Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 34
September 3, 2005
Beaver Street Brewery
Flagstaff, Arizona
7:05 p.m.
Setting down his beer glass Jim relaxed in the booth. "Nick raved about this place and the Oatmeal Stout," he told Heather. "It's really good."
"The fondue is wonderful too." Heather speared another carrot, dipped it and handed it over. "A little something for the pensive father."
All day she had been wonderfully supportive and Jim suddenly found himself falling a little more for her than he had originally planned. "Thanks for the carrot…and for driving out here with me…and for offering Ellie a job when she gets out and promising to watch her closely."
"My pleasure." Reaching across the table Heather gave Jim's hand a squeeze. "Relax…I think she looked great for a girl just completing her first week in rehab, and her attitude was positive most of the time."
After chomping down the cheese-covered carrot Jim nodded. "Yeah…I just worry because it's a controlled environment, she can't choose a substance when she gets antsy or agitated. It's a far cry from Vegas where she can buy something on every street corner." He impaled a bread cube and dipped it. "I also think I was thrown because she was shaky and she looked pale."
Wildfire Country Club
7:35 p.m.
Sitting at their table in front of the stage, Tawny placed her hand on top of her man's and spoke over the song the band was belting out. "Greg…are you feeling okay?" She pointed to his dinner plate. "You only ate a crouton off your salad before…and now you're just picking at your dinner when it's delicious."
Glancing over at her empty plate, Greg offered in a jittery voice, "You can have mine if the babies are hungry."
"I'm not worried about the babies," she lovingly assured him. "I'm worried about you. We're here having dinner under the stars with your friends and family on our special night and you look really out of it."
"Hoj…" Robbie nudged his pal. "Are you nervous about something? Because I know you…you never eat when you're tense."
Joyce lifted her glass of wine and mumbled into it, "He's probably worried Becca will show up here and cause a scene."
"Don't even joke about that," Bev grumped. "It's not going to happen."
"No, it's…I ate some shrimp on the way back from the restroom earlier and I don't feel so hot." Grabbing his napkin Greg dabbed his forehead. "Is it hot in here?"
"We're outside, Sweetie," Tawny promptly reminded him. "Oh no…" Her hands flew to her mouth. "Do you think you have food poisoning!" In a flash she saw her romantic proposal morphing into an emergency trip to the ER. "Robbie! Joyce!" she urged the medical professionals. "Do something! He can't be sick. Not tonight."
On cue, Bev stood up. "I'll get him some hot tea. I'm sure he'll be fine."
Robbie patted Tawny's arm and calmly assured her, "If it is food poisoning, there's nothing we can do but let everything come up soon and if it does…he'll feel better by eleven…eleven-thirty at the latest."
"Oh…okay." Tawny looked at her queasy almost-official fiancé. "Okay…we'll just ride this out here I guess." If he'll be better by eleven-thirty, it won't ruin the midnight proposal.
"I'll be fine, Princess." Greg kissed her cheek while he held his gut and moaned.
"One hot tea for my boy with the tummy ache." Bev set it in front of her son who she realized was as good an actor as he was singer. "Drink it all." So your vocal chords are nice and loose.
"Thanks, Mom." With a trembling hand Greg lifted the cup and blew on the steamy beverage. She thinks I'm doing a good job faking nausea, but I really do think I might hurl. The stage keeps getting bigger and I lost count at four hundred people in the audience. Then he remembered Nick's advice for calming down. Visualize success. Closing his eyes he began running through the perfect proposal.
When Tawny saw her man's eyes close she yelled, "No, Greg!"
"What!" He spilled the full cup of tea on his lap.
"Are you passing out!"
Startled, he jumped up, letting the mug fall to the ground. "Damn, that tea was hot!"
Horrified that she caused Greg post-traumatic burn trauma on proposal night Tawny grabbed his hand and yelled, "I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay, Princesss…I'm fine…really," Greg assured her as he panicked at the sight of his drenched crotch. I can't go on stage looking like I wet myself! This wasn't part of the fake food poisoning plan so I didn't have to eat, could drink tea, and pretend to disappear to vomit! "Mom?" He was hoping she had planned ahead and brought a backup suit.
