Please do THE PROPOSAL PART 6 PLEASE
Part 13 of the Proposal AU was here; Here's Part 14!
“When’s the last time you cried?” Debbie pressed,
Part 14 linked above; Here's Part 15:
“I think that’s enough questioning for now,” Debbie grimaced, moving Lou out of her father’s line of vision. “This is a party. Not an interrogation.”
“Yes, it is a party!” Ida sang, coming into the circle that was now dispersing uncomfortably. “An engagement party at that! And we need to know the story.”
“What story?” A younger man asked, a piece of ciabatta toast dangling from his lips.
“Fuck,” Debbie cursed, her hand falling limp against Lou’s side.
“Oh, Rusty!” Ida sang. “Deborah, did you see who came?”
“Robert,” Debbie growled, her nails digging into Lou’s arm as the blonde shot her an intrigued look. “Who invited you?”
“Your dad,” he laughed, licking at his thumb, offering the now saliva ridden hand to Lou. “Who else? And you must be Lewis.”
“It’s Lou,” the blonde seethed, nostrils flaring. “Have you seen Debbie’s ring?” She asked, shoving the diamond in the man’s face as his eyebrows disappeared into his hairline.
The man let out a low whistle as he eyed the ring, another piece of ciabatta appearing from nowhere that he started chewing on noisily. Lou watched him with disgust as he crunched on it, licking his fingertips to clean off the crumbs that had fallen, but missing several that clung to his chest.
“Have to admit,” he chuckled. “Hell of a lot nicer than the one I gave Bee. Maybe if I’d have splurged for one this nice, she’d still be with me. Right, Deb?” He laughed, elbowing her in the side as the brunette shriveled up beside Lou.
The blonde flashed her a confused look and Debbie wanted the ground to open up and swallow her hole. They had just agreed to go about this as a team and be as honest to each other as two pathological liars committing a scheme could possibly be.
“Lou,” Debbie swallowed. She cleared her throat, her eyes tearing as if she was holding back a choke. She seemed to be equally surprised at the man’s appearance. “This is Robert Ryan. Better known as Rusty.”
“Andddddd?” He prompted, elbowing her again as Lou sneered. Debbie didn’t need Lou to voice the words out loud to know that the blonde wanted to punch him in the face.
“We used to um…date,” Debbie provided.
“We were an inch from husband and wife, Bee,” he smirked. “But I guess I was a bit too man for her, huh?”
Debbie reached for Lou’s hand, neither sure if it was for comfort or to keep Lou from actually slapping him now.
“You were his fiancee?” Lou asked quietly, the air awkward around them and the small crowd who still was gathered beside them.
“Not quite,” Debbie whispered. “I turned him down.”
The relief was visible on Lou’s face, but she nodded curtly.
“Rusty, I thought you were in LA now?” Debbie asked, the color starting to return to her face.
“Moved back home maybe six months ago? Teaching at the local school.”
“You’re a teacher?” Lou asked, eyebrow arched in surprise.
“Music class,” he grinned, miming playing the guitar for a second. “I was out in LA with my band on tour but—“
“An eleven guy band,” Debbie coughed.
“Right,” he grinned. “Wanted to have the biggest rock band the world’s ever seen. Didn’t go over well so thought we might change things up again.”
“Better once you got it down to just a few guys?” Lou asked, a smirk playing at her lips as she regained control of the conversation. She clearly knew he was no winner in this story if he’d recently moved back home. It didn’t exactly paint the story of smooth success.
“You’d think right?” He grinned. “Nah we bumped it up to twelve and no dice so we went for thirteen. Lucky 13, right? Shit fell apart. So now I’m back here. Didn’t think I’d have the chance to see Bee though.”
“You’ve seen me,” Debbie nodded. “Rusty.”
She tried to move away from him, trying to usher Lou past her father and grandmother, hellbent on making their escape to eat their snacks in peace like they’d originally intended. But they weren’t so lucky.
“Rusty and Debbie were quite the couple,” Dennis unhelpfully provided, squeezing Debbie and Rusty’s shoulders and Lou awkwardly got sandwiched between. “High school sweethearts.”
“I think high school sweethearts is technically only if you stay together,” Lou mumbled as Debbie let out a snort.
“Feels like yesterday to me,” Dennis continued.
“Well, it seems like a lifetime to me, dad,” Debbie hissed.
