Chapter Text
William had made a lunch reservation for Lizzie’s birthday, on the patio near the sidewalk, and had given the restaurant a large check to keep the patio private for the early afternoon. In an attempt to calm his nerves, he had planned every detail he could. He had had a special bouquet containing every color of roses placed on the table, he had pre-ordered every dessert on the menu to celebrate, and had a bottle of Cristal Brut champagne brought in from Italy, since the restaurant typically didn’t carry anything that high end. He had his speech memorized, and a copy in his pocket in case his words escaped him. He’d had the ring cleaned, he’d had a long call with her father that had gone more smoothly than he anticipated.
When William and Lizzie arrived at the restaurant, he ensured that he held every door for her, and pulled out her chair as she exclaimed over the roses. He smiled, kissed her cheek, and poured them each a glass of champagne.
“I can see I’m going to have to up my game for your next birthday, William,” said Lizzie with mirth. He smiled and assured her it wasn’t a competition.
Lizzie had the most delicious roast chicken she had ever tasted, with a side of potatoes flavored with pepper and a bit of lemon, proud to have made a good pairing with
William’s wine selection without any assistance. William had no idea what he ate.
When their waiter arrived with the selection of desserts, William took a deep breath, reached into his pocket, and…
“Will! Lizzie!” Gigi. For the first time in his life, William was not happy to see his sister, with Fitz in tow. Lizzie was ecstatic, and jumped up to hug both of them.
“You have to sit with us, William ordered way too much dessert.” William’s chin disappeared into his neck.
The four of them--well, the three of them, William ate no more than a single bite per plate--split the five desserts. Gigi and Fitz insisted on a raucous rendition of “Happy Birthday,” then Lizzie excused herself to go to the bathroom.
“Alright, Will, what’s wrong?” Gigi demanded as soon as Lizzie was out of sight.
“I wouldn’t know to what you are referring.”
“Will. You’re pale, your chin is practically invisible, and you barely ate. You actually look a bit like you’re going to throw up, are you ill?”
“No, I’m fine, it’s...the food is…”
“Oh my God, you were going to propose!”
“What? No, I have...it’s her birthday, and…”
“And your anniversary and the most romantic restaurant in five miles and you were going to propose! You have Mom’s ring, right? Oh my God, she’s going to love it. What are you going to say?”
“You mean, what was I going to say, before two more people sat down on this private patio?”
“Oh no, we didn’t.” Gigi looked horrified.
“Hey, Gigi D., maybe we better go.” Fitz supplied as Lizzie walked back out to their table.
“No, you can’t leave now! William promised me a trip to the largest bookstore in San Francisco.”
“No, really, Lizzie, we should go, you don’t want us ruining your day. Two’s company and all,” Gigi tried to escape, to let her brother and Lizzie have their moment, but Lizzie was insistent.
And so the four of them found themselves walking into a converted factory stacked floor to ceiling with more books than Lizzie had ever imagined could fit in one place.
“What do you think, Lizzie?” William whispered in her ear, wrapping his arms around her waist.
“You know that part in Beauty and the Beast where the Beast gives Belle the library?”
“Thanks to Gigi, I actually do.”
“That’s my favorite part. And I think you just made it happen in real life. Thank you.”
“Happy birthday, Lizzie. Get whatever you like, and don’t look at the price tags.”