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"Ladies' privilege, huh?" Marion asked.
Willie laughed. "That's what they called it!" She picked up an another plate and ran it quickly under the tap. The kitchen in their one room apartment was so small they could barely stand next to one another but at least it had working plumbing. "In Ireland or where-ever," Willie continued. "Grandma always just talked about the 'Old Country'. But uhhh. Some lady... I don't remember who. Complained to some Saint who was maybe that guy who drove all the snakes from Ireland that women were not allowed to ask men's hand in marriage. Which, unfair. Presumably she was tired of dropping hints to her man and the Saint-guy made it so that women were allowed to propose during leap year. But only that day that's added on February every four years."
Marion took the plate from her and wiped it dry before putting it back in the small cupboard. "One day every four years? Sounds like a man's idea of fair play."
"And my grandma, she would have loved to propose to my grandpa. He wouldn't have minded. He was bit of an eccentric even before that time he fell from a tree. The way my grandma tells it just the day before the extra day, WHAM, he pulls out the ring. She says she instinctively turned him down, and the look on his face made her immediately go 'Nono I didn't mean it!'"
"Still, a story to tell."
"Yes... But she always said it was such a shame he finally got his act together. She would have loved to be the one proposing."
Marion watched Willie and wondered if she heard regret in her voice.
And what it meant exactly.
"Did you ever think about it?"
Willie turned to look at her. "Think about what?"
Marion shrugged. "Proposal. If you ever thought about it. How it would happen. To you."
"Well, I suppose I did when I was with Johnny. You remember me telling you about him? My first boyfriend? Nice, good with cows, nose shaped like a potato?"
Marion nodded.
"Well when I was with him I was just planning to tell him to propose to me when the time was right."
"I see."
Willie reached to take Marion's arm. "Hey, that doesn't matter now."
"Yes, who needs a ring?"
Willie gave her a smile. "Well, I do. A nice big diamond. A blue diamond to go with my eyes. Got any lying around?"
Marion returned her smile. "I'll keep an eye out."
She pulled Willie into a kiss. Yes, this was enough.
It had to be.
Willie turned to look at the view. "Oh it is nice. You were right, worth climbing up here. And the weather is so nice."
Marion set down the picnic basket. "Yes."
She had found the hill on one of her walks. It seemed to be a dead-end, there were ruins of an old house, but the place had been abandoned for a while. There was only an occasional sound of a car in the distance. It was a secluded place middle of the city, trees hiding you, separating you from the hustle and bustle of the city.
She watched Willie stand on the road, looking over towards the clearing that left a nice view down the hill.
She was beautiful.
Her white skirt flowed in the wind as she lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the sun.
Marion reached her hand into her trouser pocket and let her fingers brush against the metallic object there.
And she suddenly felt so stupid and out of place there.
With her.
Willie who was so beautiful and talented.
Willie turned to look at her. "This is it? I mean it's nice but once you've got a good look at some rocks for a while you start to-"
Marion dropped on one knee.
Willie paused. "What are you doing?"
Marion reached into her pocket. "It's February 29th."
"Yes?"
Marion pulled out the ring. "Will you marry me?"
Willie stared at her. "Will I what?"
"Marry me. Am I meant to say anything else? Sorry, it's my first time doing this."
Willie laughed. She reached to take the ring. "Let me see this."
Marion suddenly wished she had bought a proper ring. Something she would actually like. "It's cheap! I saw it at the pawnshop, when I was-"
It had started out as a joke when she had realized it was soon Leap Day. That's all.
Willie inspected the ring. "It certainly is cheap. Not a diamond. Not even a sapphire. I don't think."
Marion stood up. "No."
It was probably just colored glass.
"How am I expected to accept a proposal from a suitor who cannot financially support the lifestyle I'll expect?"
Willie brought her hand dramatically to her chest. "I am a gentlewoman accustomed to the highest grade of finery."
"Well you don't have to say yes!" Marion snapped.
Willie stared at her. "You were serious?"
"In a way?"
Marion wasn't sure what she had thought. Maybe it had been a joke.
But if it was, why the idea of Willie turning her down hurt?
"I thought this was some weird game. I mean we can't-"
Marion rubbed her temples. "I know. I mean even if we- It doesn't matter. I just thought it'd be funny."
And Willie deserved it. Not just a proposal but a proper wedding-
Silence fell.
Willie slipped the ring on her finger. "It's blue. Did you buy it because I mentioned..."
Marion looked her in the eye. "It reminded me. When I saw it. Of your eyes."
"It's nice. And I'm sure we can figure something out. We've been talking about saving for the club, I have my career, it's fine. I am just about to have my big breakthrough I can feel it."
"So, what do you say?" Marion asked.
"I accept. As long as you don't ask me to become Mrs Ravenwood. Willie Scott? Snappy, modern. Wilhelmina Ravenwood? She sounds like she's a governess in one of those stories where everyone goes crazy after eating all the wall paper."
"Fair."
After glancing around to see they were alone Marion gave a quick peck on Willie's cheek.
Willie smiled and in Marion's mind no diamond could compare to the blue of her eyes.