“No need to fight, friends,” Rusty held his hands up. “Tell us, Bee. I’m sure your grandma wants to hear everything. Was it love at first sight?”
“Not exactly,” Debbie admitted.
“I’ll give Rusty that,” Grandma Ida smiled, grabbing Lou’s hands. “I must know how you proposed, Lou, my dear. I mean, I assume it was you? I apologize if that’s not how it works. I love my dear Deborah, I just can’t quite imagine our little Debbie taking it upon herself to ask and since she has the ring I just—I’ll stop before I put my foot in my mouth. But please, do tell us.”
“Go ahead, baby,” Debbie smiled wickedly. “I know how much you love telling it. And with such vivid detail too. You’re in for a treat, grandma!”
“We’ll see,” Dennis grumbled, looking at Lou with squints eyes before he threw back the rest of his drink.
“What kind of surprise?” Lou hissed as Debbie swatted her, Danny shooting them both a look.
“She’s not good with surprises,” Debbie laughed, patting Lou’s thigh delicately. “Are you, babe?”
“I’m really not,” Lou sighed, looking out the window.
“It’s nothing too terrible,” Ida smiled. “Just a little welcome home party.”
“A party?” Lou repeated.
“Just some close family and friends,” Darlene smiled. “Nothing to worry about.”
“I mean we have to announce your engagement, right?” Danny smirked, almost silently challenging Debbie.
“Um,” Debbie swallowed, trying not to panic as they pulled into the driveway. “Do you think Lou and I can have a moment to uh—get settled?”
“Nonsense!” Darlene laughed. “You two get in there. Danny’s got your bags. You’re the guests of honor. You should be able to start celebrating right away.”
“Besides,” Ida smiled. “The two of you have a whole lifetime to spend time just the two of you. Come on, lets introduce Lou to your daddy.”
“Don’t call him that,” Debbie grumbled. “I’m an adult.”
“What’s wrong with daddy?” Lou smirked, Debbie elbowing her as Lou tucked the information away for later.
“That my little girl?” Dennis called, barreling forward just as the two Ocean siblings and Lou tumbled out of the car, the blonde’s teasing smirk now gone, her face looking terrified and pale instead.
“Hey, dad,” Debbie smiled nervously, letting herself be swept up into a bone-crushing hug that made her feel guilty. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been home for her dad to greet her like this. Things had been strained between them. He’d always looked down on her interest in the music business and wanting to rough it in the city, but maybe he’d put that behind them for this weekend and focus on the pretend good news. it would be a relief to have him off her back amidst the chaos, but she doubted she’d be that lucky.
“Been a while,” Dennis grumbled, stepping back. “But it’s good to see you, Bee. Welcome, home.”
“Thanks,” Debbie smiled with a nod.
“Been a while.”
“Yeah,” Debbie frowned. “Special occasion. Could’ve greeted us at the airport.”
“Debbie,” Darlene warned through gritted teeth.
Debbie shrugged an apology at her parents while Lou looked between them. She hadn’t meant to snap, but she had to be sneaky and defensive when it came to her father. Two could play a game of passive aggression when it came to their relationship.
“Why don’t you help Daniel with the bags?” Darlene cleared her throat, trying to cut the tension.
“Well, hold your horses,” Ida chuckled. “He hasn’t even met our Louise here.”
“Lou,” the blonde coughed, looking down at the driveway.
“Short for Lizzy, huh?” Dennis nodded, barely giving Lou a glimpse. “Danny told me it was short for Lucifer. Bee used to call me and ask for advice on how to get the stick out of your ass. Guess she figured that out all on her own.”
“Louise,” the blonde smiled, ignoring all other attempts at cutting her down as Debbie tossed her a sheepish, apologetic smile. “But Lou’s fine.”
But Dennis had already moved on, taking the bag that Danny offered him as Lou watched Debbie shoot her mother a shattered look, her eyes full of hurt.
“Come on girls,” Darlene sighed. “We’ll let the boys catch up. Lets show Lou around.”
“Watch out for Daphne,” Ida warned.
“Daphne?” Lou asked. “That an ex girlfriend of yours I should know about?” The blonde teased, brushing shoulders with Debbie as she merely laughed.
“You wish,” Debbie smirked. “That’s Daphne,” she grinned, gesturing to a little white ball of fluff that was jumping up and down beyond the glass patio door.
“Yippy little thing,” Ida smiled. “So much energy. Just watch out for your ankles, Lou. She likes to nibble.”
