Who: Kyle Valenti & Isobel Evans What: A proposal Where: A clearing outside of town When: Saturday evening Warnings: it's sweet Status: complete
Logically, Kyle knew that there was no reason to be nervous about tonight. He and Isobel had officially been a couple for almost two years and were living together. Getting engaged was a natural next step. Thanks to the dome’s influence, he even knew that she liked the ring since he had proposed with it before. It had been tucked away in a drawer since then and he was confident they were both ready now.
All the logic in the world couldn’t douse his nerves though. This was an important moment and he did not want to screw it up. He’d avoided doing the cliche thing of proposing on Christmas or New Years and he also wanted to avoid Valentine’s Day, both because it was a cliche and because it was when he’d first proposed. He didn’t want to wait too much longer though, so he decided that a few days before the holiday was acceptable.
After verifying that the clinic would be okay without him and that Isobel didn’t need to work the speed dating event, Kyle decided to recreate the date when they’d first said ‘I love you.” It was colder in February than April, but he was prepared with heavy blankets and some magical assistance from Luna Lovegood.
It took a little coaxing, but he convinced Isobel to let him blindfold her as soon as they got in his truck so she wouldn’t see where they were going. When they arrived, he turned off the vehicle and told her to sit tight for a few minutes. He slipped out of the truck and took the cover off the bed to reveal the pillows, blanket, and picnic basket. Satisfied that everything was ready, he opened her door and took her hand to help her out of the truck. “Okay, you can take off the blindfold now,” he said once he had her positioned so she could see the back of the truck.
* Yes, Isobel was a tad leery about allowing Kyle to blindfold her, but, in the end, she’d reluctantly agreed to the terms. With his help, she settled into the passenger seat of his truck and did her best to not be as nosey as she actually wanted to be. Where was he taking her? It was obviously for a date, but Isobel couldn’t think of a place in town where they would go that she would need to be blindfolded for. After all, they’d been to practically every restaurant in Madison by this point. It would hardly be a surprise regardless of which they ended up at.
And why was Kyle so nervous? His emotions were in overdrive and empath abilities could not help, but pick up on them. If this was just a normal date, he wouldn’t be this nervous. It was very possible that a part of Isobel knew what this could all mean, but she didn’t actually want to go there. She didn’t want to think about it because the alien didn’t want to ruin it for herself or for him.
As they finally came to a stop, Isobel did her best to suppress her empath power as Kyle exited the truck to do something. He told her to sit tight and Isobel did her best to resist lifting the blindfold. No, she didn’t want to ruin the surprise for herself. She heard him remove the cover off the back and an idea of what he had planned started to form in her brain, but, again, Isobel didn’t allow herself to go there. Damn her stellar intuition.
The passenger door opened and Kyle took her hand, helping her out of the truck, and telling her to remove the blindfold. “About time, Valenti,” she teased, fingers tugging the cloth from her eyes quickly. It took the blond a moment to adjust, but then she recognized the surroundings instantly. It was the same place they’d had their star gazing date about two years ago. When they first said they loved one another.
Isobel turned to look at him, a bright smile on her face, and grabbed his hand. She tugged him along as she covered the short distance to the back of the truck. Sure enough, the blankets, pillows, and picnic basket were in there.
Releasing his hand, Isobel boosted herself on the edge of the tailgate and faced him. “I wasn’t expecting this. You surprised me, Doctor Abs, congratulations. Though isn’t it a tad cold for stargazing this time of year.”
*
It wasn’t easy to surprise someone who had some telepathic and empathic abilities and Kyle grinned when she said he’d managed it. “It is, however, you have a very resourceful boyfriend,” he said. “That happens to be a heat charm, courtesy of Ms. Luna Lovegood.” He pointed to a small round object in the corner of the truck bed. “Should keep us nice and toasty.”
Plus there was champagne that he was saving for a hopeful celebration.
“Don’t worry, I won’t let you freeze,” Kyle promised, stepping in between her legs and giving her a firm kiss before climbing up next to her.
* “I do? I had no idea,” Isobel teased. Honestly, she had to give Kyle credit. He’d managed to surprise her despite her alien abilities. That took effort and Isobel appreciated it.
