𝐚 𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫.

𝟐𝟗 | 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫.

—lol i did not proofread so yeah there might be some mistakes and stuff sorry :(

"r-ricky?" nini let out a breath. her hand was on her chest as tears starting to flow down her cheek. "i thought you left i drove all the way to the airport but it said your flight already left and i-

"i know neens, but i'm here now. isn't that what matters?" ricky replied as he walked towards her. he held her hand and rubbed the back of it using his thumb.

the room was filled with silence while ricky and nini stared at each other for a minute, not really sure on what to say. gracie was fast asleep on the couch while the whole friend group hid near the kitchen, wanting to give them some privacy but at the same time, they wanted to hear everything they have to say.

"neens, over these last few months, i slowly realized why connor and isabella picked us." ricky started as nini stared and listened to him. "and it's not because we were their best friends nor because we knew them best, but somehow you, me and gracie, we're a family, like they were. i don't know how they were able to sense that, especially since we hated each other's guts when they were still here. but now, god nini, how could i ever hate you? you're the best thing that's ever happened to me, together with gracie. that's why i stayed. i had to admit that i couldn't stop thinking of the both of you back when i was in la. you two are my whole life.

nini couldn't help but smile and cry tears of joy, "you know why i chased after you last minute? because you're also the best thing that's ever happened to me, together with gracie. and i can't afford that our family would break apart ever again. i have to admit that there was not one day when i did not think about you. because i love you ricky, so much, even if you can be hella annoying and dumb sometimes, you're still the ricky bowen i fell in love with."

ricky smile grew bigger upon berating her words. he came closer and lifted her chin up, "well let me tell you, i love you too nini, so much, even if you can be stubborn and mean sometimes, you're still the nina salazar roberts i fell in love with anyway."

soon, ricky crashes his lips against hers and nini kissed back. they could just hear their whole friend cheering at a distance. it felt so great to be back together again. he tried to deepen the kiss until carlos screamed, "alright you lovebirds, i know you two just got back together, but new year is about 10 minutes away so we're gonna head up to the balcony now to watch the fireworks."

the whole group excitedly ran to the door while nini and ricky stayed in the same position in the living room. gina starts to notice and ask, "hey are you guys coming?"

the two looked at each other until ricky spoke, "nah you guys go ahead, maybe we'll just watch from here."

gina nodded and immediately ran off with ej so they could watch the fireworks with their friends. on the other hand, ricky ran to the window so he could open the blinds, only to find out that they have a really nice view of the fireworks as well.

"wow. that's beautiful." nini started as she watched the fireworks from the big window."

"you're beautiful." ricky replied as he pulled her closer to his chest. nini let out a small giggle and she checked the time on her phone, seeing they had one minute left til the new year. the two just stood there in silence, nini's head was leaning against ricky's shoulder while his arm was wrapped around her torso. they did a countdown together and when it was 12, they shared a meaningful new year's kiss. "happy new year, baby."

"happy new year. promise no more fights, and if we do, we just straight up talk about it. that was so last year." nini let out a joke, making ricky laugh as they reminisce to what happened to them a few hours ago (aka "last year")

"i love you neens."

"i love you too, ricky."

they shared a quick and soft kiss before looking at the window again. they could clearly see a tiny part of the balcony so the couple saw their friends laughing and having fun. on the other hand, they heard a soft cry. it was gracie.

ricky and nini headed over to the couch, only to see gracie awake. the baby girl smiled at the two of them and they couldn't help but smile. nini carried her as the girl let out a giggle. the three of them went back to the window to watch more of the fireworks.

"happy new year, gracie." the two said in unison as they both kissed the sides of her cheek.