February 18, 2008, Alfredo paid me a visit to ask for advice on whether or not he should propose to Colette. After finding out that they had been dating for a year, I said that he should. Remy then came in and I added that if Alfredo wanted a second opinion…Remy interrupted me by saying that he and Alfredo had already had a talk about it. As you most likely remember from the last Superwolf Reunion I had given Remy, Django, and Emile the ability to speak human.

This was how it really started:

It was closing time, and Colette noticed the calendar they kept in the kitchen.

"Alfredo, our first anniversary of dating is coming up." She said.

Alfredo looked and, true enough, it was only two days until the anniversary.

"Wow, we should plan something special." He smiled, actually looking a little emotional.

"Well considering we're friends with the best chef in all of Paris that takes care of the dinner…." Colette noticed that Alfredo looked close to tears. "Honey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just that I've never had a girlfriend for even a day before I met you."

"Well, technically, I never really had a boyfriend before either." Colette smiled. "I've had a few dates back in high school, but they only lasted for a short time. After graduation I just gave up and decided to concentrate on my career only."

"Yeah, well, it's not like any of the guys you went out with were good enough…." Alfredo teased good-naturedly.

"…Except for you." Colette finished, grinning.

Alfredo blushed, after all he wasn't used to being complimented.

"Hey guys Anton's leaving, it's officially closing time." Remy called from his perch on the door between the kitchen and customer area.

Alfredo and Colette went over to the door so that the three of them could wave good-bye. Anton noticed and waved back.

Colette then went to the customer area to clean the tables, but to Remy's surprise Alfredo went to the bathroom instead of starting to clean up the kitchen. Remy followed and knocked on the door; Alfredo opened it.

"It's okay Little Chef you can come in." Alfredo sighed, strangely seeming sad.

Despite knowing Remy's real name Alfredo still liked to call him Little Chef. Remy liked being called that so he never commented on it.

"What's wrong?" Remy asked, concerned.

"This is." Alfredo replied, setting down a catalog onto the floor.

Remy's mouth dropped open, it was a catalog of engagement rings!

"You're thinking of proposing to Colette?" Remy asked.

"I've been thinking about it for about two weeks," Alfredo replied sadly as he sat on the toilet. "But I never got the courage. Our anniversary of dating is coming up and that would be the perfect time to propose, but I don't think I'd be able to."

"I think it's a wonderful idea." Remy smiled.

"You think so?" Alfredo said, surprised. "I thought you were jealous of her."

"I forgot to tell you," Remy laughed. "I got over that back when Colette decided to help us out. You know, back when Ego was reviewing us for the first time."

Alfredo, Colette, and Remy used Ego whenever they were referring to Anton's old self, the way he was back before Remy's ratatouille humbled him. Even Anton used it, and was actually very amused when he first found out about that.

"Oh." Alfredo smiled.

"So why can't you get the courage?" Remy asked.

"I don't think she'll accept," Alfredo sighed. "Why would she want to marry someone like me…?"

"Hello, wasn't she the one who said that you're the only one good enough for her?" Remy frowned. "You've got to stop with this lack of confidence of yours, you have many friends, a steady job, a girlfriend, and you've even found you're true calling. Most importantly, you're a great friend. And don't forget, even your dad is proud of you despite you not being a cook because you have a good heart."

It's true about Alfredo's true calling: Alfredo was so good at being a waiter on skates that he already became famous for it a long time ago. This actually helped a lot with business, but despite that work still didn't bring in much money.

Alfredo opened his mouth to say something, but then fell silent. It had become pretty hard to win an argument against Remy, especially since Remy's views were often more optimistic than his.

"What about…the timing? It has been close to a year, but humans usually know each other for a longer time than that before getting married." Alfredo finally pointed out.

"Er…." Remy had to admit that here was where he was stumped. "I think you'd best ask a human's opinion on that one. What about Miranda? She's famous among the Superwolf Team and Watchers for giving good advice about that subject."

