A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter, they make my day every time! I hope everyone likes THIS chapter, it's pretty much been a working progress since I started this story…Thanks once again and I look forward to hearing your thoughts…:)
Chapter Seventeen – Then and Now
Michelle tip-toed over to the window that her father sitting and staring out of, clearly in deep thought…It was just after two and the rest of the family was sitting around the kitchen table enjoying a much desired cup of hot chocolate before bed. Michelle and Andrew had returned from their outing a few hours earlier and though the evening had been enjoyable, he'd retreated to the solitude of the alcove almost immediately.
Michelle leaned over and touched his shoulder gently, smiling and placing a mug in his hands.
"Hey, what are you doing over here?"
He shook his head and closed his eyes. "Nothing, just a nice night…"
Michelle took a sip of her own drink, savoring the sensation of the warm liquid in her stomach in contrast to the December breeze playing across her face.
"Everyone's getting ready for bed soon..." She informed him gently. "Aren't you tired?"
Andrew shook his head. "I think I'm just gonna sit here for a while longer."
As he continued to stare out the window Michelle lingered idly over his chair, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Remembering her presence, her dad reached out a hand and squeezed a pajama clad knee.
"Sit with me."
Michelle obliged and plunked herself down in the chair next to him, looking out the window too now, though still unsure as to why.
The backyard of the house was large and all that could really be seen was a snowy layer covering the grass and the dark outline of a small man-made lake a couple of football field lengths away. It was frozen over and the moonlight danced across it, leaving the distinct impression of a crystal glass under a bright light.
They both continued to sit in silence, staring out the window, until Andrew finally decided to break it.
"So tell me about him..."
Michelle was slightly taken aback by this comment.
"Who, Tony?"
"Unless you've got a little fling on the side no one knows about yet..."
Her mouth hung open a little in surprise before grinning and shaking her head.
"You know everything already..."
Michelle was not, and had never been, in the habit of discussion of her love life with her family...at least not in detail. For some reason it just led to too many awkward questions that she'd much rather avoid.
Discussion about Tony though, it seemed, would be inevitable, since there was no denying how unique the relationship was for her, especially considering the fact that if it wasn't for stupid Ryan Chappelle and his lack of Christmas spirit, Tony would probably be sitting with them right now.
"No I mean...it's just...when Alicia called and told me the uh...circumstances...I have to say I was a little surprised." her father explained.
"What do you mean?"
"Well...it's just...you've never really been one to get yourself into serious relationships..."
Michelle raised an eyebrow. "I have been in serious relationships before y'know..."
"I think you kinda threw everyone for a loop here..."
"Because I'm dating someone and we happen to mutually care about each other?"
Andrew sighed and placed his mug on the window sill.
"You're mom always used to wonder about you...worry about you...you were always so independent..."
"It's not a crime." she retorted. "Just because I'm not like her...just because I was always fine on my own - "
"That's what I'm talking about Michelle...that's all changed..."
She shook her head, clearly upset by this.
"It hasn't all changed, I'm just...I'm still the same..." she stated calmly. "Just now...I don't know what it is but..." she shrugged and looked to her hands, cheeks burning a little. "I love him...and we understand each other...and I'm happy..."
Andrew Dessler squeezed his daughter's hand comfortingly.
"I know you are...and I'm happy for you."
After getting so worked up in the last few minutes Michelle took time to collect her thoughts before asking the question she'd been burning to.
"Mom worried?"
"Of course she did...she was your mom, how could she not?"
Michelle observed him curiously. "What'd she tell you?"
Sighing, Andrew met her gaze. "That she was convinced you hated her for always nagging you about everything...for not understanding why you weren't like her...and that she didn't blame you if you did..."
Eyes filling with tears, Michelle's bit her lip. "She thought I hated her?"
"Only when she really upset you..." he smiled. "I don't think she really believed it though…you were just different...and she worried that you were making things more difficult for yourself than they had to be..."
Despite her sadness, Michelle smirked. "And look at me now..."
Andrew chuckled. "You always were a lot tougher than she was...and I think she was amazed at how you handled things she never would've been able to..." he leaned in and kissed her forehead.
"She was proud of you, Michelle...even if she didn't necessarily agree with your choices most of the time..." He told her quietly.
