We got into the car and I went quiet again. Everyone else was engrossed in another long conversation, I was stretched out across the back, my head in Greyson's lap, my mind elsewhere. The only part of the conversation I registered was Victor telling everyone that there was one last surprise and to get ready.

"What do we wear?" Dani asked.

"Casual is fine."

Casual. Why casual? People wear their most extravagant clothing when proposing or being proposed to. It didn't make a whole lot of sense.

The ride home was a jolly one. Everyone was talking and laughing and we all took turns taking 5 minute power naps. Dad and Victor were doing that ridiculous flirting couples do even though they are in a relationship. They withdrew themselves from the conversation and were sweet-talking to each other and giggling and making eye contact and there was some hand holding. It was cute but gross. I am still mentally a child.

I thought about the thing Victor told me about. I didn't expect it to happen so soon but I guess it is now or never. But looking at those two, could I see them like that for the rest of my life? Could I handle waking up and seeing 2 people walking out of the master bedroom? Would it be so awkward seeing someone love Dad so much? Dad was always competent with his life. We have previously discussed this. He was never really depressed- I still have a hard time believing that; I mean he did want to kill himself at one point- but he wasn't always up there on cloud 9.

But Victor made him feel more than up there. So could I handle it? I haven't actually seen Dad's real smile or heard his actual laughter. Now I would.

We got home and went to get ready for Victor's surprise. Everyone had their own ideas but none actually came close. They thought that since it was 10:30 at night and the only lively thing open right now, that allowed us kids, were restaurants we were going to eat.

The four of us crammed into our room and all hunted through the closet for a casual outfit. I find it kind of humorous that we can fit into each other's clothes. Dani and I are literal copies of each other. Though Greyson was more broad while Joshua was more lean but even then they still fit in the same pair of jeans. Like I said, humorous.

We all hoped in the shower to wash all of the residue from the beach. When we all were done I realized we all picked out the same outfit: Blue jeans, a t-shirt, and just a little something. The boys had a belt, Dani a necklace, whereas I pulled out the biggest little thing- a jacket. It was kind of chilly plus in like 20 years or something I would have killed myself if I didn't wear something nice when Dad got proposed.

"Are you okay?" Greyson stopped brushing his hair and asked me.

"Why do you ask?"

"Because you haven't said a word since we left."

I smiled so I could ease away some tension. "I'm fine."

"Ok."

I looked at him and realized that we haven't done something in a long time. 

I stood next to him for a second before I kissed him. He dropped- like literally dropped- everything he was holding and instead held me. We stood there for a moment before we relocated to the bed. We are not going to do anything serious, mind you, just kiss. 

"You really are fine," he said between kisses. It was said slowly that it made you have hyper butterflies in your stomach.

We kept on going until an interruption in the form of our best friends occurred.

"Oh, for crying out loud!" Joshua said when he looked over his shoulder. 

Greyson turned his neck around and said "You may want to pick up some hints, buddy" but he got himself off of me and helped me up.

"Son of a gun," Joshua whispered under his breath. Dani watched the whole thing escalate and scooted a little closer to Joshua. He stopped what he was and gave her a little more attention.

"That's better," I said as Greyson and I left.

They came out right behind us, just a little more red in the face. Dani was showing it that much, she was as cool as a cucumber, but Joshua had his cute tinge on his cheeks. It made him look so adorable.

They closed the door behind them and we all stood there, Greyson and I giving them the look.

"Who's the son of a gun now?" he said to Joshua with a smirk.

Joshua swung at him. Greyson had him down though in a second. ("Uncle!" Joshua had to eventually shout) I doubled over in laughter while Dani was trying to tame the situation.

"Enough!" she said even though she was cracking a smile. They finally got off each other and dusted themselves off. I grabbed Greyson's hand and headed downstairs.

I got a glimpse at my future. Dad and Victor walked out of the room ready. Victor was wearing some nice pants and a button up while Dad was rocking blue jeans, a black t-shirt, and a short sleeved flannel shirt on top. The only thing that was missing from both of them was something small. I kind of realized then when he said to wear casual. 

