"Well, are you going to let us in, or shall we just take this party to another room?" Sonny stepped forward and headed toward Samantha.
"It would be an understatement to say you caught us off guard," Alex said. "Get your sorry butts out of the hall." Her wink was lost on Samantha, who was too busy being surprised. Alex opened the door wider to let the rest of the gang in, exchanging kisses and hugs as they passed.
When they were all seated in the living room Alex asked who wanted what to drink and if they had eaten breakfast yet.
"Always the perfect host," Kelley noted. "Even when you wish you didn’t have company."
"I never said that," Alex objected.
"Of course you didn’t, sweetheart," Aurora chimed in. "But we know you planned on spending today and especially tonight alone with Samantha."
"We just couldn’t let you do that," Sonny added.
"Excuse me?" Alex queried.
"Tonight is not only special for the two of you, Alex; it’s special for all of us." Sonny plopped down on the sofa next to Samantha. "To begin with, you aren’t the only one who met Sammy for the first time this year. Then there’s the fact that this is the end of an era––a new millennium begins at the stroke of midnight."
"Actually . . . " Ray interjected.
"Not now with that." Sonny waved him off and continued, "Did you think we could let you usher in such an important date all by yourselves?"
Alex opened her mouth to answer.
"Of course not," Aurora said.
"But Mom, I thought your tour . . ."
"Kelley did some shifting of the dates. There aren’t any bookstores open tonight and even if there were, who would want to spend New Year’s Eve in a store with an author?"
"I can think of at least one . . . " Kelley responded.
"Oh, now, I wasn’t referring to you." Aurora chuckled.
"Okay then, that takes care of you two, but what about the two of you?" Alex turned and pointed to Sonny and Ray. "I thought you were supposed to be in Hawaii?"
"We were for the week," Ray answered. "But when Aurora called and asked if we wanted to come back early and surprise you and Sammy, there was no question as to what we wanted to do. We arranged the flight so we would be at the airport close to the time when your moms would arrive with Sally. New Year’s Eve should be spent with people you love, not with strangers sipping on liquored-up pineapple drinks."
"How sweet," Samantha said. "But now it’s my turn to ask questions. I know the airlines have been booked for months. How in Heaven’s name did you get five flights from the West Coast to the East Coast, especially to New York City, on such short notice?"
"Silly girl," Sonny said. "You’re talking to Dorians."
"And your point is?"
"We picked Sally up in the Cessna and then like Ray said, we met up with them at the airport in San Francisco. We chartered a jet from there," Kelley explained. "We made sure there was room for the two of you on the return trip. Now you won’t have to endure the commercial mess at the airport, what with everyone in a hurry to get home after a weekend of partying. Somehow the same people who were laughing and drinking the night before become total monsters the next day at the airport."
"But we already have tickets," Samantha said.
"And we already have the plane," Aurora countered. "None of that’s important. What’s important is that we’re all here to celebrate together." She raised her glass. "Here’s to the best New Year’s Eve ever!"
"Hear, hear' resounded through the room as everyone joined in the toast.
Samantha stood next to Sally. "I can’t believe this is happening! It’s such a surprise."
"Yeah, that’s how I felt when I got the phone call and invitation. I hope you’re not disappointed because you won’t have Alex all to yourself tonight."
"I’ve got to admit that was my intention, but this is fabulous. All my favorite people here to party with us, how lucky can we get? We’ll have plenty of time to be alone."
"I was hoping you’d feel that way, Sammy." Sally gave her a hug. "Before I forget my promise, Mom says hello, she loves you, and happy New Year. Maybe we can find some time to talk after everyone has settled in a bit."
"Speaking of settling in," Samantha turned to the newly arrived group. "who’s staying where? The sofa in the living room turns into . . ."
Kelley laughed. "That’s okay, half-pint, we all have rooms."
"But Sally could stay here with us."
"No," Kelley insisted. "It’s already been taken care of. We’re all staying on this floor . . ."
"Of course, we don’t have the marvelous view you two have," Sonny exclaimed.
"That’s enough, Son," Ray chided. "You’re impossible at times."
"At times?" Alex asked.
They all laughed and Kelley continued. "We added our dinner and party reservations to yours in the Hudson Theater. I hear the hotel has turned it into the Millennium Room for the evening."
