Sequel to "Advice" and "Meet The Parents (Again)"
I told my best friend I'm starting to like Taylor and Carol more than I like Ryan and Chad. I have big plans for these ladies...
Happy Valentine's Day!
"You need my advice again already?" Chad asked the instant he picked up the phone.
"Actually I wanted Ryan's advice but I don't have his number."
"Ouch, Tay. What's up?"
"Valentine's Day."
"I'm aware of it."
"I'm trying to figure out what to do for Carol. This is her first Valentine's Day as herself and so I want it to be special."
"Aww. You two are adorable."
"What are you and Ryan doing for Valentine's Day?"
"February is an inopportune time for us to get together in person so we send each other care packages. I got mine in the mail yesterday."
"That's really cute… But it doesn't help me."
"What does Carol like?"
"Neuroscience, fashion, metal music, and stuffed animals. I've already gotten her a stuffed animal but I can't just leave it at that."
"Metal music? Really?"
"She contains multitudes."
"Cool. Any metal concerts going on?"
"On Valentine's Day? No."
"Hm… She liked fashion so why don't you get her some jewelry? Maybe something with her name on it?"
"Chad, you're brilliant. She'd love that. Having something with her real name on it… I think that would mean a lot to her."
"Glad I could help."
"Happy Valentine's Day, Chad."
"Happy Valentine's Day, Taylor." They hung up, both knowing the other was only a phone call away. Now that they'd gotten past the awkward hurdle of being exes, they were actually really good friends.
Once Taylor was off the phone with Chad she set to work, knowing she only had a few days to pull this off.
Their actual Valentine's Day plans were pretty simple, they were going out for a nice dinner and then to an arcade. They'd done stuff like this in the past, before and after Carol began transitioning, but it would still be nice. Sure, some people might stare at them or try to start something, but Taylor was determined not to let anything ruin her Valentine's Day.
Fortunately, Taylor was able to order the perfect necklace, rose gold spelling out Carol in cursive. She knew for a fact that her girlfriend was going to love it. She just had to figure out when she was going to give it to Carol. At dinner? At the arcade? In the morning, with breakfast in bed?
Okay, not the last one. Taylor wasn't much of a cook. Which was weird, because cooking was really just a science. But her neuroscientist girlfriend was way better at breakfast than Taylor was.
So Taylor was not very surprised, on Valentine's Day, to wake up to the smell of pancakes and bacon.
"Happy Valentine's Day, T."
"Happy Valentine's Day, C," Taylor said, capturing Carol's lips in an intimate kiss.
"I got you something," Carol said.
"Something more than breakfast?" Taylor asked as if she hadn't gotten Carol two gifts of varying levels of romance.
"Yes," Carol said with a laugh. "I hope you don't think I went overboard, it just… It means a lot to me that you're still with me."
"Of course I'm still with you! I love you, Carol. I always have and I always will."
"I know… And I love you too. But when I first came out I wasn't sure who would still be on my side. You know my parents don't really get it… But you get me. You understand me and you love me for who I really am. That kind of love deserves an extra special present."
"Alright, but I don't need any presents to love you."
"I think you're going to like this one."
As if by magic, Carol drew a small box out of nowhere and opened it, drawing Taylor's eyes away from the pancakes. Inside the box, there was a gorgeous emerald ring.
"Taylor McKessie, will you marry me?"
Simple, sweet, and utterly surprising.
Taylor actually gasped out loud.
"No way no way no way."
Carol smiled sheepishly. "I know we've talked about it before, and today just felt right. So what do you say?"
"This is way better than what I got you."
"Taylor? Still waiting on that answer, babe."
"Oh! Sorry… I lost the ability to think for a second. Yes, I would love to marry you."
Before Carol could slide the ring onto Taylor's finger, Taylor had hopped out of bed and made a mad dash to her closet where she had stashed the penguin plushie and the necklace box.
"It's not as nice as a ring but I wanted you to have this." Taylor had positioned it so it looked like the penguin was "holding" the box.
Carol opened it and let out an equally surprised gasp.
"What are you talking about? It's better than I ever could have dreamed. This is the perfect Valentine's Day."
Though this was their third Valentine's Day together, Taylor couldn't help agreeing. They were finally 100% themselves and 100% committed to each other.
Taylor helped Carol put on the necklace and Carol gently slid the ring onto Taylor's left ring finger.
"I can't wait to go out tonight," Carol said, "show off our new bling."
"Show everyone that we're the two luckiest girls in the world."
Carol beamed and kissed Taylor before pulling away. "Unfortunately, I still have classes today."
"Go on, love. I'll see you later."
"Thank you for the necklace."
"Thank you for the breakfast. And this little thing," Taylor said, holding up and admiring her ring.
"Love you, see you tonight."
Taylor's classes weren't for a while so she took her time getting up, getting showered, and getting dressed. When she was all ready to go she still had a bit more time to kill, and, on a whim, decided to call Chad.
"Need more advice already?" Chad teased.
"Nope, just wanted you to be the first to know."
"To know what?"
"Carol just proposed. We're getting married!"
Chad spoke a little louder as if barely containing himself, "Tay that's amazing! I'm so happy for you! Do I get to be in your wedding?"
"I haven't thought about it yet. Maybe."
"Congratulations. I'm glad your Valentine's Day is going so well."
"I'm sorry you can't be with Ryan today."
"Actually… Change of plans. He flew down to surprise me. This is the first Valentine's Day we've spent together since senior year of high school."
"That's really great, Chad. We both deserve to have an amazing Valentine's Day with the people who love us."
"Yeah, we do."