17
Harley and Mallet entered Company hand in hand. When they spotted Blake alone in the corner booth, Harley snuck up behind her. "BOO!" Harley yelled. "Oh my - HARLEY! Don't do that!" Harley and Mallet burst into laughter. "Oh, you're here too." Blake turned to Mallet. "Yes. I'm here, Blake." "Okay. That's nice. Tell me everything!" Blake turned back to her best friend.
"Everything?" Harley wondered if Blake meant the Phillip stuff, or her and Mallet. "Yeah! What happened? Did my info help you or hurt you?" "Oh, that everything... yeah, it helped. A lot. I'm sure you know by now that Phillip is still alive." "Yeah. He faked his death. Just like he did 15 years ago. And if I remember correctly, that's why a certain someone first came to Springfield." Blake winked at Mallet. "Yes, Blake. You did remember correctly. And ya know what? You're still the same nosy, annoying red-head you were when I met you!" Mallet jokingly pushed Blake. "Okay guys! Stop! It looks like you're flirting!" Harley held her hands between the two, causing her new diamond ring to be exposed.
"Oh my GOD!" Blake screamed at the sight of the ring, causing the whole restaurant to look in her direction. "What? Blake are you okay?" Harley stared at her best friend. "Yeah, it's just - the ring! It's beautiful!" Harley quickly hid her hand in her pocket. "Did you have to alert the whole damn place, Marler?" Mallet gave her a look. "Sorry. Is that what I think it is?" "Yes, Blake. We're engaged." "CONGRATULATIONS!" Blake screamed. "BLAKE! DAMN IT!" "Sorry again."
"Who's congratulating who?" Buzz approached his daughter. "Harley?" "Yes Daddy?" "What's going on, and why the Hell does Blake keep screaming? She's scaring the Baclava." "What? Baclava isn't alive Dad," Harley replied sarcastiacally. "Ok, ok. But why is she endangering the hearing of every single customer?" "Because, Buzz, she's Blake. That's what she does." Buzz turned to look at Mallet. "I didn't ask you! I asked Harley. And what are you doing here anyway?" Buzz was mad as all Hell now. "Why shouldn't he be? Isn't your daughter's fiance allowed in your restaurant?"
"HER WHAT?" "Blaaaaaake..." Harley groaned. "Oh, jeez. Here we go." "Shut up Mallet!" "What the HELL did Blake just say? Please tell me I didn't hear her right! Harley!" Harley eyed Blake evilly. "What did you DO? Why couldn't you just keep your big mouth shut?" "Harley, I'm sorry-" "Everyone stop!" Frank interrupted the feuding. "Hey Frank." "Hey Mallet. Now what's wrong?" "Ask Blake!" Harley growled. "No, ask your father." Blake countered. "Dad? What's wrong?" "Ask the lovebirds over there!"
"Lovebirds?" "Yeah. I guess, since Dad knows now anyway, I can tell you too. Only if you promise not to scream at me." "Sis, why would I scream at you?" "Promise me, Frank." Harley pleaded. "Okay, I promise. Cross my heart." "Okay. The reason everyone's all screamy and yelly is, well... Mallet and I are engaged." "Oh, sis! Congratulations!" "Thanks. Now- everyone else, you better stop screaming, or I'm calling the cops! You're disturbing the peace!" "Sis?" "Yeah?" "I am the cops!" Harley and Frank laughed, with Mallet and Blake joining in seconds later.
"Dad?" "Mmmm..." Buzz grumbled at Harley. "I know you're upset, and I know that you're totally against this, but that changes nothing. Now, you don't have to like it, and truthfully, I don't expect you to. But you're my dad, and I hope that you have the decency to be civil about the situation." "Harley Davidson Cooper, are you giving me an ultimatum?" "Possibly. But I'm not finished. Mallet and I are in love, and we always have been. I never stopped loving him Daddy. And if you don't at least try to accept it... well I don't know what I'll do, but I'll do something." "You finished?" "Yes Daddy." "Okay. My response is that I love you, and that'll never change. True, I'm not a big fan of Mr. Mallet here, but that's only because he hurt you before. And I hate seeing you hurt." "Don't worry Buzz." Mallet chimed in. "I've learned my lesson. I love your daughter more than anything in this whole wide world, and I'll never hurt her. Never again. I swear to you." Harley smiled at her lover.
"And now," Harley turned to Blake. "Uh-oh." Blake joked. "You, missy, should be punished. You should be sent to a correctional facility." "I'll take whatever punishment I am handed, Ms. Cooper." "Okay, good. I will be punishing you for your wrongdoings, as was expected." "Yes, yes it was." "What are you up too Cooper?" Mallet glanced at her. "Trust me Mallet. Now, Blake." "Uh, yes Ms. Cooper." "You can stop calling me that." "Okay Harley." "Better. Now, your punishment. You are fully expected to perform Maid of Honor duties at the wedding ceremony of myself and Mr. Mallet." Harley grinned. "YES! I accept my punishment!" The best friends hugged. "And while we're at it, Frank?" Mallet addressed the Chief. "Yes?" "Will you be my Best Man?" "Most definitely!" "Okay, now that that's all settled, can I ask a question?" "Sure, Daddy. What is it?" "Can you please stop talking all proper. You sound like the Spauldings!"