. you and i

[freddie beaumont]

FREDDIE

They were three days into the baby moon that Freddie's mom insisted they take. Sitting at dinner, while his insides twisted from nerves. He ordered an old fashioned, to help alleviate those symptoms that he was fighting, wanting to give nothing away of what awaited them back in their suite. Of course they were staying at  a Beaumont, where he arranged for the staff to decorate the room. Roses, candles, chilled non-alcoholic champagne on top of the mini-bar. Aisha had chosen the location of their dinner, conversation flowing endless just as it  did with the two of them. She would attempt to scowl at something he said, while Freddie smirked back. Back and forth, always. She'd brushed off the idea of their engagement, the first night of the getaway. But with the encouragement of both Daisy and his own mother, Freddie felt confident he'd make the right choice.  "You go ahead, I need to talk to the front desk about something." He wanted Aisha to process without him, the sight she'd see as soon as the key was tapped against the door. Her heels click against the porcelain floor, and the elevator bell clicks. "Everything good?" He questions the receptionist and manager, both nodding as his hands feels the pocket where the ring had been the entire night. "Thanks again." Are the last words he says before heading up to meet Aisha.

[aisha van buren]

AISHA

Aisha impales the last morsel of chocolate fudge cake on her fork, relishing the rich sweetness that unfurls on her tongue. She was not usually one for dessert but this baby had been terrorising her practically from the minute she had decided to will herself into existence, the whole pregnancy a much more gruelling affair than Aria had ever been, despite how much more comfortable the position had been. Things had improved since Freddie had stepped up to the plate, suddenly transformed into a father and a partner too, letting her focus on little else besides growing his second daughter. Though she would never say as much she was grateful for him, though she felt sick with envy as a cocktail is placed in front of him. "What's up with you?" she asks, her eyes narrowed at him, revealing more of her smokey eyeshadow. He had been distracted, something she noticed since they had been so comfortable otherwise, the conversation flowing between them and physical affection coming easily. She rolls her eyes once he tells her to go on up ahead, mild irritation building as she made her way up to their suite, wondering if there was something he was hiding from her. "Asshole," she mutters, beeping her way into the room only to stop dead. She drops the clutch she had been holding, both hands up to her mouth as she staggered further into the room, taking it all in.

[freddie beaumont]

FREDDIE

Freddie brushes off the questioning she gives once they finish the dinner course, cursing inside his head that he'd been a little bit off. His mind spinning of what could occur this evening. Would Aisha say yes? Or no? The last few months between the two of them had proven that they could co-parent, plus be partners. Monogamy being in Freddie's vocabulary since the realization of feelings hit him about Aisha. A summer he wouldn't forget. A sexual thought, or two tries to fight it's way into his mind as he watches her devour the chocolate cake, licking the last bits off the spoon. No doubt she'd be ready to further question his behavior once they were alone together in the hotel room. Heart pounding as he gets into the elevator, pressing the floor of that the presidential suite was on. She'd been alone for a few minutes, would now be the time to enter? His feet stop at the door, taking a moment and an exhale of a breath, before scanning the card. Aisha's face is of shock, her hands clutching her mouth as she walks through the candles and roses. Eyes moving in the direction of the closed door, her gaze meeting his. "Hi." Is all he can think to say, at first. "Keep going." Freddie encourages, more surprises on top of the table. A card addressed to her waiting with a single rose.

[aisha van buren]

AISHA

A million reasons flit through Aisha's mind when she considers Freddie's subtly altered mood. Was he bored? Trying to get away from her? Had he banged the maid while she was having her massage earlier? Her heels click against marble, each click indicating her increasing irritation as she wound herself up with imagined possibilities. They all dissolve to nothing as soon as she enters the room, forgotten as quickly as they had been conjured. Somehow this possibility had never occurred to her, no matter how much others had mentioned it as soon as news broke of their impending second child. Stepping out onto the balcony that overlooked their private pool, the air still warm even though it was by now late into the evening, she could see that there were candles absolutely everywhere, the pool teaming with flower petals. She steps back inside, tears leaving streaks in her makeup as she looks at Freddie, her heart hammering in her chest. "You can't be serious," is all she can think to say. She goes to pick up the card, her hand shaking as she holds it out to him. "You read it out."

