THERE'S TIME

POST

Gil had been thinking about this for a long time. He knew he and Laine wouldn't be having any big elaborate wedding, so he figured he'd go all out on the engagement. He'd chosen a nice restaurant downtown and picked out a ring that had cost far too much money... Well, at least enough for him to have to eat fastfood a couple weeks for lunch... Not that he minded. It would be worth it in the long run. He just hoped that Laine would like the ring he chose. The two had just gotten their reservations and had been seated.

Leo was trying to steady his breathing. He'd been in the bathroom for about ten minutes, and he just couldn't calm down. Tonight was the night. He was finally going to propose. He thought this would be a happy moment, but he just felt sick...

For starters, this was nothing like how he'd imagined it would be. Leo had imagined a big family dinner, with his brothers and sisters all there (except perhaps Pia), and no one knowing about the proposal. Everyone would be so surprised, but they would be happy, too. Best of all, Theo would be welcomed into the family by the entire family!

But, he hadn't been able to get the family together on one occasion. Pia was planning on leaving for Italy soon, which made things all the worse, and Leo was so nervous that he just wanted to get it over with.

Finally, he took one last deep breath, splashed his face with cold water, and dried off. He checked himself in the mirror one last time, then slipped his hand into his pocket to finger the ring. Yes... He could do this. He would be alright. Theo would have to say yes... wouldn't he?

Resisting the urge to stay, Leo finally forced himself back into the dining room and headed straight for his and Theo's table.

Laine was all smiles and giggles tonight. She hadn't been to this place in ages, and she had never been there with an actual date (clients obviously don't count). She'd gotten all gussied up in something that wasn't too revealing, and she'd done her hair in some elaborate style that would need constant maintenance. But, it was worth it. She really liked looking pretty for Gil--doing a little extra to show she cared. She walked in practically hanging off of his arm, and when they were seated she looked around with a glimmer in her eyes. "God, this place looks so different! It's been years since I've come here..." she raised a brow, smirking at him. "... So you never told me why you're wining and dining me. Is this some sort of weird foreplay?"

Gil sighed and shook his head. "Not everything is about sex you know... Maybe I just wanted to take you out to a nice dinner. Saves either of us from attempting to cook for a night." he reached across the table for her hand. "Besides, we don't get out enough."
---
Theo, being the very height of class, was making faces him his spoon, awaiting Leo's return. When he spotted Leo finally headed back, he raised a brow. "You okay?... 'dat was a very long bathroom break..." he didn't know how else to phrase it, really. "I almost went looking for you... Unless 'dat is what you intended and I simply foiled your plans by being good for once~"

God, she felt like a lovestruck teenager. Even the littlest things just made her heart melt. She couldn't help but grin again as he took her hand, "Well, it doesn't matter where we go. You didn't have to spend all this money... even if this is amazing."
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Leo laughed nervously and went to sit back down, "No... not this time. I-I'm sorry, I... I had to take a call." A call? Who would be calling?! "Mari wanted to talk about lesson plans. I told her I'd call back" Again, he checked his pocket... But only for a second. He wanted to wait until the right moment.

"Still, it's not like we get to do this often... Besides, I wanted to." He smiled. "Sooo... Do you have any idea what you want to order?"
---
Theo raised a brow "She must 'ave been very distressed about it considering the length of time you were gone." his tone wasn't accusing as much as it was meant to be joking.

"Not the faintest idea... But what about you, Mr Picky-Eater? I don't think they'd have hamburgers at a swanky place like this~"
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"Well um... You know Mari..." He glanced around, more nervous every second, and finally reached for his water glass. Anything-ANYTHING-to calm his nerves.