A/N: Changed the amount of years that Cu and Jeanne have been dating from six years to four. Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Diarmints

Everything was almost perfect. Decorations complemented the home for the celebration of the new year, appetizers and hors d'oeuvres were spread out for their guests to munch on until the full meal. However, there was one thing missing – the guests. No matter how gorgeous a party room looked, it would never truly be a party room without the actual party, but she did not have to wait much longer. It was almost six in the evening, meaning that Cu and Jeanne would arrive in a couple minutes. The two always showed up early for some extra cleaning, getting late groceries (alcohol), or anything else they needed for last minute.

Arturia sniffed at the air around her, the cool smell of peppermints swirling around the house. She could not help it when she was passing the candle store and smelled the stunning scent in the mall. She had to buy it. Peppermint reminded her of how her husband always came home smelling during the winter with his job as a barista always causing either causing the scent of coffee or the scent of peppermint to burrow itself into his clothes (which during the winter it always happened to be the latter).

She experienced the ecstasy that was the smelling of peppermints, allowing it to soothe her mind. Suddenly, she felt to large arms reach around her and a chin be placed upon her right shoulder – Diarmuid. She couldn't help but wonder how low he had to bend his knees to get to that level. "Did you pick that candle to make me smell like peppermints more than I already do?" Diarmuid chuckled in her ear as he swayed her back and forth to the soft rhythm of the jazz instruments that only added to the beauty of the scene. He kissed her on the cheek before lifting his head and twirling his lover around to face him.

Arturia wore a soft blush upon her cheeks as well as a tiny bit of makeup on her eyelids. She looked absolutely outstanding. "Mm, have I told you I amazing you look tonight?" he questioned, knowing full-well of the answer he was going to receive in return. "Because you look incredible," he complimented her with a kiss upon the back of her hand.

Her giggled was that of an angel's, and he wondered if they had enough time before their best friends arrived to "accidentally" sneak into the bedroom. There was only one other sound and sight in the world that was more delighting than her giggle or laugh. "Yes, you have told me that. Have I told you that you look absolutely handsome?" she murmured lovingly as she played with the ornery, little piece of hair that always escaped from the confines of even the best of hair gels.

He moaned as his hands gently caressed her hips and waist. "I don't remember. You're such a sight to see that you make me lose my memory." He kissed her with yet another chuckle, causing her to laugh.

"You are such a sap," she told him amusingly. "Now, stop trying to get me in bed, and start helping me with prepping the living room." Arturia escaped from within his grasp to organize the living room a bit more and set out chip bowls, fruit and vegetable trays, and small plates and bowls on the coffee tables.

Diarmuid groaned at his rejection as if it was the end of the world. "But, Artie~," he whined, earning an entertained glance from Arturia. He sighed in defeat. "Fine, but only because I love you." He then walked toward the kitchen, grabbing different decorative bowls for chips, paper plates, napkins, and whatever else they needed for the living room. Bringing them into the room and setting them out, he asked Artie, "Do you think Gawain will threaten Cu?"

Arturia nodded. "There's no way he wouldn't threaten Cu, however I know that Jeanne told Alo to keep him from doing so," she laughed. Diarmuid chuckled, remembering the chaos that ensued last year between the blonde and the strawberry blonde. He wondered what kind of creative way she would come up with this year.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang throughout the home, telling the couple that the newly-engaged couple had arrived. "Dia, could you get that, dear?" Arturia questioned him, earning a nod as response. Diarmuid started towards the door, where he could see Artie's and his best friends waiting outside in the cold. Opening it, he greeted them.

"Hey, guys! Happy New Year's Eve!" the barista exclaimed excitedly. The two smiled and returned the kind wish. Their noses were red from the bitter freezing that was the weather. The two stepped in, stomping on the rug so as to make sure they did not get anything wet from the snow that had clung to the bottom of their boots. Taking her boots off and placing them below the coat rack, Jeanne marched off happily to the living room to hug her bff and wish her a happy New Year's Eve.

