As they headed home, Alvin stopped in front of the Lincoln Park Zoo.
"Let's go for a stroll", said Al.
"What now? Isn't it closed"? asked Caitlin.
"Not yet. Come on".
As they neared the zoo, Caitlin's eyes filled with wonder. "I'd forgotten they'd already put up the zoolights. It's simply beautiful".
The walked up to the gates. They were closed and a security guard was standing behind them.
Caitlin's heart sank. "I guess they are closed".
Alvin looked at the guard with a warm smile. "Good evening Bob".
"Good evening Al. Miss".
He opened the gate. "Come on in".
Alvin took her by the hand and walked through the gate as Bob closed it behind them. She looked at him. "Are you sure we can do this"?
"Bob and I go way back. He knows we're not here to steal an animal".
"Alright then".
They walked for a while hand in hand underneath the decorative lights. The weather was cold, but she didn't care.
He stopped near a bench and they sat down. He put his arms around her. She put her head on his shoulder. Feeling him remove his arm from around her she sat back up. A soft melody started over the speakers and Al stood. He put his hand out.
"Dance with me".
She stood and he put his arms around her and swayed with her gently, never taking his eyes off her. There was so much love in her eyes as she smiled at him. As they danced and the man started to sing, she recognized the song that was playing, it was Joe Cocker's "You are so beautiful".
Al removed one of his hands from around her but kept swaying, his eyes lost in hers. He made her turn and as she finished her turn, still holding her hand, he bent down on one knee.
"When you were five years old, we were all at Hank's house for a BBQ. I watched as Camille, sitting across from me, braided your hair. You were smiling as you looked at me. When she was done, you jumped out of her lap and came and sat on mine. You looked at me, with that look you get sometimes when you see something so profound that none of us see. And you asked me in the most innocent way : 'When I'm older, will you marry me'? It was cute and although most girls ask their dads, you asked me and I was touched. Everyone smiled and laughed when I promised you I would".
Caitlin's eyes filled with tears. She didn't remember that.
"I am awestruck by your beauty, I am amazed at how strong, independent and passionate you are about everything. After you left Chicago, I realized over time how your presence in my life was missing and when you returned, I knew I never wanted you to not be a part of it. You turned that light back on, you made me believe again that love was possible and that I deserved it. You are heaven's gift to me by letting me be a part of your life, loving me and allowing to be a father again".
He opened up the little black jewelry box to reveal a beautiful Soleste engagement ring. It had a scintillating double halo of brilliant diamonds and a 1.5 ct diamond center stone.
"So, here we are thirty years later and I'm going to keep that promise. Caitlin Elizabeth Voight, will you make me the happiest man on Earth, and marry me"!?
She smiled as she cried tears of happiness. "Yes".
He smiled as he heard her answer. He took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger. It fit perfectly and the zoolights reflected in it. He stood and took her in his arms.
"I love you Al".
"I love you".
They kissed and resumed dancing.
After a while, they walked back hand in hand towards the gate.
Bob smiled and nodded as he opened the gate for them.
"Good night Bob".
"Goodnight Al, Miss".
The following evening Cat met Alvin and the others at Molly's.
When she reached their table, she took off her jacket, hat, scarf and gloves.
Hank looked at Alvin and smiled.
Kim directed her attention from her discussion with Kevin to Caitlin. Her eyes grew huge as she noticed the ring on her finger.
"Caitlin?! Oh my God!", she looked at Alvin. "You proposed"?!
Alvin put his arm around Cat's waist. "I did, last night and she said yes"!
Everyone congratulated and hugged them.
Hank looked at Caitlin. "You belong together".
She then saw something in his eyes. "You knew he was going to propose"?
"Of course. He asked me your hand in marriage last night".
Caitlin turned her head to look at Al as he talked and laughed with Adam. He felt her gentle, loving stare on him and looked at her with that smile that she melted for.
"He did"?
"I was moved by it. I know Jim would have said yes. So I said yes, for the both of us".
Caitlin eyes filled with tears as she thought of her father.
He wiped a tear as it fell on her shoulder. "Hey, no crying, you're father would not want that. He would want you to be happy. You have every reason to be happy, you're getting married to an wonderful man and you're going to be a mom"!
She nodded. They joined the rest of them. Alvin smiled and kissed her forehead as she placed herself to his left. They all raised their glasses to toast the future bride and groom.
Chaos hit Molly's. Shots came blazing through the windows and door in unstopping blasts from semi-automatic weapons. Glass broke and shattered around them all. Alvin grabbed Caitlin from behind and quickly but cautiously brought her down to the ground, careful to not hurt the twins. The rest of the fall was hard and she hit her head on the bottom edge of the bar with a loud thud. At the same time, around them, people ducked and took cover behind objects or on the floor.