The intensity of their conversation was soon replaced with laughter when Michelle decided to recount her most recent attempts at cooking for her dad. He laughed until the point of inducing a coughing fit, which only caused Michelle to laugh harder. She patted his back.
"You okay?" she giggled.
He nodded and signaled that he needed a second before he could respond, covering his mouth with a hand.
"Yeah," she continued. "I'm not allowed in the kitchen most days now..."
Andrew grinned, finally able to speak again. "God I should hope so...you make it more trouble than it's worth - "
His response was cut off when the sound of a muffled knock came from the front hall. Michelle stared at her dad, seeing if he'd heard it too, before checking her watch. Who the hell would be knocking on their door at three-thirty in the morning?
Both Michelle and Andrew rose from their chairs and made their way into the hall. The light in the kitchen was still on, suggesting that no one else had heard the noise. Michelle crossed the room to the door, her dad on her heels, to see who was there.
Inside her chest cavity, somewhere, Michelle swore her heart stopped. Wide eyed, she quickly unlocked the door and pulled it open to reveal Tony standing with a bag slung over his shoulder. He grinned at the site of her and brushed the snow out of his hair.
Michelle stared in wonder. "What are you - ?"
Tony had pulled her in for an enormous hug before she had time to finish her sentence. Michelle shivered inevitably as his ice-cold face found its way into her warm shoulder.
"Chappelle knows..." he mumbled, unwilling to let go of her yet. It had been the evening from hell as he scrambled to pack some things and broke at least ten laws on his way onto the plane, flashing his badge numerous times to get through security at lightening speed and catch the flight. He seemed completely oblivious to the fact that they had an audience; her father was now accompanied by Danny, Alicia, and Michelle's aunt and uncle, as they'd seemingly heard the commotion.
"Knows what?" she asked, fearing the response.
That if I don't turn into a complete coward and you love me as much as I think you do, there'll be a ring on your finger by the time we get back to LA...
"About us..."
Michelle finally pulled back to analyze his expression. "But how - "
Tony shook his head and ran his fingers through a few pieces of hair at the base of her neck, "I'll explain it to ya later."
Alicia's firm "ahem" brought both their attentions back to the inside of the house.
"Oh sorry..." Michelle rubbed her nose in embarrassment.
"Dad, this is Tony." she quickly introduced them.
It all happened so quickly, Michelle barely had time to be nervous. She wasn't sure she was becoming accustomed to all of these surprises.
Thankfully, both of them seemed to appreciate the slight awkwardness of the situation, and exchanged a quick round of pleasantries. Michelle then turned Tony towards her aunt and uncle to do the same thing.
"Tony you must be freezing!" Grace exclaimed after shaking his hand. "Can I get you anything?"
He shook his head, "No, thanks I'm fine, really."
Michelle turned to him expressionless, still trying to process the whole situation. You'd think, with a job like hers, she would be used to the unpredictability...and she was really, just not when it was the good kind, and certainly not when it happened to her. She certainly knew how to prepare herself for the worst but...
"How'd you even know where to go?"
Alicia laughed and blushed. "I might've got a phone call about half an hour ago that I forgot to mention to you..."
Everyone laughed.
Soon they had all made their way into the family room for a much more comfortable place to continue their conversation. No one seemed to notice the first few rays of sun peaking over the horizon, until Alicia checked her watch.
"Well," She yawned. "I'm exhausted...I think I'm gonna need a vacation after this vacation."
Everyone laughed as she made her way to bed, Danny followed soon afterwards, as did her aunt and uncle.
"So Chappelle knows?" Michelle asked, unable to wait any longer.
Tony laughed and leaned back on the couch. "He showed up near the end of the day and came up to talk to me...I don't even know what happened but he just blurted it out and told me to leave and 'be reachable'."
"I never would've thought he would just guess like that..."
Tony chewed his lip nervously to hide his fib, hoping she wouldn't call him on it. "Yeah we'll y'know..."
"Who's Chappelle again?" her dad asked.
Michelle quickly reminded her father of the infamous Ryan Chappelle, leaving out the part about her being arrested from helping to drug him, (and Tony being the one doing the drugging), months before.
"And you didn't think he would...err...approve?"
"He could make things difficult if he wanted to." Tony explained. "It's not uh...not exactly considered 'good protocol' to have interoffice relationships."
"So...?"
