Part 1

The heavenly ghosts soared through the frigid night air as crystals of ice glimmered and shone with the multicolored reflection of the Christmas lights that were still decorating most of the area. Both ghosts surged with happiness as they reflected on the prospect of watching another year ushering in. The older heavenly spirit thought back over the many years that she had held guardian watch over the numerous humanly beings charged into her care. She recognized that none had inched their way into her pure heart the way that Teddi Lachlan and Kristen Graham had done. Even her partner was fascinated working with both Teddi and Kristen.

Thinking about her partner, she glanced to her side as they glided along above the city street. She watched as her mate opened her mouth to allow the cool breeze to pass through her body, making her robes billow out like a puffy white cloud. In fact, if any one were to look up into the sky, they would notice this particular cloud moving along differently than the rest of them. She loved being partners with her current mate. She couldn't think of a time that they had not been together, teasing one another while at the same time, loving one another for all eternity and beyond.

As she stared at her companion, the younger spirit sensed that she was being watched. She turned, smiled an angelic smile at the older ghost, and dipped toward her, cruising quickly closer to float along beside her. The older ghost reached out, pulling them closer together, as they rode along on the cool night air stream.

The younger ghost finally said, "You know, it's been amazing watching Teddi and Kristen falling in love. I would never have believed that any one would really fall in love without our help. What do you think, my dear?"

"Hummm….well. I need to tell you something, darling, that has been weighing heavily on my mind," the older spirit said in a reluctant tone.

"Yes, and what would that be… that you love me?" teased her companion.

"You know that, babe, without me having to tell you all the time," the first spirit answered as she pulled her mate to a stop over the streetlight on the corner.

"No….I've been naughty and it's time to confess before the New Year begins tomorrow," the older shadow began. "I did some things that I need to make you aware of before we look in on Teddi and Kristen."

"Go on," said her companion with some concern in her voice.

"Do you remember Christmas Eve ….the bet we had for you not to 'nudge' Teddi and Kristen's relationship? Well…I, in my zeal to stop you from interfering…cheated. I'm guilty of nudging the relationship this time," she finally managed to get out between pauses.

"What do you MEAN you nudged the relationship? HOW!!!" asked the second ghost in a clipped tone.

"Well, heavier snow…me. Ice on step…me. Lights out…me. Crash into door frame…me." The first ghost listed off the deeds as she watched her partner.

"Heavenly saints above. You accuse me of meddling, you old hypocrite," the younger ghost fumed with indignation. "How could you do that to me and to them? I thought you swore up and down that true love existed and didn't need out help. My gawd, you have betrayed me. BETRAYED US," the second spirit shouted as she darted away from the first spirit.

"Wait. Come back. Please don't leave in anger," called the first ghost as she continued floating forlornly over the cars passing below.

Her words fell on deaf ears as her partner continued moving off into the distance. The night continued to darken as the New Year was drawing closer and closer. The older ghost shook her head with dismay at the damage she had wreaked and wondered if there would be any way to make up for it. She slowly rose in the air, heading toward the nearest church tower where she knew she would be able to think in peace. Hopefully, her partner would calm down and return soon so that a much needed apology could be given to her.

Part 2

Meanwhile, Teddi was driving toward Kristen's apartment to pick her up for the New Year's party held at Teddi's sorority house. Teddi smiled to herself as she neared the apartment complex. Since Christmas Eve, she and Kristen had continued to see one another. Their budding romance was growing slowly but surely.

Teddi found that she loved spending nearly all of her spare time with Kristen. Kristen was intellectually stimulating, beautiful to look at, had a quirky sense of humor, and was a joy to teach how to make love with another woman. Teddi felt her body flush as she remembered the growing number of kisses they were exchanging. Kristen was beginning to even take control of some of their make-out sessions and Teddi was finding it to be tremendously exciting. She could barely wait till the relationship advanced to the next level and she would truly have sex with Kristen.

So far, their ventures into making out stopped at heavy petting and never went further. Teddi could sense that Kristen was much less nervous but still was not ready to make love with her. Teddi knew in her heart that the relationship she had with Kristen was worth any wait in time. Sex was important, but building the strength of the relationship was more important. Kristen was worth any amount of time it took to take the relationship all the way.

Teddi pulled up in front of the apartment, parked and practically skipped up the stairs to Kristen's apartment. She knocked quickly, hoping she would not be left standing out in the cold for too long. She glanced down at her attire as she waited.

