Chapter 3: Telling the Team part 2
Telling the team is hard to do, especially when other team members have news of their own.
Note: Chapter 2 and 3 are more about their adjustment to being engaged and dealing with moments from their past, while Chapter 4 is the start of the planning for these two (chapter 4 is titled "The Wedding Planner". So stay tuned, a lot of fun things are coming! Thanks so much for reading it! :-)
The next day, Toby and Happy walked into the garage, carrying coffee and bagels for the team. They had talked about how to tell the team the day before and decided on just gathering the team and telling them - no tricks or antics. Happy didn't want the team to make too big of a deal about it, they already knew it was eventually going to happen, so by Toby and Happy keeping it simple, she hoped they, Paige specifically, would get the idea.
"Hey-oo," Toby shouted excitedly when the door closed behind them.
Happy, who was walking slightly behind him, pushed him gently, "Don't be so happy."
"What? Only you can be Happy," he snickered, "Get it? Happy is happy?"
"Yeah, I get it," she said, rolling her eyes and handing the bagels to Toby with some force before he walked off to the kitchen. She looked around the garage, which was surprisingly quiet. "Hey, Doc?"
"Yes, my dearest?" he asked, strolling back in from the kitchen where he had dropped off the bagels, coffee in his hands for them both.
Happy looked around again before hopping on top of Toby's desk, "Why is no one here?"
Toby stopped and turned around, glancing around the garage himself. Then he looked at his watch and started laughing, "No one's here because we're a half hour early for once in our lives."
Checking her own watch, Happy's eyes grew big, "How the hell did that happen?"
Toby stopped in front of Happy, standing between her legs. He handed her the coffee with a grin and kissed her cheek, "I guess that's what happens when we fall asleep before 10 at night, thank you very much beach day. We wake up early and get to work early."
Happy took a long sip from her cup, "But how did we not notice the time?"
Setting his cup down, Toby looked at Happy with a look she knew all too well. A look that often led to them finding the closest bed or well hidden spot. A look she was defenseless against.
"I don't know about you, but I've been pretty distracted since you got home," he murmured, pushing her hair behind her shoulder.
Happy had to repress a shiver when his fingertips grazed against her skin. "Yeah, I guess I've been focused on other things lately," she whispered breathlessly, licking her lips.
Toby grabbed her cup from her hand and set it down next to his. Leaning in, he brushed his lips against her neck before whispering, "We have a half hour." He kissed her neck again, "No one's here." He moved his lips to her jaw, "What do you say we go for round two? We cut ourselves short this morning."
"Toby," she moaned, but pushed him back, "We can't do this, especially at your desk. Someone might walk in."
He captured her lips with his own. "When did you get so boring? That's supposed to happen after we get married," he joked before kissing her again. He stepped back and put his hands up, "But if you're afraid..."
Happy fisted her hands in his shirt and yanked him back so his body was pressing against hers, "I am not boring. Do I need to remind you of the kitchen counter last night?" she argued, sliding her hands up to hold his head. She leaned in to give him a teasing kiss.
He moaned and slid his hands around her waist, pulling her to the edge of the desk. She wrapped her legs around his waist and deepened the kiss, curling her fingers into the hair by his temples.
"Not in the garage," Walter groaned, walking through the garage door.
Toby dropped his hands to the desk on either side of Happy and groaned. He tried to pull back but Happy kept a firm grip on his head, continuing their kiss.
"This is a workplace," Walter tried again after clearing his throat.
Happy lifted one of her hands and flipped him off. His surprised gasp echoed through the garage. Toby started laughing - his laugh so hard that it was difficult to continue the kiss. Happy dropped her legs and hands; wrapping her arms around Toby's waist, she slid her hands into his back pockets. Joining in with Toby's laugh, she laid her forehead on his chest, their laughter mingling together and floating through the garage.
"What do we have here?" a confused Paige asked, sliding her arm through Walter's and kissing his cheek.
"I walked in to them mauling each other like animals," Walter said sharply, "I do not approve of this. And she-she flipped me off."
