The apartment shimmers and dances as everyone enjoys the last few hours of the year—well, the decade actually. I smile and smooth down the fringe of my flapper dress, which fits perfectly with the rest of the partygoers and the 20s theme for the new year. All of our friends are gathered around dancing, drinking, and having fun. It makes me smile as I join the fray.

"There you are, love. I was wondering where you had run off to." Tom says as he wraps an arm around my waist and presses a kiss to my cheek. "Dance with me?"

"Of course," I take his hand and follow him into the center of the living room, where Harrison, Zendaya, his brothers, and a few of our other friends are dancing. The song switches and slows down, which gives Tom ample opportunity to wrap his arms around me as we slow dance in the crowded living room. "Can you believe this year is almost over already? I mean, it feels like last week that we started dating or moved in together."

"Not for me." He whispers and brush my bangs back. "For me, it feels like I've known you forever, and I'm excited for the new year. It means we're that much closer to even more of the good stuff."

"I can't wait for it." I tell him and offer him a quick peck. "We've got so many things to look forward to."

A flash goes off, and I instantly turn towards the source to find Harry offering a sheepish grin as he grabs the polaroid from the camera and continues on his way. "Do you think that one will go on the wall?" Tom asks in reference to our wall of memories together.

"Yeah, I think it will. Harry always takes wonderful pictures, and I want to remember this forever—us, dancing in the living room on New Year's Eve with our closest friends." I smile and rest my head on his shoulder with a smile, "I want to remember every little moment."

Tom kisses the top of my head and whispers softly, "Yeah, me too."

Eventually, the song ends and gets replaced by something more upbeat. I bump hips with Zendaya and smile as Tom and I join the group and dance like complete idiots—even though he's actually a great dancer. We all swing our hips to the beat and laugh at how completely ridiculous we all look right now, but enjoy it anyway.

"Ten minutes to midnight." Sam calls out, and I quickly give him a thumbs up.

"We're going to start getting the champagne." I call to the others over the music and recruit Zendaya to help me out. Once we're in the kitchen, I move to grab the glasses. "Can you grab the bottles from the fridge?"

"Of course," she calls and sets them down with a smile. "So, when are you and Tom going to make the next step?"

I stop with the bottle only halfway opened for a second before continuing on as I ask, "What next step?"

"Don't be like that. You know exactly which one I'm talking about." She grins and bumps her hip against mine. "When are you two going to get engaged?"

"That's on Tom, not me. I'm more than happy with how things are, but whenever he's ready to continue forward, I'll be ready too. It's not something I'm going to push though." Zendaya gives me a look, and I shake my head at her. "I'm serious. Tom and I are still pretty early in our relationship, and I'm fine with however it continues. Because right now, with Tom, I've been happier than ever before."

"I know." She states, which makes me give her a quizzical look. "You and I were friends before you met Tom, and since you two started becoming friends—much less dating—you both became brighter, happier people. You bring out the best in each other and help push through the worst."

"Well, then, I suppose we should toast to another year of friendship, love, everything in between, and whatever it may bring." I respond by lifting a glass to her, and she does the same.

"To whatever it may bring." She replies, and I can't help but notice the glimmer in her eye. "Now, c'mon, let's get this champagne passed out."

The boys end up helping us, and everyone finds their person as the clock starts to close in on those last few seconds of the year. I smile at our friends and lean into Tom as we all go around stating our hopes for the new year.

10. We form ourselves into a small circle.

9. Everyone exchanges eager smiles.

8. Tom wraps his arm around my waist.

7. I lean against Tom's shoulder with a smile.

6. Harry takes a few more polaroids.

5. Harrison slings an arm over Jacob's shoulder as the both continue the count.

4. Sam and his girlfriend smile at each other.

3. I'm nearly bouncing on my toes in excitement.

2. People take their last chance to find someone for that special kiss.

1. Tom spins me to face him and presses his lips against mine in a warm, tender kiss that makes my head spin as the glitter falls down on us.

"Happy New Year, love." He whispers against my lips with a growing smile.

I press another kiss to his lips with a grin. "Happy New Year, babe. Cheers to the 2020!" I shout and raise my glass with everyone else.

The party continues on for another few hours before everyone gets their rides home—or in the Holland brothers and Harrison's case, crash in our living room. I slip into my sweatpants and one of Tom's shirts as I collapse into bed for the night.

I wake up sometime around noon and find Tom still sleeping next to me. His arm is wrapped tightly around my waist and only tightens as I move to leave. "No, stay. Cuddle." He groans and buries his face into his pillow. "Don't wanna get up yet."

"We have to get up at some point. Plus, the apartment won't clean itself." The comment only makes him groan and pull me closer to him. "C'mon, I'll make us brunch?"

Tom barely opens up an eye as he mutters, "French toast?"

I bite back a laugh as I brush a few curls from his face, "If that's what you want, then yes. Stay here, get some rest, and I'll get you when it's ready."

"Okay," He hums and finally lets me get up.

Glitter is still littered all over the ground alongside dots of candle wax and polaroids from last night. I can't help but smile as I pick the pictures up and admire the memories of Tom and I dancing and laughing together.

"I got some good pictures, huh?" Harry groggily says and nearly makes me jump out of my skin. "Nice party, by the way."

"Thanks, I didn't think you were still here. You hungry? I'm making French toast."

"Didn't wake up until late, and nah, I've got to get going." I nod and start mixing everything together. "Tell Tom I said thanks for letting me crash."

"Anytime," I call as he slips on his coat and leaves. Halfway through making the toast a pair of arms wrap around my waist. "Nice to see you're awake."

"It was too cold without you." He pouts, and I can't stop the laugh at his child-like behavior. There's a long moment of quiet as I put the toast onto plates before he speaks up again, "Hey, Y/N?"

I hum absentmindedly as I pour us both glasses of juice, but Tom only clears his throat instead of speaking. When I turn around, I nearly drop them on the ground when I see what's going on. Tom is down on one knee, smiling at me nervously, as he holds up a small velvet box. Tears brim in my eyes as I meet his, "Tom?"

"Y/N L/N, I can't even begin to explain everything you mean to me, but I'm going to try. Since our third date, I knew that this was going to be it for me. I knew it the moment you made me promise that I would never become a stranger whose laugh you could recognize anywhere, and I wanted the same.

"Last night, we talked about everything we had to look forward to, and I want this to be part of it. I want this year to be the start of us having a life together. In all honesty, this wasn't exactly what I had planned, but I don't want to wait any longer. So, will you, Y/F/N, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"

Tears stream down my face as I kneel down on the floor in front of him and hold his face. "Yes," I whisper and smile at him, "Yes, Tom. Let's get married."

His face breaks into a beaming grin as he slides the ring on my finger and kisses me like never before. "I was so nervous. If you had said 'no,' it be a really awkward start to the year, and I don't know what I would do without you."

"Well, now, you'll never have to find out." I whisper to him and smile. It makes my head spin to even think about it, but I honestly can't imagine a better start to our year and this new chapter of our lives—together.