It's party time!
New Year's Eve
"Ray I can't believe we actually pulled this off." Naima comments as her and Ray walk through the event space prior to the guest arriving.
Ray wraps his arms around her from behind. "I know honey. Tonight is going to be awesome."
She leans back against him, resting her head on his shoulder. "I hope so. Do you think people will like the game?"
"What's not to like about people embarrassing themselves?" Ray counters.
"And we are sure Blackburn hosting this show is a good idea?" Naima asks.
"He say he has jokes for days, which kinda worries me." Ray chuckles. "But hey, he was free."
"Love the logic honey." Naima pulls herself off Ray. "People should be arriving any time now."
"Let's get this show on the road." Ray says clapping his hands together.
Sonny and Davis walk out of their hotel room just as Mandy and Jason are exiting their room across the hall. "Y'all stalkin us or somethin?" Sonny jokes.
"Sharing a hotel room." Mandy smirks. "You two are taking this couple thing seriously."
"It's more economic." Lisa defends even though she is sure Mandy knows about her and Sonny."
Jason looks the two up and down. "I for one am more concerned about the matching outfits. Sonny what the hell are you wearing?"
Sonny straightens the lapel of his gold and black blazer. "I don't know what you're talkin bout Jace, this is an incredible jacket.
"I think you may need to reevaluate that stance." Jason shakes his head and points to Davis. "Now see, Davis over here in this gorgeous sparkly gold gown. That's how you wear that color."
A smile spreads across Lisa's face. "Thank you. That is very nice of you Jason." She turns and looks at Sonny. "And for my Texas tumor, we figured if we are being forced to play this couple game we might as well make the most of it."
"You two are always into for the jokes." Jason laughs.
"That we are Jace." Sonny nods. "We gotta look the part while we kick all y'alls asses."
"Oh, you think that's how it's gonna go?" Jason responds as the four head towards the elevators.
"Absolutely." Lisa answers.
"See, Davis knows what's up." Sonny says as he and Davis high five.
"Sonny and Davis, the dynamic best friend duo." Mandy says glancing at Lisa.
The group exits the elevator and heads towards the ballroom where the gala is being held. "Oh, there is a red carpet, how fun." Lisa smiles as they approach. "Naima, this looks amazing."
Naima and Ray turn to look at the four. "Thank you, Lisa. You guys all look great."
"Thank ya Naima. Ya and Ray are lookin pretty damn sharp too." Sonny says reaching out to hug her.
"Thank you, Sonny." Naima smiles. "Why don't we all go take some pictures before it gets too crazy."
"Sounds great." Jason gestures for Naima to lead the way.
"We will let you guys play host and go take our seats." Mandy tells Ray and Naima after the six finished posing for pictures.
"We will see you guys in a while." Naima tells them.
Mandy, Jason, Sonny and Lisa walk into the ballroom. "This is a New Year's Eve party if I have ever seen one." Lisa says, looking around.
"It's so pretty." Mandy comments as they walk through the space to find their table.
"I feel like I'm walkin through a movie set." Sonny says amazed.
"It really does, doesn't it?" Jason agrees.
"This is us." Lisa announces when they locate their assigned table.
"Right up front." Sonny shakes his head. "I'm more of a back of the classroom kinda guy."
"We know." Mandy whispers.
"I know I got crap hearin, but none the less, I heard that." Sonny points his pointer finger at Mandy.
"Good." Mandy smirks as she takes the seat between Jason and Lisa.
Sonny sees Trent and Brock approach the table. "Look what the cat dragged in."
"At neither of us look like our grandmother's curtains." Trent retorts.
"I know ya ain't talkin to me in that tone." Sonny huffs. "I look good as hell."
"Yeah sure." Brock scuffs. "Well apparently we are too cool for this table so we'll be next door." He glances in the way of table him, Trent, Omar and Stella were assigned to.
After the room filled and as dinner was being served, Naima and Ray made their way to the stage. "Good evening, everyone." Ray looks around the crowd. "I am pleased to welcome you to the first annual Spence House fundraising event. My wife, Naima and I decided to embark on this journey after seeing one too many vets suffer after coming home. It is our hope that we can continue to grow the resources provided to veterans in our community. Thank you all for being here and please enjoy your evening."