Their laughter grew stronger and Happy raised her head to brush her lips against his again. She dropped her head back to his chest when she realized, with the laughter, it wasn't going to happen. It wasn't until a few minutes later, after the arrival of both Sly and Cabe, that they finally got themselves under control. Once the laughter had stopped, Happy turned her head to look at the team, choosing to leave her head laying against his chest - their eyes were wide, Sylvester and Cabe looking confused, while Walter just looked angry.
"I don't want to know," Cabe finally said and Sly quickly agreed.
Toby smiled at the team, "Sorry about that. That, uh, that got a little out of hand. Um, we brought bagels."
"And coffee," Happy spoke up, relaxing further into Toby.
But the team didn't move, they stood there, continuing to look at Toby and Happy. It was then that Happy realized she still had her hands in Toby's back pockets and was pressed up against him, as close as she could get. The team wasn't used to seeing that. She cleared her throat and hopped down from the desk, taking a few steps away from Toby.
"Right," she looked towards the kitchen, "So, I'm going to go-" she pointed to the kitchen and quickly walked off, shaking her head.
"Toby," Walter said in a low voice, "if I ever walk into that again-"
"Relax, Walt," Toby interrupted, holding up his hands, "We both know that threats don't work against us. Plus, you're forgetting I can tell you're not serious. So there's no point." He grabbed their coffees and turned to follow Happy into the kitchen, Sylvester and Cabe quickly on his heels.
Paige snorted in laughter at Walter's sputtering response as they made their way over to the rest of the team.
"Do we have a case today?" Paige asked, grabbing a bagel.
Cabe shook his head and swallowed down his bagel, "Not yet. So far it's a free day for you all."
"Good, because we have news," Paige exclaimed excitedly, grabbing Walter's hand.
"Uh, so do we," Toby replied a little too eagerly, bringing his coffee cup to his mouth to hide his smile.
He glanced down at Happy who was also fighting her smile. She turned towards him and placed one hand on his lower back.
Raising up on her toes, she whispered in his ear, "Don't ruin this, Doc."
Turning his head, he kissed her quickly, taking her by surprise and whispered, "I'm not the one who's going to ruin it. You're the one who will give it away if you keep touching me. That is not typically Happy Quinn, soon to be Curtis, behavior."
Happy blushed and took a step back. Toby was right, she normally put distance between them when they were at work with the rest of the team, at least when there were prying eyes around.
She looked towards Paige, "What's your news?"
"No, let's hear what Toby has to say first," Paige prodded.
He shook his head, "Nah, that's fine. You go."
Paige smiled and looked up at Walter, who suddenly looked uncomfortable with all the eyes on him. "Well, after much thought and discussions about logic," she started, rolling her eyes, "Walter has decided to move in with me and Ralph."
The room was silent for a beat until Cabe started chuckling.
"Well, I'll be damned. Walter O'Brien is making an emotional decision."
Walter blushed, "Well no, it's more log-"
"Walter," Cabe interrupted, "don't you dare finish that sentence."
"Congratulations," Happy was the first to say, causing the rest of the team to speak up.
"Thank you," Paige said, rubbing Walter's arm, "We're excited. It's going to be a few days of moving, but we won't let it interfere with our cases. Now, what was your news Toby?"
Toby looked over at Happy and smiled, "Well, we wanted to tell everyone that-"
"That we're thinking about getting a dog," Happy stopped him, sliding her left hand into her back pocket.
Whipping his head around, Toby looked at Happy with confused, surprised eyes. She hoped he could read her face and her want to keep it quiet for a little while longer.
"Um, yeah," he said slowly, turning back to the team, "we're thinking of getting a dog."
"Oh, that sounds fun," Paige tried to sound enthusiastic.
"You wouldn't bring it here, would you?" Sylvester asked, obviously worried.
"That's not a smart move," Walter said, "We leave unexpectedly and are often gone for long periods of time. A dog doesn't fit into this lifestyle."
