"We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot
Whoa, we're halfway there
Whoa, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Whoa, livin' on a prayer..."
I'm singing along to when the doorbell rings and a neighbour calls out as they open the front door. "Hello?"
"Hello, in here!" I holler back as I slide chopped watermelon from the cutting board to a serving bowl. My singing drops to a hum, matching the music playing out on the deck. Handshakes and greetings fill the hallway as our guests filter through the kitchen.
"Come on back," I say, leading the neighbor's kids through the kitchen. Their parents follow with a case of beer and plate of cookies.
I nudge the screen door open with my toe and step out onto the large wooden deck overlooking the backyard. Peace washes over me as I look out onto the green grass lined with oak trees. I loved this house the first minute we viewed it. A big yard for barbecues and lawn games, an entertainment room for Marvel marathons, and extra rooms for guests and maybe someday, a family. A new house for a new us. A new home in Boston.
Six months ago it was easy to make the decision to move to Boston to live with Chris. It was more difficult to figure out the logistics. In the long run I made the right decision and sold my company, leaving myself more time and flexibility as an independent consultant. Which meant a more flexible schedule to see Chris, plus have more time for hobbies and to travel for fun.
The house was a perfect start together. I insisted on paying for half of it, on it being our house together. And he insisted on a new puppy, our sweet golden retriever Charlie, which I happily agreed to.
The giggles of the neighbor's kids chasing Charlie around the yard draws my attention. The buzz of our guests visiting mixes with the dog's playful barks and the classic rock playing from the deck's speakers. I advise neighbors where food can go on the red and white tablecloth, then walk out onto the cool grass towards Chris, kicking a soccer ball that rolls towards me. Chris, Seb, and Mackie are hanging out talking, bottles of beer in their hands. Chris smiles as I approach, wrapping his arm around my shoulder as they widen the semi circle to include me.
"Sweet new place you have here." Mackie grins, looking around the yard again.
"Yeah thanks for having us, guys." Seb says as he tips his bottle to his lips.
"Glad you're both here. Seemed like the perfect weekend. My mom and best friend are visiting, you guys are in town, we wanted to meet the neighbors. It worked out." I respond as Chris nods along in agreement, his hand resting on my hip.
"Well cheers to you two. I'm glad you ended up together." Mackie tips his beer towards my wine glass and winks at me. "I knew you would."
"Yeah, cheers. Thanks guys," Chris replies, taking a drink and squeezing me closer to him.
I look up to the deck to see my friend Kyra moving along the banister, lighting tiki torches and citronella candles as the late afternoon light slowly disappears and shadows begin to cover the side of the house.
"Be right back." I tell the boys, skipping up to the deck.
"Kyra! Come here. I have someone you have to meet." I smile mischievously, taking her arm and ignoring her questions.
Her ideas widen as we approached the three men.
"Guys, this is my best friend Kyra. This is Mackie..." He reaches out his hand to her.
"...and this is Sebastian." I squeeze Kyra's elbow that's hidden between our bodies. I had told Kyra all about Seb after I'd met him in Atlanta.
"Hi Kyra." Seb grins. Chris and I exchange a look across the circle, and he shakes his head and smiles, knowing what I'm up to. I return his smile and slightly shrug my shoulders at him.
"Well I have to get the food done, almost time to eat. Can you guys keep Kyra company while Chris and I go inside?"
Kyra closes her eyes for a few seconds but she can't hide the smile on her face. It's obvious that I'm trying to set them up. But hell, if I'm going to live with Chris Evans then my best friend can hook up with Sebastian Stan.
During dinner I look over and notice Kyra sitting close to Seb, the two of them talking to Mackie and flirting with each other.
"I knew it," I whisper triumphantly to myself.
"What'd you know?" Chris asks, following my gaze. "Ohhhh, Seb and Kyra. Sure, I can see it." He loses interest and goes back to his burger covered in ketchup.
Looking around I realize how wonderful it is to be surrounded by laughter, sitting in our yard with people we love. The puppy sits under the table at Chris's feet, whining as she hopes for more hamburger bits. He sneaks food to her even though we both know he shouldn't. But Charlie is adorable, so I don't mind spoiling her for the time being. Our first kid, as Chris calls her.
