"When I was little, I insisted on lighting them for you," Amanda whispered, clutching two packs of sparklers. She turned to look at him with confused, searching eyes. "I was obviously terrified, but I was so happy. Why don't you remember?"
Quentin lowered his eyes slightly. He struck a match, lit a sparkler, and placed it gently in her hand. "I was very young then," he replied softly. "Perhaps it just slipped my mind."
But in truth, he was hiding half the story. He remembered perfectly—he just didn't want to dwell on the past when the present was so bright. Amanda took the sparkler, waved it through the air to create golden ribbons of light, and laughed. She lit a second one and pressed it into Quentin's hand.
"There! Now I'm sharing with you. Don't you dare call me stingy!"
Quentin looked at the dancing light in his palm and smiled, pulling her back into his embrace. "You're mine now anyway," he murmured against her hair. "Do I still need you to share?"
Amanda pouted playfully and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. At that moment, someone nearby began the shout:
"It's time! Five! Four! Three!"
Amanda scrambled out of Quentin's arms, tilting her head back to watch the sky as she joined the countdown. "Two! One! Zero! Happy—!"
Before she could scream the final word, her lips were captured by Quentin's.
Her eyes flew wide, meeting his tender, sparkling gaze. Dazed and overwhelmed with love, she slowly closed her eyes and pulled him closer.
"Happy New Year!"
The garden erupted in cheers as a spectacular barrage of fireworks bloomed across the velvet sky. In her ears was the sound of her family's laughter; against her skin was the familiar, grounding warmth of the man who held her soul.
Quentin slowly pulled away, resting his forehead against hers. Seeing her eyes still closed, he chuckled hoarsely. "I wish you a happy and peaceful year, Amanda. Spend another one with me."
Amanda opened her eyes, her lashes wet with tears as she smiled up at him. "Then I wish for you to have me forever."
Quentin laughed and squeezed her tight. "I'll accept that wish. Thank you."
Amanda leaned her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. "Quentin... I wish this moment could last forever." Her family was safe, the people she loved were happy, and the shadows of the past felt miles away.
Quentin rubbed his chin against the top of her head. "You don't need to wish for that. From now on, I will turn even our most ordinary days into happy ones for you."
Amanda smiled into his shirt. "Okay."
Quentin didn't see the single, silent tear that escaped the corner of her eye—a tear of pure relief. The happy days are finally here.
"Hey! Can you two stop handing out 'dog food' for five seconds? Come finish the celebration!"
Celia was standing behind them, busy slicing the New Year's cake, but she hadn't lost her edge. Amanda broke away from Quentin and marched over to her friend with her hands on her hips.
"Whatever! Why don't you get together with my brother and hand out your own dog food? Stop complaining!"
Celia went to hand her a plate of cake but snatched it back at the last second, her eyes narrowing. "You brat!"
"Ha! Listen to her! She already sounds like my sister-in-law!" Amanda teased, making Celia roll her eyes in a fit of playful rage.
Diego walked up to them, looking weary. "Your mouth is getting sharper by the day, isn't it, Amanda?"
Amanda looked at the cake, then at Diego's bruised face, and smirked. "It's a bit late for you to realize that now, brother!"
She suddenly lunged, a handful of cream ready to be smeared on his face, but Diego was prepared. He caught her wrist mid-air. "Nice try, kid. That trick is ancient."
Amanda didn't look defeated at all. Instead, a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes as she let out a high-pitched shriek: "Husband! Save me!"
Diego realized his mistake instantly—he had forgotten about the second half of the enemy team. He tried to let go of Amanda and bolt, but it was too late.
Splat!
A small plate of cake was slapped directly into his face. Quentin stepped in front of Amanda, looking at Diego's cream-covered features with a polite, apologetic smile. "Sorry, bro. Wife comes first, friends come second."
Diego wiped the cream from his eyes, pointing a trembling, sticky finger at Quentin. "Quentin, damn it! I'm your brother-in-law!"
Diego grabbed a fistful of cake and lunged for Quentin, who ducked and pivoted with practiced ease. "Wife, cover the rear!" Quentin shouted as he ran.
Amanda watched them chase each other around the living room, laughing so hard her stomach hurt. "Don't worry, husband! I've got you!"
She turned back toward Celia with a "friendly" grin that looked decidedly dangerous. "Future sister-in-law... I'm here to wish you a very Happy New Year."
Celia's eyes widened as she saw Amanda's cream-covered hands. She grabbed the remaining plate of cake like a shield. "Don't you dare!"
By the fireplace, Mr. and Mrs. Solis leaned against each other, watching the chaos with smiles and shaking heads.
"It's like this every year," Mr. Solis said emotionally.
Mrs. Solis leaned her head on his shoulder. "Not quite. This year is different. The teams are much more evenly matched."
Mr. Solis watched as Amanda pinned Celia down while Diego tried to intervene, only to be ambushed by Quentin from behind. He burst out laughing and pulled his wife closer.
"You're right! A family of six, three teams... perfectly even."
"This is the best New Year yet," Mrs. Solis whispered. "I hope for many more exactly like this one."