Chapter Text
Kris stirred awake, opening her eyes to the white ceiling lit up by the natural sunlight filtering into the room from the bedroom window. She had gone to sleep spooning her girlfriend but she had woken up laying on her back, covers only covering her lower half and when she turned to look at Willow’s side of the bed, her girlfriend was still asleep facing her and cuddling the stuffed lizard she had won at Coney Island. Willow looked adorable cuddled up with Boots and it made Kris smile.
She turned her body to face her sleeping girlfriend and moved a loose strand of curly hair away from Willow’s face so that she could caress her. She felt her heart flutter just looking at the woman she loved. Despite spending most of her time with Willow since crash landing on Earth, it felt very rare for Kris to just be able to look at Willow and take all her beauty in, engraving it in her mind forever.
Back home she never even thought of falling in love, much less being attracted to someone, but here she was madly in love with Willow. Kris continued to gently run her fingers down the side of Willow’s face and this would have woken up her girlfriend, but after all those drinks she had, Willow was still knocked out. Kris didn’t want to move, but she felt nature finally calling and she knew she had to get up and go take care of it.
After doing her morning routine and showering, Kris got dressed and went to place a soft kiss on Willow’s forehead. She made sure not to make a whole lot of noise so that her girlfriend could continue sleeping and gently closed the door to head downstairs to see what Willow’s mom had prepared for breakfast. She knew bacon was one of the items because she could smell the familiar scent even before going downstairs.
She barely set a foot in the dining room when suddenly she felt a small frame engulf her midsection fully and hugged her tightly. “Kris!”
Surprised by the sudden hug, Kris looked down to see Skye looking up at her. “Skye?!”
“Good morning to you too.” Julia’s voice made Kris look up at the blonde who waved at her. Skye let go of Kris and Kris moved to give Julia a hug too.
“What are you guys doing here?” Kris asked, looking surprised and a bit confused.
“It’s the 31st! We’re here to celebrate New Year’s.” Skye replied.
“Oh…”
“Did you forget we were meeting you guys up here?” Julia asked.
“I thought it would be at that Times Squares place?” Kris raised an eyebrow.
“It’s too crowded to meet up there. It was best we came here, plus I get to see Willow’s parents.” Skye grinned.
“Oh…”
“They’re here to eat all our food too.” Noel said, walking by with the plate stacked with bacon.
“There is enough for everyone.” Willow’s mom said following with the bowl filled with scrambled eggs.
“Let’s eat girls.” Willow’s dad said walking behind his wife with a bowl filled with homestyle fried potatoes.
“Where is Willow?” Skye asked.
“She got wasted last night.” Noel answered, serving herself some eggs.
“What?!” Skye was surprised, it was unlike Willow to get wasted. Tipsy yes, fully drunk, no.
“Too many Margaritas.” Noel rolled her eyes.
“She’s still sleeping.” Kris mentioned, taking a seat across from Skye. She could see the living room and stairs from where she was sitting.
“I guess there was a party last night?” Julia asked.
“Kris and I fired up the grill yesterday. Just a family cookout.” Willow’s dad replied.
“Who knew Kris was good with a grill? Those kabobs she made for Willow were bussin’.” Noel said before taking a big mouthful of eggs and potatoes.
“Thanks.” Kris blushed.
“We should have come a day earlier.” Julia smiled.
“We should have.” Skye agreed.
The chatter continued on as everyone ate breakfast and Willow’s family caught up with Skye and Julia as they did with the family. Kris was quiet for the most part, eating her food and keeping an eye on the stairs in case Willow finally woke up and made her way downstairs. It wasn’t until Willow’s mom and Noel started gathering everyone’s empty plates that Willow finally started making her way downstairs and the moment Kris saw her, she sped towards her, surprising both Skye and Julia.
“Willow, how are you feeling?” Kris’s voice was full of worry.
Willow smiled at Kris and shook her head. “I have a massive headache.”
The worry also showed on Kris’s face and she literally scooped up Willow bridal style and carried her towards the dining table without any protest from her girlfriend. Kris sat Willow on the chair she was sitting in just moments ago and looked at everyone.
“What can I do to help her?”
“With a hangover she needs lots of fluids, some pain killers, and something to fill up that stomach.” Willow’s dad said and Kris moved to pour a glass of water for Willow.
“Thanks.” Willow said to Kris and grabbed the glass of water to take a sip.
“So we’re just going to gloss over the fact that Kris used SUPER SPEED in front of everyone?!” Skye mentioned making everyone look at her.
“We know she’s an alien.” Noel shrugged.
“When did you guys find out?!” Skye gasped.
“Yesterday.” Noel replied. “Wait, how do you guys know?!”
“Kris told us.” Julia answered.
“Yesterday?!” Skye shouted.
“Can you guys stop shouting? It’s making my headache worse.” Willow finally said and everyone looked at her.
“Here honey, take these and eat this buttered toast.” Her mom said placing the plate of buttered toast and Ibuprofen in front of her.
“Sorry Wills, also hi Wills. Glad to see you awake now.” Skye said.
