"You mean Jace's mom got you all of that?"
Sophie's voice burst through Amy's phone screen, loud enough to make Amy laugh as she leaned closer to the mirror, carefully blending her blush.
"Yes," Amy said, still half-disbelieving herself. "All of it. Dresses. Jewelry. Shoes. And she kept saying the same thing."
Sophie squinted suspiciously. "Which was?"
"That she wanted to spoil me," Amy replied, lifting a delicate necklace to fasten it around her neck. "And apparently… this is what spoiling looks like."
Sophie shook her head slowly, eyes wide. "Amy. That's not spoiling. That's adoption."
Amy laughed, glancing at her reflection again. The dress, one Elizabeth had insisted on hugged her just right. Elegant. Effortless. Like it had been waiting for her.
"I'm still in shock," Amy admitted. "She didn't even let me protest properly."
Sophie smiled fondly. "You look incredible. Truly. I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you," Amy said quietly. "I really am enjoying myself here."
Before Sophie could reply, movement crossed behind Amy in the mirror.
Jace stepped into view, buttoning his suit jacket, dark, looking sharp and his hair looking shiny.He paused when he noticed Sophie on the screen.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite critic," he said warmly. "Hi, Sophie."
"Hi, you," Sophie grinned. "You clean up nicely."
He chuckled. "The occasion calls for it."
He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Amy's cheek. "Have you written yours?"
Amy looked up at him. "Written what?"
"You know," he said softly. "What you're grateful for from the year that's ending. And what you're hoping for in the new one."
Sophie's curiosity sparked immediately. "What's that about?"
Jace straightened. "Prescott tradition. Every year. We write it all down and burn it in the fire before midnight."
"That's… beautiful," Sophie said honestly.
"It is," Amy agreed. "Very grounding and significant, I like it."
Jace smiled at that, something proud and tender flickering in his eyes. "Good."
He glanced at the phone again. "And you?, what are your plans for tonight,?"
Sophie smiled. "Darren and I are going for a countdown event, there's going to be a crowd, music and chaos"
Amy and Jace laugh.
"That's more like you" Jace said.
Sophie nodded. "Definitely is and I get to spend it with my favourite person in the world."
"Excuse you?" Amy said making a face feigning annoyance.
"Sorry, let me do that again" She said already laugh talking. "And I get to spend it with my second favourite person in the world" She said loudly and raising her hand. That made Amy and Jace laugh again.
"That's more like it" Amy said.
"Good," he said. "Happy New Year in advance."
"Yh, see you next year, Camera prince" She said smirking at him.
He kissed Amy's cheek once more before heading out.
"I'll see you out there babe" He said and Amy nodded.
Sophie's eyebrows shot up. "Okay. What was that?"
Amy laughed. "What was what?"
"Your boyfriend looked really good, good as in fictional demigod kind of good" She said wide eyed.
"Don't be so dramatic Soph"
"I'm not, I swear" Sophie said laughing.
"Well, I think he's going to take me out or something, I don't really know"
"That's really special," Sophie said softly. "I'm glad you're there."
"Oh...redo your blush," Sophie added suddenly. "It needs to pop."
Amy groaned playfully. "You know I'm not a makeup person."
"I know," Sophie said. "But trust me."
Amy complied, brushing on a little more color.
Sophie clutched her chest dramatically. "Perfect. You own the night. Don't forget your coat."
"Yes, mom," Amy teased.
They said their goodbyes, wished each other a happy new year, and ended the call. Amy took one last look at herself, steadying her breath, then stepped out of her room into the glow of the evening.
....
The house had shifted into something luminous by the time Amy stepped fully into the evening.
Lights glowed warmly against the dark Virginia sky, there was soft laughter everywhere. Wine glasses clinked and a familiar song played softly beneath conversations.
Amy lingered near the edge for a moment, just taking it all in.
"Ah," Elizabeth's voice rang out gently as soon as she saw Amy descend the stairs,delighted. "There you are."
She crossed the room with purpose, looping her arm through Amy's as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Come with me," Elizabeth said. "There's someone I want you to meet."
They approached a small group of elegantly dressed women, their conversation pausing as Elizabeth arrived.
"Ladies," Elizabeth said warmly, pride unmistakable in her tone, "this is Amy."
