Zoey's nerves melted away as she watched Harriet, who was clearly relishing every moment on stage. Harriet smiled at her as they harmonized on the chorus, strumming her guitar while moving closer to Zoey, sharing her mic. Their eyes met, exchanging a silent, electric connection that made Zoey's heart race. Harriet grinned and returned to her mic, calling to the audience, "Everyone, sing with us!" The crowd erupted in song, joining the melody with enthusiasm.
As Riley played a solo, Harriet slung her guitar behind her and extended a hand to Zoey. Taking it, Zoey allowed Harriet to lead her to the front of the stage. Harriet pushed aside the lyrics display, and Zoey looked at her, puzzled. The music softened, turning into a gentle, romantic tune as Nyx and Riley played with a quieter harmony in the background.
Harriet leaned close, whispering, "I've been waiting for the right moment, and I think it's now." She motioned for Zoey to turn around, where a projector screen at the back of the stage lit up with a video montage. Zoey's heart leapt as she watched, her eyes widening when the final image appeared, spelling out the words: Will you marry me, Zoey Foster?
The crowd gasped, and Zoey's hand flew to her mouth as she turned to Harriet, who was already down on one knee, a small box in hand, holding a sparkling ring. Harriet's hazel eyes looked up at her, warm and steady.
"Oh my God..." Zoey whispered, a hand covering her face as emotions welled up.
Holding the mic in one hand, Harriet laughed nervously, her voice soft. "I know I'm not the best at grand gestures, but I've wanted to tell you for so long how much I love you." She looked at Zoey with an endearing mix of vulnerability and sincerity. "I want you with me, forever. I want you by my side, in all the chaos and calm. I love you, Zoey, just as you are."
Zoey wiped at her eyes, her laughter mixed with sniffles as she took it all in. Harriet bit her lip and took a breath. "So... will you marry me, Zoey?"
The crowd roared with excitement as they waited for Zoey's answer. Zoey let out a joyful laugh, cupping Harriet's face and nodding as she whispered, "Yes..." Her voice rose, "Yes, I'll marry you."
Harriet's smile widened, and with a slight tremor in her hands, she slipped the ring onto Zoey's finger. Zoey helped her to her feet, pulling her into a tight embrace. Vera and Sienna were on their feet, cheering in delighted surprise.
"You know, you can't take it back now," Harriet teased, brushing a tear from Zoey's cheek.
Zoey laughed, sniffling, "That's not even an option."
"Good," Harriet replied, cupping Zoey's face and drawing her into a soft kiss. Riley and Nyx picked up the song's final chorus, energizing the crowd even more.
Harriet finally pulled back, her arms wrapping around Zoey as she whispered, "God, I love you so much."
Zoey nestled into Harriet's shoulder, smiling. "I love you even more," she murmured. "But you know, you gave me a spotlight moment with that proposal," she added with a soft laugh.
"Only the best for you," Harriet replied, grinning, as the crowd continued their ecstatic applause.
Zoey giggled softly as Harriet hugged her from behind, burying her face in Zoey's shoulder and wrapping them both snugly in her coat, warding off the chill of the winter night. Content, Zoey let herself relax into Harriet's embrace, unconcerned if anyone saw them this way.
Vera's voice chimed in, laughing. "Look at these two, acting all lovey-dovey right in front of us! We get it-you're freshly engaged. But could you dial down the clinginess?" she teased, giving Harriet a light smack on the head.
Harriet chuckled and pulled Zoey even closer. "Nyx, maybe you should propose to Vera again. I think she's getting envious of my proposal to Zoey," she said, resting her cheek against Zoey's shoulder. Zoey laughed along with her, their warmth and ease drawing smiles from the others.
"Oh, I could go for a public proposal if Vera wanted," Nyx said with a smirk, glancing over at her wife.
"Don't even think about it!" Vera shot back, her cheeks flushing pink.
Harriet laughed and shrugged. "Actually, now that I think about it, I've never heard the full story of how you proposed to Vera," Riley said, raising an eyebrow as she looked between Nyx and Vera.
Vera's face turned even redder as Nyx gently pried her hand away from her mouth. "It's classified," Nyx said with a grin. "Strictly for Vera's eyes only."
Vera gave Nyx a playful pinch on the waist. "Enough already!" she huffed, flustered.
Still hugging Zoey, Harriet tilted her head. "If I recall, it involved-"
"Oh, Harriet, don't you dare!" Vera said quickly, covering her ears with a groan.
Nyx laughed, draping an arm over Vera's shoulders. "Well, you know, I practically kneel to her every day, so consider it a daily ritual," she said, planting a kiss on Vera's forehead before darting away.
"Nyxana!" Vera yelled, laughing as she took off after Nyx.
Harriet and Zoey exchanged an amused glance, then burst into laughter themselves, shaking their heads at the two.
As their companions left, Harriet and Zoey lingered in the bar's parking lot, sharing soft laughter under the streetlights. Harriet sighed, clicking her tongue in disbelief.
"I still can't believe we're engaged. I mean, we started out practically at each other's throats," Harriet said, chuckling as memories of their early days together came rushing back.
Zoey giggled. "Ah, yes, the cold-hearted doctor," she teased, wrapping her arms around Harriet's.
Harriet laughed. "And you? You were always getting under my skin," she said, nudging Zoey gently. "But here we are."
Zoey shrugged, letting out a contented sigh. "I honestly never imagined you'd even want me as your girlfriend," she said, smiling warmly. "I mean, you always hated how blunt I was-remember how annoyed you'd get when I called you out?"
Harriet nodded slowly. "Turns out, that 'hate' turned into something else," she said, her voice softening. "But really, Zoey, I couldn't ask for more. My life feels whole because of you-you filled a part of me I didn't know was missing." She turned to face Zoey, her gaze tender as she gently cupped her face. "Thank you for helping me let go of the past and letting me into your life."
Zoey's smile deepened, her own eyes glistening. "You completed the missing piece in me too. Maybe we were meant for each other all along?" She tiptoed up and pressed a soft kiss to Harriet's lips.
Harriet wrapped her arms around her, deepening the kiss just as delicate snowflakes began to drift down around them. "I love you, Zoey," she murmured against her lips.