Teddi was dressed in black, form fitting, leather pants with a single button closure. She was wearing a white silk shirt, tucked into the pants. Her black boots complimented her outfit and made her legs look even longer. The shirt was unbuttoned to the top of her cleavage. She had chosen to simply slip on a white camisole beneath the shirt. She topped the entire outfit with a hip length two-button black leather blazer. She was dressed for comfort as well as for style. Her blonde hair shone with vitality and her beautiful brown eyes twinkled with excitement for the evening ahead.

The door opened and Kristen stood before Teddi dressed ready to go to party. She was stunning in Teddi's eyes. For the first time since dating Kristen, Teddi noted that she was wearing a dress that actually fit her body. A rich deep purple satin dress dropped below her knees. A single strap held the dress up over the left shoulder, leaving the right totally bare. The purple color enhanced Kristen's violet eyes and rich chestnut hair making her arresting to anyone who cared to look at her. Her lips were cherry red and moist looking, pouting slightly as if begging for a kiss.

Teddi could not resist. She stepped up to Kristen, reached out with her left hand, and cupped Kristen's cheek in her hand. Using only that touch, Teddi pulled Kristen toward her face as she moistened her lips in preparation for kissing Kristen. Teddi inhaled Kristen's sexy scent of CK as she leaned toward her, pressing her mouth over Kristen's lips. Teddi deepened the kiss, groaning in the back of her throat as Kristen's overall appearance triggered a fast sexual response deep within her. She held the kiss a few seconds as she sucked gently on Kristen's tongue, loving the taste and texture within Kristen's mouth.

Nearly as fast as it began, Teddi drew back saying, "Kristen, you look sensational. God, how beautiful. Are you ready to go, darling?"

Blushing, Kristen nodded in the affirmative as she reached out to the small table standing next to the door and picked up her matching wrap. Teddi reached out, shook out the shoulder wrap, and draped it over Kristen's shoulders, flipping her dark, cascading hair out of the way.

"I'm ready if you are," Kristen murmured in a quiet, soft voice.

"Good, let's go," Teddi said as she slipped a hand against Kristen's back to lead her out of the building.

The younger ghost fumed under her breath as she stormed around the city, rattling trashcans while she soared down the alleys in her anger.

"How could she do that to me? How could she have made a bet and then deliberately broken it herself. More, how could she let me make a fool of myself thinking that love can occur all on its own? Damn, I knew I was right. Someone has to run interference in order for love to exit," the ghost continued to rant as she soared throughout the streets on New Year's Eve.

"What to do. What to do," the younger ghost chanted to herself as she raved over the deception by her companion. "Oh… she makes me soooo mad. I have a good mind to undo the love connection between Teddi and Kristen just to prove to her that love needs our help. Hummm…YES…by gawd that is just what I am going to do. With that last thought, the ghost turned in midair and headed back toward the college to the sorority house where Teddi and Kristen would be partying.

Meanwhile, the older ghost was sitting on top of the bell tower moaning and groaning about what a stupid old fool she was. Having run herself into the ground, she simply sat quietly on the bell as it rocked back and forth slowly in the wind. She missed her companion already and she was only gone for less than one hour. She wondered what her mate might be doing and hoped that nothing disastrous was happening as she had a terrible tendency to collect trouble. She would give her imposed exile exactly one more hour and then she had to be off for the New Year's party to keep an eye on Teddi and Kristen. She glanced up at the clock on the bell tower, taking note of the time as she swung with the bell.

Part 3

As Teddi pulled the car up to the Sorority House, she and Kristen could hear the music blaring. Its beat was hypnotic with the constant thumping of the drums in the background. Teddi parked the car and hopped out, running around to open the door for Kristen. Kristen looked up into Teddi's caramel eyes and smiled a Mona Lisa type smile. Teddi reached in, stretching a hand out to assist Kristen from the car. Side by side, they walked up the sidewalk and into the party.

Teddi was so proud of how beautiful Kristen was that she could feel her own chest swelling with joy because they were together. Heads turned as they walked into the house. More than one guest remarked what a stunning couple they made. As they walked into the foyer of the house, Kristen shivered lightly from a sudden draft blowing from behind her. She hoped that the wrap she wore would be enough to combat any more drafts in the old house.

The younger spirit rushed into the foyer behind Kristen and Teddi. She didn't want to miss one second of the party nor any of the details that were happening between Teddi and Kristen. She buzzed around over the perimeter of the party, looking around to see who had attended. She was checking to see if there was someone who could assist her in stirring up the relationship between Teddi and Kristen.

