Another Year

The tv was on but it was on mute. The screen showed reporters at Big Ben, waiting for the countdown to begin. It was still 15 minutes till midnight and they ran reels of the news highlights of the year. This was followed by the years number one songs. Inside the flat, Rory, Stephen, Boo, Callum, Freddie and Thorpe gathered around the living room table. While five of them were drinking the alcohol intake of all England, Thorpe had agreed to one red wine and then settled for lemonade. He did, after all, have to drive. It had already been decided, before the party had commenced at 6pm, that Freddie would be borrowing his spare room.

As they waited for the final countdown to start, they all raised their glasses and wished for good things in the new year. Rory stood thinking about everything that this year was going to give her. She and Stephen would soon be announcing who they had chosen to be their bridesmaids and groomsmen and Rory knew that she still had to decide who was going to be her maid of honour. Her parents were coming over from Louisiana for her 20th birthday and they were going to meet Stephen. She knew he was nervous about that but there was no need for him to be. She had to take Jazza, Boo and Freddie dress shopping. She was looking forward to that. And then the day itself. The day that Miss. Aurora Deveaux would become Mrs. Aurora Dene. Rory Dene. She loved the sound of it and often found herself saying it in the mirror. And then, hopefully not long after that, she and Stephen would be moving out of this flat into their own place. She lifted her hand and played with the heart pendent around her neck. She would never forget how Stephen had described it as his heart and how she owned it. She always fastened it as loose as it would go because then it fell over her own heart. She kept Stephens heart close to her own.

Sure, there would be ghosts to take care off and problems to deal with but she didn't mind. This was her life now. And she was learning to love every minute of it. She checked the time. 10 minutes till midnight. Not long now. In 10 minutes, the greatest year of her life would start. As she thought about it, she came to the sudden realisation that this was her last new year as a teenager. She was turning 20 soon. Bye bye teen years. She deflated a bit at the thought and slumped down on the couch. Stephen noticed and sat next to her. "You alright?"

"Yeah. Just realised that this is my last new year as a teenager."

He took her hand gently and leant back into the couch, facing her and she turned to face him. "True. But think about all the things we have waiting for us." She smiled softly as he spoke. "Just you and me starting a new life. Married life. It's big and scary but I can't think of anyone better to share it with. And there is no one else I'd rather share it with."

They sat there on the couch together, leant against each other watching the silent reporters on tv. Stephen laughed at Callum as he started dancing while Rory accepted another drink from Boo who sat on the arm of the couch. Stephen and Rory kept their hands linked the entire time. It was Freddie who noticed the one minute countdown starting.

"Guys, guys, guys!" She hurriedly grabbed the remote and put the sound back on the tv. They all stood up and waited for the final seconds. Boo went over to Callum who put his arm around her. Stephen and Rory still held hands. They listened as the crowd counted down.

"10...9...8...7..."

Stephen turned to Rory while the crowd kept counting. "This is it. New start, new life." She smiled at him brightly.

"4...3...2...1...happy new year!"

"Happy new year!" They all shouted together as fireworks rang outside of the apartment and on tv. New Years kisses were exchanged all round. Callum pulled Boo into his arms and dipped her as he kissed her. Stephen placed both of his hands on Rory's face and gently lowered his head to hers, catching her lips in his gently. Even Thorpe gave Freddie a quick peck on the cheek.

Stephen held the kiss as the crowd on the tv started to sing Auld Lang Syne, stroking her cheeks with his thumbs and silently promising her that his would be the greatest year of their lives. They heard Thorpe raise a toast telling everyone that he was "honoured to be here with friends. Here's to another year." They heard everyone echo "another year" as they finally broke apart slowly. They rested their foreheads against each other's and he moved his hands from her face, down her arms and laced his fingers through hers. "Happy new year darling."

"Happy new year sweetheart."

"You two." Callum's voice raised above the tv. They both turned to him with a smile. "Snogging later. Drinks now."