Forever & Always || Redlyn

New Years Eve, Again

It was once again January 31st. As always, Ashlyn was hosting the New Years party. Because of the apartment size, and because Ashlyn had spent the holidays there, they were still hosting it at her parent's house.

"Thanks." Ashlyn smiled at Big Red, who was handing her some snacks to put out for the party. She set them down on the table. "Remember the first party we had here?" She asked, remembering the way he had helped her set up.

"Of course I do." He smiled. "It's the first day we really talked, alone."

"That day was a bit chaotic, but it was still pretty nice." She got lost in thought, imagining the good parts of the day. "The only thing I'd throw at your face..." She trailed off, realizing she had said it out loud. It was almost inaudible, but he managed to hear her.

"Is a brighter spotlight." He hugged her from behind. "Because I like the way you sing." He finished with a smile.

"You remember too." She grinned.

"Hey, it's the first time I flirted with you. Now we're married, of course I remember."

"It's just sweet."

"You remembered it too." He pointed out. "I agree, it's sweet." There was a knock at the door, and Ashlyn went to answer it.

"Hi!" She hugged the two people who were there, being Seb and Carlos. Others started showing up, and everyone began talking.

It was now 11:58. Everyone was crowded around the TV, preparing for the ball to drop. Ashlyn turned to Big Red. "You know how you proposed last year, right here?"

"Yeah?" He replied, confused.

"Maybe they'll be more good news this year." She smirked slightly. Before he could ask what she was talking about, it was the countdown to midnight.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!" Everyone cheered, some confetti being thrown around.

After splitting apart from a kiss, Ashlyn grinned, her face still against Big Red's. "I'm pregnant."

He looked taken aback, but he sounded extremely happy, because he was. "Wh- What? I'm gonna be a dad? You're gonna be a mom?"

"Yeah. Yeah, we are." She confirmed.

"Well... that's amazing!" He hugged her. "Who else knows?" He questioned quietly.

"Just my parents."

"Alright." They both realized everyone was looking at them, and he pulled away, letting everyone else congratulate them.

"How are you feeling?" Big Red asked, putting a blanket on Ashlyn, who was lying down. "Need anything?"

"I'm fine." She laughed. "Just because I told you doesn't mean I'm in instant pain."

"I know, I know. But get some sleep, it's so late now." It was 1:30, because it took forever for everyone to part ways after the party.

"Then lie down. I'm not gonna sleep if I know you're staying up, you need sleep too." She pulled the blanket up to let him lie beside her. He put his arm around her. "Love you, goodnight."

"Night." He kissed her forehead. Soon enough, they were both asleep, cuddled next to each other.

Big Red woke before Ashlyn the next morning. He looked at her, smiling. When she did wake a few minutes later, he smiled even more, if it was possible. "G'morning love."

"Morning." She rubbed her eyes, stretching and sitting up.

"You're feeling alright?"

"I'll tell you if I need anything, I promise." She shook her head, chuckling. "I guess I should thank you for caring, though."

"Trust me, that's easy."

"How do you make cheesy things so cute?" She laughed. "It seems overdone yet it's so genuine."

"I guess it's just a skill of mine." He laughed with her. "But really, I mean it. Also, considering I lost my job, do you think 'able to make cheesy things cute' would help on my job application?"

"It could." She joked. "I'd hire you."

"Then I should probably add it."

"Great idea." She gave him a double thumbs up, before breaking out into laughter. "Can you imagine if you saw that on someone's resume?"

"Maybe, if they were applying to write some random... purposely stereotypical movie?"

"Fair point." She nodded, her laughter slowing down. "Okay, let's get ready for lunch. Because in all honesty, I didn't focus on everyone else much last night. I was a bit distracted with the big news."

"When do we meet them again?"

"12:30. It's 11:30 now. And it's a very close restaurant, so don't worry about time."

"Got it, got it, and got it." He got a kiss on his cheek before they both started to get ready.