Chris dropped me off by the house to get ready and hen headed to his apartment to change. Frederick and Krysta had gotten back not too long after I did and Mom was soon to follow. I went into my room and closed the door. I changed into some sweats and slipped on my sock monkey slippers. I grabbed my iPod and listened to my playlist of show tunes while I did my makeup.

I brushed and curled my hair lightly. I was slow and careful as I put it on, making sure that the brush went where I wanted and that the makeup looked how I intended. I kept my hand steady as I painted on my liquid eyeliner, making sure it winged out at the right angle and the right thickness. I opened up the door and walked down the hall to brush my teeth before putting on my lipstick. As I walked by my mother's room, I saw her walk out of her closet with a dress and she laid it on her bed.

"Please tell me you're not really planning on wearing that." I said with a glance towards the dress.

"I thought you liked that one." She looked confused.

"It's fine when you're going out to dinner with your colleagues, but this is a party. You are not going to wear polyester." I said as I walked into her closet.

I had to venture pretty far back just find clothes with some sparkle. It amazed me that she had all of these beautiful cocktail dresses and she chose to wear a bland,black, knee length, polyester dress. Eventually, I found something.

"Look, this one's similar but it has more pizzazz." I said, doing a little shimmy on the last word.

"You think I'm going to wear sequins and mesh cutouts?" She raised an eyebrow.

"It's not sleeveless and the neckline is pretty line is fairly modest." I pointed out. "It's not that bad. Just humor me, okay?"

"Okay." She sighed as she rolled her eyes.

"Thank you!" I smirked. "Now, sit down while I do your makeup."

"Who said you were doing my makeup?"

"I thought that was understood." I said.

We stared at each other for a moment, waiting to see who would give in first. Finally, my mother sat down at her vanity. I took her makeup out of her drawer and started thinking about what I would do. I decided on a subtle smokey eye with a cut-crease. My mom was so difficult when it came to makeup, I never understood why.

"Mom, stop squinting." I huffed. "It makes the eyeliner go on crooked."

Finally, I had finished.

"You're free." I said. She opened her eyes and looked in the mirror.

"Thank you, dear." She smiled.

I went to brush my teeth and then put my lipstick on like I had originally intended to do before I was distracted by my mother's wardrobe faux pas. I went back into my room and changed into a red one shoulder lace cocktail dress and nude pumps. I grabbed my phone and my camera so that I could capture the big moment on film.

I went downstairs and saw Frederick sitting on the couch, waiting for Krysta.

"Frederick, you're looking dapper." I said as I plopped down on the couch.

"Same to you Analeigh." He smiled.

"You excited to get married?"

"That's months away."

"Cold feet?"

"No." He scoffed. "I just don't see the point in talking about something that isn't in the immediate future."

Krysta finally came down in a Kelly green silk cocktail dress. The green really looked good with her blonde hair.

"Aw, Analeigh, you are so beautiful." And she ruined it.

"You sound surprised."

"That color looks really good on you." She said. You could practically see the lightbulb flash above her head. "Maybe I should make the bridesmaids dresses that color."

"That's a great idea, dear." Frederick said. "Oh, look! Chris is here. Well, we'll see you there."

"'Kay, bye." I said as they walked out. Chris came in right after they left.

"Hey, you look fantastic!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," I said, quickly changing the subject. "Do you know what you're going to do tonight?"

"I figured I'd just get up on the stage like I was about to make a toast and then pop the question."

"You're missing an obvious, perfect opportunity here." I sighed. "You wait till midnight when we're all watching the ball drop. As everyone's counting down, you get ready. As soon as everyone yells 'Happy New Year' and starts singing, you get down on one knee and ask her then."

"You're a genius, what would I do without you?"

"I don't know." I said. At that moment my mom came down the stairs.

"You look gorgeous, Lilith." Chris smiled.

"Thank you." We both said with a laugh.

We got in Chris' Mercedes and headed tp the hotel. By the time we got there, the party had already started. Chris handed the keys to the valet and we headed inside. I walked ahead of them into the ballroom.

The lights were still on and the light jazz was playing softly. Not at all how I had pictured it. I shook my head and sighed. Apparently I had to do everything.

