Welcome to the long, long awaited finale to this wild journey. I hope you're all doing well during this crazy year. I've most definitely matured as a writer since I last left you in 2017. I will also be updating While You Were Sleeping, but updates with that story will be few and far between as well. Thank you to everyone who has followed this story since the beginning, and thank you all for your encouragement in the reviews! Here we go...

Chapter 23: A Very Merry Boozy Ending

There were some days that the sounds of the city deep within the recesses of her mind would almost beckon her back to the Big Apple. Almost. It's been a few years since she packed up her bags, hugged her remaining friends in the city, and hopped on the train.

The trees had whirred by, so large and looming that she felt even smaller than she had in a city full of skyscrapers. Despite this, it was so incredibly serene. Snow was lightly coating the passing homes, so full of life and laughter. Her heart fluttered for the briefest of seconds, but she pushed it down before it grew into anything else. It wasn't time yet.

"Next stop: Syracuse."

She grabbed her bags and made her way to the exit. The doors slithered open before she stepped out into the bitter Syracuse winter. Light snowflakes grazed her cheeks as she adjusted her bags. Hm, I don't see the Civic anywhere.

"Caroline!"

She darted her attention to below the platform where her oldest friend stood, eyes ablaze with pure joy. She couldn't hold back the small squeal as she rushed down the stairs.

"Lena!" She dropped her bags before embracing her. It felt like home.

"How have you been?" Elena slightly bounced in her seat, clearly excited to be in the presence of her best friend again.

"I've been pretty good! I've missed you guys a little too much," Caroline chuckled, "When will Bonnie get here?"

Bonnie had moved out of the city back in August, a few months after Elena had jumped ship. She was somewhere in North Jersey, living out her rowhouse dream. Caroline hadn't had the chance to visit her cute little nest yet since she had recently gained an incredible job opportunity outside of the theater. Leaving the place she had called home since college was tough on Caroline and strained her friendships with both Elena and Bonnie for quite awhile, but eventually, they all got back into the groove of things. But once Bonnie and Elena moved out of the city to pursue their own job opportunities, they had to work even harder to see each other every chance they could. This just so happened to be one of those occasions.

Elena frowned, "I'm not sure if Bonnie's going to make it today. She might have to drive up tomorrow."

"She's driving?" Caroline snickered, "No wonder she won't be here today."

"The boys should be back tonight though," Elena waggled her eyebrows.

"Oh, that should be marvelous fun," Caroline laughed before turning her gaze to the passing trees outside her window. It's been almost a year since she had last laid her eyes on Markus. He had checked himself into a rehab the week after they had last met in-person, a promise he had made to her that they would find each other again once he was back to himself. They would talk on the phone once a month, but their conversations mostly consisted of them talking about her career. She was obviously flourishing and he was...obviously not. The last they had talked he was ten months sober and had recently picked up an obsession with Guitar Hero. She didn't have the heart to tell him that it was a pretty outdated game that she used to play in college.

So, here they were: about to walk into Elena's domestic delight with the strung lights gleaming onto the fresh bed of snow and with the rustically adorable Christmas tree in the window. Her walk-up one bedroom couldn't hold a candle to this upstate beauty.

The house was, to say the least, what every mother hopes and prays her daughter lives in one day. The two-story stone front home was bathed in warmth thanks to the fireplace Caroline was snuggled up to, a mug of wine in hand. Elena had profusely apologized for the general lack of wine glasses, but had sheepishly admitted to dropping the entire box full of glasses when they moved in. Caroline scoffed in mock anger before breaking out into laughs.

The two were snuggled up on their respective couches, watching another episode of Gilmore Girls when there was an audible thump against the front door. Elena raised a brow before making her way to the door. She pulled the door open before a body came crashing to the ground.

"Oh my Lord," a mountain of hat, gloves, and a winter jacket said, "I miss Jersey already."

Elena almost collapsed to the floor in laughter.

"Oh no, stop!" Caroline rolled across the couch, clutching her stomach, "Stop! I'm gonna pee!"

The mountain tore off her hat, her hair immediately poofing out. She leaned against the wall behind her to catch her breath. "I slipped on the ice all the way from my car to your front door. I'm suing you, Elena."

The brunette and blonde could barely catch their breaths before Bonnie plopped onto the couch and said, "I would hug the both of you, but my ass hurts too much to keep standing."

