Chapter Text
Dating Didi Santos Cordero is nice. So nice Julie blinks, four years pass, and she realizes that it only gets nicer. She'd held her breath, braced for the sudden stop, for that lovely glitter to leave her eyes, for the ebb and flow to grow stagnant, but the end of the dream never came. Somewhere in-between the late nights and long days Didi had carved herself a space in Julie's life—that never got old. No day was like another, and Julie didn't hate that. Didi slipped into place at Julie's side like it had always been hers. She inspired Julie to be better and walked with her every step of the way, never ceasing to rise to occasion when her own shortcomings presented themselves. They grew to trust one another implicitly, their values and beliefs aligning spectacularly well. No one could make her laugh like Didi, and no one could keep up with her like Didi. When life threw hooks and shit got intense, no one hit back harder than Didi.
Once Julie had woken up one morning next to the surprising woman for the fifth morning in a row and simply felt right, that was when she'd known she never wanted it to end.
So, after careful planning and consideration, she organizes a date with Didi at a quiet and intimate place at a quiet and intimate time. After a fine dining experience in Didi's favorite cuisine, she takes her partner's hand and leads them on a casual stroll through town to a nearby park and garden. It's late at night, stars twinkling overhead. The park is illuminated by gentle scenic lights in the sidewalk that focus on the city's prized botanicals, allowing visitors to have a low-stimuli experience. There is no closing time, and close to no one else is out enjoying the scene. The lack of traffic on the road makes the quiet soothingly still.
Perhaps sensing the weight Julie carries this evening, Didi is likewise quiet and pensive. She glances at her a time or two with unspoken curiosity, but chooses to appreciate the mystery rather than try to solve it. Most of their walk is spent in silence, just enjoying being together.
Eventually, they come upon the place Julie has been imagining for the past four weeks. A solitary bench tucked between luscious hibiscus trees, affording a semblance of privacy in the dark of evening. Julie leads Didi toward it and sits down, takes both of Didi's hands.
"Didi," she begins softly, her first words since dinner, "I know I don't say it often, but I think you're pretty impressive."
Didi's eyebrows raise and angle in amusement. "Well, I guess that's good to know."
"There aren't many people as patient, kind, honest, and devoted as you are. You're actually very impressive," Julie's thumbs rub over Didi's knuckles. She leans nearer and Didi's expression sobers as she returns Julie's vulnerable gaze. "It's admirable that you stay that way. You don't make excuses or cop out. You're the real deal. You actually inspire me."
Didi's eyebrows take on a suspicious angle. "I'll take the compliments—'cause they're true—but I'm a little suspicious now. What's got you in a flattering mood?" Didi narrows her eyes playfully. Julie never languishes over anything, quick to move on from most events, and is of the opinion that truly great things don't need anyone to point out their greatness. She is hesitant to give compliments, let alone big ones. And in general, she believes making others feel good about themselves is not her job.
Julie doesn't shy away from Didi's insight.
"I think we make a great team, don't you?" she says.
Didi's answer is unexpectedly soft, "I do."
Julie sighs wistfully, tersely, at hearing those words. Hopefully, she can get her to repeat them. "Right?" she grins. "Like a good wine pairing, or analogous colors. We complement each other. I never get tired of you.
"What I mean is," she tries to clarify at Didi's loud snort, "I could see us staying together."
"Wow, and here I am thinking I've been in a committed relationship up to this point."
"You know what I mean."
Didi nods, still grinning. "You're being very sweet, Julie. Thank you." She tugs Julie in to give her a warm peck on the lips. "And I agree with you. I want to stay together. You're pretty impressive yourself," she winks.
A shot of happiness makes Julie smile. "I'm glad to hear that. I never expected to get so used to you, you know? To fall in love with you and have you permeate so much of my world. You've impacted me for the better and…I've realized that I never want there to be a day where you're not a part of my life."
"Really?" Didi's voice is suddenly wispy. Her large eyes are close enough to see the stars in. Her breath ghosts over Julie's lips. "Julie... I..."
