"Wanda get your ass down here or you'll be late for class!" Clint bellowed up the stairs.
"Spoken like a true parent already." Smirking at him as I poured myself tea in my travel mug.
"Just practicing for the future." He winked at me before giving me a quick kiss.
Pulling back, I knew I was red.
"She's blushing. What did you say this time?" Wanda asked coming into the kitchen with her backpack. On instinct, I poured her a cup of coffee in a travel mug.
"She's just dazzled by me." Clint grinned which caused both of us to roll our eyes.
"Oh okay, yeah." Snorting out as I handed Wanda her coffee.
She added her cream and sugar, but I could see the stress forming in her eyes. I've seen that particular form of stress before.
Finals time stress.
"Hey, stop freaking out." Coming over and rubbing her shoulders "They're just finals. Nothing too big and scary. I know it's your first semester of college ever but stop stressing. You've been doing an amazing job this semester."
"It's just a lot." She sighed as she began to run her fingers through her hair.
"I know. I've been there." Grinning at her, "But don't worry. Everyone thinks they did terrible when they take their finals, but you've been doing the work and you know the material, and we've been helping you study like crazy. You're going to ace this." Giving her shoulders a squeeze.
"And when you're done with all four we'll go out and get drunk." Clint beamed and I wanted to smack him because he knew we couldn't do that.
"No, we won't!" Yelling at him as Wanda scrunched her face in annoyance, "Because you're 18, but we will all go out to dinner to celebrate your first semester of college. You get to pick where." Smiling at her, hoping to ease her frustration at being treated like a child.
"Or you and Vision could go out just the two of you." Clint cheekily said with a devilish smile.
Wanda and I stared at him with annoyed, serious faces.
"Okay, you can get him back for that." Speaking to Wanda.
Wanda raised her hands, and a cutting board flew across the room smacking Clint in the back of the head.
"Son of a bitch!" He cursed while rubbing the sore spot on his cranium.
"Well, that's what you get." Raising my eyes at him with a look of 'what did you expect?'
"Come on you're going to be late for class and I'm going to be late for work." Shaking my head at the man I loved and grabbed my bags and tea.
Clint gave me a kiss goodbye and fist-bumped Wanda, "You got this."
"Thanks, Clint." She gave him a half-smile.
Wanda turned to me and put on her backpack, "Let's do this." She groaned and took a sip of coffee.
"Welcome to college. It only gets worse." Laughing as we walked out the front door.
"Hey, Nat I need some advice," Clint said to his best friend as she accepted his video call.
"On what exactly?" She asked as she took a sip of coffee.
"Are you alone?" Clint asked suspiciously. He did not need an audience for this.
"Yes?" He saw her face scrunch up in confusion.
"I'm going to ask Dot to marry me," Clint said as a shy smile bloomed on his face.
"Yes!" Nat cheered "If you can do it about five weeks from now then I am definitely going to win the pool again!" She grinned into the camera.
"You guys have a pool going on when I was going to propose!" Clint yelled over the phone.
"Easy money. Plus, we get bored easily." Nat shrugged and rolled her eyes, "So any ideas on how you are going to do it?"
"That's why I called you," Clint said to her.
He watched Nat's eyebrows raise, "You're called me for romantic, relationship advice? The last guy I liked literally disappeared off the face of the planet while in his super-human enhanced form. How desperate are you?"
"Well, you've been head-on with everything so far!" Clint argued to her.
"True, but that's rare for me." She smirked into the camera "Do you have any ideas?"
"A few but I'm not sure on what to do. Should I go big? Keep it small? Keep it in the middle?" Clint rambled.
"What ideas do you have so far?" Nat asked as she took a seat.
"Idea number one was to do it at Disney World in front of Cinderella's Castle, but I'm not sure Dot would be comfortable with all of the attention and crowds in that situation," Clint explained his first idea.
Nat scrunched up her face, "It might be a bit overwhelming for her since she's just getting used to all the press and paparazzi. It's not a bad idea, but maybe let's table it."
Clint nodded. That was what he was thinking. It would ruin the engagement if someone recognized him as Hawkeye.
"I was thinking I could take her out to dinner at Fiola Mare and then a walk to the Lincoln Memorial." Clint gave his next idea.
Nat gave a half-committed look.
"Not loving it?" Clint asked hesitantly.