Amy smiled politely, already feeling the weight of attention.
"She's my son's girlfriend," Elizabeth continued, squeezing her arm. "And she's a writer."
One of the women,a graceful woman with silver-streaked hair and sharp, intelligent eyes tilted her head with interest.
"A writer?" she echoed. "What do you write, Amy?"
"Fiction," Amy replied, steadying herself. "Mostly contemporary. I'm working on a manuscript now actually, a few."
Elizabeth beamed. "She's being modest. She'll be publishing soon."
The woman's lips curved into a thoughtful smile. "I'm Clara Winslow," she said, extending her hand.
"I run Winslow & Hart Publishing."
Amy's breath caught just slightly.
"It's lovely to meet you," Amy said, shaking her hand.
"Likewise," Clara replied. "If you'd like, I'd love for you to send in a manuscript when you're ready. No pressure just if you feel it's time."
Amy's eyes widened. "I.....of course....yes. I would love that. Thank you. Truly."
"Good," Clara said warmly. "I look forward to reading your voice."
Elizabeth watched the exchange with quiet satisfaction, her smile deepening.
"See?" she said softly to Amy once Clara moved away. "I told you tonight would be special."
Amy laughed, still dazed. "You weren't kidding."
"Now finish that book of yours quickly, I'd love to read it too once it's published" Elizabeth said.
Before she could say more, a gentle tap against a glass rang out across the space.
An elderly looking man had taken the microphone.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual new year's eve event at the Prescott estate. I'd like to thank our host, Elizabeth Prescott for always organizing this event for us. She takes it upon herself to make sure that the year we are about to leave behind ends in a memorable note. And with that said, please a round of applause as she takes the stage... the lady that has made tonight possible"
The room erupted with clapping hands and cheers, as Elizabeth walked gracefully towards him. Amy clapped and smiled proudly as she mounted the stage.
She stood tall, elegant, holding the mic with both hands.
"Thank you," she began, her voice calm but full. "Thank you all for being here tonight, for sharing this space, this moment, and this year with us." She paused, letting the silence settle.
"Every year," Elizabeth continued, "we gather to mark not just the end of a year but the gratitude we carry from it, and the hope that we're brave enough to step into next."
She glanced around the room, her gaze lingering briefly on her children.
"This tradition," she said softly, "means a great deal to me. Gathering together as one and writing down what we're grateful for, and what we hope for… then letting it go into the fire. It reminds us that even the things we release still matter."
Her voice wavered just slightly but she held steady.
"So, if you would," Elizabeth said, lifting her chin gently, "please place your notes into the box."
A large man stepped forward, lifting the wooden box and walking around as people placed in their notes into the box. As he approached Amy, she held out her note and placed it in. Once the box was filled, slowly, ceremoniously, he carried it toward the fire pit and tipped its contents into the flames.
The fire leapt upward, sparks dancing into the night.
Amy watched, heart swelling as the paper curled and disappeared into light. She had been grateful for Jace and the love they share together, his family, Sophie, Mrs Thompson and the kids at the bookstore. She closed her eyes as she allowed it all soak in.
Something inside her softened.
Elizabeth smiled softly, her gaze moving from face to face before settling back on the glowing fire.
"This fire has carried our gratitude tonight,the laughter, the tears, the quiet victories we sometimes forget to celebrate. Every note we placed here came from a place of living, loving and enduring one another. As these flames rise, we are equally letting go of what does not serve us anymore,old worries and fears and we step forward together into this beautiful new year. May the new year meet us with grace. May our home remain a place of warmth, our hearts a place of love and understanding, and our lives a place where gratitude is spoken, Thank you." She concluded and the crowd erupted with applause and cheer.
When the flames settled, Rebecca stepped forward, already smiling nervously as she picked up the mic.
"I… um," All attention turned to her. "I'd like to thank my mom for this tradition that brings us all together at the end of every year. It's very grounding and gladly I'm honoured to have been a part of this tradition since I was born." she laughed lightly as the crowd laughed.
"I actually have something to say." she continued.
The room stilled again.
"I wanted to do this privately," Rebecca admitted, glancing toward her family. "With just my family around but it felt right to share it tonight."
She took a breath.