“Who could blame her?” Lou tried to joke, glaring daggers at the little dog as they moved into the house, Debbie laughing at the almost 6 foot tall woman shooting murderous looks at a dog that could fit inside a purse.
“I take it you’re more of a cat person?” Debbie whispered.
“You know I like pussy,” Lou rolled her eyes, starting to walk ahead faster to keep up with Darlene as Debbie tripped over herself a bit, her cheeks turning pink.
hey I just found out about this AO3 on twitter, And I found your works and I am obsess with 'em now. Just want to say you are my favourite writer rn. Can we please have The Proposal AU part 5? or even better can you please make a book of it
Hi! Ah yay, welcome to the clusterfuck! Not sure what you mean by a book, but here's a link to all parts of The Proposal AU that exist so far in one spot! https://lexicallogan.wixsite.com/blackacre13/the-proposal
UPDATED AS OF 9/18/22!!!
Last part was part 10 here; here's part 11! (I accidentally originally wrote two variations of part 10, so you may have already read this, but I have altered it slightly to make it work following the true part 10 and re-labeled for future convenience/so we are re-organized and accurate pre-part 12 which is dropping soon!)
“Watch out for Daphne,” Ida warned.
“Daphne?” Lou asked. “That an ex girlfriend of yours I should know about?” The blonde teased, brushing shoulders with Debbie as she merely laughed.
“You wish,” Debbie smirked. “That’s Daphne,” she grinned, gesturing to a little white ball of fluff that was jumping up and down beyond the glass patio door.
“Yippy little thing,” Ida smiled. “So much energy. Just watch out for your ankles, Lou. She likes to nibble.”
“Who could blame her?” Lou tried to joke, glaring daggers at the little dog as they moved into the house, Debbie laughing at the almost 6 foot tall woman shooting murderous looks at a dog that could fit inside a purse.
“I take it you’re more of a cat person?” Debbie whispered.
“You know I like pussy,” Lou rolled her eyes, starting to walk ahead faster to keep up with Darlene as Debbie tripped over herself a bit, her cheeks turning pink.
Debbie cleared her throat, trying to shake ridiculous thoughts and images from her mind as Ida held her back, Debbie left looking forlornly at her mother as she carted Lou away from her. She couldn't hide her nerves from her grandmother.
“So," Debbie started, taking a deep breath. "How exactly did you hear that we were getting married?” Debbie asked.
“You mean besides that crater on your finger?” Ida laughed. “I may be old, but I’m far from blind, Deborah.”
Lou tossed her a smirk from a few feet away as if applauding herself for the impromptu ring selection.
“I mean we had our guesses,” Darlene giggled, turning around as she pinned Lou to her side, elbowing her with a grin. “Debbie’s always so secretive and work keeps her so busy we barely have time to talk, even when she has news. No offense to you, Lou, dear. But you run a tight ship. But a mother always knows, right? And then there was that man from the government? I can’t remember his name. But said he was checking up on you two.”
“Checking up?” Danny asked, raising an eyebrow, unceremoniously dumping their belongings behind the couch. Dennis already nowhere to be found. He was always disappearing. To watch the game. Into his study. Out by the water. It barely phased Debbie anymore. Even if she was here to announce her engagement and had flown here specifically to share that with her family. Not that any of this was real...
“Lou’s from Australia,” Darlene continued, as if it wasn’t obvious from the accent.
“Crikey,” Danny whispered, rolling his eyes just as Debbie pinched him, the older Ocean crying out in protest.
“You would think they’re still in elementary school the way they act around each other,” Ida snorted. “Don’t let them get to you, dear,” Ida smiled, reaching out to pat at Lou’s shoulder as she smiled awkwardly in response.
“What did you say to him, mom?” Debbie asked, pushing Ida’s hand off Lou as she smacked Danny a second time for good measure. “Seriously.”
Darlene shrugged, her eyes turning to study Lou as Debbie watched the blonde's eyes grow wide with overwhelm.
“Just that you were coming home this weekend and we hadn’t seen you in a while,” Darlene spoke, turning back to her daughter. “And that you’d told us about Lou for years, but that we’d never met her.”
“I mean, Lou, dear,” Ida laughed. “The way Debbie talked about you? I’ll admit, I did not see this coming.”
“Me either,” Lou smirked, winking at Debbie as her cheeks flushed red.