"He could've relocated one of us to screw everything up." Michelle frowned. "Which is why we hid it from everyone..." She looked at Tony, still obviously confused. "He's such a stickler from protocol I can't believe he didn't care..."
"Well I don't know if I would say that...but he's not gonna get in the way..."
Michelle beamed. "That's unbelievable...all this time we worried about him finding out..."
Wanting to end the conversation quickly before it could arose any more suspicions, Tony quickly changed the topic.
"So what's the plan for tomorrow?"
"Doing absolutely nothing all day..." Michelle rested against an armrest and closed her eyes, feeling the adrenaline stimulated by Tony's arrival starting to come back down again.
Andrew's gaze shifted quickly from his daughter to Tony, before announcing he was retiring for the night.
"Night," he kissed Michelle on the cheek as he passed her.
"Night, dad."
"Night, Tony" he called from the doorway.
"Night."
Once the sound of Andrew's ascending footsteps stopped, and a bedroom door could be heard closing, Michelle cupped both hands around Tony's face and pulled him towards her.
He grinned when their lips connected and Michelle moved her hands to the back of his neck.
"Hi," she gasped breathlessly, leaning her forehead against his.
"Hey," he responded into her cheek.
"I'm so glad you're-" a yawn interrupted the rest of Michelle's sentence. "I'm so glad you're here..." she finished.
"Me too sweetheart, it was worth sitting next to the old guy who kept snoring the whole flight..." Tony pulled her back against his chest and she closed her eyes, sighing happily.
Her fingers twirled a few strands of his hair around themselves and she snickered when the comment registered, eyes still closed. "You snore too..."
"No, Michelle I swear this was inhuman..."
She laughed and yawned simultaneously.
Tony kissed her. "C'mon...I'm getting tired just watching you..."
Nodding, she grabbed his hand and pulled him up the stairs towards her room.
"Uh...Michelle..." Tony stopped her before she pushed open the door.
"Can we do this? I mean...y'know...same room?"
She grinned. "Well considering we have been for about - "
"No I mean...your dad and Danny are down the hall and I'm sure it wouldn't take much to kill me in my sleep."
Michelle shook her head, laughing. "Good thing there's a lock on the door then..." she teased and kissed him quickly.
"Besides..." she continued as they entered the room, "It's too cold in here and there's no where else for you to go..."
He rolled his eyes. "Well I'm glad you can rationalize it..."
As the door closed Michelle pulled him into her arms again, feeling words were unnecessary anymore. She dragged him onto the bed immediately, barely allocating adequate time for him to strip down out of his clothes.
"Night," she pecked him gently on the collarbone where her face was no buried. He wrapped his fingers around hers and kissed the top of her head.
"Night, sweetheart."
The next morning Tony groaned when the sun poking through the thin curtains shook him from sleep. He'd been having a good dream, though about what he couldn't really remember.
Michelle was still breathing quietly, curled over on her side of the bed, knees almost touching her chest. The beside clock told him it was just before nine. He considered kissing her until she woke up. It was all so tempting with the sun causing her curls and cheeks to glisten magnificently and her lips looking particularly moist and tasty at that very moment. In the end he decided against it. Instead he pressed his mouth briefly in the crook of her neck before crawling out of bed and making his way downstairs. He needed coffee…badly.
Alicia, hair pulled back into a messy bun, muttering something to herself about stupid birds outside her window that had obviously awoken her prematurely.
"I thought the stupid things flew south for the winter…" she mumbled to the ever attentive coffee pot.
Tony cleared his throat and she spun around, raising an eyebrow.
"Morning," he smirked when she rubbed her eyes and groaned.
"How'd you sleep?" she asked merely out of convention than real interest.
"Great," he told her in an optimistically sweet voice, hoping to irk her a little bit more. "How bout you?"
She scowled and pulled a second mug down from the shelf, pouring him a cup of coffee.
"Thanks," he leaned against the counter and took a sip; Alicia began adding some cream to her own cup.
"I'm going to shower…" she told him, clearly in the need of the pick-me-up. Tony nodded as she brushed past him to exit the kitchen, just as Andrew walked in.
"Morning," he smiled at her.
"Yeah, yeah…" she complained before heading up the stairs.
Andrew shook his head and chuckled.
"Morning Tony," he crossed the kitchen to fetch himself his own cup of coffee.
