NEW YEAR'S EVE

Joey peered into the oven. "They're nearly done," she said of the party pies and sausage rolls currently cooking.

"Cocktail franks are just about there as well," Ruby said.

Joey grinned. They were going all out for their New Year's Eve party. All their friends and family were there to sample their fine party hors-d'oeuvre of finger sangers, party pies, sausage rolls, cocktail franks and Charlie's personal favourite, fairy bread. Between Charlie and Jay, the fairy bread kept disappearing nearly as quickly as it was being replaced on the table.

"We're not skimping on the party are we?" Ruby asked as she turned the hot plate off and moved the saucepan to the sink.

"Ruby, it's 38 degrees out there and not going to drop much more by midnight, so would you prefer to be inside with a hot oven steaming everything up for hours preparing a hot meal for everyone or would you prefer to keep the cooking to the bare minimum and eat outside in the shade and breeze?" she said. "And on the plus side, at the end of the night, there won't be much to clean up, aside from the baking trays and glasses."

"Now I know why Charlie suggested party food and plastic plates," Ruby said. "What I don't get though, is why we're in here cooking the food, when it's meant to be her turn."

"We offered to help."

"Yeah, but not to do all of it for her."

"I am helping," Charlie said as she joined them in the kitchen. "I'm playing the perfect hostess to our guests," she said. "And right now, they're running dry."

"We should have hired one of those grundy bins for the bottles," joked Joey when Charlie opened one of the esky's where the drinks were on ice. Joey doubted there was a grog shop in the area that hadn't run low on supplies by now, same for ice. "And that's just for your mates in blue."

"It's not often we police officers get the opportunity to get together and let our hair down," she said.

"There's more cops in our backyard than there are at the Station on any given day," said Ruby. "And who is the poor sod left in charge tonight?"

"Hogan," Charlie said. "But he was well compensated with no Friday night or weekend shifts for all of January," she said. "I was very nearly tempted to take up my own offer of no weekends and work tonight myself."

"There was no way you were getting out of this party once we invited everyone, Charlie," her sister said. "Not that you're doing much anyway."

"I am to," she said. "I'm just about to take this food out to the others. Oh by the way, we're out of fairy bread again."

"Too bad, because this time, we're out of 100's and 1000's as well," Ruby gleefully informed her.

"Damn," muttered Charlie. "Here, let me get that," she said as she rushed to Joey's side to help her with the tray she'd just pulled from the oven.

"I'm fine Charlie," she assured her. "My toe is feeling much better today." The toe that had nearly been broken by the lady who had decided she wanted that particular Boxing Day bargain more than Joey had. The lady had then accidently tripped over one of Martha's crutches that had somehow moved in front of her as she had tried to dash off with her bargain. As it was, Joey's toe had swelled to twice its size and she'd been off her feet most of the week, but at least it wasn't broken and in the last day or so, she'd been able to walk more freely. She'd also sworn that for next year's Boxing Day sales, she was going to take her own personal protection in the shape of a uniformed and armed girlfriend. Charlie had mumbled something about knowing she'd be working that day when Joey had mentioned it to her.

"You should have had that woman charged for deliberately stomping on your foot like that," Charlie said.

"Strangely enough, she didn't offer her name to us and after she had her own tumble, we lost her in the crowd."

"Ouch, ouch, ouch," Charlie muttered as she piled the hot goods onto a plate with her fingers.

"Try the tongs dear," Joey said. "They're there for a reason."

"Too late, it's all done," she said, sucking on her hot finger tips.

"And you're meant to be the best and the brightest," Joey murmured affectionately.

"It's called finger food for a reason," Charlie argued.

"Sure, but not straight from the oven," Joey said with a smile. "You'd best take them out now before they do get too cold."

"I'll be back for the next lot shortly."

"Xavier seems to be coping well with all the changes in his family lately, especially the death of his brother," Joey said as she and Charlie observed the young couple from across the other side of the yard. They looked like a couple very much in love and aside from when she was inside helping with the food, Ruby had barely been away from Xavier's side throughout the evening.

"Yeah, I was speaking to Ruby about how he was doing just earlier," said Charlie. "Ruby says Xavier has the occasional moments where he swings between hating his brother for what happened, to then missing him. He does seem willing to talk to people about it, so that's a good thing. He's even been speaking to Georgie quite a bit lately."

"Well, they are family now and unlike Hugo, Xavier has no reason to hate or be jealous of Georgie."

"Yeah," Charlie murmured. Ruby laughed loudly at something and Charlie let out a sigh. "I know Aden and Belle have offered to keep an eye on her when she moves away, but is it wrong that I'll still be worried sick about Ruby when she goes off to Uni?"

"No way," Joey assured her. "Ever since your parents died, you've been big sister, friend and mum to Ruby, so it's only natural you're going to worry when she's away." Joey put her arms around her waist. "I'll be here to ease your worry though," she said. Then she smirked. "And think of the bonus of having the house to ourselves, night after night after night."

Charlie's mouth twitched. "The silver lining, huh?"

"I'm always for the positives," she said. "And can I say, I'm looking forward to experiencing those positives as often as possible."