"There she is, the perfect pawn," thought the young ghost as she rushed over the heads of the guests toward the bar. She paused directly in front of a young woman asking for a Vodka Tonic. As the ghost watched, the young woman began flirting with the female bartender making the drinks. The bartender was extremely attractive. She was tall, blonde, and well built. Her dark chocolate eyes were as dark as a Hershey bar. She had an excellent honed body and it showed in the tight black jeans she was wearing and the black leather vest with nothing else apparent underneath it.

"Hey sugar, how you doing," the young woman said in a low sultry voice. "By the way my name is Grace, Grace Rockefeller." She looked carefully at the bartender wondering if it was someone she knew, as she looked familiar.

The bartender paused long enough to run her eyes over Grace's body. Grace was tall and willowy with a head full of fluffy, long red hair. Her eyes were a brilliant hazel and shone with latent sexual innuendos. Grace was dressed in an attractive, sexy solid black skin-fitting sheath. She had elected to not wear any underclothes in order for the material to curve into her natural body contours. Her pert nipples could be seen just as clear as if she had been naked. The sheath flowed over her abdomen, where the indention of her navel was visible with its small tuck. The dress flowed over her mound and wrapped snuggly against her tight buttocks. Nothing was left to the imagination. This was one sexy looking woman and she knew it. The bartender wished that she could take a break in order to get to know Grace better, instead she looked back into Grace's hazel eyes and replied, "Most people just call me Stud."

The young ghost listened to the conversation. As soon as Grace mentioned her name, bells, sirens, and whistles sounded loudly in the ghost's head. She knew this woman. She had heard her name mentioned several times by Teddi Lachlan over the last few weeks. Grace just happened to be the last person that had chased Teddi and been conquered by Teddi. The ghost knew from the conversations she had heard Teddi having that Grace was not willing to believe the relationship was over and that she still was actively pursuing Teddi in order to rekindle the spark. The young spirit also knew that Teddi had told Grace under no uncertain terms to leave her alone, that she was involved with another person with whom she was beginning to fall in love with. Grace was livid. She swore to Teddi that it was not over, she'd see.

The ghost thought a few minutes over what she knew and then began planning how she could use Grace to tamper with the relationship between Teddi and Kristen. Finally, a plan began to form. As the couple walked into the main room, the spirit slipped behind Grace and leaned against her right shoulder as she made her turn around to inadvertently look onto the room.

When Grace lifted her glass to take a sip of her drink she spotted Teddi walking into the room. Her glaze narrowed in on Teddi as she admired the perfect fit of Teddi's leather outfit. She drooled thinking how 'HOT' Teddi looked and how much she wanted to feel Teddi wrapped around her again. She ignored the woman walking beside Teddi with nothing more than a fast flick of the eyes taking in her presence and dismissing her just as quickly.

Grace felt a slight push from behind as she looked toward Teddi. She glanced over her shoulder but didn't see anyone but the bartender, who was still staring at her. Grace turned back around and started walking toward Teddi. As she walked up, Teddi ignored her, looking down at her date instead. This did not discourage Grace, she simply sidled closer and draped her body firmly against Teddi's right side as she leaned up and kissed Teddi on the cheek.

"Hello, Teddi bear, how you doing darling?" Grace murmured in a sexy voice leaning against Teddi's side.

Teddi turned toward Grace, dropping Kristen's hand as she did so. Reaching up she placed both hands against Grace's waist and moved Grace away from her body. Still holding Grace back, she replied, "Fine, Grace. I would like you to meet my date who is with me tonight."

Teddi dropped her hands from Grace and turned slightly toward Kristen. She reached out and drew Kristen closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling Kristen up against her left side as she looked down into Kristen's face.

"Kristen, this is Grace Rockefeller, an old acquaintance of mine. Grace, this is Kristen Graham." Teddi made the introduction between the two women.

"Nice to meet you," replied Kristen as she looked at the scantly clad woman before her.

Grace was not as gracious as she paused while running her eyes over Kristen. "Well, I see that you have moved on to the innocent look, haven't you?" With that statement, she turned and stalked back over to the bar. Grace was seething with anger over Teddi having a date this evening. The young ghost looked on, smirking over how well this initial encounter had gone.

Teddi had not released Kristen as they watched Grace leave the area. Turning to Kristen, she said, "I'm sorry, baby. I should have known she would be here. I could have warned you ahead of time that she's been trying to get me back ever since I stopped dating her in October."

Kristen reached up and placed her fingertips over Teddi's mouth saying, "Shush. You don't owe an explanation. I don't care what has been in the past. Let's look only at today and wait to see what the future brings."

Teddi squeezed Kristen tightly as she nodded against Kristen's hand. Kristen dropped her hand, allowing Teddi to ask, "Would you like to dance with me?"

