"He's worried about letting you down, Bradley," Dave interjected, "that, coupled with getting fired. Who knows what James said to the guy?"
                          
"Yeah, he's good for that." Bradley jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "I'm hoping he says yes, though, or it's back to interviewing and I honestly don't think we'll find anyone even close to someone with his experience. I guess we'll have to wait and see."
                          
A thought occurred and he paused. "Two weeks from now, you guys have plans?"
                          
Dave regarded him curiously. "What kind of plans? Two weeks, as in two weeks from today?"
                          
"Yeah," Bradley decided to fill them in,  contemplating how likely it was that Gloria would kill him that everyone knew he was going to propose before she did. "I'm planning something special for Stefani and I was wondering if you guys could help."
                          
"Special as in, a date night or special as in..."
                          
"Special as in I'm asking her to marry me," Bradley supplied and the instant he did, Lukas whooped, slapping him heartily on the back. 
                          
"That's the best news I've heard all day. Congratulations, man! You two are a great couple and I know you'll be so happy together."
                          
"Thank you," he shook Lukas's out stretched hand, "she has to say yes first."
                          
Each time he expressed the sentiment aloud, he realized that it was a deep seeded fear; that she'd turn him down, not because she didn't love him, that he knew as a certainty but because she wasn't ready to be engaged again after just a year of dating. Granted, they had been through a lot together, things that would've broken them if they weren't as strong and yet, there was still the inkling of self-doubt he wasn't good enough to be her husband and she would recognize that.
                          
Immediately, as he tended to do, Lukas recognized his anxiety and put a firm hand upon his shoulder, looking at him square in the eyes. "She will, Bradley. For what it's worth, I've never seen two people so in love with each other, aside from my parents. Kind of disgusting, really," he smiled and Bradley couldn't help but smile back. "In all seriousness, she's going to say yes."
                          
Lukas's confidence had always far belayed his age and when he gave his opinion, he was right, more often than not.
                          
"I hope so." 
                          
"I know so. And I'd be honored to be a part of your proposal. I'll make sure you guys have an amazing meal."
                          
"You're the best, man, thank you."
                          
He looked to Dave, unable to gauge his reaction. They'd come far in the year since he and Stefani had begun their relationship and he knew his friend had finally come to accept it. Kari and the twins adored her and because of who she was as a human being, slowly, Dave realized that despite of whatever persona he and the world knew her as, when it came down to it, she was just a normal person. It was still a little bit of an anomaly for Dave and he understood but he hoped beyond hope, the other man was happy for him. 
                          
Turning cautiously to him, he started to speak when Dave beat him to the punch. 
                          
"Good for you, Brad. No, I mean it. I regret constantly how much of a fucking asshole I was at the beginning; what I said to her and to you but I like to think we made our peace. All of us. She'll always be who she is in the public eye but she's a great person. Kari and Emily say so all the time. And the boys are crazy about her."
                          
He pressed forward in his seat, "I haven't seen you this happy in a really long time. Possibly ever."
                          
It was more than enough acceptance and the notion with just how far Dave's attitude had turned a corner, brought a tear to his eye. "I appreciate that."