"Not really. See I think for Dot, proposing would work with a middle ground kind of thing. Not that dinner and the Lincoln Memorial is terrible, it just doesn't seem enough." Nat shrugged.
"Have you asked Beth about this?" Nat suggested.
"Not yet, I wanted to see if we could get anywhere, but I am definitely taking her ring shopping with me," Clint told his best friend.
"Good idea, she'll know what Dot will want." Nat agreed with him.
"Hey Nat, are you almost ready to go?" Clint heard Steve's voice in the background.
"Yeah, just give me a minute." She called back to him.
"Is that Clint on the phone?" Steve walked closer to the phone.
"Get him in the room and shut the door!" Clint hissed over the video call. He saw Nat get up and push Steve into the room and lock the door.
"What the heck is going on?" Steve asked them bewildered.
Nat looked back at Clint.
"He can keep a secret," Nat said to Clint.
"Fair enough. But no one else can know!" Clint ground out.
Nat turned to Steve and said, "Clint is going to ask Dorothy to marry him."
A huge grin spread on Steve's face, "Congrats man! I'm so happy for you!"
Clint grinned, knowing Steve was genuine, "Thanks, man. I'm trying to keep it on the down-low for now."
"I won't say anything." Steve held up his hands "How are you going to do it?"
"That's what we're trying to figure out," Nat told the super-soldier.
"Ah got it. Any suggestions so far?" Steve asked the two of them.
"We've got Disney World in front of Cinderella's Castle, or dinner at their favorite restaurant and a trip to the Lincoln Memorial," Nat told Steve.
Clint watched Steve rub his chin, "Those are nice ideas but-"
Clint cut him off, "Polar opposites we know." He sighed.
"We're trying to find a good middle ground," Nat commented.
The three of them tossed out ideas for twenty minutes but nothing stuck. Nothing seemed like it would be the perfect way to propose to Dot and he had to make it perfect.
"Okay…I think I actually have the perfect idea," Nat said after their useless brainstorming session.
"Great what is it!" Clint asked her.
"You're not going to like it though." She told him.
"What why?" Clint and Steve questioned.
"Because it involves asking for Tony's help," Nat said sheepishly.
Clint's only response was to let out a large groan.
"You do know the rule is spending at least three months salary." Beth joked as they walked into the jewelry store.
Clint let out a snort, "Yes but that won't be a problem."
"You're right, but Dottie would not something obnoxious. Just vintage." Beth grinned at him as they made their way to the counter.
"Hi, do you have any specialized engagement rings? Something vintage, definitely art deco period. An added touch of filagree would be nice as well." Beth said to the clerk as she looked at Clint.
"No problem just give me a minute. I think I can find some rings." The clerk smiled at them and disappeared.
"Art deco?" Clint raised his eyebrows at Beth.
"Dottie has always dreamed of having a vintage, art deco engagement ring. She doesn't want anything traditional." Beth smiled at him "You know how she is about the '20s."
Clint let out a little laugh, "You do have a point there."
The clerk returned with a dozen rings in a case.
Clint felt himself sweating as he looked at all the options. Jesus this was way more pressure than he realized.
"Is there a certain price cap we are looking at?" The clerk asked Clint.
Clint shook his head "No, whatever is just going to make her happy."
The clerk smiled at him "That is so sweet."
He saw Beth roll her eyes, "Yes he is the sweetest." She sarcastically responded.
"There is this lovely option." The clerk picked up an oval ring, "It is circa 1921 with a pierced design and is bordered with miligrain edging. The diamond is European cut and is engraved with wheat and scroll motifs."
The clerk handed the ring over to Clint. He studied and tried to imagine putting it on Dot's finger.
"What do you think?" He turned to Beth.
Beth made a half-committal noise, "It's nice but it's not Dottie. I don't think she's crazy about an oval or circle diamond. Plus, she would love a bit of color." Beth explained to him.
"I think another option is best." Clint shook his head and handed the ring back to the clerk.
"Well how about this one if the price isn't an option." The clerk took the rejected ring and handed him a new one.
"Woah that is big." Beth whistled, "Pretty, but big."
Clint studied the ring. It was a square-cut diamond with emeralds surrounding it and two smaller diamonds on the side of it.
"She would love the Asscher cut of the diamond with the emeralds. But damn that is a big rock." Beth said.
"How much is this one?" Clint asked the clerk referring to the current ring in his hand.
"That particular ring, circa 1923, comes to 45,000 dollars." The clerk hesitantly told them.