A slow bump and grind song was filtering throughout the room. Teddi wanted to feel Kristen in her arms. "No, I need to feel her in my arms," Teddi thought to herself.

Part 4

Stud watched as Grace stormed back to the bar. She poured up another Vodka Tonic and handed it to Grace as she stopped back at the bar. Stud hoped that there would be some way to diffuse the anger she was witnessing building up in Grace.

"God damn, bitch," Grace fumed under her breath. "Who does she think she is, cutting me in this crowd?" She picked up her drink and swallowed nearly half of it before slamming the glass back down on the bar.

"Are you Okay?" Stud asked, worried about the anger she was seeing.

"Oh hell yes, just fucking dandy," replied Grace still fuming.

Meanwhile, the young ghost watched Teddi draw Kristen into her arms as they began to dance. "Humph, well Grace didn't change things, did she?" she mumbled to herself.

Teddi tucked Kristen's head beneath her chin as she began swaying with the music. She loved the way Kristen's body followed the contours of her own body. They lined up perfectly so that not even a thin slip of paper could slide between them. Teddi reached down, placing her hands on Kristen's hips and pulled her tighter into her body. She craved Kristen's heat against her chest and abdomen. She felt Kristen sigh as she snuggled in closer while they moved slowly with the music.

Teddi tilted her head and inhaled the perfume that was lingering on Kristen's body. It was light but sexy as hell, making Teddi want to explore every spot where she must have put a drop. She gently stroked her hands up and down Kristen's back as they danced in the semi-darkened room. Other dancers faded from their vision as their focus was only upon each other.

Teddi leaned down and softly nibbled on Kristen's ear. She ran her tongue along Kristen's ear lobe and felt her moan against her chest. Holding her tighter, Teddi whispered ever so softly directly into Kristen's ear, "Baby, I love you."

Kristen missed a step and stopped moving completely as she realized what Teddi had just said to her. Pulling back slightly, she looked up into Teddi's face and saw the sincerity in Teddi's eyes as she nervously looked back down at Kristen. Kristen slid her arms over Teddi's shoulders, running her hands up along the back of Teddi's head as she drew Teddi's face down to hers.

"Oh…Gawd, I never expected to hear you say that here. Darling, I love you too," Kristen said as she pressed her lips to Teddi's in a passion-filled kiss.

As the kiss ended, the room filled with applause as the other dancers immediately around them burst into spontaneous clapping. Someone called out across the room, "Way to go, Teddi."

Kristen blushed and buried her face against Teddi's shirt as they resumed dancing. The rest of the dancers continued their usual activities, too. Back at the bar, Grace narrowed her eyes into thin slits as she heard the applause and turned to see what caused it. Green shards of jealousy flew through her body as she seethed watching the couple moving around on the dance floor. Stud reached across the bar, saying, "Grace, it's not worth it. Come on, have another drink on me."

The young ghost watching realized that the situation might be getting out of hand, as she watched Grace drinking more and more. She knew how angry and ugly a drunk could be. She wrung her hands and wondered why in heaven's name did she always manage to let her own anger interfere in human's lives. As she lamented her dilemma, her partner slowly entered the room, looking around to see if she could find her young companion.

The clock was nearing midnight and the older ghost did not want to begin the New Year without her eternal mate at her side. If she had to beg forgiveness on her heavenly knees, she would do so, she thought to herself, as she looked at all the people in the room. She spotted Teddi and Kristen dancing together. Even from high above the room, the older ghost could feel their love for one another radiating in a wide arch around them. She saw many couples that she and her partner had assisted over the months and years. She beamed with pride reminiscing over many of the antics she and her partner had pulled to get some of these couples together.

It dawned on the old ghost like a charging locomotive. She and her partner had been nudging romance for years. Maybe romance did not exist without their interference. How could she, who was so much older, have been so wrong? Now, even more so than before she needed to find her partner and beg forgiveness for everything she had been saying the last few months. Her heart lifted as she realized everything was going to be fine once she made her explanation. The ghost soared to the top of the room toward the ceiling one more time. Finally, she spotted the younger ghost floating over the bar on the far side of the room. Zooming up to the younger ghost, the older one stopped, reached out, and pulled her forward into her arms.

"I am so sorry for all the deceit this past month, can you please forgive me?" the older spirit asked, looking into her partner's face. "You have been right all along and it has taken me most of the afternoon to realize it. You are much more intelligent than I am. It does take a nudge or two from us to set love in motion. I have been so mistaken thinking that love alone will make the difference." She pulled her mate tight against her own flowing robes as she tried to convey her heartfelt apology.

