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 Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 3:40 pm
He was ready. Everything was ready.
Wasn't it?
He looked around. He had exhausted his supply of Random Romantic Nights, and was sure that a third would be tired and repetitive. So tonight he had planned for an evening out, at a proper restaurant, and a proper play. They would enjoy the night together, doing things they both liked.
For Tony, it was simple. Just spending time with her was what he liked. They could be bungee jumping or cleaning bathrooms, and he wouldn't really care as long as he was with her. Though, he preferred not to do either of those things and was not sure why he thought that way.
He frowned.
Nerves. He was a bundle of nerves. He was wearing a nice suit, one of the few he owned, and he had made sure everything was clean and cut and in place. His lapels, his pockets, his buttons. He had his hair neatly combed and newly styled and trimmed. He had his goatee trimmed and primped. He would be embarrassed to admit how much time he spent cleaning himself.
His hand was in his pocket. Would that give him away? He couldn't help it. The deceptively small box, innocuous in how sweet and simple it looked, was nestled there. Well, at the moment it was curled in his palm. To him, it felt like it was made out of incredibly heavy lead that was still molten. It burned, as if its content was trying to break its way free. To escape? Or to find its rightful owner?
Tony felt foolish.
He was going to explode. He fiddled with the box all the way to the car, then stopped only because he was driving, then began again as he walked to her door. They were going on a date, but he had a very specific plan in mind. One that was long in coming at yet far too fast, simple and utterly impossible. He was certain of his decision and so confused he thought his brain might melt.
But he supposed all of those things were just true, striking markers of the utmost love. And that was all he had in the world for her.
And the ring.
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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 4:24 pm
"Heart beats fast, colors and promises. How to be strong, how to be brave."
Kyn's heart was beating fast. It always did when she got to see him. He'd taken her interests to heart and they were going to see a show. She dressed up for the night meticulously. The dress she chose flattered in cut and color and was fancy enough for the theatre. She waited for him to arrive, spritzing a light perfume on her wrists as her finale. She checked her appearance in the mirror in the entry and felt her stomach clenching in an excited way.
Any night she got to spend with him was special. She loved him. That love carried her though a lot of things and now here she was. It seemed like such a short journey to get here and yet, when she thought about it, it wasn't. They'd known eachother for more than a year and had fallen completely for eachother. He loved her daughter and she wanted to love his son and did in the only way she could...because he was Tony's. They'd seen thick and thin and in between.
Even then it felt like lifetimes together and most of the time she was so happy she could explode or implode, one of the two, at any moment.
When she heard his car her heart gave a wild little thump. It was crazy and amazing how much she was in love with this man. He made her feel giddy, like a school girl, and completely self assured and nervous at once. It was nice to think she could still feel this young. She slid a wrap around her shoulders and opened the door before he could knock, feeling perfectly delighted.
Seeing him made her catch her breath. She was always taken aback by how handsome he was but tonight seemed especially careful. She was floored, stunned into silence over it as crickets chirped. Dumbfounded, that was the word. She was dumbfounded by his devastating good looks. How in the world had she gotten so lucky? How? Even the Fates couldn't know, she was sure of it. This just seemed to perfect to ever be real and that was fine by her as long as this was her new reality. There would never be another him and therefore never anyone else for her as long as she lived.
"Hi." she finally managed weakly, feeling foolish for it. School girl. That's what this man reduced her to in all of the best and most beautiful ways. She offered her cheek to him, her eyes sparkling with tears though she wasn't quite sure why. Happiness, she assured herself. Sheer utter all consuming happiness.
"Darling don't be afraid I have loved you for a thousand years. I'll love you for a thousand years."
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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 4:37 pm
He had his hand up when the door pulled open, the other still in his pocket. He hurried made sure to pull it out, then wondered if he usually had his hand in his pocket and he couldn't remember. Acting normal was so difficult, as he never took note of how he normally acted. He had never really needed to approximate it before: it just happened.
