Disclaimer: Okay, I know this goes without saying, but I guess it has to be said.I still don't own any of the rights to the Facts of Life or its' characters. I wish I did because through reruns and syndication deals, I'd be a rich woman, then I wouldn't have to work and I could devote all my energies to writing.
Setting: May 1987........a year and a half from where we left Jo and George. Jo and Blair have just graduated from Langley College. George is the owner of his own construction company. Natalie and Tootie have finished their first year at Langley College. Mrs. Gaines (formerly Garrett) has returned from Africa after her husband suffered a heart attack. Beverly Ann and Andy have moved into a house of their own.......right next door.
Chapter Two: Will you marry me?
"What a day!" Blair exclaimed, as she delicately plopped onto the couch. She was still wearing her graduation cap over her perfectly coiffed hair. "I can't believe we've finally graduated college!"
"Don't forget you still have two years of law school to get through," Jo teased, as she joined Blair on the couch.
Blair made a face. "Way to burst my bubble, Jo," she scoffed, "I was trying to enjoy this moment."
"Hey, that's what I'm here for," Jo grinned.
Mrs. Garrett/Gaines walked in from the kitchen. She carried a tray of hors d'oerves. "Hi girls," she greeted, "have a cheese puff."
Jo took one and bit into it. "Mmm, this is good, Mrs. G," she enthused.
"Hey, you ready to go, babe?" George asked, as he came into the living room from the shop. He was dressed in a dark blue suit.
Jo smiled up at him. "Ooooooh, you look nice. Where are we going?"
"Some place special."
"I'm too comfortable here. Let's stay in tonight."
"No, come on," George insisted, "I want to treat you to a dinner at the fanciest place in town.....'Le Petit Appetit'."
Blair's eyes widened. "You got reservations there?" she asked, "they never have openings."
"I know," George told her, "I had to make reservations six months ago."
"Jo, you have to go," Blair insisted, "reservations at that place are almost impossible to get."
"I don't need Le Petit whatever it's called," Jo scoffed, "I'm perfectly happy here at home with Mrs. G's cooking."
"I know, baby," George told her, sinking into the couch next to her, "but this is a special occasion. I want to show off my little valedictorian."
Jo nuzzled his neck. "We can't do this at some hoity-toity fancy restaurant," she whispered, trying to change his mind.
George pulled her closer. He kissed her firmly, pulling her to her feet at the same time. When she was standing, he pulled away laughing, "okay, let's go."
Jo sighed. "Alright, I'm going." She turned to Blair, "can I borrow one of your dresses?"
Blair smiled. "Yes! I know just the one that's perfect for 'Le Petit Appetit'."
As they headed upstairs, George sat down, careful not to wrinkle his suit. The door opened and Andy came in. Seeing George out of his usual attire of jeans and a t-shirt, he whistled. "Whoa! Who died?"
"Haha, very funny," George jeered, "where's your girlfriend?"
Andy held his heart in mock pain. "Ooooh, ouch," he laughed. Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out a deck of cards. "You game?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Okay, but no money," George warned, "I have to pay for dinner tonight."
Thirty minutes later.
"Read 'em and weep," Andy snickered, as he laid his cards on the table. "Full house."
George grimaced. "You know what? I'm not playing with you anymore," he told Andy, "you're a card shark."
Andy laughed.
"I hope you didn't take all of his money, Andy," Jo warned, as she walked down the stairs.
George stood up. "You look amazing," he said, appreciatively.
"You like?" Jo teased, as she stepped closer to him.
"Oh, yeah," George grinned, pulling her close and kissing her.
George pulled up to the curb of 'Le Petit Appetit'. The valet opened the car door. "I'll take it from here, dude."
George handed over the keys as he stepped out. He rounded the car and took Jo's hand. "Some place, huh?" he said, as he took Jo's hand.
"Welcome to 'Le Petit Appetit', can I get your name, please?" The hostess smiled at them as they walked in.
"George Burnett, table for two," George informed her.
She looked down at her reservation book and found his name. "Yes, sir, your table is being prepared right now. If you want to step to the bar, we'll escort you to your table shortly."
They walked over to the bar where Jo perched herself on a stool. "Can I get you guys something?" the bartender asked.
They ordered two beers and looked around the restaurant while they waited for their table. The more they waited, the more nervous George got. He had never been in a place as fancy as this.
Jo sensed George's discomfort. Placing her hand on his arm, she told him, "this isn't really my scene."
George looked down at her. He so wanted to give her a special night, but this place was way beyond anything he was used to. But looking into her eyes, he decided that they didn't need this place to have a special night. "Let's get out of here," he said, taking her hand. He tossed a few dollars on the bar and they left the restaurant.
"So where to now?" Jo asked, once they were in the car.
"I know the perfect place," George told her, with a smile.
He drove back to the house and parked in the driveway. Jo was surprised. "Why did we come back here?" she asked.
"You'll see," George winked at her before he got out of the car. He walked around the car and opened the door for her. He asked for her keys and led her to the store side of the building.
"George, what's going on?" Jo asked once they were inside.
George took her hands and looked into her eyes. "I thought this was the perfect place to be.it's the place we met." He looked around, "it was right here when I first laid eyes on you," he reminded her.
Flashback, September 1985
"You know you have a huge hole in your wall?" George Burnett asked, as he poked his head in the huge gaping hole in the side of the building that was 'Edna's Edibles'.
Jo laughed at the memory. "You were such a flake," she told him, adding, "but a cute one."
George grinned. "I was nuts about you from the beginning," he admitted, "I knew that you were special. That you were the girl for me." He paused and reached into his pocket. He knelt down on one knee in front of her and opened the ring box. "I love you, Jo. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Will you marry me?"
Jo smiled down at him. "George," she whispered, her heart bursting with happiness. She reached out and cupped his face with both her hands. Bringing him back to stand in front of her, she kissed him. She pulled back slightly and whispered, "in case you can't tell, my answer is 'yes'."
George beamed. He pulled her into a bear hug and spun her around, whooping for joy. "This is so great, baby," he told her, when he placed back on the ground. He took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger. "Perfect," he said, as he kissed her again.
Just then, Tootie and Natalie came bursting into the room. "Who's out here?" Nat demanded to the dark room. She was carrying a baseball bat for protection. Jo and George squinted as Tootie turned on the light. "What are you guys doing here in the dark?" she asked.
Natalie placed her bat on the counter. "I know what they were doing," she smirked.
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Natalie," Jo warned. "It's not what you think."
She walked toward them and extended her hand. "George just proposed."
Their eyes got as big as saucers. "Oh my god!" they both exclaimed, as they both rushed to hug Jo. At that moment, Blair and Mrs. Garrett/Gaines walked in. The girls filled them in on Jo and George's engagement and they joined in the celebration.
They moved the celebration to the living room where they sat around and started talking about the upcoming wedding. Mrs. G. called Beverly Ann and Andy and told them the news. They came over right away to offer their congratulations. Throughout it all, Jo and George happily sat in each other's arms as their friends shared in their joy and began making plans.
Hope you like it! Please review..I love feedback!