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18 months is a long time to be with someone.
A lot longer than the 4 months spent married to Arthur.
And a lot shorter than the 24 years married to Henry.
But far, far more pleasant.
18 months with Jane Seymour.
Catalina wanted to celebrate those 18 months, to show Jane just how much she loved being with her.
So it was just Catalina’s luck that their anniversary was coming up. It would be the perfect time to show Jane just how loved she was.
So Catalina was planning on making it perfect.
And once Catalina of Aragon set her mind to something, you’d best believe it was going to happen.
Planning their anniversary was easy enough.
It had been Catalina’s birthday a few weeks prior, and Jane had organized the entire celebration.
(She’d baked the cake that Anne had ruined by placing almost 500 candles in it (they’d eaten the remains for fun later so it was ok), she’d arranged for Cathy to keep Catalina out of the house long enough for the rest of them to finish decorating, and had even gotten Catalina a silver locket filled with a picture of her and Jane on one side and picture of all the queens in the other. Catalina thought it was one of the best gifts she’d ever gotten.)
To pay Jane back for the great day, Catalina wanted to be in charge of setting up their anniversary. Jane had fought her on that, wanting to help Catalina plan their special day, but Catalina had managed to get the other queens to testify just how much Jane had done for Catalina’s birthday, and Jane backed off. Catalina could be very convincing when she wanted to be.
(And it never hurt that Catalina could always share a few kisses with her girlfriend when she really wanted something.)
So Catalina was left to her own devices when it came to organizing their anniversary.
She’d started by making sure both she and Jane wouldn’t be performing on their anniversary (although Catalina was seriously praying that nothing crazy would happen that night that would call for them to go on, but knowing their show, anything was possible).
Then she’d called and made a reservation at an exclusive restaurant Jane had pointed out once and said she’d wanted to eat at some time.
She’d also planned a romantic walk on the beach for her and Jane to take together after dinner, to watch the sunset.
Catalina had also gone out and bought a matching silver locket for Jane. It was small and oval-shaped, with an engraving of a small tree on it, and Catalina planned on giving it to her at the beach, as the sun was setting.
(She thought it was quite the romantic gesture, if she said so herself.)
And after that, they’d go home and spend the rest of the night doing something quiet and calming to unwind for the evening.
Together.
Because that was all that mattered in the long run.
That they were together.
The day had started off well enough.
Catalina had walked into the living room to find that she was the last one to have woken up, the rest of the queens already sitting and chatting over breakfast. Anne was the first to notice the new arrival, and as usual, had a comment to share.
“You’re late, Lina…” Anne teased in a sing-song tone, giggling at the exasperated look she received from Catalina. “You left Jane waiting…”
“Shut it, Anne.” Catalina shot the girl a good-natured smile and strode over to Jane, who had turned around to face Catalina. Jane’s face immediately brightened as a smile spread from cheek to cheek, her eyes sparkling at the sight of Catalina.
I love her smile.
Catalina felt her heart skip a beat and she rushed forward, cupping Jane’s face as they came together for a kiss. Jane was still smiling as they kissed and Catalina followed suit, a small laugh escaping her.
As they pulled apart, Catalina leaned forward and let her forehead rest on Jane’s as they looked at each other, still smiling. Voice low, Catalina said, “Hi.”
“Hi yourself,” was Jane’s response, her attempt at being smooth foiled by the giggles threatening to emerge.
“Happy anniversary, mi amor, ” Catalina whispered, the rest of the world falling away as she closed her eyes and pressed her lips to Jane’s for the second time that morning.
Well, the rest of the world fell away until the four other queens sitting at the table erupted into shouts of:
“No! Come on, not at the table!”
“Really? In front of my salad?”
“Some of us are trying to eat here!”
“I shouldn’t have gotten out of bed today…”
Jane pulled away from Catalina with a laugh, turning back to the rest of the queens as Catalina took her seat next to Jane.
“Don’t be so mean,” Jane scolded playfully while serving a plate of warm pancakes and scrambled eggs for Catalina. “It’s our anniversary, let us enjoy it.”
“You guys will have all day to enjoy it. At least wait for us to get out of the house,” Anne complained, stabbing her sausage with more force than was necessary. Catalina merely rolled her eyes and began eating her breakfast.
“Speaking of which,” Anna chimed in, pouring more syrup on her waffles, “what do you two have planned to celebrate?”
Jane shrugged. “I actually don’t know; Catalina planned all of today, so let’s ask her.”
The entire table turned their attention to Catalina and she rushed to swallow the food in her mouth before speaking.
“Well, actually,” she started, pausing to clear her throat, “that information is for me to know and for Jane to find out tonight.”
Jane shook her head and gave a sigh of resignation, knowing Catalina wouldn’t give up her plans if the world depended on it.
