Then next day…

Courtney awoke to an empty spot on the side of the bed beside her.  She quickly pulled her curled hair back into a ponytail and passing by Carly and Sonny's room she knocked loudly and yelled.

"WAKE  UP!!!" the couple arose and opened the door just in time to see blonde hair flying down the stairs.  When Jason heard the footsteps behind him he turned just in time to open his arms before Courtney flew into them.

"Good morning, Merry Christmas" he whispered into her ear inhaling her scent.  Even without perfume her natural scent was strong and beautiful.

"Merry Christmas" she stood on her toes and kissed him gently on the cheek.

"Courtney Matthews, did you have to wake us up?" Carly questioned her from the landing on the stairs.

"If I hadn't you wouldn't have seen me open my presents wouldn’t that make you sad?" she put on a fake pout and then smiled teasingly.

"Ohh, yes how I would have cried!" Carly finished coming down the stairs and then she hugged her best friend.  They all sat down on the ground.  Courtney situated herself between Jason's legs and Carly did the same for Sonny.  First the girls opened the gifts they had bought for each other.  Courtney had bought Carly a charm bracelet with a thin silver chain and a "c" charm.  Carly had bought Courtney a thin gold necklace that held a small golden fairy.  They each let a tear fall, hugged and said thank you. Next Courtney and Jason exchanged gifts; Courtney gave Jason a ring with the inscription, you have my heart.  Jason tried it on and Courtney couldn't believe how well it fit him. 

"I'm just going to steal Courtney for a moment."  He took her hand and led her to the back door.  When they stepped out on the porch and Jason realized how chilly it was outside he quickly shed his new jacket and rapped it around her.  A small bark came from the corner of the deck.  Courtney turned and saw the puppy.

"Jason… is this… for me?" she tried not to be too excited but at the same time wanted to jump out of her skin.

"Yes, she is yours." He smiled while she jumped across the deck over to the small golden retriever.  She looked at the pink collar and then at the tag: Rosie.

"Ohh, Jason thank you thank you thank you!!" she jumped into his arms and he held her.  She was happy so he was happy.  They walked back inside.

"So, it's a dog?"

"How did you know?" Courtney hoped that Jason hadn't told Carly already.  She didn't mind that Carly knew but she liked to surprise everyone.

"You think that we didn't hear you screaming?  I think the entire state heard you screaming!" Courtney blushed but smiled.

"Ok well then how about you two?" Courtney asked smiling.

"Well, while you two were gone we took the liberty of opening our gifts for each other."

"Ohh and.." Courtney pondered.

"Well, Sonny got me tickets to the opera on Saturday night.  For me and him of course."

"And Carly gave me a year of gourmet chef lessons, one on one.  To further my skills as an amazing cook." He smiled.

"Well isn't that nice?" Jason asked jokingly. 

"Ok, you two, it's your turn." Carly sat down again and Courtney followed.  Sonny and Jason followed.  Sonny grabbed the gift he had bought for Jason and then Jason grabbed Sonny's.  They swapped; Sonny had gotten Jason a new leather jacket, and Jason had gotten Sonny a new watch knowing only to well the one he had now was from the 8^th grade.  After everyone said their thank you's to one another they spent their day in p.j's watching parades and enjoying a relaxing day.

New Years…

Since Christmas things had been great.  The group went around California, having fun enjoying their warm winter.  It was New Years Eve and everyone was excited about the big party that night.  It was around 5 p.m. and the guest would be arriving soon, Courtney bolted down the stairs.  As usual Jason thought she looked wonderful, she wore black pants with a thin pink pinstripe with a pink sweater.  Her hair was lightly crimped and pulled half back.  She walked behind Jason quietly and just as she was about to put her hands in front of his eyes he grabbed her wrist.

"AHH!!" she yelped not expecting his to notice her.

"You know darling, you shouldn't try to do that to me when I am sitting in front of the T.V. and I can see the reflection."

"Ohh, smelly…" she walked around and fell into couch next to Jason.  He took her hand and stared at it, soon…, "so what do you think?" she stood up, "is it to dressy, not dressy enough?"

"Perfect, you look amazing, as usual." He smiled when she blushed.  She came back down to the couch when Sonny and Carly came downstairs.  Sonny, like Jason had decided on a dress shirt and nice pants.  Carly wore her hair down, curly with black pants and red halter with black blazer.  The door bell rang and before any one could react Courtney was off the couch and at the door.

"Aunt Marie!!!" she hugged her aunt, it had been a very long time since she had seen any of her family and to finally see them again was amazing.  By this time Jason, Sonny and Carly had reached the door.

"Ohh, Courtney it has been to long, much too long." With that she stepped into the house.

"Yes, it has.  Let me introduce my friends here.  This is Jason, my boyfriend and love of my life; this is Carly and her fiancé Sonny, who are both my best friends.  Everyone this is my aunt Marie." Everyone said hello and went to the kitchen.  The night progressed with more family and friends.  At around 11:30 Jason was finishing his punch.

"Courtney I am going to go to the bathroom I will be back in just a few minutes."

"Ok" she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, and then he left, when he was out of her sight he turned outside and walked to the back of the house. 

"Perfect timing!"  Jason greeted Katherine

"Anything for Courtney." And they began to set up, flowers, and candles, everything to make and gazebo perfect.  After about ten minutes Jason came back inside.

'Sorry it took so long, there was a line."

"It’s fine, so are you ready for the big count down, only 20 minutes!" she jumped up slightly excited for the New Year.

19 minutes and thirty seconds later…

Everyone left for the front of the house but Jason took Courtney's hand and ran to the back of the house with her.

"Jason what are u doi-, Jason what is all of this"

"Hurry it has to be perfect!" they ran to the gazebo just as the crowd in the front started to yell.

"TEN, NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN, SIX-"

"Courtney I love you more than anything." He tried to scream over the noise that was building up in the background.

"FIVE, FOUR-"

"And I want to be with you forever." He took her hand in his and knelt down.

"THREE, TWO, -"

"Will you marry me?"

"ONE!!" the noise exploded behind them but Jason and Courtney heard nothing.  Jason reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring.  Courtney stood in shock, yes, you idiot, say yes y-e-s, come on get the words out.

"Yes, Jason, yes I will marry you." She started to cry and laugh and smile all at the same time as Jason slipped the ring on her finger and stood up.  They hugged and Jason leaned down, his face only millimeters from hers and then they kissed.  After a few minutes Courtney pulled away and they walked into the house.  Courtney said nothing when they approached Carly and Sonny.  It wasn't until Carly looked down and saw the blue sapphire on Courtney finger that she screamed.

"OHH MY GOD, are you two engaged???"