He looked at her miserably, realized that was the complete opposite expression he wanted to be making, and let his face split in a broad grin.
"I love you so much!"
That was very subtle. He stared at her, though, and took in how beautiful she looked in her dress, and how radiant her smile was. If he had any doubts they were wiped from his mind as he laid eyes on her and that familiar feeling of warmth and home washed over him. She was his, and he was hers. That was already a truth.
All he was doing was putting it to paper.
"Hi," he tried again, chuckling a bit and feeling stupid, "you look beautiful. Took me by surprise, I think." He moved to kiss her lightly, on the cheek and then he moved to catch her lips as well.
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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 8:09 pm
Kyndall watched the bizarre twist of emotions on his face with a confused look, wondering just what he was thinking. Sometimes if train of thought was hard for her to follow and she debated the worth of asking as it usually wasn't anything significant or important, only a momentary tangent of thought. In this case, though, she'd be dead wrong. When he burst out that he loved her the thought completely matched her own and she grinned, losing any suspicion she'd momentarily had.
"I love you, too, Tony." And she meant that, sincerely, with all her heart.
She wiped away her tears and tried to master herself thinking it was no good to cry away her mascara before they even walked out the bloody door. It was foolish how much she let a simple date affect her but when it was the right man, and certainly it was, it was worth it. She had her flaws being shallow, occasionally vain, rash and altogether too brazen for her own good sometimes.
She purred when he caught her lips, returning his kiss easily and being content in it. She might never need anything else. He was home, a part of her lodged firmly inside him and when they were together she was whole.
"Shall we?"
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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 8:50 pm
"Let's shall."
He took her arm in his, hooking it as a gentleman would as he escorted her to his car. He only slipped out of the hold so he could open the door and hold it for her politely. Once she was in the passenger side, he switched over to the driver's seat and climbed in.
The show was later, which meant it would be dinner first. He was nervous. Dinner was usually when people proposed, but if he did that would that interrupt the play and they wouldn't go? Would she regret not wanting to go? He was even assuming she would say yes.
What if she said no?
He swallowed hard as he drove them toward the restaurant, looking more than nervous now, but hiding it well enough. Maybe she would think he was just his normal level of nervous. Maybe that would work to his advantage. Except being a knight had boosted his confidence. Curses.
He was stressing out a bit too much.
"Are you excited for tonight?" he ventured to ask. He had to pick his moment. He wanted to ask her right then, but that would not be very memorable. Plus, if he was sure he'd get in an accident if he tried to get the ring out of his pocket.
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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 9:31 pm
She took his arm politely and was glad to see chivalry was not entirely dead as he walked her to the car. She slid in and let him close the door behind her, leaning her head back and breathing a sigh of contentment. Soon enough they were on their way to whatever restaurant he had in mind. She hadn't asked details, wanting to be surprised by him tonight. This was his night and he could lead it how he liked.
Kyndall, thankfully, was excited for the night. It wasn't often she got Tony into a theatre except when she strong armed him into one of her plays or into auditions. The fact that he was doing it at all was yet more evidence of him doing something simply because she wanted him to. Because she liked it he made a place for it in his life. He was simply amazing like that and she knew this and counted herself lucky.
"I am." she assured him. "and I'm amazed you're stepping foot in another theatre for me."
Sure he was acting unusual and she studied him sideways, out of the corner of her eye. She saw him fretting wondering if this was his usual just right jitters or something else. Was he unsure of their reservation or that she'd like the show? Silly, of course, because she lived and breathed the drama of the stage and loved him whether they were eating in Denny's or a posh five star meal.
"Are you quite alright, love?"
She took the chance to ask, keeping her tone light and questioning for the benefit of his nerves. She'd gotten very good at adapting to allow him graceful outs when he dug himself in too deep a hole or when he said something he did not think about first. Perhaps redirection was the best course now, take his mind off of whatever it was. She assumed it was mundane enough.
