Six Months Later…

New Year's Eve….

I walked into the guitar store, holding a tray with three coffees. I saw Michael standing behind the counter. He looked up from the cash register and smiled hugely at me.

"Hey beautiful," he said as he leaned over the counter to kiss me lightly.

I smiled. "Hey yourself." I held up the tray of coffees, and his smile grew even bigger. "I bring libations."

"Ah! Yes, finally. I've been dying for a coffee all day. I didn't have time to stop this morning and it's been so busy all day. You came at the perfect time. Let me bring Rick his, than we can go. I was just counting out the money so we can lock it up." He grabbed one cup and started walking to the back, but stopped a second. "Turn the sign to 'closed' please before more people come in."

I nodded and followed his orders. He was back in a few seconds, smiling and putting his name tag behind the counter. He put his hand on the small of my back. "Ready to go? Eve's gonna be hounding us to get ready for this New Year's Eve party."

I nodded and we walked out to his car. It was a short ride to Glass House. Michael and I had been very serious and open about our relationship since we finally told each other we how we felt. Shane and Eve had gotten more used to it, but that was only after some seriously strange stuff started happening.

We met Eve at the front door of the house. She was just pulling in as we were. She had three or four shopping bags in her hands. "Hey! Perfect timing. I got us all new clothes for tonight. We have to hurry. Party is in an hour and I still have to do me and Claire's hair. So get moving!"

She hurried us inside and Shane met us at the door. He smiled. "Bout time ya'll got home. I heard what you said. Where's my clothes, I'm not in the mood to fight over it. I already know I'll lose."

She grinned and handed him one bag. He kissed her lips softly before walking upstairs. Shane had been right. There was something between them. I saw it that night. They'd only started dating recently. Less than two months ago. As awkward as it had been, and as much as it had hurt me in the beginning, I was finally getting used to them being together. They looked…happy. Michael wrapped his arm around my waist and leaned down to kiss my cheek. "We got some time. How about we go to my room and have a little New Year's celebration of our own?" he wagged his eye brows playfully.

Eve smacked his arm. "Are you kidding? We're so late! Go, shoo! Go get ready. Keep it in your pants and let us girls do our thing."

I smiled and kissed him, than let Eve drag me upstairs. She settled one bag in front of his door and we went to my room to get ready. She'd gotten me a green cocktail dress, the spaghetti straps made it so it showed way too much skin. It was accented with a dazzling jeweled brooch and cascading sash for a dramatic effect. To be honest, it was sexy and classy. It reached just about my knees from what I could tell. Something I'd definitely wear. It was a low cut, and showed just the right amount of cleavage. Something that had finally come in when I hit eighteen. Shane and Michael both took notice of that.. (Claire's dress pic is on my profile!)

I slipped the dress on and let Eve work on my hair and makeup. While she did her own, I looked myself over entirely. The dress made me look really sexy, and sophisticated, and very grown up. My makeup was dramatic, accenting my brown eyes perfectly, but it wasn't overdone.

Eve walked over to the mirror beside me and looked herself over. "I look hot don't I? Think Shane will like it?"

I nodded, looking over the gorgeous black long sleeve dress she had. It had crystals beadin along the waist and red fabric on the inside edge of her sleeves. The floor-length stretch satin evening gown made her look sophisticated and not trashy at all. She looked so much older than nineteen. I was beyond jealous, in a good way. (Eve's dress pic is on my profile!) I sighed. "It's funny isn't it?"

She looked at me in the mirror as she put in her silver earrings. "What's funny?"

"How a year ago, I'd be the one asking if Shane liked it. And you'd be the one primping for Michael? Things have really changed, haven't they?"

She sighed and laughed, halfheartedly. "Yeah, it has. It's awkward sometimes, 'ya know? But at the same time…I don't know…it just feels right."

I nodded. "I know exactly what you mean."

She linked her arm through mine and we walked downstairs to our men. Michael was leaning against the railing of the staircase, looking around randomly. Shane was leaning against the front door, staring at the ground bored. When they heard us coming, they both looked up and their mouths dropped one in awe. Michael took our hands and helped us down, than twirling us slowly to get a full view.

"You both look so gorgeous." He said as he released Eve's hand and took both of mine, pulling me into a kiss.

Shane took Eve's hand. "That's for sure." He looked at his watch. "It's ten thirty, we should get going. We're late as it is."

Eve nodded and pulled him out the front door to Michael's car. Michael and I followed, settling in the front seat while they took back. The party was at Amelie's "house". I knew it wasn't her real one, just one she owned. It didn't look anything like the Founders houses. But it was big and extravagant, and absolutely beautiful. Something you expected in one of those million dollar real estate catalogs.

We parked and walked inside. Eve pulled Shane off to the dance floor before he even had time to breathe. But he didn't fight. They went off and started dancing, something far dirtier than grinding, but it was at the same time playful.

I laughed and turned to Michael, putting my around his neck. "So, do I get a dance?" he teased.

