Two weeks had passed since Javi had finished with his PT. The physical therapist had decided at the last session to extend his PT for an additional week. That meant 3 more visits. He was stronger. So strong that he set a goal that would be met and he could get back to work. He was on a mission. He needed to be 100% and with the help of Tori, Kate, Ryan and Castle he would achieve his goal.
Staying with Tori had been a blessing. At first, he doubted that she would understand his commitment to getting well enough to be that 100% but she had proved him wrong. She had shown him that they could meet any challenge and overcome it together. Which brought him to his next mission. He had just left his physical therapist's office with a clean bill of health. Now he was ready to complete the last step for him being a bachelor.
He caught a cab to The Olde Haunt. When he walked in Castle and Ryan were already there waiting for him. Each had a beer and were talking about something family related. He walked up behind them and struck a Mr. Universe pose that would put Schwarzenegger to shame. Clearing his throat the both of them quickly turned in their seats.
"Javi! They both uttered in unison.
"In the flesh!"
"Want a beer? Please tell me that you are cleared to toss at least one back?"
"More than one Kevin, more than one!" Espo happily replied. Kevin patted him on his back and smiled. His partner was back!
"Brian, another round for us please." Castle said.
Brian had served them their beer and went to help another patron.
Javi slid into the empty seat between Castle and Ryan. He was hesitant at first like he had a question he needed to ask them but thought better of it.
"Espo, what's got you so twisted?" Castle asked.
"Look I need to level with the two of you. I need to ask the both of you a question."
Rick and Kevin look at each other with concern. Kevin spoke first.
"Javi, what's wrong?"
"You know how endlessly I am in love with Tori, right?"
"Sure. The two of you are made for each other." Rick says.
"Well, later tonight I'm going to ask her to be my wife. We've been through hell and back. I don't want to wait for something else to screw this up."
"Now there's a man who takes life by the horns. Do you have an idea about how you are going to ask her?" Kevin hopes he won't do something dull.
"Actually, I have it narrowed down to two ways. A helicopter ride and propose that way, or a slow walk on the beach and use the walk to cover my proposal."
Rick and Kevin look at him with the same shocked look about the chopper ride idea.
"Dude, you're not serious, are you? A chopper ride?" Castle says.
"Espo, think about this, how romantic is letting Reggie the chopper pilot hear your proposal? Think long and hard before you answer that question."
"Beach walk it is then!" Espo told the both of them.
"So where is she now?" Rick asks.
"Castle, don't you and your wife talk to each other?"
"Sure we do, why would you say that?"
"Because if you spoke to your wife you'd know that Kate and Tori are at lunch. They met at Le Cirque."
"WOW, give a woman a credit card and this is what you have to look forward to."
"Tori and I will be meeting for dinner at Gargiulo's Restaurant on Coney Island. Then I'll invite her for a romantic walk right before the sun sets and ask her then." Espo tells them jubilantly.
"Well, it looks like you have it all together Javi." Ryan says.
They finish their beers and have two more before leaving the Haunt. Rick hails a cab for Espo and Ryan and passes Ryan a "C"note for the fare.
With them heading out Rick hails another cab and sets off for the loft. When he gets to the loft Kate and Tori are talking about the recent happenings at the 12th. He walks by them on the way to his office and being courteous he says hello to the both of them and gives Kate a look. Kate raises an eyebrow knowing that he's up to something. Tori sees that Kate is watching him and not really listening to what she is saying to her.
"Kate, I'm going to head out so you can deal with him." she says as she points to Rick in his office.
"Tori, I'm so sorry. He can be a child sometimes." Kate justifies.
"No problem." Just as she gets up her cell phone pings with a new message. Taking out her phone she reads the text.
"Everything okay?" Kate asks.
"Yeah, Javi wants to meet for dinner later. In Brooklyn. Kate, I'll catch you later good luck with Rick."
"Bye Tori."
Once Tori leaves Kate makes a beeline for Rick's office. Standing in the doorway she gets ready for his excuses.
"So babe, what's with the look before?"
"Kate, do you know how close the two of you came to giving away the surprise?" Rick asks skeptically.
"Surprise? What surprise?"
"My lips are sealed. You'll get nothing out of me woman."
"Rick, what's going on. And if you don't tell me, my next move will be running out of here with the credit card you gave me for lunch and max it out."
Rick knew he was beaten. It's not that he could not afford whatever she charged, that was not the problem. The problem is she could come home in a Porsche. So he relented and told her.
"Your friend is going to propose tonight." He told her in a defeated voice.
"No way! When?"
"They are having dinner tonight in Brooklyn and then during a walk on the beach he'll pop the question."
The next sound he hears splits his eardrums. He never thought Kate could reach that high of a note. It was so bad he needed to stick his fingers in his ears to deaden the noise.
"Sorry babe. I'm just so happy for them. So what can we do for them?"
"Well, I have some thoughts."
Rick and Kate planned what they wanted to do for Javi and Tori. At the same time, the couple on Coney Island had just finished dessert.
"So Tori, are you up for a walk on the beach?" Java asked sounding nonchalantly.
"Sure I'd love to. It would be a great ending to dinner."
He got up, pulled back her chair and offered his hand to help her up. They left the restaurant and headed for the beach. The sun still had not set yet so he had about 15 minutes before his window closed. They interlocked fingers and walked quietly down towards the beach. Hearing nothing but the waves from the lower bay rolling in they walked along the waters edge.
Javi thought it was now or never. So he started with no turning back.
"Tori, it has been some time now since the day we met. The memory is still fresh in my mind and every time I relive the moment, a small smile starts to lay itself out along my lips.
The memories we have together, always lead me back to you!
So many times we all hear the same advice, you will know when the person you have in front of you is the one.. its funny, before you see and feel it for yourself, it's impossible to imagine how that can even be possible ... but it's true, something happens in a flash of a moment when your mind is unable to take over and your whole body just lets you know that its okay ... this person is finally the one.
Well... that is how I feel about you. I know that we have very busy careers, I know that as of late, I was recovering from my injuries which have limited our time together, that time together has been sacrificed for getting me back to 100%. As a result, I believe it would be best if we were no longer boyfriend and girlfriend but rather husband and wife..."
Javi gets down on his knee and looks up at her beautiful brown eyes and asks her
"Tori Ellis, would you do me the honor of being my wife?"
He removed the ring box from his pocket and before he can slide the engagement ring on her finger she has tears rolling down her face. He hears a soft yes from her but it's barely above a whisper.
Tori is speechless. As he slides the ring on her finger and rises to draw her into a full body hug. As she looks into his eyes and can see only his love for her.
A/N: Epilogue to follow!