Bev shrieked while gaping at her son's soaked pants. "Uh…oh no! You look like you're going to be sick, Greg!" she exclaimed a little sooner than planned.
Trying not to show her devastation, Tawny squeezed her man's hand. "I'll help you get to the bathroom."
"No, Honey." Greg clutched his gut and feigned a cramp. "Your morning sickness will kick in if you're with me. I'll have my dad go and you stay here. Come what may, I promise I'll be doing much better an hour from now…don't worry, our plans tonight won't be ruined."
"Okay." She forced a smile. "Feel better, Sweetie."
Bev stood up with her husband. "You take him to the restroom, Scott, and I'll get him some more tea." With a smirk on her face she walked away leaving her purse wide open on her chair.
"He'll be fine," Robbie told Tawny while patting her back. "Would you mind if Joyce and I danced while…"
"Go ahead." Lifting her ice water Tawny nodded. "I'll be fine. I could use a few minutes by myself." When they were gone, she sipped from her glass and fought the tears forming. Don't cry…everything will be fine. In need of a tissue she turned to grab her purse but in the process saw Bev's opened and tissues readily available.
When Tawny leaned in closer to retrieve a tissue she saw a black velvet box. Oh my god! The ring! Without thinking about her actions, her fingers wrapped around the container. No…I couldn't. She released it and took a tissue instead, turning her attention to the healthy couples enjoying the evening on the temporary dance floor set up on the club's lawn. I really could use a pick me up because the night is getting more depressing by the minute. Just a quick peek won't hurt.
Her fingers around the box again, Tawny gave in to her urge. The box looks kind of old, she thought while studying it and debating whether or not she could bring herself to crack it open. Finally, curiosity got the best of her and she popped the box. "Oh!" Her hand rushed to her gaping mouth. "It's hideous!" I can't believe I just said that! Staring at the odd-shaped dull gold ring with tiny emeralds and diamonds stuck in random places she gulped. It looks like mangled gold paperclips covered in jewel chips. Why! Oh! Maybe it's his grandmother's ring? Maybe this is how engagement rings looked in Norway years ago? Yeah…that has to be it, because he wouldn't have bought this for me.
Working overtime to shield her disappointment and convince herself it was perfect, Tawny forced a smile. Aww…okay, that's sweet…it's a Hojem family heirloom… yeah…it's growing on me. Staring at the garish ring she'd be wearing for the rest of her life Tawny inhaled sharply. It's already growing on me…yeah…I almost like it…it has meaning because it's not something just anyone can go buy in a store at the mall…and we really need the money so, I'm glad he didn't have to spend a lot on a ring. Another deep breath and she worked harder to force her mind beyond its lifelong fantasy of a traditional engagement ring. It's vintage…it's special because it's unique… Sighing, she closed the box and continued brainwashing herself. Considering the circumstances, I have some nerve being picky…and who cares about a ring anyway, an engagement ring anyway, it's just a silly piece of jewelry… Her smile finally returned. The real gem I get to keep is the man giving it to me.
Meanwhile in the restroom, Greg was removing his pants so his father could dry them under the hand dryer. "Here you go."
"The show must go on, Son!" Chuckling, Scott turned on the sink to rinse the stain off his son's pants.
"Tea!" Bev shouted from outside the door.
"Come in, there's no one else in here!" When she entered, Greg grabbed the fresh mug of tea. "Do you think Tawny will really look at the fake ring?"
"Robbie just called from the dance floor…" Bev was happy to report. "He saw her gasp and cover her mouth." Recalling the ugly thing she asked, "Where the hell did you find that hideous ring?"
"A tacky thrift store off Fremont. It was thirty bucks." Proudly Greg explained, "Now she'll be ten times as thrilled when she sees the real deal."
"You really are a genius, Son." Scott moved on to drying the pants. "You are presenting the real ring to her when she's sitting down, right?"