Happy shrugged and started towards her workspace, "Well, it's not your decision what we do or not. Now I have something I want to work on." She sent one last look towards Toby, hoping he would know to follow her.
He did. When they were out of ear shot of the team, he grabbed her arm, turning her around.
"What the hell, Hap? I thought we were going to tell the team. Are you starting to have second thoughts?"
"No," she said quickly, shaking her head. She pulled him behind a wall, holding his hands in her own, "Not at all, baby. I just don't think then was the right time. Walter is already pissed at us and they just told us their big news. I just didn't feel right overshadowing their news with ours. We can tell them tomorrow or in a week. Just not right now."
Toby smiled and kissed her forehead, "I'm proud of you."
Happy frowned, "Why?"
"Because just a few years ago, you wouldn't have thought twice about their feelings."
"It's your fault," she grumbled, but was betrayed by the smile in her eyes.
Toby sighed, "Okay, we can wait. Just let me know."
Happy had managed to avoid the team for almost the whole day. It was easy. She just had to stay busy and no one, except Toby, would bother her - they were too scared of her wrath. She didn't want to make up more lies about this pretend dog or keep her hand hidden. She thought about taking the ring off, but that didn't feel right, so instead, she avoided the team. Until that afternoon, that is.
"Hey Happy," Paige said, walking over to the couch where Happy was taking a break.
"Um, hi."
"So," she said, taking a seat next to Happy, "why are you avoiding everyone?"
"I don't know what you mean," she feigned innocence, "I've just been working today, that's all."
"Then this has nothing to do with this morning?"
Happy laughed, "No, not at all, because I'm not avoiding anyone."
Toby walked over just then and holding out a water bottle to Happy, "What are you two ladies talking about?"
Happy shot him a grateful look and reached for the bottle, "Noth-"
"What the hell is that?" Paige exclaimed looking at Happy's hand, garnering the attention of the rest of the team.
Happy quickly hide her hand under her leg, looking panicked at Toby. He pursed his lips and gave her a slight shrug.
"What-what are you talking about?" Happy stuttered out.
Paige pulled at Happy's arm until her hand came in view. She lifted her hand and pointed at the ring, "That. That is what I'm talking about."
By this point, Cabe, Sly, and Walter were interested in what was going on and made their way over to the couch. Toby took a seat next to Happy, placing his hand on her thigh and giving a squeeze.
She looked at him, a question in her eyes. She didn't know what to do. Toby stayed quiet, but she could tell what he was thinking - it was up to her, he would back her in whatever she wanted to do. Happy sighed and leaned into Toby's side. He discretely kissed the side of her head.
"Well, what's going on?" Paige asked.
Happy swallowed hard and looked around at all the eyes staring at her. "It's an engagement ring," she whispered.
Toby smiled, "We're engaged. She finally said yes."
Paige squealed and shot forward, hugging both of them tightly, "This is really happening?"
Happy smirked and looked at Toby again, his face full of excitement and love, "Yeah, I'm really marrying this guy."
She crinkled her nose at him when he leaned over to kiss her quickly. A chorus of congratulations followed. Cabe shook Toby's hand, while Sylvester grinned, and Walter muttered his congrats after prodding from Paige, he was still upset by what he had walked into that morning.
Cabe looked over at Toby and Happy like a proud father, "Did this just happen?"
They shook their heads.
"No, he asked me a week ago and before we could say anything, I was shipped off."
Toby chuckled, "And we thought we should tell the team together. Today was the first chance to do that."
"Why didn't you guys tell us earlier?" Sylvester questioned, pleased by this news.
Happy looked down and played with her ring, "We tried, but-" she looked desperately over at Toby, silently asking for his help.
"But since Walter and Paige had just announced their news, it didn't feel right."
"Oh my god, so you're not getting a dog?" Paige laughed.
Happy giggled, "No, it's never even been discussed. That's just the first thing that came to mind."
Paige hugged Happy again, "I'm so excited for you two. This is perfect."
Walter cleared his throat, "Well, now that it's out, we can all get back to work," he announced.
