*****
(Ally said)

Stevie had been busy all week planning for a school program and rehearsing with the students while I had been coming home late from work. We seldom found each other awake at night and today was the first in days.

"What are you working on right now?" I asked her as I kissed her on the cheek.

"Hi love! I am just creating the playlist of all the kids' presentation," Stevie replied, keeping her eyes on the screen.

"'It's a 'Hard-Knock Life' from Annie is a good one. Of course there should be 'Let it Go.' Uhmmm... while 'Someone's Waiting for You,' is a classic," I said peeking through the playlist while resting my head on her shoulder.

"I am almost done with the playlist but I need to put together a two-minute video of the kids. It's a surprise you came home early. How's work?"

"Well I came home early because we are finally wrapping up the due diligence for the acquisition. And right now I just want to celebrate and take my girlfriend on a date."

"Hmmm. Where do you plan to bring her? I think she's busy you must have a very compelling plan." I saw her smirking.

"I made a reservation at this French restaurant in WeHo and there's a limousine already waiting outside."

Stevie glanced at the window and saw a chauffeur standing beside a black vehicle. "Oooh. It looks fancy," she said, looking convinced. But she returned her attention to the screen. I facepalmed.

"Hmmmm. Well... There is also a complimentary massage after dinner from the hottest eligible lesbian in America." I said, not backing down. I was about to reveal the ace I was keeping up my sleeve.

"Now you got me listening. Who could that be?" She finally shut her laptop and turned to my direction.

"Well... she's standing right in front of you.." I showed her I was made cover of Outer magazine, the leading publication for the non-straights.

"Oh gosh! I am so proud of you, Ally!" Stevie finally stood up and hugged me.

"Is that a yes?"

"Does the offer expire? I really need to finish this."

"Hmm... You have until midnight, Cinderella."

*****
(Stevie said)

Ally left the room and entered the shower. I did not want to disappoint her that I clicked on the automatic photo slideshow option, chose a song  and voila--I had a video. I let it render and found myself rushing to get dressed. I went to the bedroom to look for something to wear.

I saw a little black dress hanging with a note saying, 'You don't need a fairy godmother to be perfect. You already are.' I could not help but smile.

Our date was perfect--from the limo ride to the fancy restaurant. The food was great and the ambiance was really romantic. Ally and I talked and talked, letting the other catch up with what had been happening separately in our lives. We savored each second that we were together.

"Thank you for making me feel like a princess today," I said after dessert.

"You deserve all the royal treatment. You are my queen, Stevie." She held my hand and kissed it.

"You know what? I am glad I am dating my best friend."

"Wouldn't it be nice if you marry her too?"

"Well let's see if she will ever ask me."

"I know she will at the right time." Ally winked at me. I felt my heart pounding heavily--slightly expecting she was going to propose. But I shrugged the idea.

"I hope I am not ruining the moment but I need to pee!"

"Ha-ha-ha. Go ahead." Ally returned a big smile. Nothing's ruined."

I walked as fast as I could so we could easily pick up where we left off. As I strolled back to our table I saw Ally rummaging through her space.

"Geez, I lost it!" I overheard Ally say with frustration.

When I was inches away, she suddenly knelt down that I pulled back in shock.

"Oh god, oh god, oh god!" I said when I realized the dots were really connected. From coming home early, the dress, the limo and the fancy restaurant--she was proposing to me! 'I am not even ready yet! But what the hell, Ally deserves it,' I thought to myself. Ally looked at me as if she was begging for me to say yes.

It took some time before we noticed  that people in the restaurant were staring at our direction. I pulled Ally up.

"I am sorry for the mess, Stevie," she said. Ally looked like she was about to cry. "I only wanted this night to be perfect."

"It is okay that you lost the ring, Ally," I said giving her a big smile. "My answer is still a yes."

*****

(Ally said)

I lost one of my contact lenses and scoured my seat and the table. I decided to kneel down and inspect the carpet of the restaurant when I heard Stevie say, "Oh god, oh god, oh god."

She pulled me up and I saw the crowd staring at us. 'What is happening?!' I thought to myself.

Stevie looked like she was embarrassed. "I am sorry for the mess," I said apologetically. "I only wanted this night to be perfect."

"It is okay that you lost the ring, Ally," she added with a big smile on her face. "My answer is yes."

'Oh shoot! She thought I was proposing... but hey I would eventually ask her to marry me anyway so why not do it now?' I thought to myself that I decided on acting out my part.

"She said yes!" I shouted, raising Stevie's ring-less hand to the cheering of the crowd.

We shared a kiss that led to a more memorable and passionate evening.

*****

(Stevie said)

"I am here! I am sorry I am late," Moonshine said when she arrived at work. "You look like you wanted to say something. Spill it."

"Ally and I are engaged," I answered.

"Congratulations!" Moonshine answered as she approached me to give me a big hug. "Can I see the ring?"

"There's none yet. Ally lost it last night."

"I am quite sure she is buying the best one there is."

"I don't need a fancy ring."

"If you say so... but it looks like it bothers you."

"Not at all. What is really bothering me is it might be too soon."

"Does Ally know about this?"

"No. I am planning to tell her after the talent show."

