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“Dad!! Mr. Healy!! The fireworks are about to start!” Holly shouts from the backyard.
Holland is at the bar of the house drinking a scotch, his first and only drink of the night.
“Be right there sweetie!” Holland yells back in the direction of the sliding doors.
“How’s that New Year’s resolution working out? Are you gonna finally stick to it this year?” Healy is standing next to him with a Yoo-hoo in his hand.
“I have to.. for Holly,” He looks down at his drink, seeing his reflection in it.
Healy’s hand is on his shoulder, he eyes it before looking up at his partner’s eyes.
”We believe in you, Holland. And we’re here to help you along the way.” Jack's voice is soft but raspy. Holland feels warm inside, and he knows it's not just the alcohol. Holland can’t help but give a small smile and turn to face a little more towards Jack.
”What about you big guy? Got any resolutions this year?” March bites his lip.
“Hm not in particular”, he responds, looking at his hand, “maybe I could to lay off the Yoo-hoos”
“What, no, c’mon” Holland regretted opening his mouth at all. “I mean, you’re like… cuddly, y’know?” Now he really regrets saying anything. He furrows his brows and can't look Jack in the eye anymore, he internally scolds himself.
As for Jack, he’s still looking at Holland, eyes scanning him. The kind of look he uses when they’re questioning someone and he sizes them up.
Healy huffs a soft laugh. He’s looking at March with a handsome smile. Holland feels shy now, hoping his warmth doesn’t show on his face. Jack opens his mouth to say something but Holly comes into the room.
”It’s starting! Come on!” she rushes them out the door into the backyard. They all stand beyond the pool which is still empty, Healy and March standing behind Holly.
Holland had left his glass of scotch on the bar top, his hand itching for a cigarette.
“Isn’t it so pretty?” She stands at the edge of their backyard looking out into their view of the city and the fireworks lighting up the sky.
“It’s remarkable..” Jackson says, looking at the man on his right side. He reaches over and lands his arm around Holland's waist.
“5!” Holly looks at her wrist watch
The slightly taller man turns to look at him curiously.
“4” she starts to count down
He lifts his closer arm to wrap around Jack’s shoulders, he doesn’t look away this time.
“3..”
They stare at each other, seeing the different colored fireworks light up the sides of their faces.
“2!”
They can’t tell who started leaning in first
”1!”
Their lips meet, both feeling each other's scruffy stubble beards. It’s sweet, their hearts pound almost to the beat of the many fireworks in the sky. It was a short kiss, they part but their faces stay close, noses touching. They’re brought out of their state when they hear Holly cheering at the sky. Their heads turn slightly to look at their daughter, hands in the air and jumping. She turns to them and with a big smile jumps to hug them.
“Happy new year” she says in their arms looking up at them.
“Happy New Year sweetie”
“Happy new year kid”
They stay out there watching the fireworks just a little while longer.