Cheers to a New Year and Another Chance For Us to Get it Right

Click for the full-resolution version.

Happy New Year

Real life work is calling—loudly and insistently—so I’ll keep this brief, but heartfelt. Wishing you all a very happy, healthy, and productive year in 2026, filled with small joys, big wins, and plenty of moments worth celebrating. 🥂

Complete credits are below the story. Store and event SLurls are available on the Store & Event Links page.

The Story

Confetti drifted like golden snow, catching in hair and on shoulders, clinging to champagne flutes and the hems of gowns. The terrace lights glowed warm against the cold night, and somewhere behind the laughter and music, the city was counting down the last minutes of the year it was ready to shed.

Serena stood at the center of it all, her fingers laced with Gavin’s, the new engagement ring on her hand flashing every time she lifted her glass. She kept glancing at it as if it might vanish if she didn’t, then smiling again, brighter than the fireworks already beginning to test the sky. Gavin leaned in close, murmuring something that made her laugh softly, their heads touching in a way that felt private despite the crowd.

“Still doesn’t feel real,” she said, for the fifth time that night.

Gavin grinned. “Good. I like that look on you… like you’re slightly afraid it’s a dream.”

Nearby, Ella Rose tucked herself comfortably against Erik’s side. This was only their second date, but there was an easy confidence between them, the kind that suggested curiosity instead of nerves. Erik adjusted his cuff, then offered his arm more formally, making Ella Rose roll her eyes before looping her hand through his anyway.

“You’re doing great,” she teased. “Relax.”

“I am relaxed,” he said, immediately taking a deep breath to prove it.

Across the terrace, laughter rose and fell, punctuated by the pop of a cork. The countdown clock ticked closer to midnight, but one person was noticeably absent.

Ella Rose scanned the crowd again. “She’s really not here yet?”

“She texted,” Serena said. “Bakery emergency. Or coffee emergency. Or both.”

As if summoned by the mention of caffeine and sugar, the elevator doors slid open behind them. Luna stepped out, cheeks flushed from the cold, her dark coat still dusted with snow. Her hair was pulled up hastily, wisps escaping, and she carried herself with the slightly off-kilter energy of someone who had run on adrenaline and espresso all evening.

“There she is,” Serena said, relief blooming into a grin.

Luna spotted them and smiled back, a tired but genuine curve of her lips. She accepted a glass of champagne from a passing server and exhaled deeply before joining the group.

“Happy almost New Year,” she said. “Sorry I’m late.”

“You made it,” Serena said, pulling Luna into a careful hug that avoided spilling champagne. “That’s what counts.”

Luna laughed. “I swear, everyone decided they needed one last pastry before midnight. I couldn’t turn them away.”

“Of course you couldn’t,” Ella Rose said fondly. “You’re incapable of disappointing people.”

Luna lifted a shoulder and grinned. “It’s a flaw.”

They shifted into a loose semicircle, the music swelling behind them. Fireworks began in earnest now, scattering color across the sky. Serena noticed Luna’s gaze linger there for a moment, thoughtful, before she turned back.

“So,” Serena said, lowering her voice just enough to be conspiratorial, “did you want to bring someone tonight?”

Luna raised her glass to her lips, buying herself a second. “Did I?”

Serena arched an eyebrow. “That wasn’t an answer.”

Luna smiled into her champagne. “I didn’t want to disappoint anyone. Including… potentially… someone.”

Ella Rose perked up immediately. “Oh?”

Luna’s smile softened, less playful now. “I might’ve met someone. Very recently.”

Gavin pretended to cough to cover his interest. “Might have?”

“It’s early,” Luna said quickly. “And unexpected. And complicated by the fact that I smell like coffee grounds and cinnamon half the time.”

Serena’s grin widened. “That’s not a deterrent. That’s a selling point.”

Luna glanced down, then back up, eyes bright with something between excitement and caution. “He comes to the bakery a lot. Stays late. Helped me close one night when the lock jammed. We talked. For hours.”

Ella Rose clapped a hand over her mouth. “That’s adorable.”

Luna laughed softly. “Don’t make it a thing. Not yet.”

“I’m absolutely making it a thing,” Serena said. “Just a small thing. For now.”