"45 grand for a ring!" Beth screeched causing everyone to look at them, "Jesus you could buy a house for that! Or Dottie's case pay like a third of her student loans."
"But you said she would like the cut." Clint tried to get her quiet down.
"Yes, but you and I both know that if Dottie ever found out that you spent 45 grand on a ring, and that I let you spend 45 grand on a ring, she would kill both of us. Then refuse to wear the ring." Beth crossed her arms and stared at him.
"Good point," Clint muttered. He knew how stubborn Dot could be. Coupled with her feelings about Clint going overboard for her…Beth was right. It would be a disaster.
"Especially since you just bought a house for the both of you, this would send her overboard." Beth hit the final nail in the coffin.
"Yes, I get it." Clint handed the ring back over to the clerk.
"Do you have anything else with a similar cut?" Beth asked the clerk.
"Not currently inventoried, but we did just get a few pieces in from an estate sale. Give me a second and let me check." The clerk told them and disappeared into the back.
Clint hung his head "Jesus this is way more stressful than I thought it would be."
"Don't be stressed. We'll find the perfect ring for Dot and then you can put your proposal plan into action. Worst case we go to another store that sells vintage rings." Beth calmed him by rubbing his back.
The clerk came back with a new tray with seven new rings and set it down before them "We haven't had time to inventory these because they just came in but give them a look."
"That one!" Beth shouted in Clint's ear as she pointed to a ring.
"Jesus!" Clint rubbed his ear "My hearing aids do work you know." He grimaced.
"Sorry." She apologized "But this is the ring for Dottie." She picked up the ring in question.
Clint stared at the ring in Beth's fingers.
"It has an Asscher cut, sapphires, and an open filigree underneath. Clint this is her ring." Beth handed over the ring to him.
"That is a beautiful choice. Circa 1925, the double halo of sapphires and diamonds surround the Asscher cut diamond. The framing of the center diamond is a halo of French-cut sapphires surrounded by an additional halo of round diamonds. The open-work filigree under the diamond gives a nice added delicacy to the ring." The clerk grinned at them.
"And the price is a solid, 6,600 dollars. Nothing too insane as 45 thousand." The woman added with a small smile.
Clint intently stared at the ring. It looked like the right one, but how could he know for sure?
"Okay close your eyes," Beth told him.
"What?" Clint questioned like she was nuts.
"Just do it please." Beth stared at him.
Obliging Beth, Clint closed his eyes.
"Okay, I want you to picture yourself with Dottie. You're at your proposal spot. You're getting down on one knee. The surprise and shock on her face are evident. You say all your mushy, lovey-dovey crap, and you pull out the box and open it. You see her face. Is she too stunned to speak?" Beth set the scene for him.
Clint ran the scene through his mind. Him getting down on one knee telling the woman he loved just how much she meant to him and pulling out a small, black, velvet box and opening the lid.
Without realizing it a grin bloomed on Clint's face.
"And we have a winner!" Beth cheered as Clint opened his eyes, the smile still on his face. A grin on her face to match his.
"Yeah, you're right. This is her ring." Clint laughed as he held the ring tightly in his fingers.
"So are you saying yes?" The clerk and Beth looked expectantly at him with optimistic smiles.
Clint extended his grin, "Yes, I am."
Beth began to jump up and down cheering next to him. He was too excited to tell her to calm down. He looked back down at Dot's engagement ring and couldn't wait to put it on her finger.
"Let me try this again. Can you please tell me why we're going to NYC for the weekend?" I questioned Clint for the fifteenth time as we were currently making our way to the city.
"I told you it's for your birthday." He just smiled that stupid, goofy smile at me whenever I asked him.
"But my birthday was weeks ago!" Arguing with him.
"Then it's for my birthday." He still smiled.
"Your birthday was before my birthday!" Yelling as I started to get frustrated.
"Then it's for both of our birthdays." His grin grew.
Groaning I fell back against the seat. It had been super weird when Clint said he was taking me away for a surprise getaway to NYC for the weekend. Beth even packed my suitcase. I glanced back at the garment bag that I assumed held a fancy dress for me to wear. I was given explicit instructions to not open the bag until I was supposed to change.
"Why are you doing this to me?" I pleaded with him "You know I hate surprises. Especially when you're the one organizing them."
"What why!" Clint exclaimed looking a tad offended.
"Because you have a tendency to go overboard." Deadpanning to him.