"We plan on being up here in the suite before the stroke of midnight, though," Alex informed everyone.
"I want to watch the ball drop." Samantha chimed in.
"But of course you do, sweetness," Sonny agreed. He put his arm around Samantha's shoulders. "Are you sure you don’t want to go out, brave the cold, get pushed around a bit, be part of the street sardines, and mingle with the little people?"
"Little people?" Samantha queried.
Sonny pointed out the window to the street far below. "Well, they’re definitely ‘little people’ when you watch them from up here." He got a laugh from the entire group and a shake of more than one head.
"We’ve got the best view in town," Alex said, finalizing the conversation.
********************
They spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon playing catch-up, and ordering breakfast and lunch from the hotel restaurant. Everyone had their turn of watching as the street below began to fill with early celebrators. In groups of two and three they merged, separated, and merged again. Conversations varied according to who comprised the group, and topics jumped from real estate and business to books, art, and sightseeing. Of course, when Sally and Samantha got into their own private discussion, it became totally about family.
"So, how’s Dad?" Samantha asked.
"As long as he’s on his medications, he seems well enough. They discharged him as an inpatient, and he’s now on an outpatient basis with the clinic."
"And Mom?"
Sally shrugged and sighed. "I honestly don’t know from day to day. Sometimes things seem better than ever and at other times I’ll walk in on her unexpectedly and find her sobbing. When I ask what’s wrong, the stock answer is ‘What’s right?’ I’m still living there, but I feel like an intruder. Honestly, Sammy, I think she ought to divorce him and get on with her life."
"I feel the same way, Sally, but if I were to voice my opinion she’d tell me I’m prejudiced against Dad."
"Duh!"
"Now stop that! We both know he’s sick."
"Yeah, well, to hear him tell it, it’s the other way around."
"He talks about me?"
"Not really, but when he does it certainly isn’t fatherly. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, Samantha, but when he first came home he went around taking down all the pictures you were in. Each time he would mumble something about abomination. I don’t think he’s stepped foot in a church in years and he has the . . ."
Tears began to well in Samantha's eyes.
"Oh, Sammy, don’t. I’m sorry. Damn. I have a big mouth." Sally put her arms around her sister and held her close.
"No. I asked. I need to hear it. I can’t go around living in a fantasy world, thinking everybody loves me."
"Everybody who’s anybody does," Sonny said, breaking into the conversation. "I assume this is about Daddy?"
"Uh-huh," Samantha sobbed.
"Listen, sweetness, he’s not worth your tears. Besides, this is the very last day of this century, no crying allowed." He insisted on a three-way group hug and then led the sisters back into the living room to join everyone else. "Nuff said for now," he whispered as they neared the others. "Agreed?"
"Agreed," Sally and Samantha answered in unison.
"Okay, ladies," Alex greeted them when they reached the group. "We’ve been discussing the . . . " She stopped in mid-sentence. "Samantha, what’s wrong?"
"Nothing that a glass of champagne or two won’t cure," Sonny answered.
Alex ignored him and put her hand on Samantha's shoulder. "Honey, you’ve been crying."
"It’s my fault, Alex, we were talking . . . "
"It is not your fault, Sally," Samantha insisted. "It’s my own fault for . . ."
"Oh, it’s not anyone’s fault," Sonny interjected.
"Stop!" Alex demanded. "I really don’t give a shit whose fault it is or isn’t! I just want to know why Samantha looks like she’s been in tears."
"We were talking about Dad," Samantha mumbled.
"Oh, well that makes perfect sense," Alex huffed. "How you can find it in your heart to care one iota for that aimless, selfish, bigoted . . . "
"Whoa, Alex," Kelley said from behind her daughter. "Give half-pint a break. Jerk or not, he’s still the kid’s dad. That counts for something in her book, and that’s all that matters, right?"
"Yeah, but just a conversation about him can put her into tears," Alex said.
"She still has feelings, Alexis," Aurora joined in. "You can’t turn off a lifetime of feelings for someone, even if they have wronged you, especially if you’re as sensitive as Samantha."
Aurora, Kelley, Alex, and Sonny began discussing the situation among themselves, until Samantha finally had enough.