*****
(Ally said)

"Stevie and I are engaged," I told Danny when he picked me up. We were carpooling to the talent show. He tried to hug me before he realized his seat-belt was still on. We both laughed.

"Congrats, Al!" Danny said as we finally shared a hug.

"Thanks, Danny."

"How did it happen? Why was I not a part of it? And why am I more excited about it?"

"Well... it was all an accident! I think it is too soon. I did not even have a ring." I told Danny the rest of how it started with me losing my contact lens.

Danny was shaking his head. "You should cancel the engagement while you can contain it."

"It will break Stevie's heart."

"How can a lie be the foundation of your marriage then? Tell Stevie then the two of you can decide. Together."

"Alright."

We arrived at the talent show and joined my whole family in the audience.

It was about to start when I saw Stevie's expression became worried.

"Excuse me for a second. I will just check on Stevie," I told my family. I followed my instincts, dragged Danny with me and ran towards Stevie.

"Oh hi there!" Stevie said, forcing a smile.

"It seems like there is a problem. How can I help?" I asked.

"We are having technical difficulties. The music is not playing. We have tried everything." She was still calm.

"What musical instruments do you have, love?" I asked. Danny and I were musicians after all.

"Lots at the music room."

We all rushed out of the hall and left Moonshine to stall. Moonshine went onstage to give the opening remarks that turned out as a comedy act.

*****
(Stevie said)

"Can anyone sing?" Ally asked. All of us were shaking our heads. "Danny?"

"I am sick," Danny faked coughing. Danny and I had been convincing Ally to sing again. She stopped when Mel passed away. "I am sorry Als."

"Oh okay... I will sing." Ally had no choice.

"I can be on beatbox though," Danny answered.

"I will be on keyboard," Ali Spagnola said. She is one of my student's moms. 

"What can I do?" I asked.

"What about this?" Ally gave me a tambourine. "And be my backup singer. I know you can sing, Stevie."

We all took the stage. It was my first time hearing Ally sing live. Yeah those were nursery rhymes but her voice sent shivers down my spine.

Our live band pulled off. The performance of the kids delighted the audience. After the show, we all went outdoors for a picnic. Moonshine and I entertained the parents and guests.

"Yay we made it!" Moonshine screamed after sending the last family out.

"Yes we did!" We hugged, congratulating each other. "By the way have you seen Ally?"

"The last time I saw she was on stage with you."

"Oooh. Maybe she rushed to another meeting. I better call her."

"Please thank Ally for me. She rocked just like old times!" Moonshine and I said our goodbyes. 

"Where are you?" I said when Ally picked up.

"Right where you left me," Ally responded.

"I will be there!"

I rushed to the mini auditorium. When I entered the room, I heard the guitar playing. I saw Ally on center stage. I let her play a little more then she stopped when she saw me.

"What a privilege it is to be on your private concert," I said.

"Have a seat please," she answered. "I want to show you this side of me."

"I am all ears." I sat on the best seat in town. I found myself already tearing up.

Ally continued with the rhythm. "When we lost Mel, I did not want to sing again. You inspired me to find my voice back." 

She sang an original. This time I could tell she felt more comfortable. 

"Before I met you I sang without music

In tune but seemed to be offbeat

I was full of smiles that proved nothing

I got everything that doesn't have meaning

Then you came into my life just like a catchy song

You touch me with your lyrics as we move along

You are the track I will never get tired playing

For you I could hear my heart beating"

Ally was smiling at me and I could feel my heart melting. "Was it that bad? I could rearrange it," she asked. Her expression was worried.

"Not at all. It was beautiful. I am glad you are making music again." 

"I am too. Dad and I talked earlier. He said I could step down as President of the bank since everything's back to normal. He is hiring a trusted friend to replace me. I hope it's okay that I will be at home more often."

"Oh poor Rachel will miss you!" I made a face. "But the kittens would love it!"

Ally and I cleaned up the hall and returned the instruments in the music room.

"Hmmm about last night..." we  blurted at the same time and then laughed.

"You go first." I suggested.

She approached and sat beside me. "I know you were surprised when you thought I was proposing. Do not feel bad but I was not... I love you and it would be nice to call you my wife... eventually." 

"Whew," I breathed a sigh of relief. "It's not that I do not want you to propose too. I want you to propose or maybe I will propose... eventually. But not last night--I think we are not yet ready."

"I  agree. Wooow... I did not expect this to go that well."

"I know! So what do we do next?"

"I have an idea." Ally knelt down.

"What are you doing?! Will you stop? We just cancelled our accidental engagement."

"Sssshhh. It is not what you think." Ally held my hand and looked into my eyes.  "Stevie Leigh Boebi... will you marry me when are finally ready?" 

I chuckled. "Yes, Allison Don Hills. I will marry you when we are finally ready."

- Fin-

*******

Author's Notes:

* We have all been saddened by the turn of events but it should not encrypt our vast imagination. I know the story did not come full circle but I hope I brought justice to this closure. Let us continue supporting Ally and Stevie as individuals.

* Thank you for reading through this work! I apologize if it seems I abandoned my books but work and school are currently  getting in the way. My other Stally fic will have more chapters before its finale as I originally outlined months ago. 

* I am planning a plot for another book. Should I anchor it to a ship? Let me know what you think. :)