Tony, who had gratefully just taken a rather large sip of his own, could only raise his mug in acknowledgement. He felt his conscience urge him to do what he'd been contemplating since he'd gotten on the plane the night before…if he was going to propose while they were still on 'vacation', he really should tell her dad…Not necessarily ask his permission, but just broach the subject, as a common courtesy…it was the prospect of broaching the subject that was making Tony undeniably stressed though…
"Michelle still asleep?" Andrew asked, bringing him back to the present.
Tony nodded. "Yeah." He decided saying anything was probably a good start. Why he was so nervous he would never quite be sure of…
"Listen Andrew I uh…" Tony rubbed the side of his face. "I kinda wanted to talk to you about Michelle…"
Nodding, Andrew sat down at the counter across from Tony, as a way of expressing his attentiveness without words.
"I'm…I'm gonna…" Tony flecked his tongue over his teeth to buy himself some time. "I was planning on asking her to…marry me..." He finished quietly, not embarrassed, but a little shaken up by the sheer idea that he was having this conversation.
Andrew did not smile, really, but his formal nod was one of understanding and respect. He fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat, while Tony eyed him carefully for some sort of tell.
Andrew's lack of response only worried Tony more. I mean surely he had something to say about it, even if it wasn't his decision to make.
"She's not really expecting it, is she?" Andrew looked up and raised an eyebrow.
Tony shook his head, "No, we never really talked about it." That was definitely true, though he still wasn't sure why the conversation had never come up before.
"I was gonna wait a while longer…" Tony was rambling now and he knew it. "But I really don't see the need…now that work's no longer an issue there's no reason we can't…"
He stopped talking, still waiting for Andrew to speak again, not sure what to make from his lack of commentary.
"She's tough…" Was the first thing he said.
Tony couldn't help but smirk as he swirled the contents of his mug.
Andrew looked up from his hands which he had been studying carefully, trying to take in everything that was happening.
"And she'd probably kill me for saying this...but uh…just…" It almost felt pointless to say it really, after everything he knew about Tony…but he did anyway, simply because he felt like it was his job to…especially given the circumstances.
"Take care of her for me…okay?" Andrew continued to stare at his hands, more because the stinging that he was now feeling behind his eyes than anything else.
"Yeah…" Tony assured him. "I will." Overwhelmed by sadness associated with this question…He was unsure as to what to take from that, but accepted it as a fatherly obligation to make sure his daughter would be happy.
The sound of someone descending down the stairs cut the tension between them, especially when they saw who it was…
"Hey," Michelle smiled as she entered the kitchen. She cocked her head to one side.
"What's going on?"
Andrew rose. "Nothing," he brushed it off. "There's coffee if you want some…"
He was out of the room before Michelle could question any further. She turned to Tony with raised eyebrows.
"What were you talking about?"
He shrugged. "Stuff…"
Alicia tossed a photo album into Tony's lap.
It was a few hours later and Michelle had been coaxed into a last minute shopping trip with her dad and uncle, as both were notorious procrastinators when it came to buying presents and had decided to take advantage of her present company. They were due back any minute, as Michelle had just called from the car, explaining they would be home shortly.
Tony arched an eyebrow at Alicia, who had been making a point of keeping him company during Michelle's absence.
"These are the pictures I was telling you about. From college…"
Alicia had promised him she had at least half a dozen albums loaded with pictures, majority of which had Michelle in then from high school and college days.
Tony flipped back the cover and examined the page. The first picture was of Michelle and Alicia, with their arms around each other, grinning widely. Michelle was wearing an exceptionally baggy sweatshirt and her hair was pulled back a very messy ponytail, Alicia's attire was more or less the same.
"That was just after finals." She explained. "We had this horrible calculus exam and we'd been up all night studying…it was awful."
Tony chuckled and turned the page.
"And that was the day we got our results."
A much less sleep deprived Michelle, and Alicia, and a few others were sitting at a bar obviously celebrating with a night out.
Tony studied the picture for a few seconds and was flipping the page just as the front door opened. Alicia smirked when she saw the picture, thoroughly enjoying the prospect of the conversation soon to follow. Because really, where was the fun in swapping stories if you couldn't cause a little bit of trouble at the same time…
It appeared to have been taken on the same day as the first one. It was a picture of Michelle again, but Alicia had been replaced with "some guy", in a tattered black t-shirt and faded jeans. His arm was wrapped around Michelle's shoulder and he was kissing her cheek with a big smile on his face. Michelle was laughing and a bouquet of flowers hung loosely in one hand.
