A/N: Does anyone want a double update? I'll do it as soon as the first 3-5 people comment ♡

𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐩 [~𝟐-𝟑 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬]

𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐲𝐧'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The first thing I noticed was that Storm had been unusually quiet. Which, if you knew Storm, was practically a cosmic event.

She sat at the kitchen table, pencil in hand, tongue poking slightly out of the corner of her mouth as she stared down at her history worksheet like it had personally offended her.

I leaned against the fridge, sipping from my tea mug and watching her. The only sounds in the room were the soft shuffle of paper and the distant hum of the dryer tumbling in the hallway.

"You good?" I asked, voice calm but loaded.

"I'm fine," she replied immediately, not even looking up.

"Uh-huh." I waited.

Three... two... one...

Storm groaned and dropped her pencil. "Do I really have to do the bonus question?"

"Yes," I said, walking over and peering over her shoulder. "You're weeks away from your birthday weekend. Myrtle Beach doesn't happen if you don't show you can handle responsibility. That's what your sister said."

"Yeah, well," she muttered, "my sister also said waffles don't count as dinner and she made waffles for dinner last night."

"She also works sixty-hour weeks saving people from burning buildings," I replied dryly. "She gets a pass."

Storm huffed but didn't argue. Instead, she picked her pencil back up and started writing. I sat across from her, elbows on the table, letting the moment settle between us.

"You know," I said after a beat, "when I was your age, I hated history too. But it's actually pretty cool once you get past the old dudes in wigs."

Storm perked up slightly. "You think I'm gonna pass?"

"You've been doing great," I said honestly. "You've been staying on top of your homework, helping around the apartment, actually folding your laundry..."

She smirked. "Barely."

"But still," I said, nudging her ankle under the table. "We notice. Especially your sister."

Storm looked down at her worksheet again, then up at me. Her voice was soft when she said, "Thanks for helping me."

My heart fluttered. "Of course. I kinda like you, y'know."

She smiled, and I swear I saw a flash of Y/N in her face when she did.

Right on cue, Y/N came through the front door in her department-issued zip-up, her hair slightly messy and cheeks flushed from the cool evening air. She kicked off her boots and looked over at us in the kitchen.

"How's the homework queen doing?"

"Struggling," Storm muttered.

"She's doing great," I said at the same time, earning a dramatic eye roll from across the table. Y/N walked over and pressed a kiss to my temple, her fingers brushing the nape of my neck. "Hi, baby."

"Hi."

Storm gagged. "God, get a room."

I smirked. "We have one. It's the one you're not allowed to enter without knocking."

"Ew."

Y/N chuckled, tugging my chair closer so she could lean on the back of it. "She being good?"

"She's being excellent," I confirmed. Storm perked up. "Does that mean Myrtle Beach is looking good?"

Y/N gave her a long, exaggerated look. "If you finish that bonus question without asking for help, I'll think about it."

"Deal," Storm said, immediately hunching over her paper like she was defusing a bomb. Y/N sat down next to me, stretching her legs out beneath the table. "So," she said, voice dropping a little lower. "I was thinking..."

"Uh oh."

"I'm serious," she said, laughing. "I know we're not rushing anything, but maybe it's time we start looking."

"Looking at...?"

"Houses."

I blinked.

"I know we said we'd wait until after the wedding," she continued, fingers brushing my knee gently. "But it could take months to find the right place. Something with enough space for Storm. And maybe a backyard. A place that's ours."

My chest warmed. "I love this apartment," I said quietly.

"I know," she murmured. "So do I. But I also love the idea of picking out paint colors with you and arguing about backsplash and having a place where we can just... build a life."

I took her hand and threaded our fingers together. "I want that too," I whispered. "We don't have to rush. But I love that we're dreaming together."

"Always," she said, lifting our joined hands to kiss the back of mine.

Storm, without even looking up from her worksheet, muttered, "This is gross and adorable and I'm gonna puke but also... please keep talking about grown-up things so I can finish in peace."

We both laughed.

. . .

There was something about getting glam that usually felt like playing dress-up. The layers of foundation, the soft tap of brushes, the careful pull of the curling wand through my hair—it was like stepping into another version of myself.

One that smiled on command and knew how to find the right lighting without even thinking. But tonight, it felt different. Maybe it was because of the ring.

My left hand had been getting way more attention than my face. Everyone on the glam team had noticed it the second I walked in. Sydney, my stylist, paused with a lipstick in one hand and let out a dramatic gasp.

"Stop. Stop right now. Is that what I think it is?!"

I grinned, trying not to blush too hard as I held it up. "It is."

"Oh my god, you're engaged?!"

The room lit up with excited squeals, half-finished eyeshadow blending forgotten as I got bombarded with hugs and gentle teasing.

"When did this happen?"

"Who proposed?"

