Chapter Text
5….4….3….2….1!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Everyone shouted!
Zoey smiled as she looked around the living room as her family rang in the new year.
Maggie helped Mitch off the sofa and they stood there swaying gently to the music in one another's arms. With Mitch humming along in Maggie's ear to the music on TV.
Zoey sighed happily and took a drink of her champagne. As she set her glass down a hand appeared in front of her.
She looked up and found Max grinning goofily at her.
“Come on let’s show your parents how the cool kids dance.”
Zoey laughed accepting his hand, “Max I don’t think anyone can ever accuse us of being cool.”
Max pulled her into a swing style dance grinning, “Shhh….nobody here has to know that.”
Zoey grinned back at him as they danced together laughing as they tried a few more daring steps and messed up.
David cleared his throat gathering everyone's attention. “Guys Emily and I have an announcement!”
They all stopped dancing and turned to look at David.
“So next New Years we might have to miss the midnight celebration,” he started.
“But it’s tradition David!” Zoey complained.
David grinned, “I know I know, but midnight is kind of late for a baby to stay up till don’t you think?”
“Baby? What ba…Oh My God!” Maggie exclaimed, running over to hug David.
“We’re having a baby!” Emily cried excitedly.
“I’m going to be an Auntie?!” Zoey exclaimed. She ran over to hug David and Emily.
“This is so exciting you guys!”
Max clapped David on the shoulder, “That’s awesome man, congrats!”
“When are you due?” Maggie said, hugging Emily.
“Mid May is what they told us,” Emily said.
Mitch pulled David in for a hug, with tears in his eyes. "I'm so happy for you guys.”
“This calls for more champagne!” Zoey said heading to the kitchen. “And of course sparkling juice for you Emily!”
Max followed Zoey into the kitchen to help.
“Can you believe it? I’m going to be Auntie Zoey!” Zoey giggled to Max as she grabbed a new bottle from the fridge.
“You are going to be an amazing Aunt,” Max grinned, opening a cupboard and grabbing the extra glasses.
“You’re an Uncle already, you’ll have to teach me all the cool things to do” she said.
“I thought you said I wasn’t cool,” he teased.
Zoey stuck her tongue out at him in response.
Max laughed, “It’s pretty easy to be the cool Aunt or Uncle. You get to buy them all sorts of fun gifts. And you basically let them do everything their parents won’t and the kid will love you.”
Zoey laughed, shaking her head at Max's advice. "Oh David will love that."
Max's eyes twinkled, "Which means that's exactly what you plan to do isn't it?"
"You know me so well," Zoey grinned as they headed back to join the rest of the family.
The party began to wind down after the excitement of David and Emily’s good news. They all decided it was best to leave while they still had the energy to get home.
Max offered to drop Zoey at her place, she tiredly nodded in agreement. He went and grabbed their coats as Zoey said goodbye to her Dad.
Maggie smiled and hugged him. "You survived another Clarke family New Years," she chuckled.
"Wouldn't miss one for the world," Max said grinning. "It really does mean a lot to me that you let me spend the holidays with you guys" he started.
Maggie waved him off, "Max you're a part of this family too."
Max swallowed the lump in his throat unable to respond.
"So we will see you next month for Valentines day right? If not before then? No arguments mister."
Maggie and Mitch always made sure to include him in their family celebrations and activities. He didn't have the best relationship with his dad anymore and as a result his relationships with the rest of his family were also strained. It was nice to feel like he was part of a family again.
Max grinned and nodded. "Of course."
"Ready to go Max?" Zoey asked, reaching for her coat.
"Hmmm? Oh yeah, sure, " Max cleared his throat.
He said goodnight to Mitch and they headed out the door.
As Max drove them to her apartment Zoey quickly drifted off to sleep and began snoring lightly. He grinned as he stole a glance at her, she was adorable.
When they arrived, he parked and gently nudged her awake. "Time to wake up Zo, you're home."
"Mmmm? I wasn't sleeping" she sleepily insisted.
"You were snoring," Max teased.
"I don't snore," she insisted, opening the car door.
Max grabbed her keys from her hand and chuckled, helping her out of the car.
"Whatever you say Zo," he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"Now come on sleepy head, let's get you to bed," he grinned. Zoey sleepily nodded in agreement.
They made their way up her up the stairs to her apartment. Max unlocked her door, giving her a nudge to step inside.
"Goodnight Zo. Happy New Year," Max said, turning to leave.
Zoey yawned and gently patting him on the shoulder. "Night. Happy New Year Max," she mumbled as she closed the door.
Max chuckled and headed down the stairs back to his car.
He glanced up at Zoey's window seeing a glimpse of her silhouette against the curtains before she turned off her light.
He sighed. This was a brand new year, maybe this would be the one where he told her.
He started the car and headed for home, listening as the radio softly played:
The warmth of your love
Is like the warmth of the sun
And this will be our year
Took a long time to come
Don't let go of my hand
Now darkness has gone
And this will be our year
Took a long time to come