Chapter Text
New Year’s Eve arrived quietly.
No dramatic sunrise. No obvious sign from the sky that today would change everything. Just pale winter light spilling into the bay window, the tree still glowing softly in the corner, and the house wrapped in that warm, lived in feeling they had built over the last months.
Carla woke before her alarm, heart already racing.
She lay still for a moment, listening.
Lisa’s breathing was slow and even beside her, warm under the duvet, one arm thrown across Carla’s waist like it belonged there. Mabel was snoring somewhere at the foot of the bed, a soft steady sound that made the room feel even safer.
Carla stared at the ceiling and felt the day waiting for her.
Today.
She turned her head and looked at Lisa’s face in the dim light. Lisa looked peaceful, hair a mess, lips parted slightly, cheeks soft in sleep. Carla felt something swell in her chest so sharp it nearly hurt.
Love, too big for her ribs.
Carla leaned forward and pressed the gentlest kiss to Lisa’s forehead, like she was afraid to wake her too soon.
Lisa stirred anyway, blinking awake slowly.
“Mmm,” Lisa murmured. “What time is it.”
Carla smiled softly.
“Early,” she whispered.
Lisa’s eyes opened a little more.
“New Year’s Eve,” Lisa said, voice immediately warmer, amused. “Are you awake because you are excited about fireworks.”
Carla almost laughed.
“Yes,” Carla said smoothly. “Absolutely. Fireworks.”
Lisa smiled, eyes half closed, and pulled Carla closer.
“Come back to sleep,” Lisa mumbled.
Carla let herself sink into Lisa’s arms for a minute, breathing her in, pretending her heart wasn’t pounding so hard she could feel it in her throat.
“I can’t,” Carla admitted quietly.
Lisa opened one eye.
“Why,” she asked.
Carla kissed her cheek.
“I have plans,” Carla said simply.
Lisa’s eyebrow lifted.
“Plans,” Lisa repeated.
Carla nodded, keeping her voice casual on purpose.
“A special day,” Carla said. “For us. For the end of the year.”
Lisa studied her for a second, then smiled, clearly charmed.
“You’re being romantic,” Lisa murmured.
Carla’s throat tightened.
“Always,” Carla whispered.
Lisa kissed her, slow and warm, then sighed against her mouth.
“Okay,” Lisa said. “I will allow special. But I’m still not getting out of bed until I have tea.”
Carla laughed softly.
“Deal,” she said.
Downstairs, the house was quiet and cosy.
Carla moved through the kitchen with purposeful calm, even though her hands trembled slightly when she reached for the mugs. She put the kettle on, set out tea, and started breakfast, something gentle and familiar. Pancakes, because Betsy loved them and because pancakes felt like celebration without being too much.
Betsy came down not long after, wearing an oversized hoodie, hair messy, eyes sleepy.
Then she saw Carla’s face.
Betsy stopped mid step.
“Oh,” she said quietly.
Carla looked up.
Betsy’s eyes narrowed.
“It’s today,” Betsy murmured.
Carla’s heart squeezed.
“It’s today,” Carla whispered back.
Betsy’s face shifted into a grin.
“Okay,” she said. “I will be normal.”
Carla snorted.
“You will not,” she said.
Betsy leaned closer and lowered her voice.
“Is the ring still hidden,” Betsy whispered.
Carla nodded.
“Yes,” Carla said. “Safe. Untouched. Waiting.”
Betsy exhaled like she was the one proposing.
“I am stressed,” she confessed.
Carla laughed softly.
“You don’t have to do anything,” Carla reminded.
Betsy pointed at her.
“I have to be supportive,” she said. “This is my mum. And also my future.”
Carla’s throat tightened.
“Thank you,” Carla said quietly.
Betsy shrugged but her eyes softened.
“Yeah,” she replied. “Okay. What’s the plan.”
Carla smiled and slid a plate across the counter.
“Eat,” Carla said. “And then help me make today feel special without making it obvious.”
Betsy grinned.
“That is my speciality,” she said.
Lisa came down last, wearing pyjamas, hair messy, eyes soft. She walked into the kitchen and paused at the smell of pancakes.
“Oh,” Lisa murmured, smiling. “You two are spoiling me.”
Carla leaned in and kissed her cheek.
“New Year’s Eve,” Carla said softly. “We celebrate.”
Lisa laughed.
“We celebrate by eating pancakes in our pyjamas,” she teased.
Betsy sat at the table, already eating, and nodded solemnly.
“Yes,” she said. “This is the correct way.”
They ate breakfast together, warm and slow.