Paige glared at him, "We will do no such thing, Walter."
He turned to her in surprise, "Excuse me?"
"We are all going to take the rest of the day off. Go home, change, and come back here. We're going to celebrate Toby and Happy's news."
"But-"
"No, buts, Walter. This is big, huge and very exciting. They deserve to be celebrated. It's not everyday that two of your best friends get engaged, so everyone, go home and be back here in two hours. I'll have everything ready."
"But, I still have work-" Happy started, but cut herself off when Paige turned her glare her way.
Toby laughed, "I guess we're all going home then." He grabbed Happy's hand and pulled her off the couch and into his arms. He kissed her again, because, damn it, they were engaged and he could do that whenever he wanted now.
Walter and Sylvester groaned, while Happy blushed. Toby waggled his eyebrows and pulled Happy along behind him towards the door.
"Two hours," Paige yelled after them with a laugh, "And don't you dare be late to your own engagement party!"
Two hours later, they were sitting outside of the garage in Toby's car. Neither one moving to go inside and join the party Paige had pulled together. They were enjoying the silence and each other's company.
"Why am I nervous?" Happy asked, tracing the veins on the back of Toby's hand.
"Because this night is all about you and you've never liked that," he whispered, bringing her hand to his mouth. "Have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight?" he murmured, looking her over from head to toe.
Happy laughed, "A few times now. But thanks."
She looked down at her simple form fitting black dress, heels, and of course, her leather jacket. When she had walked out of the bathroom, Toby's jaw had dropped and if he wasn't sitting on the bed, he probably would've fallen. She didn't remember many other times where he was speechless and that made her feel good. She walked towards him, a grin on her face. When she was close enough, he had pulled her on to his lap, his lips immediately going to her neck. She wriggled against him, laughing, but that just made him tighten his grip. Eventually, she fought enough that he let her up. She's glad he did, because if he hadn't, they probably wouldn't have shown up to their own party.
She leaned over the center console to kiss his cheek. In his ear, she whispered, "You're looking pretty handsome yourself, cowboy."
He laughed and opened the car door, stepping out of the car. Happy had to suppress a moan when she saw him in his grey suit and black shirt in the moonlight. They rarely dressed up, so it was always a treat to see him like that.
"Ready for this?" he asked, taking her hand after she got out.
"As ready as I'll ever be," she said, squeezing his hand.
He opened the door and they were immediately met by Sylvester.
"You're here, good," he said with a smile.
"Can't miss our own party," Toby said.
Sly shifted on his feet nervously, "I-I wanted to say, before everything started, how excited I am for you two. You guys have been through so much already, but you've become stronger because of it. I know that you'll make it. Uh, Megan showed me what it meant to love someone and I wouldn't give up the time I had with her for anything. You two have that same thing Megan and I had - the devotion and need to make each other smile. And it's clear how much you mean to one another, but don't ever take advantage of it and always make time for each other. That's my only regret, that I didn't have enough time with Megan." He smiled at them, "It's amazing what this team has done for all of us. But I owe a lot of my change to you two. You two are the closest thing I ever had to siblings and you're the best family I could ask for, so thank you, for everything you've done for me over the years. I'm beyond thrilled for you guys and I-I love you guys."
Happy hugged Sylvester tightly, touched by his kind words. "Thank you, Sly," she whispered.
"Thanks, buddy," Toby said, "We love you too."
Sylvester grinned, "We should get back to the party. Everyone's waiting."
"Who all did Paige invite?" Toby asked, falling in step with Sylvester.
Happy looped her arm through Toby's and looked around. Paige had a table set up with food and she even bought a cake. It looked like champagne was being passed around and music was playing softly in the background. Happy sighed in relief; she was worried Paige would make this a huge deal, when all Happy ever wanted was simple. This was perfect.
"Just the team," Sly responded to Toby's question, "Oh, and Patrick."
Happy stopped in her tracks and whirled around to look at Toby, panicked. She leaned up to whispered in his ear, "I haven't told my dad yet. Why is he here?"
