Chapter Text
Van took a deep breath and splashed some cold water on her face. When she looked up a concerned Jackie and irritated Nat had appeared in the mirror right behind her.
Van jumped, “Dude, the fuck.”
“Yeah dude, the fuck have you been doing in here all this time?” Nat questioned.
Jackie softened Nat’s words, “We were concerned Van, it’s been over ten minutes.”
Van sighed and dried her face on a paper towel from the dispenser that was somehow gilded like everything else in this bathroom. She should be used to ‘how the other half lives’ by now, but she doubts she’ll ever be. Though Van would balk at the mere suggestion, she could be considered ‘the other half,’ though her and Tai don’t live like it. At least not outside of the rare evening like this.
“What if she says no?” Van asked them both earnestly.
Jackie and Nat spoke over each other.
“Van, Taissa loves you so much. She would never say no.”
“Are you fucking insane?”
Van leaned against the wall, “But how do you know?”
Jackie nervously twisted her own wedding ring and bit her lip like she was trying to keep a secret from escaping, “I just know, okay? You’re Van and she’s Tai and you guys are perfect together.”
“Listen, how many years have you been together?”
Van turned the small silver band with engraved lavender on her middle finger, it was a gift from Tai nearly a decade ago, “Fifteen years tonight, but we were broken up for part of it.”
Nat and Jackie both groaned.
“Van, I think we all would rather forget you and Tai’s breakup era,” Jackie rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, Lottie and I were worried you were going to move into our guest room permanently for a while.”
“And I could’ve completed an entire year of my residency with how many hours I spent counseling you guys off the books,” Jackie added.
“Oh, is that what you’re calling giving your best friend relationship advice now?” Van chuckled.
“When you and Taissa didn’t even know why you had broken up half the time, yeah.”
“We weren’t that bad.”
“You were,” Jackie and Nat said in unison.
Nat cleared her throat, “Anyway, you were only broken up for what, two months, the longest time?”
“Three months, two weeks, and four days.”
“We will be unpacking why you have that memorized still six years later, after you go propose to your girlfriend.” Jackie therapized.
“I don’t know. What if it’s too soon?”
Nat raised a brow, “Fifteen years is too soon?”
“Yeah, because you and Lottie have been married for how many years again, Nat?”
“Van, come on, it’s me and Lottie. We’re not exactly traditionalists.”
“Hey, we’re not boring.”
“I didn’t say you were. I’m just saying you and Taissa have your shit together better than me and Lottie ever had,” Nat sighed.
“And Shauna and I got married after seven years. You’re honestly a bit behind, Palmer.”
“We can’t all be U-Haul lesbians, Taylor,” Van laughed, but her smile quickly faded, “Oh god, what if she hates the ring?”
Van took the small satin ring box from the inner pocket of her velvet suit jacket and opened it to look at the flower set diamond on a simple gold band.
“Van, it’s beautiful, Tai is going to love it. Relax dude, I know you’re in your head right now, but everything is going to be perfect,” Nat comforted.
“And Taissa essentially picked it out herself. You did not make me have Shauna spend a weekend in the city for a ‘shopping spree’ just to gather intel to think you, or rather Taissa, picked out the wrong ring. She literally told Shauna ‘when Van finally proposes I really hope she picks out a ring just like this one,’ emphasis on ‘finally proposes,’ Van,” Jackie pointed at the ring in Van’s hand.
Van put the ring back in the box and placed it back in her jacket pocket, “What if –”
Jackie put a hand on her shoulder, “Van, I mean this in the most loving way possible. Get a fucking grip and go out there and propose to Taissa.”
Van nodded and took a deep breath, “Okay, I’m ready.”
“Wait,” Nat stopped her as all three of them headed for the door back out onto the rooftop. She fixed the lapel on Van’s black velvet suit jacket, “You look beautiful, and Tai is lucky to have you and she’s going to be happier than she’s ever been before when you propose.”
“I don’t know, Nat, I’m pretty sure I’m not better than getting hired by the ACLU right out of law school.”
Jackie looked at Van, “Shut up, you are. Now go get your future wife.”
“What time is it?”
Nat narrowed her eyes at Van, “You’re wearing a watch.”
“Shit, I forgot,” Van glanced down at her gold watch.
… five minutes to midnight.
