InsaneJournal

Who: Nina and Gabe
When: Backdated to December 30th
Where: Fullerton Arboretum
What: Proposal
Rating/Warnings: Low
Status: Complete



Gabe had to admit, even in the middle of winter when there were far less colorful things to look at besides Poinsettias, Fullerton Arboretum had a way of managing to find the right collection of plants to still make the place a beautiful surprise at every turn. Granted, he helped a lot in that department, but since he’d started being there part time he hadn’t been the chief decision maker any longer. Yet as he and Nina wandered the paths in the early evening, he couldn’t help but be proud of the choices that had been made. Sturdy shoots of white Paperwhites and large mounds of vibrant pink ‘Burning Bushes’ stood seamlessly amongst soft green decorative grasses while fairy lights twinkled amongst them like fallen stars. He was surprised any of these plants had survived the epic two feet of snow that the OC had suffered in the past couple of days which had since miraculously all melted away, and wagered some of the employees had managed to throw bins and tarps over the plants before the snow really came down.

He’d asked Nina if she’d like to join him in touring Fullerton post-Christmas (and post blizzard since he couldn’t help but worry), since the display would change dramatically from holiday to preparing for New Years; often companies would hold their New Year's party there under the stars. Of course, the visit was mostly a cover for what he’d been planning for weeks. “They’ve done a pretty fine job,” Gabe remarked.

Despite Gabe only being there part time now Nina still loved the Arboretum, while she hadn’t been a massive flower or plant person before Gabe she definitely was now. She loved going around botanical gardens and places like that with him. And she had a new appreciation for garden centres and plant nurseries too.

“It’s lovely. You’ve obviously taught them well” Nina said giving him a grin as she squeezed his arm where she had hers wrapped around it.

Gabe chuckled. “I can't take all the credit. They've got amazing horticulturists here that I learned a thing or two from as well. I'm going to have to ask them where they got those little lights. They're awesome.” He glanced once more at the twinkling bushes before they moved on. As they continued to walk he spotted the gazebo in the distance. It was still a bit of a walk but the sight of it was enough to tighten his stomach a moment in nerves. He resisted the urge to double check the inside pocket of his jacket, and instead leaned over and kissed the top of Nina's head. “Maybe we should party here for New Year's? Whaddya think?”

Gabe didn't need to take credit Nina was always going to dish it out for him. She'd never met anybody who had the connection and passion for plants and flowers that her boyfriend did and she loved that about him.

“Oh that's a lovely idea. I can't imagine a better place to ring in the new year” because it was truly beautiful.

“Well then I'll let Elizabeth know,” he grinned, referring to his boss. As they walked on, creeping ever closer to the gazebo which now he saw was twinkling with fairy lights along its roof - had his Fullerton friends done this or was that set up for New Years? - he found it a little hard to breathe. Gabe focused on slowing his breaths and focusing on something else. But there wasn't much to look at as they passed a standard cluster of decorative grasses and some trees. They were transitioning out from one of the themed areas and into the main part of the park where the gazebo, greenhouses and event spaces were. There was hardly anyone about, with it being post Christmas but pre-New Years; a lot of people were away. He spotted one Fullerton worker strolling casually by and he offered a wave before grinning and continuing away from them. Gabe offered a raise of the hand in hello but didn't bother calling out, for obvious reasons.

Finally, they stepped into view of the open event space and he nearly stopped short in surprise. Strung along nearly invisible taught fishwire were the fairy lights, emanating from the gazebo he realized now they had repainted a soft ivory, whose pillars were wrapped with wisteria which wound its way all around the railing. Flower petals of varying colors were scattered about. Inside and out were those starry lights, winking in and out like fallen stars. In the twilight it looked breathtaking.

Gabe swallowed hard. This was it. This was the moment he'd been waiting for. Trying to act like this was normal he continued on with Nina in tow. “ Wow, wouldya look at that.”

Nina waved too when they saw Gabe’s co-worker, but otherwise didn’t really notice anything amiss. She was too enraptured with everything and too oblivious to what was about to happen to realise anything was out of place.

When they came across the event area Nina gasped, “Oh my goodness. This is beautiful” she whispered, smiling up at Gabe and leaning further into him, “It’s perfect. Like something from a romantic film, how amazing. Did you set this up? It’s so lovely” It wouldn’t surprise Nina, after all Gabe was one of the most sweet men she had ever met.

Gabe said without thinking, “I wish. I mean, I mentioned the gazebo, lights and wisteria but wow…they went to town.” They walked around it a bit before stepping into the gazebo, Gabe feeling like if he didn't do this now the ring box would burn a hole in his jacket. Or he'd stop breathing if he didn't ask her in the next minute.