"Definitely." After sipping his tea Greg grabbed his stomach, "You know…I really think I might really puke from stage fright."
Fanning his son's pants under the dryer Scott said, "You performed in front of much bigger crowds than this when you were little."
"Yeah, Dad…" Greg chuckled ever so slightly. "…but you get a lot more leeway when you're a five year old with huge ears wearing a bowtie and belting out Somewhere Over the Rainbow acappella."
Bev's tears came fast and furious. "This is it…my baby is getting engaged tonight." She covered her mouth with a trembling hand. "And you'll be married in a matter of weeks."
Scott had been waiting for his wife to lose it all night. "Please don't make him more emotional than he already is, Honey."
"I know…I know." She quivered a smile while stroking Greg's cheek. "I'm just really grateful we're all still here and didn't miss out on this special time."
"Me too, Mom." Greg embraced her and whispered in her ear. "Thank you for making it possible."
"Oh, give him some credit, Bev," Scott joked. "I always knew he'd pull it together before you and I keeled. Sometimes I thought I'd be ninety and it would be a man, but I knew he'd settle down."
The joke came just as mother and son were on the edge of losing it and they were both grateful for the reprieve.
"Funny, Dad." Greg turned his back to wipe his eyes.
"Dry pants!" Scott approached grinning. "Now Tawny won't think you pissed yourself from having cold feet." Grabbing his wife's hand he kissed it. "I'm going to insist your mother and I leave and let you pull yourself together. Oh! Almost forgot…you'll need this." Laughing at the almost disaster he reached into his suit jacket and produced the pale blue Tiffany's box. "I'll be rooting for you in the audience."
"Thanks, Dad." He took the ring and cracked the box, knowing the next time he opened it, he'd be pulling it out to slip on Tawny's hand.
"It's still there. Don't you trust me?" Scott teased as he extended his hand. "I know you'll do great…" His voice dropped an octave as enjoyed the happiness in Greg's eyes. "I'm not just talking about the proposal either."
"Thanks for believing in me." Bypassing his father's hand, Greg threw his arms around him for a bear hug. "I'll do my best to make you proud."
"Thanks for letting me be a part of the big plan tonight instead of the odd man out." Overwhelmed by the moment, Scott's emotions quickly surfaced. "I'm really glad we had a chance to get closer these past few days."
"Scott!" Bev rushed into the stall to grab toilet paper. "You just said you didn't want me to get emotional and now you're blubbering." She blew her nose and wiped her eyes. "Ugh…group hug…" Sniffling, she walked over and joined the embrace. "You two are killing me here."
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
7:50 p.m.
"I'm dying over here!" Nick lamented from his position on the couch next to Ryan. "Ten minutes 'til kickoff."
"It's going to take longer than that to finish our game," Hodges announced as he picked up the die.
Nick stared at his opponent as if he were a Martian. "Are you kidding? I'm not playing Trivial Pursuit with you while the Aggies are engaged in a meaningful pursuit of glory."
"Oh…right." Hodges tossed the die and moved two. "I forgot that jocks can't multi-task."
Ryan watched, hoping his uncle would finally pound the snarky idiot.
"Gee…I'm not sure I can multi-task," Nick replied in a ponderous tone as he grabbed a handful of macadamia nuts from a bowl Carrie had just set on the coffee table. Holding up the fistful of food he said, "How about we see if I can chew these nuts and kick your obnoxious ass out of my home at the same time? Sound good?"
"Yeah!" Ryan cheered. "It's about time. He's really annoying. Kick his butt, Uncle Nick!"
Upon hearing her nephew Carrie left the dining room table where she was playing Boggle with Sara, McKenna and Celeste. "Hold up! I'm afraid there won't be any butt kicking tonight!"
"Sweetheart…" Nick flashed his best smile and winked. "I thought you said you were taking the night off from handling things?"
"Oh." Her wine buzz accelerated her swoon. "Right…I did." After snatching an amorous kiss she winked and walked away chuckling.
