Note: I do not own The Middle. No copyright infringement intended.
Note: This is a continuation of my previous story, "Sue's Story Continues." You don't have to have read that first, but there will be references to it throughout this new series. While the chapters in "Sue's Story Continues" ran in chronological order, the chapters in this story will not. They will depict various holidays and special events. Let me know if you have any feedback or suggestions. This chapter originated from a suggestion.
One day in early December, Sue and Sean met for coffee between classes. After commiserating about papers, exams, and the cold, Sue changed the subject.
"My mom wants to have a New Year's Eve party at our house again."
Sean's expression froze. "Oh." He pasted on a bright smile and said in an upbeat tone, "Okay!"
The smile and tone didn't fool Sue, but they did confuse her. "What is it? You don't want to go?"
"Well," he grimaced, "the party last year was not a good night for us."
"That's true." Sue squeezed his hand. "But this party will be completely different! We're together now! And it will only be family and friends this time – no surprises!" Sean made a face, causing Sue to giggle. "C'mon! It'll be fun! And it seemed really important to my mom that we be there." She leaned towards him. "Just between you and me, I think she's jealous. Lexie and her parents are going to Colorado to celebrate with Axl, and you and I are spending a lot of the holidays with your family. I mean, we did just have Thanksgiving dinner at your house."
"With both our families!" Sean gave her a knowing look. "And Sue, we all know your parents orchestrated that, because they wanted my mom to cook!" Sue laughed, nodding her head. He pointed out, "We are having a Christmas Eve party at your house again."
She playfully repeated his words: "With both our families!" He smiled. Sue continued, more seriously, "But we're having lunch on Christmas Day at your grandmother's house, and then we're going on the annual Donahue winter service project/vacation. I'll be with your family for almost a week!"
"I get it, it's just…" he shrugged.
Since he was wavering, Sue used her final piece of leverage. "My mom's already talked to your mom about it. Shelly texted me earlier. She's super excited, because your parents said she could go. This will be her first 'grown-up' New Year's Eve party!"
Sean shook his head. "I can't believe you're using my baby sister against me!"
"If you weren't such an amazing big brother, it wouldn't work!"
Sean laughed. "Fine! We'll go. But," he said emphatically, "I don't want to see any of your exes there!"
"Oh, well…I'm pretty sure Brad will be there."
"I'm okay with that."
"Yay!" She clapped her hands, then kissed him.
On New Year's Eve, the party at the Hecks' house was in full swing. Sue had been right: there were no surprise drop-ins (at least, not of the ex-boyfriend variety). However, just like at the party the previous year, every time Sue and Sean tried to talk, someone came along to pull one of them away. If it wasn't a neighbor seeking medical advice from Sean, it was a childhood friend wanting to reminisce. Throughout the night, they'd spent more time smiling at each other from across the room than they'd spent together.
After yet another interrupted conversation, Sue joined Nancy and Frankie in the kitchen. "Ugh! This is so frustrating! It's as if people think that just because Sean and I have been dating for a while, and we just got back from being on a trip together, that we've run out of things to say to each other!"
Nancy and Frankie glanced at each other and tried not to smile. "It really is sweet how much you two enjoy each other's company. It reminds me of Ron and me when we first started dating," Nancy said.
"Your dad and I were never like that, but it really is very sweet that you and Sean are," Frankie added.
"Well, of course…" Sue paused. She'd just caught a glimpse of Cindy talking to Sean, who looked confused. "I'd better go see what that's about!" She dashed off.
"They really are adorable together." Frankie shook her head. "Mike thinks we should warn Sue that this honeymoon phase isn't going to last."
"Ron already tried to warn Sean. But I think we should let them enjoy it for as long as it does. And who knows? With their personalities, maybe it always will!" Nancy and Frankie both crossed their fingers.
Sue arrived at Sean's side just as Cindy was walking away. "I just had the strangest conversation," Sean said, still looking befuddled. "Cindy just warned me not to interfere with her relationship with Brick. Why does she think I want to interfere in their relationship?"
"Oh, yeah, I was going to warn you…if we'd been able to have an actual conversation tonight!" Seeing another neighbor headed their way, Sue grabbed Sean's hand and led him into the hallway. "Brick and Cindy had a fight this afternoon. She asked him to do something with her this Saturday, but he told her he couldn't because he already has plans, with his best friend." Sue shook her head. "I'm not sure what made her madder: that he can't go out with her, or that he has a best friend other than her!"
"Wait," Sean responded. "This coming Saturday? Brick asked me to watch a movie with him then. I knew you'd be working, so I said 'Yes.'" Realization dawned. "Oh! Brick thinks of me as his best friend?" Sue nodded. "Wow! That's really nice! A little odd, since he's still in high school and all, but really nice!"
Sue wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him. "Of course he thinks you're his best friend! You're the world's most amazing big brother – even to my little brother!" Sean leaned down to kiss her, but they were interrupted by a neighbor calling for Sue. "Sorry!" she mouthed, before returning to the living room.
As midnight approached, Sean grew increasingly more frustrated by the crowd of people who kept separating him from Sue. Finally, he walked over to where she stood, among a cluster of women who were asking about discounts for the inn. He whispered in her ear, "Meet me in your room in 5 minutes." When she nodded that she'd understood him, he slipped away.
A few minutes later, Sue excused herself and headed for her room. Sean appeared in the doorway. He grabbed her hand, tugged her into the room, and then locked the door behind them. "Sean! What are you doing?" Sue laughed.
"I am insuring that this year, no one gets a New Year's Eve kiss from you except me!" He pulled her close and bent his head to kiss her.
"Hey, guys! What are you doing?" Brick appeared through the hole in the wall. "Are you trying to get away from all the guests? It's crazy, isn't it? You can't have a single moment without someone interrupting you!"
Sean winced and shook his head. Sue thought fast. "Hey, Brick! Have you been in the living room lately? We ran out of coasters, so I saw people sitting their drinks on top of books!"
"What?!" Brick was outraged. "I'll take care of that!" He disappeared through the hole.
Sean sprang into action. He moved a chair in front of the hole, then started snatching up anything he could find – pillows, clothes, stuffed animals, etc. – and used them to help cover it. Sue helped at first by tossing him things to use, but quickly collapsed onto her bed in a fit of giggles. When Sean finished covering the hole, he sat on the bed and reached for Sue. She sat on his lap, with her arms draped around his neck.
"Are you laughing at me?!" he asked, holding her close.
"Yes!" She grinned. "Your…security measures…are very much appreciated, but I have to warn you: if my dad wants to check on us, a locked door or that," she nodded towards the hole, "won't stop him!"
"That's okay. It'll be worth it!" He kissed her briefly, then pulled back. "I am putting in a request now, though. Next year, I want us to celebrate New Year's together in private. Just the two of us."
Sue gave him a coy look. "So, when you say 'next year,' do you mean this time next year? Or a few hours from now – perhaps at my apartment?"
Sean's gaze warmed as he stroked her back. "Both of those."
"I accept. Both of those."
When the clock struck midnight, they were too preoccupied to notice.
