milliways_bar | (no subject)

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She had come downstairs looking for James. To look for James and maybe get a cup of cocoa to bring back upstairs with her. But somewhere along her search, a seat by the fire had begun to look appealing. So did the idea of looking through a bridal magazine, just to see how much wedding fashions have changed since in the twenty-first century. No planning yet, but a little looking never hurt.

So: one Sarah Jane over by the fireplace, smiling contently as she sizes up the gowns on the magazine pages.

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The magazines are... noticed. Barbara's eyebrows climb upward, and it takes her a few seconds to settle them. By the time she rolls over and smiles, cup of coffee cradled in her lap, she's got her expression under control.

"Hey, Sarah. How have you been?"

Sarah Jane doesn't make any attempt to hide the magazine, only closes it neatly when Barabra rolls over to be polite.

"Absolutely wonderful," she admits happily, leaning into the couch and laughing again. "Everything has been wonderful, Barbara. Better than I thought it would ever be, to be honest."

"Oh?" Barbara cocks her head curiously. "And how is James?" It's a question with many potential meanings, and Barbara probably intends them all.

She laughs, smiling. It's not hard to figure out what Barbara is asking, and Sarah Jane isn't one to hide a secret like this from her friends.

"He proposed last night."

With some effort Barbara manages to look stern... well, sort of, "And did he get you a ring with an obscenely big diamond? Because I suggest that if he did not then you should hold out for one."

"No, not yet," Sarah replies, grinning. "It was a sort of spur of the moment proposal. We're going to go shopping together later this week, I believe."

With a shake of her head and an overly dramatic sigh Barbara says, "You know, I'm rather disappointed. I always thought that James Bond would be a bit more thorough. You mean he didn't plan it at all?" Her eyes are glittering with amusement.

"He's much more impulsive than you'd believe," she answers. "Absolutely no planning what-so-ever, unless you count that awkward and absolutely adorable bit before asking where he skirted around the question to make sure I wouldn't say no."

"Oh?" Barbara's face suggests that she has to hear this.

"I, um."

Sarah looks at Barbara in a rather conspiratal manner.

"Long story or short?"

Barbara glances theatrically down at her coffee, "I'm full up, I think I can take the long one."

Sarah laughs and nods, taking a long sip of her hot cocoa before starting her story.

"I think it started with him teasing me about my romance novel. I have a horrid habit of reading them sometimes," she admits, rolling her eyes, "and he made a rather pointless joke of asking me why I still needed to read them. So in return, I practically demanded romance on the spot. And he complied and then I kissed him and told him just how wonderful he was and he patted my cheek."

Sarah snorts at that bit and shakes her head. "It was his way of keeping himself from asking right then, apparently."

Two months, she thinks, smiling and sighing before continuing. "I didn't know and when I did find out... Well, he did ask. After we skirted around the question for a minute or so. And after I had already admitted that my answer would be yes." Sarah's eyes sparkle and she smiles all over again. Quietly, "I'm getting married, Barbara."

A lot of Barbara's expressions, both facial and vocal, have some degree of calculation in them. She's spent so long using every tool in her possession to control any situation she's in that she doesn't even think about it anymore.

But this smile... This smile is one hundred percent genuine. As is the soft, happy tone in her voice, "Congratulations, Sarah."

"Thank you," she replies honestly, beaming at her friend. "I... oh, I never thought something like this would make me so happy. It's rather amazing."

Barbara's voice is still quiet, "It's somehow different when it's you, huh?" She grins, "It's a special thing, Sarah. I'm glad you've found it." her voice drops to almost a whisper, "Not many people are so lucky."

She nods, knowing full well what Barbara means. Both she and James had gone through a lot before finding each other.

"I just hope it stays."

"Hey," Barbara reaches out and lays her hand on Sarah's arm. "Everyone gets a few happy endings."

"Oh, but those are so boring," she answers, forcing the grin back on her face. "And I am marrying a spy. Honestly, I'd rather just live."

"There are," Barbara teases, "Far worse things you can do with your life."

"I know. And the only thing that'll truly be changing is that I'll have my wonderful boyfriend as a husband instead," Sarah Jane says with a confident nod. "It's not such a bad loss after all."

Barbara snorts, "I'm sure you'll find a way to live with it."

Sarah grins wickedly. "Oh, it'll be absolutely horrible, Barbara. Absolutely horrible."

"The things you'll do to that man!" is the mock-horrified reply.

This time, it's her imagination that turns wicked and her cheeks flush red with embarresment. Oh the things she'll do indeed.

With the daydream bouncing around inside her brain, Sarah Jane lacks any response to this comment.

Barbara just leans back in her chair with a knowing smile and sips her coffee.

Her friend is getting married.

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