All the days of the past year had flown by faster than you ever expected. So many memories, places you visited, and people you met had become part of the tapestry of the year gone by. Yet, you were ending it surrounded by your closest friends and loved ones, grateful for all it had taught you. It had been a year of lessons, and you hoped the next one would be even better.

Standing on the beach, surrounded by friends and familiar faces, you felt the comforting weight of Rafe’s arm draped over your shoulders. It was another year spent by his side, and you hoped it wouldn’t be the last. Together, you’d learned that every failure was a lesson for the future and that anything could be worked through with enough effort.

As the group on the beach counted down the final 10 seconds to midnight, your smile grew wider, and your hand, entwined with Rafe’s, tightened in excitement. When the new year finally began—marked by the burst of fireworks in the sky—Rafe pulled you close, his hands firm on your waist, and kissed you deeply.

“Happy New Year, my love.” His voice echoed in your ears, warm and steady, as if grounding you in that perfect moment.