I was only famous because I was the only one couples would come to for advice. Sometimes they'd even ask me before asking their parents. I guess they're more comfortable talking to me about it...though considering my Cupid's Eye it isn't really surprising.

"All right, I'll ask her tomorrow." Alfredo smiled.

Fortunately, Colette was still cleaning the customer area so Alfredo and Remy didn't have to come up with an alibi when they went back into the kitchen.

When Alfredo gave in after hearing my advice, he brought out his catalog in order to pick out an engagement ring. The one he liked most was a heart shaped sapphire that matched Colette's eyes, but he couldn't afford it so I gave him the extra amount he needed. He at first was uncomfortable but I replied that I had too much money anyway so it was hardly a favor.

This was true since the Stone Gods don't use money and so aren't very good with exchange rates or how much things cost. Meaning Boss kept paying me and Jack a lot - for potions and such - until I told him to stop since I'm not the type who wants to be big-time rich. I like being able to donate to charity and environmental causes all the time though... Anyway:

What neither Alfredo nor Colette knew was that Remy was planning an anniversary/engagement surprise of his own for them: a heart shaped chocolate cake. For this one he had to use the clan for help, but since they were able to help before it was no big.

Closing time of the anniversary date, Colette, as usual, went to clean the tables in the customer area and Alfredo cleaned the kitchen. Colette also prepared a table where she and Alfredo could have their anniversary supper before going to the park to stargaze. Since Remy, Django, and Emile helped Alfredo clean the kitchen, they were done before Colette. Remy and the clan also wanted to get Alfredo out of the kitchen quickly so that they could prepare the cake.

Alfredo left the kitchen just as Colette placed the last items on the table. The table had a red tablecloth that they reserved for dates – since saving money was important for them they usually had their dates in their own restaurant – two red candles, and a heart shaped vase of roses. Colette and Alfredo sat down, and Alfredo poured them champagne that he brought from the kitchen.

"Here's to our first anniversary." Alfredo said as he raised his glass.

"May it not be out last." Colette smiled as she tapped his glass with her own.

Needless to say, that helped a lot with Alfredo's courage.

"Colette, ever since our first kiss I've felt a special connection with you," Alfredo began. "And it didn't take me long to realize that I never want to be without you, and that I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"I feel the same way." Colette smiled before teasing: "Though by 'first kiss' do you mean the one Remy caused or the one after that?"

Alfredo found it hard to lie to Colette after she found out about Remy, so he had to tell her what had really happened that day they first kissed. She didn't mind, and she was proud of him for finding the courage to tell her that. She wasn't even mad at Remy, actually she was grateful.

"Well, technically we continued the kiss on our own after a few seconds." Alfredo smiled. "Remy wasn't even controlling me after we closed our eyes."

"I'm glad we did continue the kiss." Colette smiled. "I found out that day that you're the one for me."

"I felt – still feel actually – the same way, and you don't know how happy I am to hear you say that." Alfredo smiled before getting down on one knee.

"Alfredo…?" Colette broke off.

"Colette, will you…will you marry me?" Alfredo asked, holding out the ring.

Colette was stunned speechless, then looked as if she was about to cry, but instead she smiled.

"Alfredo…of course I'll marry you." She said, emotional, as she held his hands.

Alfredo started to tear a little too as he put the ring on Colette's finger. Colette then tackled/hugged him and they kissed. When they broke apart and got back into their seats they were emotionally speechless for a while.

"It's…beautiful." Colette said, referring to the ring. "Did you pick it out yourself?"

"Yes, I thought it matched your eyes." Alfredo smiled before sighing: "Although, I couldn't afford it on my own so Miranda had to lend me most of the money."

"I understand." Colette said. "She is a good friend."

"Only villains would be able to disagree with you there." Alfredo smiled.

They then began talking about the wedding, and got so into it that they didn't notice a group of rats wheeling one of the restaurant carts towards them. On top of the cart was a covered cake platter and Remy wearing his chef's hat.