The younger ghost reached out and hugged her back saying, "Darling, you have nothing to apologize for. You are forgiven for all past deeds. I will never judge you, just love you for eternity." She looked into her companion's face and smiled her angelic smile signifying once again that all was well between them.

As they floated above the crowds wrapped in each other's arm, a loud commotion was heard coming from the bar area. They drifted closer as Grace began to lean over the bar.

"I don't give a damn if you think I've too much to drink, Stud. Give me another damn drink," demanded Grace in an obnoxiously loud voice. "Stop fucking around and give me a tonic right now."

Stud was pondering how to handle the situation when she noted a bottle of tonic water fall over onto the shelf of the bar. It had been tightly wedge in and she could not figure how that particular bottle would have fallen out at this particular time. The younger ghost smiled as she watched her partner slide behind the bar and tip out the bottle of tonic water. Hopefully, Stud would take the subtle hint and pour only a glass of tonic for Grace.

Stud smiled slyly to herself, thinking this was the perfect solution. She opened the tonic and poured it over the ice in the glass sitting in front of her. Grace, meanwhile, was still shrilling at the top of her voice for another drink.

As Stud lifted up the glass, she said, "Are you sure you want a tonic?"

"Hell, yes. I need something to help me cool down. Give it to me," Grace stated as she reached for the drink.

Then, the unexpected happened. As Stud lifted up the glass to hand it over the bar, her hand flew up in the air, pitching the entire contents of the cold tonic directly into Grace's face. Stud had no idea why her arm jerked upward the way it did. Grace, shocked, could only stand there, with her mouth hanging open as water dripped down off her chin.

The younger ghost swooped down and wrapped her arms around her partner, stating, "Well done, Darling."

"Yes, I thought it went over rather well myself," the older ghost returned as they floated once more to the ceiling.

Stud ran around the end of the bar, grabbing a towel as she did so. When she stopped in front of Grace, she noticed that tears were now intermingled with the water running off Grace's face.

"Shhhhhh….Please don't cry. I'm sorry, Grace. I just don't know what happened," Stud said quietly as she patted Grace's face dry.

Grace was quiet as she watched Stud standing in front of her. Once again, she was overcome with the wonder of whether or not she had met Stud before. As she stood there letting Stud dry her, she heard the beginning of the count down to the New Year.

Ten…..Teddi and Kristen stood together with their arms wrapped tightly around each other as the count down begin.

Nine…Teddi looked down into Kristen's face and smiled a soft, gentle smile as she said for Kristen's ears only, "I love you, Kristen, so very much."

Eight…Smiling, Kristen looked up at Teddi, reached out and ran her fingers over Teddi's lips, saying, "Teddi, I would have never thought this possible for me, I love you, too."

Seven….Stud reached out and pulled Grace into her arms as the tears continued to fall. She was feeling responsible for starting a flow of tears she couldn't seem to stop.

Six…Grace leaned into Stud's chest as she cried. She could feel Stud's warmth against her cheek and smelled the rich, spicy sent of her cologne. Stud leaned down and lightly brushed her lips against Grace's lips.

Five…"Please, don't cry any more," Stud whispered as she gently rocked Grace back and forth within the circle of her arms.

Four…"I'm okay, Stud. Really. Just terribly embarrassed by my behavior," Grace finally said as her tears dissolved and she wrapped her arms around Stud, seeking solace.
"Can I ask you your real name?" Grace said quietly. Stud held her tight and replied, "My name is Samantha Lachlan, Sam Lachlan. I am Teddi Lachlan's older sister."

Three…The older ghost reached out for her partner and signaled that she drift closer to her. She looked into her companion's face as she watched her moving nearer.

Two….The younger ghost could feel the love for her partner expanding within her chest. The air around her glowed with brilliant particles of light as she moved into the circle of her partners arms. It looked like confetti filtering down over the entire room, making the occasion brighter for all within the room.

One…. Three sets of partners turned simultaneously toward one another as the New Year rang in. As their lips met and kisses were exchanged, they could hear the loud shout course throughout the room.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

Kisses sealed new promises of love; kisses sealed eternal commitments of love; and kisses bridged new forged friendships as the New Year opened and the old year faded away.

The party continued as the two ghosts left more quietly than they had entered. As they soared through the brightly moon lit sky, the younger ghost could be heard say, "Does this mean that I get to be Cupid this year and shoot my arrows of love?" Her partner only shook her head in disbelief as with great joy they disappeared into the beginning of a new year.

The End