FWD: Inspired by the song "Midnight Clear" & "Auld Lang Syne" By Sufjan Stevens. I've always loved New Years Eve and this chapter was inspired by two songs. In the show the characters never get to be happy, and like any good story, once they're happy things get crappy. I didn't want to write that. I wanted to write something that was contemplative, quiet and points them toward peace with one another.
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Chapter 13: Midnight Clear/ Auld Lang Syne

Two nights later she surprised him with strings of lights hung outside in the back of the house and another large feast. She'd hung up streamers inside the house in the living room with random birthday balloons hung from strings attached to the ceiling with tape. She'd outdone herself and it was the first time she'd seen him belly laugh in any situation. She punched him in the shoulder, "Hey! Don't laugh, it's beautiful!"

His laughter died down and he looked at her sweetly and they sat down to eat. Another hour passed and she cajoled him into following her outside to look at the stars. "It's a new year," she declared looking up at the night sky. The north star was bright and the moon hovered large and round above them. She looked over at him to observe his own wide grin.

"You know I ain't real sure the other day was really Christmas." he admitted. Even in the dark, she could tell he was blushing.

She shrugged and put her arm through his. "And, you know, we weren't just celebrating some old world tradition." She nudged him and rubbed her hands together.

He nudged her back and they chuckled in unison. She was overwhelmed with a feeling of love and belonging and knew that this was the time she'd choose to remember. Even if tomorrow they lost one another, this feeling and this place would always be THEIR home.

"What did you say to me?"

"hm?"

"You and me at the end of the world," he paused, "Yeah I think that about sums it up." He turned and faced her. They were an arms distance from one another.

She quirked her eyebrows at him and teased, "Midnight kiss?"

"Stahp!" he blushed and looked away from her. She started humming Auld Lang Syne. "What's that?"

She stopped humming and reached her hand out to him, "New Year's tradition. Dance with me?"

"Ain't no music." he grumped.

She giggled, "C'mon, if I don't get a midnight kiss I'd at least like a dance." She pouted fluttering her eyelashes at him, "please?"

He sighed and grasped her hand. "Alright." For as much as he pretended to be irritated by her antics he was smitten with her.

They waltzed around the snow covered yard to the old song playing on repeat in their heads. They danced in sync but with a clumsy rhythm. She would step on his toes and he would trip while trying to lead. Carol felt the joy of the moment, pure and sweet in its messy perfection and tilted her head back to laugh as he expertly twirled her away from him and back into his arms.

"Why ya laughing?" He held her close but her giggles persisted and soon he was chuckling with her.

"This is the perfect New Year," she exclaimed with happy tears. He looked down at her in and smiled broadly. He reached a hand up to her cheek and wiped the tears away and then leaned down to kiss her forehead.

"Happy New Year." he rasped, his voice full with unconditional love.

"I love you." Her eyes widened and she gasped at the sound of the words. She stepped away from him when she saw his shocked expression. "I'm sorry," she shook her head, "We should go in." She started walking to the back door of the house.

"Carol." his voice broke through the dark night, a whisper.

She turned and the tears rolled down her cheek. She laughed and brushed them away with her hand. "I'm just sorry," she hiccuped and walked into the house.

He stood in the snow for a few more moments finally letting the cold sink in. His heart was beating wildly in his chest. He had known the truth for a long time but expressing it had always been the hurdle. Since he'd known her his modus operandi had been to show her that he was the man of honor she wanted.

He looked up one more time at the moon and released the breath he'd been holding. The condensation swirled up into the night air and spun around the moon. Turning slowly, he shuffled back to the house contemplating his next move.