The city streets were alive with excitement. Lights twinkled in every window, and the countdown to midnight hummed in the air like electricity. You were bundled in your coziest coat, your gloved hand nestled in Nicholas's warm grasp as the two of you wandered through the lively crowd in Times Square.
"Can you believe we're actually here?" you asked, your breath visible in the cold.
Nicholas grinned down at you, his dark eyes sparkling like the confetti that was about to rain down. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," he said, his voice soft despite the chaos around you. "Especially not without you."
His words sent a shiver through you, one that had nothing to do with the chill in the air. You leaned into him as he guided you through the sea of people, eventually finding a cozy corner away from the thickest part of the crowd. The iconic New Year's Eve ball shimmered above, moments away from starting its descent.
Nicholas wrapped an arm around you, pulling you close. "1 minute to midnight," he said, checking his watch. "What's your resolution this year?"
You tilted your head, pretending to think. "Hmm, I don't know... Maybe to stop stealing your sweatshirts?"
He laughed, the sound low and warm. "Don't stop. They look better on you anyway."
"What about you?" you asked, raising an eyebrow.
Nicholas's gaze softened, his expression turning serious. "I think my resolution is to make sure you know how much you mean to me. Every single day."
Your heart skipped a beat, and you were about to respond when the crowd erupted into a cheer. The final countdown had begun.
"Ten... nine... eight..." The voices swelled around you, the excitement contagious.
Nicholas cupped your cheek gently, his touch grounding you amidst the chaos. "Seven... six... five..." His thumb brushed across your cheekbone, his eyes locked on yours.
"Four... three... two..." The world seemed to slow down, the noise fading into the background as he leaned in.
"One!" The clock struck midnight, and the sky exploded with color as confetti rained down. But you barely noticed, because Nicholas's lips met yours in a kiss that was as perfect as you'd always imagined. It was soft and slow, filled with unspoken promises of the year ahead.
When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against yours. "Happy New Year," he whispered, his voice a little breathless.
You smiled, feeling lighter than ever. "Happy New Year, Nicholas."
In that moment, with him by your side and the promise of a fresh start ahead, you couldn't imagine a more perfect way to begin the new year.
