[-36-]

                                    

                                          

Joy sat staring vacantly out the large window into the parking lot. She watched as cars moved by, creeping through the drive-thru in the early morning hours. She was counting the vehicles, losing track at number thirteen; anything to rid the godawful hangover—the debilitating nausea that only a McDonald's breakfast could cure. 
                          
It was the last leg of the tour—the past two months had zipped by so quickly that Joy had barely even noticed. Only one more month remained; they would end the tour in L.A. then officially finish off with a homecoming gig in Central Park. She had never been happier... she'd never been more hungover. 
                          
All she could seem to think about was finally going back home and getting a much needed break. But when her eyes met Julian's, her thoughts trailed to other things—unmade plans of a future she wasn't so sure about. Julian had kept his word—he was faithful. But she and Julian had been living in the moment, neither of them discussed what was to come of their relationship after the tour. 
                          
"Sausage McMuffin and hash brown for the lady." Julian spoke with a smile in his voice; she didn't have to look at him to see he was wearing one. 
                          
He slid into the booth across the table with the tray, placing Joy's food in front of her. She forced a smile, the gesture almost hurt. She was nearly too hungover to move—her body felt like it had recently been struck by a semi-truck. 
                          
"Thanks." Joy muttered, slowly unwrapping the harshly yellow colored wrapper to reveal her not-so-well made "breakfast." The sight of what she was about to ingest was repulsive to say the least, but she knew that after a few bites she'd feel at least a fraction better than if she hadn't. 
                          
Since they were no longer living in the dark about their promiscuity, dining in at a nearby McDonald's after every drunken night was now a ritual. Joy smiled at the thought—this was their way of going on "dates." 
                          
"What?... what's so funny?" Julian spoke mid-chew, wiping the corners of his mouth with a napkin. 
                          
She shook her head, following Julian's lead by actually eating her food instead of gazing at it in disgust. She guzzled down her coke, continuing to stare out the window at the traffic of the drive-thru. Beer-brain was something she thought she'd be used to by now... she wasn't. 
                          
After scarfing down three quarters of her McMuffin, Joy belched in relief. Although her body still didn't feel too well, her insides did. She sighed softly, wanting to put her head down on the table and take a nap. Instead, she folded her arms over her chest, leaning back in the booth. 
                          
When her eyes wavered to Julian's she was a little surprised to see he was already looking at her. 
                          
"What?" She smiled halfheartedly, feeling rather intimidated by the look he was giving her. It was the same look he had given her that night in the back of the cab—that expression filled with amazement and wonder. She wiped her chin, thinking she had a grease trail. "Got something on my face?" She giggled. 
                          
In rather dramatic fashion, Julian dropped his food on the open wrapper. He grabbed his napkin, wiping off his mouth and hands. He sniffled; wadding the napkin up in a ball before pulling the straw out of his drink. 
                          
Her eyes narrowed skeptically, wondering what he was doing. She watched him manipulate the straw—twisting, pulling and looping the thin plastic. 
                          
Joy grew bored, peeling her eyes away from whatever it was Julian was doing. It was probably some elaborate joke, something he thought she wouldn't see coming. Or perhaps it was nothing—perhaps Julian had just found something to keep occupied. 
                          
"Hey..." Jules spoke low, getting Joy's attention again. The straw in his hands had been wielded into a complete circle—connecting itself with knots Julian had made by looping it together. "Will you marry me?" 
                          
Her eyes widened and her mouth fell agape. This had to be a joke—a sick joke. But the look on Julian's face suggested that he was being serious. 
                          
Dead serious. 
                          
"Dude... no fucking way." Joy giggled in disbelief. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if confused by Joy's apprehension. The tip of his tongue grazed across his lips before revealing a wide smile, exposing his teeth. 
                          
"Will you marry me?" He said again, this time with a chuckle hiding in his throat. Joy tried searching his face for any falsehoods, but that same look of awe resided in his eyes. Her silence worried him, causing Julian to clear his throat. "I was just sitting here looking at you and... I realized something. I fucking love you. I'm in love with you. Instead of saying it all the time, I might as well prove it. So I'm gonna ask you again... will you marry me?" 
                          
"Yes. Yes, I'll marry you!" Joy exclaimed, causing a few patrons to glance their way. Julian slid the straw on her ring finger, standing from the booth to lean across the table to kiss her.
                          
It was a ridiculous proposal, off the wall, really—she wasn't even sure if it was a real one; but it was good enough for Joy. 


                          
__________
A/N:
Okay, so I read somewhere (an old Julian interview) that the first time he proposed to his wife was in a McDonald's—with a straw. 😂
The real one came later in front of everyone in L.A. 
I don't know if it's true, but if it is, by god it's pretty fucking sweet.