Jean comes out of the kitchen with two mugs of hot chocolate into the living room and hands one to Vera before she joins her on the couch.
„It´s still snowing."
„Maybe we get snowed in."
„I wouldn´t mind." Jean smiles over the rim of her mug. Both women had to get used to no longer living on their own after Jean moved in a couple of months ago. It felt odd in the bgeinning that there was suddenly someone in the morning or evening after coming home from work but both women have a keen sense for the other woman´s mood and know when the other one needs some alone time. And by now, Vera even got used it, that Jean likes to snuggle up while watching tv.
„I think you would make a beautiful bride," Vera says, referring to the weeding in the movie.
Jean looks up at her. „Vera Stanhope, did you just propose to me?"
„What?! God no," Vera answers horrified. „I just think, that you would look beautiful in a white gown. That´s all."
„I know. I was just taking the mickey out of you." Jean grins, kissing Vera and paying attention to the movie again.
They watch the rest of the movie in silence but Vera isn´t paying attention anymore. She absentminded strokes Jean´s hair while her thoughts wander off.
Jean´s joke had a deeper impact on her than Vera would admit.
Jean yawns after the movie ended. „ I think, I´m going to bed. Are you coming?" Vera doesn´t react. „Vera? Darling?"
„Mhh? Sorry, I was miles away."
„I said, I´m going to bed. Are you coming?"
„Yes, why don´t you go ahead. I just put the mugs away."
Vera puts the mugs in the dishwasher and wants to go upstairs when her gaze falls on the pictures on the kitchen table. They are from the office´s christmas party last week. The picture on top shows Jean talking with Aidan´s wife. It´s one of these snapshots, that are taken spontanous and without the knowledge of the one on the picture. Vera loved it this one instantly and is suddenly overwhelmed by her feelings.
Jean wonders what is Vera taking so long and goes downstairs again. She finds her standing by the terrace door.
„Penny for your thoughts," she says when she wraps her arms around Vera.
„I was just thinking if Laura and Jessica might want to come on the weekend. We could build a snowman," Vera says, talking about Jean´s grandchildren.
„Who would have thought, that you would spend some time with children by choice."
„Apparently you have a good influence on this grumpy old woman."
„Oh, don´t be so hard to yourself. You are not old," Jean laughs.
„Thank you for the compliment," Vera chuckles.
They watch the snow fall for a moment.
„Jean?"
„Mhh?"
Vera turns around. „ Will you marry me?"
Jean is stunned for a moment by Vera´s question and looks for signs if this was maybe a joke like she did earlier. But Vera is serious, like she´s never been before in her entire life.
„Yes. Yes, I would like to marry you!" Both women hug smile at each other from ear to ear.
Later, in bed, Jean leans on her elbow, looking at her wife to be. „Who would have thought that I would get a proposal at my age."
„I´m sorry, that it wasn´t very romantic or creative." Vera´s caressing Jean´s thigh.
„Well, maybe it wasn´t the most romantic proposal in the history of proposals but frankly, I´d been worried about your mental health if you would have proposed to me in public or going down on your knee with a giant diamond ring. For me it was special, very special because this proposal was hundred percent you," Jean leans down for a kiss. „But just to be clear. You owe me a diamond ring." Jean laughs.
The End