Lisa seemed relaxed, which was both beautiful and terrifying. She laughed at Betsy’s jokes, sipped her tea, looked around the kitchen like she still couldn’t believe they lived here.
At one point Lisa reached across the table and squeezed Carla’s hand.
“Thank you,” Lisa murmured.
Carla blinked.
“For what,” she asked, even though she knew.
Lisa smiled softly.
“For this,” she said. “For making things feel… like something to look forward to.”
Carla’s chest tightened.
“Always,” Carla whispered.
After breakfast, Carla suggested a walk.
Lisa agreed easily, bundling into a coat, scarf wrapped around her neck. Betsy insisted on coming too and brought Mabel, who was thrilled, tail wagging as if she knew something important was happening.
The park was crisp and quiet. The air smelled like damp leaves and cold earth. The sky was pale grey, but the world felt bright anyway because Carla was holding Lisa’s hand, and Betsy was walking ahead with Mabel, laughing when the dog tried to chase every bird she saw.
Lisa leaned closer to Carla as they walked.
“I like days like this,” Lisa said softly.
Carla swallowed.
“Me too,” she whispered.
Lisa glanced at her.
“You’re quiet,” Lisa observed.
Carla forced a smile.
“I’m just… thinking,” Carla said.
Lisa’s eyes softened.
“Good thinking or bad thinking,” she asked.
Carla squeezed her hand.
“Good,” Carla said. “Just big.”
Lisa’s smile grew gentle.
“You always have big feelings,” Lisa murmured.
Carla laughed softly, heart pounding.
“That’s because of you,” Carla whispered.
Betsy kept glancing back, clearly trying to monitor Carla’s emotional state like she was a little bodyguard.
When they got home, Carla disappeared upstairs under the excuse of needing to grab something.
In the bedroom, she opened the drawer where the ring box was hidden and held it for a second, just feeling the weight of it in her palm.
She sat on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath.
This was real.
She was going to ask Lisa to marry her.
Her hands trembled, but her heart felt steady beneath it. Not fear, exactly. Just the enormity of wanting something this much.
Carla tucked the box back safely and went downstairs again, past Betsy who was hovering in the hallway like a guard dog.
Betsy’s eyes flicked up.
“You okay,” Betsy whispered.
Carla nodded.
“I’m okay,” she whispered back.
Betsy nodded firmly.
“Good,” she said. “Because Mum has no clue.”
Carla almost laughed.
Lisa truly had no clue.
She spent the afternoon doing normal cosy things.
She put on music and cleaned the kitchen a little. She folded laundry. She sat on the sofa with Carla and Betsy and watched a cheesy film they half paid attention to. She complained about how quickly the year had gone. She kissed Carla absentmindedly when Carla passed her, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Carla wanted to memorize every second.
Betsy seemed to be on edge, bouncing her knee, checking her phone, pretending it was just excitement about New Year’s.
At one point Betsy suddenly stood up.
“I’m going upstairs,” she announced.
Lisa looked up.
“Why,” she asked.
Betsy shrugged.
“Because I want to,” she replied. “And because you two are making eyes at each other and it’s making me uncomfortable.”
Lisa laughed.
“We are not,” she said.
Betsy pointed at Carla.
“She definitely is,” Betsy said.
Carla tried not to smile.
Betsy disappeared upstairs with Mabel trailing after her like a shadow.
Lisa leaned into Carla on the couch.
“She is so dramatic,” Lisa murmured fondly.
Carla kissed Lisa’s hair.
“She is ours,” Carla whispered.
As evening approached, Carla began shifting the atmosphere.
She lit candles. She turned on softer music. She set out snacks. She made hot chocolate for Betsy and poured a glass of wine for Lisa. She insisted they all dress nicely for New Year’s Eve, but “only slightly” so Lisa wouldn’t get suspicious.
Betsy did not need convincing.
Lisa raised an eyebrow.
“Why are we dressing up,” Lisa asked.
Carla smiled innocently.
“Because it’s New Year’s Eve,” Carla said. “Because we deserve to feel nice. Because we are staying in and I want it to feel special.”
Lisa’s face softened.
“You are being sweet,” she murmured.
Carla’s heart squeezed.
“I am always sweet,” Carla teased, trying to keep it light.
Lisa laughed.
“You are trouble,” she replied.
Betsy came downstairs dressed in a sparkly top and jeans, looking pleased with herself.
“I am festive,” she announced.
Lisa smiled.
“You look gorgeous,” Lisa said.
Betsy rolled her eyes but her cheeks warmed.
“Thanks,” she muttered.
Lisa went upstairs to change. Carla watched her go, pulse racing, then turned to Betsy.
Betsy stared back.