"Harmony and Nate have been spending a bit of time together. That's encouraging, wouldn't you say?"
Little did she know the reason why.
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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 10:22 pm
"Well, I do like seeing you smile. And I know the theatre will do that for you. So there I will step." He chuckled and felt a little sheepish, and that she would see through him in a heartbeat.
"Oh, I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm just ah. I'm just. I want this to be perfect, you know. I want you to remember this, just like everything else. I'm not great at sweeping romantic gestures, yet I'm with someone who deserves them regularly. I just want to make sure I'm doing it right."
It wasn't a lie, either. He was pondering all those things, but he was also carrying the weight of a question he was terrified she would say no to. What if she wasn't ready? It was too soon? What if she didn't want to have to be stuck with Nate as her step son?
That would be a very legitimate reason to say no.
But she would also have Dogby as a step puppy. Surely that evened things out a little bit? Oh, and Tony as her husband, of course. He hoped that was a good enough reason.
He smiled when she changed topics. He loved her for that understanding.
"Harmony is certainly trying. I don't think Nathan is making it easy on her. he's not much for family, I think." He tried not to sound too disappointed by that. He'd been trying rather hard to bond but that seemed hopeless. They reached the restaurant soon enough, a beautiful little place with eclectic food and a posh but not snobby air about it.
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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 10:48 pm
"Harmony's never had a sibling. I could never give her a brother or a sister because I was...wrapped up in everything else. Dating and having more children just didn't seem that important. It's not surprising she'd reach out to Nathan."
Kyndall lost the topic as they arrived, sliding out of the car and looked around. He'd certainly done some research to find this place and she was pleased for it. It was small but not cramped and nice but not snooty. She ordered a glass of white wine and reached out for his hand across the table gazing lovingly into his eyes. As far as she was concerned tonight was all about him and to him the night was hers. It worked out rather well that way.
Once they ordered she did not let go of his hand, sticking to something light and healthy and her single glass of wine. She had something on her mind lately and wasn't sure if she wanted to bring it up but this seemed like as good of a time as any. They were happy and very much in love.
"Tony," She tried smiling at him despite being nervous. "don't you think maybe it's time to take our relationship to the next level?"
That could be taken a million ways, even the way he was planning on tonight. For a moment he could indulge in the panic that she'd guessed his ploy and was trying to head him off at the pass. But she was none the wiser and had something different in mind. Kyn took a deep breath and swallowed hard.
"Maybe we should move in together?"
Giving up her townhouse would be hard. She'd been in it for the last ten years at least but it simply didn't have room for the entire household to shift into. Harm would not be happy about losing her studio or the basement but it would be an adjustment, a big one, for all of them. Considering Harm was going off to college in just a year and a half it hardly seemed fitting for Kyn to keep living her life for her daughter alone. Maybe now it was ok to take some time and make some decisions for herself, plan for her own future...the one sitting across the table from her.
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 12:47 am
Tony understood that. His child had not been planned, and of course he had not known Nate existed for most of his life. They'd only known each other for a few years, really. He wanted Nathan to be happy but was not sure how to achieve that at this point. He thought it was too late.
He was more relaxed when he was sitting at the table with her, noting her hand and taking it. He smiled at her in return, taking in the way she was looking at him and feeling much more at ease because of it. No doubt she loved him, when she could look at him like that.
He knew no one else ever got that look.
Her suggestion came when he was sipping his drink, which resulted in none of the water he had been hoping to drink came sputtering out of his mouth. He thought for a terrifying moment that she was going to propose to him, and he stared at her wide eyed for a moment.
That was it. His efforts were going up in flame. She was beating him to the punch?!
"No," he said, without thinking. This had to be his moment. He took a breath and shook his head again. "I mean. Yes. we should, sometime. Now, maybe, if you want to. We can find a new place, together, that's ours. Room for our kids."
He took a deep breath.