"Did she just give you permission to kick my butt?" Hodges nervously asked while estimating the distance to the front door.
"No, she gave me permission to think about kicking your butt without considering her opinion," he joked.
Meanwhile, in an effort to avoid football and Hodges, Sean was busy in the kitchen using the ALS while Grissom searched the cabinets.
"Nothing so far," Sean remarked as he painstakingly searched the floor. "Dr. Grissom…I'm not sure I'll find anything, because people don't usually sweat in the kitchen."
"Oh, you'd be surprised at how many people do, Sean," Grissom replied from the counter where he was preparing for a science experiment using household products he had collected.
"Now that I think about it, I have seen my mom sweat when she's been cooking up a storm in the summer, but this is Aunt Carrie's kitchen…I doubt she sweats when she stuffs frozen food in the microwave."
Just then Carrie walked through the kitchen door and saw what appeared to be a chemistry experiment going on at her sink. "Gil…what are you doing?" When she saw a rapidly bubbling liquid Carrie backed away. "What is that?"
"It will be a bomb if I add one key ingredient," Grissom calmly replied. "But I won't."
"Sweat!" Sean blared as he pointed to the tile directly in front of the fridge. "Can I search your bedroom next, Aunt Carrie?"
Wishing she could evaporate, Carrie droned, "Feel free to add that explosive ingredient to the mix any time now."
Wildfire Country Club
8:01 p.m.
After splashing cold water on his face and visualizing a perfect proposal three times, Greg left the men's room with freshly dried pants and renewed confidence.
"Hoj!" Becca breathlessly cried out as she rushed towards him. "Finally! I've been looking all over for you. Dale told me he saw you leave your table a while ago."
Other than Tucker Mifflin, he couldn't imagine anyone he'd want to see less right before taking the stage. "What the hell are you doing here!" Greg barked before glancing at his watch. "I was crystal clear that if you stepped foot…"
"I know! And I didn't plan to, but…" Trying to catch her breath she gulped for air. "…when I was home earlier, Shanna stopped by and told me what happened at the pool today. It's okay…I figured it out, Hoj," she soothed him in a loving tone.
"Figured what out!" He stuffed his hands in his pockets so he wouldn't be tempted to strangle her.
"That you really don't want to marry Tawny and raise a child with her. That you just feel guilty, because you said you wanted to, but you only said you did because of her infertility problems. You never expected her to get pregnant." Placing her palm on his cheek she sighed, "It's okay. I can fix everything."
Swatting her hand away Greg spat, "No, you can't, because there isn't a problem! The only problem in my life right now is you and I intend to..."
"It's me, Hoj! We had endless conversations about not wanting kids. You can stop fronting. Look!" Reaching into her purse she pulled out a check paper-clipped to a contract. "I have more money than I know what to do with since the divorce. I'll buy her off for you. She'll have plenty of money to raise her baby and you won't have to be a part of their life."
"Unbelievable." Her delusion was boundless and he knew she wouldn't hear a thing he said.
Grinning at his vexation, Becca sweetly said, "Don't feel guilty. It's for the best, because let's face it, Hoj…like you said yourself a hundred times…you'd make a lousy dad. And I have to agree with you because you can barely handle your own life sometimes, no less a child's. The kid will do just fine without you." Taking out a pen she casually said, "How much do you think she'll demand?"
Standing there on the back patio of the club staring at the passive-aggressive, mentally-deranged and manipulative bitch in front of him, Greg heard Nick's words echo in his head. Think of someone who told you that you weren't good enough. Picture that person out there watching you and say to yourself, 'I'm going to perform better than I ever have in my life just to prove to the jerk they don't know what they're talking about. Take the stage with something to prove. Don't go up there content with just doing okay…go up there determined to kick ass.
"Hoj?"
An edgy smile bloomed on Greg's face. "I'm really glad you're here, Becca." After a Judas kiss to her cheek he whispered, "Just give me about twenty minutes to stage a few things with Tawny and then I'll bring her over and together we'll make final arrangements with you. How's that?"
