HAPPY 2018!
Photo #86: Champagne Cuddles
It wasn't until she was thirteen that Eadlyn was able to stay up past midnight on New Year's Eve. Every year before that she would just fall asleep. At first, it was because she was too young and her parents forced her to go to bed, she would sneak up and stay awake on her own but failed, and when her parents did allow her to stay up she would still fall asleep. There was really no point in staying up since you would forget it was a New Year by the next day.
The next photo is obviously a New Year's party that was closed to only Eadlyn's parents and Mr. and Mrs. Woodwork. Carter is sitting on the couch next to America who sits next to Maxon. The three of them clink their freshly filled champagne glasses as Marlee sleeps, lying on top of all three of them. Marlee's champagne glass is in Carter's free hand, also included in the clinking of the other glasses.
Eadlyn isn't exactly sure who she would be in this photo, Marlee or everyone else?
-o-
At 10 PM, the kids claimed with the most notable determination that they were going to make it to the next year. Unfortunate for them, they clocked out about thirty minutes later, falling asleep after one another like a set of dominos. It's currently 11 PM and only the parents remained awake. That is when the champagne comes out of refrigeration. At least now, there's more champagne for them and the kids won't be jumping at their waists begging for sips and end up spirting it out in disgust.
The adults aka America, Marlee, Maxon, and Carter all had one plan for the hour until midnight: let the time pass as they eat their weight in appetizers and drink the same weight in champagne. And to add on to the spirit of New Year's Eve, they were all wearing matching pajamas that were dark like the night sky and decorated with metallic-colored fireworks. It was the girls' idea and the boys only went with it because the pajamas were super comfy.
"I don't think I'm going to make it," Marlee says, yawning as she pops another cheese cube in her mouth. "I'm going to bed."
"No!" America exclaims at the exact same time Maxon pops open their champagne bottle and Carter cheers. (Perfect timing, not a coincidence at all). "It's drinking time!"
Marlee yawns again. "No, it's sleep time."
Maxon pours out four glasses of champagne and puts the opened bottle back in a pail of ice. He takes two glasses and Carter takes the remaining two. Maxon keeps one for himself and gives the second to America whereas Carter does the same except giving it to Marlee.
"Come on, Marlee," Carter encourages, "we're still young and the kids aren't around. Have a few sips and you'll be wide awake in no time."
Carter snaps his fingers in Marlee's face which she doesn't even acknowledge. She only gives her glass back to Carter.
"I'm a tired drunk," Marlee states.
"There is less than an hour to go," Maxon encourages. "You can sleep a second after the clock strikes twelve. You can make it, and like my dear wife said, it's drinking time!"
Maxon and America clink their glasses together. Carter nods in agreement, giving Marlee some glances. Marlee, on the other hand, is still not convinced to stay up and just wants to sleep.
"And like I said, it's sleep time," Marlee says with another yawn. "Besides, Carter, if we sleep, we'll look even younger."
"Good point," Carter says. His agreement shocked everyone else in the room. "I could sleep as well but only if we cuddle when the clock strikes 12."
Maxon lights up. "Oh, I like that idea."
Carter cringes at him. "I wasn't talking about cuddling with you."
Maxon returns the same grimace. "Neither was I. I'm not starting the new year in your arms."
"Ditto."
America clears her throat to get everyone's attention. "I'm not starting the new year listening to this possibly happening fantasy. Though entertaining to see, I'd rather not see someone else in my husband's arms."
"Ditto," Marlee says, taking her champagne glass back from Carter.
Marlee takes a sip and wraps her arms around Carter's waist. In return, Carter wraps an arm around Marlee's shoulders. Maxon and America lean into one another, raising their glasses for their friends.
"To Marlee, determined to survive the remaining - " America quickly glances at Maxon's watch. " - thirty-five minutes till midnight."
All of them raise their glasses, some champagne spilling out onto their shoes. Marlee blushes a little, still tired as hell and wanting to sleep but she will make it to midnight. She will witness the changing of years and watch the clock strike twelve.
And she did.
Not only did Marlee make it until midnight, but everyone else did and that prompted the opening of a second champagne bottle. They cheered and celebrated for about a minute until they all collapsed on the couch and Marlee fell asleep on top of all of them.
"Well..." America mutters, sandwiched in between Carter and Maxon with Marlee partially on her lap (her head was on Carter's lap, her torso on America, and her legs on Maxon). "That was fun."
"Yup," Maxon agrees, sipping his champagne. "Best sixty seconds of my life."
"At least Marlee made it," Carter points out.
The three of them clink their glasses. Carter even adds Marlee's glass to that.
Truth be told, I was tired by like 11:00 PM but I stuck through until midnight.
Stay Tuned - An unexpected surprise is coming up (in February 2018 because I will not be updating until then)
Go vote in the poll on my page and I'll see you soon!