"That is true, but I do it because I love you." He rested a hand on my thigh.
"I know it's because you love me, but I didn't ask for it." Replying to him.
"You shouldn't need to ask. I do this because you're my girlfriend, and I love you, and from time to time I want to spoil you." Clint squeezed my thigh.
"Sure, guilt me. That will make it better." Rolling my eyes with a small smile. That got a chuckle out of him.
"Are we going to stop by the compound and see the team?" Asking him.
"We might be able to Sunday if we have some time." Was all Clint said, but I saw a gleam of mischief in his eyes.
Turns out the weekend was full of all things that I've always to do. Shocking that Clint would put me first.
First, we went to the American Museum of Natural History on Friday afternoon after we checked into our ridiculously expensive hotel room. I'm proud I managed to hold myself in check and not say anything. Clint was way better at navigating the NYC subway system, so I was at his mercy at him leading us around the city. When we stopped in front of the Museum, I knew I shouldn't have been surprised. Shaking my head with a grin I tugged Clint up the steps and inside the museum for the next two hours.
Afterward, we had a simple dinner at Shake Shack and went back to the hotel exhausted.
The next morning Clint and I woke up early and went to the Neue Galerie so I could see my favorite painting in person. Gustav Klimt's portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I. He humored me as I stood in front of the painting, gawking at it like an idiot as I was marveled by its beauty. Clint even let me tell him the whole, messy, long backstory of the painting as I stood captured by it. After that, we went to the MET and walked around all day and had a light lunch because Clint said he was surprising me with a nice dinner that night.
When we got back to the hotel, I did my best to manage my hair and makeup. Without Beth there I had to make do with side-swept curls with the curling iron Beth had packed for me. Still retro-looking but, nothing as complicated as finger waves. When I left the bathroom to get my garment bag Clint let out a wolf whistle as he took in my curls and signature red lips. Gotta keep it retro all l the way.
Unzipping the garment bag, I was met with a brand-new dress I had never seen before. The dress started out burgundy with purple hues with the bottom cascading into a soft pink. The dress had a sleeveless, bateau neckline, with a swing skirt that looked like it fell just below my knees. At the bottom of the bag were a pair of beige, vintage T style high heeled pumps, and a rose-colored clutch. Grabbing my phone, I texted Beth asking her how much she spent on the outfit, but all I got in reply was a wide grin smiley face.
The dress was beautiful and fit like a glove. Taking a selfie in the mirror I sent it to Beth with a bunch of hearts as a thank you. I would need to figure out a way to slip some spare cash into her wallet without her looking to pay her back. Sitting at the edge of the tub I strapped myself into my new shoes and stood up. Oh, I hope we wouldn't be walking long distances, but there was no better way to break in some new shoes. Smoothing out the dress I noticed it even had pockets! Score! I slipped my phone into one of the pockets and grabbed the rose-colored clutch and headed back out into the hotel room.
"Well, how do I look?" Sheepishly asking Clint as I came back into the room.
Clint was in the process of putting on his cufflinks. When he saw me he stopped and his face went blank.
"Woah." He breathed taking me in.
"So do I look okay?" Letting out a nervous laugh as I bit my lip in anxiety.
Clint still said nothing.
But he did walk over and push me up against the wall and attached his lips to mine.
After a full minute, I needed air and broke away, "Okay we're going to need to work on you using your words." Panting out as I tried to get some air back into my lungs.
"What can I say you always render me speechless." Clint grinned like a devil and an instant blush came to my cheeks.
Clint went in and kissed my lips again, gently this time, and when he broke away, he said "You look so beautiful." Smoothing his hands over my cheeks and goosebumps formed on my skin.
"You don't look too bad yourself." Grinning at him as I eyed him up and down in his dark grey suit. Again, unfairly, he looked like a model.
"Though you didn't do your cufflinks." Teasing him as I picked up his wrist and helped him fasten his cufflinks.
"What can I say? I got distracted." He winked at me. I rolled my eyes, but my blush grew deeper.
"So, let me guess. Where we're going for dinner is a surprise?" Joking with him as I finished cufflink number two, and then smoothed out his black tie.
"That's right." Clint grinned at me and kissed me once more before releasing me from the wall.
We took a few photos of us together before we left the hotel and set off into the city. When we arrived at the restaurant, I noticed it was called One if By Land, Two if By Sea.
"Haha. Very funny history reference." Giggling as Clint held open the door and we stepped inside.