"Happy anniversary and congratulations!" Remy said.

Alfredo and Colette almost jumped out of their chairs. Remy chuckled at their reaction.

"Remy!" Colette said angrily before laughing. "Well, you certainly got us."

"Were you planning to do that all along?" Alfredo smiled sternly, pretending to be angry.

"Only what's under the platter." Remy smiled. "I knew about Alfredo planning to propose to you beforehand but I didn't expect you two to get that startled by my arrival."

"Under the…you prepared a treat for us?" Colette gasped, surprised.

"Well, you two mean a lot to me." Remy smiled. "I always knew humans weren't bad despite their 'trying to kill rats', but dad never even dared to believe it until he met you two."

Colette and Alfredo smiled. Remy then lifted the lid with help from Django, Emile, and the strongest rat in the clan. Colette and Alfredo gasped with pleasure: the chocolate cake was decorated with red and pink icing and a message on top that read: Many Happy Years to the New Engaged Couple (Remy has to write small because of his small size, but it was still legible).

"Oh Remy, thank you." Alfredo smiled, moved.

"Well I couldn't have done it without the clan." Remy smiled as he cut a slice for Alfredo.

"Anything for two of the three most decent people I've known." Django added, meaning Anton as well (he meant in this World, not all Worlds in general, by the way).

"Congratulations you two." Emile added.

Alfredo then cut a piece for Colette, and they both ate. Colette even cut a piece for Remy, Django, and Emile to share. Unexpectedly, after a bit everyone heard a knock at the door. Remy and the other rats quickly hid as Alfredo went to the door.

"I'm sorry we're…oh Anton." Alfredo said after opening the door.

Remy and the other rats came out of hiding.

"I wanted to wait until after closing time before getting my gift." Anton explained as Alfredo let him in.

Alfredo and Colette had already told them of their dating anniversary.

"'Gift'?" Colette repeated.

"Well what else do you give a couple when they're celebrating a special event?" Anton smiled. "Hello Remy. Hi Django, Emile."

"Hi Anton." Remy smiled as his father and brother waved. "Cake?"

"Well since it's obviously for Alfredo and Colette…." Anton hesitated reluctantly.

"Oh go ahead." Alfredo laughed, knowing that Anton had become a bigger fan of Remy's cooking than Colette or even him.

Anton smiled and took a slice. He then ate a few bites before giving the new engaged couple their gift – though he didn't know about the 'engaged' part yet, until….

"Colette…is that…is that an engagement ring?" Anton asked, wide-eyed.

"Yes, Alfredo proposed to me a while ago." Colette explained.

"Well…all I can say is congratulations." Anton smiled. "And you two will definitely be happy together."

"I've believed that ever since Colette came back to help us." Remy added.

Colette then opened the gift: it was a grey glass rat holding a red glass heart with 'One Year of Love' inscribed on it. The rat's eyes were brown. Obviously the glass rat was supposed to be Remy.

"Wow!" Remy gasped, impressed.

"Anton, we…we don't know what to say." Colette said as Alfredo admired the rat from behind Colette.

"Well I knew the story of how you two fell in love, so I thought something to represent that would be a good gift." Anton smiled.

After Alfredo told Colette the truth about the kiss it became a funny story to look back on, so they obviously told Anton.

"It sure is." Alfredo smiled. "Thank you."

They all then spent the rest of the time talking about the wedding, but of course they couldn't stay there all night. After a couple of hours they parted, but Alfredo and Colette were so into the wedding that Colette decided to go to Alfredo's to continue talking. Remy smiled and decided to stay over with the clan so that he could get some sleep and give the newly engaged couple some privacy. He also knew that they'd stop at the park for a few minutes for their stargazing and he was a bit too tired from all the cooking to be able to stay awake long enough. Unfortunately, they were all so happy from the engagement that they forgot about one detail that would be a problem: churches don't allow rats.