"Very funny, asshole," Misty said, unsuccessful at holding in a chuckle. "Nice to see that Laura told you everything she saw last night. You better not tell anyone else, either."
"Hey," Laura said, coming to her own defense, "you can't blame me for that. You should have checked a bit closer to see if we were here. And we're just rippin' on ya, girl. We won't tell anyone else, we swear it!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah... anyway, Howie was thoroughly embarrassed, although he won't say it. He may never come back here again, thanks to you, ya perv," Misty said, giving Laura a shove. Kevin wrapped his arms around Laura and they both just chuckled at Misty, still understandably mortified that someone, Laura especially, had caught her and Howie "in the act."
Laura gave Kevin a smooch and gulped down a small glass of juice. She turned to walk down to the bathroom, as Kevin said, "I sincerely doubt it, Mis. Especially since Laura will be moving in with me soon, so you guys will have all the privacy you want."
Laura stopped dead in her tracks and turned back into the kitchen. "Um, excuse me?!" She was shocked, for this is the first she had heard of this idea. It kind of scared her because it was so fast, but at the same time, she couldn't imagine living apart from Kevin. Still shocked, she said, "Move in with you?"
"Yeah, why not?" Kevin said, as sure as he could be. Never had anything made more sense to him. "I love you, you love me, right? I just know that I want to be near you as much as I can, and what better way?" Kevin couldn't believe he was saying the words, for Laura wasn't the only one that thought this was fast. And even though Kevin's always been one to take his time, he never felt so sure about anything in his life.
"Of course I love you, Kevin. I--I would love to move in with you," Laura said, almost falling into Kevin's embrace. Just then Nick and Patti, AJ and Whitney, Brian and Leighanne, and Howie walked in.
"Hey, what's going on?" Leighanne said, as Howie walked past her and sat down, with Misty following to sit on his lap.
"Oh, nothing major," Misty said, kissing Howie hello. "Kevin just asked Laura to move in with him, that's all."
"Oh my God, that's wonderful!" Howie said, an unusually nervous tone in his voice. Misty sensed it, and whispered in his ear, "Don't worry, Laura said she wasn't gonna tell anyone about last night. Laura always keeps her word," she said, winking at him.
"So what brings all of you here this morning?" Misty asked, turning her attention to the large group of people in her kitchen.
"Actually, we were wondering the same thing," Whitney said. "Howie insisted that we all meet here this morning. So, um, what's up, D?"
"Yeah, I actually wanted to sleep in this morning," Nick whined, then smiled slyly at Patti. "Yep," Patti said, smiling back, "I wore the poor guy out last night!"
"So, D, you gonna tell us, or do we have to guess?" Brian asked jokingly. Misty's curiosity was definitely piqued, because even she didn't know what was going on.
"Well," Howie began, still obviously nervous, "I asked all of you here," he continued, looking around as he stood up, letting Misty take his chair, "because I have something very important to say and do, and I want my closest friends around me when I do it." Howie then turned to Misty. "Misty, I have never known someone like you. Since knowing you the short time I have, I've never felt so close and connected to someone as I do you. And, I don't ever want this to end." Howie pulled a small box out of his pocket as he dropped to his knee in front of Misty. Needless to say, Misty was speechless, as was everyone else, including Laura and Kevin. "Misty, I love you, and nothing would make me happier then if you would marry me," he said, slipping a gorgeous ring on her finger. You could have heard a pin drop as everyone held their breath, waiting for Misty's answer, but they didn't have to wait long.
"Of course I'll marry you, Howie!" Misty said, crying tears of joy. Everyone sighed and hugged and applauded as Misty and Howie kissed, sealing their engagement. Misty looked at Laura over Howie's shoulder, as Laura mouthed, "Congratulations," to her. Looks like we have a lot to celebrate, Laura thought, smiling at Misty and Howie and all the rest of their friends, and then Kevin. Kevin kissed her forehead, as he held her close. Truly this is one day, none of them would ever forget.