Elena squinted her eyes at the clock. "Geez, 10 already?" She pushed the curtain aside to gaze outside. "I wonder where they are?"

Caroline grew slightly uncomfortable and averted her gaze to the TV. Bonnie took notice, slightly nudging her in the side. "What's up with you? How have you and Markus been?"

She sucked in a breath before taking a sip of her liquid encouragement. "We've been, ugh, you know, okay."

Bonnie and Elena exchanged glances. "I'm not too sure that was exactly believable, Care," Elena made her way over to the couch before continuing, "What's up?"

Her heart spilled out of her mouth, explaining every detail of the past year. How her career had taken off and he was somewhere in the rearview mirror, but then again, she wasn't sure if he wanted to remain there. If this was him returning to himself, then maybe she didn't actually know him.

Elena gripped Caroline's hand in hers. "I understand. This has been the hardest year. We've all changed so much and it's been a rollercoaster ride trying to navigate where we all fit into each other's lives," she grew quiet before sighing, "Markus was a mess, there's no denying that, but from what I've seen over the past few months, he's changed for the better. I really think you'll like this Markus."

Another thud at the door. The women all jumped in their seats.

"What the fuck!" A muffled voice called out before a chorus of laughter erupted outside the door.

Elena visibly beamed before she darted to the door and tore it open. An entire gaggle of men made their way inside, one dragging a reddened Armand with him.

"Your entire driveway is ice," Armand grumbled before struggling to his feet.

Bonnie laughed before exclaiming, "My ass feels you!"

Markus, somewhere in the back, was admiring the home before his gaze fell on Caroline. His cheeks brightened as a smile spread across his face. Elena interrupted the moment with a hug and quick whisper of, "Be a good boy," before she shoved him towards the couch. Markus slid into place on the other side of Caroline after greeting Bonnie.

"Hi, Care." His voice was soft and tender, just as she had remembered it. Warm as fresh baked cookies on a cold wintery night.

A smile graced her lips before she gripped his hand in hers, "Hi, Markus."

Bonnie glanced up to Elena, waggled her eyebrows and made her way across the room to give the two some time alone.

"Hellooo, there," Armand greeted Bonnie as the two sat in front of the fire along with Anthony.

"Oh boy, this won't be a problem, will it?" Bonnie joked before turning to Anthony, "Hey, Anthony. Long time, no see."

Anthony reached into his jacket pocket to bring out his prized Jack Daniels before smirking up to Bonnie.

"My kinda guy," She laughed before taking a swig and passing the bottle along to Armand.

"Ah, my fair lady," Damon gripped Elena's hand, pulling her into a tight embrace, "Home at last."

Elena giggled before reaching up to peck Damon on the lips. "How was the gig?"

He tsked, booping her nose with his index finger. "Details later. We have guests who are in need of good boozing on such a fine Christmas Eve." He spun her around before dragging her along to the kitchen, Elena squealing in laughter.

Before he could bring the tray full of old fashioneds out to the merry crowd gathered around the fireplace, Elena gripped his arm and beckoned him into the pantry. Damon waggled his eyebrows, but followed nonetheless.

Once nestled inside with her back against the rice shelf, she flipped the light switch on the wall and bit her lip.

"What's got you in a brood?" Damon pushed a strand of hair behind her ear before running a finger across her cheek to ease her clear nervousness.

She reached out to bring his hand to her chest. "I think I'm ready, Damon."

His eyebrows shot up. "Ready for what?"

She let out a small laugh, "Ready to try for a baby."

His heart nearly exploded in his chest at the words. They had been tiptoeing around this conversation for months after having decided that marriage may not be their cup of tea. The strings that were attached with this conversation were too great in size to be able to deal with in one conversation, but this was a start, a step forward towards their future together as a family.

He pulled her into his embrace before whispering, "I'm ready too."

The crowd in the living room erupted in cheers, nearly scaring the two of them clear out of their skin. The two pushed open the door and made their way to the living room where Armand and Bonnie were arm wrestling, the bassist clearly losing despite his beet red face. Caroline and Markus were deep in conversation on the couch, smiles splitting their faces. Elena glanced up to Damon before the two laughed, wrapping their arms around each other's waists as they watched the scene before them unfold.

"Who wants an old fashioned?" Damon called out.

A very merry boozy Christmas indeed.