Two Months Later
To some, Disneyland was the place of dreams. The magical destination that children and adults alike dreamed of going to. For Kat, the thought of visiting Dollywood gave her the same tingly feeling and giddy excitement. Which was why she could hardly believe that they were actually here. And judging by the look of discomfort on Tommy's face, neither could he.
"Tommy, I feel like I could cry and laugh and pee myself all at once," Kat squealed.
"Ok, well please don't do any of those things," Tommy muttered.
"No promises, Conlon," Kat clapped her hands together excitedly. "Now where should we go first?"
"Not a clue," Tommy shrugged. "But one thing I do know is that we have to get back to your cabin for six because Tess and Brendan paid for some dinner thing for us or something and Tess'll absolutely bitch at us if we miss it."
"Well that only gives us like three hours," Kat frowned.
"Yeah well we have tomorrow too, babe, so don't worry," Tommy kissed her and slung the backpack full of god only knew what over his shoulder. "So let's get going."
And get going they did.
Tommy was concerned that Kat was overdoing it, but the pinched look of her pain on her face every time they sat down for a short break was quickly replaced with one of excitement when she browsed the map of Dollywood and realised they were close to something else she wanted to see.
By the time they arrived back at their cabin, Tommy was ready to collapse in bed and sleep the night away. But he had other plans for him and Kat. Plans that had been set in motion for weeks.
Kat was in the bath, and given the excitement at the jacuzzi tub with a view of the mountains surrounding them, she would be in there for some time which gave Tommy enough time to get everything in place in the cabin closest to them.
Tess and Serena had helped him plan every last detail of this but for some reason he still felt completely unprepared. After everything he and Kat had been through, he needed this to be perfect.
… … …
Kat felt like she couldn't possibly eat another mouthful of anything. Their three course dinner had been absolutely delicious and so wonderfully romantic, just the two of them in the middle of the mountains listening to their own personal bluegrass band playing all of her favourite Dolly songs.
"This is the best day of my life," Kat beamed as the band finished Coat of Many Colours and began talking amongst themselves as they prepared for their next song. "And I can't believe that none of the other cabins are taken for the night so we get this all to ourselves."
"I know, right," Tommy took a sip of his beer, praying that Kat wouldn't be able to see his hands trembling. "But the day isn't over yet. Isn't that right, ma'am?"
Kat frowned when Tommy called to someone over her shoulder with a grin, and turning in her seat she almost fell when she saw a familiar face walking towards them and heading towards the band.
"I hope y'all don't mind me joining your little soiree and singing a song or two," their guest smiled at Kat.
"Tommy," Kat squeaked. "That's… it's… she's…"
"Yep," Tommy chuckled as Dolly took her place mere metres from them and the strains of Kat's favourite song in the whole wide world began.
If I should stay
Well I would only be in your way
Blinking in shock, Kat couldn't take her eyes from her idol as she smiled at her with that beautifully humble and warm Dolly smile. In fact, so in awe she was that she didn't register Tommy's movements until he was on his knee in front of her.
And so I'll go, and yet I know
I'll think of you each step of the way
"Tommy, what are you doing?" Kat whispered.
"What do you think I'm doing?" he croaked, taking her hand in his and squeezing it gently.
And I will always love you
I will always love you
"Kat O'Donnell, you are my everything. You're my light when it's dark and you're my sunshine when it's rainy…"
Bitter-sweet memories
That's all I'm taking with me
"...You make me laugh when I feel like shit and you help me when I don't even know I need it…"
Good-bye, please don't cry
'Cause we both know that I'm not
What you need
"...You make me want to be a better person in every way and, wow, I didn't realise how much this song is completely inappropriate for a proposal…"
"Shut up," Kat sobbed and laughed at the same time. "Only don't shut up."
But I will always love you
I will always love you
"... And I had a whole other load of things planned to say but now all I can think about is this song," Tommy laughed nervously as he fished out a small black box from his pocket and opened it to reveal the ring that had belonged to Kat's great grandmother.
And I hope life, will treat you kind
And I hope that you have all
That you ever dreamed of
"And all I can think about is that if I don't ask you now, I'm not going to be able to at all because my heart feels like it could burst…"
Oh I do wish you joy
And I wish you happiness
But above all this
I wish you love
"...So Kat, will you do me the greatest honour and be my wife?"
"Yes," Kat burst into tears and threw her arms around Tommy, hardly able to believe that this was all real. "Yes, I'll marry you, Tommy."
"Thank god for that," Tommy let out a shaky breath as he took Kat's hand once more and slid the ring on it with shaky hands of his own. "Now stand up because the song is almost over and you'll be mad at me if we don't dance to it for at least a few seconds."
"After this, Tommy, I don't think I could be mad at you for anything ever again," Kat stood and allowed Tommy to lead her to the gap in between their table and the band. "Well, maybe except for the fact that you let me meet Dolly Parton with hair like this."
I will always, always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
(Yeah, I know this is so unrealistic but who cares?! Tommy Conlon and Dolly Parton in one chapter together. Who wouldn't want that?!)