Michelle appeared in the doorway just as Tony turned to Alicia to ask:
"Who's that?" as nonchalantly as he possibly could.
"That's Steve." Alicia stated loudly so she would be certain Michelle could hear. "They dated for like…"
Alicia finally acknowledged Michelle.
"Like three years, wasn't it?"
Michelle blushed as she made her way to the couch. "Two and a half..." she corrected as she sat down beside Tony. His face was directed at Alicia and she could not make out the expression.
"Right, right," Alicia grinned. "Steve was such a great guy…" she babbled on, enjoying the warning looks Michelle was shooting her.
"I remember that day too…" she prattled excitedly. "Remember what he did after the exam!"
Michelle, if possible, turned an even deeper shade of red, but grinned just the same, avoiding Tony's stare.
"Vaguely…"
Alicia turned to Tony. "It was the sweetest thing…" she informed him in a sickly 'hopeless romantic' voice. "This one over here…" she indicated to Michelle. "Was worried about the exam…so Steve met us outside when we were done and gave Michelle flowers…she was so happy!"
Seizing the opportunity to exit the room, Alicia jumped off the couch and decided to leave the couple some time to duke the conversation out without her present.
Michelle was still waiting for her cheeks to spontaneously combust when Alicia left the room saying she was going to help in preparing dinner. She smirked when Tony caught her eye and slid over a little closer to him, settling his back against his side and pulling an arm across her chest.
"So flowers, eh?" he kidded. "Should I do that next time instead?"
"It's a big deal when most guys can't even hold a conversation long enough to figure out you have a test the next day." She informed him coolly.
Tony chuckled and kissed her temple. "Point taken."
He allocated a few minutes of silence before throwing in his next remark.
"Besides…you don't look as happy as you do now…" The hand she was still holding brushed the crevice in her cheek created by the smile she was wearing.
She sighed and slid an arm between Tony's back and the couch, raking her nails across his shoulder muscles gently.
"Can't argue with that…"
Dinner was an enjoyable, casual affair that had everyone seated together at the dining room table. Michelle was situated between her father and Tony and was dully aware of the fact that they kept exchanging knowing glances from their respective positions on either side of her. She decided she would bug Tony again later about what had been discussed that morning, not sure why he felt the need to be so secretive about things these days.
That night, Tony decided to head upstairs for a shower. Michelle seized the opportunity while everyone else was crowded around the fire, for a few minutes of peace and quiet and escape from the stuffiness inside the house. Fresh air offered Michelle a much needed release from the chatter that had ceased to desist since early that morning.
She grabbed her jacket and scarf and stepped outside into the fresh air, thoroughly appreciating how perfect the weather had been since their arrival. It was snowing lightly again, big, thick snowflakes that clung to everything and simply refused to melt, no matter where they landed. Pulling her jacket a little more tightly around herself, she proceeded to the edge of the backyard and stared across the vast whiteness that ran uninterrupted until reaching the next set of houses.
Tomorrow was Christmas and then they would be going home. Danny had already decided on staying a few extra days as he was off work anyway for two weeks. While Michelle and Tony didn't have the same luxury, she really couldn't care less, three days had been more than she'd ever hoped for, and it was all she needed really…sad as she was to leave, she new in her heart she really couldn't have asked for more…
Tony stumbled downstairs and made his way into the family room. He greeted everyone as he entered but remained in the doorway, frowning, before Danny finally picked up on it.
"She's outside."
Tony's pulse picked up without warning and he knew why, if there was ever a time to do it…it was now.
Swallowing hard he moved towards the kitchen and saw Michelle through the screen door.
Do it…His conscience ordered. It's now or never…
Tony checked his watch more out of habit than anything else and nodded when he saw the time…it definitely was now.
Making movements he wouldn't later remember making, Tony fished the small velvet box out of his bag and pulled on his jacket and shoes. As he headed out of the house, passed the family room, Andrew caught his eye for a split second before he was in the kitchen once again. Taking a deep breath, (in case he didn't have another chance to do so), Tony pulled back the screen door and stepped outside.
Andrew grinded his teeth when he heard the screen door close. So that was it then, he'd lost Michelle after all. He'd lost her a long time ago really; the only difference was that now it was becoming official. Sighing, he turned back to Grace who was in the midst of some story everyone else seemed to be hanging on. Tony was a good guy and Michelle would be happy…that was all that mattered and that was all he could ask for in the end.
