Ron is not the only one planning surprises. What will Daphne think of Theo's surprises?
Song: Sweetest Thing by Allman Brown
Theo: When do you go back?
Daphne: Beginning of next month
Theo: Me too
Daphne: How is landscaping?
Theo: Hot
Daphne: I never would have guessed that
Theo: Very funny, brown eyes
Daphne: I'll meet you at BB around 6
Theo: I have a better idea. Ride with me
Daphne: Okay. What time will you be here
Theo: 5:30ish…I have to finish this yard and clean up
Daphne: Okay…See you soon
Daphne looked around her flat and smiled. She had enjoyed her summer break, but she was ready to head back to her classroom and meet her new students. Settling into the sofa, she looked around at the changes. A chess set now sat on her coffee table and her helmet and jacket were by the door, waiting for her next ride with Theo. It had become a habit for them to ride together to Chess Club on Friday nights and play chess on Saturday mornings. It looked like tonight was not going to be any different.
Daphne: What time is everyone getting there tonight?
Hermione: Ron is picking me up around 5:30 so we should be there around 6
Daphne: Same here
Hermione: Have you talked to Gin this week?
Daphne: Not since Monday
Hermione: Ron is worried
Daphne: He worries almost as much as Harry
Hermione: This is true
Daphne: She said she had a dr appointment today
Hermione: We can be nosey tonight
Theo looked around the lawn of he was landscaping. It was always rewarding to watch a lawn become a work of art. It was even more rewarding with this lawn because it was the lawn of his new cottage. The cottage he was hoping to talk Daphne into sharing with him. He had a couple of surprises for her tonight.
He looked down at his watch. He had better go inside and clean up. He was supposed to be at her flat by 5:30 and she was now a twenty minute ride from him. He had just enough time to shower, shave, and get dressed before he needed to leave. Chess Club was going to be interesting tonight.
Theo: So, what are we doing at Chess tonight?
Harry: Playing chess
Neville: Playing chess
Theo: Where's Ron?
Harry: Dying
Neville: Well, maybe
Theo: What are you two talking about?
Ron: They are talking about nothing…I am alive
Harry: For now
Neville: Flowers will be in my car
Harry: Cameras will be ready
Theo: What time is the show?
Ron: Nothing to see
Harry: Better get there by 6
Daphne was slipping on her jacket when she heard a knock at her door. "Hello, stranger," she drawled as she opened the door for Theo. "You're early. Is something going on?"
"No, I just want to try a different route to Chess Club tonight." Theo leaned against to door as he waited for Daphne to gather her things. "We need to get going so we can get there close to time. I have a feeling something is going on with Ron and Hermione."
"Hermione thinks there is something going on with Harry and Ginny." Daphne grabbed her helmet and headed for the door. "Pull the door behind me. I'm curious about this new route to Chess Club."
Theo held out his elbow for Daphne to hold. "Your chariot awaits, brown eyes. Just remember to hang on tight during the ride."
Daphne: He is up to something.
Luna: Who?
Daphne: Theo
Luna: What makes you think that?
Daphne: He is acting cagey
Luna: You okay?
Daphne: Yes, he just wants to take a different route to chess from my flat
Luna: Different route?
Daphne: Yeah…I may be a few minutes late to BB
Luna: Okay. I'll save you a spot.
Daphne: TTYL
Daphne took her helmet off as Theo stopped his bike."Why are we stopping here?" Daphne looked at the cottage with the red roses climbing over the front door. "Did you do this?"
Theo dropped the kickstand and got off the bike. He took off his helmet and held out his hand. "Yes, I did the work. Wanna see it up close?"
"Are you sure the client won't mind?" Daphne swung her leg over the bike and grabbed his hand. "You have done an amazing job with the yard. I love the roses over the front door."
"Thanks, I don't think the client will mind if we look around." Theo set his helmet on the back of his bike and lead her through the gate. "I want to show you something in the back garden."
