Prompts: 04. sweet, 17. proposal
He's sure she's not expecting anything as they stroll through Central Park. He hasn't given anything away, hasn't even hinted. He wants her to be surprised.
The arrive at Bethesda Fountain - her favorite place in the park - and stand there for a moment, watching the water. Finally he turns to her and says, "You ever think about marriage?"
She raises her eyebrows and smiles at him. "Marriage in general, you mean? Marriage as an institution?"
She's toying with him. He loves it. He wouldn't have it any other way. He shrugs and says, "Sure."
She keeps her eyes on the fountain when she answers. "I think that, if the right guy were to come along, I wouldn't be completely opposed to the idea of marriage."
He furrows his brow, slightly concerned. Is she still messing with him? "Could I be that guy?"
She lifts one shoulder in a shrug, bringing her chin down to meet it. He loves when she does that. "Maybe."
He pulls the ring box out of his pocket and tosses it casually up in the air. Her eyes follow it as he gracefully catches it and repeats the action. "So," he says, catching it again and holding it out to show her, "should I take this back, then?"
Her eyes are wide, her mouth open. Her hands fly to cover her mouth as he gets down on one knee. He opens the box, and she gasps when she sees the ring. He hopes she likes it. Stella had dragged him to half a dozen stores before he found one he liked. "What are you doing?" she asks, as though it isn't completely obvious.
He considers giving her a smart-ass remark but decides against it. He's asking the love of his life to marry him. Now is not the time for jokes. "I'm asking you to marry me, Montana."
Well...except that one.
"Danny - "
"I love you, Linds," Danny says, and damn if his eyes don't start to burn with tears. "I didn't know what love was until I met you. I didn't know what happiness was until you loved me. I can't imagine the rest of my life without you. I don't want to. Marry me?"
She just stares at him, and for a moment his heart stops, and he's terrified that she's going to say "no". Then she breaks into a wide smile. "Danny Messer, that is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me."
He stands up slowly and licks his lips uncertainly. "So...that's a yes?"
She throws her arms around him and treats him to a mind-numbing kiss that leaves him breathless and lightheaded.
"So, is that a yes?"
She smacks him on the arm. "Yes, you idiot. Yes."
He slides the ring on her finger amidst a smattering of applause from people nearby and pulls her in for another kiss.