“Ok, but we’re not Jane,” Kat stated, pointing out quite the obvious. Catalina raised an eyebrow at the fifth queen, trying to say, ‘ No, really?’ without words.
Kat scoffed and rolled her eyes. “So, I meeeeean, technically, you should be able to tell us…” Kat trailed off, gesturing with her fork for Catalina to share the details.
Unfortunately for Kat (and the rest of the queens), Catalina’s lips remained sealed.
“You all will just have to wait and see, won’t you?” Catalina asked, chuckling at the groans and grumbles that she received from around the table.
“We’re not even going to be there, how the hell are we going to find out?” Cathy whined, her chair scraping against the floor as she stood up, plate and coffee mug in hand, and made her way to the sink.
Catalina shrugged and called, “You’re smart. You’ll figure it out.”
Catalina smirked as the table broke into complaint again and an exasperated Cathy yelled, “Madrinaaa!” from the kitchen.
The table fell into a comfortable silence as the queens finished their meal, the only noise becoming the scraping of chairs and clattering of dishes as they were placed in the sink to be cleaned.
Soon, the table was cleared, with the only queens remaining being the first and third. Anne and Kat (who Catalina had realized was eating cereal…with a fork) were the last to leave, instead choosing to drag Jane out of the room and not-so-discreetly drill Jane for information and make her promise to tell them everything that happened.
It didn’t take too long for Jane to walk back into the dining room, an amused smile on her face as she took her seat next to Catalina. Jane sucked in a breath and Catalina knew what she was going to say a second before she said it.
“So…now that we’re alone…” Jane whispered, leaning in towards Catalina, a coy smile replacing the amused one. “Mind telling me what we’re doing?”
Catalina snorted and placed a finger over Jane’s lips, not missing the way Jane’s breath caught in her throat. Catalina leaned into Jane, so close to her that their noses touched.
With a smirk, Catalina murmured, “Me to know. You to find out.”
And with that, Catalina pulled away, but not before leaving a light kiss on Jane’s nose. She took both her and Jane’s plates to the sink, grinning at the heavy sigh she heard from the dining room.
As Catalina began to wash the dishes, Jane came up from behind her and wrapped her arms around Catalina’s waist, pressing into her back. Catalina merely hummed and continued washing the dishes.
Jane’s voice was muffled when she spoke but Catalina heard what she had to say, and her heart swelled.
“I love you.”
Catalina smiled even though Jane couldn’t see her. She’d hear it in her voice.
“I love you too.”
“So what should I wear?”
They were in Jane’s room as the third queen rifled through her closet, finding something to wear for their evening together. They’d spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon cuddling in the living room, watching a show about a really intense chef that yelled at bad cooks.
(Anna had discovered the show and had fallen in love with it. She’d gotten the entire rest of the house hooked on it too.
Personally, Catalina loved his insults. She was just waiting for the day that she could call Anne an idiot sandwich.
She was surprised it hadn’t happened already but Catalina was patient. The day would come sooner or later. She’d just have to wait.)
“You’d look good in anything,” Catalina answered from her spot on Jane’s bed, glancing up from her phone to see Jane holding a blouse up to her chest and inspecting it in the full-length mirror that sat in the room.
Making eye contact with Jane in the mirror, Catalina continued with a smile. “Or nothing at all.”
Jane barked a laugh, shaking her head and putting the blouse back into the closet. “Oh, so is that what we’re doing tonight?”
Catalina slipped off the bed and crossed the room to where Jane was standing in front of the mirror. Wrapping her arms around Jane’s middle, Catalina rested her chin on Jane’s shoulder and murmured, “Maybe…you’ll just have to wait and see.”
Jane scoffed and rolled her eyes. “You’re such a tease, you know that, right?”
Catalina peppered light kisses along Jane’s neck and shoulders. “I do. But you love it.”
With a sigh, Jane turned in Catalina’s arms and cupped her face, pulling her in for a kiss. Catalina melted into it as Jane’s hands brushed along her cheeks. Pulling away after a couple of moments, Jane whispered, “That I do.”
They stayed like that for a few seconds (a few seconds too short if you asked Catalina) before Jane wiggled her way out of Catalina’s arms and made her way back to her closet.
“No, but seriously,” Jane said, flipping through her clothes again. “Do I need to dress casual, formal…? Can I just steal your hoodie and call it a day?”
Jane looked so hopeful that Catalina felt a little bad for laughing. “Aw babe, as much as I love seeing you in my clothes, it won’t work tonight,” Catalina said apologetically as Jane pouted at her response.