“Hi Skye, hi Julia. I’m glad you guys made it.” Willow nodded at them.
“We were hoping to surprise you, but I think in your state it’s the last thing you want.” Julia mentioned.
“Yeah, I definitely went overboard with the Margaritas last night.” Willow chuckled and winced, feeling her head pound once again. Kris was rubbing her shoulders and she appreciated it.
“They were good though. I’m surprised I didn’t get as drunk as you did.” Noel mentioned.
“I had a couple, but Willow drank most of them.” Their mom mentioned.
“I drank as many beers as she did margaritas.” Her dad said while grinning.
“Dear, you drink those on the regular.” His wife looked at him knowingly.
“I don’t usually drink that much but I was having a great time last night.” Willow said.
“What about you Kris?” Julia asked her.
“Oh, um, alcohol doesn’t do anything to me here. I also don’t really like it.” She replied.
“You’ve drank the wine I’ve served you.” Willow said, looking up at Kris.
“It’s sweet but I don’t care for it much either. Sorry babe.”
“It’s fine. I appreciate you just enjoying a glass with me.” They gave each other a loving look and it annoyed Noel who started gagging but Skye slapped the back of her head.
“Ow!”
“That’s why you’re single.”
“Excuse me?! I’ve met someone!”
“Where is he then?”
“She.” Willow said and grinned.
“SHE?! SINCE WHEN ARE YOU GAY?!”
“I’M BI!”
“WHAT?!”
“Why do they sound like you and Noel?” Kris asked Willow.
There was a chuckle from the parents and Willow’s mom responded. “Because Skye is our third daughter.”
“TELL ME EVERYTHING.”
“Well, we’re going to be here a while.” Julia mentioned.
“I’ll make more coffee.” Willow’s mom said.
“And I’m going to go watch some TV while you ladies gossip.” Willow’s dad smiled and stood up to go head to the living room.
While Noel started her story, setting up the grand picture and setting, Willow finished her toast and took the meds her mom had given her. She didn’t feel great yet, but finishing her water and letting the medicine take care of the headache would help her feel better eventually.
She quietly excused herself and Kris followed behind her, still worried about her. They reached their bedroom and Willow took a seat on the edge of the bed for a moment.
“Are you feeling better?” Kris asked. She looked adorable with her pout and furrowed brows showing her concern.
“Not yet but I will be, okay? I just need time. I should go shower. Remember dad mentioned we should head to the city early in the day and go see some sights or visit some of the attractions in Central Park before we head to Times Square in the evening.” Willow mentioned.
“Right. I should get ready?”
“You’re already dressed Kris.” Willow smiled but her smile quickly turned into an expression of discomfort. Her headache was still very much present.
“I don’t think I’m dressed enough? This event sounds fancy.” Kris looked down at her baggy shirt and gray joggers.
“It really isn’t, but I guess house clothes aren’t ideal. It’s not fancy though.” Willow stood and walked over to grab her towel so she could head to the bathroom and shower.
“Okay, I’ll change while you shower.” Kris replied and Willow just gave a nod before exiting the room and heading to the bathroom.
Kris turned to look at the closet and headed towards it to see what she could put together from the pile of clean clothes. When packing she just threw clothes in the case, not really thinking of what went together, just what she liked to wear usually. The outfit she wore during the double date was the only one she truly did make sure to put together.
She finally settled on a sleeveless crop top and a pair of black cargo pants before taking a seat in front of the vanity where Willow had all of their makeup. She stared at the products and then looked at herself in the mirror. Kris had no issue back home painting on her face but the way humans did their makeup seemed so much more complicated.
“What are you doing?” Willow asked curiously when she walked into the room and spotted Kris sitting in front of the vanity.
“Figuring out…” Kris turned to face her girlfriend and the fact that Willow was covered in just her towel made the alien forget what she was going to say and just stared at Willow. This was a familiar sight to Kris, but still, every time she stared at Willow when she was only in a towel like it was the first time she had seen her covered like that.
“Hmm?” Willow hummed while reaching for a pair of underwear and a bra. She got no response from Kris and turned around to find her girlfriend just staring.
“Kris…”
“Hmm…”
“You’ve seen me naked.”
“Huh?”
Willow chuckled and shook her head. “Give me a moment to get dressed and I’ll do both of our makeup.”
“Okay.” Kris replied and turned back around. There was a light shade of pink on her cheeks.
From the vanity mirror she could see her girlfriend get dressed, picking an outfit similar to hers, a crop top and jeans. Willow walked over to Kris and gently took the brush Kris was holding in her hand and playfully brushed Kris’s nose with it. It tickled and it made Kris smile which made Willow smile in return.
“You’re cute.” She leaned down and pecked Kris’s nose making the alien grin happily. Willow turned to grab a tissue and wiped Kris’s face down so she could begin prepping her face and Kris sat there unmoving, hands resting on her thighs.
