Chapter 35

Exactly one week later, it was Christmas Day. John and I with Little Johnny gathered with all his brothers and their significant others at Carol's house. We had spent Christmas Eve with John Sr. He was busy at Cenas' getting the place ready to be open.

"How does it feel to be a college graduate, Melissa?" Carol asked.

"It feels great," Melissa said.

That's right. Melissa had graduated from college. She had graduated the Saturday before my birthday. I had missed it, because I couldn't get to Atlanta. I had to go back to work on Monday and I had Little Johnny. Melissa was not disappointed, because Boog had flown out for her graduation. He got lots of pictures and such for me, Amy and John.

"When are you moving to Boston?" Ally asked.

"I am here permanently. I start my new job on January 6th," Melissa said.

"That is awesome," Chelsea said. "Congratulations."

I smiled. Yep, there was a job for Melissa as a paralegal at the same law firm as me and Amy. She had a job and everything. But now she was studying up on getting certified as a paralegal. She wasn't so sure she wanted to go to law school. She just wanted to focus on her relationship with Boog.

"Now I know why Boog is so happy," Kourtney said. "I thought you were just here for Christmas and then would be back in Atlanta for awhile."

"Nope, she is here to get settled in and make me and Boog very happy," I said.

"And it is very important to make Trish happy," Carol said. "She is a mommy and you must never cross a mommy, especially your own. Isn't that right boys?!"

John and his brothers were all sitting close together. They were all talking while we girls talked.

"What's that, Mom?" Steve asked.

"You boys better not be plotting over there," Carol said.

"Don't worry, Mom," Boog said. "We're not."

"We're just talking about who will be the next one to get engaged, married, or become a daddy," John said.

"Well, either one of you could be a daddy next," I said. "Matt and Kourtney are the next ones more than likely to get engaged. Boog and Melissa are finally able to be in the same city for a long period of time."

"Oh, did I forget to tell you," Melissa joked.

I glared at my baby sister.

"I'm kidding."

I rolled my eyes.

"I think we should open presents," Chelsea said.

"Yes, let's open presents," I said.

Carol made the boys pass out the presents. The presents were to Carol from her sons and their significant others and presents Carol had for all of us. She always asked what everyone wanted for Christmas every year. We gave her ideas and she usually got it. John Sr. gave cash or checks with cards. I got some new clothes for work from her. Chelsea, Ally, and Kourtney had gotten me the same thing, work clothes or regular clothes. It was from them and John's brothers.

Everyone had a good Christmas with Carol.

It was nice to get home and be alone with John. Being with family was nice, but sometimes you preferred to be alone with your boyfriend/fiancé/husband or girlfriend/fiancée/wife on the holidays. John and I gave Little Johnny a bath, dressed him, and put him to bed.

John and I went into the living room. We had all the lights turned off except the Christmas tree. We cuddled up under a blanket and watched a movie. It was also snowing outside and we could see it falling through the window in the living room. It was the perfect end to Christmas day. Next year, however, we would be married and Little Johnny would be a year old. We would be able to enjoy it fully.

On New Year's Eve, John and I went over to Torrie and Randy's place. Phil and Amy went over there too. Melissa and Boog baby sat Little Johnny for us. Those two had been inseparable since she arrived. The two were only apart when he was working.

"Who needs to go out on New Year's Eve when you can have fun at home with your friends?!" Randy said.

"Not me," Torrie said.

"The rest of us however had to go to have fun," Phil said. "Hence this is why we are here."

"Who cares where we're at," Amy said. "All that matters is the six of us are together."

"Amen to that," I said.

"I'd like to give a toast," John said.

"Ooh, yay."

We all grabbed our glasses or bottles. Everyone, except Phil, was drinking alcoholic beverages. I was too. Little Johnny was still drinking my breast milk. There were these test strips that could test your breast milk for alcohol so you could make sure it was safe to drive your breast milk to your baby. I wasn't a big alcohol drinker, but I did on occasion. I wouldn't have had a drink tonight if Torrie had not offered me a Mike's Hard Pink Lemonade.

"Here's to good and true friends always and forever," John said.

"Here, here," I said.

We tapped glasses or bottles and took a sip.

"I want to thank you four for joining me and Torrie tonight," Randy said.

"Anytime, Rando," John said.

"Yeah," Phil said. "I am glad I have you all as my friends. I consider you all as my brothers and sisters."

"Awe, thanks, Phil," Torrie said.

"Yes, thank you," I said. "And I consider everyone here part of my family as well. John and Amy technically are already."

"That's right, you remember me, bitch," Amy said.

I smiled.

"Anyway," Randy said. "It was my idea to have you all here. Torrie wanted to go out, actually. But I wanted everyone here, because I wanted you all to witness this."

Randy grabbed hold of Torrie's hand and got down on one knee. All us girls gasped. Torrie was in shock. Randy pulled something out of his pocket. He showed Torrie a small box, which he opened up. It contained a diamond ring.

"Torrie, will you marry me?" Randy asked.

"YES!" Torrie replied. "Yes, I'll marry you."

All of us clapped and cheered. Randy placed the ring on Torrie's left ring finger. He was still down on one knee. Torrie cupped Randy's face and kissed him passionately on the lips. It was a great ending to a perfect year.