The restaurant Catalina had booked a reservation was more formal, but Catalina didn’t want something Jane would be uncomfortable at the beach. Settling on what she thought was a reasonable middle ground, Catalina said, “I think nice pants and a blouse should do. It’s going to be chilly too tonight, so a jacket or coat would probably be good.”
Jane nodded thoughtfully before turning back to her closet and looking for the clothes Catalina had suggested. Catalina wandered back to Jane’s bed and got herself settled back on it, pulling the throw blanket Jane kept on it over herself.
It didn’t take long for Jane to join Catalina under the blanket after she picked out her clothes for the evening (a cream-colored turtleneck and a dark pair of pants with a long beige coat, an outfit Catalina knew Jane would look stunning in), and before she knew it, Catalina was being spooned by Jane and the both of them were drifting off to sleep. Vaguely, Catalina wondered if she should keep better track of time, but with Jane’s arm draped over her waist and the sound of her steady breathing, Catalina couldn’t find it in her to resist sleep at that moment.
It’ll be fine. My stuff is ready in my room, and Jane’s clothes are ready for later too. We’ll be fine.
A little nap won’t hurt anyone.
The next time Catalina was conscious, she was catching the tail-end of a conversation between Jane and someone else she couldn’t make out through the grogginess of just having woken up.
“...thanks, Anna. I’ll let her know.”
Well, that cleared one thing up.
“Let who know what?” Catalina’s voice was raspy from sleep and she sat up, rubbing her eyes. Jane looked a lot more alert than Catalina felt and Catalina mentally urged herself to reach that same sense of awareness.
She had plans, after all.
Anna was leaning on the doorway of Jane’s room, her arms crossed over her chest. Anna was dressed, having changed out of her pajamas from that morning into what Catalina recognized as her pre-show clothes.
If Anna was in her pre-show clothes already, that meant the queens would be leaving for the theatre for that night’s performance soon.
Catalina and Jane needed to leave before the rest of the queens did to make her plans on time.
…Maybe the nap wasn’t so harmless.
“Oh, I just saw that it might rain tonight and I didn’t want it to ruin anything you two had going on, so I came to give you the heads-up. Jane was awake, and you weren’t, so I just told her to let you know,” Anna paused, pushing herself off the doorframe. “But now you know so I’ll leave you be.”
As Anna turned to leave, Jane and Catalina both spoke up at the same time, thanking Anna. Anna merely chuckled and waved a hand in acknowledgment as she left.
As soon as Anna was gone, Catalina was on her feet, grabbing her phone so she could check the time with barely concealed anxiety. Jane picked up on Catalina’s nerves and frowned, getting up to join her partner at the foot of her bed.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Jane asked softly, her brow furrowed as she took Catalina’s free hand in hers, an attempt to calm her panic.
Oh God, please don’t tell me I screwed this up.
First with the time, and now there might be rain?
Holding her breath, Catalina glanced down at her phone — and breathed a sigh of relief.
5:54 pm.
The dinner reservation was for 6:40, and it was only a 15-minute drive to the restaurant from the house.
She had time.
Catalina laughed and dropped her phone on the bed, taking both of Jane’s hands in hers and clasping them tightly, surprising the third queen.
“Nothing,” Catalina said, a smile growing on her face as Jane’s eyebrows raised in skepticism. “I promise, there’s nothing wrong. I just thought we wouldn’t make it on time, that’s all.”
Jane opened her mouth but Catalina cut her off, knowing what her girlfriend was going to say. “No, I’m not telling you where ‘it’ is.”
Jane closed her mouth and sighed resignedly. “Fine,” Jane grumbled, trying to sound upset but failing to keep a smile from creeping onto her face. Catalina giggled and leaned in to kiss Jane, who happily reciprocated.
They kissed until they were both breathless, their hands having crept into the other’s hair or looped around their neck. When they pulled away to catch their breath, part of Catalina wanted to lean back to kiss Jane again, kiss her until nothing else mattered but the fact that she was there with Jane and they were together and they were happy . But the other part of Catalina was more reasonable and disciplined, and reluctantly let her arms fall from Jane’s shoulders. Jane did the same, a light blush spreading across her cheeks as she stepped back.
From the burning heat sitting on her cheeks, Catalina was sure a similar blush was on her own face.
Jane sat back down on her bed, gesturing for Catalina to join her but Catalina shook her head. “We’ve got to leave soon babe. As much as I’d love to, we can’t,” Catalina explained, and Jane gave a small nod of understanding.
“Alright then, I guess we ought to start getting ready then?” Jane asked, and Catalina nodded in confirmation.
Turning to leave, Catalina stopped at the doorway and turned to face Jane again, who had already started changing into the clothes she’d laid out earlier.
“I don’t want to rush you but we have to leave in about 20 minutes. I’m sorry for the short notice, I didn’t think we’d sleep that long-” Catalina was cut off by Jane waving her hand dismissively at Catalina’s apology.
