For New Years Michael and Maria planned to have a small party at Maria's
house. Maria had gotten permission from her father while he was still
California. It took some doing but she persuaded him that the house would be
spotless and only a few close friends would be invited. She sat down and
planned every last detail with Jody. It was going to be a small dinner party for four.

She had to swear to her father that under no circumstances would there be any alcohol there and if they played any music it had to be kept down. On top of all those rules, she had to give up the keys to her truck to Jenny till the following day. She argued this point stating that since there would be no drinking if they decided to take a drive they wouldn't be able to. He wouldn't budge and threatened not to let her have it at all. She gave up and had to give her keys to Jenny as soon as her guests arrived.
Maria had spent the two days before in the house with Jody in order to
prepare what they had in mind. The two young women sat around on the couch
going through recipes and giggling over the idea of what a romantic evening it would be. Their menu was finally planned and the shopping completed. Tonight they would sit and enjoy a movie with their boyfriends. Jody and Maria had rented a few movies and convinced the guys to let them pick the first movie. They knew how the guys liked to complain about any romantic movie they would pick so they looked at each other and smiled they had the perfect movie; Pretty woman.
Michael and Maria were stretched out on one couch and Jody and Shawn were on
the other. The only light ,besides the tv was coming from a small
lamp on the coffee table. Both couples were oblivious to what was going on around them they only knew that they each were happy. After the first movie the guys put in Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark. Maria looked at Jody and looked towards the kitchen. They both got up rolling their eyes and went to go talk in the kitchen. Sitting at the table within reach they decided to talk about their favorite subject. Their guys.

?Jody I don't believe that after school is out you and Shawn are going to get married. It's so incredible.? ?I know I still cant believe that I am engaged to him. It just feels so
right. I wanted to ask you how did Michael finally ask you to go with him??
?On Christmas he gave me that new jacket I have and inside the pocket was this locket.?

Jody looked at the locket around Maria's neck.

?It's beautiful. He loves you a lot you know that.?

?I know I was going to tell him on Christmas that I wanted to go out with him
but he beat me to it.?

?Well it's about time you both got together anyways, everyone knew you two were meant for each other.?

?Well good things come to those who wait.?

?Very true. So now what are you waiting for??

?I don't want to rush anything Jody we just started dating. I know what I
would like but it's way too soon.?

?And what's that??

?To be only his forever.?

?Someday it will happen you watch.?

?I hope so.?

The girls finished up in the kitchen and went back in to their men. The
movie was almost over and they would have to leave soon. The girls were
spending the night. Michael was going to go home after he made sure that
Shawn made it home. Maria started picking up in the living room as the movie
ended. Jenny was coming over early in the morning to check on the girls and
make sure that everything was going as planned. Michael rewound the movies
and put them away not really wanting to leave. They had only went on two
dates since Christmas but were spending almost all their time together. He
didn't want to rush things but he knew in his heart she was the only one he
ever wanted. Maria went into the kitchen to wash up the bowls from popcorn
and the few glasses. Michael helped by drying like usual. They heard the
front door open and knew that Jody was saying goodnight to Shawn. Shawn left
and Jody came into the kitchen and said goodnight leaving Michael and Maria
alone. Maria wasn't ready to let Michael leave, she always felt like a



part of her was missing when he wasn't there. She knew she should let him go
but part of her wouldn't let him. The last of the dishes, were


put away and she turned and looked at him.

?Want to watch another movie??





?I should go home. It's late and we have a lot going on tomorrow.?

?Oh okay, then I better let you go.?


He tipped her chin up and kissed her tenderly. His kisses took her breath
away. He pulled away gently and stroked her cheek.

?Goodnight?

?Goodnight, Michael.?


Maria locked the door behind him and sighed. Tomorrow was a new day and they
would all be spending the night, guys downstairs and girls upstairs. Michael's parents were going to spend the night in the guestroom
to supervise. She knew they wouldn't come over till after midnight and
smiled at the thought of her first new years kiss. With that thought Maria
went upstairs and went to bed looking forward to tomorrow.

Jenny walked in the house the next morning and found the girls sitting at
the kitchen table drinking coffee and making last minute plans.

Good morning, ladies.

Morning, mom


Morning, Mrs. Long


So what have you two got planned till the boys come over?