Toby opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by a laugh from behind Happy. "Hap, I already knew. I knew before you."
Happy turned around to stare at her dad in surprise, "What?"
Toby stepped up beside Happy, kissing her temple, "I told him."
"Why?" Happy asked, confused.
"He asked me for permission to marry him," Patrick said, a tear in his eye.
Happy looked up at Toby with love, "Really? But that's so, so-"
"Traditional?" he finished for her, "I know. But I figured we are so untraditional, that we could do some things the old fashioned way. Please don't hate me."
Happy rose on her toes to kiss him gently and whispered, "I love you. Thank you."
Patrick drew Happy into his arms when she turned back towards him and hugged her tightly, "Congratulations baby girl. I'm so proud of you. You've got a great man."
"I know dad," Happy whispered, glancing over at Toby who had moved away to give them a minute alone, "Thanks. And sorry, uh, sorry for not telling you after it happened. I had to go out of town for work and-"
He interrupted her, smiling sadly, "Don't worry about it. I'm not mad. In fact, I'm extremely happy for you. You deserve this. You've turned out to be an amazing woman, Happy. Your mother would be so proud. I'm just sorry I couldn't be there for you when you needed me most, but I know you've found a man who will be that person for you. I'm so glad that you've opened your heart to him and let him be what makes you happy." He wiped a tear away from his eye and spoke wistfully, "You two remind me a lot of myself and Grace. What you have is a once in a lifetime love, so cherish it. I love you, Happy. I wish your mother could be here to see this; her little girl all grown up and getting married." He kissed her cheek and wiped away another tear before walking over to talk with Cabe and Sylvester.
Happy stood there for a minute, trying to process everything. Toby slowly walked over to her, handing her a glass of champagne when he got close.
"Is everything alright?"
Happy nodded and took a sip from her glass, "Yeah. My dad, he uh, he's happy for us, but he seemed sad. He said we're like them. My parents I mean."
Toby looked perplexed, "Okay," he said slowly, "and that's a bad thing?"
Blinking, she shook her head, "No, not at all. It's just a little overwhelming. What if," she paused, "what if something happens to one of us, though? We'd be lost, like my dad was for so many years."
He smiled gently at her, tucking her hair behind her ear, "Hap, nothing's going to happen. You're worrying about something that might not even happen. Don't worry, sweetheart, especially not tonight. Tonight is about celebrating you and me. We're getting married and that's something to smile about." He took one of his fingers and lifted up one side of her mouth, trying to get her to smile, "Now let me see your pretty smile."
Happy tried to scowl, but when Toby did things like that, it was impossible for her to stay serious, so a smile broke out on her face as she hit his hand away.
"There we go," he murmured, "There she is."
"I'm only going to say this once, but you're right. There's no reason to worry." She smiled up at him, determined to enjoy the rest of the night. "I'm sure my dad is just being nostalgic right now and I shouldn't let that bother me. If he wants to talk about my mom, I'm not going to stop him and I'm not going to worry. All that matters is us and all the planning we're going to have to start doing."
Toby groaned and hung his head, making Happy laugh, "Can't we just, I don't know, elope? I don't know the first thing about what to plan first."
Happy raised up to kiss him quickly, "Sorry, babe, but I actually don't want to elope. I don't want a big wedding, but I want our closest friends there."
He grinned in excitement, "Hey, lookie there, we made our first decision!"
"We're going to be awesome at this wedding planning stuff," she said determinedly, giving him a high five, "We know what we like and that's all that matters."
"Exactly," Toby agreed, wrapping his arm around her waist.
Happy looked up at him and smirked, "Are you just going to agree with everything I say?"
"Probably," he grinned before leaning in to kiss the side of her head. "Now let's go join the rest of the team, I think Paige wants to make a toast."
Happy groaned as she leaned into Toby's side. She could get through this - sappy toasts, sad fathers, planning a wedding - as long as she had Toby by her side and by the looks of it, he wasn't going anywhere any time soon.