“Babe, it’s fine. There’s no rush. There’s enough time for us to get ready. Stop freaking yourself out, you’re perfect, ok?” Jane’s words were firm, leaving no room for Catalina to argue or deny them.
Catalina nodded slowly to Jane and bid her a temporary farewell, closing the door behind her as she crossed the hall to her own room.
Jane’s words still echoed in her head as she gathered up the clothes she had laid out earlier, and a large grin grew on Catalina’s face, accompanying her still burning cheeks.
‘You’re perfect, ok?’
“18 months and my heart still skips a beat…” Catalina grumbled, the smile never leaving her face as she got dressed. She’d picked a out simple outfit for the night: a black pantsuit with a yellow blouse and flats.
Catalina did a once-over in the mirror of her room before going to the bathroom to clean up her hair and apply some make-up, and once that was done, she headed for the living room to wait for Jane.
But she still couldn’t seem to wipe the small smile off of her face from Jane’s previous compliment.
‘You’re perfect, ok?’
Catalina doubted a smile would be far as long as she was with Jane.
They were in the car, on the way to the restaurant, when she realized it was missing.
Catalina had been checking off a mental checklist of everything she’d need for the rest of the evening since she’d woken up that morning: her wallet, the parking passes for the beach, and the locket.
Three simple things, two of which should have already been in her purse when she’d picked it up and left the house.
Catalina’s wallet never left her purse and the passes were in her wallet, so she knew those two were where they were supposed to be.
But when Catalina instinctively reached down to pat the pocket of her pants to make sure the thin box containing the locket was in there, her heart dropped into her stomach.
It wasn’t there.
Catalina didn’t have the locket.
Catalina almost slammed on the brakes in her shock, but seeing as she was in the middle of a busy street, she managed to restrain herself and instead gripped the wheel tightly. Her breathing quickened as she tried to remember where she’d put it.
Jane, ever observant and ever caring, noticed the change in Catalina’s demeanor immediately. She stopped humming along to the pop song on the radio and turned to Catalina, concern clear on her face.
“Lina? What’s wrong? What happened?” Jane’s voice seemed like it was a million miles away. Catalina was surprised she could even hear Jane over how loudly her heart was pounding in her chest.
“I don’t…I forgot…” Catalina didn’t know how to answer Jane’s question, still not wanting to give away any hints about what she had in store for the evening.
“You forgot…?” Jane prompted, looking at Catalina expectantly from the passenger seat. Catalina clenched her jaw and forced herself to take a deep breath.
Don’t freak out. You can’t freak out.
“I can’t tell you that, it’s part of the surprise,” Catalina laughed weakly, attempting to settle her nerves and get them under control. Panicking wouldn’t get her anywhere, she needed a clear head and she needed to think .
Where? Where did I leave it?
Jane stared at Catalina, her eyebrows arching in disbelief. “Catalina, you are terrible at pretending you’re not on the verge of a panic attack.”
Catalina snorted at that. “Yeah, yeah, you’re right,” Catalina said with a chuckle. “But it’s fine! I have it under control, I promise.”
Catalina tried to sound as calm as possible, as though she wasn’t frantically wracking her brain and retracing her steps since she’d gotten the locket a few days ago.
I had it with me before the show the other day…
Oh, don’t tell me…
Please don’t tell me it’s at the theatre.
Jane clearly didn’t buy Catalina’s promise, and had started to tell her that it wasn’t a big deal if she forgot whatever it was she was forgetting, that it would be fine and she could give it to her whenever she got it back, but Catalina couldn’t accept that. She couldn’t let her plans fall apart because she forgot Jane’s gift at the theatre; tonight had to be perfect.
The only solution in Catalina’s mind was to drive to the theatre, grab the locket (it was sitting on her dressing room table, she now remembers leaving it there because the queens needed to leave and Catalina hadn’t had a chance to grab it without Jane seeing), and then drive to the restaurant.
Luck seemed to be on Catalina’s side with this plan. They’d left the house earlier than expected, so they had time to spare. The theatre was also really close to the restaurant; Jane had pointed it out to the group when they’d been driving home after a show and that’s where Catalina had gotten the idea to take her there in the first place.
It could work.
She could fix this.
Catalina reached blindly across the center console and gripped Jane’s hand, startling her into silence. Catalina could see Jane staring at her out of the corner of her eye but she kept her focus on the road, only turning to Jane once they’d stopped at a red light.
“I left…it…at the theatre,” Catalina spoke slowly, her eyes fixed on Jane’s concerned expression. “But I think we have enough time to run there and grab it before…” Catalina paused, still not wanting to give up what they’d be doing that night, but decided better of it in the end. “Before we go to dinner.”