"Great!" Becca oozed with delight. "Where do you want me to wait?"
Turning up the wattage on his smile Greg instructed, "I want you to wait wherever you have a perfect view of the stage, because my mom's students are about to perform and I don't want you to miss a second…yeah…because it's gonna rock your world." With that he turned his back on her and recalled more of Nick's words, I'd think about something he did to piss me off, a name he called me, or some arrogant shit he talked. I'd let it all build inside me like a giant boiling vat of oil and then when I took the field, I used it as fuel to light myself on fire and explode. After about ten feet, he glanced over his shoulder and waved at the witch. "Thanks, Becks!"
"No problem, Hoj!" she giddly replied while giving a thumbs up.
Out of the corner of his eye Greg saw Tawny sitting restlessly at the table with his parents, Robbie and Joyce. Hang in there, Princess, he willed as he snuck to the rear of the stage to rendezvous with his mother's students.
The current country club President, Nathan Daniels, a long-time friend of the Sanders family, took to the microphone. "Good Evening, everyone. Every year, Bev Sanders has treated us to a performance from her most talented students while the band takes a dinner break, and this year she's assured me that it will be a real showstopper…"
Anxious over Greg's condition, Tawny tuned out the man on stage and whispered in Bev's ear, "I know you really want me to see your students, but I'm worried about Greg. I hope you don't mind…but I'm going to sneak away and…"
"Don't move," Bev curtly ordered while her friend closed his remarks and the stage lights faded to black. "I'm sorry, but I can't allow you to miss this."
Upset that her future mother-in-law was being so self-centered Tawny pushed back, "What if the vomiting is a leftover effect from the GHB? What if he passes out in there? He could hit his head on a sink!" She stood, ready to disobey orders. "Sorry, Bev, but I have to…" When Scott grabbed her hand Tawny startled.
"Honey…" Scott winked at the distraught girl who so obviously loved his son. "Trust me…you need to stay right where you are."
"Why are…" Before she could finish her sentence, Tawny heard Greg's voice ring out acappella from the darkness in front of her.
"My gift is my song…"
Nothing made sense as Tawny stood frozen watching the stage lights slowly rise and when they did, her hands rushed to her mouth. There was Greg, clutching a microphone on a stand and smiling at her. A second later when he took a breath and sang directly to her, she gasped.
"…and this one's for Tawny."
"Now you know why I was so insistent." Bev patted the empty chair next to her. "Have a seat, Sweetie. It's Showtime!"
Stunned from the surprise Tawny did as asked while in her mind she recalled Greg saying time and time again…I have this plan. "This is the plan," she whispered while the first chords of Come What May wafted through the air. "I can't believe...it's the perfect plan."
While the pianist and small orchestra filled the air with their notes, Greg's grip on the microphone strengthened. Tawny was already crying…so was his mother and it overwhelmed him. To distract himself from them, he shifted to the crowd…they were all staring…hundreds of eyes boring down on him and suddenly he froze.
A skilled music and drama teacher, Bev knew the signs. "Oh no…he's choking," she whispered into her hands which were firmly planted over her mouth.
While inhaling a jagged breath, Greg remembered another piece of Nick's advice, Pretend you have a giant eraser and make them all disappear until it's just you and Tawny. With his mental eraser, he made section after section of the audience fade until only Tawny sat before him and from the look on her face, he knew she loved him more than ever. 'I love you', he silently mouthed while waiting for his note, and when his future wife blew him a kiss, he returned it with the first line of their song.
In his wife's ear Scott whispered, "He sounds very nervous."
"He'll relax when he gets to the chorus." Bev glanced over and saw Tawny swooning as she clutched her heart and tears streamed down her cheeks. "And if he doesn't…it won't matter one bit."
After a deep breath, Greg released the microphone from its stand and let his emotions power his voice.
"Yes!" Tawny cried out as she exploded with happiness.
Slipping her arm around her future daughter-in-law Bev sniffled, "Make him wait until he asks, Dear."