She knew this routine, Willow had done her makeup many times already so she knew not to move. She could tell her girlfriend was going to apply much makeup as she didn’t spend too much time on her eyes so Kris opened to the sight of Willow’s exposed tummy. She looked up, past Willow’s breasts to see her face full of concentration then darted her eyes back to Willow’s exposed tummy.
Something in Kris made her move her hands and she placed them on the sides of Willow’s waist, surprising the black woman who stopped moving the brush in her hands. She heard the light gasp and their eyes met as Willow looked down and Kris up to her face. Kris pulled Willow closer making her buckle against Kris’s own knees and she moved to sit on her girlfriend’s lap.
“Kris…” Willow could only say her name as she felt Kris’s hands move to her lower back and then down to her butt to gently squeeze it.
“What’s gotten into you?” Willow asked her girlfriend looking into her green eyes. There was a curiosity in her question and in her eyes while Kris was giving her this sort of dreamy look.
“I like holding you and having you close.” Kris replied and moved her head closer to Willow, placing a soft kiss on her neck. She pulled back and this time Willow leaned down a bit to kiss the alien who kissed her back.
They kissed for a few moments and Willow finally pulled back. “I need to finish your makeup so I can do my own.”
Kris smiled and nodded her head. “Sorry for distracting you.”
Willow shook her head. “It's okay. It was a nice distraction.” Kris smiled and Willow moved off her lap to finish applying the finishing touches.
“There. Simple, yet beautiful. Gonna do my own now.” She told Kris who just smiled again and nodded her head.
“I’ll go find my boots.” Kris said while standing up from the chair so that Willow could have the vanity all to herself.
It didn’t take Willow long to do her makeup as she kept it simple, similar to Kris’s and once they were both ready they headed back downstairs where Willow’s dad was still watching TV and her sister and mom were still chatting with Skye and Julia.
Noel was the first to notice the couple. “Where are you guys going all dressed up?”
Willow turned to her sister. “I thought dad said we should leave earlier in the day to avoid all the traffic this evening before we head to Times Square.”
“I sure did.” The older man said turning off the TV and standing up from the couch.
“We should get ready.” Willow’s mom said. Noel groaned but stood up from the dining table to go and get ready as well leaving Kris and Willow with Skye and Julia.
“I’ll clean this up.” Willow said as she started gathering the plates and cups from the dining table.
“I’ll help you.” Skye said, grabbing the items near her and heading into the kitchen with Willow, leaving Kris and Julia behind.
“So, how was it coming out to the family?” Julia asked Kris who turned to look at her.
Kris stayed silent for a moment going back to the previous day and how everything had gone down. It had been better than she had expected honestly, but it did take a lot of explaining. Willow’s dad had pointed out that Kris looks human so it was hard not to see her as one even though she wasn’t. “Better than I expected. A lot of explaining.”
“Makes sense. I would have a lot of questions too. I still do.” Julia smirked and Kris chuckled.
“I get it.”
“Get what?” Skye asked, walking back into the dining room with Willow behind her.
“I was just asking Kris about revealing her secret to Willow’s family.” Julia answered, wrapping an arm around Skye who had walked to stand next to her girlfriend.
“That was stressful.” Willow added.
“More so for Wills than me.” Kris smiled.
“Because you just blurt out things and keep talking.” Willow rolled her eyes but smiled lovingly at Kris.
“We’re ready, just waiting on your sister.” Willow’s mom said, making her way into the dining room with her husband behind her. Willow noticed their jackets and she remembered that it was cold outside and neither she or Kris had grabbed a coat before coming downstairs.
“We’re going to need our coats. I’ll be right back.” Willow took off towards the stairs leaving everyone now waiting on her and her sister. Her dad meanwhile made his way outside to get his car started and left the women to figure out who was riding with who.
Willow and Noel made it downstairs at the same time. Willow handed Kris her jacket and all of them made their way outside towards the cars. Willow’s mom was riding with her husband and Kris, Skye, Julia and Noel all got into Willow’s Jeep with Noel sitting in between Skye and Julia in the backseat so she could be that annoying sister in Willow’s rearview mirror.
The plan had been to head out to Central Park, park in a nearby parking garage and see more of the attractions in the park before heading towards Times Square in the evening. It was going to be a busy area today because it was New Year’s Eve so making it there by noon hopefully meant it wasn’t as busy yet.
After making it through all the traffic and finding parking in one of the parking garages in the area, they all made their way towards Central Park. A lot of people were already hanging out in the park and despite it being cold outside, it was actually a little warmer than it had been the past few days. Willow was holding Kris’s hand as they walked along a trail in the park. She did not want to lose her girlfriend again even if Kris did have a phone this time. Kris on the other hand felt like a little kid in the park. Something about the trees, the sound of the birds and people, made her feel at peace.
As they walked along, she noticed some people throwing food at the pigeons and she wondered if there was a place where she could get feed for them too. There was an older woman holding a brown bag and throwing the food at them and Kris pulled Willow towards the woman and made everyone look in their direction to see where they were going.
“Kris?” Willow raised an eyebrow.
“Where can I get food for the birds?” Kris asked the older woman who looked up at her and smiled.