Jane’s brows furrowed in confusion before they stretched up in realization. There was only one restaurant in the area that was fit for the nice outfits the couple was wearing, and Jane was quick to put the pieces together. “Dinner? …Oh my god, are we going to that really nice looking Italian restaurant? The one we always drive by on the way home?” There was awe in Jane’s voice and despite the anxiety Catalina was feeling, a rush of pride swept through her.
Catalina nodded in confirmation, and Jane’s mouth fell open, a small gasp escaping her. “Lina, that’s so sweet…I can’t believe you managed to get a reservation. I hear it’s really exclusive.”
Catalina nodded again, remembering how she’d called weeks in advance to get that reservation. The last thing Catalina wanted was for it to fall apart because she’d left Jane’s gift at the theatre. Out of nervous habit, Catalina touched the locket that hung around her own neck, hoping the cool metal and weight of it could help her calm down.
Jane must’ve seen the worry in Catalina’s face and just how much this meant to her, because her expression softened and she nodded. “Ok,” she said firmly. “Let’s go to the theatre then. I can text someone to have the door open for you so you can run in and grab it. Let’s do it.”
Catalina could’ve cried with joy (and she would have) if the newly-turned green light not been demanding her attention.
They made a right at the next intersection, instead of going straight, and out of the corner of her eye, Catalina could see Jane typing away on her phone. A few seconds later, Jane said, “Cathy wants to know what it is, she said she could get it and meet you at the door. Is that ok?”
Catalina hesitated momentarily, before deciding that as long as she didn’t tell Jane what was in the box, it’d be ok. “Yeah, it’s a small box. Thin, white, it’s got a lid. It should be at my table.”
Jane forwarded the details to Cathy, and then informed Catalina, “She’s got it. She’ll be waiting for you at the back door.”
“That’s perfect.” Catalina breathed deeply, relief washing over her upon hearing what her goddaughter had volunteered to do.
“And I’m sorry, Jane, for not being more prepared-” Catalina shot Jane as apologetic of a glance as she could while driving. “-and for making us detour like this. I just- I want tonight to go well.”
Jane sighed and shook her head, a tired but warm smile on her lips. “Babe, for the last time, it’s ok . Being here, spending the night with you…that’s enough for me.”
Catalina huffed. “Oh come on, I plan a very romantic night and now you tell me we could’ve just stayed home and done nothing? Really?” There was no malice in Catalina’s words though, just teasing and exasperation - not to mention the blush spreading across Catalina’s cheeks.
Jane just laughed and Catalina joined her, the sound of their laughter combining with the radio as they drove.
Cathy was already waiting for them when Catalina pulled up to the back entrance of the theatre minutes later.
She looked bored, and was leaning against the open door with her phone in one hand and the other hidden behind her back. The sixth queen was wearing an odd combination of her show clothes from the waist down and a purple t-shirt that was at least 2 sizes too big for her as her top.
Catalina stopped the car and opened the door, but not before telling Jane she’d be back in a second and not to peek.
Jane pouted at her but dismissed her with a wave of her hand, distracting herself with her phone.
Catalina jogged to Cathy as best as she could in her flats, and Cathy looked up, her face brightening at the sight of Catalina.
“Wow. You got here fast, Madrina,” Cathy commented, pushing herself off of the door. Catalina just grunted and nodded, doubling over to catch her breath.
“ Ay Dios, these are not running shoes…” Catalina grumbled, shooting Cathy a glare as she giggled at her situation. “You laugh now, but one day you’ll see. One day it’ll be you, and I’m going to be the one laughing.”
Cathy just nodded, still smiling widely. “Sure, sure, uh-huh,” Cathy said, barely containing more laughter. Catalina rolled her eyes playfully at her goddaughter.
Catalina stood up straight and smoothed her hair back down before she dropped her voice low and asked, “So…did you get it?”
Cathy shifted, revealing a small, thin, white box with a lid from behind her back. “This is it, right?”
A deep sigh escaped Catalina upon seeing the box, and she slumped forward slightly, feeling her anxiety lessen. Catalina shot one quick look over her shoulder at Jane (who was thankfully focused on her phone) before taking the box and slipping it into the pocket of her pants.
“Oh gracias a Dios , thank god,” Catalina murmured, pressing a hand to her chest, right over the locket. She felt both giddy and deeply tired, the adrenaline from the drive over to the theatre finally having worn off.
Then Catalina pulled Cathy into a hug, her goddaughter squeaking in surprise before hugging back. Catalina rested her chin on Cathy’s head and murmured, “Thank you mija . Thank you so much.”
Cathy managed to mumble, “It was nothing,” from where her face was pressed into Catalina’s chest.