"That was nice Ray." Lisa tells him as he and Naima rejoin the group.
"Thanks Lisa." Ray smiles. "I was going for short and sweet."
The event planner came over to the table to inform the group it was time to head to the stage for the game show. "Alright, alright let's get this done." Sonny stands.
The four couples take their seats on the four plush chairs set up on the stage. Eric steps forward to the mic, clearing his throat before he speaks. "Listen up everybody."
Mandy looks at Lisa and finds her looking back. "He really still says that doesn't he?" She whispers.
Lisa nods. "Every chance he gets."
"We are going to play a little game here tonight for your entertainment." Blackburn tells the crowd. "We have four couples who think they know each other, we will be putting that to the test tonight. Each participant has been recorded previously answering these questions how they think their significant other would answer the question. First, the non-recorded member of the couple will answer the question, then the recording will be played. May the best couple win.
First question, we are going to start it out easy. Ladies what would your man say his favorite potato chip flavor is?" Blackburn looks around the stage. "Emma and Brad let's start with you."
"It's definitely salt and vinegar. I have never seen somebody eat so many at once." Emma answers.
"A classic. Let's see if Emma knows you like she thinks she does." Blackburn says.
Brad's face appears on the projector screen. "That would be salt and vinegar."
"Look at that, she knows your favorite chip. That's true love if I have ever seen it." Blackburn announces.
"You're so funny Blackburn." Jason grumbles.
"In that case Master Chief, let's see if you and Miss Ellis can get this correct." Blackburn says.
"Um. Of course the first question is like the one thing I don't know" Mandy pauses. "...Sour cream and onion, I guess."
"Is that the correct answer?" Blackburn asks.
Jason shakes his head no as his recording plays. "I'd have to say plain Lays."
"Wrong on such an easy question." Blackburn shakes his head. "Looks like you two need to take some more couple shopping trips."
"Seriously?" Jason chuckles.
"What? I'm not sure I have ever seen you eat chips before." Mandy defends.
"Excuses, excuses." Eric turns and looks at Sonny and Davis.
"In Sonny's opinion, barbeque is the only worthwhile flavor of chips." Lisa answers.
Blackburn looks to the screen for confirmation. "And..."
Sonny's face comes onto the screen. "Only one good flavor, if ya ask me... Barbeque."
"I'm sure everyone could have guessed that Sonny." Blackburn jokes. "I wonder if the couple we all strive to be can get this right?"
Naima look between Ray and Eric. "These are top of his cheat food list, cool ranch Doritos."
"What do you have to say Warrant Officer Perry?" Blackburn asks.
"Cool ranch Doritos." Ray's answer plays.
"We all have to have our cheat foods." Eric laughs to himself.
"Moving right along to question number two." Eric looks around the crowd before asking the question. "Fellas what would your lady say was her first impression of you when you two first met?" He turns to Ray and Naima. "Ray how would Naima describe you the first time you met?"
"Near death." Ray answers.
"Raymond." Naima shrieked as her recording is played. "Trouble."
"We all know there is a good story here." Blackburn tells the crowd.
"Fair is fair." Ray chuckles. "I was trouble back then."
"Primetime Perry." Jason laughs from his seat.
"Thanks brother." Ray calls back.
"Any time." Jason responds.
Eric turns his attention to Lisa and Sonny. "What do you have for us Sonny?"
"Loudmouth." Sonny answers.
Eric nods. "I'd say that's an accurate description of you." Eric jokes while waiting for Lisa's recording to play.
A smile spreads across Lisa's face before she speaks. "Loud and cocky."
"I'll take it." Eric notes before he moves onto Jason and Mandy. "Alright Jason, what would Mandy say?"
"Same wavelength." Jason smirks, remembering the first time he laid eyes on Mandy.
"Okay and how did Mandy answer?" Eric turns his attention to the projector screen.
Mandy's famous grin plays across her face as she answers. "I could tell we were on the same page."
