AU. Rick and Kate are best friends in high school. Kate is a sophomore with Lanie, Javier, Ryan, and Jenny while Rick is a junior with their mutual friend Royce. When something happens to one of their best friends, it pushes two of them closer toget...
November 17, 2012 She wakes to the streams of sunlight pouring through her window. Today is her 17th birthday and she feels like the luckiest girl in the world because Rick told her on Wednesday that he has something extravagant planned. She rolls out of bed before making her way downstairs where her parents are cooking her breakfast like they do every year. "Good morning." She greets them, "Katie! Happy birthday, baby." Johanna says as she rounds the bar to hug her daughter, "Thank you, Mom." Kate smiles before she switches to her father's embrace, "Happy birthday, bug." He says. They sit at the table and enjoy the pancakes her parents made before they step forward with a gift, "Guys, I told you not to get me anything." She says, "Consider it a collaboration with Rick's gift." Her mother says. Kate unwraps the box before lifting the lid a gorgeous dress. It's black, leaving one shoulder bare while the other arm has a long sleeve and there is a slit that goes up the leg, "This is gorgeous." She tells them, "You'll look beautiful in it tonight." Jim tells her, "Tonight?" She asks. There is a knock on the door. "Saved by the bell." She mutters as she stands and goes to answer the front door. She gasps when she finds her boyfriend standing on the other side with a bouquet of red roses tied with a black ribbon in his hand, "Happy birthday, beautiful." He says. She wraps her arms around his neck before pulling him into the house, "What are you doing here?" She asks, "You didn't think I'd pass up the chance to have breakfast with my girl and her family on her birthday did you?" Rick asks. She smiles, "I love you." She says before kissing him sweetly. "I love you too." He mumbles against her lips, "Alright! Cut it out!" Jim jokes. The teens laugh as they pull apart. Rick greets Jim and Johanna before putting Kate's flowers in a vase and joining the Beckett's at the table for breakfast, "Mom and Dad just gave me my dress." She says, "You're going to look stunning in it tonight." He tells her, "Where am I going to be wearing it tonight?" She asks. He laughs before pulling an envelope out of his back pocket and handing it to her, "Ms. Impatient." He tells her. She sticks her tongue out at him before accepting the envelope and opening it to find two tickets to see The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. This has been one of her dreams since she was a little girl. Tears fill her eyes, "Are you serious?" She asks as she looks at him. He smiles and nods, "We're going to see Phantom on Broadway." He tells her. She gasps before leaning in for a kiss. They finish breakfast and then Rick goes home to get ready while Kate makes her way upstairs to shower and also get ready. It's 5:00 on the dot that Rick rings the doorbell. Jim answers the door, "Come on in, son. Katie's finishing up getting ready." Jim says. Rick nods and walks in. It's five seconds later that Kate makes her way downstairs. Her hair is straight and frames her face while her makeup is done up the most he's ever seen it with a bold red lip. The dress looks exquisite on her and her heels make her stature even taller, "Kate, you're so beautiful." Rick says. She blushes, "You two have fun." Johanna tells them, "Not too much fun." Jim adds quickly. "I'll have her back by midnight." Rick promises. They step outside and Kate is shocked once again when she sees a limousine outside of her house, "Babe, you didn't have to do all of this." She tells him, "It's the first birthday I'm spending with you as your boyfriend. You better believe I'm gonna spoil you. Just think, I've gotta figure out how to top this next year." He tells her, "As long as I have you for the rest of my birthdays, I'll be completely content." She tells him once they settle inside the limo. He smiles before kissing her forehead. They end up at Drago's for dinner, "Rick, where did you get the money to pay for all of this?" She asks, "Picked up a few extra shifts at the library." He answers. He started working at the New York Public Library shortly after school started, "Baby, I don't want you spending all of your hard earned money on me." She tells him, "That's how I want to spend it." He assures her. She sighs, but decides to let the subject go. They enjoy their dinner before making their way to the theater and Kate can barely contain her excitement when they arrive. They take their seats and it's not long before the show starts. Kate is enchanted the whole time and Rick can't help but steal glances at her every few minutes. At the end, the cast gets a standing ovation. They exit the theater hand-in-hand, "What'd you think?" He asks her. She pulls him down to meet his lips with hers, "Best birthday ever." She tells him, "It's only gonna get better." He tells her, "Where are we going?" She asks, "My place. Mother is in Atlantic City this weekend." He tells her. Kate is practically shaking with excitement when they make it to his apartment and head for his bedroom. It's not long before they're both naked and in his bed. She writhes underneath him as he worships her with his mouth before moving up to join them together. Later, they lay tangled up in each other. Both sweating and panting for air. "I was thinking." He says, "Hm?" She hums, "Christine is a beautiful name for a girl." He finishes. Kate sits up and looks back at him, "You think about that stuff?" She asks and he nods, "I want everything with you." He tells her. Tears fill her eyes as she leans down and captures his lips with hers for the millionth time this night, "I love you so much." She tells him, "I love you too. Time for one more gift." He tells her, "Rick, you've done enough. Really." She tells him, "To be fair, I had this before I got everything else. This is your original gift." He says before handing her the wrapped box. She opens it to find a beautiful, heart shaped ring, "Rick." She gasps, "It's not what you think. It's a promise ring." He tells her. "A promise that one day this will be an engagement ring and then a day after that it'll be a wedding band." He tells her. This makes the tears roll down her cheeks, "It's beautiful." She tells him. He smiles and slips the ring out of the box and onto her left middle finger. He leans down and kisses her. After several kisses she mumbles, "Rick." Against his lips, "Yeah?" He asks, "Can Christine be her middle name? I don't know if I'm big on it as a first name." She says. He chuckles before kissing her again. "Anything you want, baby." He promises her, "Anything?" She asks with a raised eyebrow, "Anything." He promises. She pulls him back down on top of her in bed. After a few more rounds, they put themselves together and Rick drives her home. He parks his car in her driveway and then rushes around to the passenger side where he helps her out of the car, "Thank you for the best birthday ever." She says once they're on her front porch, "Always." He promises her. He leans down for one last kiss, "I love you." He tells her, "I love you too." Part 10! I cannot believe they're taking The Phantom of the Opera off of Broadway! It was always my dream to go see it, but I won't be able to and that makes me incredibly sad :( Anyways, here's Kate's dress and promise ring: Dress: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0070/8853/7651/products/05002-1758_1_febb34c6-e771-44ec-af56-44ee3cbc9d2c_633x715_crop_center.jpg?v=1644880928
Ring:
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