"Hey!" she shouted, getting their attention. "My conversation with Sally was not supposed to get everyone in an uproar. Each one of you has an opinion of my dad, and I can’t say that any of you are wrong. But like Mom said, he’s still my dad, and I can’t seem to turn my feelings on and off like a spigot. Unfortunately, I’m stuck with guilt over my part in his mental collapse and with the love I still have in my heart for him. I’m sorry that the conversation led to his little brouhaha, but please, let’s consider it a closed case for tonight and go back to celebrating the event that brought us all together today."
"I’ll drink to that," Ray announced from the kitchen. He entered the living room carrying a tray of goblets filled with champagne. "And so will the rest of you, if you’ll each be so kind as to take one of these glasses, so I can stop looking so damned Nelly."
Smiles replaced solemn looks. Kelley took glasses for her and Aurora. Sonny got one for himself and one for Sally, and Alex got hers and Samantha's.
"That’s better," Ray said, raising his glass. "To the best friends in the known world and to the beginning of a new era. May we continue to live and love one another throughout the new century."
"Hear, hear," replied the rest of the group.
"And now my favorite Irish blessing, to set the evening in motion." Sonny raised his now half-full glass. "May those who love us, love us. And those who don’t love us, may God turn their hearts. And if he doesn’t turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles, so we may know them by their limping."
"Oh, Sonny," Sally giggled, "that’s terrible."
"I think it’s rather beautiful." Sonny winked at his friend. "Better safe than sorry, my dear." He finished his glass and placed it on the tray. "Okay, we’ve talked, nibbled, and sipped the day away in anticipation of this evening, and now I think we should all go have a little nap. Then we’ll be all rested up for a night of dinner, dancing, and greeting of the new year. We can meet back here at––um––what time’s dinner?"
"Eight," Kelley answered.
"Okay, how about seven thirty? Our table’s reserved, right?"
"Right," Kelley answered again.
"Seven-thirty sounds good," Aurora said. "We don’t want to be the first ones there; that’s not chic."
Sonny, Samantha, and Sally snickered to themselves and Alex elbowed Sonny in the ribs. "That’s enough," she whispered, but Samantha could see the twinkle in her eyes.
"Then it’s settled," Alex said, as she ushered them to the door. "We’ll see all of you in a few hours."
"This is going to be so much fun." Samantha grabbed Alex’s arm and gave her a squeeze. "I can’t believe we’re all here to see in the new year."
I can, Alex thought. But the words that came out of her mouth were more socially acceptable. "This should be one evening none of us will ever forget," she mumbled as she shut the door and turned to go back into the living area.
"Oh, Alex," Samantha was grinning from ear to ear, "thank you so much for bringing me here. This has been the best Christmas ever."
The words were music to Alex’s ears. She took Samantha into her arms and kissed her softly on the forehead. "You don’t know how happy that makes me. It seems our plans for the rest of this trip have changed dramatically, but I think all of us together will make this special night even more so."
"Agreed." Samantha yawned. "I don’t know why, but I can always count on needing more rest after a vacation than I do when we’re staying at home and working."
Alex laughed and gently maneuvered her lover in the direction of the bedroom. "I think, perhaps, we had best take Sonny’s advice and take that nap before tonight’s festivities. I can absolutely guarantee you will see the first sunrise of the new century!"
********************
"Samantha," Alex drew out the name as she whispered into the sleeping woman’s ear. No response. She gave her a small shake. "Time to rise and shine."
Samantha groaned. "Here we go again. if I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times, I’ll rise but I refuse to shine."
"Oh, I’m sure that won’t be the situation, once you get the sleep out of your eyes and realize it’s . . ."
"It’s party time!”
"Almost! You do need to dress first.”
There was no coaxing needed. In a flash Samantha was out of bed and headed for the shower.
"Hey, want some company?" Alex called after her.
"Only if you can behave yourself." Samantha poked her head out of the bathroom and smiled. "We don’t want to give Sonny any fuel for teasing us the entire evening.”
"I couldn’t agree with you more. I promise to be on my best behavior.” She joined Samantha in the shower and the two were finished in record time and actually dressed before the first knock on the door.
Sonny, Ray, and Sally arrived just as Samantha was putting on the finishing touches of her makeup. Alex invited Ray to open the first bottle of champagne of the evening while she set out the glasses.