The two queens, the first and the last, stayed wrapped in their embrace for what felt like hours but couldn’t have been more than mere seconds when Catalina first felt it.
Pulling back from Cathy, Catalina turned her head up towards the darkening sky in confusion.
She blinked as a drop of water fell right between the eyes.
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me-” Catalina’s frustrated complaint was met with more rainfall, and it began to drizzle lightly, but steadily.
It wasn’t enough for Catalina to get soaked, but it was enough to make her worry about whether or not it would get worse. If it did, Catalina could kiss her beach plans goodbye, and with it, the romantic moment she’d intended to have.
And that wasn’t even mentioning how bad traffic got in the rain.
Cathy was also staring up at the sky, wearing a look of annoyance at the sudden drizzle. She turned back to Catalina to say something, but Catalina was already pressing a kiss to her forehead and bidding her to take care, speed walking back towards the car.
Jane was waiting for her in the car, having looked up from her phone once she’d heard the ever recognizable sound of rain.
“Did you get it?” Jane asked as Catalina climbed back into the car, shutting the door behind her.
“Yeah,” Catalina said, patting her pocket again to confirm that it was, in fact, there. Jane’s eyes followed her hand but she made no comment, instead simply sitting back as Catalina got them back onto the street. “Thanks for waiting.”
“Anytime, love,” Jane said softly, turning to stare out of her window, the glass already growing foggy from the rain. “Guess Anna was right about the rain.”
Catalina hummed in agreement, but dread pooled in her stomach as the rain’s intensity increased. “You brought a jacket though, right?”
Jane patted her lap, where her beige coat rested, folded up neatly. Catalina blushed, feeling silly for not noticing. “Nevermind.”
Catalina glanced at the clock and held her breath, hoping she hadn’t spent too much time with Cathy or that they wouldn’t be cutting it too close to the reservation time.
6:37 pm.
The restaurant was usually a good 5-minute drive from the theatre, but in the rain, it’d probably be closer to 10 minutes.
The gnawing feeling of dread in Catalina’s stomach grew heavier as anxious thoughts swirled in her head about not making it to the restaurant on time.
Catalina shook her head and huffed, determined to save at least one part of the night, since it seemed like the beach was going to be out of the question entirely.
Damn you, weather app, you sneaky liar.
Worst-case scenario, we show up a little late to the restaurant, but I have a reservation. It’ll be fine. I can give Jane the locket there. It’ll be just as romantic.
And it’s not like it’s the end of the world we’re a couple of minutes late, right?
“I’m sorry, what do you mean my reservation is invalid?”
The host raised their hands in a show of innocence. “We are very, very sorry ma’am, but we have a strict tardiness policy. You can't be seated if you arrive more than 5 minutes later than your reserved time.”
Catalina blinked, her eyes wide with both disbelief and anger. The host had the misfortune of having to inform her of the policy, and could obviously tell the emotions Catalina was feeling, if the way he was leaning away from her said anything.
Taking what was supposed to be a deep, calming breath but ended up being more of an aggravated huff, Catalina reigned herself in and asked as politely as she could, “And there’s nothing you can do?”
The host shook their head apologetically. “No, it’s the owner’s policy and we have to abide by it. We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.”
The host peered over Catalina’s shoulder at the line that was growing behind her, and looked at her guiltily. “I have to assist the other guests now, so I’m going to have to ask you to kindly move aside.”
Rage bubbled up inside of Catalina’s stomach as the host’s words, but Catalina managed to nod and whisper a quiet, “Alright, thank you,” to them before turning and walking out of the restaurant.
The rain had started to come down much harder than the drizzle from earlier, but Catalina couldn’t find it in herself to care about the weather after what had just happened.
Anger, despair, denial, regret, and a number of other negative emotions churned around inside Catalina as she thought about her situation.
They’d been 9 minutes late.
9 minutes.
9 minutes was all it took for Catalina’s plans to fall apart.
There was a canopy outside of the restaurant that Catalina had told Jane to wait under while Catalina went inside to get them seated since the inside was crowded. Catalina looked around the small area shielded from the rain, desperately trying to figure out what to tell Jane when she inevitably had to break the news. She eventually caught sight of the blonde hair she’d come to love, and the lump in Catalina’s throat only swelled.
Jane looked beautiful standing under the dim outside lighting, backed by the raindrops falling around the canopy. Half of her hair was up in a small bun, the rest falling down on her shoulders. Her coat was buttoned up and she had her hands tucked into her pockets. She was staring absently into the rain, rocking back and forth on her feet slightly, waiting for Catalina to return.
The tears welling in Catalina’s eyes threatened to fall at the sight of her girlfriend waiting for her.
How, how did I manage to screw this up so bad?
No one had told her about the tardiness policy!