Giving the hostess Clint's fake name, we were led to a secluded table by the massive windows and brickwork. The table had little tealights on it and a small vase of white roses.
"Thank you." Giving Clint a smile as he held out my chair for me and waited for me to sit down. Looking around the place it was gorgeous. There were even portraits and busts of Paul Revere on the walls. The chandeliers and dim lighting made everything so romantic.
"I hope you picked this place for the good food and not the historical ambiance." Joking with Clint as we looked over our menus.
"No, I was assured that this place is amazing, as well as historical and romantic." Clint chuckled, "This restaurant used to be Aaron Burr's former carriage house."
"What? Really?" Totally shocked.
Clint nodded with a small smile.
"Be careful otherwise I might break out into Hamilton tunes." Warning him with a cheeky grin.
We split some seared scallops for an appetizer while Clint ordered the famous beef Wellington for himself, while I ordered the aged rib-eye steak for myself. It was amazing. My mouth was watering the whole time. To top it all off we split a chocolate soufflé for dessert.
"Oh my God." Quietly moaning as I ate the dessert, "This is like eating a chocolate pillow of happiness."
"I'll wait for you to chew and swallow your food before I say anything," Clint smirked at me.
I eyed him suspiciously as I slowly chewed and swallowed the chocolate heaven in my mouth.
Clint leaned in close to me, "I have to say it was a huge turn-on hearing you moan over a soufflé." He whispered to me with a wink.
My cheeks went red and I was so thankful that he had the hindsight to say that after I swallowed my bite.
"Well thank you for averting a scene where you would have needed to give me the Heimlich maneuver." Staring at him with slight annoyance, but I had to admit…I was a tad turned on now too.
"Call it payback for looking so sexy in that dress." Clint winked. I said nothing to that.
Clint paid the bill and we were on our way to wherever he had planned next.
"I would definitely eat there again." Saying to him as we climbed out of our Uber to destination number two of the night "Though maybe minus the soufflé." Smirking at him.
"Oh, no fun." He whined and it made me laugh.
"Well where to now?" Asking as I slide my arm through his.
About twenty steps later he stopped "We're here."
Looking up I stopped and let out a huge groan.
We were standing in front of the Richard Rodgers Theatre and the Hamilton signs were everywhere.
"Clint!" Groaning out I stepped away from him, "Why? You already gave me Hamilton in D.C. why are we seeing it again? Is this some ploy to make me happy and then secretly at the end of the night you're breaking up with me?" Looking at him completely flabbergasted. Why would he do this for me again unless he was setting up for something really horrible?
Clint stared at me for a second before doubling over with laughter.
"What? What is so funny?" Throwing my hands in the air.
"You!" He laughed at me from his spot on the sidewalk, "You know for someone who is so smart, you can really come up with some dumb things."
"Clint." Growling at him. The tone in my voice made him stop laughing.
"I'm sorry baby but it's true." He got in a few more chuckles as he wiped his eyes.
"I know I took you to see Hamilton last year, but now you'll actually get to see it at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. At the place where it all started. You could say, you'll finally be in the room where it happens." He grinned at his stupid joke.
"You dork!" Unable to contain my laughter at his idiotic Hamilton joke I shook my head. But, that's why I loved him.
"Dot please let's just enjoy the night, and I have another little surprise after the show." He smiled and wrapped his arms around my waist.
I hung my head and breathed in his expensive cologne, "You may not be trying to break up with me, but you are trying to kill me."
"Nope just shower you unconditionally with the love that you deserve." He kissed my cheek and led me into the theatre.
"Not seeing the difference from where I'm standing," I mumbled under my breath.
"God I think you just wanted to make me cry again." Sniffing as I dabbed my eyes with Clint's handkerchief.
The show had just ended, and it was amazing of course, and I hate to admit it, but it felt different to be seeing the musical at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.
Not that I was about to tell Clint that.
Clint just laughed next to me. We were waiting for the crowds to thin out before we left. Making sure my eyes were dry I tucked Clint's handkerchief back into his pocket.
"Thank you for this even if I am still baffled on why you did it." Smirking before giving him a quick kiss.
"Because I love you." Clint's voice was warm honey.
"Yeah, yeah." Rolling my eyes but going in to kiss him again.
"And the night isn't over yet." Clint broke away from my lips with a grin.
"What now?" Groaning as I dropped my head.
