𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐄. - 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐲

029. the end

ONE YEAR LATER

BLAIR CLINGS HER KNIFE against her wine of glass to grab everyone's attention. And it works. Everyone that is gathered around the table grow quiet and calm down, letting the woman at the end of the table dressed in an all-beige outfit speak. The sun behind the trees in the backyard set down behind them as they all gather their attention over to Blair.

Drew walks closer to his wife, wrapping his hand around her waist as she places her glass down. He leans in to kiss her head before she starts making her speech. Madelyn and a couple of others awe at the sight of the couple.

Drew smiles with his teeth in realization on what he's done in front of them. "Welcome all," Blair smiles with everyone else. "It's been dealt with such high gratitude to have all of you here join Drew and I for a big family dinner. Each and every one of you sat here tonight has made such a big impact to the both of us and we wanted to celebrate this big family of ours and have a big feast before this year ends!"

"This year was one of a kind and I'm very thankful to have shared it amongst so many special people. You've all made it a great deal to the both of us for your love and support on everything that's happened these last couple of years and without you, we would've never made it this far!" Blair places her hands over her chest as she grows emotional.

"We love you, B!" Madelyn shouts from the other end of the table. A couple of others chuckle around the table, lightening up the place.

"To continue on with what Blair was saying," Drew chuckles, comforting her by massaging his hand on her back. "You guys have made such a big difference in our lives and the reason for tonight is not just about the memories and our accomplishments we've made this year, but for you. All of you."

"We are just both beyond and grateful to have a place to call it our home and have people like you to call our family and combine those two together to become one whole. Thank you for coming over to the Starkey residence and Happy New Years, baby! Whoo!" Drew raises his other hand up with his bottle of beer.

Everyone else starts to cheer with their glasses as well, clinking their drinks together in celebration of each other. Blair wraps her arms around Drew's body, pulling him in for a great embrace. He does the same with her.

The table grows louder again with several different conversations going on all at once. Taylor, Blair's father, gets up to head back to the grill to grab the rest of the steak while Madelyn and Madison go back to the living room to grab more wine.

"I don't know if you know this already, but I love you." Blair rests her chin on his chest, looking up at Drew's eyes. He curls up another smile. Drew can never stop smiling when he lays his eyes on her.

"Here's something you probably already know... I love you with all my heart and forever will, my precious B." His voice shifts tender and genuine. Blair reaches to her tip toes and leans in for a kiss on the lips. Drew gladly accepts and kisses her back.

"Hey, I thought this party was about us? Why are you two still making a love rom-com right in front of us to watch?!" Rudy playfully jokes from three seats down. This makes everyone break into laughter.

"Yeah, Rudy's right there." Austin plays along who's sitting next to him. Drew chuckles out a laugh, throwing his head back.

"Alright, alright! We'll leave all of you alone to celebrate your dinner party." He waves his hand, shooing away himself and Blair from the group. Drew takes his hand and interlocks it with Blair's, leading the both of them closer to the edge of the porch away from everyone else.