Warning: Contains excessive amounts of fluff.
Kate's jaw
dropped.
"Tony, what is that?" Kate asked pointing at the
offending object.
"Wow Katie, I thought you were smarter then
that." Kate glared at him.
"Okay, let me rephrase that. Tony,
what the hell is a tandem bicycle doing in our living room?"
"Well
I put it there." Tony said definitely, with an almost child-like
look on his face.
"Tony!" Kate all but yelled a warning tone
in her voice.
"Okay, sorry. It's there because we're going
out tonight… uh surprise…?"
"So what you're trying to
tell me is that the anniversary surprise I've been waiting 6 weeks
for is a bicycle?" Kate asked, tapping her foot somewhat
impatiently on the floor.
"A bicycle built for two!" Tony
said, "and no it's not your surprise, it's merely a means of
transport to get to your surprise."
"And where is that?"
"Well
if I told you that it wouldn't be much of a surprise now would it?"
Kate sighed; she knew it was no use. Tony recognized what this sigh
meant and continued with instructions.
"Get changed into
something you can ride in. Make sure you're warm enough though.
I'll take this down into the lobby and wait for you okay?"
"I
suppose." Kate replied. Tony kissed her cheek and she disappeared
into the bedroom.
- 20 minutes later in the lobby-
"Far out
Katie-Bear, how long does it take for you to get dressed?"
"Two
minuets, it's finding the right outfit that takes time." Tony
looked her over. She was wearing light blue jeans and a dark brown
shirt. Over the top she had a denim jacket that matched her
jeans.
"Good choice, you look pretty good." Kate mock-glared
at him but that was all he needed to get the message. "I mean you
look absolutely stunning as always."
"Better I suppose. Now,
what are we doing?" Tony handed her a helmet.
"Hop on." He
said before getting on himself.
"Why do you get the
front?"
"Because you don't know where we're going."
After
a few hiccups and laughs, they got the hang of it and were riding
just fine.
After a quick route through the city, looking at the
lights they stopped. Helping Kate off the bike he took her
hand.
"Close your eyes."
"What, Tony?!"
"Just
humor me Kate, please. Just trust me." With a huff Kate closed her
eyes.
He led her to a clearing, not that she could see it, and sat
her down.
"Keep them closed now." Kate sighed and did as she
was told. The truth was she was excited, really excited. She just
wouldn't show that to Tony. She didn't want him to get too cocky
but she knew secretly he was aware of her excitement. This was all
part of their never ending game.
Kate felt Tony sit down behind
her and rub her tense shoulders.
"Open." He whispered. She
leaned back into him as her eyes fluttered open and her jaw
dropped.
"Tony…Oh my…" Was all she could muster.
"Happy
anniversary Kate." She turned around and kissed him, deeply and
passionately before turning back around to the lack with candles on
it.
"How many are out there Tony?" She asked, unable to even
hazard a guess.
"365 small ones, representing every day we've
spent together so far and all the small accomplishments and hurdles
we've over taken. 52 medium to represent all the weeks of next year
and all we'll do. Finally, see that big one right in the middle?"
Kate nodded. "That one will never go out, no matter mow wet it gets
or how hard it is blown. It represents my love for you, an
everlasting flame."
"Tony, I'm speechless, how…when…
what can I say?"
"Tell me you love me, tell me you need me
like I need you, tell me you believe in a life together with me, tell
me your fire will never burn up of blow out and finally tell me
you'll marry me." Kate didn't answer. She hadn't been
prepared for the last part.
"Kate?" Tony asked hoping she
wasn't about to jump up and run.
"Yes. Of course, how could I
refuse?"
Tony let out a sigh, "What a relief, I really didn't
want to have to take this back." He pulled out a small velvet box
and opened it, revealing an elegant diamond ring. He took Kate's
and hand and slid it on. They spent the rest of night eating the food
Tony had brought, talking about their future. As they sat there, one
by one the candles died. First the smallest ones, and then the medium
ones, but just like Tony said, the biggest one never went out. Even 5
hours later when they left it still shone brightly for the world to
see. For some reason this was all the assurance Kate needed to know
what Tony had said tonight was true. Not just for him but also for
her.
Lying in bed that night she was almost asleep when Tony
spoke.
"Did you like your present?"
"Yes and I love the
new title."
"What do you mean?"
"Well today I went from
The-Most-Romantic-Man-in-the-World's girlfriend to his fiancée."
Kate smiled and kissed Tony's upturned lips.
She fell asleep
that night in Tony's arms looking forward to all the nights for the
rest of her life, when she could fall asleep like this.