[Five Years Later]

Rachel was a small person. Always was, always will be. For every relationship she had been in, it had never been that hard to fold her up in your arms. For Elizabeth, it was the easiest thing in the world. Of course, it was also quite common of Rachel to try and fold her little arms around Elizabeth's uber curvaceous body. Needless to say, it was a fruitless effort. After all, Rachel was a small person...1

*..@_@..*2

Elizabeth was working quietly in her cubicle when Rachel wrapped her arms across her chest and around her shoulders. Rachel rested her head in the crook of Elizabeth's neck, and Elizabeth nuzzled her in return. Rachel giggled and softly kissed Elizabeth’s neck.3

“Shouldn’t you be on lunch break?” Elizabeth asked seriously, turning back to her work. Rachel pulled away and sat down on Elizabeth’s desk, right on top of her papers so Elizabeth would focus on solely her.4

“I should be, but I got you something,” Rachel said, cocking her head to the right slightly. Elizabeth sighed and quirked an eyebrow at Rachel. She knew something was odd every time Rachel said those four words ‘I got you something.’5

“What is it?” Elizabeth questioned suspiciously, staring Rachel directly in the eyes, looking for something, anything. All she saw was nervousness…what could Rachel possibly be nervous about?6

“It’s a surprise. I’ll give it to you tonight, at dinner,” Rachel said slowly and carefully. Elizabeth furrowed her eyebrows now, for now she was confused!7

“Dinner?” Elizabeth questioned, and Rachel nodded. “Speaking of which, are we still having dinner with Alex?”8

“And Sam,” Rachel said, smiling slightly. A lot had changed in the past few years. Alex, short for Alexander, was Rachel’s older brother, being six years her senior. He had married Sam three years ago, so Rachel’s relationship had changed quite drastically with the girl. They had gone from passionately hating each other to nearly good friends over the last three years. In the beginning, no one had hated Sam more than Elizabeth, and vice versa. They had once been good friends back in high school and the like, having almost grown up together, but had a falling out over a boy they both happened to be dating at the time…the same time. (Elizabeth was only bisexual.) Of course, because Rachel had gotten closer, Elizabeth, as her girlfriend, had gotten closer too. And Elizabeth and Sam were nearly back to where they had begun, simply old friends that had reunited.9

“Of course. We never have dinner with just Alex, he always has to bring that wife of his everywhere, doesn’t he?” Elizabeth joked and Rachel rolled her eyes.10

“Snake!” the nasally voice of Elizabeth’s boss came into the cubicle around that time. Elizabeth inwardly groaned and Rachel rolled her eyes, hopping off of Elizabeth’s desk. Mr. Buttram made his entrance, strutting in with his arms waving wildly, his feet pointing outwards like a duck, his chest thrust out as if it would make him any manlier…Buttram was a short man, with a Mr. Monopoly mustache and an increasingly thin hairline that left him almost bald. He was oldish and wore glasses. Large, thick, square glasses. He wasn’t a very flattering man at all. But when it came to art…the man was a god! Art was most definitely his forte.11

“Yes, Mr. Buttram, sir?” Elizabeth said as firm as could be. Mr. Buttram may have been an amazing (and ugly) artist, but he was also a total prick. A selfish, stuck-up prick that was not to be tampered with.12

“What are you doing tonight? Have any plans?” Mr. Buttram asked quickly, pulling his glasses down a bit and peering at Elizabeth over the top of them. He always thought it was an intimidating thing when he did it, when in reality? It only made him look odd. Impeccably odd.13

“I’m having-”14

“Nothing? Splendid! Then I expect you to stay late and finish putting together the powerpoint with Lance,” Mr. Buttram demanded. And with that, he spun on his heel and stalked right back out of the cubicle, his arms waving wildly and his chest stuck out.15

“Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye,” Elizabeth sighed, and shook her head. Rachel frowned, letting her shoulder slump.16

“Does this mean you won’t be coming to dinner?” Rachel asked softly. Elizabeth looked up at her and forced a smile, shrugging.17

