"Any special New Year's resolutions?"

"Um, none that immediately jumps to mind."

"Please you're not perfect, you have to have at least one," Duncan pried, handing Courtney a glass of the wine his parents had given them at their engagement party.

Exhaling softly, Courtney considered her options while watching Duncan rapidly flip channels until he finally stopped on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.

"I suppose my resolution is to get into shape."

"Please, you don't need to hit the gym. A resolution is supposed to improve something about you, preferably something nonphysical."

"Hmm. I guess I could work on my bossiness. That's been a resolution since I was ten though, so don't hold your breath. What about you?"

"I'm gonna quit smoking and then, ya know, do the normal resolutions, work out, eat healthy, all of that crap."

"That's a lot honey, maybe you should just concentrate on one at a time."

"Psh, don't worry about it. I've got this wrapped up, it's gonna be so easy."

"Alright if you say so."

"I do," Duncan replied pulling Courtney into his side.

The pair sat in silence for awhile watching television, munching away on snacks, and drinking. Courtney spoke during a commercial break.

"Do you think we're bad people for abandoning our family and friends to spend this New Year's alone together?"

"Hell no! I think it's safe to say that both of us are a little 'partied' out. I don't think I could handle seeing everyone again right now. I need a break from them."

"I guess. I just feel a little bad disappearing."

"Don't. We haven't had quality alone time in months, we deserve this."

"That's true. I even did my Christmas shopping with the girls!"

"Exactly. If you spent any more time with them they'd get on your nerves and you'd have to kill one of them," Duncan joked.

"Oh yeah, well my trunk is like a three body trunk so I'd be able to fit the bodies just fine."

"I'm rubbing off on you."

"Heaven forbid," Courtney smirked. "So are you nervous about this coming year and all of its prospects?"

"No way, there's nothing to stress about."

"Are you kidding me right now? We're getting married in almost three months. That doesn't scare you?"

"If anything it excites me. We can finally start our life together and stop living in sin."

Courtney lightly smacked his arm. "So that's it? If we suddenly moved the wedding up to next week you'd be completely fine with that?"

"Yup," Duncan replied, glancing down at the woman who was now comfortably settled in his lap.

"Okay fine. I'll admit I'm a little nervous about the wedding, but just thinking about our life together afterward makes everything else seem insignificant."

"Awe, ever the romantic."

"Romantic yeah, but not naïve," Duncan continued. "It's a well known fact that the first year of marriage is the hardest. Once we survive that we should be good to go."

"You say that as if it'll be easy sailing after. In order to have a successful marriage both partners constantly have to be working at it. It'll be hard."

"Life's hard Princess, get a helmet."

"Lovely rebuttal, did you think that one up all by yourself?"

"Ha ha you should be a stand-up comedienne."

"Oh speaking of comedy, did Geoff finally decide where your bachelor party is going to be?"

"Yup. New York, New York."

Courtney gasped. "I'm jealous. You're going to be surrounded by all of that culture for a weekend. Imagine the sights you can take in!"

"The only sight I'll be taking in is the interior of many different bars," Duncan snorted.

"Fantastic," Courtney mumbled. "You were able to get the second weekend in February off for it, right?"

"Yup. Saved up my vacation days just like you, we're set."

"Do me a favor? If you go to a strip club, because with Geoff in charge I'm sure it'll come up, please don't touch. You can look and drool, but I will not tolerate you giving into any…urges. Understand?"

"Yes mother."

"And I swear to God if you do and then lie to me, mark my words I will find out."

"Will marrying you be like marrying into the mob?"

"I'm not dignifying that with a response."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Do I get to hold you to the same standards," Duncan questioned.

"Of course, but you know me well enough to know that none of those temptations will work on me."

"You don't know Las Vegas."

"Please it can't be that bad."

"Vegas is 'Sin City,' Court. It didn't get that nickname for nothing."

"It'll be fine."

"Alright, if you say so. Just keep the drinking in check; you know how you get when you have too much. I don't want to have to fly to Las Vegas to bail you out of jail for bar fighting or drunken disorderly conduct," Duncan stated.

"I could say the same for you," Courtney added. "Oh, oh, oh! Countdown!"

Courtney bolted up and threw a party hat and noisemaker at Duncan, who was pouring champagne. Both secured their hats in place before joining in the countdown, shouting at the top of their lungs.

"5…4…3…2…1! Happy New Year!"

The two spun the noisemakers and drank their champagne, before sharing their first kiss in the New Year.