AN: First and foremost, happy Pride Month! June is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ Community and all the wonderful people in it. It's a time to remember our history, progress that has been made, but most importantly, the progress that still needs to be made to ensure that all around the world, we are equal and free to love whoever we want. Love is love, y'all, and I am so proud to be in this fandom where we can embrace that. As shippers, we just watched our beautiful queens kiss and be cheered on by their loved ones and chosen family on network television. You love to see it and I cannot wait for Kacy to return to our screens in the Fall. For now though, fanfiction will get us through. Here is the final chapter of this story. It has been so much fun to write and I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 6
Lucy glanced down at her watch as she quickly parked in front of the bar. She was running a bit late. It had been several weeks since the teams closed the Gray case and everyone fell back into their usual routines. She lost track of time finishing up the last bit of paperwork she needed to do before the weekend and hurried into the familiar bar she was meeting Kate at for date night, dinner and drinks. The moment she entered, all the memories of the first time she met the woman she fell effortlessly in love with washed over her. She left the bar that night expecting nothing more than a fun one night stand, but ended up finding the love of her life. They had been through so much since then, but it all felt worth it as she spotted her girlfriend sitting in the same booth she had been in that night.
"Mind if I join you," asked Lucy as she approached the booth and Kate smiled at the question. It was the same one she asked that night.
"Actually, I'm waiting on my girlfriend."
"Lucky girl, she better make up for being late," said Lucy as she slid into the booth.
"She always does," assured Kate. Lucy laced their fingers together and kissed the top of Kate's hand.
"Sorry I'm late, babe. Paperwork."
"I ordered you a drink, but I wasn't sure what you wanted for dinner." Lucy smiled appreciatively at her and looked over the menu. She noticed Kate's stare and blushed.
"What," giggled Lucy.
"Nothing, I just love you."
"I love you too." Lucy leaned across the table to give her a sweet kiss before the waiter came over to greet her.
Dinner was full conversations about everything and nothing at all, teasing, and enjoying each other's company. Lucy eventually made her way over to Kate's side of the booth and after stealing a few more kisses, they agreed to have dessert at home. Lucy giggled when Kate nuzzled her neck and kissed her temple as Lucy unlocked their front door. As soon as they entered, Lucy gasped and Kate smiled at her response. Candles were lit throughout the entryway and living room of the house and music from the playlist they made together was playing softly in the background. Tears filled Lucy's eyes when she saw the vases of red tulips placed throughout the rooms. They were Lucy's favorite and she beamed with happiness when she turned to see Kate standing behind her with a red tulip in her hand.
"What's all this," asked Lucy as Kate handed it to her.
"The first night we met, I knew there was something special about you, but I had no idea just how important you would be to me. I walked into that bar thinking I would have a couple of drinks and maybe a nice meal, but I left with the love of my love."
"Kate," Lucy whispered as she took the red tulip and Kate bent down on one knee. She pulled a ring box out of her pocket and opened it to reveal the ring Julie and Jane helped her choose. Lucy's eyes filled with more tears as Kate took in a deep breath and continued.
"I never expected to find someone as amazing as you, someone who makes me feel vulnerable and scared and yet like I can do anything. You're the most amazing person I've ever met, Lucy Tara. Before you, all I thought about for my future was making all the right moves possible for my career. Now, the only thing I need to know about my future is that you're in it. I need you in my life and want to spend the rest of our lives together showing you how much I love you. Will you make me the happiest woman in the world and marry me?" Lucy was nodding before Kate could even finish asking.
"Yes," giggled Lucy. Kate picked her up into her arms to passionately kiss her and twirl her around. She placed the ring on Lucy's finger and beamed with happiness as Lucy showered her with kisses.
"Yes," she asked to make sure and Lucy playfully rolled her eyes.
"Did you really think I would ever say no to you, Whistler?" Kate sighed in relief and captured her lips in another kiss.
"I love you," giggled Kate.
"I love you too. Is this why you've been stressed and secretive all week?" Kate nodded.
"I wanted everything to be perfect."
"It is, baby. How did you do all of this? Please don't tell me you lit all these before we met up for dinner?"
"I may have had a bit of help from Maya, Zeinab, and Carlos. Plus, Jane let me know when you left the office."
"So that's why Tennant has been smiling so much at me this week. I just figured she was happy Joe was coming in town soon. How long has she known?"
"A couple of weeks, I told the others about it a few days ago too, so they're probably waiting to hear from us. I'm surprised Ernie isn't calling already for updates." Lucy sighed happily as she pulled out her phone to take a picture of them.
"Then let's not disappoint," suggested Lucy as she held up her hand to show off her engagement ring and took a picture of their smiling faces. She posted the picture in their group chat and both giggled when their friends immediately started replying with congratulations and excited emojis.
"Ernie wants to celebrate," said Lucy as she read his messages and Kate nuzzled her neck.
"I was hoping for the night alone with my fiancée, but had a feeling that would happen. He's been pretty excited," said Kate and Lucy bit her lip seductively.
"You can have me to yourself all weekend, baby. Trust me, I plan on showing you just how happy you make me. You know they aren't going to stop pestering us until they see us, though." Kate's phone began buzzing again and she giggled at the emojis Alex and Julie were sending her as well.
