Today is New Year’s Eve, and I am ecstatic. I cannot wait to get all dressed up with the girls and go out with my friends, and kiss Brian at midnight. I was currently in my kitchen, talking to my mom, who is telling me she wants to do a huge ‘family dinner’ tomorrow for New Year’s, so she can meet the gang. “I’m going to take the kids to the store with me tonight, and you’re going to tell all your friends to come over for a huge dinner tomorrow. No one is to bring anything unless they want to drink. I’m cooking and buying. I want to meet these people that have made my daughter so happy.” She said with a loving smile on her face. “Ma are you sure? They can eat a lot, especially Jimmy, although I have no idea where he even puts all that food.” I said as I was making lunch, which consisted of vegetable soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. “Brook I’m sure. I’ve got this, I promise. Just make sure you leave the keys to your car so the kids and I can go to the store. I’ve got a big menu planned out, and don’t worry about coming home early tomorrow, you can stay with Brian until the dinner if you want. I just want you to have a good time with your friends. I want you be able to be a normal 25 year old tonight and tomorrow.” she said, walking over and hugging me, “you always have so much on your plate, just go have drinks and dance. Let your hair down and open up to these people. Show them how fun you really can be.” “You’re the best mom ever.” I said, laying my head on her shoulder, “I hope I’m as good of a mom as you are someday.” “Baby, you already are.” We ate our lunch and I went to take a shower. I took my time, making sure I shaved. I stood under the hot water for a while, thinking about my life. Thinking about Brian. I was almost positive that I’m completely in love with him, and it kind of scares me. Pushing those thoughts aside, I got out of the shower and dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a tank with an old Led Zepplin t-shirt of my brother’s that I made into an off-the-shoulder top. I threw my wet hair into a messy bun, letting it air dry since I was curling it later. I grabbed my overnight bag and placed my toiletries, hair dryer, straightener, and an outfit for tomorrow in it, since I was staying with Bri tonight. Oh, I could take that gorgeous nightgown I bought. I thought, and placed the black lace garment in my bag. I also grabbed my hot rollers, all my makeup, jewelry, and heels and put them in my bag. I grabbed my dress, still wrapped in plastic, out of the closet and laid it across my bed. The plan was for all us girls to get ready at Zack and Gena’s house, while the guys went ahead to the club. We were all meeting up at 5:30 for dinner at our favorite Mexican place, so we girls could load up on dinner and margaritas before we got ready. I had a few more hours to kill, so I spent them with my babies, playing and watching cartoons before I met Brian at his place.

I pulled into Brian’s driveway at 5:15, practically bouncing with excitement. “Hey baby,” he said when I came in the door, pulling me close to kiss me. “Hey, are you ready to go?” I asked him, “I am, I’m starving. Let’s go babe.” he said, grabbing my bag and dress out of my hands to carry to his car, me walking next to him with a big grin on my face. “Someone’s in a good mood today,” he commented when we were on our way to the restaurant. “I am, I’m so excited about tonight. I haven’t been out in ages.” I said, holding his hand. “I’m glad you’re excited, I’m sure we’ll have a good time tonight.” “We better, I’m counting on you to make this a New Year’s I’ll never forget.” I joked, “Oh that I plan on doing B.” he smirked. We pulled up to the restaurant at exactly 5:30, Matt and Zack’s cars already there. “Hi girls!” I said, rushing over to hug Val and Gena, “Brook! I’m so excited about tonight! We’re gonna look so great.” Gena grinned while Zack groaned. “She wouldn’t let me see her dress,” he pouted, “she said I had to wait like everyone else.” “Man, that’s exactly what Val said.” Matt whined. “I wasn’t even allowed to see her shoes.” Brian commented. “Oh come on you three babies, once you see us tonight you’re going to forget all about everything else.” I said with a huge smile on my face. “Let’s go get a table, I want a margarita.” “Yes mam!” Zack saluted, making everyone chuckle. Once we sat down to our table Johnny, Jimmy, Leana, and Lacey finally arrived. Val, Gena, and I were already halfway through our first margarita. “Damn girls, don’t wait for us.” Lacey joked. “Well, you should have been on time!” Gena said, winking. “It’s not my fault, Johnny kept trying to peek into my bag!” she said, crossing her arms. We called the waiter over and everyone ordered their food, eager to get the night started. Our conversation was light and cheerful, everyone happy to be celebrating together. “Okay, before I forget, I want to make a toast. I wanted to thank you guys for being so amazing. For accepting me into your family no questions asked, and for being so amazing to my kids.” I said, looking at Brian, “I love and appreciate you guys more than you‘ll ever know, here‘s to an amazing new year on the west coast with my 9 very best friends. Cheers to you guys!” I raised my glass and the others followed suit, “Cheers! Happy New Year!” everyone said, clinking our glasses together. We finished our dinner and after a few margaritas we decided that it was time for us girls to get ready for tonight. We all piled into Gena’s car, Zack riding with Matt to his house. The other guys drove home to get ready, where the limo would be picking them up around 9:30, and would be at Gena’s at 10 to pick us up. “It’s already 8! We have to hurry!” Lacey said excitedly from the back seat. Once we got to Zack and Gena’s, we all rushed upstairs, heating up curing irons and hot rollers, unpacking our hairspray and makeup, and Gena cranked up the music and broke out a bottle of Moscato. We spent the next two hours laughing, dancing, and talking. I made my eyes extra smoky, with hints of purple in the crease. I had my hair all curled up in hot rollers, deciding to take them down at the last minute, right after I had my dress and jewelry on. I ran into the spare bedroom, throwing off my clothes and pulling my strapless bra and dress on. I grabbed my jewelry out of my back, which consisted of a pair of fringe earrings, and a sparkly cuff bracelet that I had picked up the other day while shopping with my mom. I took the rollers out of my hair, and teased it to give it a little more volume, and sprayed a ton of hairspray on it. I grabbed my stilettos and put them on my feet, and checked myself out in the mirror. I looked pretty hot for a mom. All us girls had the smoky eye look, and we all had a shade of red or pink lipstick on. Leana, Lacey, and I all had super sexy curled hair, while Gena and Val straightened their short hair. We all looked amazing, and we knew it. “The guys are going to have a fit.” Val said, looking at all of our reflections in Gena’s huge closet mirror. “I know, I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces.” Leana grinned. “Okay girls, a toast to us,” Gena said, holding up her wine glass, “You four are my very best friends, my sisters. I don’t know what I’d do without you girls in my life. Brook, we’re so glad you’re in our family. You’ve made us all complete. Here’s to an amazing new year!” We all clinked our glasses together and drained our wine. We had all walked downstairs when we heard the doorbell ring. Val opened it to reveal the limo driver, here to pick us up. “Let’s go ladies, our men await.” Leana said, leading the way out of the door and into the limo. This night was already amazing, I can’t wait to see what the rest is going to be like. Once we were all inside and settled we brought our wine back out, and had a glass on our way to the club.