A/N Have never been to America and not quite sure where in NY the hotel is , so the taxi is either a total rip off, or the bargain of the century
We had the same cab driver to the airport as we did when we arrived.
"It's you guys again, did you have a good holiday."
"Yes we did thanks."
Once we had got the bags in the boot and got ourselves comfortable, I started chatting to the driver, as Gary had decided that it was his turn to stare out of the window
*Flashback*
"So, have you been to New York before?"
"I have, she hasn't."
"Ma'am welcome to the best city, in the best country in the world." I was too busy looking out of the window to hear what he said. "So how long have you been together?"
"Almost a year, but we've known each other since college."
"Any wedding bells in the air?"
"That's what her mother wants, but we're happy as we are." Gary lowered his voice at this point as he hadn't noticed I wasn't listening. "If I was to propose where would you recommend?"
"It depends how public you want it to be, at the top of the Empire State Building is a classic, or Times Square, especially when it's early evening with all the lights."
"Thank you, I'll bear them in mind."
*End Flashback*
As we were chatting I realised I was absentmindedly playing with my engagement ring (we'd bought one that morning).
"He did it then?"
"Sorry?"
"Your other half, sorry I don't know his name."
"Gary."
"Gary, he proposed then?"
"Sorry?" I was in danger of sounding like a stuck record.
"He asked me to recommend somewhere to ask you."
"Ah, yes, last night in Times Square."
"I wish you both a very happy marriage, you seem like a lovely couple."
"Are you fishing for a bigger tip?"
"No, it's true. That'll be $30."
Amazingly the plane landed on time, our bags were the first on the carousel, and there was a very short queue at passport control. Yet mum wasn't waiting for us. I was rather worried as she is usually over punctual, but thought there was probably traffic and she wouldn't be too long. After quarter of an hour I started to worry and when she didn't I answer her phone I got even more worried. To take my mind off it, Gary insisted on taking me for a cup of tea, and we decided if she wasn't here within the hour we'd get the train home instead.
Well she finally arrived just as we had finished our teas and were about to head the station.
"Sorry darling, I went to the wrong what I call terminal."
"It is a terminal, sorry not the time. How can you have gone to the wrong one."
"That road is very complicated. It is very easy to take a wrong turning. Now come on, let's get you two home."
We had decided to wait to tell her about our engagement, crashing would not be a fun end to the holiday.
As usual she invited herself in for a cup of tea. Gary managed to avoid the topic of what we did, until we were all safely sat with our cups of tea.
"So did you do anything special?"
"No, just the usual touristy things, but I will say the Americans do know what a proper portion of food is."
"The last thing you need is to put any more weight on, Anyway I thought you were on a diet."
"I was, it was temporarily suspended for the holiday."
"Who's going to want to marry you when you are the size of a house."
"Well we had planned to tell you when you hadn't just insulted me, but there is someone who wants to marry me, Gary proposed last night."
"Really?"
"Yes." Gary said, hearing his voice was rather a shock as he had sensibly decided to stay out of the conversation.
"Well in that case, I'm going to have your father get the wedding chart out of the attic. Such fun."
The End.