Pulling Nina close he smiled down at her, trying to bury his nerves. “Hey you.” He gave her a tender kiss and took a moment to look her in the eyes. The sunset was gloriously vibrant and reflected off of Nina's golden hair with breathtaking soft hues of orange and gold. Her skin looked soft and warm and perfect and those eyes... “Nina, ever since the OC decided to throw us together that crazy morning two years ago I can't help but think it was fate.” Gabe paused a breath because he thought he heard the nervousness in his voice but his brain screamed Don't pause. Don't pause! so he pushed on. “Who woulda thought an argument over medicinal plants woulda ended up in me finding the woman of my dreams?” And he managed a chuckle. “Every day I know I'm the luckiest guy alive to have you in my life, loving me. Encouraging me. Being there for me and showing me what love is.” Then he felt his breath catch and he knew he had to do it now or be struck dumb. With one large hand he dug into the pocket of his jacket, and for half a heartbeat couldn't seem to grasp it properly, before pulling the little black cube out. He slowly dropped to one knee. Opening the box, the diamond ring glinted fiery hues, catching the sunset. “Nina, I want to spend the rest of our lives together. Will you marry me?”

“They obviously took your idea and ran with it” Nina said smiling as they entered the gazebo. When Gabe pulled her close she returned the kiss happily as her arms wrapped around him, it was a perfect moment. The setting, the lighting, the two of them, Nina wanted to freeze everything and keep it. “Hey” she replied, listening when he spoke and chuckling along with him, she had to agree with his idea of fate. She wasn’t overly romantic or religious or anything like that but there had to have been some kind of power pushing them together that day. And thankfully they had listened.

When he dropped to one knee Nina’s hand came up to cover her mouth in surprise and tears sprang in her eyes, maybe she was naive or silly but she hadn’t seen it coming. She was overwhelmingly happy he’d asked though and she nodded before dropping to her own knees and wrapping her arms around him, burying her face in his neck as she said, “Yes, Yes. I’ll marry you. I love you so much” she told him through her happy tears.

Gabe watched as she knelt down to his level and flung her arms around him as she said ‘Yes’. All tension gone, he exhaled in relief and chuckled, hugging her back as joyful tears filled his eyes too. “I love you more.” He replied into her hair. After what felt like an eternity in that blissful moment, he pulled back and, regrouping, he pulled the ring out of the box so he could slide it onto her finger.

“Not possible” she told him happily smiling broadly as she pulled back and let him slip the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit and felt like it belonged there. “It’s beautiful” she told him pressing a kiss to his lips.

Gabe couldn't have asked for a better outcome. He smiled after returning the kiss as he watched his girlfriend - now fiancee (he was going to have fun getting used to saying that) - admire the ring he (with Audrey's help) had worked hard to pick out. His big knuckles pawed at his eyes as he tried to wipe away the unshed happy tears before they fell. He stood, offering a hand to Nina. The sudden soft click of a camera phone could be heard and he turned to see his boss Elizabeth standing far enough away to almost have been missed.

“Liz!” He called out, laughing. “Playing paparazzi? Must have a helluva zoom on that thing.”

Elizabeth waved and gave a thumbs up. “Congrats!” She called out. Gabe saw his other co-worker, the one they'd seen earlier, suddenly stroll around some hedges as if he'd stumbled on this by accident.

“Hey Gabe! I'm taking it those big man tears means she said yes?” He teased. Gabe chuckled and nodded.

Nina laughed as Gabe’s co-workers appeared out of nowhere, “Of course I did” she grinned, “I’m not silly enough to let him get away” she looked up at Gabe with a huge smile and her own happy tears as her arms slid around his waist, “I love you” she told him again.

“I love you too.” He smiled down at Nina, tugging her close and giving her another kiss. A few more camera clicks went off.

“Hey, just so you know,” Elizabeth said, “If you want to hold the ceremony or reception at Fullerton you're more than welcome to; it'll be on the house.” And she gave them a wink and a wave before heading off with their co-worker.

“Wow,” Gabe said in a delayed reaction, stunned at the offer.

Nina nodded in agreement as Gabe’s co-workers left, giving them a wave back, “That’s an incredibly generous offer” she said, knowing not only how much holding something of that kind cost but also how much they really did love Gabe to offer such a thing, “And it is the perfect setting”

“It'll be great for photography,” he agreed, glancing about them. “Reception here or Ceremony? Both?” He chuckled, hugging Nina to him. They were ten seconds into engaged and already planning.

“Both sounds like a plan” she said hugging him back, the bright smile on her face something that wasn’t likely to dim for a while yet. Everything was perfect.