"Wait—was it a private proposal or, like, fireworks and skywriting?"

I laughed, pulling my robe a little tighter. "Private. Intimate. Very us and Y/n proposed." They all melted at once. "Ugh, that's even better than skywriting."

Sydney stepped back to examine me from head to toe while her assistant fussed with the hem of the ivory satin dress we'd decided on—a soft, off-the-shoulder number that clung in the right places and floated in others. "Okay, but, Madelyn... you're actually glowing. And not just the highlighter."

"I feel it," I whispered. "I'm happy. Really happy."

That part was still surreal. I was engaged. I was going to marry the woman who somehow understood every part of me without needing a blueprint. Every time I looked at the ring, I heard Y/N's voice in my head, heard the way it cracked slightly when she said, You saved me. And maybe I had. But she'd saved me too.

"Okay," Sydney said, clapping her hands. "You've got twenty minutes until the car gets here. I'll go make sure the car's out front and your earrings are by the dresser."

I nodded, suddenly itching for one more moment with Y/N before the chaos of cameras and press and flashbulbs.

I grabbed my phone off the vanity, adjusted the angle to make sure the lighting was decent, and hit FaceTime.

She answered almost immediately, the firehouse ceiling and a bag of pretzels filling the frame before her face appeared. Her hair was tied back in a low bun, her navy blue station shirt a little wrinkled, and the sight of her made something in my chest go soft.

"Hey," she said, smile blooming like she hadn't been waiting for me to call—though I knew she had. "Damn. You're gonna break the internet."

I blushed. "Too much?"

"Baby," she said, voice lower now, rougher around the edges. "You look like a goddamn dream. Like... if you weren't already mine, I'd be fully stalking you right now."

I laughed, holding the phone out slightly so she could get the full effect. "Off-the-shoulder and satin. Your weakness."

"Add heels and I might have to fake a house fire just to come drag you away."

"Tempting," I teased. "But I'm already sweating."

"I'm serious," she said, eyes lingering. "You're stunning. That dress, your hair... the ring. You're gonna kill it tonight."

"I wish you were here."

"Me too. I feel like I'm missing something huge."

"You were there for the huge part," I said softly, glancing at the ring. "This is just... the sparkly cherry on top."

She nodded slowly, her smile softening. "You're gonna flash that ring?"

"I am."

A beat. Her expression shifted, pride bleeding through the screen. "Good. Let 'em know you're off the market."

"You mean we're off the market."

"Exactly."

Someone knocked on the dressing room door. "Car's outside!" Sydney called.

I glanced back at the phone. "I have to go."

Y/N looked reluctant to let me go. "You got this, fiancée."

"Say it again."

"Fiancée."

I grinned so wide my cheeks ached. "I'll call after. I love you."

"I love you more. Go break the internet."

I blew her a kiss and ended the call just as the team reappeared to hand me my clutch and fluff the skirt of the dress one last time. I took a deep breath.

Then I walked out.

.  .  .

The crowd outside the Netflix premiere was a chaotic mix of flashing lights, fans behind barricades, and camera crews jockeying for position.

My heels clicked against the carpet as I stepped out of the car, my heart hammering in my chest. The red carpet for Knives Out: Glass Onion had been a highly anticipated Netflix event, and the energy was buzzing.

The cast of Outer Banks had already arrived to support me. JD caught my eye first, dressed in a charcoal gray suit, his hair freshly cut with that signature troublemaker smirk. Carlacia gave me a subtle wink. Madison Bailey mouthed "HOT" as I passed.

Then the Knives Out cast followed—Daniel Craig, Janelle Monáe, Kate Hudson, Edward Norton, Kathryn Hahn—all of them glamorous and shining under the camera lights.

But the second I stepped onto the carpet, I heard it. The screams.

They weren't just for the movie. Some fans held signs with our names. Others had hearts drawn around my initials and Y/N's. But more than anything, the second I lifted my hand to wave...

The gasps. Because the ring caught the light. And then the phones were up.

There were flashes of "OMG SHE'S ENGAGED???" from the crowd, and one girl literally screamed, "IT'S THE FIREFIGHTER GIRL, ISN'T IT?"

I laughed, cheeks heating as I paused for pictures, one hand resting lightly over my waist while the other subtly—but not too subtly—rested at my side with my ring forward.

The photographers picked up on it instantly.

"Madelyn, can we get a shot with the hand up?"

"Congratulations, Madelyn!"

A few minutes later, I was ushered to the press line. A reporter from ET stepped forward, mic in hand, eyes wide with excitement. "Madelyn Cline. First of all, you look gorgeous. Second of all... are we seeing what we think we're seeing?"

I laughed and held up my left hand. "You are."

"Congratulations! Can we get a little detail?"

I bit my lip. "It was private. Romantic. Very us. We're really, really happy."

