“Finally home”, I threw myself on the couch the second I got to it, Dylan sat next to me and I cuddled him to my chest. Damon walked in pulling our suitcases behind him and put them in the bedroom then came back to close the door.

“Did you inform your boss and landlord about you leaving this place?”, he pulled the coffee table towards the couch to sit in front of us, caging me in with his knees and I nodded my head

“Yes I did, but I still have to serve my one month's notice”, I said, and he nodded his head

“Great”, he stood to his feet. “So, what time is the crew arriving?”, he asked, and before I could even answer, there was one knock on the door then it burst open, Lelo walked in with a bottle of white wine in her hand

“Let's get this New Year's Eve party started people”, she shouted, and we laughed as Stacy and James walked behind her and I stood up to hug them. Then the girls exchanged hugs with Damon and shared kisses with Dylan, but to my surprise and everyone else's, Damon and James had a signature handshake of their own before they shoulder bumped. They got along like a house on fire as they carried the groceries James bought to the kitchen.

“O-kay?”, Lelo exclaimed as we watched them disappear into the kitchen

“Well they get along well”, Stacy said, and we laughed as we grouped hugged before we sat down and started sharing our Christmas experiences with our families. We then exchanged gifts we got for each other.

James came from the kitchen holding three wine glasses for us and poured it for us. We were looking at him as he handed us our glass.

“So, what would you ladies like to eat tonight?”, he asked as he grinned

“You're cooking?”, Stacy asked as she took a sip of her wine

“Partly. He's doing most of the cooking”, he pointed out to Damon who walked out already wearing his apron and handed James his, and he put it on. We chuckled as we exchanged looks.

“Um. Surprise us”, I said and they both nodded their heads as they excused themselves to prepare for the meal in the kitchen.

“Ladies, seems like we're in for a treat”, Lelo said as we rose our glasses and clicked them together

“So Lelo, I saw your status update with a certain guy the other day”, Stacy said as she sipped on her wine, looking at her and a frown played on Lelo's face

“What status update?”, I questioned as I placed my wine glass on the coffee table, daring Lelo to say something. “What guy?”

“It was nothing serious, the guy and I have been on a couple of dates that's all”, she shrugged lightly

“When were you going to tell us about this?”, I asked, and she laughed

“Like I said, it's not serious and besides, I broke things with him a couple of days ago”

“So, you got in and out of a relationship, without telling us?”, Stacy quirked up an eyebrow

“I'm telling you now, aren't I?”, Lelo quirked up an eyebrow also

“After I had to bring it up”, Stacy now narrowed her eyes at her

“Okay fine, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, It's not a big deal honestly”, Lelo shrugged again

“Why did you break things off with him?”, I chipped in, and she rolled her eyes a little

“I found out he's married”, Lelo said blankly and Stacy and I exchanged looks

“Oh honey”, we chorused at the same time and Lelo put her index finger up

“No, this is why I didn't want to tell you. I didn't want you two to get worked up over nothing”, she said, and we frowned a little. “Can we please talk about something else?”, she asked and Stacy bit her lip excitedly, we noticed this and Lelo and I sat beside her in a split second, with her sandwiched between us.

“Well, I wasn't going to say anything”, she stated as she held back a blush

“Oh my God”, Lelo exclaimed and we both looked at her. “You're pregnant, aren't you?”, she asked and Stacy denied while laughing. She stood up to peek in the kitchen before tiptoeing to where James left his jacket and searched the inside pockets. Lelo and I watched curious before she came back to sit in between us and showed us a small black box and opened to reveal a stunning, diamond ring.

We sequeled in excitement, but not too loud so that the guys wouldn't hear. Stacy quickly closed the box and returned it in James's jacket again.

“He's going to propose”, I said, and we all squealed again as we held each other's hands

“I don't want to get my hopes up. But I really hope he does”, Stacy said excitedly as we picked up our glasses and clicked them together again.

“Congratulations in advance”, Lelo and I said in union as we clicked our glasses again

“No matter what you do, act surprised”, I warned, and she nodded her head

“And don't forget to cry”, Lelo added and Stacy nodded her head once more

Time passed and dinner was ready. The boys really outdid themselves honestly. I'm talking cumin-crusted lamb with shallots and crushed potatoes & tuffle chicken and potato gratin.

“That was delicious”, Lelo exclaimed as she finished eating and took a sip of her wine. “If it happens the two of you decide to quit your jobs to become professional chefs, don't be afraid to hit me up. I'd love to hire you as my private chefs”, she rose her glass to them, and they laughed.