I stared at him. "Well, duh!" And I pulled him by the collar of his maroon button down to the dance floor. We settled ourselves not too far from Shane and Eve. Shane looked handsome in his white button down and grey vest, and it fit perfectly with the white grey skinny jeans. In fact, he looked sexy. But I couldn't help thinking Michael looked even hotter. The way the shirt fit him accented every muscle he had, and it drove me insane. He put his hand on my waist and we started dancing, innocent at first, but it hotter, sexier as we let the music take us away. We must have danced for a half an hour at least.

Eve and I had gone to take a break and visit the ladies room. We managed to find one on the second floor. We shared it and worked on our makeup. Eve had still continued using the Goth makeup. And Shane continued to call her stuff like "Gothic princess" which she would always flip him off for, but for the most part their relationship was casual and teasing. They cared about each other. And that's what it came to, what mattered most. I don't know if they'd last, but I know they really like each other.

As we walked in the hall, we were started to see Shane waiting, leaning casually against the wall opposite the door. He smiled. "Claire…can I talk to you a minute?"

It was quite here, so no yelling and no one really disturbing us. I nodded. I started to walk down the hall a bit, farther from Eve, but he stood there, whispering something to her. I didn't see it clearly, but she handed him something. Then walked downstairs.

He caught up to me and stood close to me, but not in a romantic or sexual way. Just intimate. "I have something to confess."

Where was this going? "Okay. What is it?"

He was playing with something small and black in his hands, but he was covering it too well. "I have something I wanted to give you long ago. Michael knows about it, so don't think he's gonna kill me for it. I know it probably means nothing to you now, but…it means something to me. And, I know we're definitely over, but I still want you to have it."

I hesitated before speaking. "Okay…what is it exactly?"

He met my eyes for the first time, a pained look on his face. He handed me something, a small black velvet box. My eyes went huge with shock. There could only be one thing in a box like this… I looked up to him, hesitant to open it. But he nodded, telling me to go ahead.

I looked back down and slowly opened the box. There was a huge white gold ring, with a big diamond and two smaller ones on each side. There was a pink accent diamond on each side of the center diamond. I took it out and looked at it more closely.

"Shane…is this what I think it is?"

"What? You mean an engagement ring from your ex-boyfriend?" he laughed. "Then yes it is."

I stuttered, unable to find the right words. "Shane. What the hell? When did you get this?"

"About a month before we broke up. I'd been saving up for a few months and finally was able to get it. Myrnin pulled a few strings and he got Amelie to give me a day or two to go out and buy it from Houston. I planned to give it to you when we reached out one year anniversary, but then I got sick…and all this stuff with Michael and you happened. When I saw you were happier with him…I let you go. I've had Eve hold on to it ever since. I told her if I died to give it to you. Because I wanted you to know how much you meant to me. I even made sure it was engraved to be sure you know that's always set in stone."

I looked at the inside of the band and saw a finely written engraving. I will always love you. "You wanted to marry me? But…Shane…I…I don't know what to say."

He put the ring back in the box. "There's nothing to say. Things are about to get real different. Soon. And before they do, I just wanted you to know you'll always be my girl, my first love. I want you to have this. Even is another one comes along that's better."

I laughed and started crying. I threw my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "I love you Shane Collins."

He hugged me tightly, and I thought he'd never let me go. But he reluctantly did, and wiped away my tears with his thumb. "Did I tell you that you look beautiful tonight?"

I laughed through my sobs and shook my head. "No…but thank you."

He kissed me softly and briefly before taking a step back. "We should get back. It's nearly midnight and I think Michael has some stuff he wants to talk to you about."

I nodded and slipped the ring box into my pocket before taking his hand and following him downstairs. Michael was waiting with Eve by the punch bowl. They were discussing something, and it looked serious. But they let it disappear when we appeared. Michael looked worried. "Babe, you okay?"

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."

He knew about what Shane was giving me? And he was cool about it? Those two, they fought over stupid shit, but when it came to important stuff like freaking engagement rings and shit, they were cool with it? These two seriously needed counseling.

Michael's POV:

I looked at Shane, with a confused expression. He looked upset. And then I knew…he'd told her about his ring. He pat my shoulder and whispered, "She's all yours." Before going to wrap his arm around Eve's waist.

She watched him a second, than smiled and nodded to me. I looked at my watch; it was a quarter to midnight. Looks like it was my turn for a surprise of my own…

Claire's POV:

Michael wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me. "Can we talk alone?"

I smiled and nodded, following him out back. The yard was lit up by dozens of rows of light streams and little lanterns hung in the trees. There were a few party-goers out, but it wasn't many. Michael pulled me to the gazebo and we sat down.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and we just looked out onto the yard. We could see Eve and Shane on the dance floor through the window. They were slow dancing. Shane looked tortured, but he was laughing. Eve was as well. Shane always hated dancing. Eve on the other hand, loved it. And she would force anyone to dance.