The countdown clock began its final minute, the crowd around them turning toward the skyline. Glasses were raised. Arms slipped around waists and shoulders. Gavin drew Serena closer, and Erik leaned in to murmur something that made Ella Rose smile.

Luna stood beside Serena, shoulder to shoulder, watching the numbers drop.

“Ten,” the crowd shouted.

Serena squeezed her hand. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Nine.”

Luna nodded. “Me too.”

“Eight.”

Fireworks bloomed gold and white.

“Seven.”

Somewhere behind them, someone laughed too loudly.

“Six.”

Ella Rose and Erik exchanged a glance, warm and hopeful.

“Five.”

Gavin kissed Serena’s temple.

“Four.”

Luna breathed out slowly.

“Three.”

Serena turned, impulsive joy shining in her eyes.

“Two.”

The world seemed to hold its breath.

“One!”

Cheers erupted, voices colliding with light and sound. Serena laughed as Gavin kissed her fully, the future suddenly loud and undeniable. Ella Rose leaned into Erik, surprised by how right it felt. Luna lifted her glass, smiling into the chaos, her thoughts drifting briefly to a quiet bakery after hours, to conversation and possibility.

A new year had begun, full of promises, some already spoken, others just starting to take shape.

CREDITS (L to R)

Ella Rose

Beautiful Dirty Rich Mariah Headband 2026
WINGS ES0228 Hair
Angel Eyes Updo 6 Hairbase
IKON Alluring Eyes
WarPaint Tempest Eyeshadow
Glam Affair Madeline + Lip Toner (NEW @ The Fifty)
ORSINI Jewel Care Anita Earrings
ORSINI Jewel Care Anita Necklace
Beautiful Dirty Rich Mariah Dress Sequin
ORSINI Jewel Care Melody Bracelet
Kibitz Mia’s Rings
Veechi Short Almond Nails – Holiday Foiled Tips

Erik

Junk Food New Year Party Hat
WINGS Gift 06 Male Hair (group gift)
IKON Sundown Eyes (group gift)
Stray Dog Divos
Mazzaro Ernest Suit
Phedora Martin Loafers

Gavin

Wings ES0715 Hair
IKON Splendor Eyes
Deep Static Tingle Glasses
Not Found Jerry
Deadwool The Tux
Deadwool Monkassins

Serena

PROMAGIC New Year Headpiece (Subscriber gift)
WINGS TF1101 Hair
Angel Eyes Messy 20 Hairbase
IKON Resolution Eyes (NEW @ FaMESHed)
WarPaint Stellar Eyeshadow
Glam Affair Yana + Lip Toner
Ysoral Wendy Earrings
Ysoral Constance Necklace
PurpleMoon Winter Gown Black & Gold Edition (Advent gift)
Kibitz Elsa’s Bracelet
Ysoral Lizzy Rings
Ysoral Luxe Engagement Ring Bridgette
Veechi Long Almond Nails – Midnight Sparkle
[Gos] Adele Crisscross Heels Metallic

Luna

ConTrato 2026 Headband Stars (Marketplace)
Stealthic Risk
IKON Splendor Eyes
WarPaint Esteem Eyeshadow
Glam Affair Okena + Lip Toner
Ysoral Luxe Earrings Cindy
Ysoral Luxe Nose Piercing Lunna
Ysoral Luxe Necklace Letty
Celestina’s Rachel Skirt & Blouse (Advent gift)
Ysoral Luxe Set Rings Kate
Veechi Long Almond Nails – Precious Metals
Ysoral Anklet Lilou
N-Core Cora (group gift)
Dahlia Pop Fizz Clink Champagne Bottle (group gift)

Poses

Foxcity Bubbles (left)
-Extra- Auld Lang Syne

Scene

Synnergy.Tavis NYE Terrace {360} Backdrop
LOVE 2026 Balloons Gold (Advent gift)
Focus Happy New Year Drinks Cart
Hive Grouped Balloons Black Tie
Hive Floor Balloons Black Tie
Vespertine Mixed Confetti Gold Pack

For items worn regularly, please see About the Characters.
For store SLurls, please visit the Store & Event Links page.

The quote, “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right,” is attributed to Oprah Winfrey.