“I got mine at the pet store. Want to feed them?” The old woman smiled at Kris and handed her the small brown paper bag.
“Can I?” Kris raised her eyebrows and smiled. The old lady smiled and nodded her head.
Willow’s parents, Skye, Julia and Noel all stood behind them just watching with amused looks as Kris threw some feed at the pigeons and they suddenly flocked around her. Even Willow stepped back as she was surprised at the pigeons coming so close to her girlfriend. They had not even done that for the old woman.
Willow reached for her phone in her back pocket and started taking a video of Kris as she had now sat on the ground and the pigeons were all walking around her eating the feed. She had some in her hands and a couple of pigeons jumped in her lap and started eating the food in her right hand.
“Wow! Look at them!” Kris smiled happily and the old woman giggled.
“They like you!”
“Kris the bird whisperer.” Noel smirked.
“Yay!” Kris cheered happily and reached for more of the feed to toss it on the ground.
“I’m impressed.” Julia commented and Skye looked at her and smiled.
“You should try.”
“I’d scare them.”
“True.”
“Skye.”
“What? You said it.” They both shared a laugh.
Kris finally stood up and handed the old lady the bag back. “Thank you for letting me feed them.”
“You’re welcome dear. Enjoy your day.” The old woman smiled at Kris and Kris smiled back.
“Willow, did you see that?! The birds like me!” Kris sounded like a little kid telling their mom about something cool they had done and Willow found it endearing. Sometimes she wondered if this childish side from Kris was due to her learning new things on Earth or if the way she was raised or being in the army had been so strict that she never took the time to enjoy the small pleasures of life.
“I got it on video babe.” Willow smiled and Kris leaned into her to see the video her girlfriend had captured.
“Maybe we should go to the zoo?” Willow’s mom suggested and her husband nodded.
“I like that and I think Kris will like it even more.”
“What are we? Children?” Noel frowned.
“With the way you act, yes.” Her mom replied.
“Damn, she cooked you.” Skye smirked.
Noel’s jaw had dropped and she began bickering with Skye as they walked further into the park towards the zoo. Willow could only shake her head but she was glad that Skye was around to deal with Noel’s annoying tendencies. It was amusing seeing them bicker because it was the same as when Willow and Noel did it.
“What’s a zoo?” Kris asked as they walked along holding hands.
Willow was surprised by this question. “It’s a place where they keep wild animals to study them, conserve them and they display them to the public as well.”
“Oh…” Kris paused. “But shouldn’t animals be free?”
“Yes, but sometimes it is safer for them to be in a zoo. It's sad because humans caused a lot of these issues, but some animals are safer in captivity so that their species can survive.” Willow explained.
“Well if they’re safe that’s what matters. Are they happy?” Kris asked. It was such an innocent question and Willow knew she didn’t have a real answer for that.
“I guess they might be? I mean, they’re fed and taken care of. I don’t think any place would ever be as great as their natural habitat but when that doesn’t exist or it’s not safe, where they are is the best place.”
“This sounds similar to my situation.” Kris replied.
Willow stopped walking and Kris felt the tug of her hand when she got a few steps too ahead. Kris turned around and stepped closer to her girlfriend. “I didn’t think of it that way but I see what you mean.”
Kris smiled. “Although I’m free here, I’m also captive in this world.”
Willow nodded. It was similar to an extent. The air seemed solemn now and she couldn’t look at Kris so she stared at their hands still holding each other. “Sorry.”
She finally looked up at Kris and cupped her cheek to caress it. “It’s okay.”
Kris pulled Willow closer and hugged her. “I’m happy here because I’m with you.”
The alien’s words made the black woman smile. She was happy to be here with Kris too. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” They pulled apart and shared a small kiss.
“Let’s keep going before they realize we’re not behind them.”
“I can run both of us to catch up.”
“No Kris.”
“Okay.”
They chuckled and continued walking, a little faster, to catch up to everyone. They weren’t far from the zoo because they could see the entrance from where they were. Kris was excited to see what awaited her to see inside this zoo. Places like this did not exist on Andromeda. Her home planet did have animals just like Earth, but they were never put inside a place like this.
After paying for their admission into the zoo, they all made it past the entrance gates. The first attraction was the sea lions and they had made it into the zoo minutes before the sea lions were fed. They made their way to the sea lion enclosure and everything about this place had Kris in complete awe. She wasn’t the only one as this was the first time Julia and Skye had visited the zoo in Central Park.
It had been years since Willow and her family had come to the zoo. Being here now reminded them of the times when her parents would bring her and Noel to look at the animals. The zoo had been renovated since then, but the memories still remained.
“Wow! Those are sea lions? They’re cute.” Kris said watching as the zookeepers tossed a fish at one of the sea lions. She took out her phone and took a few pictures. She was still getting used to using the camera feature on the phone and this place would be good practice.
After the sea lions were fed, they all made their way out of the area to go look at the rest of the animals in the zoo. There were so many different animals to see from reptiles, to birds, mammals, and all of them had Kris completely enthralled. There was still so much she had not seen from Earth and this was a great learning experience.
