"Yes, I was calling to cancel my reservation…thank you." Jax stood by his desk as he was being put on hold. Just then, he heard a knock on the door. He reached over to open it and motioned for Chloe to come in. "Yes, this is Jasper Jacks…yes, that's right. I wanted to cancel my reservation….yes, I know it's last minute...yes, I know that there is no refund on the deposit…thank you."

Chloe looked at him quizzically. "You canceling a trip or something?"

"Yeah, I just did."

Chloe walked over to the couch and tossed her purse in her usual place, the table. She sat down on the couch and Jax joined her.

"I had planned that trip a couple of months ago. I actually had forgotten all about it until this morning."

"A trip to where?"

"Well, for New Year's Eve, I was going to take Brenda around the world, you know, to celebrate the millennium. We were going to ring in the New Year in four different time zones. Australia, India, Amsterdam, and then the best for last, Times Square."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Jax."

"No, no, it's okay. Now that I think about it, it was kind of silly. I mean, when would we sleep?" Jax laughed. "I think I would rather spend the New Year at home with family and friends anyway." He smiled and put his hands over hers.

"Well, that works out perfect then."

"Oh yeah?"

"You can spend the New Year with me and the Quartermaines at the PC Grille."

"The Quartermaines? With Edward? Gee, I don't know."

"Oh come on, Jax! It'll be fun! And plus, I don't have a date, and I need someone to kiss at midnight or else I'll be destined to have bad luck for the rest of the millennium! So what do you say? Please!"

"Well, I can't let you have bad luck for the rest of the millennium."

"So then you'll go?" Chloe's eyes lit up.

Jax smiled. "I'd love to ring in the New Year with you."

"Woohoo!" Chloe cheered. "This is going to be fun!"

Jax grinned as he got up from the couch and went to his desk to organize some things.

"So guess what," Chloe said. "I just got back from my mom's house, and guess who was there."

"Who?"

"Joshua!" Chloe sang.

"You mean that guy your mom went out on a date with?"

"Uh huh, and you mean dates as in plural. Apparently, they have been dating for some time now."

"Wow. So what do you think of him?"

"He's really nice. Not bad looking. I think he and my mom have really hit it off. Who knows, I might just be getting a step-dad some day soon, Jax!" Chloe laughed.

"You mean they're that serious?"

"Well, maybe not now, but it appears to be headed in that direction. They're going to go out to a party together on New Years. And you know, my mom doesn't really get all excited about parties, but she is thrilled with this one."

Jax laughed. "I have to meet this guy."

"I also stopped by the hospital this morning."

"How's Cassie?"

"She's great, better than ever! The doctors predict a full recovery for her-cancer free!"

"Chloe, that's great!"

"I know! Oh, you should have seen her, Jax! You wouldn't have even known that she was in critical condition the other day."

"Did she like the Christmas present you gave her?"

"Jax, all little girls love teddy bears."

Jax laughed. "I think all big girls love teddy bears too."

Chloe smiled. "You know me so well. Barney is on my bed right now, along with that bear you got me at the fair. Jax, that was really a sweet present."

"I'm glad you loved it. Hey, are you hungry?"

"Starved."

"Then let's go eat somewhere," Jax said.

Chloe got up from the couch. "Sounds great to me. Lead the way."

When Chloe opened the door, Jax saw her dressed in a dazzling black dress that accentuated every single curve on her body. "Wow, you look sexy!" he flirted.

"You're the one who is sexy! Dressed in that absolutely stunning tux!"

Jax and Chloe laughed. Flirting with each other was just something they always did. It was really like second nature to them. Chloe found herself enjoying flirting with Jax even more now.

"You ready to go?" Jax asked.

"Yeah." Chloe was about to close the door and then she stopped herself. "Oh! I forgot my purse!" She dashed back into her suite and came back with her tiny black purse.

"Got it?" Jax asked.

"Yeah." Just as Chloe was about to close the door for the second time, she remembered something else. "My cell phone." She went back inside to fetch it.

Jax just laughed at her. "Are you ready now?"

Chloe laughed. "Ha ha. Yes, I'm ready now."

The two stepped into the elevator and went downstairs for the party.

At the Grille, the Quartermaines had already arrived.

"Hi, everyone," Chloe said.

"Chloe dear. Jax. It's so lovely that you could come! How are you?" Lila said.

"We're great, Lila." Chloe leaned over and gave her cousin a kiss on the cheek. After Jax and Chloe had greeted Lila, Edward, Alan, Monica, Emily, and Reginald, they sat down.

Edward, as usual, started trying to impress Jax about how much more powerful ELQ was. But Jax was always a step ahead of the old man. Even though Edward knew Jax since he was a boy, he had learned that Jax had become a very astute business adversary, and Edward loved nothing more than a business challenge.

"Happy New Year!" Ned cheered as he and Alexis joined the group.

"Happy New Year!" Everyone cheered back.

Ned of course, joined in quickly on Jax and Edward's discussion of business.

Chloe and Alexis did what they did best: girl talk.

Chloe looked across the room at a small table in the corner. Emily was sitting at it alone with her face in her hand. She looked sad. No one had even noticed her leaving the table. Chloe excused herself and went over to her.

"Hey, what's with the long face, little sister?"