An hour after dinner Chris clears his throat to get everyone's attention. The sun is layers of orange and pink as it sets behind the roof of our house, and the cool air is finally a perfect temperature after the hot day.
"I just want - we want - to thank everyone for coming out tonight. Glad you can all see the new house and get to know this wonderful woman." Chris smiles at me, squeezing my fingers that are intertwined with his. I nod, smiling at the group.
"Glad our friends from Seattle are here too, Gina and Kyra." Chris raises his glass to them.
A loud whistle crosses the yard, prompting me to look over my shoulder. Seb and Mackie are standing there with huge smiles on their faces, as Mackie exclaims "oh man!"
When I turn back around, Chris isn't next to me anymore. He's on one knee, holding my left hand in his.
"And you. I'm so glad you're here. I can't believe how lucky I am, that fate brought you into my life so many times, that I know I can't let go." Chris pulls a black jewelry box from his shorts pocket, and gently snaps it open, revealing a rose gold ring, a large princess cut diamond framed in smaller diamonds. My gasp is quickly covered by my right hand as my eyes widen.
"I love you. I have been in love with you all over the world. I promise to love you everyday for the rest of our days, no matter where we are." Chris smile grows as he takes a deep breath. "Will you marry me?"
"Yes, of course!" I respond, as Chris slips the ring on my finger. He stands and pulls me into a deep kiss as everyone around us cheers.
"Oh my gosh." I whisper, looking down at my ring, and then back to Chris's blue eyes. "Yes." I repeat against his lips as he kisses me again.
We pull apart as our friends come over to congratulate us. Mackie and Seb both hug Chris and I, teasing him for keeping it a secret. My mom and Kyra both hug me tight, admitting they'd known the plan along. I'm so full of joy, I just smile and leak tears of happiness. Charlie dances around, feeding off of our energy, yipping until I lean down to pick her up.
"Were you surprised?" Chris asks as he wraps his arms around Charlie and I.
"I had absolutely no idea. I'm so surprised, Chris." I can't stop smiling. "I'm so happy I might implode!"
Chris laughs loudly. "Hey, don't do that. We have a wedding to plan." He tightens his arms and kisses me again, only to pull away laughing as Charlie licks his neck and beard.
"A wedding!" I breathe. Chris raises his eyebrows at me and smiles, setting me free to talk to Kyra and my mom over my realization that we're going to have an actual wedding in addition to our engagement. I'm as delirious as the puppy.
A few hours later most of the guests have left. Chris, Mackie, and I relax on the deck, the boys smoking cigars as we watch the stars. Charlie is snoring, her puppy legs stretched out as she sleeps on her back. My mom has gone to bed, and Kyra and Seb are not surprisingly MIA. They'll be good for each other, they both need some fun. Even if it's just this one time in Boston.
Chris's hand tightens on my thigh, and I turn my head to him.
"Are you happy, baby?"
"I'm very happy. Fiancé." I giggle, holding my left hand out so I can check out my ring again.
Chris grins then turns to answer Mackie, who's headed into the house to get more beer.
Looking up at the stars, I realized how grand this is. Two years of sex, lust, and friendship. From that airport lounge in LA, to hotels, movie sets, airplanes- from friends with benefits to engaged- it'd been a thrilling, unexpected journey. I smile thinking about the first time we met, how awkward I was. The first time we had sex, that drunken night in Atlanta. The first time I'd visited Boston with him, immediately feeling at home. The ways I'd changed, the dreams I'd had, the crush on Steve Rogers- the story that surprised me along the way.
I rest my head back against the patio chair and look over at him.
"Thank you, babe. For everything."
Chris leans across our chairs and kisses me softly.
"Shhh kitten, I'm the one that should be thanking you."
My smile matches his, as his hand reaches for mine, my diamond glittering like the night stars. Its couldn't have been a better night. New home, a handsome boy- I mean fiancé. im the happiest woman on this earth.
THE END!