The penguins were the last animals they saw at the zoo and after that they all started making their way out of the zoo. It was late in the afternoon now and everyone was feeling hungry. There was a cafe at the zoo but it didn’t really have many options for Willow to eat considering she was a vegetarian so they decided to stop at a restaurant on their way towards Times Square.
Willow was looking up the options to where they could eat that would have options for her as well all while Kris was talking to them non stop about all the animals. “I really liked those reptiles, the birds are all so different and colorful, and I really liked those big cats.”
“The snow leopards? Yeah, those are my faves.” Julia added.
“They’re majestic and also the penguins! How cute are they? It’s sad they can’t fly.” Kris pouted.
“They can swim really well though.” Skye said and Kris looked at her.
“Yeah, it was cute how they jumped in the water and took off.”
“I found a place with good vegetarian options as well as options with meat.” Willow said, interrupting the chat.
“Where is it?” Her dad asked. She walked over to him and showed him the place. It was some blocks to the east of Times Square but close enough that it wouldn’t take them away from their route.
“Let’s go eat there then. Lead the way.” He said and Willow nodded.
On their way to the restaurant, the sun was barely starting to set since it usually went down a lot earlier this time of the year. The streets were already crowded with people as they held all kinds of concerts and events in and around Times Square for this special day.
Willow hoped the restaurant wasn’t booked to capacity as it was seven of them, but luckily when they arrived at the restaurant they had a table where they could be seated. After looking at the menu everyone placed their orders. The restaurant offered free bread rolls and butter which Kris was quick to devour an entire basket on her own. They had not eaten since that morning and her hunger level was at max.
Noel on the other hand had spent the entire time texting Alex who was set to meet them after they left the restaurant and headed to Times Square. Skye was the most eager to meet this girl that Noel was dating because so far Willow and Kris had mentioned that they liked her. This would also be the first time Alex would be meeting Noel’s parents.
When their food finally arrived, everyone focused on their meals, enjoying how delicious everything was. After they finished, they split the bills accordingly and made their way out of the restaurant and towards Times Square finally. The sun had gone down and now the night sky was lit up by the street lights and all the screens on the buildings in Times Square along with the main concert stage.
The crowd was large, it was packed and not easy to move around so everyone stuck close to each other so they wouldn’t lose each other. For Kris, Julia and Skye, this was their first time in Times Square for the New Year’s celebration. Although they both had attended school in the State of New York, they spent their New Year’s back home with their families and had only the celebration in the city of New York via the TV.
For Kris this was completely new. She had no idea how lit up this part of the city would be for this day and what was happening at all. Back home in Andromeda they did celebrate the New Year but never had Kris seen something so grand and lively. There was a celebration in the inner part of the capital city, but being a soldier, her New Year was always spent at the Royal Palace keeping it safe and only getting free time before she had to go to sleep.
“I think we should stay here for now and enjoy the concert? We still have a few hours to go before we even hit midnight.” Willow’s dad said as they all stopped in the area in front of the concert venue. They had a good view from where they were and the screens helped see everything happening on the stage.
“Good idea dad, plus it will be easier for Alex to find us.” Noel said and everyone agreed.
The artist on the stage at the moment was someone that Kris had never heard of but it seemed everyone around her had as they seemed to enjoy the song they were currently singing. The song had a catchy beat and chorus, but Kris was still more distracted by everything around them. People were having fun dancing and singing along and her eyes just moved around looking at the crowd.
This was truly the first time on Earth that she had been surrounded by thousands of humans, people just living their lives, celebrating, having fun, and she was an alien among all of them yet they had no idea. For a moment everything around her went silent as she contemplated her current situation and her surroundings. It was incredibly loud but yet she couldn’t hear anything.
Her mind raced back to Andromeda, to the life she lived, her soldiers, the princess, her sister, her mom, her dad, her life. Kris was surrounded by thousands of people yet at this moment she felt more alone than ever. Her lips quivered without her realizing and finally she heard something. It was faint but slowly it got louder and suddenly Kris was back on Earth, in New York City, on Times Square in the middle of a concert and her loved ones on this planet surrounding her.
“Kris?” Willow’s voice was what brought her back.
“Hmm?” Kris hummed.
“Are you okay? You look a bit sad.” Willow looked worried and Kris smiled slightly.
“I’m okay. I was just reminded of home.” Kris replied.
“I’m guessing you guys celebrate the new year too?” Willow asked and Kris nodded.
“Yes, although it’s not this…um…grand?”
Willow smiled. “Well this is Times Square in New York City. It tends to always be grand, but in other areas it’s a lot quieter. Most people I think tend to celebrate at home with family and friends.”
“Oh…”
“NOEL! I finally found you!” Alex’s voice interrupted their chat and they all turned around to see the tall black woman walking towards them.
“ALEX!” Noel squealed and jumped into Alex’s arms to hug her tightly. They let each other go after a few seconds and Alex greeted everyone. Noel introduced her to Skye and Julia first and then to her parents.
