Prologue Part 1: Graduation and Proposal

Eduardo tore through the firehouse, cheering at the top of his lungs.

"I PASSED! I PASSED!"

"May I have a look?" Egon took the official document from Eduardo and examined it.

Eduardo's eyes were unusually bright, but he managed to keep himself calm as possible. "What do you think?"

"Well done!" Egon beamed at his student. "I always knew you could do something about yourself once you put your mind to it."

"I can't believe I actually passed with a mark this high!" Eduardo started tearing around the house again, nearly running straight into Slimer. "Where are the guys? I gotta show them!"

"Guess you'll have to wait. You're the first one to get back here."

"Sure?"

Egon nodded.

"Aw, man....."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Garrett grinned as he passed Kylie back her document. "See? I told you you'd top the class."

Kylie couldn't resist a pride-filled smile. "Thanks for agreeing to come with me to get our results, Garrett."

"No sweat. Everyone needs a little moral support at least once in their life."

"Whatever." Kylie took the handles of Garrett's chair and wheeled him out of the hall. "You wanna head back? Roland's got another class before he's let out."

"Sure. Hey, did you see Eduardo on the way here?"

Kylie wheeled Garrett out of the school. "No why?"

"I saw him running around like a burning chipmunk. Apparently, he's aced his final years as well."

Kylie turned the corner. "Really? Sounds great."

"How do you plan to congratulate him?"

Kylie stopped short. "What do you mean?"

Garrett turned around. "None of us are dumb, you know! I, in particular, know a true boy-girl relationship at full blossom when I see one."

Kylie looked away. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Suit yourself." Garrett made his way down to the firehouse. "I guess I'll see you later! I think you'll want to do some shopping first!"

Kylie found herself alone on the curb, with a shop selling sports equipment just a few blocks away.

She recalled Eduardo absentmindedly mentioning how much he liked one particular pair of black-streaked Nike running shoes. Why he would want running shoes, it was a mystery even to her.

Sighing, she turned and walked toward the shop. / How Garrett can catch on to anything at record time is beyond me. /

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"Janine, don't you find it a little early to celebrate our graduation? We haven't even got our degrees yet."

"Your graduation party can wait." Janine beamed. "Tonight, we celebrate your excellent results!"

Janine got herself busy. She had a peaceful negotiation with Slimer earlier, and he was presently locked in the garage with the bargained dozen pizzas until the celebration dinner.

Egon had to leave for a while. Ray had called him earlier to discuss some 'important matters'.

"Why don't you go find something to busy yourself with until everything's ready?"

Kylie walked out of the living room. "I'm going down to the basement."

Eduardo picked up a video game set. "Hey Garrett, you want to join me in a run of Final Fantasy XI?"

"Nah, maybe not. I'm going to help Roland modify the packs. Besides," He pointed a thumb at the staircase to the basement. "I think you'd rather go down there."

Eduardo pretended he didn't hear that last bit. "Are you sure you don't want to play this game? I heard it's got great graphics and all-"

Garrett nudged him in the direction of the basement again. "Go on! Go!"

Eduardo finally succumbed and made his way down.

Garrett smiled smugly. / A little push in the right direction.... /

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Eduardo descended the staircase, step by slow step.

Parts of his inner being were engaged in a cold war.

Part A demanded that Eduardo go back upstairs immediately and forget this whole business. Why would she love him anyway?

Part B accused Part A of being a coward and pointed out that this was the best chance for Eduardo to tell Kylie how he felt. Even if she rejected him, at least he tried.

Part C yelled that they were both nothing but wussies, and that Eduardo should run down there, make out with the girl and do shotgun marriage. Whether she liked it or not, she was his!

Part C was promptly overwhelmed, whipped, beaten, flogged and paddled.

Part A joined it soon after, and Eduardo finally reached the bottom of the staircase.

Kylie was at the table, apparently busy with something.

Sidus, who had been watching her, turned his head and saw Eduardo. He grunted.

Kylie spun around, looking surprised. "Oh....Hi Eduardo."

Eduardo shrugged and looked away. "Hey."

Both were silent with hidden bashfulness.

/ Go on, Kylie. Start the conversation! Talk to him! / "I heard you did well for your finals."

Eduardo grinned sheepishly. "Yeah. I did."

Kylie studied her shoes. "Um....I, uh, I got you a little something." She brought out the box from the desk and handed it to him.

"But I....I didn't get you.....anything..."

"There's still time. Go on, open it."

Eduardo proceeded to undo the ribbon and remove the wrapping. He lifted the lid, and revealed to him was the most dazzling pair of white Nike shoes, streaked with shining black.

"You said you liked those.... so I thought I'd get them for you. You know, as a way of congratulating you."

"......Thanks......." Eduardo ran his index finger along one of the finer black streaks. He did mention his liking toward these shoes before, but that was probably half the year ago. "You remembered?"

It was Kylie's turn to shrug and look away.

Eduardo absentmindedly put his hand to his pocket, and felt the small little box hidden there.

/ Come on, you puss. Do it! DO IT NOW! /

"Uh......Kylie?"

Kylie looked back at him. "Yeah?"

"Ah.....um.....Actually...........I did get you something........"

Eduardo forced his hand to draw out the box. It was silvery white in color, with the same-colored lacy ribbon wrapped around it and tied in a butterfly bow. The kind of box that regular jewelry shops had as a trademark.

Kylie gingerly took the little box from his hand and undid the ribbon. When she popped open the lid, her heart stopped.

Reflecting light off its surface was a silver diamond ring. A pair of hearts had been simply yet skillfully carved into either side of the glittering gem, increasing its overall magnificence.

"Edward." Kylie whispered. "Is this what I believe it is?"

Eduardo gathered up his strength and looked the girl of his dreams in the eye.

"Will you marry me?"

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

It seemed to take an eternity before Eduardo came back up.

Eduardo looked really pale, as though he might pass out on the floor at any second.

"What happened in there? Is everything alright? What did she say?"

".......yes......."

"What?"

Eduardo started to grin like the Cheshire Cat from Alice In Wonderland. "She said yes."

Garrett let out a tremendous whoop! "ALRIGHT EDDIE! WAY TO GO MAN!"

Slimer, who had been released from the garage, squealed at the top of his voice and hugged Eduardo. Despite the slime covering his shirt, for once he didn't care.

Janine kept herself as calm, collected and composed as she could. "Well, that makes a double celebration dinner tonight!" / When's Egon getting back?! I can't wait to tell him about this! The kids have finally grown up! They're graduating and even getting married! /

Garrett reached up and wrapped his arms around Eduardo's neck in a mad hug. "Dibs as Best Man!"

Roland crossed his arms. "Uh-uh. No way. We do this fair and square! Two rounds of Rock-Paper-Scissors."

"Right. Suit yourself."

Despite the chatter, Eduardo didn't really mind who would be his Best Man.

He was getting married to Kylie Griffin, his angel from the Seventh Heaven.

That was all that mattered.

= * =

Howling WereWolf:

Grab the Häägan-Däz! It has finally happened! *throws confetti!*

Call in the church bells!

= * = * = * =