"When you put it like that, I'll help pack Ruby's bags and drive her up there myself."

Joey laughed and hugged her. "I know you'll miss her when she goes, so will I, but we'll visit when we can and she'll be back during each of the holidays and the odd weekend."

"I know."

"So how about we get back to enjoying the revelry of our very first New Year's Eve party in our home?"

"Translation, you want another drink," Charlie said with an affectionate smile and took Joey's empty glass.

"You know me so well."

"How is the big date going?" Joey asked when Shandi walked over to the table to top up her drink.

Shandi glanced toward the woman she'd been dating for the last three days and had invited along to the party to bring in the New Year with her. "Let's just say that fireworks at midnight won't be the only fireworks I'll be seeing tonight," she smirkingly said.

"She's a beautiful woman."

"That she is," agreed Shandi. "Shauna's the new life guard, so I can attest to her being very experienced in mouth to mouth resuscitation."

Joey snorted in her drink.

"Now if you'll excuse me Joey, I'm about to let Shauna practice her lifesaving skills on me."

"Have you heard from Graves and Shannon lately?" Watson asked her cousin when they had a moment alone together.

"We got a text message early on Christmas night, saying 'thanks a lot, Joey' in a sarcastic way, along with a photo of Graves curled up and sound asleep on the couch, still wearing an apron."

"Never piss off Joey," Watson said with a laugh.

"I'm sure Shannon would have cheered up her tired girlfriend eventually," Charlie said. "Anyway, it sounds like they had a great day with Graves' family and they've all really taken to Shannon." She smiled cheekily. "In fact, Shannon has been such a hit, I actually think that if they ever broke up, the family would ditch Graves and snatch up Shannon for themselves."

"Good thing Graves won't have to worry about that then," said Watson. "Those two are as bad as you and Joey and always will be."

"What about you and Martha?"

"We'll be the old and respectable married couple," Watson said. "If we ever get married," she murmured.

"So you've had to push the wedding back a little because Martha's rehab is going to take a bit longer than expected, but it will happen."

"Yeah I know that, but the longer it takes, the more wedding planning I'll have to put up with."

"You mean I have to put up with," Charlie said. "How many times now have you changed your mind over what you're going to be wearing?" she said. "I've never seen anyone ever hum and ha so much over a fricken bit of fabric before."

"It's my big day, I want it to be right."

"Wearing what?"

"I'll know when I see it."

Charlie just shook her head. Already she'd been dragged from shop to shop while her cousin tried to make up her mind and as there weren't that many places to shop for weddings in the area, she was dreading the day when Georgie decided that they'd need to go wedding shopping in the city. A day stuck in the car and then trailing behind her cousin while she tried on clothes. What a nightmare and she hadn't even started to look for her own clothes yet, because until Georgie chose a colour and style, it was a waste of time getting her own 'cos she'd risk having a clash.

"Ooh, looks like our night is nearly over," said Watson. "Jay is about ready to keel over any minute."

"Not surprised," said Charlie. "He's had a big night."

"Not to mention it's well passed his bedtime," she said. "Oh, by the way, he still wants that rematch," Watson told her. "I thought it best not to bring the war here tonight though."

"Might have been fun," she said. "Bunch of drunk cops throwing foam at each other."

"Yeah, a real bunch of foamers."

"Ha, ha," said Charlie.

"Well anyway, I'm going to get my family home," she said. Watson hugged her cousin. "Have a great start to the New Year and have a drink for me and Martha."

"You won't be staying up?"

"Between work, Martha's rehab and being mum to Jay, I think we'll both struggle to see out the night once we put Jay down."

"I'll have one for you and Joey can have one for Martha."

"Poor Peter," Joey commented when Leah laughed at something Dan just said to her. "His brother certainly hasn't wasted any time discovering the joys of the Bay."

Both had winced in sympathy for Peter when Leah had turned up to the party with Dan on her arm.

"Unfortunately Peter had wasted his time," murmured Charlie. Dan Baker had arrived to spend Christmas with his brother and surprise him with the news he'd taken up a position at the High School as the new counsellor and just as his older brother had, he'd taken an instant shine to Leah. Only unlike Peter, who had been happy to flirt with Leah, yet hadn't worked up the courage to ask her out, Dan had had no such trouble. He'd swooped in, made it known he wanted to take her to dinner and Leah, having reached the conclusion that since Peter hadn't asked her out, he was only interested in being friends, had allowed Dan to sweep her off her feet. Tonight was their second date in the week since he'd arrived and as bad as Charlie felt for Peter, Leah did look happy.

"I wonder if Leah would have accepted Dan's invitation had she known Peter was also interested in her in that way," Joey said.

"It's too late now," Charlie said. "Dan seems a nice enough guy and Leah's happy, so maybe this is the way it's meant to be."

"Yeah, I suppose," she said. "I just feel bad for Peter, especially after what happened with his marriage."

"Same here," said Charlie. Peter may have only known Leah for a couple of weeks, but the look in his eyes whenever he glanced over to where Leah was with his brother, said more than his words ever did. He was cut up. And he was jealous. Charlie just hoped it didn't come between the two brothers, because she knew Leah would hate to be the reason for any problems there.