"I'm pregnant, my husband and I are expecting."
For half a second, there was silence then the room erupted.
Cheers, gasps, applause, laughter.
Elizabeth was visibly surprised as she rushed forward first, pulling Rebecca into the tightest hug imaginable, her joy unmistakable.
Nick walked towards her frozen, eyes wide, stunned.
"Wait," he said, blinking. "You're serious?"
Rebecca laughed through tears. "I'm serious."
Nick let out a breathless laugh. "I'm… I'm going to be a father?"
"Yes," she said, nodding. "You are."
He pulled her close, kissing her deeply, his hands shaking slightly as he held her.
"I can't believe this," he whispered.
They hugged again, joy overflowing.
Elizabeth returned to the microphone, eyes shining.
"Thirty seconds," she announced. "Thirty seconds to 2021."
The crowd gathered closer.
"Ten!"
"Nine!"
Amy felt Jace's fingers lace through hers. She turned and smiled at him.
"Eight!"
"Seven!"
They leaned closer interlocking both hands.
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
"Happy New Year!"
Fireworks burst across the sky, light exploding above them.
Jace turned to Amy as he waited for the noise to calm, eyes full. "Happy New Year."
She smiled, breathless. "Happy New Year."
They kissed.
And then.....
He stepped back.
Dropped to one knee.
The world seemed to tilt for Amy.
Gasps filled the air. Rebecca's hands flew to her mouth, tears already spilling freely.
"Oh my God!" she whispered. "Oh my God!."
Jace brought out the ring box.
"Amy," he said, voice steady but raw. "Okay, first of all, I just want to say… Rebecca stole my opening line."
A few surprised chuckles rippled through the crowd. Amy couldn't believe her eyes.
"She said she wanted to do her announcement with just family," he went on, glancing briefly at his sister who was already holding herself from erupting into a maximum pool of tears. "and then decided tonight felt right. And honestly? Same"
"I've been holding this ring for three days," he admitted. "Three very long days."
He lifted the box slightly, then let it rest again.
"And it's been… torture."
Amy let out a broken laugh through her forming tears.
"I've watched you talk, and laugh, and tell stories like nothing monumental was about to happen and like I wasn't about to change our entire narrative." He exhaled.
"And every time I thought, now. This is it. And then something would stop me. I didn't want it to be loud or rushed."
His eyes softened.
"But then the countdown started. And everyone was counting down the year ending, and all I could think was… I don't want this new year to commence fully without asking you."
Amy's breath hitched.
"The just concluded year changed me," Jace said quietly. "You changed me. And when they said 'one' when the year turned, I realized I didn't want a perfect moment." He smiled, small and real.
"I wanted a true one."
He reached for her hand again.
"So here we are. New year. New start."
A pause. His voice steadied.
"Amy, I don't know what the future looks like. I don't have it mapped out. I don't have it all planned. But I know I want you in every version of it. I want to wake up choosing you, and fall asleep knowing i'd wake up next to you"
He opened the ring box fully now.
"So…Amethyst Mayfield, will you make me the happiest man on earth by marrying me?"
Amy couldn't breathe.
"Yes," she said as she felt her voice hitched.
"Yes Jace," she said again, louder, voice trembling. "Yes."
Jace felt relief run through him as he exhaled heavily and slid the ring onto her finger.
Cheers erupted as they kissed.
Elizabeth was crying openly now as she pulled them both into her arms.
"My children," she whispered. "My beautiful children."
"Welcome to the family, my love," she said into Amy's hair. "Officially."
Rebecca joined them seconds later, laughing through tears.
"You just made this the best New Year ever," she said, hugging Amy fiercely. "Pregnacy hormones or not.....I'm never recovering from this, this is the most romantic proposal ever."
Jace stood, still a little stunned, still holding Amy like she might float away.
"Congratulations Jace" Nick said as they shook hands and shared a hug.
And as the cheers continued around them, Elizabeth watched the two of them with a smile so full it hurt. It felt like the year had given her more than she'd dared to hope for. She had written in her note earlier that she hopes that nothing comes in between Amy and Jace and now this happens....it was clear that her new year wish was answered immediately.
Amy held Jace,her heart pounding, the world glowing around them.
The year had changed.
And everything else had too.