What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
Conclusion
Miles immediately reclaimed the recliner and sank down in it with a groan. "I can't believe I ate the whole thing."
"You sound like a commercial," Eva told him.
"Well, you certainly did. Are you feeling alright, Miles?" Natalie asked as she perched on the arm of the chair.
He flashed her a grin. "I'm okay. Nothing that a little nap wouldn't cure," he replied.
Eva settled herself on a pile of cushions at the foot of the recliner. "No napping. I'll make sure and keep you awake," she promised.
"I can hardly wait to see how," he mumbled.
"Oh, I have my ways," Eva replied and smiled sweetly.
In the kitchen Kim was saying, "I'll make sure the dishes get done. You go and enjoy your guests."
"Thanks, Honey," Frank replied and removed his apron and cap, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"You did all the hard work," Kim answered.
Frank paused at the entrance to the living room and rolled his eyes when he saw where Miles was seated. "Hey, that's my chair," he protested.
"You said for us to make ourselves at home," Miles reminded him.
"But I didn't mean for you to steal my chair," Frank answered as he sat down on the sofa next to Stephen.
"Give up, Frank," Stephen advised.
"Hey, Frank, are those recipes top secret or can you share?" Eva asked.
"Well, I just don't want to find out they're the hottest selling cookbook unless I get all the money. Which ones do you want?" he answered.
"I can't decide, they were all so good," Eva told him.
"I'd like the one for that herbed brown rice dish. I think it was my favorite," Miles spoke up.
"You certainly ate enough of it," Frank said and laughed. "It was one of Grandma's vegetarian recipes and I fixed it just for you. In fact you can take home the leftovers."
"Thanks."
You know I was reading on the internet where New Orleans is dropping a gumbo pot to ring in the new year," Eva said.
"Now, that certainly sounds like New Orleans," Frank laughed. "You can't keep that city down for too long."
Miles felt Eva poking him in the foot and exclaimed "Ouch! Why'd you do that for?"
"Just making sure you were awake," she said innocently.
"I'm awake," he replied and stuck his foot in her face.
Eva wrinkled her nose and leaned back in mock disgust. "Ugh! When was the last time you changed your socks?" she demanded.
"This afternoon as a matter of fact," Miles answered replacing his foot on the footrest.
Natalie stared at the flames for a few moments before asking, "What do you think was the worst thing to happen this past year?"
"Do you mean personally or in general?" Stephen asked.
"Personally," she replied, already knowing what it was to her. Nearly losing Miles had caused her to realize just how much she cared about him. Not only as her colleague but also her friend.
"That's easy," Miles spoke up. "Central America. I mean it was a different experience treating the people. But I really could've done without the earthquake or the insurgents or getting sick"
"I'll have to agree with you on that one," Natalie told him.
"I think we all can," Stephen added. "One of the worst things had to be nearly losing two of my team members."
"As bad as Central America and the ice station were, I have to count Katrina among the worst. Never thought I'd be spending my vacation seeing what I could salvage from where I grew up," Frank said after a moments thought.
"At least your parents made it out safely," Stephen reminded him.
"Yeah. They're living with Linda in Texas. Nearly missed Rita though."
"At least we're all together yet," Natalie told the rest of the team.
They were talking quietly amongst themselves when Kim entered to ask, "Anybody ready for the dessert yet?"
"I am," Eva answered.
"I'll have just a small piece and no ice cream," Miles added.
"Same here," Natalie told her.
"I'll have some too," Stephen decided.
"I'll give you a hand," Frank told his wife as he got to his feet.
It was nearly 10:00 when Miles gave up his efforts to stay awake. Eva was quietly persuaded to leave her dozing teammate alone as they sat and reminiscenced over the past year's events. Each of them were hoping that the coming year would go a lot smoother.
"Anybody gonna wake up Sleeping Beauty so we can all go home?" Eva asked once the new year had arrived.
"As I recall Sleeping Beauty was awakened by a kiss," Frank told her.
"Okay," Eva replied. She leaned over and quickly kissed Miles on the forehead before stepping back blushing.
"On the lips," Frank told her, trying to suppress a laugh.
Natalie reached over and gently shook Miles' shoulder. "Come on, Miles, time to wake up," she said.
"I'm awake," he replied sitting up and yawning. He caught sight of the clock and saw it was 12:20. "I missed it?"
"You missed it. You were sleeping so soundly that we didn't have the heart to wake you."
"I bet Eva did," he commented.
"I did. But Nat wouldn't let me," Eva said, confirming his suspicions.
"Let's get you home so you can get to bed," Natalie was telling Miles.
"I'll give you a hand," Stephen volunteered as he helped their still drowsy teammate to his feet.
Frank quickly retrieved their coats and Natalie helped Miles into his. "Thanks for the wonderful evening," she told Frank.
"It was my pleasure. Just a minute while I go get the leftovers,"Frank answered. He soon returned from the kitchen was a plastic covered dish.
Natalie suspected that once Miles got settled in the car, he'd fall right back to sleep. She'd end up making sure he got up to his apartment and safely indoors before heading off to her own. After all that's what friends did.
Frank watched his guests leaving one by one. Closing the door behind the last one he turned to Kim and asked, "Ready to get to bed, Honey?"
"I am. It was a good way to end out the year," Kim replied.
"Yes, it definitely was," Frank had to agree as he turned off the lights.