im good

After releasing a new book, fixing up an old but beautiful home to be and winning custody over her son (with the exception of Winston spending the summer with his father), Darcy was ready to finally let go of her past. Winston had moved in with her in the winter of 2020 and she embraced him as her son, not a painful part of her teenage years. Darcy enrolled him in a nice private school that was around the area where he would finish elementary school. She picked Winston up, dropped him off and packed a lunch everyday. She wrote around the city, opened up to the world a little bit more and even planted a garden in her backyard. That was Darcy’s home life, calm and happy.

Her work life on the other hand was an almost different story. Instead of just doing book signings when her career called for it, she was able to practice public speaking by giving talks and speeches at local universities. Darcy’s stutter, although still there, gradually lessened after becoming happy with herself. She actually ended up meeting a man named Graham Lennox at one of her talks even though he was getting his master’s degree in biochemistry at the time. “That was a really great hour and a half but do you happen to know where room 702 is? I’m think I’m extremely late for a meeting,” he asked after the session. “That’s across the c-campus I’m afraid,” Darcy said with a hint of a smile. “You’re joking,” “Uh....need a-a r-ride? I’m h-headed in that d-direction anyway,” “Are you sure?” “Yeah,” 

She would eventually learn over hesitated agreements to morning coffee dates, surprise lunches and late night phone calls that Graham was two years older than her, grew up in Boston and had a love for science and musicals. He also had an ex-fiancee who had tragically died in a lab accident a few years prior to their meeting. Graham would eventually meet Winston on a busy day for Darcy where she wasn’t able to pick him up from school. “So you’re my mommy’s boyfriend?” the now six year old asked from the back seat. “I wouldn’t say boyfriend,” the older man shrugged. “According to my calculations, I would say boyfriend,” “Well aren’t you a smart little man?” “I am my mother’s kid,” “You have any homework?” Graham asked after a couple of silent minutes. “Finished it during school,” Winston replied. “How ‘bout we go for some ice cream?” “I like you already.” 

Fast forward to the summer of 2024, Darcy was awakened by a booming laughter coming from her boyfriend who had moved in a year ago and her son jumping on her bed. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!” Winston shrieked as he wrapped his arms around his mothers neck. “Happy birthday, Darce,” Graham greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. “We made you blueberry scones and a hazelnut latte, Winston said it was your favorite.” “That’s because it is, Graham!” Darcy smiled as she was handed the breakfast and happily ate. “I d-didn’t know my t-two f-favorite boys could c-cook,” she smugly stated. “That’s because you never gave us the chance,” Graham laughed. 

The little family spent the whole day celebrating Darcy’s 29th birthday by gifting her with a framed picture of the three of them, tons of new mugs, lunch with the Oliver and Troye including their three kids. Troye was more excited than usual that afternoon and pulled Graham away to have a private conversion every now and then while Darcy didn’t have a clue what was going on. Winston ended up going home with the Pythonidae’s after lunch since Graham was planning a special dinner for the two of them. 

She wore her favorite summer dress and a necklace he gave her on their one year anniversary. He lead her to a big tree in the countryside, the small area was decorate with twinkling Edison bulbs, a checkered blanket along with a few pillows and a picnic basket. Darcy was greeted with pasta, wine and a slice of strawberry cheesecake with a candle that relit itself about 4 times before it went completely out. By the end of the night, Darcy was smiling from ear to ear and Graham’s hand was a little cramped from clutching a small box in his pocket. “Sorry for getting lost for a good twenty minutes on the way here, babe,” Graham laughed as they laid down on the blanket and looked up at the night sky. “If it w-weren’t for your horrible d-directions, I n-never would’ve met y-you,” “That’s true.” 

A comfortable silence passed between the both of them, Darcy’s head was laid nicely on his shoulder while his free hand was tangled in her hand. Graham’s heart was bearing down on his chest, it was now or never. He cleared his throat and shifted his position on the blanket so he was on his side and facing Darcy. “I’m going to get incredibly cheesy in a moment so please bear with me, doing this the first time around was a mess so this is gonna be a train wreck. And you’re the writer, not me, so.. right, yes okay I’m just gonna get to the point. From the moment I stepped in to that classroom full of aspiring writers and pretentious hippies, I knew I was at the wrong place but then I heard you talking and I was like ‘Who’s that?’ and of course after your first five sentences, I miraculously found a seat and listened. I had never heard someone as intelligent as you and I’ve attended lecture’s by the countries’ top scientists. After you were done talking I was like ‘I have to meet this girl!’ and even though it took me like 5 times for you to agree to go on a date with me, you gave me the chance to know your reasons, you let me in to your world and for that I am forever grateful. We’ve only know each other for 4 years and we’ve been dating for 3 but I know that I need to spend the rest of my life with you so please, Darcy Burke, will you marry me?”

Graham pulled out the velvet box that incased a ring from his pocket and opened it. Darcy was dumb struck as she stared at the jewelry. If she asked her twenty one year old self if she would ever get married the answer would be straight up “no” but now, it was different. “A-Are.... are you s-sure you want t-to marry me?” she asked, wide brown eyes meeting his. Graham laughed in bewilderment and nodded as he looked at the ring and back at her, “I have never been more sure about anything in my life.”