“Come on, honey,” Ida smiled at Lou, taking her hand gently. “Let me show you around the house. Deborah can play some catchup with her mother for a few.”
Lou seemed genuinely grateful for Ida’s sweetness, but also shot Debbie a desperate look, not ready to be separated without a chance to set their stories straight before they were each isolated with a family member, but Darlene wouldn’t hear it, shooing Lou and Ida towards the other room as Danny fumbled with their bags again, pretending to be helpful no doubt, but not actually caring.
“Deborah,” her mother frowned, eyeing her seriously for a moment. “You know you can tell us anything, sweetie, right?”
“Of course,” Debbie sighed, kicking at the tire as she looked down at the driveway.
“Then what’s with all this secrecy?” She whispered. “And I mean, of course she’s stunning. That’s clear. But the way you’ve spoken about her for all these years…”
“It wasn’t a secret,” Debbie sighed, feeling defensive. “We just…didn’t tell anyone, alright? I mean it’s hard. I’m her assistant. She’s high up at the company. What would people think? What did you guys think? Things…change, mom. I don’t know.”
“They do say the line between love and hate is rather thin,” Darlene thought aloud, considering her daughter for a moment. “I should be mad at you. But gosh, I’m just so excited! I mean a wedding! Debbie, this is big.”
“It really is,” the brunette grumbled, starting to follow her mother towards the house.
“Oh!” Darlene exclaimed, suddenly spinning around. “I have the most wonderful idea! Danny, listen. What do you two think? For Ida’s birthday this weekend. What if you and Lou got married right here?”
“What if pigs could fly?” Danny snickered under his breath as Debbie swallowed thickly.
Part 8 was here for a refresher. And here's Part 9:
“Since when are you dating your boss?” Danny whispered as Lou looked at her from a distance, locked between her mother and grandmother. “Last I heard, you called her Loucifer.”
“Misunderstanding,” Debbie lied. “Really. It was—it was the way I was doing things. She was much better after I learned the ropes, you know? And then, well, well we got really close.”
“I guess the line between love and hate is pretty thin,” Danny scoffed.
“You have no idea,” Debbie murmured, her eyes locking with Lou’s as the blonde sent her a wink.
“Well, let’s get a move on, gang,” Ida smiled. “Have to show Lou, here, our homestead.”
“Danny, get your sister’s bags,” Darlene sighed, motioning towards the luggage. “And Lou’s, please.
“I’ve got it,” Danny huffed at the same time as Lou, their hands smacking into each other as they both reached for Debbie’s suitcase.
Debbie and her mother shared an odd look before the brunette looked away, silently pleading with Danny to go easy on Lou and not give her such a had time. She knew she had already lost as he tossed a shit-eating grin at the blonde, picking up the luggage with one hand and offering his other out to shake.
“Lou, right?”
“Danny,” the blonde smirked.
“Let’s have a chat later,” he suggested in a tone that was anything but a suggestion.
“Come on,” Debbie whispered, tugging Lou away from him as she shot him a dark look, the blonde looking defeated as she carried only her own things to the car.
The group shuffled into the car, Debbie looking sour between her brother and her boss in the backseat as Ida pointed out different shops and landmarks to Lou, who was either doing a great job of acting or was actually interested in learning more about Debbie and her family.
“You gonna tell me how she popped the question?” Danny whispered as Debbie began to pale, swallow thickly.
“Later,” she nodded, cataloguing the thought for her and Lou to go over. “Hey, mom, this isn’t the way to the hotel. You can’t forget to drop us off before you head home.”
“Nonsense,” Darlene laughed, waving off the suggestion as she kept her eyes on the road. Debbie could feel Lou’s sharp eyes on her as she sucked in her breath, praying the blonde wouldn’t throttle her the second they were alone. “You two are engaged. To be married. I mean, we’re not old fashioned. We won’t pretend you two don’t sleep together.”
Danny let out a choking sound as Lou flashed him a cocky grin. All Debbie could do was sigh and lean back in the seat, closing her eyes and praying that this weekend would go as quickly and smoothly as possible.
“You’ll stay with us,” Darlene continued. “We canceled the hotel reservation.”
“I just made the room up for you,” Ida added, smiling back at Lou. “Lou’s family now. Family doesn’t stay at a hotel.
“We should be mad,” Darlene shook her head. “But we’re just so thrilled, I mean who doesn’t love planning a wedding?”