"Nice pin-stripe, Alex," Sonny acknowledged. "I think Sally and I will go see what’s keeping the princess."
"You do that. She’s actually pretty much on time for a change, but she can always use a little encouragement to stay on course." She smiled and then walked to the kitchen.
While Samantha had still been in the early stages of dressing, Alex had called the hotel gift shop and had them send up a star-shaped bottle of Angel parfum. Samantha had just placed the last dab on her wrist when she spotted Sonny in the makeup mirror.
"Hi!"
"Wow. Not only do you look like an angel," Sonny exclaimed, entering the room, "you smell like one, too."
"Funny you should say that." Samantha giggled and showed her friend the name on the bottle.
"But of course it is," Sonny said and handed the glass star to Sally, who smiled, shook her head, and handed it back to her sister. "Alex knows an angel when she sees one," Sonny added, "but now it’s time to let me critique your evening attire." He motioned for Samantha to stand and twirl.
"Ah . . . lovely choice." With his best runway voice he started: "Here we have an opalescent cocktail dress, halter neckline . . . turn please . . . a cut-out back and, let’s see, a handkerchief hemline. What a marvelous outfit for dining and dancing at the turn of the century.” He smiled, gave Samantha a big hug, and looped his arm for her to take. Then he turned and offered his free arm to Sally. "Okay girls, let’s go par-tay like there’s no tomorrow.”
Upon entering the living area they spotted Kelley and Aurora standing by the picture windows, looking down at Broadway, and watching as thousands of people gathered to begin the evening’s celebration.
Ray cleared his throat. "I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m starving."
"Dinner has my vote," Kelley said.
"I’m always ready for food," Samantha chimed in.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Alex asked. "Let’s get this show on the go." She motioned toward the hallway. She and Samantha were the last two out of the room and as she was closing the door, she leaned down and whispered into Samantha’s ear, "You look absolutely lovely."
Samantha blushed.
"You look pretty appetizing yourself," she answered.
********************
The dining room was already buzzing with excitement and filling quickly with guests. The group was ushered to their table, which was decorated with an assortment of New Year’s Eve goodies that received exclamations of glee from the more exuberant members of the group, namely the "three S’s." As soon as the champagne was uncorked, Kelley offered a toast to an unforgettable evening with loved ones. While they waited for dinner to be served, Sonny, Sally, and Samantha checked out the parade of well-dressed patrons, but dinner soon arrived and from that moment on, the festivities kept a fast pace with everyone’s cheerful mood.
Music continued to fill the room before, during, and after dinner, and the dance floor was constantly occupied. The band played a variety of hits from every decade of the century, being sure to disappoint no one.
Alex kept an eagle eye on the time, and at eleven o'clock suggested that they start back up to the room. "We don’t want anything to interfere with us being at the windows at midnight. If we leave now we’ll have time to settle in and even watch the crowd for a bit before the appointed hour." She received no argument from her companions and within minutes they were laughing, turning on the television to watch Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve and opening another bottle of bubbly.
Sonny and Kelley arranged chairs around the windows, while Alex and Ray filled the fluted wine glasses. Samantha and Sally were busy looking through binoculars and pointing out interesting people from the street below.
"You know, I did some research on the ball," Samantha said. "It weighs over a half ton."
"You’re kidding!"
"Absolutely not. It’s made of Waterford crystal triangles and this year’s design is called ‘Star of Hope.’ It’s meant to depict Earth and its seven major continents.”
"It’s fantastic, the beauty people can create.”
"Yeah, and here’s hoping 2000 will be a fresh page for the entire human race.” Samantha sighed. She was about to tell Sally when the first ball was lowered, but paused when she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist.
"Well, ladies," Alex said, "I think we’re about ready to say hello to a new year. Here’s to ninety-three years of New York tradition.”
Everyone gathered around the windows and all eyes were glued on the slowly moving, brilliantly lit ball as it left its perch on the top of One Times Square and began its descent from the year 1999 toward the year 2000. Their voices echoed those of the throng far below as the countdown began, and in unison they cheered when the new date sparkled on the building.
"Happy New Year."
Hugs and kisses were abundant. Glasses were raised, clinked together in a toast, emptied, and then quickly refilled.
