Tommy sat across from Lil in their secluded seats in the restaurant.
"Oh my god!" Lil breathed.
Tommy smiled.
"Tommy...It's beautiful." Lil looked around the restaurant and admired what she saw. There was a small waterfall with a stone border. The lights were dimmed. And Tommy had even managed to get a violinist to play for them.
"I know." Tommy grinned.
"But...How did you...When did you...When did you do this?" Lil stuttered.
"I have my ways." Tommy kept grinning.
"But...How are you going to pay for this?"
Tommy took Lil's hand in his and smiled. "You don't worry about that. This is for you." Tommy kissed Lil's hand.
"Oh...Tommy. Thank you." Lil whispered.
"Sir? Madam? Are you ready to order?" A very sophisticated waiter asked.
"Um, yes. Yes we are." Tommy said. "Lil, sweetie, what would you like?"
Lil glanced at her menu. "I'll have the garden salad, please."
Tommy gave Lil a fierce look. "Lil, this is a celebration. Do you really want a garden salad? I could make that for you at home."
Lil shook her head. "I don't want to cost you too much money."
"Sweetie. I told you not to worry about it. Now, order whatever it is that you want."
Tommy and Lil had just finished their dessert and were finishing up their night with a conversation.
"Lil? There's something I've been meaning to ask you." Tommy told her.
Tommy stood up and walked over to her. He kneeled in front of her and took her hands in his.
"Lillian Marie Jill Deville. I have been in love with you since forever. There is no one in the world who I would rather spend my life with more than I want to spend it with you; and there is no one in the world as in love with one person as I am right now. I know that we've had some difficulties in the past, but I'm more than willing to put the past behind me if it means never losing you again. Lil, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you so much."
Lil's eyes were filling with tears and she couldn't help but let a few fall down her cheeks.
"Lillian...Will you marry me?"
With that last sentence Tommy took out a ring and placed it on Lil's finger.
Lil gazed at the ring on her finger and back at Tommy.
Tommy didn't think she could ever look more beautiful than she did now. The way her hair shined and the way her tears made her eyes sparkle made her look like an absolute angel.
"Tommy...I...I..." Lil began in nothing short of a whisper. "I accept."
Tommy grinned ear from ear. He stood up and wrapped his arms around her slender body.
"Lillian Deville..." He whispered into her hair. "I'm pretty sure you just made me the happiest man alive."
Tommy could her crying into his shoulder.
Tommy slipped the check onto the table and led Lil out of the restaurant.
Rather than take a cab home, they silently agreed to walk. The walk was quiet.
"Tommy..." Lil said, breaking the deafening silence building between them.
"Yes?"
"Why...Why do you want to marry me? I mean, it was only six months ago that we were reunited and before that we hadn't spoken to each other for almost ten years. And, let's face it Tommy, I was a bitch to you in tenth grade. I mean, I used you, I abused you, I..."
"Lil..." Tommy interrupted her. "I told you before that I'm putting that in the past. I know you were a bitch then and I also know it was a mistake and you regret it. But, you know what? I've loved you for twenty-five years, even after you left. And I'm gonna keep loving you." Tommy leaned down and kissed her head.
"I know." Lil whispered. "I just don't understand why."
Tommy didn't hear her though; he was looking into a wedding shop. His eyes glistened with pure joy.
"Lil, look at that." He said to, beckoning her over to him.
Lil, still overjoyed at Tommy's earlier proposal, obeyed. She looked into the shop and almost gasped at what she saw. There were dozens of absolutely gorgeous wedding gowns hanging on a rack. Beyond the wedding gowns was a huge wedding cake. Mannequins gazed out the windows wearing tuxedos and the mannequins who were wearing dresses were adorned with precious pearls and diamonds.
"Tommy." Lil breathed.
Tommy whispered in her ear. "Whatever you want Lil. I'm gonna give you the perfect wedding."
Lil's eyes sparkled with more tears and as they streamed down her cheeks Tommy brushed them away.
Tommy held out his hand and Lil entwined her fingers with his.
