"You nervous?"
"Do I look nervous?"
Emily eyed him. "Actually, yeah you do."
Taking a breath, Cal finished packing before zipping up the small carry on. "She was pretty pissed at me Em."
"Well you did almost get yourself killed again. I'm even still a little pissed at you." Her tone was nonchalant, like it was an everyday occurrence.
"In my defense, the guy was already planning it. I just…helped him step it up a bit."
"You walked right into it."
"I know. Not my brightest moment."
The girl didn't say anything initially, just observed her dad. He was nervous, yeah, but there was also an underlying sadness. It occurred to her that he fully expected to be rejected. He didn't think Gillian would say yes.
She stepped close and gave him a hug. After a moment of surprise, he hugged her back and planted a kiss on the top of her head.
"It's going to be fine dad. She loves you." Her words were somewhat muffled against his shirt.
"I know she does but sometimes it's not enough."
"If you pull together as a team, it will be."
Cal stepped out of the embrace, his hands on her upper arms as he studied her. "How old are you?"
"Well, if you believe in reincarnation, my soul is probably older than yours."
He raised an eyebrow, his eyes suddenly laughing. "Of that, I have no doubt." He pulled her into another hug before kissing her temple. "Guess I should head out."
They had an 11:00 flight and he needed to swoop by to pick up Gillian before getting their butts to the airport.
"Do you have it worked out how you're going to ask?" She'd brought it up before and he'd been noncommittal. He did, in fact, kind of have a loose plan but he preferred to torture his daughter by not saying anything. If it all worked out, he'd tell her when he got home. If not…well…he didn't really want to think about that possibility. But of course that's all he could think about.
"I'll let you know."
"Fine. Be like that." Her tone was teasing but not without an underlying annoyance.
Cal grabbed his bag and headed down the stairs while Emily trailed behind. "So you'll be going over to you mum's soon?"
"I'm not a little kid."
"No but you're my kid and I want to make sure you're okay." Stopping by the door, he grabbed his jacket and turned to catch the girl's eye.
"The plan is to enjoy a bit of quiet when you're gone and then I'll arrive at mom's in time for dinner. Is that good enough?"
"Suppose so." He didn't move, a tiny bit of worry on his face.
"Don't you have a lady to pick up and a flight to catch?" Hint hint. Go. Now.
The worry didn't leave but he offered a smile. "Okay, I'm going. You be good, yeah?"
"Face it, I'm a good kid."
"Yeah luv, you are. I'm very lucky." He pecked her on the cheek. "I'm outta here."
(BREAK)
The ring was warm in his pocket. Had been since the airport, since the afternoon performance of Wicked, since the lovely dinner following the show. He just hadn't found the right moment. Or maybe he was chickening out.
"You've been quiet." Gillian looked at him as they took a cab back to their hotel. There had been some tension following the whole incident on the boat but she was slowly letting it go. It was close to impossible to stay angry with him. And then of course the entire weekend had been wonderful. He'd gone all out, including staying at a suite at the Plaza, which had surprised and impressed her to say the least.
"Just rolling things around in my head."
"Anything in particular?"
The cab pulled up in front of the hotel and Cal jumped out without answering. He turned to take her hand to help her out. She looked amazing and it was really hard to keep his eyes off her. She was wearing a turquoise strapless cocktail dress in a shimmering satin that clung in all the right places. Her hair was swept up, but allowed several strands to frame her face. All evening he'd had to glower at other men when their eyes got a little too friendly.
"Have I told you how beautiful you are?"
She smiled, almost shyly. "Yes. Several times in fact."
"Just checking." He quickly paid the cabbie before returning to her side to slide an arm around her waist as they headed back toward the hotel. The doorman waiting patiently while they approached but Cal stopped short.
"What's the matter?" Confusion immediately crossed her face.
"Oh, nothin' luv. Just had an idea." His grin was sudden, large and boyish.
She stared at him suspiciously. "Should I be concerned?"
"No. Absolutely not. Well, maybe. Guess we'll see." Cal guided her to the line up of hansom cabs instead. He chose one being drawn by a beautiful chestnut mare with a flaxen mane and tail and had a quick conversation with the driver. He kept his voice low so Gillian wasn't able to catch the exchange. The young woman smiled widely at him and nodded several times. She then climbed up into the front like a spider monkey.