Diarmuid and Cu watched as she went off to find Arturia cheerfully. After she was out of sight, Diarmuid turned to Cu, who was wearing his glasses instead of his usual contacts, "Roads bad? Arturia wanted us to go to the liquor store later if they weren't. She said that we could get anything we wanted."

"Not bad enough to stop us from going to get our select choice of alcohol," Cu laughed. "Plus, we're from Ireland. I think we've seen much worse, and by that, I mean that we have seen much, much worse. I mean, they might get worse later on, but nothing a pair of Irishmen can't handle." Diarmuid shrugged. His former roommate was right. They once drove through four feet of snow and black ice. Plus, Cu had a jeep.

The blue haired man took off his coat, scarf, and boots before walking with Diarmuid to join the women in the family room. "Happy New Year's Eve, Arturia," Cuchulainn greeted her, walking up and hugging her. "It feels just like yesterday when I first met you, and here we are on our fifth-year anniversary of knowing each other."

"Haha, I know, right? Years do fly by when you get to be out of college and living life like a true adult It's almost like time is running away from us," Arturia commented gleefully. "Next thing you know, you and Jeanne will be walking down the aisle." The statement caused the tall man to blush red and Jeanne to start giggling lightly with excitement for her wedding day.

"Everything looks great by the way. Did you two do this all yourself?" Jeanne asked as she looked around the beautifully decorated home, astounding by how intricately everything was. "It's absolutely gorgeous. Next year when the party is at our house, I will totally out-do you! That's a promise!" she proclaimed confidently.

"Thank you, Jeanne. I cannot wait to see it, but unfortunately it will take an entire year before I do," Arturia thanked the other women. "That reminds though. I don't think that we have anything left for the both of you to do right now. We have everything set up from what I remember," the blonde told the other couple, who glanced at each other in confusion. "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

Jeanne glanced at her with purple eyes, her head tilted a bit. "Well, the table isn't set up yet, so I think you are most definitely forgetting something. We can help you set it up if you would like." Suddenly, Arturia remembered that she was waiting to set the table up. She had been so focused on the living room that she forgot the most important part of the night – having a meal with all of their friends and family, the reason why they created this entire tradition.

"Oh no, the table hasn't been set!" she gasped. Jeanne gently took a hold of her arm.

"Artie, it's no big deal. We'll have it ready in five minutes. It'll be the two of us; that gives Cu and Dia the perfect time to get what they need from the liquor store. See? It worked out perfectly. We can have our girl time," the Frenchwoman reassured the Englishwoman, who nodded with a smile.

"You're right. Thanks, Jeanne."

"Of course, love. Now, it's time that you boys head off for the liquor store to get some more alcohol. New Year's Eve has a tendency of causing people to drink, and having over a dozen full-grown men in the house at once can lead to some heavy drinking. That's not even including Taiga and Alodine either! I'm sure many of them will bring their own liquor but still. Now, go on, you two! Shoo!" Jeanne rushed the males out of the home (which wasn't really that difficult when it came to alcohol). "Alrighty, Artie! It's time to set the table!"

Arturia bobbed her head determinedly, causing the two of them to rush over to the silverware drawers and plate cupboards and get everything they need. After everything had been gathered in the picnic baskets that Arturia had kept and collected over the years, they made their way over to the table to make it look all nice and pretty for the early guests (the ones who were attending dinner).

They had completed their task effectively and phenomenally. A set table really concluded a scene for a holiday, whether it be for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's; it was what made everything much more official. Butter and rolls were placed in small baskets in the center of the table to be something for a side. A white table cloth was placed underneath everything, so they could simply throw everything away instead of having to clean the messy table.

Everything was now finished. There was no prepping left to do for the party. After all the work that Arturia and Diarmuid did all day, they were finally able to relax and have a good time with their loved ones. They deserved this kind of treatment after all the stress that had been placed on their shoulders for the past 365 days. Even in the peaceful times, they still had work to do, such as cleaning the house, running errands, having to go on business trips. All of the pains of life led to the end of the year, allowing a new one to start, opening the doors of new adventures and events to take place.