"Let's go home, Lil." Tommy said softly, with a slight twinkle in his eye.
Lil nodded. "Okay, Tommy."
"Are you alright, Lil?" Tommy asked her as they stepped into their apartment.
Lil was standing in the middle of the living room looking a little flushed.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just going to go use the bathroom. I'll be right there."
Tommy watched Lil walk into the bathroom, leaving the concern he felt plastered on his face.
"Come on, Kimi. Pick up." Lil said to herself as she held her cell phone to her ear. She was leaning over the sink and had the water running so Tommy wouldn't know she was calling anyone.
"Hello?" Lil recognized the deep voice.
"Hey Phil. How are you?" Lil asked her brother.
There was a hesitation. "I'm good. How are you Lil?"
"Um...Actually, that's kind of why I called. Is Kimi there?"
There was another hesitation on the other line. "Hold on. Let me get her."
"Okay."
While Lil was waiting for Phil to get Kimi there was a knock on the bathroom door.
"Lil? Are you okay?"
Lil nodded before realizing Tommy wouldn't be able to see her. She laughed at herself.
"Yeah. I'm fine. I'll be out in a few minutes."
Lil notice the confusion in Tommy's voice when he spoke. "Well...Okay. I'm going to bed now, just to let you know."
"Alright. I'll be right out."
Lil could here Tommy's footsteps heading towards their bed and before she knew it a new voice came on the other end of the phone.
"Hello?"
Lil could never forget Kimi's voice.
"Hey!" Lil greeted her.
"Lil! Oh my gosh! How are you?"
"I'm okay. How are you?"
"Oh, just great! Phil told me it was you but you know how he is; I didn't exactly believe him. So, what's up?"
"Um...I just wanted to let you be the first to know...I'm engaged!"
There was yet another hesitation on the other end of the phone. The next thing Lil knew she was plugging her ears and the phone hit the ground.
"Hello?" Lil said, picking up the phone.
"Sorry, Lil!" Kimi said after she was done shrieking.
"What the hell was that?" Lil heard her brother exclaim from the background.
Kimi giggled. "Sorry Phil. Lil just told me..." Kimi stopped what she was about to say once she heard Lil shush her from the other line. "...She just told me that she got a promotion! Isn't that great?" Lil could tell that Phil was rolling his eyes and leaving the room at this point. She knew him too well. What can you expect after living eighteen years with him?
"Oh my gosh, Lil. That's so great! It was Tommy, right?"
Lil laughed. "Yeah it was. Speaking of Tommy, he's probably wondering what the hell I'm doing in here. I should go. Listen, I'll talk to you as soon as Tommy and I plan more of it out."
"Gotcha." Kimi said.
Lil sighed. "Kimi, I don't know how I lucked out with this one. I'm really at a loss. Tommy is a fantastic guy. I mean, add to his looks, he's sweet, he's funny, loyal, caring, funny, and, you know the ironic part? He loves me. He could have any girl he wanted, and he's still with me. I just don't get it. What did I do to deserve him?"
"Sweetie, it doesn't take a genius to figure it out. Tommy's practically dedicated his whole life to you. Even after you...left us all...he never stopped caring. Sure he was mad, we all were, but...he loves you, Lil. Just, don't concentrate on what could have been and relish in what you do have. You're lucky, Lil. Tommy's a great guy. So is your brother."
"You're right, Kimi. I know. Tommy and Phil are both great guys and we're both really lucky, but I have to go now. Tommy's probably getting worried. I'll talk to you soon."
"Yeah. Call me! Take care, Lil."
"You too."
"Love you."
"Love you too. Tell that to Phil for me, too?"
"Will do."
Lil hung up the phone and splashed some water on her face. She slipped into her pajamas and ran a brush over her teeth.
Lil tiptoed over to their bed. As she snuggled under the covers, she leaned over Tommy only to discover that he was sound asleep.
"Goodnight, sweetie." Lil whispered as she kissed Tommy on the cheek and turned out the light.