Hearing Tawny's answer and seeing her teary eyes overflowing with joy, Greg delved into the chorus with confidence to spare.
When the three female backup singers dressed in the pink flowing dresses Bev had purchased for them took over, Greg relaxed his vice grip on the microphone and slowly strolled toward Tawny as planned.
Like a giddy teenage girl at her first boy band concert Tawny shrieked, "He's coming over here!"
"I wonder why?" Scott joked while crossing his fingers that Greg didn't trip down the stairs.
"Stay in your chair," Bev coached Tawny who she thought was going to rush and tackle Greg any second. "You don't want to throw off his plan."
"Right." Tawny gripped the edges of her seat. "Staying!"
After poking her husband in the ribs Joyce whispered, "Told you so." She pointed to the left. "Becca showed up. Hey…what's that noise?" She answered her own question with a perfect degree of sarcasm. "I do believe those are the sounds of Becca's hopes and dreams crashing down around her." A smirk popped up on her face. "I feel for her…I really do."
Standing on the lawn next to her shocked friend, Shanna tormented, "Wow, Becca, you were right…Hoj is really good at fronting, because you say he doesn't want Tawny, but to me he seems to be head over heels insanely in love with her."
The reality check successful, Becca remarked in a broken whisper. "He's really going to propose."
When Greg was only a few feet away he resumed singing and Tawny felt her heart beat a little faster. 'I love this' she mouthed while getting carried away again by the velvet lilt of his voice.
"And there's no mountain too high, no river too wide. Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side." Reaching out, Greg took Tawny's trembling hand in his and clutched it tightly while finishing the verse.
Tears of joy glistening on her face, Tawny cupped Greg's cheek. "I wasn't expecting this," she squeaked.
With the orchestra providing perfect background music, Greg turned off the mic and handed it to his mother. Next, he reached into his pocket for something else Tawny wasn't expecting.
The sight of the trademark Tiffany-blue box in Greg's hand sent Tawny reeling. "Oh! Is that for…I can't believe…"
"Believe it, Princess." Releasing her hand for a moment, Greg cracked open the box, and as if he planned it, the edge of a spotlight caught the three diamonds and they brilliantly glinted before Tawny's eyes.
"That's my ring!" Tawny shrieked as if she'd won the lottery. "It's gorgeous!"
"Were you expecting something different?" Greg replied in an inexplicably calm voice as his heart hammered in his chest. Then, with the ring box in his left hand and Tawny's shaky hand in his right, he sucked in a steadying breath.
Busting at the seams with anticipation, Tawny bit her tongue to not scream the answer before the question. "Go for it, Sweetie."
Tears welling in his eyes Greg squeezed Tawny's hand a little tighter. "The night I met you, I was enchanted by your beauty…the next day I was smitten with your personality…but one morning, weeks later, you touched my heart and every day since then, I've fallen for you a little more. I never want to lose you…I know for a fact that nothing will make me happier than spending the rest of my life with you." His tears spilled in time with hers. "So…Tawny Ann Cooper…will you marry me?"
"Yes!" she yelled loud enough for the last row of tables to hear.
As the crowd of partygoers, many who had known him since he was a quirky little boy, erupted in thunderous applause, Greg plucked the platinum and diamond ring from the box. "You're really shaking," he softly commented while trying to get the ring on her trembling hand.
"You are too." She gushed with excitement as the cool metal slipped over her heated skin. "It's the perfect fit." The sight of the stunning ring on her finger seemed too much like a dream to fathom it as reality.
"Come on." Standing up Greg took the microphone his mother was extending and tugged Tawny to her feet. "You're in the finale."
In that moment, wearing Greg's ring and knowing for certain she'd be his wife, Tawny would have done anything he said. "Okay!"
Thrilled for his buddy, Robbie watched Greg lead Tawny on stage and joked to his tablemates, "Wow…was I the only one on the edge of his seat worried she wasn't going to say yes?"
Needing to release some tension, Scott jumped at the joke. "No, I thought for sure she was going to tell him to go to hell."
