A week after Aidy's wedding, I visited Brian and the kids with Kate, for the first time since the start of our relationship. They had only met her a few times, but I had only introduced her as my girlfriend to Tasha. Even during her staying the previous year, I had told my family that she was just a friend, as were the other girls, to not raise attention.
«Are you sure you're okay?» I asked her, when we landed in San Francisco.
She had been nervous during the flight, and she was sweating a lot more than usual. Still, she nodded and grabbed my hand, squeezing it so much that it became red.
«I'm fine, just a little scared. Meeting your brother is kinda like meeting your parents, isn't it?» she mumbled.
«Yes, but that doesn't have to mean anything. He's a cool dude.»
«I know, but he's still very protective of you and I really wanna make a good impression.»
«You will, don't worry» I reassured her, kissing her on the cheek.
We got off the plane and reached the arrivals, where my family was waiting for us. Once they recognized us, a huge appeared on their face and Amara ran to me.
«Hey, little monkey» I chuckled, as Amara put her tiny arms around my neck and kissed me. «How are you? Where's your brother?»
«I'm good. He's at his basketball practice» she explained, as I lift her off the floor and said hi to her parents.
Kate was awkwardly waiting beside me, looking at her new in-laws, waiting for me to say something.
«You've already met Kate» I smiled, putting down my niece. «Only now we're together and we can officially say it.»
Tasha hugged her, welcoming her in the family, and even though Brian was trying to act cool – at least in front of me – I could see a little smile on his face.
«Let's go, the car is just outside.»
Amara insisted on helping Kate out with her bag, so the two of them started walking side to side, holding the travel bag together.
We didn't stay in San Francisco for long, but it was enough for Kate to get used to being with my family, and finally be relaxed around them. I showed her some new places, we went out together a lot, and we went to see a play at the same theater where a year before Lena had kissed me in front of an entire crowd.
For one of our last full days there, I had planned a little special trip to one of my favorite beaches, where I would go to every summer with my brother. He'd spend with me every minute he had, sometimes even cancelling plans to be with me. To me, he was a mom, a dad, and a brother all-together.
I wanted to share it with her, and actually I needed to ask her a really important question.
We walked on the sand, hand in hand, laughing at the stupidest jokes for no reason until we found a rock to sit on. I had a bottle of champagne in my backpack, so we drank together, staring at the sun going down on the horizon.
«Is it your birthday?» she chuckled. «I feel like I'm missing something.»
«It's not. Just wanted to stay here with you. I used to come here a lot as a kid.»
«I can see that.»
«Oh, can you?» I smirked.
She got closer to me, almost enough to kiss me, and nodded, while placing her arms around my neck.
«Yes, I can. I can imagine you running right there, going towards the water as your mother shouts to not wet your hair, and I can imagine you sitting there, making a sandcastle and whistling a random song with a way too explicit lyrics» she said, slowly, kissing me at the end of the sentence. «And I can also see our kid doing the exact same thing in five years, right here.»
«You want to have a child with me?» I asked, surprised. «I thought you didn't want to.»
«Not until I met you, missy» she smiled.
«Is there anything else you didn't wanna do until you met me?»
«I didn't wanna get married. But now, you're here, and it's fucking awesome.»
I kissed her, smiling the entire time, thinking about how lucky I was to be there with her, and to get to spend that week together in the place I had grown up in.
«Although, there is something I haven't asked you yet, even if I should have» she revealed. «I wasn't planning on doing this here and right now, but I feel like this might the right moment.»
She reached for something in her pocket and took it out, and I did the same, imagining what she wanted to ask me.
When we both turned around, we were holding out two small boxes, and were ready to ask each other the same question.
«Are you fucking kidding me?» she rolled her eyes.
«You can do it before me.»
She laughed, got up and then kneeled in front of me and opened the box, then asked me the question I had longed to hear for so long.
«Brooklyn, will you marry me?»
I nodded, chuckling for the excitement, and kneeled down with her, crying.
«Yeah, I will marry you» I whispered in her ear, once the shock had worn off.
«I would say "thank god", but it seems like we both had the same idea.»
I got my small box and asked her the same question. She was laughing and crying at the same time, and once she nodded at my question, I gave her the ring and a small kiss on the lips.
«When did you plan this?» she asked me, when we were both a little bit calmer.
«A month ago, after that evening at Central Park» I answered, still smiling and excited. «What about you?»
«Two weeks ago. We were in bed together after the cast dinner and you were working extra hard for the sketches, and all I could think about was how lucky I am to have you by my side.»
I kissed her face many times, unable to express what I was feeling with words.
«I love you so fucking much» I sighed.
«Me, too.»
«Can't we just get married right now?» I frowned, happily getting a kiss from my fiancé.
«Uhm... I think there's way for us to get back to New York as married people.»
«What is it?»
«Vegas. We still have a few days before we've got to work again, so we could just make a quick stop and get married on the way» she explained, playing with my fingers and drinking some more wine.
«I'd be happy to marry you.»
«I wanna marry you as soon as possible because I can't wait to introduce you as my wife. Although, I know how much it means to you to have your family and friends with us, so we could get married in Vegas and then have a normal ceremony back at home.»
«Deal.»
We shook hands, and I kissed hers, then holding it against my cheek. It made me feel calm, and it radiated comfort.
«I cannot believe that we're gonna get married soon.»
«Feels right, though, doesn't it?» I said.
«Yeah, it really does.»
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SHATTERED GLASS: love always finds a way
FanfictionSEQUEL OF "SHATTERED GLASS". After the troubled end of their relationship, Brooklyn and Kate have to learn how to work around each other and be friends towards one another. They embark on new journeys and start new relationships, but a feeling keeps...
