We were thankful for Carolyn's arrival the day after Christmas. Between the elder two kids and the three newborns, our house was constantly loud until all of us passed out from exhaustion by 10. It pained me to think of us ever returning to work. Not because we didn't want to, because we did, but one of our kids always urgently needed us for something. We were trying to be the best parents we could, even if we were spread out thin. Zola and Bailey consumed almost all of Carolyn's time while visiting but we were relieved when she brought up the idea of taking Zola and Bailey to Legoland for their Christmas gift from her. They would be gone the 30th to January 2nd in Legoland California. I was more hesitant because they haven't been away from us like that and we just got them back from the twins being born but Derek talked me into agreeing. They would be able to make good memories with their Nana and give us more time to adjust with the twins a little more. New Years Eve we decided to stay in just me, Derek, Amelia, Owen, and the babies. We made finger foods and what not and just sat around relaxing while we waited for it to be midnight to bring in the New Year all together.

"It's weird without Zola and Bailey here. I thought it'd be nice to get some quiet but it's too quiet. We're too good at keeping the babies happy so there is no sound from them most time."

I was laying on the couch, leaning against Derek, while he had Will and I was holding Lainey. Amelia was sprawled out on Owen's lap with Leah sleeping peacefully on her chest.

"Mom called earlier and said they were heading to the dinner and that she has already spent $400 in legos and it's only their second day."

Both mine and Derek's eyes widened at Amelia's statement. That was completely unnecessary. Derek immediately pulled his phone out to text her.

"That's ridiculous. Mom spends too much on all of the grandkids."

I couldn't help but laugh. If I remember correctly, it was Derek who was spending thousands on our Christmas.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing. I'm staying out of stuff with you and your mom. Just know she isn't going to listen to you. She never does. Those are her grandbabies and she always overcompensates with Zola and Bailey especially because she never sees them."

He sighed and put his phone back into his pocket, adjusting Will in his arms.

"You have me whipped, woman."

I jokingly hit his arm.

"Whatever. You love every bit of it."

Owen yawned loudly, redirecting our attention to him.

"I don't know if I can make it to midnight."

We looked at TV playing the news with its own countdown. It was 11:57 pm.

Amelia herself looked like she was a minute away from passing out.

"Oh come on, don't be losers. It's almost midnight and since I am the only one fully awake for once, I will close out our year. We had one hell of a ride. Derek came back from D.C, and he nearly died after saving those people. He miraculously healed with nothing more than a scar on the back of his head from surgery. We found out I was pregnant, and we went on our first family vacation. Owen proposed. My father died. All of us girls had our car wreck. I dealt with PTSD and a broken arm yet I managed to save the twins before I knew there was even two. Zola got surgery to correct the malfunction in her shunt. Amelia found out she was pregnant. Bailey turned two. Owen went to Afghanistan. We hosted Thanksgiving for over 30 people. We disowned one of the sisters. We had the three babies on the same exact day. Leah and Will were perfectly healthy. Lainey got heart surgery done by the best pediatric and prenatal & neonatal surgeon in America, we were all reunited and got to spend Christmas with some of our closest friends. I say all in all, it was a damn good year."

They all smiled and nodded in agreement. Derek spoke up.

"I would just like to say how much I love our family. Our little one I mean. The four of us adults and the five kids. It's everything I could've dreamed of. Amelia, I look forward to walking you down the aisle come spring time."

"Me too. I finally got my life where it needs to be."

Owen kissed her forehead and smiled.

"And I'm here to keep it in that place."

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~And there we have it! Closed up this story, and I'm so proud. It probably wasn't the ending you were expecting but it at least felt right to me. Leave a review if you'd be so kind and look for the sequel of this story: Carrying On. It'll take place 2-3 years after this one. Thanks for reading all 38 chapters of my favorite story!~