Nothing really everything is done. We just have to put everything in the oven before dinner. We thought we might go out to the mall before my driving privileges were suspended for the night.

Jenny smiled she knew that there was no reason to take her keys, but her
father insisted that she hold them to the next day. In turn she did the same
thing to Michael to insure they stayed put and out of trouble. Michael didn?t
even put up a fight about it and gave her they keys with no trouble, he wasn't doing much driving now anyways unless Maria let him drive her truck. They took that everywhere since it was easier fitting all four of them in it. The only time they took the Trans Am now was when it was just the two of them. Jenny helped herself to some coffee
and joined the girls talking about the day. She assured them that they would
have total privacy, but they were being trusted to behave. They both reassured her that they would be nothing going on just a nice dinner between them.

Michael walked into his room toweling off his hair and thinking about going
next door. He picked up the phone and dialed Shawn's number.

?Hi is Shawn there??

?One minute let me check.?

Shawn's mom picked up the phone.

?Hello, Michael, no, Shawn left about five minutes ago to get to your house.

Ok thanks, Mrs. Mitchell. Bye?

He replaced the phone and finished getting ready, he knew that Shawn
would be here any minute. As he was coming down the stairs, he heard the
kitchen door open. In walked Shawn. Right on time like usual.

?Hey, Mike, let go see what those two are up to.?

?I'm sure my mom is keeping them busy.?

They walked across the yard and in the kitchen door of Maria's house.

?Good morning, ladies?, they both chimed at the same time.

Pointing at the coffee pot Maria said, " Help yourself guys."

They each grabbed a cup of coffee and sat at the table next to their
girlfriends. Michael under the table reached out and took Maria's hand
lacing their fingers together.

?So what are we doing today??

Jody and Maria looked at each other and smiled.

?What do we always do??, Maria said.

Jody and Maria both said at the same time, "Go to the mall"

Maria asked Jenny ?What time do you need my keys by??

?I need your keys by 7 tonight.?

?Ok no problem. So it?s ok if we go, right??


?It's your day, have fun.?


?Thanks, Mom.?


They all got up from the table and put their cups in the sink. Maria grabbed
her purse from the hook on the door and her coat. Off of the key rack she
reached for her keys but Michael beat her to it.

?Hey!?

?No way I already gave up my keys so I'm driving.?

He held them up over his head just out of her reach laughing.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. When he brought his
hands down to hold her she snatched the keys out of his hand and ran out the
door laughing.

Maria started the truck was Jody and Shawn got in the back seat. Michael
walked over slowly with a pout on his face.

?That was no fair.?

?All is fair when it comes down to going to the mall.?

?Meanie?

?Aww poor baby, I'll get you something nice when we go shopping.?

Michael shook his head he knew she loved spoiling him. She never asked for
anything for herself, she was different. The smallest things would make her happy. He didn't have the kind of money to spend that she did but, he would gladly give her everything if he could. It was going to be hard to get her much pretty soon. He was starting some college courses in the spring at night. He wanted to go into the police force and was going to study criminal justice. He was going to take the exam after graduation and if he passed, would go to the academy that fall. He pushed that thought from his mind knowing if he went to the academy he would have to leave her behind. He would be away for at least six months.

Maria pulled into a parking space at the mall and got out of the truck. She
walked around to the back and took Michael's hand. Together the four of them walked into the mall. Maria and Jody pulled the guys into the clothes store that they loved and started going through the outfits. They took turns going into the changing rooms and trying them on putting on a fashion show for the guys. Maria bought some new jeans and Jody got a new dress. They walked through the mall stopping in the food court to get some lunch. Sitting at the table Maria looked up and in the window of the music
store she saw a poster for a new movie. It caught her interest and she had
to go and find out what it was about. After they finished eating she
suggested they go to the music store. Michael and Shawn looked through the
new releases with Jody. Maria went over to where the movies were and picked
up a copy of the one on the poster. She read the back and thought it was
perfect. It was a romantic tragedy. A young couple overcomes social
boundaries to fall in love only to be ripped apart by a disaster. She walked
over to where the others were looking through the cds. Michael was reading
the back of one and went to put it back. Maria looked at him and asked which
cd it was. She picked it up, smiled and went to the checkout counter.

Leaving the store she handed him the small bag and said," See I told you I would get you something nice."