In between the two jokesters Bev beamed with pride. "I told you he'd relax by the first chorus. That was beautiful…just beautiful."
Meanwhile, standing in the shadows, Becca wiped her tears of envy and regret. While she wanted to turn away, her eyes stayed glued on the blissful couple standing in the spotlight. Her blue eyes turning a deep shade of green, she watched Greg, who was holding Tawny's newly jeweled hand. "He looks so happy."
Waiting for the orchestra to hit his note Greg spent the time wildly grinning at his fiancée and when his note finally arrived, he sang twice as strong as before.
Although hundreds of people were watching, Tawny only felt Greg's loving eyes on her as his beautiful voice touched her heart.
Building to the crescendo Greg dug a little deeper and belted out the final words of the song,
"Wow…" was all Tawny managed after the powerful ending.
"Not done yet." Careful to turn off the microphone first in case he screamed like a little girl from the sound of explosives detonating around him, Greg scooped Tawny in his arms and bestowed a romantic movie-worthy kiss.
On the sidelines Becca gripped her throbbing head. "Ugh…all that's missing is fireworks going off while they…" The first of several explosive bursts cut off her words. "Dammit!"
Clinging to Tawny as he feared for his life, Greg watched his fiancée's eyes light up as the sky illuminated.
"Your mom did this, didn't she?" Tawny sighed while loving every second of the outlandish Hollywood ending.
Wincing from the sound of whizzing explosives, the sight of fiery ash, and the smell of smoke, Greg squeaked, "Yep…she's taking the tough love thing very seriously. Later she's going to flick lit matches at my back."
"Don't worry, Sweetie…I've got you," Tawny soothed as her gaze turned from the sky to Greg's wide eyes.
"Yes, you do…forever." Losing himself in Tawny's gaze, Greg's post traumatic stress disorder faded. "So…fiancée…" He tenderly kissed the ring on her hand. "How was it? Was it better than a ring stuffed in a muffin given to you in my parents' kitchen?"
"Oh, yeah," she giggled. "Definitely. And way past country potatoes." Moving in to kiss him Tawny grazed her final assessment over Greg's lips, "It was the perfect proposal."
After the last of the fireworks exploded in the sky, Greg broke the amorous kiss and excitedly informed his already thrilled fiancée, "Guess what, Princess?"
"What?" she dreamily replied.
Taking his fiancée's hand Greg led her off stage. "I still have a few more surprises in store for you tonight."
Author's Notes:
FYI - to follow the rules,the version was altered to remove Greg's song dialogue which was pieced throughout the last scene.
Tawny enjoyed the proposal and I hope you got some enjoyment out of it too. I tried to include enough humor to keep the readers who have a hard time with fluffy romance not get a cavity. While this type of public proposal might make some people die of embarrassment (Sara LOL), I hope it was clear in the story that it was perfect for Tawny. Aside from the 'only happens in the movies' quality that a movie-obsessed girl like Tawny would adore, it validated that she's special and worthy and that Greg wanted the 'whole world' to know how happy he was to ask her to marry him.
I hope you got some enjoyment out of the other scenes…a little buddy bonding at the beginning; Gil and Sara trying out their parental roles; Greg and his parents working together to trick Tawny; Carrie taking a little more 'all in good fun' abuse from her friends; and Brass and Heather sharing a quiet moment at my favorite Flagstaff eatery LOL
NextChapter: The rest of the night is full of excitement. The future Mr. and Mrs. Sanders share their news with friends back in Vegas and then it's time for Tawny to get a few more 'movie-worthy' moments. The Aggies are on the field and Nick is trying to cope with a lot of interference in his viewing pleasure as the crowd as his apartment gets a little bigger. Posting: Sunday (it's my son's b-day party this weekend so I need an extra day and I wrote 2 chapters at once this time ).
Thanks to:El Gringo Loco and Rojaji for your reviews! And KJT for working on the story when bogged down by a nasty cold!
And thanks to everyone for reading,
Maggs