Chelsea going back to work was harder than she thought it would be. She trusted the nanny now, but it was still a case of separation anxiety. She sat in the office that used to be Mr. Whitehill’s, glancing at a picture of the twins. It took all that she had not to call home to check on them, again.
She forced herself to get back to her work. After a while, she was able to work without worrying. Chelsea wasn’t just doing well at her new position, she was excelling. Between her and Matthew the company was running better than ever.
New Year’s Eve, Chelsea and Matthew invited their family and a few close friends. They were having a small get together to celebrate the New Year rolling in. It had been awhile since she’d gotten to catch up with everyone. Chelsea was excited.
She slipped into a white dress that hugged her curves and ended at her knees. A pair of heels were slipped onto her feet before she pinned her hair up in soft curls. Matthew had given her a pair of diamond earrings for the night with a matching bracelet and necklace. She gazed at herself in the mirror, satisfied not only with her appearance, but with her life.
Matthew walked up behind her, hands on her shoulders. She turned around, giving him a soft kiss. He leaned forward, his lips brushing over her ears, his warm words making her tingle.
“Are you sure we don’t have time?”
Chelsea laughed as the doorbell rang. “I guess that’s your answer.”
“Damn it. Until later then.”
“Of course.”
Matthew looked so handsome in his blue suit that she wanted nothing more than to throw him on the bed. She held back the urge as he slipped from her fingers to go downstairs and start greeting their guests. Chelsea finished putting on her makeup before she slipped across the hall into the baby’s room. They were both fast asleep. Chelsea ran a hand over each of their cheeks before she gave them a kiss.
She walked downstairs with the baby monitor in her hand. Matthew knew she’d carry it around the rest of the night, but he also knew that was just how she was. Chelsea hugged her parents tightly as Sangi and Andrew walked through the door. Andrew helped her out of her coat before he hung it up for her. Matthew’s parents came through the door next. Catherine gave her a hug and a bottle of champagne for when she could drink again. Chelsea thanked her with a smile.
They spent a while catching up with each other. Andrew had moved to Boston, still helping his dad with construction. Catherine was on some new health kick that involved beets and seaweed. Chelsea shuddered. It was nice to hear their home filled with the laughter of their friends.
“Dinner’s ready,” Matthew called.
They moved into the dining room, taking their seats as the food was placed in front of them, steam still curling from the hot plates. Everyone complemented Chelsea on the dishes she’d prepared herself and the work of the chef who took their compliments with a humble smile. As dinner finished and midnight was fast approaching, Andrew stood up. Everyone’s eyes looked at him as he cleared his throat.
“I just wanted to say thanks for a great night, you two. I couldn’t be more proud of my brother and you Chelsea. I, well we, wanted to tell everyone something. We thought tonight would be best.”
“You’re pregnant!” Chelsea shouted.
Sangi glared. “Hell no!”
Andrew laughed along with the others at the table. He reached down beside him, taking Sangi’s hand into his. As he did, Chelsea noticed the stunning diamond right away. Cut into a heart shape, faintly pink, it was brilliant.
“Sangi and I are getting married!”
The table erupted with applause and cheers. Sangi actually looked embarrassed from all of their attention, but the smile still hadn’t faded from her lips. Calls of congratulations filled the air as Andrew and Sangi thanked them. Even Catherine was clapping politely. Chelsea found herself grinning from ear to ear.
On the baby monitor, fussing could be heard through the speaker. Chelsea rushed upstairs, taking both of her babies out until they were nestled safely against her body. As she fed them, she rocked in the white rocking chair Matthew had bought as she sang them a song to lull them back to sleep. It didn’t take long before they were fast asleep again. Matthew showed up just in time. He took Melanie first, placing her in her bassinet before he took Mason next. With them put back to bed, they held hands gazing at their babies together.
Matthew checked his phone as Chelsea gently closed the door to the nursery behind them. It was almost midnight. Matthew led the way back to the party. It was almost midnight. The countdown would begin any minute now.
As they waited for the ball to drop, they counted back the seconds. Matthew held her hand tightly, the warm, secure hand squeezing her slender hand. Sangi was excited, bouncing up and down as she counted along with everyone else.
Together, everyone yelled “3…2…1…Happy New Year!”
Matthew grabbed Chelsea, dipped her low before he gave her one of his famous black and white movie kisses. She kissed him back deeply, a smile playing on both of their lips. She couldn’t wait to see what the New Year held for all of them.
The end.