I walked up to the stage and tapped the foot of he guitar player.

"Let's turn it up a knotch." I said. "This iis a party, after all."

"You got it, babe."He smirked. I walked over to the wall and dimmed the lights a little bit.

I walked over to the refreshment table and saw Uncle Sam leading some broad to the dance floor.

"Sam," I said, grabbing his shoulder. "Do you know where Adam is?"

"Last time I checked he was in he kitchen helping Carla pour champagne."

I walked back to the kitchen.

"What are you two doing here?" I asked. "This is a party and we hired caterers for a reason."

"I'm fine is here." Carla smiled.

"Well, suit yourself. I just know that Chris has a lot of single doctor friends out there-"

"See you later." She practically raced out of the kitchen.

"Come on." I smiled, leading Adam out to the dancefloor.

We got out and the band was playing classic rock. Adam spun me around and we both laughed. He might not have been able to hear the music, but h could feel the vibrations. To my surprise, he was really good dancer. We danced for a few songs and slowly made our way out of the ballroom.

We walked down the hallway of the hotel, no idea where we were going. We wandered around for a while, talking and laughing about various topics. Eventually, we could hear the music again. We took a left and found the pool. It was indoor so we wouldn't have to go out in the cold.

The music had slowed down.

"May I have this dance?" He smirked, holding out his hand.

I took his hand and we slowly swayed to the rhythm of the music. I looked up at him and he looked at me. There was this look in his eyes, I couldn't tell exactly what was. He started to lean closer to me and I was about to do the same when I heard my phone ringing.

I rushed over to the lounge chair and fished through my purse for my phone. It was the alarm I had set to remind me when it was close to midnight. It was 11:50.

"I have to go." I said. "I'm sorry."

"What's the rush?" He laughed.

"Chris is going to propose to my mom at midnight." I sighed. "I want to be there to take a picture."

"Well, you might want to hurry if you're gonna find them."

I walked out of he pool room and down the hallway. I followed a sign that pointed to the ballroom.

I walked in and looked around. I saw Sam in corner talking to women, neither of hem the one he was with earlier.

"Sam!" I called. "Have you seen my mom and Chris?"

"Uh, last time I saw them, your mom was getting the TV hooked up to watch the ball drop."

"No!" I said. "You go do that. She needs to be with Chris."

"Why?"

"I don't have time to explain." I sighed as I walked off.

I walked toward the tv and found my mother as she was walking away.

"Mom, where are you going?" I asked frantically.

"I'm going to go lead the countdown on the stage-"

"No!" I said quickly. "I mean, no. Go find Chris. I'll get someone to lead it."

"Analeigh, what is the matter with you?"

"Nothing's wrong. Go find Chris, I'll get someone to lead the countdown."

"What is wrong with me leading it?"

"Mom, just trust me, okay? You're wasting time. Go find Chris!"

I rushed off and looked for someone to lead the countdown.

"Norm!" I called in panic.

"Yeah?"

"I need you to lead the countdown when the ball drops." I knew it was a bad idea, but I had no other options.

"Okay." He said. It helped that he had a few drinks in him.

We had less than a minute now. I grabbed my camera out of my purse and went to find my mom and Chris.

They were near the front of the crowd.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven," Everyone cheered. I watched the ball drop on the TV screen. It was beautiful as always.

"Six, five, four!" I watched Chris. I saw him get nervous as he reached into his pocket. I got my camera ready and aimed it on them.

"Three, two one!" He took the ring box out. "Happy New Year!"

Noise makers clapped and whistled ad confetti fell as Chris got down on one knee. Everyone cheered and kissed each other. My mother's face was priceless.

He opened the box and he didn't even have to say anything.

Her hands flew to her mouth and tears of joy flowed from her eyes. I took the picture at that moment. It was perfect, exactly how I imagined it.

As I admired the picture, I felt hands on my shoulders. Suddenly I saw Adam. He turned me toward him and leaned me over as he kissed me on the lips.

I melted and wrapped my arm around his neck. I kissed him back and the strangest feeling ran through my body. I couldn't tell if he fireworks were outside in the sky or if they were in my heart.

This concludes season one of Analeigh Sternin Crane.