[freddie beaumont]

FREDDIE

It's quiet in their room now, except for the various sounds that come in through the opened windows of the resort. The light lapping of the pool water, mixed with all kinds of nature. Almost feels peaceful to him in this nerve wracking moment. The night sky helping with an assortment of stars to also light up the path he had created, filled with roses and candles. Aisha follows his instructions, letting her take every bit in. Seeing all the efforts he was trying to make, for her, to her..just as Freddie had been trying to do for the last couple of months. She's silent as she looks out to the pool from the balcony, turning back to look at him with tears forming in her eyes. They break the surface, cascading down her cheeks as she finally finds her voice A chuckle sounds from his throat at the choice of words. Nodding his head, though, to confirm what she'd asked. The most serious he'd been in his entire life, as a giant ring stood in a black box in his pocket to prove it. He's handed the letter and he smiles, watching as she clutches the rose. "For a long time I was scared for a moment like this. Scared of vulnerability, of opening up, of what it truly meant to be in a relationship. With such commitment." He stops at those words. One that had caused her pain, by him, in the past. "But that was until you made me realize that it's what I've wanted. Just with one person, only. You, Aisha." They were still a distance away from each other, Freddie closes the large gap. Leaving just a little bit of space for a future action.. "It seems like the name Mrs. Beaumont has always belonged to you." Freddie states, all the nerves leaving as if it were destined that he asked this question. And he meant it. The past several months meaning a great deal, the inability for Aisha to not occupy his thoughts at all times. She was apart of him now, something he couldn't shake. Dropping to one knee, pulling out the ring he had some help with, he would shock everyone, by saying, "So Aisha Van Buren. Will you make it official? And marry me?" The black box he'd kept hidden out on display for her to say either yes or no to.

[aisha van buren]

AISHA

This wasn't the first time Aisha had been proposed to, and the reaction she's having right now confirms that she was right to say no to Joe when he had asked all those years ago. Then her urge had been to close the ring box as soon as he'd opened it, to snatch it out of his hand and throw it out of the window into the traffic below. Though she had managed to resist that urge, she recognizes now how much of a warning it had been. Seeing Freddie in the same position has her heart beating rapidly in her chest, yes, tears still streaming down her cheeks, but this time the answer was obvious. Stood in a suite of a hotel that beared his name, hearing it again in the context of hers, she felt something click into place that she hadn't realized had been out of joint. "Yes," she says, her voice thick through the tears though she starts laughing, nodding. In the rare moments she had allowed herself to consider this possibility she had imagined it feeling anticlimactic, since she'd already had his children, but she's overwhelmed by how special it still seems. "Yes, of course I'll marry you, you idiot."

[freddie beaumont]

FREDDIE

Time seems to be moving so slow, as he's down on one knee waiting for an answer. But seeing the emotion heavy on her face, he wishes to pause the moment in time. Tears streaking her beautiful face, as her hands still haven't stopped clutching her jaw. She stood there pregnant with his second child, and he's too almost overwhelmed by the sight. She wouldn't be this speechless, or emotional, if she wasn't going to say yes, right? He reminds himself as the seconds pass by. Until she finally mutters the words Freddie was looking, hoping, for. A grin spreads across his own face, wishing he could let her feel how fast his heart was beating right now, as he waited in anticipation for her to say yes. She follows up with saying, 'you idiot' and Freddie laughs. A typical word she often regarded him with, it feels so perfect for them at a time like this. Agreeing and knowing that he'd be forever known as 'idiot' to her. Aisha's hand has left her face, allowing Freddie to grab it and slide the ring onto the left third finger. Their eyes are glued to each other as soon as the ring is fully on, as his large body stands and locks in her yes with a passionate kiss. Hands framing her face, as he deepens the kiss. Pulling apart, Freddie breaks the silence, "if you hate the ring, your mother and mine are to blame. They helped me pick it out." Laughing as he hoped she was satisfied with what they all had chosen. "How should we celebrate?" He reaches to kiss his now fiance, again. "

[aisha van buren]