With a devilish grin, Clint stood up and extended his hand. Eyeing him cautiously I wrapped my hand in his and stood up with him.
Clint led us around the first few rows of seats because of course, we were sitting in the fourth row this time around and guided me to the curtain on the side of the stage.
"What are you doing?" My eyes going wide as I planted my feet and dug in my heels, "Clint that leads backstage!"
"I know." Clint winked and with an unfair amount of strength easily rooted me from my spot and tugged me along past the curtain.
"Clint we really shouldn't be back here." Whispering with fear, "We are going to get caught." Hating him for dragging us back here but still keeping my hand tight in his.
"We'll be fine." He calmly said with a grin.
Then out a nowhere a guy with a headset and a clipboard came over to us.
Oh no, we're dead!
But instead of screaming at us to get lost as he called security….he smiled at us?
"Mr. Barton it's a pleasure." The clipboard guy smiled at Clint and extended his hand to Clint's.
Clint shook the man's hand with a similar smile, "Thank you so much. The pleasure is all mine."
Their hands dropped and I wondered what the hell was going on?
The clipboard guy gestured ahead, "It's all yours, just be careful and don't climb on the stairs."
Clint nodded and shot him another smile and a thank you and then we were moving again.
"What is going on?" Asking completely confused.
My dumbass boyfriend said nothing and only smiled at me before leading me further backstage. Clint grabbed a handful of red curtain and pulled me through the opening with him.
My eyes went wide again and I stilled.
"What. The. Fuck?" I whispered out loud as I took in my surroundings.
We were standing on the stage. On the Hamilton stage. At the God damn Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City.
Clint had an amused look on his face as he took in my slack, open mouth, and huge eyes. Thinking this was all a dream.
"How?" Inquiring as I tilted my head up and saw the wooden scaffold the performers used every day. The stage back backlit in the lighting that had been set up at the beginning of the show.
"Stark helped me pull a few strings," Clint said with a small smile as he watched me tentatively take a step forward and waited for the dream, the illusion to disappear. But nope. I was still standing on the stage.
"It's so wide. So open." I breathed as I looked around the stage. "I mean it looks huge in the audience but actually standing on it you don't realize how massive it is." Turning around in a circle trying to take everything in.
"I'm actually standing where Lin Manuel Miranda has stood and sang!" Letting out a girlish squeal as my giddiness built inside of me.
Clint let out a laugh at that but smartly kept quiet as I fangirled.
"This is nuts!" A breathless laugh escaped me. I caught Clint's eyes.
"You're too good for me." My eyes watered as I tried to smile. Tried to wrap my head around the man I loved and why he did this for me.
Walking forward I closed my eyes and pictured the heartbeat that sounds after Burr shoots Hamilton. The sound in my head feels so real. I think of all the history mixed with art. The facts mixed with fiction. The real heroes and the ones made to look the part. The people like Eliza who told everyone's story but her own. The musical that changed the way people remember history. The musical that changed the world.
Opening my eyes, I begin quietly sing "Every other founding fathers' story gets told. Every other founding father gets to grow old. And when you're gone, who remembers your name? Who keeps your flame? Who tells your story? Who tells your story? Who tells your story?" Softly finishing into the now empty theatre, a tiny smile on my lips.
I never would have imagined in my whole life I would have gotten the chance to sing Hamilton on the official Hamilton stage.
Surely this must be a dream.
"You're pretty good." A voice said from the side of the stage.
Instantly I went still. I knew that voice. Heard it. Played it over and over and over.
Slowly I turned to my left and came face to face with the Leslie Odem Jr. aka Aaron Burr. The original Hamilton Burr.
Luckily, I was able to keep my mouth from hanging open but I was still gobsmacked, and utterly starstruck nonetheless.
His smile was wide and wonderful. He stood before Clint and me in jeans, a t-shirt, and a nice jacket.
"Holy…" Not being able to finish and thinking that was probably for the best because I did not want to curse in front of this man.
"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Laurens, I heard you're quite the Hamilton fan." Leslie Odem Jr. smiled at me and extended his hand.
My head in a daze I shook his hand.
Holy crap I'm shaking hands with Leslie Odem Jr!
"I can't even wrap my head around the fact that you know my name, sir." Admitting to him as our hands dropped, "Though I can guess who told you." Shooting Clint a look before turning my attention back to him.
"I mean, you're Leslie Odem Jr. for God's sake." A nervous laugh erupted from me and I wanted to crawl into the earth.