“It’s happening,” Betsy whispered.
Carla nodded.
“It’s happening,” Carla whispered.
Lisa came down wearing a dark outfit, simple but beautiful, hair styled slightly, face soft with makeup. She looked like herself but glowing.
Carla’s breath caught.
Lisa noticed.
“What,” Lisa asked, smiling.
Carla stepped closer.
“You’re stunning,” Carla said, voice honest and low.
Lisa’s cheeks warmed.
“You’re dramatic,” Lisa replied, but her smile was soft.
Carla reached out and adjusted the collar of Lisa’s top, fingers lingering.
“And you,” Lisa murmured, eyes moving over Carla, “look like trouble.”
Carla smiled.
“Good,” she whispered.
They spent the evening together in their living room, the tree lights glowing, candles flickering, music soft. Betsy played on her phone but kept looking up, clearly waiting for something.
They ate snacks and laughed and talked about the year.
Lisa grew quiet at one point, staring at the tree.
“This year,” she said softly, “has been the best year of my life.”
Carla’s throat tightened.
Betsy looked up, suddenly serious.
Lisa turned toward them.
“I know not everything was easy,” Lisa continued. “But I have never felt so… held. Like I’m not doing it alone. Like I’m coming home to something good.”
Carla reached for her hand.
“You’re not alone,” Carla whispered.
Lisa smiled, eyes shining.
“I know,” she whispered.
As midnight edged closer, Betsy yawned but refused to go to bed.
“I am staying up,” she declared. “I am old enough.”
Lisa smirked.
“You will be asleep by eleven,” she teased.
Betsy glared.
“I will not,” she insisted.
Carla’s heart hammered as the time approached, every minute feeling heavier with anticipation.
She kept touching the small box in her pocket through the fabric of her dress like she needed to confirm it was real.
Betsy glanced at her and gave a tiny encouraging nod.
Lisa leaned closer to Carla and kissed her cheek.
“You’re quiet again,” Lisa murmured.
Carla swallowed.
“I’m just… taking you in,” Carla whispered.
Lisa smiled softly.
“Take me in then,” she replied, voice warm.
The clock ticked toward midnight.
Betsy put the TV on so they could watch the countdown, but the volume was low, the living room still intimate.
Lisa sat between Carla and Betsy on the couch, one hand on Carla’s knee, the other loosely holding Betsy’s fingers. Mabel was curled on the rug, asleep, completely unaware of the emotional earthquake about to happen.
Ten minutes.
Carla’s stomach flipped.
Five.
Lisa squeezed Carla’s knee gently, absentminded.
Carla looked at her and felt her chest flood with love so fierce it made her eyes burn.
Two.
Betsy sat up straighter, suddenly wide awake.
“One minute,” she whispered.
The countdown started.
“Ten.”
Carla breathed in.
“Nine.”
Lisa smiled, eyes bright.
“Eight.”
Betsy reached for Carla’s hand too, squeezing for a second.
“Seven.”
Carla’s throat tightened.
“Six.”
Lisa leaned closer, lips brushing Carla’s cheek.
“Five.”
Carla felt the ring box in her pocket like a heartbeat.
“Four.”
She turned slightly, looking at Lisa, memorising her face.
“Three.”
Lisa’s eyes were full of warmth.
“Two.”
Carla’s breath shook.
“One.”
“Happy New Year,” the TV shouted.
Lisa laughed, bright and joyful, and kissed Betsy’s forehead, then turned and kissed Carla.
Carla kissed her back, deep and warm, heart roaring in her chest.
When she pulled back, her hands were shaking.
Lisa’s brows knitted.
“Carla,” Lisa murmured, confused, gentle. “What’s wrong.”
Carla swallowed hard and slipped off the couch, moving to kneel in front of Lisa before she could talk herself out of it.
Lisa froze.
Betsy’s breath caught.
The room seemed to hold still.
Lisa stared at Carla, eyes wide, shock flooding her face.
“Carla,” Lisa whispered, voice trembling. “What are you doing.”
Carla’s hands shook as she pulled the ring box from her pocket.
She opened it.
The ring caught the light from the tree and sparkled softly.
Lisa’s mouth fell open.
Her eyes filled instantly.
Carla looked up at her, voice shaking, heart steady.
“I love you,” Carla whispered. “I love you in a way I didn’t think I was capable of. You changed my life. You gave me a home. You gave me a family. You gave me a future that feels safe and real and good.”
Lisa’s tears spilled over, silent at first, then she made a small sound like she couldn’t breathe.
Carla continued, voice thick with emotion.
