Lila finishes applying her makeup. Bruce and her had their date tonight, but instead of Bruce picking her up for their date for the Box Tree Cafe, he insisted on Lila meeting him at the Patman manor. Whatever. Lila didn't care, her and Bruce weren't going out to dinner. Tonight was their engagement.
Lila blushed thinking of her date. Today she and her friends recreated the camp out of the plane crash. Jessica teased her about the fancy digs, but Lila didn't care what Jessica and their friends thought. At least Winston, Todd and Steven helped set it up, it took them hours. Lila refused to have her maids help, they needed to prepare her dinner and dessert for Bruce and Lila. Finally it was ready. Lila even rented a life sized plane balloon. It was expensive, but since Lila chose a buyer for her app, she was almost as rich as her father now. She couldn't care less about that at the moment. She was getting engaged. Her and her baby were going to have a husband and father.
A knock on the door interrupted Lila's thoughts.
"Miss Fowler, the limo is ready."
"Thank you Vicky. You are dismissed."
"Thank you Miss. Have a good night."
"Good night. Oh, Vicky, call me Lila."
Vicky, her maid looked startled, but looked pleased.
"Oh, okay. Miss, I mean Lila."
Lila smiled at her as she walked out. She was wondering what to do. After she gets married, where would she live, here at the manor, where she grew up, or with Bruce. She's been to his mansion several times, but as grand as it was, she loved it here. She wanted her baby to be close to her family. She also wanted her child to be close to her maid, like Lila was to her own Mrs Pervis. Or Eva as she preferred to be called as Lila grew up. She already asked Janet to call her by her first name, same with the gardeners, and limo driver. She was determined to live in the Fowler Mansion.
She went downstairs and greeted Richard, the family's long time driver.
"Richard, Patman Mansion."
"Yes Miss Lila."
Lila smiled. He refused to call her Lila, always preferring to call her Miss Lila. Oh well. He was always so nice, she could see why her father kept him on the payroll for so long.
"Patman Mansion." She ordered.
"Yes Miss." Lila leaned back on her seat and relaxed. Tonight, she was being taken off the dating market, she was getting engaged.
Bruce was getting anxious. He had the party set up, it was already planned before he found Lila's pamphlets. He was still angry at Lila for making such a drastic decision, but he was hoping this party would help her change her mind. The last thing he wanted was a party, but since everything was planned before he discovered Lila's paperwork, he decided to go through with it. He was not going to cancel a party, he had a rep to protect.
He knew he and Lila had to have a long talk about the baby, for now get this party over and done with. He already had his great grandmother's diamond ring, it was the exact same ring his great grandfather John gave Samantha on their tenth wedding anniversary. He was going to propose after the party ended. He just hoped Lila accepted it.
Jessica, Cara, Brooke, Billie and their friends were waiting for Winston's signal. He was already outside, waiting for Lila's limo. Once he sees it, he was going to text Jessica. They guests were already here, Lila's parents, their friends, her cousin Joe Howell, as well as his wife, Betsy (Gordon) Howell. Janet was invited, but couldn't make it due to her campaign for mayor in Irvine. Her and her husband John sent Bruce a gift of flowers to give to Lila, as a good luck present for their possible engagement.
Bruce was wondering where Reggie and his parents were. They were supposed to arrive two hours ago to help Bruce set up. Probably the roads were busy. He knew his cousin, he was always late for everything.
'I see Lila!' Was Winston's text. Once Jessica gave her signal, everyone hid.
Lila yawned when Richard pulled up. She had her beauty sleep, but her pregnancy made her as tired as ever. She was determined to have a coffee, just a small one, she didn't want to have too much caffeine. She was mystified on why the Patman mansion was so dark. Then she remembered. Marie and Henry were out of town with their nephew Reggie. Knowing Reggie, he was most likely was checking out the latest wave before his next surf. He surfed every morning before work.
Well no matter. She and Bruce won't be here tonight. Her campground was ready at home, she even had heaters for their camp out since it was so chilly outside. She looked outside for Bruce. He must be indoors, since it was cold outside. She swore she saw Winston run in, but she shook her head. Once Richard pulled in, she got ready. She had Bruce's ring in her Chanel clutch, she was proposing as soon as they get to her surprise campground.
"She's here!" Jessica said in a loud whisper.
Everyone went and hid. Bruce texted Lila to just come in. Once she walked in, everyone yelled "Surprise!"
Jessica and Brooke were taking pictures of Lila's shocked expression as Winston was videotaping.
Lila almost fell over when everyone jumped out. Luckily, Steven caught her.
"Hit it!" Bruce ordered.
Sweet Valley's high school band, The Droids started playing their last hit before graduation, "Party On." Dana couldn't make it, so her cousin Sally Larson took the reins. She was no Dana, but was a decent singer. Guy Chesney was on keyboards, Emily Mayer was on the drums, Max Dellon was on lead guitar and Dan Scott was on bass. Soon the whole room stated rocking. It was high school grad all over again.
Lila was overwhelmed with shock. She was happy at the welcome home party, but she wanted to be alone with Bruce. Oh well. One hour, then she was kidnapping Bruce for their romantic weekend.
Bruce was laughing and trying to have a good time, but as he kept glancing at Lila, he was wondering what to say to her about their baby. He decided to talk to her, not here, but his father's study.
Lila was laughing with her friends, both Brooke and Winston were discussing their wedding details. What they compromised on sounded tacky. But it was Winston. A New York wedding with a Hawaiian meets New York reception. Okay. Sounded weird, but she wasn't marrying Winston. Once Bruce pulled her away, she excused herself.
Once they were alone, Bruce didn't know what to say. He didn't want to ruin Lila's party, but he needed to get his piece off his chest.
"I'm so glad you pulled me away, we need to talk." Lila tells Bruce. She already called Richard. He was already outside.
"Me too. Lila. I," Damn. This was going to be so hard. "About us."
"I'm so glad you brought it up." Here goes. "I'm pregnant."
Along with Bruce handing her Lila's abortion pamphlets.
Jessica was standing by the foyer when she heard arguing. Oh oh. Trouble in Paradise? She knew Lila was planning to tell Bruce about her pregnancy. She heard Bruce's shouts, so she decided to walk away. No way was she going to be put in the middle. She was about to return to the living room when she saw red and blue lights. Oh no. The band was loud, but not that loud. Since the staff was off for the night, she went and answered the door when she heard the doorbell.
Bruce and Lila were fighting when Jessica walked in with two police officers. A few minutes ago Bruce was trying to tell Lila not to have a abortion. But Lila accused Bruce of trying to control her. They were screaming loudly at each other when they saw the cops. Bruce and Lila's fight was forgotten when they got the grim news.