It wasn’t supposed to rain today!
She hadn’t meant to leave the locket at the theatre!
It’s not fair!
Why did it seem like no matter how hard she tried, nothing would go right for Catalina?
All she wanted was one good night to celebrate with her girlfriend, and she couldn’t even do that correctly.
Catalina hadn’t realized she was crying until a hand was brushing away a tear that was rolling down her cheek. Without Catalina noticing, Jane had snuck up on her, and was now standing in front of her.
“Hey, what happened? What’s wrong?” Jane’s voice was quiet and soft, and she took Catalina’s face in her hands. Catalina focused on her face through the tears, and it broke her heart to see the concern etched into her features.
Tonight was supposed to be perfect.
“I-” Catalina’s voice cracked but she couldn’t find it within herself to care. “We were late. They wouldn’t seat us because we were late.”
Jane looked like she wanted to say something but Catalina wouldn’t let her get a word in, her thoughts spilling out of her now that the night had been ruined.
“And we were supposed to go to the beach after this, I wanted to take you there and it was supposed to be romantic and nice but it started raining, but I didn’t know it would! Even though Anna told us, I just didn’t think it would happen, like an idiot, and I-” Catalina swallowed hard. “I just wanted to make tonight special. I wanted you to enjoy it. And so far all we’ve done is take trips to work on our off day and miss our dinner reservation- Jane, I am so, so sorry.”
Jane’s mouth hung open slightly at Catalina’s confession, but she was quick to compose herself. “Oh Lina,” Jane murmured, pulling Catalina closer to her by her face. “Come here.”
And with that, Catalina was pulled into a fierce kiss. She hadn't expected it, and didn’t think she could keep up with it, but Jane was her fuel. Jane kissed her with such a passion that she couldn’t help but return, and she tried to apologize and show Jane just how sorry she was through the kiss.
When they finally pulled away, they were both panting, their foreheads resting against each other. Catalina had gripped Jane’s hips and pulled her closer, wanting to take some of Jane’s strength for herself.
“Lina, my love,” Jane said softly while Lina caught her breath. “I already told you once today: being with you, spending time with you…that’s enough for me. You, just you, are more than enough for me.”
And just like that, Catalina wanted to start crying all over again.
Catalina tried to protest but Jane shushed her with a finger over her lips. “Come on,” Jane said, pulling away from the first queen but slipping her hand into Catalina’s. “Let’s go back to the car.”
Catalina let herself be led by Jane out from under the canopy and into the steady rain, down the street to where the car was parked. The two ran together, Catalina holding her suit jacket over her and Jane. When they reached the car, Catalina made for the driver’s door, but was stopped by Jane.
“Nope,” Jane said, popping the ‘p’ sound. “I’m driving. Passenger side for you.”
Catalina cocked her head in confusion. “Are we not going back home?”
Jane shook her head, an amused smile stretching across her lips. She leaned forward until she and Catalina were toe-to-toe, their noses touching.
And Jane whispered, “Me to know. You to find out.”
Catalina was left standing under her own jacket in the rain, mouth hanging open in shock as Jane climbed into the driver’s seat.
Jane rolled the window down and called out, “Come on! You’re going to get soaked and get sick! Hurry up!”
Catalina shook herself out of her daze and got into the passenger’s seat. So many emotions were still swirling in her chest because of the night’s events, but when Jane took her hand from across the center console, one thing became clear:
As long as Jane was by her side, she’d be ok.
Catalina was going to be ok.
“Jane, where are we?”
Catalina turned in a circle, inspecting the small gazebo she and Jane were standing in. It was originally painted white, but time and the elements had worn the paint down to reveal a dark brown wood underneath. The stone bench in the center was crumbling and dirty, but just large enough to fit the both of them, so they gladly sat on it. It was old, but it was charming; there was a certain warmth to the place that combated the coldness of the rain falling around them.
Or it was the fact that Catalina was still holding Jane’s hand and that the blonde was tucked into her side that made her warm, but Catalina couldn’t be 100% sure.
“A park,” Jane responded, and at Catalina’s silence, she elaborated. “Kitty brought me here a long time ago, a little while after we first came back. She needed a quiet place to be alone with her thoughts, and at some point, I guess she decided she wanted a quiet place to be alone with someone.”
Jane didn’t say more after that and Catalina didn’t push it; Kitty and Jane’s business was their business, not hers. Instead, Catalina asked another question that sat in her mind.
“Why did you bring me here if it’s your spot?”
Jane turned as best as she could in the small space of the bench and gazed up at Catalina. “Because I wanted to show you that I don’t need anything else but you. We’re alone here, it’s just you and me and whatever we chose to do together. And that’s all I’ll ever want from you.” Jane spoke with such certainty that Catalina felt as though she was in a church, hearing a priest preach about God in only the way those that truly believe can.