"Know any eligible ladies to send in his direction?"

"No and I'm not sure he'd be interested anyway," Charlie warned her. "I know I wouldn't be in his position. In fact, I have been in his position and I know that random women don't help you to get over losing that certain one anytime soon, especially when you've let her slip away and into the arms of another."

"She slipped right back into your life," Joey said, sliding her arm around her girlfriend's waist again.

"More like crashed into my life, along with a husband and a shit load of obstacles to get here."

"But we got there in the end."

"Yeah we did and now that I have you, I'm never letting you go." Charlie rolled her eyes when she recognised that look on her girlfriend's face. "Except to get you another drink."

"You're a wonderful hostess."

"Who you're taking complete advantage of."

"And loving it."

"I'm leaving for home next week," Shandi told Charlie as they enjoyed a quiet moment. "I was only really here for Gina's birthday and to catch up with everyone," she said. "Then I stayed on after it all came out about Georgie and dad and then stuck around a little longer to support Gina after Hugo's death, but she has a lot of support around her now and so it is really time for me to head home."

"Are you and Georgie going to keep in touch?"

"Definitely," she said. "Staying this long to get to know her as a sister is the best decision I've made and I'm going to miss her and my little nephew, but I can't say forever and with Skype and all, it's not like we're not going to be seeing each other again before my next visit."

"You'll be back for the wedding?"

"Of course," she said. "I am part of the wedding party now."

"You are?" Charlie said in surprise.

Shandi was beaming. "Georgie asked me earlier to be at her side along with you and Belle."

"That's great."

"I'm still getting used to it," she admitted. "Even though Georgie and I have become close lately, her asking me to be such a part of her biggest day still blew me away," Shandi said.

"Bet neither of you ever saw this day coming when you were both insufferable, bratty, annoying teenagers who hated each other."

"Ease up," Shandi said with an acknowledging grin.

"At least you had the good sense to mature and become slightly more bearable these days," Charlie cheekily added.

"Geez, you're just great for my ego," Shandi dramatically bemoaned.

"Good thing you have your own personal lifeguard to help soothe your wounded ego," Charlie teased. "What about you and Shauna when you leave?"

"Shauna and I are just having some fun and great sex together, so no dramas there when I leave," she replied.

"Do you ever plan on settling down?"

"Eventually, but I'd prefer it to be with a woman who lives in the same town I do."

"Well, I'm going to miss you when you do go."

"I'll be back."

"Like a bad smell."

"Speaking of which," Shandi said as she screwed up her nose in displeasure. "What is that awful smell?"

Charlie sniffed the air. "Oh god, who farted."

There was a whimper at their feet. "I'd say we just found our lead suspect," Shandi said. "The dog has that 'I just farted' guilty look all over his darling face."

"Ok, so next question I have is, whose bloody dog is this?"

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, happy New Year!" was the resounding cry from the party goers as the fireworks were launched from the nearby footy oval.

"Happy New Year baby," Joey said, capturing her girlfriend's lips before she could reply.

"Mmm, very happy New Year," Charlie murmured when they came up for air. Her nose suddenly screwed up. "Oh god, it's that bloody dog again," she complained while her girlfriend laughed and crouched down to the dog.

Joey chuckled as her face was bathed with his tongue.

"I hope you wash before you let my lips anywhere near you again," Charlie warned her.

"Where do you think he came from?" she asked.

None of their guests had recognised him when Charlie had asked around earlier and try as she might, the dog had ignored her attempts to shoo him on and had lingered at the party like a bad smell.

"I'll call the animal shelter tomorrow to see if anyone has reported a lost dog," Charlie said.

"And if he's abandoned."

"Oh no," Charlie said, knowing exactly what was going through her girlfriend's mind.

"He's cute."

"He stinks."

"He needs a bath."

"He farts."

"Only because he got into the cocktail franks," Joey pointed out. "And he's courageous."

"How do you know that?"

"He didn't bolt when the fireworks started popping." She smiled up at Charlie. "Please, can we keep him?"

"No way Joey."

"Why not?" she said.

"He's a dog."

"Since when do you discriminate against dogs?"

"He probably has owners who are looking for him."

"But if he's been abandoned?" Joey tried again.

Between the puppy dog eyes her girlfriend was now giving her, to the puppy dog eyes on the actual puppy, Charlie found herself relenting.

"It must be the effects of the alcohol," she murmured and found herself with Joey in her arms before she'd even said, "Ok, you can keep the dog."

"Thank you, Charlie."

"Just don't go getting too excited yet," Charlie warned her. "We're going to check the shelter and place ads in the paper and around town saying we've found him and only then, if no one comes to claim him, can he stay."

"This year is the best already."

"Wonder if you'll say that the first time he chews your favourite shoes," Charlie murmured, yet she couldn't help but smile at the joy on Joey's face as she played with their newest lodger. Already the year was off to an interesting start and she wondered what else lay ahead of them.

Next chapter skips ahead some months as the story draws to a close.