Blackburn looks between the two. "I'll count it." He turns and looks at Brad and Emma. "Last and hopefully not least. What do you have for us Brad?"
"Goofy, but in a cute way." Brad says.
Emma smile appears on the screen. "Sweet. Adorable. Goofy."
"And we have another match." Blackburn chuckles. "Are you sure you didn't adopt a golden retriever Emma?"
"Already at question number three, time flies when you're having fun. Ladies, this round is for you. What would your men do if you lost all of your memories?" Eric looks at Mandy and Jason. "We will start with you two."
"I have no idea how to answer this question." Mandy whispers to Jason before she answers the question. "If I had to guess, hand me some old AAR's and see what happens."
"Jason how does that answer make you feel?" Blackburn asks.
Jason shakes his head. "Like I'm cold hearted as hell."
"That's not what I was trying to do." Mandy defends.
Jason takes her hand. "I know."
"Isn't that touching." Eric whips a fake tear from his eye. "Let's see Jason's answer."
"There's something I had never thought of um..." Jason pauses to think. "Honestly, I don't think I would try and make her remember, instead I would show her why she fell in love with in the first place."
"Oh my god, Jace." Mandy mumbles, understanding completely why he chose that answer. "And I'm sure I would fall in love with you again ten times over."
Blackburn looks between the two. "As touching as this is, unfortunately, your answers do not match."
He turns his attention to Ray and Naima. "Naima what do you think Ray would do if you lost all of your memories suddenly?"
"I'm sure he would make a detailed timeline with PowerPoint to show me our story." Naima smiles.
"That does sound very Ray like." Blackburn agrees.
Ray's recording plays. "I'd make a detail-by-detail layout of our time together, like a PowerPoint."
"Fantastic you two." Blackburn says.
Eric looks at Brad and Emma. "Your turn Emma."
"I'm pretty sure Brad would make me a scrapbook with our memories and maybe even take me to sentimental places." Emma tells Eric.
"How romantic." Eric smiles. "Let's see if Brad is as romantic as you make him out to be."
Brad appears on the projector screen. "I'd take her to places that mean a lot to us and give her as many photo albums as I can to help her remember."
"Someone's been watching Lifetime." Eric jokes.
Blackburn looks at Lisa. "Alright, the famous Sonny and Davis."
Lisa looks between Sonny and Eric. "Definitely like a 50 First Dates kinda thing."
"Wait, Sonny's seen that movie?" Eric shakes his head. "Let's see if Sonny agrees."
Sonny's Texas drawl plays though the speakers. "I'll tell ya what Adam Sandler was on to somethin with the way he handled Drew Barrymore's character's memory loss in that 50 First Dates movie." Sonny holds up his hand for Lisa to high five. "We handed that."
"Yeah, we did." Lisa laughs as she high fives Sonny.
Blackburn turns and faces the crowd. "Last question, after this will know who the winner of the epic couple's showdown is." He looks around the stage. "Gentlemen how do you know when she is having a bad day?"
"Our young and in love couple." He looks at Brad and Emma. "Brad how can you tell when Emma is having a bad day?"
"I guess when she gets mad." Brad answers.
"I'm going to go ahead and guess that is not the correct answer." Eric says before Emma's recording plays.
"How can Brad tell I'm having a bad day?" Emma repeats the question. "I go into like, do mode, where I just do everything myself no matter how many times he asks to help me."
"I think what we have is a standard case of the guy not noticing something is wrong until she gets mad. Take it from a man with three ex-wives, learn the early signs and then learn how to actually help her, not just ask what you can help with." Eric tells him.
Brad looks from Blackburn to Emma, mind blown. "He's right, isn't he?"
"He is." Emma nods yes.
"Look at this, free couples counseling." Eric grins.
He looks at Jason and Mandy. "Moving on to the lowest scoring couple so far."
"Why do you have to point that out." Jason grumbles.
"Because we are extremely competitive." Blackburn grins, knowing just how much Jason and Mandy hate him at the moment. "Jason, how do you know when Miss Ellis is having a bad day?"