Alex wanted to take Samantha into her arms and passionately kiss the New Year welcome, but she settled for being sandwiched between the two sisters as they hugged each other and Alex at the same time, half blushing when she was the recipient of kisses on both her cheeks.
Samantha pulled on Alex’s ear, and when she leaned into the tug Samantha whispered, “Thank you, Princess Charming.”
A quizzical expression formed on Alex’s face. She was just about to speak when Samantha put a finger to her lips.
"For everything, my love. For everything."
Then it was time to mingle and continue to watch the crowd far below as it slowly began dispersing, with the help of New York’s finest.
"I don’t think anyone could ask for a more thrilling experience than this," Sally said as she looked down and then around the room. "It has definitely been the most exciting New Year’s Eve I’ve ever had."
Samantha giggled, "Not that you’ve all that many to compare it to . . ."
"Very funny, Sammy, very funny."
"Seriously," Samantha interjected, "I couldn’t agree with you more. Not only are we at the top of the world in America’s favorite New Year’s Eve spot, but we’re surrounded with the most important people in our lives. No one could ask for more."
"Is that the champagne talking?" Sonny asked as he placed his arms over Samantha’s shoulders and gave her a kiss.
"No," Aurora answered for her. "I totally agree with the girls. In all my New Year’s Eve experiences, and I do have a lot to compare, this has been the best."
"Hear, hear," Kelley agreed.
"Ditto from me," Ray joined in.
"Okay, okay, if we all need to verbalize it . . . count me in." Alex smiled and shook her head. "What a bunch of saps."
"Yeah, but we’re happy saps," Sonny replied.
"Happy and tired," Kelley added. "We’ve been going practically nonstop since we picked Sally and the guys up. I just want to go back to the room, have something other than champagne, watch the idiot tube for a while, and relax."
"My, aren’t we the romantic," Sonny said in a mocking tone.
"In her defense, she is usually very rotic," Aurora said and took Kelley’s arm. "But before all of the excitement tonight, she’s been spinning around with me on tour. I have to agree that she deserves a little rest." She rustled Kelley’s hair and then winked at Sonny. "Very little rest."
Sonny laughed. "What in Heaven’s name is rotic?"
"How long have you been around Aurora, Sonny?" Ray asked.
"Years . . . why?"
"What does she do for a living?"
"Write. Why?"
"Even I remember what rotic is. You’ve been told before; you’re just too full of champagne to remember."
"So? Don’t leave me in suspense. Refresh my alcohol-blurred brain." Sonny wiggled his body and snapped his fingers.
"Rotic is romantic without the m-a-n."
"Damn," Sonny sighed. "Leave it to dykes to invent their own words." He turned to Aurora. "Why didn’t you just change the spelling to r-o-m-y-n-t-i-c, instead of making people rack their brains in the wee hours of the morning by making up an entirely new word?"
Aurora shrugged her shoulders. "You know, you actually have a good idea there. Hmm, romyntic, I might use that in one of my books. It would be easier than trying to explain the lack of ‘m-a-n’ in rotic. But then I might have to contend with people not knowing how to pronounce it and . . ."
"Okay, you two." Kelley put up her hands in the time-out sign. "It’s much too late or too early, however you want to look at it, to start a discussion that the two of you could carry on for hours and still not finish." She looked at Aurora. "Unless, of course, you want to stay here and hash this out with Sonny? I could always go back to the room alone."
"Oh, don’t be silly . . ." Aurora said.
"Poor baby . . ." Sonny quickly found his mouth covered with Ray’s hand.
"Now I know the champagne is talking." Ray quipped.
Sonny pulled his lover’s hand away. "Ray!”
"Leave him alone, Ray," Alex interjected. "They’re only doing what they do best, carrying on a lengthy debate about something neither of them, if they were sober, would give a shit about." She chuckled. "At least my two gabbers are sitting quietly in the corner with their discussion." She pointed to Samantha and Sally, who were deep in their own conversation and had no clue what was going on around them. "Okay, everyone gather your partner and head for the door. It’s well after midnight and this bar is closing." She turned to Kelley, "Do ya think that will that get you out of here without an argument?"
"Absolutely." Kelley kissed her daughter and wished her a happy new year. "I’m really glad we decided to do this."
"Yeah," Alex agreed. "Me, too."