They returned home and Maria gave her keys to Jenny. It was early, but she knew she didn't have to go anywhere they had everything they needed. Jody and Maria put away their things and went to start dinner. Jody finished the salad and Maria put the lasagna in the oven. They had a huge amount of food for just the four of them.

They planned on sending dinner over for Don and Jenny that way they didn't
have to cook. With everything done they went upstairs to change. They had
went and bought special dresses for the occasion.

Maria's was white, it was off the shoulder, and had ruffles down the sides.
She pulled her hair back on the sides with two matching rhinestone hair combs that Michael had bought for her. Around her neck hung - her locket her most treasured possession. Inside it on one side was a picture of Michael and on the other one of her parents.

Jody had a pale pink dress that had three quarter sleeves, and a lacy
bodice. She had French braided her hair and was putting on her makeup. They
looked at each other and nodded they would pass.

Maria went into the dining room and set the table. She put out the fine
china, linen napkins, and crystal. In the silver candle sticks she put in
white tapers. Jody went into the kitchen and checked on the food. Taking the
appetizers out she brought them to the table. Jenny came in the kitchen
knowing it was time to get her share of the dinner before they started.
Maria came back into the kitchen and handed Jenny containers of food for her
dinner. Jenny winked at the two young women, they looked beautiful. The kitchen smelled fantastic. They had really outdone themselves. She gave them each a hug before she went back next door tonight was going to a night to remember for the both of them.

Jody and Maria walked into the living room where Michael and Shawn were
watching tv. The guys looked up at them Shawn got up and walked over to Jody
giving her a kiss on the cheek. Michael swallowed, she took his breath away, she was so beautiful. He took her hand, placed in on his arm and led her into the dining room.

The dinner went off perfectly everyone had a good time. The dishes were cleared and they decided to wait till later to have dessert. They went into the living room and turned on the stereo. It was still too early to watch the New Year?s celebrations on tv, so they decided to

dance and listen to music. Jenny and Dom slipped in and saw the couples dancing close to the music playing on the stereo. They had their eyes closed so they didn't notice them come in. Dom took Jenny's hand and they started to dance. When the song was over the girls blushed at being caught by the older people.

Maria went into the kitchen to set out dessert. She was especially proud of
herself. She found a recipe for chocolate mousse and it came out perfectly.
Jody had everyone come back into the dining room as Maria brought out the
tray with dessert and coffee.

Everyone gave the girls complements on their dinner. It was truly excellent.
They proceeded to go and watch the celebrations on tv from across the
country. As it grew closer to midnight Maria began thinking about this past
year. It was pretty good to her. She was head of the cheerleading squad, had
great friends, awesome parents, and the man of her dreams beside her. What
more could she ask for. A few of their favorite musicians preformed and then
it was time. Maria was snuggled into Michael on the couch and Jody and Shawn
went out to the porch swing. Don and Jenny went into the guest room to give
the young couples some privacy. As it counted down Michael looked into Maria's eyes and said,"I love you."


As the ball dropped he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.

Happy New Year

"Happy New Year, Mi"


Everyone came into the room again after sharing their private moment with
their loved one. They exchanged hugs and kisses. Jody was tired and decided
to go to bed said her goodnights and went upstairs. Maria followed and
changed out of her dress into shorts and a long tee shirt. There were plenty
of dishes in the sink to do and she didn't want to have to deal with them in
the morning.

Shawn grabbed his bag and went into the bedroom he and Michael were going to
share, he was exhausted. Michael grabbed his stuff and went to the bathroom to change.

When he came out Maria was in the kitchen washing the dishes. He grabbed the
dish towel and started drying.

"Thanks, I thought I would be here all night doing these."
"No problem. Dinner was great."
"Thanks there are enough leftovers for the next week."
"Well they won?t go to waste, your dad is supposed to come home tomorrow right?"
"Yep. It will be good to have him home."
As much as she didn't want to admit it she missed her father.
They finished the dishes and Maria went into the living room. She opened the
packaging containing the new movie she bought and put it in the vcr.
Michael sat on the couch and pulled her into his arms. They lay there together watching the movie in complete silence. Don came out of the bedroom
hearing the tv on in the living room and saw Michael and Maria on the couch.
They had fallen asleep and left the movie on. He went back in the bedroom, got a blanket out of the closet and covered them. He smiled it was just like old times, the two of them sleeping together holding each other.