The snow was lightly falling again and the crisp breeze bit at Michelle's nose and cheeks. She smiled to herself when she felt Tony beside her, obviously making a conscious effort not to kiss her tenderly in the middle of the backyard for fear there were still other eyes on them.
He approached from her right side and leaned in closely, warming her ear and neck with his breath.
"Wanna go for a walk?" he asked casually. Michelle scooped up his hand in her own, leading him out of the backyard without another word.
They began walking towards the lake. Michelle shivered a little and used a gloved hand to readjust the buttons of her coat. Tony snaked one arm gently around her hips and locked her body snugly in position against his.
"What were you talking to my dad about this morning?" she tried again.
"Nothing really…" he assured her. "Just how happy I was I ended up making it here after all…"
Her hand was soon pulling him in for feather-light kiss. Tony smiled and continued to walk.
Out of nowhere, Michelle spoke again: "I wish I'd been there when Chappelle figured it out…" she said, barely breaking contact with his mouth, bathing his face in her breath.
She laughed when Tony stopped them and moved his arm from her waist to her fingers, spinning her around smoothly before drawing her back into his embrace.
"Trust me, no you don't, I thought I would drop dead right on the spot…" He pulled her in so that their noses were almost touching, one hand clasped hers near their chins and the other was encircled in the small of her back again, holding Michelle pressed into him.
"So what'd you tell him anyway?" she asked as they swayed gently against the breeze.
"I told him…" Tony drew out the last word while he dipped Michelle so deeply her curls grazed the top layer of snow. A few flakes found their way onto her eyelashes. She laughed while he held her there, letting the blood rush to her head. Tony leaned down to meet her halfway.
"That I love you …" he finished when he was as close as he could get to Michelle without dropping her. He snapped her back upright quickly and pressed his lips against her cheek.
"You didn't…" her mouth hung open and Tony closed it with his thumb and forefinger.
"It was implied." he told her, silencing her ensuing outbursts with a few well placed kisses. Michelle sighed contentedly, giving up on any more arguments, and slipped back in between an arm and Tony's body so they could continue to walk some more.
Neither said anything after that, for, in Michelle's case, there really was nothing to say. She was savoring the serenity of the moment, a few fluffy snowflakes clinging to her nose and coating her hair and jacket, and Tony's body holding hers' securely against him, giving Michelle the distinct impression that nothing in the world could tear them apart now.
Tony pulled her in for yet another kiss, tugging gently at her bottom lip as they continued to edge towards the lake. Michelle smiled when he pulled away and he smiled back, knowing waiting much longer was out of the question. He shifted his position, wrapping Michelle from behind in both arms and spoke to the crook of her neck, sending warmer chills down her spine.
"It's after midnight." He told her in a throaty whisper. "Merry Christmas sweetheart…"
Michelle brought a hand to the back of his neck and pulled his lips against hers. "Merry Christmas…" she agreed
Tony was working up the courage to do what he was about to do, when Michelle interrupted his thoughts, not knowing any better.
"It's gorgeous out here…" she closed her eyes and sighed deeply.
Tony's nose bumped into her ear and he kissed it, as if to say "you're gorgeous".
She grinned as Tony nudged her head to one side, planting his lips on the little patch of her neck that was exposed to the cold.
"So I was uh…" Tony laced his fingers with the hand that was resting on Michelle's stomach. "I was thinking about it…and uh…"
He froze. The nerves were getting the best of him and the words weren't flowing like they should.
Michelle had not spoken again; she was waiting patiently for Tony to finish his sentence.
"I was thinking…that uh…I love you."
Michelle smiled. Surprised at how much trouble he was having saying the words. "I love you too."
"Michelle would you…" he just had to spit it out. "I mean…I guess technically it hasn't been that long…so I don't need or expect an answer or anything…but I can't imagine not having you around, with me, all the time. Because you're…" he took a deep breath. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me…"
Michelle's eyes grew a little watery, she wasn't sure if it was from the fresh burst of wind or Tony's incessant rambles, as both were equally as unnerving.
"But…would you ever…uh…marry me?"
His breath against her neck warmed Michelle to the core, but she shivered anyway, chilled by the question.