"Kyndall, I don't want to just live with you. I want to spend my life with you. I want to wake up with you each morning, and of course go to sleep with you each night. Sharing the same bed, under the same roof, would certainly make that easier, but I think this would make it perfect." He moved from his chair and stooped in front of her, then put one knee down on the carpet. He looked up at her. He pulled the box from his pocket and suddenly it weighed nothing at all. It didn't burn in his hand, but seemed to float there as he opened it to show her the ring inside. It was serving its purpose at last.
"Tell me you will live with me in more than just house and home. That we will spend the rest of our lives annoying each other and loving one another endlessly. Will you marry me, Kyndall Rosen?"
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 8:55 am
Kyndall watched him as she spoke, nervous and wondering what he'd say. It was a big step for them considering they'd only been a couple, dating, for a few months now. Almost half a year she guessed, in the span of time. It wasn't a big drop in the bucket but it was there and it didn't change her feelings for him in the slightest. Time was not an accurate measure of happiness. Some people lived for years without this kind of joy. Some find it in minutes and know things are meant to be. Kyn had never been able to shake the feeling that this was one of those things that was completely meant to be.
She stiffled a giggle as he did not manage to drink any of the water he'd been sipping at and a look of panic crossed his face. It was simply another case of Tony being Tony so she did not take it personally. When he said no she frowned, now rather discouraged by the panic she saw in him. Was it too much too soon? Kyn flushed with sudden constricting doubt and watched him, almost failing to comprehend his words.
"Tony, what are? Oh!"
When he moved from his chair her mind suddenly caught up. Seeing him kneel made her breath catch in her throat. That's when time suddenly ceased to have all meaning. Things happened in slow motion and she heard his next sentence with bated breath and a wildly thumping heart. She was trembling in her chair.
"Yes." She didn't try to blink back the tears and didn't care if she was making a scene. As far as she was concerned the world was turning for just the two of them in this moment. Together. She smiled as she cried, impossibly in love with him.
"Yes, Anthony Darrow. I love you. I will be happy to be your wife!"
She dropped down to her knees out of her own chair and threw her arms around him, kissing him passionately. There was polite applause scattered around them as what he'd just done could not really escape attention. Nor could her loud and heartfelt reply. Some of the cheers were sincere but Kyndall could not hear any of them. She just saw and heard him. Her hands slid up to cup his face. She was practically glowing with joy.
"Kyndall Darrow has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Took you long enough to realize." she teased against his lips.
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 9:11 am
Tony had thought he knew what anxiety and what relief felt like, but clearly he had been wrong. Nothing matched the rush of emotion that burst out of him when she said yes, nor had he ever changed so starkly from one emotion to the next. His heart had been in his stomach as he waited, and leapt right into his throat when she accepted.
Laughing in relief and joy, he kissed her and muffled the sounds, closing his eyes and finding he could not stop smiling. He only opened them to look at her as she took his face in her hands, grinning at her brightly.
"Well, I had to build suspense, didn't I?"
He had not had that in mind at all, of course. The only reason he waited was for the perfect moment, and to gather his courage. He was a man who fought monsters for a living, saved lives and faced impossible situations. He had seen hellish dream worlds and looked into the face of bleak failure. he had been terrified before, and yet absolutely none of that prepared him for this. And how could they?
Proposing to her had been scary on a far more intimate and personal level, an insecurity in himself that was private and hidden away. A worry that he would not be good enough for her, that he would let her down or she would simply not want to take the risk. But all that anxiety was proven empty and pointless.
Because she said yes.
"Kyndall Darrow... Mrs. Darrow. I think I could get used to calling you that, my love." He did not even want to get up from the floor, just wanted to keep holding her and kissing her, but he imagined the restaurant would get tired of that quickly enough. He got up, her hands in his, and helped her to her chair politely.
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 9:28 am
Build suspense, indeed.
Kyndall laughed at the notion and felt light in heart and being. Nothing compared to the sudden moment when you realize what dreams you have suddenly have come true. He was her dream come to life and she wanted to hold onto it with both hands.