“Oh! And we have a little surprise for you both,” Ida laughed, clapping her hands together.
“A surprise?” Debbie grimaced, Lou’s hand landing on her thigh and squeezing suddenly. The brunette turned to her, confused, wondering if she was looking for support or plotting her death.
“What kind of surprise?” Lou hissed as Debbie swatted her, Danny shooting them both a look.
“She’s not good with surprises,” Debbie laughed, patting Lou’s thigh delicately. “Are you, babe?”
“I’m really not,” Lou sighed, looking out the window.
“It’s nothing too terrible,” Ida smiled. “Just a little welcome home party.”
“A party?” Lou repeated.
“Just some close family and friends,” Darlene smiled. “Nothing to worry about.”
“I mean we have to announce your engagement, right?” Danny smirked, almost silently challenging Debbie.
Part 9 is here. Here’s part 10/the final chapter of P&P. Thank you for all the lovely requests and feedback so we could see Ms. Miller and Debbie in an Austen light. (I maybe can be convinced to revisit this Loubbie down the line in a where are they now light but we shall see👀)
It’s the letter that changes everything for Debbie. And perhaps, it’s because it is the letter that changes everything about the way she sees Ms. Miller.
Rose had been right. Debbie had been hiding her true feelings behind a steely exterior of accusal and judgment. It was simpler to call Lou arrogant. Easier to take other people’s opinions of her and turn them into her own. She had never let Lou simply explain. And she owed her that much at least. It was the simplest of asks.
And it’s the letter, the letter she’s now folded and unfolded hundreds of times, the paper now soft as her sheets, that gives power to Rose’s words. She loves Lou. She does. She just hadn’t realized it until now. And while Rose has always worn her heart on her sleeve, Debbie has always left hers under lock and key, hidden under layers that only Ms. Miller has ever bothered to help peel back instead of being preoccupied with their own name, her family name, or what they could get out of a marriage with her. Lou has never done that. She has only asked for forgiveness. Only asked for a chance.
Debbie doesn’t know how to tell Lou the truth, but she knows that she wants to. She thinks that fate is on her side as she visits the Miller estate with friends, but is disappointed that Lou is nowhere to be found. But her heart flutters when she speaks with the housekeeper, asking about her whereabouts, because she has nothing but kind words to say, painting Ms. Miller as nothing but gregarious and generous and is chockfull of stories that make Debbie smile.
She’s not sure if she should leave a message with the housekeeper for Lou to find her, and she finally makes up her mind that it’s too informal and not the right way, when Lou walks in through the door, another woman behind her, and Debbie’s heart sinks.
It’s as if Lou knows her disappointment without Debbie voicing it in words, as she returns to her former bumbling self, searching for the right way to explain, only to be interrupted by the younger blonde woman beside her smiling shyly at Debbie with a gentle wave as she introduces herself as Lou’s younger sister.
Debbie is so relieved that she laughs, surprising Lou by asking if they can all spend time together and equally delighting Lou as she watches her sister take in Debbie in stride, telling her that she’s a better sister than Lou is and asking Lou if they can keep her to themselves.
And while chaos reins freely in the Ocean household as Daphne throws a temper tantrum of sorts and runs off with Mr. Frazier, and Rose settles into a more reciprocated match of her own, it’s Debbie that has Dennis Ocean finally beaming with pride with her journey of self-discovery and self-forgiveness that has opened her up to loving someone else and letting someone else love her. Even Lady Catherine’s threats, demanding Debbie not accept Lou’s proposal should she offer again, only fuel her to stand up for herself and what she desires herself.
She does not care about status, or money, or family names. And she does not care to hear other people’s opinions of her or Ms. Miller or the lives they have created and predicted for themselves in manipulative and cruel ways.
All she cares about in the moment is Ms. Miller offering her hand in marriage once again and wishing she had said yes the first time, though she’s just as thrilled to give Lou her excited yes this time.
“So what do you think about the idea of there being two Ms. Millers now?” Debbie teased, reaching out to snatch Lou’s hat off her head as she laughed.
“I think it’s long overdue,” Lou decided.
Debbie agreed with a giggle, reaching up to cup the blonde’s cheek with her hand as she leaned in to kiss her softly.
“And so is this,” Lou whispered, deepening the kiss, as her hands wrapped around Debbie’s waist, dipping her back as Debbie smiled against her lips with a delighted grin.
