Love Leads The Way
Part Twelve
By Pepper
"Danny?" asked Michelle, glancing up at him curiously. "What is this?"
He handed her the box.
"Open it and see," he said, smiling down at her mysteriously.
She carefully looked at the box, examining it from all angles. He laughed silently, amused by her expression of thrilled curiosity.
Suddenly he had a thought.
"Wait Michelle!" he exclaimed, grabbing for the box. "There's something I have to do first!"
"Oh no you don't," she yelled back at him, jumping out of reach just before he grabbed the box. "You've delayed this long enough!"
"But Michelle..."
"No buts!"
"I wanted to do this right," he said, slumping down on the couch, trying his best to look pitiful.
"Oh all right, if you're going to be all pathetic about it," she said as she sighed and handed him the box.
He immediately smiled and kissed her on the back of her hand.
"You'll be glad you did," he said, grinning at her briefly before assuming a sober mood (a half attempt anyway).
"Now," he said, as he arose from the couch. "I'm going to do this right, like I should have done in the first place."
He sank down to the floor, resting one knee on the ground.
Michelle's eyes grew wider, as did her smile, as she realized what he was about to do. She leaned forward slightly on the couch, a touch out of breath.
"Now," said Danny again, looking a little nervous. "Michelle. I love you. You know that, I tell you all the time, but there was something I forgot to do. Something very important. At the time, I didn't even think about it, I only wanted to be with you. For us to be together."
He paused, looking up at her. She smiled and nodded at him, encouraging him with her eyes.
His courage slightly renewed he went on.
"I wanted everything to be perfect at our wedding. But I forgot to do this, I forgot to propose. And you deserved that. So, Michelle, will you be mine? Mine forever? Will you love me, cherish me, need me and want me for the rest of your days, as I will you?"
"Oh Danny," Michelle breathed, as he opened the small black box to reveal a stunning blue sapphire surrounded by tiny diamonds. "I love it!" she practically screamed as she hugged his neck as hard as she could.
"Is that a yes?" he said, laughing.
"What do you think?" she said, as she pulled back and daintly held her hand out for his to put the ring on her finger.
He gingerly removed the ring from it's black satin lining and gently pushed it onto her finger. A perfect fit, just about her wedding band.
She sat back and gazed at it, mesmerized.
"Do you like it?" he asked, almost shyly.
She beamed at him and nodded.
"I love it."
She leaned over and wrapped her arms around his waist, settling in there, then pulling out her hand to look at her ring again.
"So..." he said, nuzzling her forehead.
"So?" she said, not looking up.
"What else did you have for me?" he asked.
"Oh my God, Danny!" she said, jumping up and rushing out of the room. "I almost forgot!" she called back.
"Was it something I said?" he yelled, jumping up and running after her.