly surprised that he had given in so easily once again, then he looked at Kassie and smiled in understanding.

Kassie smiled happily, grabbing knuckles hand once again. Knuckles noticed briefly that their hands seemed to mold together, like he belonged there.

Gah! finally its done! sorry if it's not a very god holiday chapter, but since the holidays are over, it's kinda hard to write holiday story. t least i had it out before new years day was done. Enjoy! by the way, the stay awake song is actually a song my daddy used to sing to me when i was little and couldn't sleep. I figured it be cool if i added that in.