While the four of them got to know Alex, Willow turned back to Kris and wrapped her arms around Kris’s waist to hold her closer. Kris wrapped an arm around Willow’s shoulders and leaned her head on her curly and fluffy hair.
“I know this seems like a lot, but we don’t come out here every year. We usually spend it at home, but I wanted you to experience this at least once.” Willow explained.
“So what exactly happens when the New Year hits?” Kris asked and pulled away from Willow so she could see her face.
“You see that giant ball over there.” Willow pointed at the lit up ball in the middle of Times Square. “Right before midnight hits we start a countdown and the ball begins to drop. When the clock marks 12, fireworks will go off, the ball will finish dropping, we will see the big new year light up on the building and everyone is gonna go crazy cheering. We can even share a kiss if you’d like.”
“Oh…that sounds…cool? And we kiss?” All of the lights reflected off of Kris’s green eyes as she looked up at the giant ball behind the building and Willow smiled at how cute and innocent her girlfriend looked.
“We’re definitely kissing.” She grinned and Kris looked down at her and smiled while nodding her head.
“Mom! Why would you say that! I’m so embarrassed!” Noel’s high pitched whining made both Kris and Willow turn to look at Noel covering her face because she was blushing so red.
“It's cute babe.” Alex chuckled.
“Why do you like that!” Noel screamed.
Willow could only chuckle at her parents embarrassing Noel in front of her not yet girlfriend. Kris was confused as to what was happening and suddenly Skye’s voice caught her attention.
“Kris.”
“Hmm?”
“I have a question.”
“Skye.” Julia’s tone was a warning one.
“Babe, let me ask her.” Skye frowned at Julia and turned back to Kris.
“Fine…” Julia rolled her eyes.
“Kris, so you know the night of Halloween when you touched Julia’s nose?” Skye started and Kris nodded.
“When I booped her.”
“Yes, that.” Skye nodded. “Why did you boop her and not me?”
“Because she seemed mysterious and I didn’t know anything about her.” Kris replied.
“But you hardly knew me!” Skye protested.
“I knew you were Willow’s best friend and she loves you.” Kris answered.
“That’s hardly anything!” Skye pouted and crossed her arms.
“It was enough for Kris it seems.” Willow said and Kris nodded.
“Not fair! I wanna be booped.” Skye pouted even harder.
“And why would you want that?! Kris sees things when she does it.” Willow frowned.
“That’s what I told her because no one and I mean no one knew I listened to Kpop.” Julia replied.
“Is Kpop a bad thing?” Kris asked.
“That’s besides the point babe.” Willow said and Kris frowned.
“I still wanna experience it.” Skye was still pouting.
“I can do it.” Kris said.
“No!” Willow and Julia shouted at the same time.
“Why not?! Kris do it!” Skye stared at Kris who smiled nervously. She didn’t mind but she also didn’t want to get yelled at.
“Um…” Kris was nervous as all three women stared at her. “It’s…quick…”
“Come on Kris, do it.” Skye egged her on and Willow shook her head while Julia seemed to throw her arms up in defeat.
Kris looked around them and noticed that the people around them weren't even paying attention to them. Noel and her parents were busy talking to Alex, so they wouldn’t notice it either. It was always quick anyways. She lifted her right index finger and Skye closed her eyes as she waited for Kris to do it. Kris brought her finger up to Skye’s nose and gently taped it for a second.
The touch was enough to give her what she usually needed to learn from a person and Skye opened her eyes and looked at Julia and Willow who were staring back at her. She thought she would have felt different but all she had felt was the touch from Kris on her nose. Skye turned to Kris who looked a bit confused. Willow and Julia looked at Kris and noticed she seemed confused.
“Kris?” Willow frowned.
“What did you see?’ Julia asked and suddenly Skye was blushing because Kris didn’t say anything and she was quick to list out facts about Julia when she booped her.
“Skye…” Kris looked at the shorter woman. “Why do you want to know how –”
“OH MY GOD DON’T SAY IT!” Skye’s face got even more red and she covered it with her hands. “WHY DID YOU SEE THAT?!”
“It was one of the first things on your mind.” Kris replied.
“What does she want to know?” Willow crossed her arms and looked at her best friend.
“Spill.” Julia looked angry and Kris didn't know if it was aimed at her or Skye.
“Kris don’t.” Skye begged.
“You literally wanted this?” Willow countered.
“She wants to know how big my cock is? What’s a cock?” Kris asked Willow and Julia and that explained her confusion.
“OH MY GOD.” Willow’s jaw dropped.
“SKYE WHAT THE FUCK?!” Kris could see the steam coming off Julia now.
“She said she had one! You can’t blame me for being curious!” Skye defended.
“You’ve been thinking about this since she said it?! Have you thought about other things especially when you and I –” Julia was livid and Willow interrupted her because she wanted to choke her best friend if Julia didn’t do it first.
“YOU BETTER HAVE NOT SKYE! WHAT THE HELL?!” Willow yelled at her and now everyone around them was starting to look at them.