"Easy." Jason shrugs. "When she'll only talk to me."
"Easy, huh." Eric comments before Mandy's recording starts to play.
"I think I hid when I'm in a bad mood fairly well until Jason comes up to me and asks me why I won't talk to anyone." Mandy smiles. "Then he precedes me to get to talk to him for a solid half hour."
Jason holds his hand up. "What did I say?"
"I can say I have witnessed this with my own two eyes several times." Eric tells them.
"Sonny how do you tell when Davis here is in a bad mood?" Blackburn asks.
"Simple." Sonny readjusts his suit jacket. "Two things. One, the death stare when someone, dares to breath near her. Two, I'm the only person she will give the time of day to when she's pissed, I mean, as long as I didn't cause it."
"Ah yes, the Davis death glare." Blackburn fake shivers at the thought.
"Well, everyone says I my stare could bore holes through concrete and for some reason Sonny has done such a good job worming his way into my heart, he's the only person I want to talk to when I'm in a mood."
"Are you two sure you didn't previously talk about your answers?" Blackburn says with a questioning face.
"We don't cheat, we're just this good." Sonny laughs.
"The wonderful Ray and Naima." Eric says walking to stand closer to them. "Ray how do you know when Naima is in a bad mood?"
"Her voice." Ray shifts in his seat. "Her voice changes tone and I know it's time to spring into action."
Blackburn looks to the other side of the stage. "See Brad, be like Ray."
Naima appears on the screen behind the stage. "Ray always says my voice changes. I have no idea I'm doing this, but every time I'm in a bad mood I don't even have to tell him, he just knows."
"And that is why you two are my marriage idols." Eric tells them before walking back to the front of the stage. He bends down and picks up a two-foot-tall trophy and an envelope. "And the winners of tonight's game are Lisa Davis and Sonny Quinn."
Lisa and Sonny spring from their seats, Lisa jumps on Sonny's back and he makes his way over to Eric. "First off, I would like to say, thank you all for supporting The Spence House. The center's namesake was a dear friend and brother to all of us. He is greatly missed, but we all take comfort in knowing his legacy will live on through the work of the vet center." Lisa turns and looks around the stage. "Second, looks like Sonny and I did indeed show all of you up."
The group settles back at their table. Ray looks at Sonny and Davis. "You did warn me that we should be ready to lose to the non-couple."
"I would think you would have learned to trust me by now Raymond." Lisa counters.
Ray puts his hands up laughing. "Also, a fair point."
"I just hope everyone had fun." Naima says looking around the table and seeing everyone nod. "And Eric, thank you for hosting it."
"Anything to help your vet center and the amazing work you guys are doing there." Blackburn responds.
At 2355 everyone was grabbing a champagne flute and turning their attention to the stage and projector screen for the countdown to the new year.
Sonny finds Lisa talking to Mandy and Jason, he hands her the second glass he was carrying. "Here ya go. Another year, Ima be as old as this guy before I know it."
"I'll still kick your ass, Sonny." Jason laughs.
"Any New Year's resolutions?" Mandy asks.
Sonny shakes his head. "Nothing but livin a life that make me happy. And I'm already tryin to do that."
A grin appears on Mandy's face. "And how are you doing that?"
Sonny narrows his eyes at her. "Now come on Miss Ellis, ya know I'm not quite as dumb as I look."
"Worth a try." Mandy laughs.
"What a bout y'all?" Sonny asks.
"Really, the same." Jason shrugs. "It feels like Mandy and I are finally figuring out all of this out."
"It does, doesn't it." Mandy says before giving Jason a quick kiss.
"Save that for midnight, nobody wants to see it." Sonny jokes.
"You say that, but I feel like people would pay good money on the internet to watch us." Mandy defends.
"I'll have ya know, it's rare when even I can't come up with a come back." Sonny chuckles.
Lisa looks at Sonny. "Why do I always have to do the heavy lifting." She looks at Mandy. "Not as much as they would pay to watch us."
"Now see, this sounds like a real contest." Jason laughs.
"That I'm sure command would just love." Lisa reminds him.
