[chapter twenty]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
**
Alexa sighed as she slipped her hand into Robby's, watching Phoenix dash off across the property in search of something to chase or play with. She glanced over at Robby, her brow wrinkling with concern.
Something must have happened at work today. Robby was so quiet.
Robby was never quiet. Everyone knew that.
"Hon?" She said. "You okay? You seem…" She shrugged. "I dunno. Not yourself today. Did something happen at work."
Robby shook his head as they continued walking in the direction Phoenix had taken off toward. "No, just…" He gave an answering shrug. "Nothing."
"Okay." She said softly, giving his hand a squeeze and smiling before Robby tugged on her hand, stopping her abruptly. She turned to look into his eyes, noting the combination of fear, excitement and confusion in them. She cocked her head but said nothing, regarding him.
"I can't do this anymore." Robby said softly, looking down. Alexa felt her heart turn to ice.
He couldn't do this to her. He couldn't do this. Not now. Not after the perfection of the last few months.
Fucking bastard. He couldn't do this to her.
"I can't do this." Robby repeated, more to himself. "I have to…"
Alexa tried to step away from him, but he tightened his grip on her hand.
"Lex…there's something…there's something I need to say to you, and I don't know how to. So I'm just gonna….yeah….just gonna say it. The last few months…I've been happier with you around that I ever have been. You make me…" Robby shrugged, struggling for words. "So I decided that if having you around makes me happy, I should do something about that. Lex…"
Alexa stood stock still, waiting for whatever words were to follow.
"I'm thinking the best way to keep me happy would be to make you my wife."
Alexa squeezed her eyes shut, unable to breathe.
This can't be happening, this can't be happening, her brain repeated over and over and over.
"I was hoping I wouldn't have to bribe you." Robby said, finally breaking into a grin as he dug into his pocket and pulled out a black box. Cracking it open, he showed her the most perfect diamond ring she'd ever laid eyes on.
Her eyes filled with tears as she looked from the ring to Robby's face.
"Babe? Say something." Robby said with a tender smile. "Please."
"Oh my god…" Alexa breathed before throwing herself into Robby's waiting arms. She cried in earnest as his arms wrapped around her, pulling her tightly against his chest. "Mrph. Og mur gaw…" She said, her voice muffled against him, her body wracked with sobs.
"What?" Robby asked, pulling her away to look at her face.
"Yes. Oh my god, yes. Yes, yes, yes…" She whispered.
Robby heaved out a deep breath. "Thank you god." He said to the heavens before handing over the black box from his shaking fingers to Alexa's even shakier ones. "Say it again." He whispered.
Alexa's eyes still brimmed with tears as she looked at him while slipping the ring onto her finger. "Yes. I'll marry you."
Robby grinned like a little boy as she looked at the ring on her finger. "Did you…" She began, giving him a teasing look.
"Nah. Faye helped." Robby laughed.
Alexa threw herself into his arms
again with a happy giggle.