"Any wedding date yet?"

"Not yet," I said, smiling. "We've started putting ideas together—Pinterest boards and voice notes and random middle-of-the-night texts about colors—but we both have pretty packed schedules. So we're gonna take our time and soak in this part first. But yeah... probably next year."

"Well, we're so happy for you and Y/n, she's very lucky."

"I'm the lucky one," I said. And I meant it.

By the time I reached the last stop on the carpet, fans had started yelling about the ring and asking for pictures. I took a few, posed for selfies, signed a couple copies of OBX posters, and thanked everyone for the love.

When I finally made it inside and sat down beside Carlacia, she whispered, "You did so good."

"You think?"

"Babe, you just casually soft-launched your engagement and made everyone in the room fall in love with you. It was elegant and badass."

I opened Instagram, heart still fluttering. I decided I'd post a carousel of photos of the night and just life recently, mainly my engagement!

𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐲𝐧'𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭

♡ 4.2m likes | 78.2k comments
Tagged: versace, knivesout, yncalloway, netflix
madelyncline: life has been so amazing lately. got my forever woman, and Knives Out is yours! ♡🥹💍

yncalloway: Can't believe I get to marry you, sexiest fiancée out there. You're unreal baby 😍🤤
↳madelyncline: Obsessed with you, my love 🥹💍
↳fan1: THIS IS THE FIRST THING I OPEN TO ON INSTA OH MY GOSH

carlaciagrant: My favorite girls! I've known since day ONE, I'm owed maid of honor status tbh 🫡👰🏽‍♀️💅🏾
↳madisonbaileybabe: WOAH, no no, this is up for debate 😤

austinnorth: only mads would somewhat soft launch her engagement lol throwing the pics in at the end is wild 😂 I'm so happy for you two!

liliharper: I'M SO IN LOVE WITH Y'ALL'S LOVE 🥹 I couldn't imagine two people more perfect for each other!

calebmonroe: God, this was the biggest secret to hold! So proud of you two, can't wait to stand up there with y'all! 🫶🏻

jonathandaviss: Can't wait to get drunk and party at the wedding 😈
↳drewstarkey: just keep your shirt on, brother
↳ jonathandaviss: lets not act like we won't both be shirtless and dancing on the tables 🙃
↳madisonbaileybabe: I'd personally kick you two out of their wedding
↳jonathandaviss: hater 🙄

drewstarkey: Congrats sis, you two deserve the world 🫶🏻

madisonbaileybabe: OFFICIALLY LOSING MY MIND 😭 the way this has been the hardest secret of my life... LOVE YOU BOTH!!

noahcentineo: ok but like... can i be the flower boy? congrats you two 😭💍

milliebobbybrown: BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE IN LOVE. this is what my heart needed today 💖💖💖

lukasgage: omg STOP 😭😭 I'm crying! love you both so much!!!

phoebedynevor: That ring is GORGEOUS. I'm obsessed, congrats you two! ♡

rachelzegler: you win. just in life. ✨🫶🏼

obxfanpage: Y/N AND MADZ?!?! the internet is SHAKING. i can't even breathe rn. this is everything.

fan2: someone check on Storm i just know she's crying in her room rn lmao

cinemaddictsblog: stunning on the carpet. even more stunning with that ring. engagement era madelyn = ICONIC.

fan3: wait i thought she was still dating chase? tf is this bs
↳fan4: get a fucking life
↳fan5: they broke up a while ago lmao
↳ fan6: Why would you even bring that up?
↳fan7: She should've stayed with Chase, idk what the fuck this shit is
↳fan8: Y'all are so homophobic and it shows 🙄
↳fan9: Chase has a girlfriend, I don't think he cares about Madelyn getting engaged, she's happy, he's happy, let them be for fucks sake
↳fan7: For all we know, they could miss each other and just need time
↳fan8: You're delusional, just let Mads be happy
fan10: y'all really out here trying to ruin OBX like this... wow, this is disgusting

fan11: THEY'RE ENGAGED? my whole life just changed! 😍

fan12: respectfully... y/n is one lucky girl

fan13: imagine coming home to Madelyn Cline every day 😭
↳fan14: STOP I'M MAKING AN ENGAGEMENT EDIT RIGHT NOW 😭💍

obxupdates: I SAW THIS CONFIRMED ON TWITTER BEFORE SHE POSTED!!! SHE WAS FLAUNTING THE RING EARLIER!!!
↳clineupdates: same!! it was trending like an hour before the post dropped lmao madz girl you're not slick 😭

fan15: nah i'm unfollowing. this feels fake af.

fan16: ugh the hate in these comments is disgusting. if you don't support her happiness, LEAVE.

fan17: Y/N REALLY LOCKED DOWN MADZ??? WHERE DO I SIGN UP TO BE A