"So,"
Julie stands, still holding on to one of Didi's hands. When she gestures for Didi to stay as she is, Didi watches her with an eyebrow raised. Julie pauses for a breath, gathers her resolve. She sweeps a leg back and is proud to say she gracefully eases into a crouch through her nerves. As she slowly descends onto one knee, Didi's emotions shift across her face. Curiosity becomes confusion, which becomes shock the instant Julie is fully kneeled. Her eyes are blown wide when Julie reaches for her pocket.
"Didi Santos Cordero," Julie says, a confident smile winning against a minuscule doubt that blooms under her collar. Her heart is beating hard against her chest as her fingers fish the suede box out of her pocket and she presents it proudly in one smooth motion, flipping the lid back with ease. "My perfect complement. Will you marry me?"
Didi covers her mouth with her free hand. She nods her head with increasing intensity. The last of Julie's nerves slip away, and she beams up at Didi with a grin that splits her face. "Yes?"
"Yes!"
Didi pulls her up and they share a deep, passionate kiss on the bench. If any passerby happen to witness the event, they are graciously mindful and don't cheer or linger. Julie and Didi are able to enjoy each other semi-privately, immersed in their own world for the time being. It's ideal. It's perfect.
The kiss grows a little intense, then slows, the two reluctantly parting for air and holding each other close around the waist. Julie is awkwardly propped on one knee beside Didi's hip, but it's worth being close to her. "Oh my god, Julie," Didi confesses as they press their foreheads together and brush noses, "I've been wanting to ask you but I was still working up the guts. This is perfect." Julie doesn't think she can smile any wider; that this wasn't an emotional spur-of-the moment decision for Didi but a carefully considered and long desired probability cements her faith in the decision to propose. She really wants this as much as she does! Without warning, Didi kisses her again, this time ardently and with teeth, threatening to tip Julie over. She growls against her mouth, "God, you're perfect."
Julie laughs, clicking the suede box closed and sitting beside Didi before an accident happens, breaking the kiss. "That's a new one."
"Oh, you're still weird," Didi reaches for the box and reopens it, but her eyes are on Julie, "but you're perfect for me."
Another kiss, just as full and meaningful, and Julie can admit to herself that she is very, very happy. As sappy as it is, she could get lost in this moment.
With the giddy energy of a kid at Christmas, Didi pulls away to pay attention to the ring. Her ring. Her engagement ring. From Julie! The stone is a modest size but cut wide, intricately, and immaculately inlaid. The band is gold, the stone is a diamond. It's minimal but refined, just like Julie. Didi carefully extracts the ring from the box and slides it onto her ring finger. It's a perfect fit, no doubt the result of good detective work.
"You sure you really wanna do this?" Didi turns to her paramour—her fianceè—and smirks, her heart fluttering at the way Julie's furrowed eyebrows don't interrupt the softness of her gaze. "You're not afraid I'll smother you?"
Julie blinks. She lifts her eyebrows lightly and her smile dissolves. "You know what? You have a point," she reaches for the ring on Didi's hand. "On second thought, I'll need that back."
Didi snatches her hand away. "Ne-ver!"
"Then why bother asking me?" Julie smiles. She leans forward to make a lackluster grab for the ring again, letting Didi easily dodge it.
"Why bother proposing if you're just going to change your mind like that?" Didi replies. "You're wishy-washy. I have to trap you before you get away."
"You're honey-trapping me?"
"Indubitably."
"Dammit," Julie makes a more earnest reach for the ring and is evaded again. "I should have known. They always change their tune when they get the nuptials."
"If I'm leaving, I'm leaving with half of everything you got."
"You low-life."
"Don't hate the player, hate the game, Investigator."
"Well, joke's on you," Julie's smile widens as she leans too far for the ring, misses, and ends up halfway in Didi's lap. She doesn't move, and Didi only pulls her in closer. "You shouldn't have told me your plan. I'll just leave you first and take half of everything you've got."
"I'd like to see you get away from me now." Didi says lowly, emphasizing her point by tightening her hold to lock Julie in place. She leans in for yet another kiss. By this point, the PDA has exceeded excessive, but Julie doesn't resist it. She cradles Didi's face in her hands and whispers against her lips.
"I'm not going anywhere."