“One and a half years ago I didn’t know I would ever feel this kind of happiness,” Carla whispered. “And now I can’t imagine not waking up next to you. I can’t imagine not coming home to you. I can’t imagine not being part of this life with you and Betsy and Mabel and our stupid Christmas tree and our kitchen table and everything we’ve built.”
Lisa’s hand flew to her mouth, shaking.
Betsy’s eyes were wet too, but she stayed quiet, watching like this was sacred.
Carla looked up at Lisa, the love in her chest almost unbearable.
“Lisa Swain,” Carla whispered, voice trembling, “will you marry me.”
For a second Lisa just stared at her, tears streaming down her cheeks, lips trembling.
Then she laughed, a broken, beautiful sound.
“Yes,” Lisa whispered.
Carla’s heart exploded.
“Yes,” Lisa repeated, voice stronger, desperate with emotion. “Yes. Of course yes. Always yes.”
Carla let out a shaky sob and stood up enough to slide the ring onto Lisa’s finger, hands trembling so much Lisa had to help guide it.
The moment it was on, Carla leaned in and kissed her, and Lisa kissed her back like she was making a vow with her mouth, hands in Carla’s hair, pulling her close.
Betsy made a small sound that was half laugh, half cry, and then she spoke through her emotion.
“Okay,” she said softly, voice trembling, “that was disgusting. Congratulations.”
Carla laughed through tears.
Lisa turned toward Betsy, eyes shining, and reached for her.
Betsy hesitated for a second, then moved into their arms, letting them pull her into a three way hug on the couch, Carla still half kneeling, all of them tangled together.
Lisa kissed Betsy’s hair, voice broken with love.
“Thank you,” Lisa whispered. “Thank you for letting this happen. Thank you for being part of it.”
Betsy sniffed and wiped her face aggressively.
“I didn’t let it,” Betsy muttered. “I approved it. There’s a difference.”
Carla laughed and kissed Betsy’s temple.
“We’re a family,” Carla whispered.
Betsy nodded, eyes wet.
“Yeah,” she whispered. “We are.”
They stayed like that for a long moment, the TV still blaring fireworks and cheering in the background, but their living room quiet and sacred, lit by tree lights and candlelight and the glow of the ring on Lisa’s hand.
Lisa pulled back first and looked at the ring like she couldn’t believe it.
She looked up at Carla, eyes flooded with love.
“You,” Lisa whispered. “You did this.”
Carla smiled through tears.
“I did,” she whispered. “Do you hate it.”
Lisa laughed, shocked.
“I love it,” she cried. “I love it. It’s perfect. You’re perfect. I can’t breathe.”
Carla pressed her forehead to Lisa’s.
“Breathe,” Carla whispered. “I’ve got you.”
Lisa nodded, shaky, and kissed Carla again, softer this time, like she was calming herself through her.
Betsy stood up suddenly, wiping her face again like she was annoyed at tears.
“Right,” Betsy announced. “I’m going to bed because I’m overwhelmed and also because I refuse to watch you two make out for the next hour.”
Lisa laughed, still crying.
“Come here,” Lisa said, pulling Betsy in for one more hug.
Betsy hugged her tight.
“I’m happy,” Betsy whispered. “Like… really happy.”
Lisa’s eyes squeezed shut.
“Me too,” she whispered.
Betsy turned to Carla and hugged her too, voice quiet.
“Welcome to being my mum forever,” Betsy murmured.
Carla’s throat tightened.
“Thank you,” Carla whispered. “I love you.”
Betsy pulled back and rolled her eyes because she could not be too sincere for too long.
“Yeah yeah,” she said. “Goodnight. Try not to break the couch.”
Carla laughed.
Lisa gasped.
“Betsy,” she scolded, laughing.
Betsy disappeared upstairs, leaving Carla and Lisa alone in the living room.
The silence that followed was full of everything.
Lisa stared at her hand again, then looked at Carla, eyes shining.
“Fiancée,” Lisa whispered.
Carla’s chest tightened.
“Fiancée,” Carla whispered back.
Lisa laughed softly and covered her face for a second.
“I cannot believe I’m engaged,” she breathed.
Carla leaned in and kissed her gently.
“You can,” Carla murmured. “Because you said yes.”
Lisa’s hands cupped Carla’s face.
“I will always say yes to you,” Lisa whispered.
Carla’s eyes burned again.
“I love you,” Carla whispered, voice shaking.
Lisa kissed her, slow and deep, the kind of kiss that tasted like forever.
Outside, fireworks cracked in the distance, colours flashing faintly through the window.
Inside, in their living room, in their house, Carla held Lisa close and let herself finally believe it.
This was real.
This was theirs.
This was the start of everything.