Her gaze shifted, following Kyle’s finger as he pointed out Luna’s heat charm, a small round object in the corner of the truck bed, to her. The blond gave a nod, clearly impressed. “I suppose I owe Luna a ‘thank you’ for keeping us nice and toasty on our date,” Isobel replied. She would have to remember to thank Luna for helping them out on their date.
“You better not or it will just be you and the champagne in the back of this truck,” Isobel replied, returning the kiss and briefly tightening her legs around his waist playfully. She loosened when he stepped back and scooted over a little to allow him room to settle onto the truck bed beside her.
Shifting back, the blond settled against the pillows and settled the blanket on their legs before she turned to Kyle. “So, what do you have in that picnic basket, Valenti? You’re not going to let a girl starve, are you?”
*
“What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t feed you?” Kyle asked. “I’ll admit I cheated a little and got takeout. There’s a thermos of potato soup and some sandwiches from the Red Pepper.” He’d thought about doing something fancier like cheese, crackers, and grapes, but ultimately decided that a heartier meal would be more appropriate for the weather.
He cleared his throat. “Before we eat though, there’s something I wanted to talk about.” He shifted so he was facing her and took her hands. “Actually, I have a question I want to ask.” After spending days writing and rewriting a flowery speech about all the reasons he loved her, Kyle decided that simple was better.
Letting go of one hand, he pulled a small box out of his jacket pocket. “Will you marry me?”
* Isobel chuckled and placed a hand on his shoulder briefly. “Easy Kyle. I’m teasing. I know you wouldn’t let me go hungry,” she replied. “And I forgive you for cheating. Considering it is still winter despite that nifty charm, I’ll gladly take a cup of soap.” Cheese, crackers, and grapes would definitely be fancier, but Isobel was perfectly fine nibbling on a sandwich and sipping soap in the wintry atmosphere. Besides, as long as she was with Kyle, food choice didn’t matter.
And there it was. Isobel felt her stomach clench and heart beat kick up a notch in her chest. Oh boy. Isobel allowed him to take her hand and prayed he couldn’t feel her fingers shaking against his own. Her blue eyes met his gaze and she swallowed. “Why do I feel like it has nothing to do with the choice of wine with dinner?” She joked lamely. It was her attempt to lighten the mood. In case what she thought was about to happen wasn’t happening at all.
But then he reached in his pocket and pulled out a familiar small box. Along with the box came that timeless question and Isobel felt her breath catch in her throat. Her heart pounded in her ears loudly. They’d talked about it and Isobel felt that when he asked, she would be ready for it. Take it as easily as if he was presenting her with flowers, but obviously, she was so wrong. Time seemed to stop and then Isobel’s lips pulled back in a slow smile. “Yes, Kyle Valenti. I will marry you,” she whispered, hands squeezing his own.
Kyle didn’t realize he was holding his breath after popping the question until he exhaled at her response. It was silly to be so nervous, he knew, given their previous conversations about their relationship. They were actually in a place now where getting engaged made sense, unlike two years ago when he’d done this under the influence of the dome. Still, he was also well aware of Isobel’s history and wouldn’t blame her for being gun shy about getting married again after what happened with Noah.
After leaning in for a quick kiss, he let go of her hands and took the ring out of the box so he could slide it on her finger. It still fit perfectly and he grinned. “I love you, Isobel Evans.”
Isobel felt as if there would always be a little bit of that fear when it came to commitment because of her relationship with Noah. However, Isobel was determined to not let that fear rule her life. She loved Kyle and , yes, Isobel wanted to marry him. She wasn’t going to let Noah take anymore from her life. That little bit of fear she felt? That was Noah and Isobel refused to let that bastard have any say in her existence ever again. Especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
The blond returned the kiss, a smile finding its way to her lips again as he released her hands and took the ring from the box. Where she’d felt anxiety coming from Kyle, now she only felt happiness, a pinch of relief, and excitement as he slid the ring on her finger. Obviously, it fit perfectly.
Her blue eyes flickered from the ring to his face and she leaned in, pressing another kiss to his lips briefly. As she pulled back, her forehead rested against his own and that smile felt as if it would never leave her face. “I love you too, Kyle Valenti.”
Now that he’d asked and she’d answered, Kyle felt like he could relax and enjoy the rest of the evening. He had considered waiting until after they ate to do the asking, but he knew he would be distracted and anxious the whole time and no way would Isobel not notice. Now they could celebrate and tomorrow, share the news with their friends and family.
