Barry’s breath hitched. “I have a job,” he started, “And I’ll take on a second one if necessary. As soon as I graduate I’ll look for one under my career. I’ll make sure that what happened last month doesn’t happen again. And, as far as kids go..” He swallowed. “Well, it’s still early to be thinking about that. But I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her happy.”
Harper hummed and narrowed his eyes slightly. This definitely hadn’t been what he’d thought was going to happen when the younger man called him, but it was a good thing. After a while, he slowly smiled and stuck his hand out.
“Then welcome to the family,” he chuckled.
Pure relief flooded Barry’s face. “Thank you..” he breathed and clasped the older man’s hand tightly in his. “Thank you so much, Harper.”
Harper grinned and shook his hand. “Any ideas on how you’re going to do it? Propose, I mean.”
Barry hesitated briefly, before letting go of Harper’s hand and crushing him in an enormous bear hug. Once he’d pulled away, scratching sheepishly at the nape of his neck, he nodded. “Yeah. But, ah, I wouldn’t want Kasey to accidentally read your mind and find out.”
Harper laughed at the hug and leaned back in his spot. “Yeah, okay. That makes sense. When does she usually get back from class?”
"I've got another hour," he answered, a grin overtaking his lips.
“So what are you going to do in that time?” Harper wondered, uncrossing his legs and setting his feet in the floor.
"I," he started, "Am going to make a reservation for tomorrow night. Then I'm going to talk Kasey into letting me leave the house on my own."
Harper raised an eyebrow with an amused look. “Ah, yeah? Let me know how that goes,” he chuckled.
Barry snorted. "I'm trying to be optimistic. I'll think of some excuse…"
“Maybe just say you’ve got something to take care of beforehand?” Harper suggested with a shrug.
Barry offered a nod. "Thanks for everything, Harper."
Harper nodded back and stood. “Any time. I’m sure I’ll be getting an excited call pretty soon. Good luck.”
"Thank you." Barry rose to his feet, a little unsteadily, and offered his (hopefully0 soon-to-be brother in law a second hug.
(*brother-in-law. Lol.)
“I’ll see you soon, Barry,” Harper chuckled, pulling him in for a quick hug before heading for the door.
(urg I need more sleep and better typing skills)
(skip to THE THING?)
(😂 Lol. Dw about it.
Yes, definitely. Do you want me to start?)
(sure, yeah. maybe they're at home, and Kasey notices that Barry's a bit nervous?)
(That works! Just the next day, right?)
(Yup!)
Kasey stepped out of the bedroom to see Barry in the kitchen, leaned against the counter. She blinked at his faraway look and walked over to him, taking one of his hands in her own.
“Hey, babe… You okay?” she asked softly.
The moment his eyes met Kasey’s, Barry’s entire face was lighting up like a beacon. He squeezed her hands and tugged her against his chest, nodding vigorously. “I’m fantastic—how are you?”
It was clear that something was off… despite his evident happiness, he seemed anxious. Nervousness seeped through his smile and into his tone.
"I'm pretty good myself," Kasey laughed a little, wrapping her arms around his waist. "What's the plan for today? What should we do?"
Barry’s eyes twinkled. “I have a surprise for you…” he murmured, pressing his nose against hers. “We’ve got a dinner reservation at seven-thirty.. go check our room, and tell me what you find.”
Kasey's face twisted into an amused and curious expression as she looked up at him. She pressed their lips together for a short kiss before pulling out of his arms gently.
"Okay… Are you coming or so I have to go by myself?" she wondered, turning and starting for the bedroom.
“I’m coming with,” he told her, offering an anxious smile. “Ladies first~”
"I'm already walkin', love. You've gotta catch up to me, now," Kasey chuckled, taking slightly faster steps toward the room.
Chuckling, Barry followed after, doing his best to conceal his rapidly spiking anxiety. Would she appreciate his gift?
Kasey stepped into the bedroom and immediately froze, her mouth dropping open. Spread out on the bed was a dress that she'd wanted to get a while ago, but she'd deemed it too expensive to just casually buy. She turned to Barry and gaped at him for a moment before turning back tot the dress.
"Barry… Oh my word," she breathed, walking over and running her hand across the fabric. "I— I don't know what to say…"
(Would you mind posting the dress? I don't have the link and don't feel like searching for it.)