"You never know, Blackburn could have been rooting for us all along." Mandy says doing her best to keep a straight face.
Ten-Nine-Eight-Seven-Six-Five-Four-Three-Two-One- Happy New Year. The ballroom erupts in cheers. Everyone grabs their New Year's kiss.
Sonny leans in and kisses Lisa on the cheek. "We'll make for that later."
"Happy New Year baby." She whispers back.
"I can't wait to spend another year with you." Sonny responds before he pulls away.
"Drinks by the fire pit." Trent tells the team as he follows Brock and Omar that way.
"Shall we?" Jason asks Mandy, Lisa and Sonny.
Lisa and Sonny nod yes.
"I think we should." Mandy agrees.
Everyone finds a seat around the fire pit. "What a cool night to be part of." Omar says.
"Totally agree." Emma says. "This has inspired me to spend some time at the center, if you'll have me. Maybe do some music therapy?"
"Oh, that would be amazing." Naima smiles. "I have read so many studies on how much that can help."
"That's amazing Emma." Stella smiles. "Clay would have loved that."
Emma gets up and hugs Stella. "Then I will definitely be spending more time there."
"He really did love being there." Stella tells the group.
Naima reaches out and squeezes Stella's hand. "I'm glad we had a hand in bringing him inner peace."
"Thank guys for tonight, I needed, but I'm going to head home and see Brian." Stella says standing.
After everyone said their goodbyes to Stella, Omar looked dead at Sonny and Davis. "Either you to are freaks of nature or you have been sleeping together for years."
"Freaks of nature for 200, Alex." Sonny responds, keeping his cool.
"All I'm saying is I wish I could find a woman I connect with as well as you two do." Omar tells them.
"Listen Omar." Trent clears his throat. "Are we all convinced that at some point, either previously, hell maybe even currently these two have had a thing, yes. But out of respect for them..."
"So, you're saying the new guy should shut the hell up." Omar nods. He looks back at Sonny and Davis. "I see you two and for the record, I'm here for it."
"Thanks Omar, I'll keep that in mind." Lisa counters.
"Whatever floats you guy's boat, I'm not here to kink shame." Omar says managing not to laugh.
"I mean, circle of trust here. Stella gone, Emma and Brad walked away, Blackburn disappeared." Jason says looking around the fire pit. "You guys know career ending dirt on us."
"Need I remind you, you and Ray both went and aired that dirty laundry to command." Lisa defends. "Doesn't feel like much of a bargaining chip."
"Fair nuff, you get that one." Jason shrugs. "But for real, if you guys feel a fraction of what I feel with Mandy, I'm happy for you."
"Hypothetically speakin, command wouldn't be happy." Sonny says.
Ray is the next to speak up. "They don't need to know." He sees the look of total disbelief on both Lisa and Sonny's faces. "Look, I know. But Jace is right, life is too short to not do what makes you happiest."
Brock looks between Ray and Lisa and Sonny. "I'm not sure what's going on with that, but everyone is right. Live the life that makes you happy. We see enough crap, don't let your life turn out that way too."
"Brock, I don't know if I have ever heard you say so many words at one time." Mandy chuckles.
"Maybe we should give them what they want." Lisa whispers to Sonny.
"Yeah?" He confirms.
"Yeah." She smiles. Before she can decide her next move, Sonny's lips are fused to hers.
"Who had this day on the pool?" Tents asks.
"Of course, you assholes had a bet on this." Lisa shakes her head and her and Sonny separate.
"According to the official when SAVIS finally happen calander, Metal." Brock trails off. "He, um he had Christmas 22."
"He always did pay way more attention than he seemed like he did." Mandy noted.
"You know he loved art?" Trent asked.
"No, really?" Mandy smiled. Even after all of these years she loved being able to learn something new about the guys she had devoted years to protecting while simultaneously sending them into the line of fire.
"Let's raise one up to Metal getting it right." Jason says standing. "And to these two. Everyone deserves their person to walk through life and I am happy you two have each other. And we all promise to keep it to ourselves. Oh, and Happy New Year's guys."