She picked up the pace as she opened the door onto the glittering rooftop. String lights glimmered above them and the crystal centerpieces on the tables scattered over the roof added to the effect. The performances happening thirty-six floors below them were playing on TV’s at the bar and the roar of the crowds below could almost be mistaken for wind.
It was odd, being up hear instead of being part of the ensemble cast of city life below. Though they’ve been more inclined to stay in and watch the ball drop on TV with the cats the last few years. This year, Nat insisted that they all go out ‘for old times sake,’ though. Of course, Nat had the connections to get them into one of the most exclusive parties, she always does.
When she looked in the direction of their table against the furthest railing, Tai was seemed to be in an intense huddle around the table, the likes of which Van hadn’t seen since their state soccer champion days. She was also twisting the silver bracelet on her wrist. When she glanced in her direction, Van smiled reassuringly.
… four minutes to midnight.
When Van was nearly to the table, a woman in a gray suit stopped her, “You’re Van Palmer, right?”
“Yeah,” she blushed, she never would get used to people knowing her.
“Do you have a minute to chat about an adaptation I’m producing? I think it might really pique your interest.”
“I need to meet up with my fia – girlfriend. Can I call you Monday?” she took a business card.
… three minutes to midnight.
Once Van finally managed to wind her way through the ruckus tables and groups of friends huddled for pictures and couples who didn’t wait on midnight, she took a breath before approaching the table.
“You come here often?” Van joked as she sat down in her chair beside Tai.
Tai rolled her eyes affectionately, “Every time we go anywhere.”
“Listen, I’ll stop saying it, when you stop thinking it’s adorable.”
“That’s a funny way to say annoying,” Tai’s smirk betrayed her.
“Fine, then you like when I annoy you.”
… two minutes to midnight.
“Well, I would hope I’m used to it by now,” Tai smiled, “Where were you this whole time anyway?”
“Just freshening up. I’ve got to look my best for those first photos of the New Year, you know.”
“You always look your best.”
“Why Taissa Turner are you flirting with me?”
“You tell me Van,” Tai leaned in closer.
“Get a room,” Nat joked across the table as Van flipped her off.
Van cleared her throat, “Tai, let’s go to the railing to watch the ball drop.”
As Tai stood up with Van, she couldn’t help but let her eyes scan over the black silk jumpsuit she had chosen for the evening. The one with the deep v-neck framed by tuxedo lapels that almost made them late earlier this evening.
Tai put her arm around her waist as they stood at the railing.
… one minute to midnight.
Van turned toward Tai and watched the way her eyes sparkled gold under the twinkle lights and billboards. This may very well be their last minute as girlfriends, and maybe van should be allowed to dwell in the sentimentality of this moment.
… fifty-two the crowd around them chanted.
Nat grabbed her camera.
… forty-three.
Lottie started recording a video on her phone.
… thirty.
Van tried very hard to stop her racing heart from giving away her plans.
… twenty.
“Taissa Turner,” Van dropped on one knee and pulled out the ring box from her suit pocket.
…eighteen.
“Van Palmer,” Tai also dropped on one knee and pulled a similar ring box from the pocket in her jumpsuit… wait, that wasn’t supposed to happen. Tai is proposing to her. Tai is proposing to her!
… twelve.
They exchanged equally stunned, but ecstatic looks.
… ten.
Van beamed, “As I was saying, Taissa Turner, I love you and the life we’ve built together. I’ve loved you for the last fifteen years and I want at least another fifty New Year's Eves with you. Will you give me the honor of annoying you for the rest of our lives and marry me?”
Tai answered with a kiss just as the fireworks started overhead… they both barely noticed.
Van slipped the ring on Tai’s finger and Tai dabbed at a tear on her cheek.
Tai took a breath, “Van Palmer, I love your smile and your jokes and your sarcasm and your laugh. I love when you think I’m not watching, and you steal glances across a room. I love your patience and your kind heart. Most importantly, I love you and there’s no one I could ever picture sharing my life with other than you. Will you marry me?”
Van rested her forehead against Tai’s, “Yes.”
Taissa slipped a gold band on Van’s finger with a raised lavender and violet design.
“You know, I really need to step up my game before our vows though,” Van laughed before Tai rolled her eyes and kissed her.
Van couldn’t think of a better way to start 2009 than with her fiancé, Tai.