Hosie~ One Shots

A New Family Member Part 2

One Year Later

The restaurant was quiet, lit with the soft glow of candlelight. Hope and Josie sat across from each other, their hands intertwined over the table. It wasn't often they got a night to themselves, but Lizzie had practically shoved them out the door, promising that Andrea would be fine for a few hours.

Josie smirked, sipping her wine. "You're unusually quiet tonight."

Hope shrugged, trying to play it cool, but her heart was racing. She had rehearsed this moment in her head a thousand times, and yet, sitting here with Josie looking at her like she was the only person in the world, words felt impossible.

Josie tilted her head. "You okay?"

Hope exhaled, then reached into her pocket, fingers curling around the small box hidden there. This was it. No backing out now.

Taking a deep breath, she slid her chair back and stood up. Josie's brows furrowed in confusion as Hope came around the table, then—before Josie could say anything—Hope got down on one knee.

Josie's eyes widened. "Hope—"

"I know we've been through so much," Hope started, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside her. "And I know that loving me hasn't always been easy." She let out a small, breathy laugh. "But you never gave up on me. On us. You've been by my side through everything. You loved Andrea like she was your own before you even realized it. And I don't want another day to go by without you knowing that I choose you. Every day, always."

She pulled the ring box from her pocket, flipping it open to reveal a simple but elegant ring, something she knew Josie would love.

"Josette Saltzman," Hope said, her voice filled with nothing but love, "will you marry me?"

Josie's hands flew to her mouth, eyes shining with unshed tears. For a moment, she was speechless, and Hope felt her heart thundering in her chest.

Then, Josie let out a shaky laugh, nodding as she knelt down to Hope's level. "Of course, you idiot. Yes."

Hope barely had time to breathe before Josie was kissing her, her hands framing Hope's face as if she was afraid to let go. The restaurant erupted in soft applause, but all Hope could feel was Josie—her warmth, her love, the future they were about to step into.

When they finally pulled apart, Hope slipped the ring onto Josie's finger, her own hands trembling slightly.

Josie looked down at it, smiling so wide it almost hurt. "It's perfect."

Hope grinned. "You're perfect."

Laughing, Josie kissed her again, softer this time, and when they finally left the restaurant, hand in hand, the world outside felt a little brighter.

As they walked back home, the night air was crisp, the streets quiet except for the sound of their footsteps. Hope swung their hands lightly between them, stealing glances at Josie, who kept looking down at her ring as if she still couldn't believe it.

"You keep staring at it," Hope teased.

Josie bumped her shoulder playfully. "Let me have my moment."

Hope chuckled, squeezing her hand. "You can have all the moments you want."

They reached their house, and Hope hesitated for a second before opening the door. Inside, they could hear laughter—Lizzie and Andrea, probably in the middle of some game.

Before stepping inside, Josie turned to Hope, her expression soft. "I love you."

Hope smiled, leaning in to press a lingering kiss to her lips. "I love you too."