“I’m not sure. Maybe…I’ll try to get done as soon as I can. I may just come late and catch dessert, if even that, if I can…I’m sorry, babe,” Elizabeth said. Rachel sighed, but leaned down and kissed Elizabeth softly on the forehead.18

“That’s alright, Love. Just do your best…” Rachel stalked sulkily out of the cubicle and Elizabeth rolled her eyes, shaking her head. She never hated Mr. Buttram more, but ah, the pains of work…19

*..@_@..*20

Rachel arrived to dinner that night at the Slammerkin…alone. Sam and Alex were already seated, and waiting for her when she arrived. Rachel smiled at them, and hugged them in greeting before sitting down. Sam looked around curiously for Elizabeth, questioning about her whereabouts while Alex poured Rachel a glass of wine, even after she declined (“Trust me, you’re going to need it tonight,” Alex had simply said) and then slowly sipped his own.21

“Uhh…she had to stay late. To finish a power point or something for Buttram. The bastard really does need to pull whatever he rammed up his butt out!” Rachel glared into her cup of wine as Sam snorted, stifling a laugh.22

“That’s the weirdest thing I’ve heard all day. The funniest too…I can’t believe that’s actually the poor fellow’s last name!” Sam said and Rachel merely nodded in agreement.23

“Tell me about it,” Alex yawned, glaring slightly at his wife. Sam glared slightly back, and Rachel looked confused at the two of them.24

“What is with you two tonight?” Rachel demanded, and they just looked at her oddly.25

“Nothing,” Sam said quickly, and Rachel narrowed her eyes suspiciously.26

“Sure…OH MY GOD! You guys, I have a question. I want your opinion on this ring…” Rachel said, pulling a little black velvet ring box. She flipped the top opened and showed it to Sam and Alex. Sam gasped in surprised.27

“It’s beautiful!” she said, admiring it. And beautiful it was. The ring was a beautiful silver color, consisting of two bands welded together with blank onyx in between. At the top of the ring was rounded diamond, accented again with black onyx. It was absolutely stunning, sitting delicately against the red satin inside the black ring box.28

“Who’s it for?” Alex asked, and Sam looked up at Rachel with a quirked eyebrow in interest.29

“It’s for Elizabeth,” Rachel said softly, blushing as she did. She grinned at the pair. “I’m going to ask her to marry me!”30

“NO!” Sam practically screamed, absolutely shocked. Her eyes were wide, her mouth gaping. Rachel blinked rapidly, taken aback. She snapped the case shut and slid it into her pocket, studying Sam carefully.31

“What? Why? What’s wrong!?” Rachel questioned Sam suspiciouisly. Sam laughed nervously and looked around.32

“Hehe…uhh…n-no reason…” Sam gulped and smiled again at Rachel. “It’s a pretty ring. I was just…err…shocked! Yeah, just shocked is all! Congrats!” Rachel shrugged it off and laughed.33

“Don’t congratulate me yet –she hasn’t said yes; I haven’t even asked!”34

“Well, I’m sure she’ll yes without a doubt,” Alex said encouragingly, grinning at his sister. “I’m really happy for you, Rach. You’re doing absolutely great for yourself. And I don’t think you need anyone else appearing in order to make it better.” Alex elbowed Sam as she opened her mouth to protest. “Isn’t that right, Sam?” Sam glared at Alex, before forcing a smile at Rachel.35

“Of course!” Sam said with fake cheer. Rachel furrowed her brows, looking back and forth between the two.36

“What’s going on, you guys?” Rachel demanded of them. They both laughed nervously, glancing at each other, and then at Rachel, and finally the floor.37

It was perfect timing too as a strangely familiar voice chirped from behind them, “Hello!” Rachel turned to greet whoever had interrupted them, about to call them rude, but stopped dead in her tracks. Her mouth dropped open in shock, and her eyes widened to the extreme. (As if she didn’t already have big enough eyes.)38

“Welcome back, Lily,” Sam greeted with a cheerful grin. Lily’s eyes met Rachel’s, and a sad smile came upon both of their faces. It’s amazing what can happen just a mere five years later…39