10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... HAPPY NEW YEAR! It all starts that way… a new year... A new era... A new page... All were cheering and wishing love, prosperity and good things to come... Walter was jumping up and down on me and Ava wanted a piggy back ride. Derek on the other hand, remained beside me and came to give me a heart warming hug. I never knew that his embrace was this comforting... Guess kids can give you all the innocent love without expecting anything back... They still didn't know what life had in store... All the hate around... All the cheating, lying, deceiving... All that brought tears and teeth wrenching sensations... Guess it's all about that... That then form us into the people we are today.

I looked at my parents and I saw them kissing each other. My mother was smiling and so was dad... He held my mother's hand tightly into his strong ones. It was mesmerizing seeing them so madly in love... But a gut wrenching thought made me hazy again... How long was this moment between them going to last?.. I wish they would stay like this forever... All couples exchanged their affection... Uncle Elliot and Aunt Kate wished me the good year and both hugged me tight...

Flynn and Rhian came forward to collect their kids. They lifted them up and affectionately hugged them tight like there's no tomorrow. I finally decided and moved towards my parents...

'Happy new year mum…' I smiled as I hugged her tight. Her embrace was warm and I felt strangely calm and warm in her arms... It's been a bit since I felt that... I moved towards my father.

'Happy new year daddy…' I tried as I hugged him... But his arms remained where they were... They didn't come up and wrapped me from my waist taking me in his embrace... He remained there .. Cold... Unfeeling... I only had one last resort... I kissed him lightly on the cheek, but it was to no avail... He simply stood there... Not even caring that there was someone... He simply was there...

'Happy New Year...' his only reply was... Cold... No emotion... As if i was one of his 40,000 employees.

Soon, everybody started saying their goodbyes... Ava managed to fall asleep, and so did Walter. Clarissa had a green tint on her face... I concluded that she was suffering morning sickness from her hormonal imbalance... Wow... Pregnancy does come at a cost! Would I ever want that?...

'Thanks mum...' Dad told her as he hugged her.

'You're welcome Christian...' she replied... '...take care of yourself...' she cautioned.

'Will do mum...' he smiled as he turned to me. 'Sera, get ready' he ordered sternly.

'I'm staying for the night daddy... Already asked grandma...'

'Are you sure mum?' dad asked.

'Yes dear... It's been a bit since she had a sleepover... I'm glad my niece is staying with us...'

'Besides you two can use a night together' grandpa Carrick winked at him while dad smiled and mum blushed.

'She can stay in Mia's old room... We have spare pj's for her.' grandma Grace replied.

'... I'll send Taylor or Sawyer in the morning to pick her up...' dad said as he quickly wrote something on his phone.

'Let her stay for breakfast and lunch Christian... We'll take her our for sometime... She needs it.' grandma Grace suggested.

'Ok mum...' dad replied as my mother joined him and embraced each other. 'We're going then...'

'Good night mum, good night dad.' I said in a low voice behind grandma.

'Good night honey.' my mother replied as she came forward and kissed my forehead.

'Dad?' I asked gently.

'Good night...' he simply replied, while both left.

'Do you want some tea or coffee ladybug?' grandpa asked as he removed his shoes.

'Um... If you have I'd like herbal tea please.'

'Any flavour in particular?'

'Doesn't matter grandpa... I like everything...' I smiled... The alcohol had literally gone to my head... I felt a bit hazy, but not enough to get me drunk... Just enough to make my stomach feel a tad sick...

'John you found someone who isn't afraid to challenge you!' Rhian started.

'I didn't expect it to say the truth... She caught me off guard...' he replied.

'Like you caught her… She's wise.'

'Sharp witted the proper adjective.' He smiled.

'Christian is being a little too hard on her… if he'll keep this up any long he'll lose her emotionally.'

'Yes… I noticed that too… I'll be bringing it up next session.' John replied.

'You know… I enjoyed seeing Sera challenging you! Finally!'

'You're enjoying this aren't you baby…'

'Of course I am.' She replied as she gave him one of her sexy looks.

'The kids are sleeping… Challenge me tonight.' He replied in a hoarse voice.

'Would you like something to eat sweet heart?' Grandma asked, as I made my way down from the bathroom, after taking a shower and changing into the warm oversized pj's.

'No thanks… I stuffed myself earlier…' I replied as I sat down besides grandpa and sipped my tea.

'When?' Grandpa asked. 'I haven't seen you touch anything, and neither anybody has.'

'I'm just not hungry grandpa… don't worry… really… I'm fine…' I smiled.

'Ok Sera… but you should definitely get some rest.' Grandma stated.

'Um… do you mind if I go to the library and read a bit please? I'm still not that tired.'

'Yes ladybug… I'll help you chose some classic. What do you say?' Grandpa asked.

'I'd love that…' I smiled.

'…but don't take long! You need to sleep and rest.' Grandma replied.

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