"Alright darlin'. This is Brittany and her horse Gidget. Your carriage now awaits."
"Oh my God Cal." She stared, mouth slightly ajar. "When did you become so romantic?"
"Ouch luv. Ouch." He handed her up into the buggy and swung himself in while she got situated, allowing her to smooth her dress before he plopped down next to her. "The romance is there. Sometimes misplace it is all."
Her eyes glittered. "I've always wanted to do this."
"Guess it's somethin' to mark off your 'to do' list, yeah?"
She just looked so beautiful and so excited that he couldn't help but lean over and softly kiss her. It was short and sweet and both pulled away smiling.
"You all set back there?"
"Absolutely darlin'."
The girl nodded before guiding Gidget into the procession of carriages heading toward the south end of Central Park. Hooves clip clopped along the pavement at an easy pace, relaxed and unhurried.
Cal's hand found itself entwined with Gillian's. He wasn't conscious of who initiated it but he squeezed gently, earning him a beaming smile before her gaze flickered elsewhere. She had the enthusiasm of a child and it made his heart ache tenderly as he watched. Would he screw up her evening by asking her? Would the weekend end in disappointment and awkwardness? His fear loomed darkly but he quickly tucked it away when Gillian faced him.
"Is everything okay?" Her face was slightly pale in the bright moonlight.
"Course luv. Why wouldn't it be?"
"You tell me."
He didn't. "I sometimes forget how much fun this town can be."
Something was up. Gillian could feel it. "As much fun as Vegas?"
"Um, depends if I'm persona non grata there or not." He gave her a smirk.
"Of course."
As they proceeded deeper into the foliage of the park, the stars were becoming a bit more evident. Gillian gazed upward as Cal kept his eyes on her. Somewhere the sound of a saxophone carried through the night air.
"This is nice."
"It's beautiful luv."
Her eyes met his again, face soft. "Thank you."
Startled, he blinked. "What for?"
"This. Everything. For being you."
Cal regarded her quietly. "Thought being me caused a crap load of problems."
"It does. Sometimes. But it's hard to imagine you any other way. You wouldn't be Cal Lightman otherwise."
His eyes fell to their tightly laced fingers and he gently brushed his thumb against the back of her hand. "Can I ask you somethin'?"
"Sure."
"Did you mean what you said?"
"About what?" She suspected she knew but couldn't be completely positive.
"On the boat. When you were readin' Tessler the riot act." He continued to concentrate on their fingers. Her nails were painted a soft pink naturally. "You said you didn't want anyone else." With effort, he dragged his eyes upward but only managed to stare at her right ear. A small diamond graced it.
About 15 heartbeats thudded in his ears as he waited.
"I meant what I said."
When he finally met her eyes, he was unsurprised to find hers shimmering. Gillian always wore her heart on her sleeve and it was lovely.
"Well." He cleared his throat. "That there is good to know."
Deep breathes. But not too deep. Must not hyperventilate. He gently untangled his hand from hers as he slid off the seat onto one knee.
Her eyes widened, just this side of astonished.
Cal pulled the little velvet box from his pocket that he'd been latching onto for the better part of 12 hours and flicked it open in presentation. It was a criss-cross design with a single carat diamond in the center flanked by two dozen smaller stones. It was breathtaking. "Gillian Foster, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Fear. Lots of fear all over his face.
Was she breathing? Breathing was a very good thing. Not overrated at all. She stared at him, seeing but already knowing how hard this was for him. Cal wasn't a man to emotionally expose himself. He was guarded, suspicious. Every feeling was carefully monitored. Trust had to be earned, not freely given. But here he was, completely opening himself up to her.
Had he ever be this scared before? He couldn't recall. Maybe when he held Emily for the first time but that was different. His daughter hadn't really had the option of rejecting him. Gillian did.
"Yes." The single syllable was practically a sob but it was the voice of every top soprano in the world to him.
"Really?" A dumbfounded smile highlighted his features.
"Uh huh." She nodded, tears slowly overflowing.
His smile turned dopey as he swiftly moved upward against her, kissing her deeply, passionately as her arms wrapped around the back of his neck.
I think this possibly might be a good place to end this one, unless of course you want the whole wedding thing and such.
Either way thanks so much for reading, reviewing and encouraging!