“What’s going on?” Alex finally said, interrupting everything.
“Skye is just being obnoxious like always!” Willow moved to put Skye in a chokehold and Julia just crossed her arms as she stared angrily at her girlfriend. Kris looked like a deer caught in headlights.
“Will–ow!” Skye squirmed and Noel rolled her eyes.
“It’s normal banter between them.”
Alex raised an eyebrow and Noel linked her arm with Alex and turned back to her mom and dad. “I’m still highly embarrassed because of you two!”
Willow was glad that Noel was annoyed by the two of them and took Alex and her parents back to whatever they were talking about and she let go of Skye. “What the hell is wrong with you Skye?!”
“Just making sure my best friend is satisfied since you can’t pick it out like I can!” Skye replied and Willow’s face got just as red as Skye’s had moments ago.
“Pick it out?! You’re insane.” Willow was flabbergasted.
“Pick what out?” Kris asked. “And what’s a c–”
Kris wasn’t even able to ask as both Willow and Skye moved at the same time to cover her mouth. They stared at each other and then removed their hands at the same time leaving Kris very confused and forming a pout.
“Skye, we need to talk.” Julia said in a stern voice.
“Babe, I love you and you and only your—” Skye started but Julia narrowed her eyes and pulled her away from Kris and Willow.
“I told you not to boop her.” Willow scolded Kris who formed an even bigger pout.
“I’m sorry.” Kris looked down at her boots and the concrete she was standing on. Willow sighed and moved to wrap her arms around Kris to hold her close.
“It’s okay. I don’t think any of us expected THAT.” Willow sighed and she felt herself relax when Kris wrapped her arms around her. They remained huddled together for a few minutes and despite Kris still being curious, she let it go for now and just enjoyed the warmth from Willow hugging her.
“Willow, Kris, I’m sorry. I didn’t think Kris would see that when she booped me. I’m just curious because Kris is different even if she doesn’t look it.” Skye's voice and apology made the couple separate and look at her and Julia.
Julia was next to Skye and she still seemed a bit upset but whatever they talked about still had them in good terms because Julia would have probably left if she was still angry at her girlfriend. Skye looked at both Kris and Willow with big eyes and pouty lips and Willow knew her friend was being honest. She knew the shorter woman too well.
“Apology accepted because I love you.” Willow let go of Kris to move and hug Skye who hugged her back happily. Their small moment was interrupted by the host of the concert announcing the co-headliner and the crowd went nuts as it was a well known artist with hit songs.
“What?! Sabrina Carpenter is performing?!” Skye’s jaw dropped and she turned to look at Julia who was smiling from ear to ear.
“I had no idea.” Willow mentioned. Kris turned to look at the artist on the stage and she was a short blonde girl. She looked cute and really young.
“Is she a child?” Kris asked and all three women turned to her.
“No!”
“Oh…”
“She’s so hot.” Julia said and Skye rolled her eyes.
“She’s Julia’s pass.”
“I can tell. I’ve never seen her eyes light up like that unless she’s looking at you.” Willow smiled looking at Julia and then at Skye.
“Oh she’s starting with Espresso. Let me go dance seductively with Julia.” Skye moved towards Julia and wrapped her arms around her neck to start dancing for her and Willow could only shake her head.
She turned to look at the performance and noticed Kris bobbing her head to the song. Willow had been listening to the song whenever she was working but she always wore her airpods so it didn’t surprise her that Kris didn’t know who Sabrina was or had ever heard this song. Kris tended to listen to music in the car and not around the house.
Sabrina went through her set and the crowd had been singing and dancing along – even Kris had been swaying to the music with Willow. After her set ended the crowd burst into cheers and claps for the young artist and the music that played between sets started playing as they set up for the next co-headlining act.
“Who is the other co-headliner?” Julia asked.
“It’s Meg!” Noel shouted happily.
“I love Megan!” Alex mentioned.
“This last part of the show is going to be lit then.” Skye smiled.
“They really catered this last bit for all the young people.” Willow’s mom mentioned.
“Mom, now you know you will be twerking to her songs.” Noel chuckled and her mom giggled.
“Your father will like that for sure.” She winked at Noel who did a gagging motion.
“Who’s Megan?” Kris asked and Alex looked at her surprised.
“Megan Thee Stallion? Hottest woman ever aside from Noel of course.” Alex looked smug as she knew Noel was blushing at that comment.
“Megan Thee Stallion? What’s a Stallion?” Kris was so confused.
“It’s a horse.” Julia answered.
“Why is she a horse?” Kris asked.
“Bro?” Alex questioned.
“NEW YORK HOW WE FEELIN’ TONIGHT!!!!” Megan’s voice came through the speakers and suddenly the crowd burst into cheers. The beat of Mamushi started playing and the crowd went wild.