Catalina felt tears well in her eyes again from the overwhelming love she was feeling but also from guilt as well.
“You know, I was supposed to be the one that planned tonight. You were just supposed to sit back and enjoy it,” Catalina said, laughing mirthlessly at how useless she seemed to be.
“Stop that.” Jane swatted Catalina’s shoulder before resting her head on that same shoulder. “It’s our anniversary babe, we’re in this together. Spending today with you was more than enough for me.”
Jane squeezed closer to Catalina, but both of them winced as something hard pressed into their thighs. “What have you got there?” Jane asked, scooting away from Catalina as she retrieved the object from her pocket.
Holding the locket box in her hands, in front of Jane, Catalina felt a little silly. She’d gone out of her way to keep it a secret from Jane and give it to her at what she thought would be the perfect moment on the beach, but sitting in the gazebo with Jane at her side, with the steady sound of rain around them, Catalina realized there wouldn’t be a moment more perfect than the one she was in right then.
Taking a deep breath, Catalina turned as much as she could on the limited space of the bench towards Jane, who was looking up at her curiously.
“I wanted to give this to you on the beach,” Catalina said softly, taking the lid off of the box. She turned it towards Jane, who gasped quietly upon recognizing what it was. “I really love the one you gave me, and I…I wanted us to match.”
Jane didn’t say anything as she reached out and slowly took the locket from the box. Catalina kept her eyes fixed on the ground, Jane’s lack of verbal response causing her anxiety to spike.
Gathering her courage, Catalina sucked in a breath and prepared herself to ask Jane if she liked it - but the wind was knocked clean out of her when Jane suddenly wrapped her arms around Catalina’s middle and pulled her into a tight hug.
“I love you.”
Jane’s voice was muffled, seeing as her face was buried in Catalina’s shoulder, but Catalina heard her loud and clear.
Returning the hug, Catalina kissed the top of Jane’s head and whispered, “I love you too.”
The couple stayed with their arms wrapped around each other for many long minutes. Catalina was more than happy to keep holding Jane, for the rest of time if she could, but Jane shifted, pulling away from Catalina.
“Put it on me?” Jane sounded hopeful and pleading, as if there was any chance Catalina would say no to her.
Catalina nodded. “Of course.”
The pair turned so Jane’s back was pressed against Catalina’s front. Jane passed the locket back to Catalina and gathered her hair over her shoulder, giving Catalina room to put the locket on Jane.
“You know…” Catalina paused as she struggled with the clasp on the locket. “I didn’t put any pictures in there. I was thinking…we could find some to put in there together?”
Catalina took Jane’s hair and carefully pulled it back over her shoulder, before wrapping her arms around Jane’s middle and resting her head on Jane’s shoulder.
“I think that’s a good idea,” Jane murmured, holding the locket between her fingers. She leaned back into Catalina’s arms and soon dropped her hands to cover Catalina’s. Jane fell silent after that and Catalina was not particularly inclined to fill that silence.
Well, not until the rain increased in intensity, coming down harder on the gazebo and all around them.
“We’re going to be stuck here for a bit, huh?” Catalina shivered and pulled Jane closer, relishing in the smell of Jane’s hair.
“Seems like it.” Jane slipped her hands over Catalina’s and interlocked their fingers. “But I’m with my favorite person, so it’s not a big deal.”
Catalina blushed and buried her face into Jane’s neck, groaning. “Stop being so cute!”
Jane just laughed and turned to press a kiss to Catalina’s cheek. “Aw, but you know you love it.”
“I do, I do,” Catalina conceded with a smile. “And I love you , too.”
“Love you more.”
“Love you the most.”
“…Hey, that’s not fair!” Jane’s attempt at an outraged cry dissolved into a fit of giggles as Catalina peppered kisses along her neck.
The couple lapsed into silence again, with nothing to disturb them this time. It was calm inside the small gazebo, with the rain providing background noise and the weight of Jane in Catalina’s arms. The first queen allowed her eyes to close, enjoying simply being there in the moment with her lover.
It didn’t take long for a light wind to pick up and run through the gazebo, chilling Catalina to the bone. She shivered again, and pulled Jane impossibly closer. Jane had started humming a nameless tune under her breath, and the sound filled Catalina with a peace she hadn’t known in a long time.
It also filled Catalina with warmth - and it wasn’t just from the humming.
Just being there with Jane, despite all the odds, and getting to hold her closely and tightly was enough to give Catalina warmth and protect her from the unforgiving cold around them.
And in the stillness of the park, Catalina realized (but not for the first time that night) that as long as she had Jane, as long as the two of them were together, everything was going to be ok.
It would always be better when they were together.