AISHA

There's a look on Freddie's face that she hasn't seen before, one that's difficult to place. Was it hope? Fear of rejection? She has to laugh. Freddie Beaumont had not experienced a split second of rejection in his life, and despite how much she may try to pretend otherwise (even to herself), the sight of him down on one knee was objectively a fantasy come true. Outrageously good looking, set to the backdrop of one of his many lavish hotels, looking at her with sincere love... it was too much to believe, hard to take in all at once no matter how much she wanted to. With the ring on her finger and her arms slipping around his neck she kisses him deeply, suddenly hungry for him, desperate to convey to him how much she loved him. She laughs as he talks about the ring, surveying it and wiping her eyes with the back of her other hand. It was truly a rock. The thought of their moms coming together to pick it out sends a fresh burst of warmth through her chest. "I love it," she says, finally tearing her eyes off it to look back at him through tear soaked lashes, "and I love you." A few celebratory ideas flit through her mind as they kiss, though she parks them for later. "Let's Facetime Aria, I want to show her! What time is it in New York?"

[freddie beaumont]

FREDDIE

Their kiss is passionate. Mouths meeting with equal hunger for one another. Freddie feeling just as desperate for her. That would have to wait. The news would need to be shared with many. Aria, their parents, Tate, Cora, the list was endless and someone would no doubt be forgotten. A bigger grin approaches his mouth at the mention of her loving the ring. Fully assessing it as the ring was now rested on the proper finger, looking as if it only belonged there. Freddie had been confident she would.. it was Aisha though. Predictable of the most time, but occasionally throwing him off. The last bit of words tug on his heart. The I Love You. Aisha attempts to wipe face with the back of her hand, Freddie assisting with the brush of his thumbs, removing the remainder of black specks left behind. "I love you, too," he murmurs, kissing each of her tear-stained cheeks. Aria's sweet face pops into his head, the thought of her being their flower girl. Freddie looks down at his grandfather's vintage Rolex, remembering from his meetings that the tropical location was on the same time as New York. "We're on the same time. While you're starting that, how about I open the bottles of champagne?" Walking over the bar with the chilled glasses, carefully reaching for the flutes. "Don't make it to long of a call though, baby." Unsure if he could keep his hands off of her for much longer.

[aisha van buren]

AISHA

Aisha can taste her tears as she kisses her future husband, the father of her daughters, the man she suddenly knows was the man for her all along. It's a realisation that comes as naturally as a passing thought or a sweet daydream - she's not shocked by it, she's aware of its inevitability. Freddie Beaumont. Of course it was always going to be him. Slipping into his arms she allows herself a rare loosening of control, melting into the kiss and letting him know how badly she wants him, her body pressed against his. Hearing him return her affection sends her heart soaring. "You're so dumb," she says through laughter as his thumbs brush at her tears, only capable of so much open affection. Her hand finds his cheek, the rough of his beard against her palm as she nuzzles against his touch. Once they are apart it's immediately too soon, but she feels a fresh wave of excitement as she calls her mom, holding her hand up to the camera as the familiar blonde appears, her granddaughter in her lap. "I said yes," she beams, surprised by how un-cheesy it sounds. She takes a flute of champagne, clinking it against his, angling the phone to get him into it. "Look Aria, daddy asked mommy to marry him. Are you excited??"

[freddie beaumont]

FREDDIE

In typical Aisha fashion, she ends a sweet moment with a playful insult directed at him. Meeting his lips one more time before she reaches for her phone to share the news with their daughter. Walking away his hand taps on Aisha's bottom, laughing and shaking his head at the look she gives just as her mother picks up. The champagne opens with a pop as he fills each of the flutes, listening to Daisy squeal on the phone, the diamond ring the first thing shown to the camera. If someone had told Freddie a year ago that he'd be engaged, to Aisha Van Buren, he would've laughed. Unable to believe the marriage and Freddie were ever meant to be in the same sentence..until suddenly things changed. Responsibilities and hidden feelings snuck up to remove all the commitment phobia previously had. Carefully handing Aisha the flute, Freddie rests a now free hand on the bump poking out of the dress she'd chosen to wear for dinner. Their second daughter now obvious for all to see, his hand lies there for a few seconds before removing it.  "Daisy, she approves of the ring." His response is met by a laugh from the older, beautiful woman. Aria's cute, little voice yelling a yes, while she babbled on. "Hi baby girl. We miss you." She talks fast, Freddie sips on the champagne as they all continue speaking. "We better call my mom next, I'm surprised she isn't blowing up my phone."