It's A Love Story

Baby Say Yes

It was January first, 1993, and Danny Reagan already had big plans for the year. He had had a breakfast of crepes, eggs, bacon, and fruit with his family and Linda, and now he was on a mission. He had to go back to that hell hole in a week, so he needed to put his plan into action as soon as possible. Luckily, he knew someone who would help distract his girlfriend while he went to work.

************

"You want me to lie, and trick, and con my very best friend just so you can shack up brownie points for planning this extravagant engagement?" Brie- Linda's best friend and roommate- sounded offended at the notion. She had her hand on her heart, the other on her hip as she looked at him incredulously. She smiled widely, though, and agreed. "Okay! Whaddaya want me to do?"

"I'm gonna get the ring today, but I'm not going to propose. I need you to distract her for a while. Go to lunch then shop or something. I don't know." Danny explained to Brie.

"I can totally do that. I can even take her to Boston for the afternoon- she loves Boston!"

Danny smirked, "I have a feeling you'll come in handy in the future."

She threw her arms out to her side and exaggerated a bow. "Brie Riley, at your service."

**********

"Wanna do something fun?" Brie asked her best friend. "Wanna get pasta?"

"I don't know, Brie. I think Danny wants to do something with me."

"Actually!" That was far too enthusiastic. "He... called earlier, but you were out. He's doing some things with his brothers today."

"Oh. Alright... Okay, so what do you wanna do?"

"Take my best friend to lunch."

Linda looked like she was contemplating it, "is Patsy's an option?"

"Endless greasy pizza? Count me in."

*********

"Where are you going?" Joe asked Danny after lunch. "Can I come with?"

"Absolutely not."

"Why not?"

"Cause you are the last person I'd ever tell a secret to."

"I keep secrets!" Joe protested, "I do!"

"Last Christmas you told Jamie what you were getting him."

"That was an accident." He looked sheepish, "but I'm older now, so I can keep a secret!"

"You most certainly can not, and I gotta go." He grabbed the keys from the little tray and slipped out the door.

Joe frowned, wanting to know what big secret his brother had. Everyone's birthdays weren't for months- well, except Dad's but that was at the end of January. Christmas had come and gone; Danny was going back to Fallujah in a few days... Joe would have to use some serious detective skills to figure this one out.

***********

Danny stared at the building in front of him. He had never even been in a jewelry store, let alone Tiffany's! He knew her ring size- because when she was tired, she tended to ramble about nonsense or whatever popped in her head- and he asked Brie.

He wasn't quite sure what Linda had in mind, although he knew it couldn't be too flashy. She had told Erin she didn't like those big, gaudy engagement and wedding rings. He guessed she wanted something similar to his Mom's, so that was what he was shooting for... simple, classic, beautiful- Just like Linda.

**********

Danny was just about to walk into the kitchen when Jamie's voice stopped him.

"Linda! Did you know that Danny wants to marry you?" Jamie was ten, but had the filter of a five year old... as in none at all.