There'd always been a part of her, a large part, that feared being alone. She'd never gone looking for a boyfriend because so many people in her life had left her. Her entire family dropped dead within six months of each other. She absently fingered the locket she wore thinking of it. Syn would have been happy for her right now, the first person to cheer. But the large part of Kyn also feared that she deserved to be alone for making the mistakes she'd made in her life.
In this case she was quite happy to be wrong and accepted the help from the floor and back into her chair. She smiled stupidly at him having quite forgotten her appetite. The entire evening, she was sure, would pale in comparison for this moment and suddenly his fidgeting made sense. Again she fell in love with him, knowing it was stronger than the moment before and would probably be less than the moment after.
She could happily spend her life that way, falling more in love with him each moment, each hour. That made her future seem bright despite the challenges they were bound to face.
"You should get used to calling me that. I think I'll prefer it from now on."
She looked at the new ring on her finger and how it winked in the light and couldn't wait to break the news to Harmony. She hoped the teenager would be thrilled.
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 10:11 am
Tony smiled brightly and nodded his head, watching her. He was no longer interested in food or plays, but he wanted to do what would make the night perfect. If that was still it, then that was what he would do. His plans, however feebly constructed they had been before, had been disrupted by her asking him to move in together.
The result had still been mind blowing and wonderful, however, and likely much better than anything he could have actually planned out before hand. He was playing by ear, after all, and in that he had been waiting for the right moment. He had just imagined it would be at the play, maybe during intermission. He'd likely have gotten thrown out trying to climb on stage or something.
Romance, Tony found, was difficult to plan.
"What do you want to do with the rest of our night?" he ventured to ask, wondering if she was thinking the same things as he was. He was just staring at her, eyes mostly on his lips, pondering tossing the table aside and kissing her.
But this was not the movies. He would get in trouble for that. And going to jail would certainly ruin the night.
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 10:57 am
Kyndall seemed to have the same thought in mind that he did only she wasn't concerned with spending the night in jail. She didn't much care what they did so long as she was in his arms every single step of the way. It was like a magnet was instilled in her and pulled constantly toward the polar opposite in him. Ignoring impropriety she scooted her chair out and moved to him, plopping into his lap. She kissed him deeply, feeling very much contented and in love.
"I have a few ideas now that were not there before." she purred, catching his eyes with her own. For once her focus was not on the theatre but on the man very solidly beneath her. He could trump most any love she had but the one for her child. And even then is was a photo finish second.
"Let's go home."
His. Hers. She didn't care. It would all be the same very soon anyway so what did it matter now? Being with him was home, not a pile of brick. Kyndall took his lips again and the waiter discreetly slipped them their check while she did. It would be perfectly obvious to anyone, probably everyone, that the couple was completely in love and not that interested in being in public anymore. Or, at least Kyndall wasn't.
Though if he had thrown the table aside it would have been very grand and romantic. Inappropriate but she'd have melted. Not that she needed to for him anymore that night. He had the monopoly on her heart.
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Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 10:40 am
Tony watched her as she made her way around the table to him, smiling all the while. He sat back and easily welcomed her, kissing her lovingly in return. His hands smoothed over her thighs, a familiar gesture now. He knew her curves well enough, but that did not distract from home much he loved them.
He smirked against her lips, nodding his head very slightly mostly because he didn't need to try too hard to know she'd feel it. He kissed her again, taking a deep breath beforehand so he could linger as long as he wanted before he drew back to look at her properly.
"Yes, let's."
He managed to pay the check, over paying and not caring, picking Kyndall up and carrying her out of the restaurant as he carried her back to the car. He got to the front of it and sat her on its hood, kissing her deeply, not wanting to let her go. He knew they'd have to make it home eventually, though, and after a while he picked her up again and got her in the car.
They wound up back at his place, and he took his fiancé to his bedroom.
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