Aurora made the rounds with good nights, but when she stopped at Alex and looked like she was going to begin a new conversation, Kelley placed her hands on Aurora's shoulders and whispered, "Come on, Mom, let’s let the kids have a little special time before the magic ends."
"Goddess! How right you are." Aurora hastened her farewells and linked her arm in Kelley’s. "We’re off, then. Sleep tight, everyone, when you finally get to bed, that is."
"We’ll be leaving shortly," Ray said and gave Sonny a look. "Where are we meeting in the morning for breakfast? And which room are we going to use to watch the games?"
"I’ll call Alex when I get up," Kelley answered. "She’ll call you. I’m sure the other four will be sleeping in."
"Sounds like a plan," Ray said and nodded.
Alex walked her parents to the door and spoke to them for a few minutes out in the hall.
"What do you mean, ‘We’ll be along shortly’?” Sonny asked in an exasperated tone. "This is a once in a lifetime night. You don’t honestly expect me to go to bed before the sun comes up on the new millennium, now do you?"
"No, honey." Ray put his arm around his lover. "But don’t you think that perhaps Alex and Samantha might want just a little bit of private time on this once in a lifetime night?"
Sonny thought for a second, eyes furrowed. Then he shook his head. "No. I think they would want to see the new year in with their two closest buds, and that would be us."
"You’re incorrigible."
"And you love me for it." Sonny grinned from ear to ear.
Alex walked back into the suite and joined her friends by the window. "You know you two don’t really have to leave so soon. I would love to spend the rest of what is left of this celebration with Samantha, but I don’t have the heart to break up that conversation."
"Want to play a little poker and watch the television parties until the sun comes up?" Sonny asked.
"I don’t necessarily want to, but it seems as good a choice as any," Ray answered.
"I’ve got a better idea," Alex said. "Why don’t I buy the two of you a real drink down in the bar, and we can watch the live show from there. There have to be some real characters walking around the lobby at this hour of the morning. I don’t think I could handle another glass of champagne, and us being gone would give the girls some alone time."
Both the guys nodded in agreement and Alex walked over to Samantha to tell her the plan. "Honey, the three of us," she motioned to Sonny and Ray, "are going to head down to the bar for a bit to get something other than champagne to drink and see what kind of snacks they’re offering the drunks to try to keep them happy."
"Oh, Alex," Sally sputtered. "How rude of us. I’m sorry . . . "
"Don’t be silly. It’s your night, too, and you don’t get to see you sister that often."
"Are you sure?" Samantha asked.
"Positive. Sonny won’t let any of us go to bed this early and Ray wants to see the kooks walking around in the lobby and in front of the hotel."
"Hey, did I say that?" Ray interjected indignantly.
"Not exactly," Alex admitted, "but it sounded good." She chuckled and kissed Samantha gingerly on the lips. "Happy New Year, sweetheart."
Samantha stood and gave her a hug and kissed her back. "Happy New Year to you, too, Alex. I’m sure we’ll be talked out in just a little bit. Do you want us to come find you?"
"Nah. We’ll come back up when the night of the living dead is truly over and the first rays of healing light scamper across the New York skyline."
"Or," Samantha began to sing, "when the Broadway babies say good night, it’s early in . . . "
"Shush." She put her fingers up to Samantha’s mouth. "Now I know we gotta get out of here, before you have him," Alex nodded her head in Sonny’s direction, "joining you. Karaoke is definitely not something I’m up for tonight, show tunes or otherwise."
"Ahh," Samantha teased. "But you have such a beautiful voice, my love. Perhaps I should ask Sonny which he would rather . . ."
"You do and . . ."
"Hey, what’s the holdup?" Sonny queried, getting antsy about being left out of the conversation for more than a minute.
"Nothing," Alex quickly answered. "I’m just telling Samantha where we’re going."
"We’ll meet you at the elevator," Ray suggested, hoping to speed things up.
"No need; I'm coming." When she was halfway across the room she turned to look back at the two sisters. They had already returned to their conversation and were oblivious to the world around them. Alex sighed, shook her head, caught up to her two best friends, and placed an arm around each of their shoulders. "This is definitely what friends are for. Let’s go watch the circus."
"Or join it," Sonny added, as they closed the door behind them.