Epilogue
AVERY
It's just like Mom to put Christmas on hold until she can have at least one of her kids home for the occasion. As usual, that kid is me again this year.
My parents were quick to welcome Booker into my childhood home, although, as predicted, Mom wasn't keen on me sharing a room under her roof with my boyfriend.
That didn't change when Booker got down on one knee and proposed after handing me a tiny box to unwrap. So I guess it's a good thing Clayton's back behind bars and we didn't have to rely on the fake fiancé ruse.
We relented to Mom's pleas to stay a few more days-- but we checked into a hotel this afternoon.
"I just think it's silly for you two to stay at a hotel when we have plenty of space here at the house, is all."
"Stace, let the kids be. They just got engaged. They want some alone time." Dad fusses at my mom, and Mom pretends she doesn't know what he's talking about.
"You kids are calling for a ride though, right?" Dad asks. He's putting a bottle of Champagne in the fridge for the countdown later, and has already handed Booker a beer. Mom's opened a bottle of wine for the two of us to share.
"Yeah, we definitely won't be driving anywhere." Booker opens the beer and assures my dad that we're not driving tonight... while I remind Mom that we're also not staying here.
It's New Year’s Eve and I want to ring it in with my new-- very real-- fiancé.