"You look nice," I said, extending the nice.

"He picked it out," Dad said.

"No problem," Victor said with a smile.

"Well be glad he is good at men's fashion. May I remind everyone of the fatal look."

Victor mimed getting stabbed while everyone laughed. "God, woman, you didn't have to do me like that," he said with a smile. One time, when we went to the mall, Victor had put together this very out-there outfit, to say the least, for me: a bandana headband, red tank top, brown knee length suede jacket, baggy joggers, and a pair of Dr. Martens.

"You have got to be kidding me," I said when he showed me the ensemble. Even Dad had to laugh at how poorly the outfit was put together. 

"N-yes. This is a big joke. Ha-ha. Got you!"

He didn't so much as touch a pair of socks for the rest of the day.

"Ready?" Dani asked from the back.

"Yeah, let's go," Victor said.

We all filed out of the house. We got out onto the porch when the sly charmer pulled a faced of remembrance and said, "I forgot my phone."

"You sure?" Dad asked. 

"Yeah," Victor said, slapping his pockets in a convincing manner "Uhm, I think I left it on the dresser."

"Well, I can go get it," Joshua said, who was next to the door.

"NO!" he shouted a little too excitedly. We all were looking at him, all of us giving him a look of 'Are you okay?'. His eyes were giving away a little to much. "I will go get it. Just go start the car and I will be right out."

He threw the keys in the air and headed back inside. Greyson caught the keys and we all headed to the car.

Close call.

Victor came outside as soon as we got situated. He hopped into the driver's seat, and we vroomed off. It was sort of a nice drive. Victor was holding onto Dad's hand, occasionally looking at him with such big eyes. When it got too much Victor had kissed the side of Dad's head. Dad was giving him weird looks but just went along with it. I hope he wasn't giving it away. 

Soon we arrived at a small one-story house in a sort of shady neighborhood. It gave me sort of the creeps. I know this area, kind of, and the rumors alone are extremely scary. Imagine the actual real news. 

"Home-sweet-home," Victor said as he turned off the car.

We all were confused, even me. We all sat there while he was getting out.

"Do I have to invite you out of the car as well?"

We all got down and headed inside.

Victor opened the door to a very simple, cozy home. The walls are orange-tan color that you can only seem to find in houses. The furniture was brown and orange, even the lights were yellow-orange, and there was a lot of wood everywhere. It was what I was expecting from a 29-year-old guy who doesn't really know interior designing but much cleaner. I don't mean trash wise- I mean, I do; it is extremely clean- but I mean like this place is put together coherently.

"I may be a mess, but I like my home to be clean," Victor said as he opened the back door.

We all walked out and stood around.

"Okay, what is wrong with all of you? Sit down! Make yourselves comfortable! Sit outside actually, it's really nice weather now," he explained to us as he walked towards the kitchen.

We all headed outside and sat down very slowly. It was as if we were waiting for something to happen. I knew what that something was, but I am just confused as heck. To be honest I thought that he would be doing it, like, at a later time, tomorrow or something. I didn't think he would literally ask me then just go full pedal to the metal. 

"Y'all want something to drink? Water? Juice? Soda?" he shouted from inside. 

"You got any energy drinks?" Joshua yelled.

Victor came outside a moment later with a tray full of drinks. "I am a doctor, of course I do," he said as he handed us water and Joshua his drink.

We all sat down and not talking. It was such a peaceful night. There was the usual buzz of backyard bugs, the wind was whispering in my ear, and in the far, far distance you could hear the faint action of the city. It was so harmonious. I am in awe that such a wild beauty existed. 

Victor had his arm around Dad, and they were whispering things to each other. It was such a giggle fest over there. I literally felt like throwing up from all the oogieness going on.

With all the flirting going on led to a kiss occurring. Joshua threw some of his drink into the air like champagne. We all got sprayed a little. And apparently the energy got to Victor because he randomly got to his feet. He was like the Energizer Bunny who got new batteries all of a sudden.

I guess it is show time. 

"Get up," Victor said to Dad

"Why?" Dad whined.

"Because I want to show you something!"

"I just sat down!"

"Just get up!"