"I can't believe that it is almost 2018 already. I know you were speaking with Cu about this, but I just cannot seem to be able to wrap my head around it. Things have changed so much in the past couple of years. I mean, just think; we didn't even know Cu and Diarmuid six years ago. You and Diarmuid started talking online after you and Guin broke up but had never met face-to-face. Then, it was just by chance that you ran into him at a New Year's Eve college party we attended. I remember how your face was filled to the brim with happiness having met whom you called the man of your dreams.

And a week after that, Cu and I were introduced to each other. You had met him at the party when he had walked in on you and Dia kissing after the fireworks started. About six months after that, you and Dia became officially a couple, going out on dates every weekend, buying each other small gifts, and bringing each other to parties and dances while Cu and I stayed at his apartment playing video games the entire night. We weren't even dating at the time; we just didn't have our respective best friend to hang out with. We just wanted company, so we always made plans when we were informed of the time and day that you two would be away."

Arturia glanced up at Jeanne with a reminiscent smile upon her face. The other woman was correct in what she had said. Arturia and Diarmuid had met, dated, engaged, and married in less than half a decade. The thought caused Artie to nod. "You're right. It's so weird to think that you and Cu are going to get married. I recall a time where you were nervous to even talk to Cu. Of course, it didn't take long for you to exit that stage, but you were still anxious for about two months," Arturia laughed, earning a laugh and a playful punch from her best friend. She then sighed, "Yeah, things have really changed in a short amount of time, haven't they?"

Jeanne smiled. It had been a rhetorical question; they both knew the answer to that. Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening and closing made them jump. "Haha, here come the Irish stereotypes!" Cu called out loudly, announcing the two's presence. The women turned toward the men. "We brings the gift of alcohol. We got a variety," he informed the two, setting the paper sacks down onto the table.

"I'm glad," Arturia responded softly as she walked up to her husband, giving him a small peck.

"Ew, gross! Dia has cooties now!" Cu mocked in a humorous tone, causing the couple to laugh at his silliness.

"Don't be a hypocrite, Cu. I'm sure I have lots of cooties from you," Jeanne kissed him, earning a chuckle from his end. "Anyway, everyone will start showing up here soon. All we have left to do in here is put out the alcohol, and wait for their arrival. Cu, why don't we go spread salt on the driveway so it doesn't get insanely slippery out there? We wouldn't want the guests hurting themselves." Cu nodded, following Jeanne outside after she had put on her winter gear and leaving just Dia and Artie.

"You and Jeanne did a fantastic job with setting the table. I mean, you always do, but I think you two outdid yourselves from last year. By the way, what were you talking about?" Diarmuid asked, wrapping his arms around his tiny King, who put her hands upon his chest. They continued their gentle swaying from earlier.

"Thank you, and we were just talking about how much has happened within only the last couple of years, which got me thinking. What do you think is going to happen this year? Other than the obvious wedding of Cu and Jeanne, of course," Arturia wondered, looking up at Diarmuid in thought. She watched him as he smiled, knowing exactly what she was thinking. The two had been talking about it for a while now but had never really gotten past that deciding stage. They were not sure if they were ready for it.

"Is this leading to a familiar topic that we have discussed before?" he questioned her, amber eyes looking down at her in amused suspicion. He watched as she giggled and bobbed her head. "Well, we'll have to talk about it a bit more to see if we're ready for a child, but I personally think we are." He squeezed her tight but not tight enough to hurt her. "How does that sound for what is going to happen this year? We talk about a family a little more in depth."

"I think that sounds absolutely wonderful. I agree that we're ready, but I don't know how ready we are with our current jobs and such. However, whatever happens this year, no matter good or bad, I will always be happy so long as you are always by my side."

"And that is the same for me but with you," Diarmuid whispered in her ear. "Happy New Year, love"

"Happy New Year, Dia." Suddenly, their sweet moment together was interrupted with the sound of the doorbell. "Well, I think it's time to celebrate it. Don't you think?" Arturia asked him.

"I wouldn't want to celebrate it with anyone else."