Emily looked up and smiled half-heartedly. "I wanted to spend New Years with Juan and Lucky and Elizabeth, but mom and dad won't let me. They said that spending the evening with family was more important. And I even offered to compromise to spend part of the evening here and then the rest with my friends, but they still wouldn't let me. They would say yes if they knew Juan wasn't going to be there. I just know it."

"Aw, Emily, you shouldn't have to be unhappy on New Years. You should be able to spend it with your friends. You know, I have an idea."

"You do?"

"Yes. Why don't I just tell Monica you weren't feeling too well, and you can invite your friends over to the house while everyone is gone? That way, you can have some fun and when your parents get back and go to your room to check on you, you'll already be at the house. They won't even know you rang in the New Year with your friends."

"Yeah, but then mom will insist that she go home to stay with me. It won't work, Chloe."

"Yes it will. Just watch me work."

Chloe got up and went over to Monica, who was at the bar getting a drink. "Monica?"

Monica turned around. "Yes, Chloe?"

"Emily's not feeling too well…"

"Emily's not feeling well?"

"Yes, and she…"

"What's wrong with her?"

"She just feels a little headachy…"

"Oh no. Well, if she doesn't feel well, then I can take her home. You know, maybe a New Year's without Edward's bellowing will be good for a change!"

"Oh no, no, Monica, you don't need to bother. You stay here and have fun. I can take her home. I'll even stay with her for a little while if you want."

Monica smiled. "Are you sure?"

"Sure. And it isn't that serious. Just a little headache, nothing to worry over or anything."

"Alright. Thank you, Chloe."

"No problem," Chloe said with a smile. She walked back over to Emily. "Come on, let's go."

"What? She's letting me go?"

"Well of course, if you don't feel good, there is no reason for you to stay here then, huh?"

Emily grinned widely. "Thanks, Chloe."

"Anytime. You'll just have to make sure your friends are gone before they come home."

"I will."

"Good. Come on."

Emily followed Chloe. She was suddenly much more happier now.

"Hey, Jax," Chloe whispered.

"Yeah?"

"I'll be back in ten minutes. You play nice with Ned and Edward."

Jax laughed. "Okay."

"There's my niece!" Herbert said, walking over to Jax and Chloe.

"Hi, Uncle Herbert," Chloe beamed.

"Hello, sunshine." Herbert reached over and kissed Chloe on the cheek. "Jax, how are you?"

"I'm just fine, Herbert."

"Wonderful!"

A woman standing beside him cleared her throat.

"Oh, forgive me, this lovely lady is Courtney, my date. Courtney, this is, of course, my lovely fashion designing niece, and this is her friend Jax."

"It's nice to meet you both," Courtney said.

"Likewise," Jax and Chloe said.

"I must say, I love your designs."

"Thank you," Chloe blushed.

"Well, we're going to go mingle. Catch you kids later, and Happy New Year!" Uncle Herbert said as he and his date walked away.

"Happy New Year!" Jax and Chloe said.

"Would you like to go mingle as well?" Jax asked.

"Sure, why not?" Chloe smiled as Jax took her arm and they walked around to greet friends.

As midnight was approaching, Jax and Chloe strolled outside to the terrace.

"Oh, I'm so stupid! I forgot my coat!" Chloe said.

Jax laughed at her. "Here, take mine." Jax took his coat off and placed it around her shoulders.

"Thanks," Chloe said with a shiver.

"We don't have to be outside. We could go back in."

"Oh no, it's beautiful out here. The air smells of snow and winter. I love that smell. And it's such a beautiful night. Just think, in a matter of minutes, it will be a brand new year and a brand new century."

"Remember all of the fun New Year's we had when we were kids?"

"Yeah. Those were fun. And your dad would set off fireworks in the backyard."

"And Jerry would always try to swipe a bottle of dad's wine."

"Ahh, that sneaky Jerry. Well, some things never change," Chloe said.

Jax and Chloe laughed.

"Oh, just look at those stars, that sky. Such a beautiful night."

"Yes it is," Jax said, although he kept his eyes on Chloe.

"20…19…"

"Are they counting down already?" Chloe said.

"Yeah, it's about that time."

"Whoa! Time flew!"

"Yes, it did!" Jax laughed. He loved how Chloe looked when she was surprised.

"13…12…11…"

"Ten more seconds, Jax, and it will be a brand new millennium!"

Jax moved closer to Chloe and he wrapped his arms around her. She wasn't shivering as much anymore.

Chloe forgot all about being cold. Jax's touch was like fire. She had been so excited about it being the New Year that she had almost forgotten the best part: the midnight kiss!

"6…5…"

"Almost midnight," Jax said.

"3…2…1…HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Jax and Chloe leaned forward and kissed very softly. Chloe felt a shiver run down her body, but it wasn't from the cold. Even though it was just a tradition to kiss at midnight, Chloe swore she felt fireworks setting off in her body from that kiss.

As Chloe thought about the fireworks in her body, the fireworks in the sky started. Jax and Chloe slowly pulled apart. Jax wrapped his arm around her to keep her warm and Chloe rested her head on his shoulder. They watched the fireworks light the sky as they could here "Auld Lang Syne" playing in the distance.

Chloe lifted her head up and looked at Jax. "Happy millennium, Jax."

Jax smiled. "Happy us."

Chloe smiled as she put her head back on his shoulder and went back to the fireworks. Yes, she was happier than she had ever been in her whole life.

To be continued…