"But-"

"Get up!"

Dad got up and walked with Victor over to the corner. Victor plugged something in, and all the lights turned on. It was those light bulb lights that people hang in their backyards. It made the place so homely and comfortable.

There was a telescope next to where they were standing. Victor said something, adjusted and looked into the telescope, said something again then let Dad look. He bent over and looked in, saying something. He was looking in for a while. Victor looked at him so lovingly for a second before getting on one knee.

Dani was about to scream from excitement. The sound was about to leave her, but I covered her mouth. I looked over to the other two and put a finger to my mouth, telling the other two to not talk. I had a feeling like this was part of Victor's big scheme.

Dad looked away from the telescope and said something. He had to do a double take at Victor, realizing what he was doing. His whole body went into full shock mode when it registered into his brain. 

I took my hand off Dani's mouth and got up. I took out my phone started to record the whole thing; this felt like my part to be doing. Slowly the other 3 got up and stood next to me. Greyson had wrapped his arm around me and pulled me closer to his chest, resting his head on mine. 

Victor looked up towards Dad with such a happy face on. He was holding the ring box closed in his hand, lost in time. Victor was breathing so heavily, giving away how nervous he was. Dad was just in pure shock. I saw a bit of scaredness under all of it but there was no point in being so. 

"Hey Clay, do you remember when I sat with you for the first time at lunch and talked about Shakespeare? Well, I looked into everything, and it turns out..."

Okay, I love Victor so, so much, but I want to give him a good whack over the head right now. He went on for a good 3 minutes about Shakespeare. Shakespeare! Like out of all the things you would include in your proposal speech you choose Shakespeare? And not to mention horrible memories from high school? Who knew we, in the modern times, could relate to a dead man's plays. Common sense, o common sense, where for art thou common sense?

"And so, the old picture was showing him holding a bag of grain but then, in, like, 1747 they changed it into him holding a quill. I guess it was because his plays were becoming a thing. So, either way- oh! And you were right! I mean I can't believe that there were 7,000 words he only used once! I mean I..."

I seriously considered cutting the cameras and just waited until he asked the question. We all kind of lost that excitement as he kept on going. Dad was just kept on getting more confused by the second. His face kind of fell into a more confused face, his eyebrows knitted together as he stared at the crazy man in front of him. 

"He also..."

We all were starting to get impatient. Dani looked over at me, having the same look Dad had on right now, and asked me nonverbally what in the actual heck do we do. I decided to help pick things up.

"Hey Victor?" I called out to him. 

He finally shut up about the dude and looked at me. His eyes were bulged, and his hands were starting to shake more violently. He was gulping on thin air, trying to not pass out.  

"Is your knee hurting?" I asked as he switched the knee, he was on for the 3rd time. 

He nodded his head yes. You could also see he was also sweating bullets.

"Then why don't you ask the question?"

He laughed faintly and said "Sure." He looked back to Dad, took another fresh gulp of air, and started his monologue again.

"Clay, I love you. I really do. With all my heart and more. I can't help but be in love with you. I think I forgot how to not be in love with you. It is eating me raw, and I just want to shout it out to the world: I am in love with you. I want all the long nights and the tiring shifts and the lazy weekends and busy days. I just want all of my days with you. I want all that and more. I want you to be the first thing I see when I wake up and the last thing you see before you go to sleep. I know that it is so cheesy, but I can't help it. I am just like that. So, I beg you, please, make me the happiest man in the whole freaking universe. Will you marry me?"

"You done talking?" Dad asked. He was still holding his confused face. 

Victor gulped and said "Yeah, I think so. I mean that is all I remember writing down."

"Then yes!" 

Victor sprang up and punched the air. He grabbed onto Dad and kissed him so passionately.

We all were crying. It was happy tears though. Very happy tears. The 4 of us crammed into a group side hug. I felt everyone give me a kiss on top of my head.

Dad looked at me and I just needed him right now. I ran over to him and gave him a bone crushing hug. We were saying things to each other but it didn't make sense to me. I was just so happy.

And before you ask, yes Victor was pulled in. It was a family hug.

...

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