Megan made her way closer to the part of the stage that was nearest to the group and Kris finally managed to get a good look at this Megan Thee Stallion person and she gasped lightly. Megan’s outfit hugged her body like a glove. Kris noticed her curves, her big breasts and big booty, and the way the lights reflected off her beautiful dark skin. She had a very beautiful face and while Kris didn’t understand what this feeling was when she first saw Willow she understood it now seeing Megan on that stage performing.
There was a light blush on her cheeks and she smiled looking at this woman perform her song flawlessly. It was like love at first sight for Kris all over again but yet it was different from what she felt for Willow the first time she saw her. Megan was dancing on the stage and the moment she started twerking, Kris gasped. Her eyes were glued to the way she was moving.
Willow turned to look at her girlfriend and noticed the blush on cheeks and how she was just staring at Megan. Willow felt a little tinge of jealousy but she also understood why Kris would find her attractive because Willow found Megan attractive too.
“Kris?” Willow said her name and Kris didn’t react. “Kris!”
“Huh?” Kris snapped out of her trance when she felt Willow pull her sleeve and yell her name.
“Keep looking at Megan like that and I’ll think you like her more than me.” Willow pouted and Kris’s eyes widened and she gasped loudly.
“No! I love you.” Kris pouted as well.
“Hmph, then why are you looking at her like that?” Willow was teasing her now but Kris wasn’t catching on.
“She’s very beautiful!” Kris defended and suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“I get it bro. Megan is fine as hell. We’re both in the dog house today but Megs is twerking and my god…” Alex looked almost like she was going to drool while looking up at Megan twerking on stage again and Kris looked up only to be hooked into the way her bottom moved and jiggled.
“I love Meg but she’s stealing our girlfriends and they don’t even have a chance with her.” Noel shook her head and Willow tried to hold back her laughter.
“We lost didn’t we?”
“I fear we did.” Noel hung her head and then both sisters burst into laughter.
“What if I said I’m in the dog house too?” Their dad mentioned and his daughters turned to look at him.
“I’d say you need to go over and join the other two dogs.” His wife said and chuckled.
“Damn.” Her husband smiled and moved to wrap his arms around Kris and Alex.
“We’re the dog house guys. Our women have kicked us out.” He smiled at them and while Alex laughed Kris looked worried.
“Is Willow going to break up with me?”
“Over us staring at that fine woman on stage? Doubt it.” Willow’s dad assured her and Kris looked at Willow who shook her head.
She walked over to Kris and reached to hold one of her hands. “I’m only teasing you. I’m not breaking up with you.”
“Oh thank the stars.” Kris let out the breath she was holding and it made Willow giggle.
“You’re so cute Kris.” Kris smiled and Willow pulled her towards her to hug her.
Willow kept her arm around Kris’s waist holding her close and Kris wrapped an arm around Willow’s shoulder. They enjoyed the rest of Megan’s performances and when she finally finished her set, they had only thirty minutes left before midnight finally struck.
The music from the stage also stopped and the only sounds left were those of the crowd of people talking amongst themselves as they waited for the new year to hit. The family chatted amongst each other and finally when there was a minute left the crowd got louder and everyone turned their sights to the giant clock. The countdown had begun and the ball slowly started to drop.
“Ten…nine…eight…seven…six…five…four…three…two…one…HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!” The crowd counted down together and shouted out the new year. Kris had counted down with everyone and the feeling of bringing in the new year with everyone, from her Earth family to the strangers around her, was incredible. She had never experienced anything like this before even back home on Andromeda.
The first works had gone off and it was a truly festive moment. Julia and Skye kissed, followed by Willow's parents, Alex and Noel and finally Willow pulled Kris down to kiss her. Their lips locked in that familiar dance for a couple of seconds before pulling away from each other.
“Happy New Year baby!” Willow told her and gently rubbed their noses together.
It tickled and it made Kris giggle. “Happy New Year my love!”
They were soon interrupted by Willow’s parents wishing them a happy new year and they all proceeded to wish each other as such. The crowd around them were still going crazy celebrating and with the amount of people in the area, getting back to their cars and making it home was going to take a while so they decided it was best to get out of the area now and make their way to the parking garage.
It took them a bit to finally make it through the crowds and get to the parking lot where they had left the vehicles, but when they got there, they were glad to have made it out of that huge crowd. Noel and Alex ended up with her parents as they were going to give Alex a ride home and Willow would take herself, Kris, Skye and Julia back to the house.
Both cars ended up getting stuck in traffic as they headed to their destinations but eventually Willow found herself driving into Long Island and heading home. All four let out a sigh of relief once they made it inside the house because they were tired and ready to get some rest. While Willow went upstairs to get blankets and pillows for Julia and Skye, Julia and Kris pulled out the bed from the couch where they would sleep for the night.
After Julia and Skye settled in on the couch bed, Willow and Kris made their way upstairs to change into their pajamas and do their nightly routine of brushing their teeth and removing their makeup before heading to bed. Their bed felt so soft and comfortable and they could both feel how tired they were from the long day. Kris moved to spoon Willow and Willow smiled happily feeling Kris’s warmth engulf her.
They fell asleep quickly and didn’t even hear or know when Willow’s parents and Noel made it back home.