“We can take our time figuring out when we actually want to get married and what kind of wedding we want to have,” he said. “There’s no rush.” Even though there was a chance one of them could get sent home at any time.
If he would have waited, Isobel would have noticed the nerves and knew something major was playing on his mind. She was relieved he’d asked before they started the rest of their evening. Now, they could enjoy a meal, each other’s company, and maybe discuss wedding plans. Isobel was already contemplating the ways in which this wedding would outdo her first one.
“Of course,” Isobel replied, settling back against the pillows and taking his hand in her own. She pressed a kiss to the back of it. “But you know me. I’m already thinking about wedding details in my head right now. The party planner in me cannot be stopped.” The last part was added with a playful smile. “But I want you to be a part of all of it. I want you to have a say in everything.”
“I will be happy with whatever makes you happy,” Kyle said. “Though Rosa did say she refused to wear anything with a butt bow.” He was glad that his sister would be there and wished that both of Isobel’s brothers were. And Maria. It would be nice to have all of the important people in their lives around to celebrate them.
He was content to sit and snuggle with his fiancee for a few minutes before they pulled out their picnic. “She asked if she could be best man, but I told her that you might want her for maid of honor,” he explained.
At Kyle’s words about Rosa not wanting to wear a butt bow, Isobel burst out laughing. “That sounds like your sister,” she replied, shaking her head. “But she doesn’t have to worry. There shall be no butt bows at my wedding.” Isobel wanted tasteful dresses, something modern, and butt bows weren’t exactly what she considered modern.
At the mention of maid of honor, Isobel’s thoughts went to her brothers and their painful absence. She never dreamed she would have to walk down the aisle without at least one of them by her side. Now she was facing that harsh reality. It wasn’t fair. She finally found the man she thought she would be with for the rest of her life and her brothers may not be around to help her celebrate the day she made it official.
“I’m sure we could work something out if she really wants to be your best man,” Isobel replied with a soft smile.
Kyle hoped that either Michael or Max would come back. Or both. That would be even better. “I can always ask Alex,” he said with a shrug. “We don’t have to decide right now though.” He turned his face to kiss her again. “Or we could run off to Vegas. That’s one of the transportation places, right?” He actually wasn’t sure and he was fairly certain that Isobel Evans would not want a cheesy Vegas chapel wedding. It really didn’t matter to him though. As long as he got to marry the woman he loved.
“Should we eat now?” he asked.
Isobel nodded and leaned in, returning the kiss softly. Kyle was right. They didn’t need to decide anything right now. Instead, they should focus on the fact they were engaged and enjoy their date. Though, his mention of a Vegas wedding earned him a playful swat to his arm. “Kyle Valenti, do I look like the kind of girl that is going to run off to Vegas?” She teased. “Besides, the party planner in me would not settle for a cheesy Vegas chapel wedding.”
But Isobel knew that it didn’t matter where they married as long as they were together.
“Yes, let’s eat those sandwiches and soup before it gets cold,” Isobel replied, reaching for the bag to help Kyle unpack everything. “Getting engaged and talking about wedding planning has suddenly left me starving.”
“Well, let’s get you fed so we can properly celebrate our engagement,” Kyle said with a grin, not bothering to try and dodge the swat. He knew he deserved it for that joke. “And later I will buy you all the binders and highlighters and whatever else you need to properly plan.” He imagined that there would be one of those giant crime type boards up on one of their walls with the strings and pictures and everything.
They finished unpacking the bag and he popped open the bottle of champagne, pouring it into some plastic cups that he’d brought along instead of actual champagne glasses, figuring it would be safer. “To us,” he said after handing her one of the cups.
“Oh, you know how to get a girl excited, Valenti.” Actually, Isobel loved the thought of binders, highlighters, and even a crime type board on the wall where she could plan out her wedding. Planning events was one area the alien shined and when it came to her own wedding she wanted to go all out.
Once all the food was set out and Isobel had snuck a quick bite from the sandwich, Kyle took out some plastic cups and a bottle of champagne. The blond didn’t complain about the cups; champagne glasses were more prone to break after all. She accepted the cup he held out to her and smiled.
“To us and whatever comes next, I’m excited about my future with you.” Isobel tapped his plastic cup with hers and took a sip. Whatever happened next, they could handle it.