"I guess dessert can wait. Jane is suggesting a night out on the town," said Kate as more messages came in.
"I think a night of dancing with my gorgeous fiancée may be in order," agreed Lucy and Kate kissed her again.
"If that's what my future wife wants, that's what she gets," assured Kate before kissing the top of her hand and pulling her back toward the door to go meet up with their friends.
Kate and Lucy were confused when Jane told them to meet everyone at a popular club in town instead of the usual bar they headed to for drinks after work. They headed inside the club and were ushered toward the VIP area where their friends were waiting for them. The couple blushed when they were greeted with cheers, hugs, and congratulations. Jesse and Kai started popping bottles of champagne and Jane pulled them each in for another hug.
"Julie and Alex said congratulations as well and you know they want to see you over at the house sometime this weekend," informed Jane. Lucy couldn't stop smiling as she wrapped her arms around her fiancée.
"We figured we would stop by on Sunday for dinner and to formally ask Julie to be our flower girl," said Lucy and Jane smiled even more.
"She's going to love that," assured Jane. Maya and Zeinab handed them each a flute of champagne and Maya winked at Kate.
"Finally popping the question? Gold star, boss," said Maya and Kate playfully rolled her eyes.
"You say that as if it's been forever. I wanted it to be the right moment and didn't want anything to feel rushed. We just got settled here a couple of months ago," reminded Kate, but Zeinab waved her off.
"I think we all knew the moment you two got back together where it was heading," said Zeinab.
"I feel like I have been waiting forever," agreed Ernie.
"Like camping out in line to see The Dark Knight on opening night waiting forever," added Carlos.
"Both totally worth it, though," added Ernie. Jesse rolled his eyes at the two friends as they bumped fists.
"I think what we're all trying to say is about time you two and congratulations," said Jesse as he kissed the top of Lucy's head and hugged Kate again. Kai wrapped an arm around Kate.
"Candle-lit room and flowers," he asked and Kate winked at him.
"Yep and right after dinner at the bar where we first met," said Kate.
"Classic move," he commended with an impressed nod and she giggled.
"I propose a toast," announced Jane as she held up her flute of champagne. Everyone else did as well.
"To Lucy and Kate," announced Jane and everyone clinked glasses.
"How did you pull all this together? I wondered why you wanted us to meet you here instead of the bar," said Lucy as she looked around at the bottles of champagne and platters of food.
"As soon as Kate told us, we wanted to plan something nice to celebrate. We knew you would say yes. The hardest part was going to get you two to come up for air long enough to join us," informed Ernie. Lucy smirked at him.
"You're lucky we love you all very much because I definitely thought twice about leaving the house tonight. I need time to celebrate alone with my fiancée," said Lucy before tenderly kissing Kate. Ernie chuckled and shook his head.
"You two can focus on that later, but right now, we dance," announced Ernie as he grabbed Lucy's hand. The others followed them toward the dance floor, but Carlos pulled Kate aside. She looked at him curiously.
"What's wrong," she questioned.
"Nothing, um, I just got an update that I know you were wondering about. Robin Hood and her Merry Group of thieves have moved on. They aren't an issue anymore," he informed.
"You sure about that?"
"I talked to her tonight and also made it clear that I would be keeping a closer eye on her moving forward. Thank you for letting me handle it."
"I know you were in a tough spot, but you did well. Since I know you never seem to get tired of hearing it, gold star, Carlos. Thanks for being exactly who I thought you were."
"Thanks for believing in me, boss." Kate clapped him on the back.
"Now, let's go have fun. I'm being summoned by my fiancée and Maya and Zeinab look like they are ready to embarrass you on the dance floor." He groaned, but nodded as they headed over to their group of friends. Dancing wasn't always Carlos's favorite thing to do, which is why Maya and Zeinab made him do it whenever possible. Kate giggled when Lucy pulled her into her arms and danced with her to the up-tempo beat pulsing around the nightclub. Ernie and Jesse laughed when Maya and Zeinab surrounded Carlos and started dancing with him as he whined about not being good at it. He moved to the beat nonetheless. Kai gave Jane a twirl as they enjoyed the music with the rest of their friends and tried to make each other laugh with their dance moves. Kate sighed happily as she kissed her fiancée and leaned her forehead against Lucy's. The couple basked in the euphoria of the moment as their friends danced around them. After years of uncertainty, being apart, and making their way back to each other, nothing felt better than knowing they would be in each other's arms for the rest of their lives.
AN: So, what did you think of this one? It was a lot of fun writing the dynamics of the new friendships and how they work together as teams. It felt wonderful to write the proposal scene after we finally got a smiling, dancing Kate and Lucy in the season finale, together and being cheered on by their friends. I hope you enjoyed and are still living your best shipper life during this hiatus. If you have been enjoying these stories, then you may enjoy the new novel I just published. It includes some of the same original characters but in a new universe with some fantasy elements. It has romance, procedural drama tropes, and fantasy elements all mixed into one. My new queer romance is called V Card by Isaac the Sapphic and is out now on Amazon. If you check it out, let me know what you think. Until next time, happy reading. Cheers!