“Lelo is right, the food was delicious”, I added and Stacy agreed along with me, and they thanked us

“We glad you loved it”, Damon said as he and James cleared the table

“Now this I could get used to”, I said to Damon as I looked at him seductively, and he winked at me

Dylan was rubbing his eyes sleepily, and I took him to bed, read him his favorite bedtime story, when he was finally asleep, I kissed him goodnight then switched off the lights and closed the door behind me

I walked to the lounge and found them sitting on the couches, talking and laughing. Damon patted the space next to him, gesturing me to sit next to him and I did just that. He handed me my glass of wine, and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder as we laid back on the couch.

“So guys, let's talk New Year's resolutions”, Lelo said suggestively, and we all shook our head simultaneously while laughing

“I'll break them all by midnight tomorrow”, I said, and they laughed as they agreed along with me

“Come on”, Lelo said trying to convince us otherwise. “Okay, let's just hear what you're aiming to archive this year then, even though you're going to break them. Layla, you can start”

“Um. I'd like to hit the gym this year. Prosper professionally. Read more. Try out new things. Travel. Face my fears of heights and focus on my family”, I said, and they all nodded.

“Great, now that wasn't hard now was it?”, she pointed out, and I threw her a glare. “Damon?”

“This is going to be hard”, he chuckled. “Okay, let me see”, he paused to think.” This year, I'd also like to try out new things. I'd like to bring in new business for the company, new opportunities. Travel with my beautiful wife”, he said, and I smiled at him. “Overall I just want to be a better man and look after my family” he said, and I gave him an approving nod.

“That's sweet”, Lelo said enthusiastically. “Stacy?”

“For starters, this year I'd like to be a bit more organized”, we laughed. “Eat healthier, watch my weight. Explore new things. Get over my fear of spiders and spend most of my time with the man I love”, she said as she looked dreamily at James, and he kissed her on the cheek.

“Beautiful”, Lelo remarked as we cooed at them. “Okay, I'll go next”, she stood up to her feet with her glass in hand. “This year, I'm working on getting a promotion. I want to save enough money to start making investments for my future. I want to find a reliable boyfriend”, she said and Stacy and I clapped at that, and we laughed. “This year I want to work on becoming a better person”, she toasted so did we.

“Cheers to that”, we chorused as she sat down. “And what about you James?”, Damon asked, and he nervously laughed.

“Okay, this year I also want to land a promotion at work. I also want to explore new things and be adventurous, like camping and mountain climbing and that kind of stuff. I also want to eat more of my favorites foods and learn a new skill or hobby”, he turned to look at Stacy. “But all in all, I'm looking forward to building a new life and making more memories with you Stacy because I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you”, he said to her, and she flushed red as she placed both her hands on her cheeks.

“And on that note”, he said as he got off the couch to get on one knee in front of her as he fished for the ring in his inside pocket. Stacy grasped as he held the box against her and slowly opened it to reveal the ring. Lelo and I also had to act surprised at this gesture. I quickly took out my phone and recorded this beautiful moment.

“From the moment I met you, I knew there was something different about you. Little did I know that I won't only find a companion, a best friend and lover, but a long time partner. I love you Stacy Reaves and I honestly want us to spend the rest of our lives together. Will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?”, he asked and Stacy's eyes glowed with tears as she composed herself before screaming yes. James breathed out a sigh of relief as he took out the ring and slipped it on her finger, and they shared a kiss and a very long pick up hug. We stood up and cheered for them.

“I love you”, Stacy said as James wiped of tears off her face

“I love you too”, he kissed her forehead, and they hugged again. She turned to us to show us her ring as Damon congratulated James with their signature handshake.

“I'm so happy for you”, I said as I engulfed Stacy in a hug before walking towards James. “You better treat her right”, I warned, and he chucked before I hugged him. “Congratulations”, I said as we broke contact, and he thanked me.

“Talk about starting off the year on a high note there James”, Lelo jokes as she congratulated him, and he laughed before thanking her

“It's almost midnight you guys. The countdown is about to begin”, Stacy warned before we rushed outside just in time to see the fireworks go off.

“Ten”

“Nine”

“Eight”

“Seven”

“Six”

“Five”

“Four”

“Three”

“Two”

“One”

“Happy New Year!!”, we all cheered as the fireworks started, and they spread across the sky. We all exchanged hugs and celebrated the beginning of yet another promising year.

“Happy New year my love”, Damon said as he picked me up in a hug, and we shared a kiss

“Happy new year to you to honey”, I said as we broke from the kiss and continued cheering as more and more fireworks brightened up the sky. I wonder what this year has in store for us.