That made him laugh.
"I have to say that Wait for It is my favorite song in the whole show. You're just phenomenal. The first time I watched Hamilton on Disney+ I cried after seeing you perform it." Gushing to him as my daze finally started to fade and my excitement started to grow.
"I understand you're a historian." Leslie smiled at me.
I nodded, "Yes I am and I personally believe you give a new depth to the person of Aaron Burr, much more to the extent that he deserves." Shyly adding, "You make him personable, and made people feel empathy for him, which he might not deserve, again that's in my opinion."
That made Leslie laugh, "After doing extensive research on Aaron Burr I have to agree with you."
That compliment made me dance on the inside.
Clint joined the conversation and the three of us talked for a few more minutes and took some photos before Leslie excused himself and left, but not before inviting us to the opening of his new Broadway play next month.
When he left I began hopping up and down in place.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Beth is going to explode when I tell her this!" Squealing, "I can't believe we just met Leslie Odem Jr! Like what!" Still not really believing any of this.
Turning back around to what would be no doubt Clint's huge, devilish grin I stopped short when I saw him on his knees.
"Clint!" Rushing over to him "Are you okay!" Bending down in panic as I looked him over.
Clint shuffled around to kneel and let out a laugh.
"Yes, I'm fine for now. But your answer will change how I'm feeling." He grinned up at me.
I scrunched my eyes in confusion.
"What? I don't understand?" Questioning in a total loss.
Just then Clint pulled out a small velvet box from his pocket. The air in my lungs hitched in my chest as Clint opened the ring box and revealed an absolutely gorgeous art deco diamond and sapphire ring.
Stepping back my mind went completely, and utterly blank.
Holy….
"Oh my God." Covering my mouth with my hand to keep my jaw from dropping to the floor.
"I wanted to make this as special and memorable as possible, and I think I've managed that." Clint let out a nervous laugh.
"There is so much I could say about you, Dorothy. I could say that when you came into my life I was broken with pain and doubt. I could say that you and your beautiful love and kindness helped to put me back together again. I could say that I found myself living for the moments when I could make you laugh or smile. I could say that falling in love with you is the best thing that has happened to me and nothing will ever replace the love and support you have given me." Clint said in a confident tone but I could hear the undercurrents of his nerves.
My eyes watered as I tried desperately not to burst out sobbing.
"I could say all that, but all I really need to say is that without a doubt I love you Dorothy Elizabeth Laurens and I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy and give you everything you deserve because I believe in us. Only if you'll have me." Clint smiled and held the ring box higher, "So will you marry me?" Clint's eyes were nervous and hopeful.
Tears were streaming down my cheeks at this point.
This beautiful, wonderful, marvelous man wanted me. Me? To marry him.
A small sob escaped my lips as I lowered my hand as I stared at Clint.
"Of course." Crying out as I grinned through my happy tears, "Of course I'll marry you."
Clint's face bloomed into a smile so wide I didn't think it was possible to fit onto his face. In a flash, he stood up from the floor and scooped me in his arms, and twirled me around.
A laugh escaped me. Was this really happening?
Clint put me down and looked into my eyes and all I saw was complete love. He leaned in and kissed me deeply.
"Christ the ring!" He swore under his breath as he suddenly broke away. The action made another laugh escape.
Clint took the ring from the velvet case and gently slipped it onto my shaking finger.
A giggle escaped me as I looked from the ring to Clint.
I was engaged!
A round of cheering suddenly came from the audience. Swinging my head, I saw the whole team along with Beth and Pops in the audience.
"Oh my God!" Letting out a laugh as I shook my head in shock. I noticed Wanda had her fancy camera and was taking pictures.
"Were you guys here for all of that?" Asking as they made their way on stage and greeted everyone with hugs and kisses. Pops had tears in his eyes.
"Yes but that's beside the point." Tony smiled as he held up sparkling cider and I was touched that he was sticking to my no alcohol rule, and popped open the bottle while Pepper and Steve handed out plastic champagne flutes to everyone before he began to pour.
"Now I'd like to propose what I'm sure will be the first of many toasts. To Clint and Dorothy, it's about damn time!" Tony grinned and I was too wrapped up in happiness to chastise him.
"To Clint and Dorothy!" Everyone toasted while Sam began to cheer and whoop to us.
Glancing at Clint all I could do was smile at him with pure love.