"Are you sure about this?" Daphne cautiously stepped onto the path that led around the cottage. "I don't want you to get in trouble."
""I'm sure." He tugged on her hand and continued around the cottage. "I know the owner. He won't mind at all"
Daphne stopped suddenly. "Theo, This is amazing." She looked around the back garden full of color and a gazebo ringed in rose bushes. "This looks like the garden I sketched when you asked me about my dream space."
"It will look even better when the roses start climbing the gazebo." Theo pulled Daphne into his arms and kissed her forehead. "Want to be here when it happens?"
Daphne looked around the garden. "How would we do that? I don't know the owner."
Theo dug in his pocket and pulled out a key. "Yes, you do. I'd like for you to share this garden with me."
Daphne looked between Theo's face and the key he held out to her. "This is your cottage? What do you mean by share?"
"This is your key." Theo placed the key in her hand and closed her fingers around it. "When you are ready, I want you to live here with me. I miss you when you are not with me."
"Theo, I don't…" Daphne began to sputter. "I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything." Theo cupped her face in his hands. "Just think about it. I'll wait."
Pulling her face to his, Theo nipped at her lips. "I'll wait. For now, let's go see what everyone else is up too."
Daphne hugged Theo and laid her head on his chest. "Okay, I'll think about it"
Standing on her toes, Daphne kissed Theo's neck. "Let's go get coffee."
Theo: Thanks for the help with the flowers
Neville: Anytime
Theo: She loved it. Just one more surprise for her
Neville: I wouldn't count on that
Theo: What's up?
Neville: Just get to coffee as soon as you can…I'm running late and Ron may be dead before we get there
Theo: What's going on with him
Neville: Hermione
Theo: ?
Neville: Just get to BB
Theo opened the door and watched Daphne sweep past him. "Come see me after you check on Ron." Daphne's voice drifted to him as she walked away.
Theo walked over to the chess tables to watch Harry and Ron play, but they weren't playing chess. Harry was waiting for Ron to make a move and messing with his mobile. A burst of laughter came from the girls direction and Theo shook his head and reached for his mobile. Nothing like the girls getting together on Friday night to get everyone else on their mobiles. Theo typed out a message and waited for everyone else to join in.
Daphne: Can I ask you something?
Hermione: Sure
Daphne: Why did you decide to move in with Ron?
Hermione: I was spending more time at his flat than I was at mine and I missed him when we weren't together…and he asked
Daphne: He made me a garden and handed me a key
Hermione: Who?
Daphne: Theo
Daphne: What should I do?
Hermione: Listen to your heart
Theo touched Daphne's shoulder as he walked past her. "I'll be back in a minute," he muttered as he continued on to the bathroom. He did have one more surprise for her but he need to get her lipstick off his neck before the guys gave him anymore trouble. He walked out of the loo to see Ron on one knee, shaking.
That would explain why he was so distracted. Theo used the cheering of the people around them to sneak up behind Daphne's chair. "Do you have an answer for me yet?" he whispered in her ear.
Daphne turned around, smiling and laughing. "I'm still thinking about it, chess man. Today has definitely been a day for surprises."
Theo turned her around and pulled her to his chest. Daphne wrapped her arms around him underneath his jacket. "I have one more surprise for you." Theo tilted her chin up so he could look into her eyes. "I got a new t-shirt this week. I think you'll like it."
Daphne narrowed her eyes. "What have you done, Theo? Is this your new shirt?"
"Take a look." Theo loosened his arms so Daphne could see his shirt. "Know anybody that works there?"
"I work there." Daphne continued to stare at the logo that covered Theo's chest. "You're the new Maths teacher?"
"Yup." Theo smiled. "I bought the cottage so I could be closer to could ride together every day."
"Car or bike?" Daphne laughed as Theo hugged her close. "I still haven't decided what to do with your key."
"I'll wait," Theo nestled his chin on the top of her head. "We have time."