I've decided to make this interesting….-Amanda
"Alright, I've been on pins and needles all night, what's the surprise Finn?" Amanda anxiously asked.
Finn grinned, "Maybeck's going to propose."
Amanda's face went from shock to excitement in seconds. "Really? Oh finally!"
Finn chuckled, "Yeah, that's what people said about us too" he said as he took her hand in his and squeezed gently.
"They've been saying that" Amanda rolled her eyes, "but we don't have to worry about that anymore" she smiled and kissed Finn's cheek.
"Only a few weeks left," he sighed, trying not to sound nervous because he was starting to feel the early butterflies.
"Are you more nervous or excited?" Amanda asked.
"More excited than anything" Finn answered honestly, "what about you?"
"Really starting to get nervous, but also equally excited" she smiled her smile that brightened Finn's day whenever he saw it. He returned a smile just as they heard the door of the ice cream parlor open and footsteps approach their table.
"Maybeck, hi, what's up?" Finn asked, still smiling, until he saw the serious look on his best man's face.
"Finn just told me you're going to propose! I'm so happy for you two" Amanda exclaimed.
Maybeck simply nodded, still looking solemn as he put his head on the table after taking a seat. Finn felt like he knew what was going on and put his hand on Amanda's leg so she wouldn't mention it again. "You asked her didn't you," he said quietly.
Maybeck lifted up his head as Finn and Amanda noticed the bags under his eyes, assuming he didn't get much sleep the night before. He opened his mouth and said the three words that sent Finn and Amanda into a state of shock, "She said no."
….
An hour later Finn's place
"I can't believe it" Finn said quietly after hearing Maybeck's proposal story. "What happened after she said no?"
Maybeck had taken to lying on the couch with a pillow over his head. Finn wondered if this was to hide the devastation on his face. He sighed but didn't make any sudden movement, "I just stared at her, and I felt like she'd slapped me in the face. Can you imagine? Dating someone for 5 years and they turn you down without hesitation."
"She didn't even take time to think about it?" Finn asked, surprised.
"Well, I mean she stared at me for a few long agonizing minutes and I asked her again and she said no."
"Wow, than what?" Finn asked, finding this whole story hard to believe, especially since he pictured all the Keepers together since they all started dating.
"I left."
"Did she say anything else though? Like sorry?" Finn continued his interview.
"She said she couldn't" Maybeck said quietly.
"She couldn't what?"
"Marry me."
….
Amanda opt out of the talk with Maybeck that Finn was currently involved in and decided a trip to Charlene's would be a good idea, especially since these two were suppose to be in her wedding that was coming up quickly.
"Amanda?" Charlene said, surprised to see her friend at her door, "What's going on…wait…" Amanda gave her a sympathetic look as Charlene's pretty face had now started producing streams of tears running down her cheek. "What have I done?" she sobbed as Amanda took her in her arms to comfort Charlene.
"Shhh" Amanda tried to sooth the distraught Charlene, "Let's sit down, I want to ask you something." As they took a seat, Amanda grabbed her friend's hand and squeezed before continuing. "Why'd you say no Charlie? I have to say, I'm really surprised."
"So am I," she answered.
"What do you mean? If I remember correctly, you've always wanted to get married and live happily ever after, unless I'm mistaken."
"No, you got it right. I still want that, and with Maybeck" Charlene sniffed.
"Than why did you reject him?"
She sighed, "because, I can't do this to him."
"You mean marry him? Why?" Amanda asked desperately.
"He doesn't want me," Charlene answered, not skipping a beat.
"What? That ridiculous."
"No, what I mean is, I don't think he realizes what he wants to marry."
"Sweetie, you've been together for almost as long as Finn and I have, nothing can stop you two from being a genuinely happy couple" Amanda said calmly.
"I know that…" Charlene insisted, although Amanda wasn't convinced.
"Than why aren't you two sitting together right now discussing dates and such?"
Charlene paused before saying, "I'm scared. I'm afraid I'm going to hurt him or become a disappointment. I can't live with that."
"Oh Charlie, listen to me," Amanda said softy, astonished by this, "You're the only one that's ever been able to bring Maybeck out of his shell and the first to get him to smile in that way he does when you walk into the room. He loves you more than anyone in the world, and I believe with all my heart that he wants to marry you, provide and cherish you for the rest of his life" she concluded, saying the same things that Charlene and Willa had said to her.
"Amanda, I don't know if I'm ready to get married, the very thought makes me nervous" Charlene whispered.
"If it didn't make you nervous, than it wouldn't be worth it" Amanda smiled as Charlene nodded in agreement. "Don't let me be the one to change your mind, I want you to do what you truly want."
"I can't see myself with anyone else, I don't want too. I refuse to imagine myself letting another guy in my life because he just wouldn't be Maybeck" she said quietly, "Amanda, I don't want to see him with another girl either."
"I think you know your answer" Amanda answered just as quiet.
….
"If I didn't know any better, I'd think Maleficent was messing with us. Can you believe she turned him down?" Philby asked Willa as they'd just heard from Finn.
"Don't jinx us, although I have wondered the same thing. I'm so glad we're already married" Willa exclaimed, clearly overjoyed with that fact.
"Me too" Philby smiled.