Michael stroked my arm and held my hand. He kissed my cheek and ran his lips slowly down my jawline, to my neck. It was so hot and sexy, and I didn't try to stop him for a second. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

He chucked against my skin. He pulled away to look at my face. "You love me right?"

I shrugged. "Of course. Why?"

He stayed silent a moment, thinking his next words through carefully. "Do you…do you ever think about our future together? About where we'll be in a year, or five years, or even twenty years?"

You mean besides hoping I'm married to you with kids of our own to sing to every night and a little Chihuahua vamp doggie? "I don't know. Sometimes. I've never dated a vampire before, so I don't know all the rules. Make it kinda hard to wonder and plan."

He laughed. "That it does."

He stayed looking at our hands, and intertwined our fingers. "Where are you going with this Michael?"

He met my eyes finally. "I, uh, have a gift for you. A sort of Happy New Year gift. But I don't know if you'll like it too much."

I smiled. "I am sure I'll love it. What is it?"

He swallowed, nervous. "It's not really something I can give you…well, I guess in a way, it is." He paused and tried again. "Claire, close your eyes…" he saw my hesitation and smiled. "Just do it."

I only hesitated a second before obeying. There was a light shuffling of fabric, like he was moving around. When the shuffling stopped, I smiled. "Michael, can I look now?"

He hesitated but said, "Okay."

I opened my eyes, slowly, but what I saw, I did not see coming for a second. I looked down. Michael was in front of me, down on one knee, a small blue velvet box in his hand. My eyes were bigger than a deer facing headlights.

He took my hand in and smiled, a nervous smile. "Claire. I know we've only been together a brief six months. But I've been your friend of at nearly two years, if not more. And I know nearly everything about you. From your favorite cereal, to what side of the bed you prefer, to your greats hopes and fears. And I've seen just about every side of you being that we've been living together with our friends. And I've fallen so madly in love with you that it causes me physical pain being away from you. Claire…I love you so much. And, I know we're young, and the complications of being with vampire. It's not the first time I've been faced with them…but, I'm willing to take a leap of faith that we'll last, because I love you. Claire, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. My natural life, supernatural if that ever is possible, and every second between now and the end of forever. I'm choosing now to do this because I don't want to go another year wondering. I want to start out the New Year knowing that it's the start of many happy and joyous years together." He opened the box, revealing a huge diamond ring, with a band covered in smaller diamonds all the way around. It was white gold, and it looked expensive. The tiffany's box, made it all the more clear. He took it out and set the box beside him on the floor of the gazebo. (The pic of Michael's engagement ring is on my profile!) "Claire Danvers…will you marry me?"

I couldn't breathe, I was frozen. Tears slowly slid down my cheeks as I looked over how serious he was, how real and extravagant this ring was. "Michael…" I didn't give it a second thought. I knew what I wanted, and I knew what the answer was. "Yes."

He seemed to wonder if he'd heard me correctly but then he smiled and he slid the ring in place on my finger. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me up to hug him. He kissed me fiercely and murmured "I love you."

"I love you too." I replied before being swept up in another kiss.

Someone cleared their throat behind us. We turned and saw Eve and Shane standing at the step of the gazebo, watching us. They stared at my hand and back at me. There was a brief moment of seriousness before Eve shrieked with excitement. She ran over to me, looking over the gorgeous engagement ring.

"Girl, this is fifty times better than the one I got. You are so lucky." She looked Michael over a second. "Boy, you better take care of my best friend. Or I swear by all that is holy, I will sneak into your room and castrate you in your sleep."

Shane groaned for him, patting him on the back. "Good luck with that one man." He shook his head slowly. "Remind me never to piss Eve off."

Eve nodded. "And don't tell me vamps don't feel that crap. Because trust me, if it's true, I'll make sure you feel it. Whatever it takes."

Michael looked honestly scared a bit, but he smiled and nodded. "I'll take care of her, promise."

Shane smiled and walked over to me, kissing the top of my head. "Congratulations Claire."

Eve nodded and Shane went to stand beside her. Michael wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me close, and for the first time since god knows when, everything seemed totally perfect. Shane and Eve were happy, even if it was a simple relationship now, and I…well I had Michael, my fiancé. God, I'd have to get used to saying that.

Hell, dare I say it? My life was almost…normal. Who'd ever thought I'd say that about Morganville. Life was finally working itself out. And everything, well, it just fell into place.

We heard the counting down of the party goers as the clock ticked midnight. "Five!... Four!... Three!...Two!...One! Happy New Year!"

The loud sound of cheers and noise makers filled the skies. Shane pulled Eve into a romantic kiss, enjoying their first New Years. Michael wrapped his arms around my waist and did the same. And I shared my first new years with them, my fiancé, my best friend, and my best friend/ex. This moment couldn't have been more perfect.

A/N: Well, that's it for this story. That went a lot longer than I thought it would. I hoped everyone liked it. Thanks for all the support and amazing reviews. You guys really made my day with those. Thanks for reading! PEACE! 3