"Are you…are you asking?" she stuttered as she tried her very best to keep the conversation light.
Tony's lips and nose were buried into the side of her head. As his mouth pressed against her Michelle's eyes closed in unison.
"We just never really talked about it before…" His grip tightened, as if afraid of what kind of response she would give him.
"I don't know I mean…work makes it so much hard – "
"Michelle." Tony turned her around and tilted her chin. He definitely knew what to say to that comment.
"Look at me…I'm not asking you about work…"
"Ugh…I know…you're right I'm sorry…" she brought a hand to her temple, embarrassed at such a response, and shook her head quickly.
Tony took both her hands in his and moved his other hand back to her chin, encouraging her to look at him. She did.
"Hey…" he whispered, getting her attention. The way he said that, the way he always said that, never failed to make her heart melt a little. "I was just asking what you thought…I didn't mean to get you all upset…"
"No, no I'm not." Michelle patted his chest. "I'm not really I'm just surprised…I mean I guess I never expected you to bring it up…"
Tony looked at her, confused. "So you thought we would just keep sneaking around forever?"
"I don't know what I thought…I mean…Yes, I want to get married but…" she swallowed hard. "But only to you…and if you don't want to I don't care…because however we do this…I just want to be with you…" she hadn't even realized a few tears had slid down her face as she felt it necessary to get out exactly what she was thinking at the moment. Tony contorted his jaw as he studied her and his head cocked to one side. He held her face tenderly with a hand, an icy cold hand, that shocked Michelle as much as a bolt of lightening would.
"Michelle," he pulled her back into his arms. "I love you…I want everyone else to know that…and not just because Chappelle can weasel it out of me…"
Her lips curved into a delicate, barely-there smile as Tony wiped her eyes and kissed her.
"Well really then, how could I not want to marry you?" She teased.
Tony grinned. "I have absolutely no idea…which is why…" a hand moved into his pocket. "I got this, just in case…"
Michelle swore she was dreaming. This wasn't really happening. Tony hadn't really just pulled that little box out of his pocket. They weren't really standing there, arms around each other, talking about marriage. Tony wasn't asking her to marry him…
"Oh my god…" a queasy feeling overcame her.
"Now I'm asking…" he loosened his grip so he could hold out the ring. "Michelle, I love you…will you marry me?"
Michelle's eyes had not left the ring yet, and she was ever grateful Tony remained standing, giving her something to cling to. She was afraid of what would happen if she looked up at him, what she would do, what she would say. She knew what she wanted to say, but the act of saying it seemed like too much at the moment. So instead she wiped her eyes for what seemed like the millionth time that week, and stared at nothing in particular, summoning some sort of cognizant thought.
Michelle knew he was waiting. That she had to say something. That she couldn't stand out there forever with her eyes fixated on nothing. It was the movement of Tony's hand against her face, though, that brought her back to reality.
A curl was in front of her eyes and she hadn't realized it. Tony's hand was tucking it behind her ear, as it had never failed to do for the past five months, as she knew it never would fail to do unless she refused it. She looked up and brushed away what was left of her tears. Shaking her head like someone still in disbelief about what was actually happening, but finally beginning to piece it together, she smiled from ear to ear. Her fingers found the hand that was now cupping her cheek and finally she could move again. She grabbed his face with both her palms and kissed him hard on the mouth. When they broke apart she could speak.
"Yes…" she nodded, forehead still pressed against his.
And while it may not have been a phenomenally thought out, extravagantly planned, response, it was more than Tony would ever need to hear. Besides…it was all he had ever imagined hearing Michelle say anyway.
Thankful that it was dark enough to hide the prickling mistiness that had glazed over Tony's own eyes, he grabbed Michelle's left hand and assisted her in pulling off the glove, before shooting her an uncontainable grin and sliding the now-cold ring around her finger. Michelle let out a sound halfway between a sob and a laugh as she held it up for closer examination in the soft moonlight.
"I love you…" she gasped as she threw her arms around his neck and squeezed more tightly than she knew to be humanly possible.
"I love you too." He whispered gently and squeezed back.
They stood like this for an indeterminate amount of time, only realizing how long it had been when Michelle shivered again.
"C'mon," Tony whispered, hating himself for ruining the moment. "Let's head back."
Michelle nodded her agreement but kissed him once more, passionately, while she still had the chance to, before they started to move back towards the house…
