I do not own the Despicable Me franchise.

With the release of Despicable Me 3, I figure it's a good time to publish the sequel I promised in Aftermath. You don't really have to read Aftermath to read this story, though.

Proposal

Felonious Gru had never been so nervous before in his life.

He had faced many dangers in his past career as a super villain that didn't make him bat an eye. His mother was constantly criticizing him and cutting him down. He was the father of three girls who differed in age; the eldest twelve, the middle nine and the youngest six. He should have been immune to nervousness and anxiety by now.

Apparently not.

Sitting in a grand and expensive restaurant, Gru adjusted the black tie that hung around his neck and eyed his girlfriend of eighteen months, Lucy Wilde. The redhead was inspecting the menu with a slight frown on her face as she struggled to understand exactly what kind of food was being advertised.

"You know, I've been in many different countries," Lucy remarked. "I just came back from Paris, for heaven's sake. I ate snail. I ate frog legs. I know you couldn't have left the girls for that long but I wish you all could have been there, and I bet Edith would have loved trying frog legs. Anyway, when I say that I have no idea what any of this stuff is it's really saying something."

"Mmm-hmm." Gru nodded, his mind too busy running through the speech he had prepared to come up with a proper response.

Lucy peeked at her boyfriend overtop the sleek menu. Gru was staring at the marble fountain by the arched entry, deep in thought. "Gru?" Lucy prodded. "Is everything okay?"

"Huh? Oh! Yes, evert'ing ees just fine," Gru said hastily, snapping out of his thoughts. "So, what are yoo thinkeeng of ordereeng?"

Lucy placed the menu flat on the table, the dinner choices facing upwards. She closed her eyes and jabbed her finger randomly. "Um…" She opened her eyes and studied the choice her finger had landed on. "Eggplant and lamb stew. Ew, I don't think so. Okay, one more time."

Gru shook his head in amusement and glanced at his own menu. "I t'ink I'm goeeng to go weeth de pork chops weeth raspberry sauce."

"And I'm going to go with-" Lucy opened her eyes once more and checked the choice. "Souvlaki? What is that?"

"Don't ask me. My diet ees made up of macaroni and cheese, peeza and bananas," Gru chuckled.

Lucy whipped out her A.V.L designated cellphone and brought up the internet. "Souvlaki-made up of pork tenderloin, yellow onions, bell peppers, garlic. Now this is what I'm talking about!"

"What's wrong weeth eggplant and lamb stew?" Gru asked teasingly.

"Come on, eggplants and lamb together? Not for me, thank you." Lucy waved a waiter over and the two placed their order. When the waiter walked away Lucy turned to Gru with a quizzical expression. "I've been meaning to ask, why did you pick such a ritzy place for our date?"

Gru coughed as his heart began to pound again. "Er…well, eet ees our one hundred and forty-seventh date. I t'ought eet should be a special occasion."

"Aw." Lucy smiled. "That's sweet. Wow, I can't believe we've been dating for a year and a half! Time sure flies when you're with the greatest man in the world."

A soft smile crossed Gru's face and he reached over, gently brushing his fingers over her cheek. "Yoo are not so bad yoorself."

"Have I ever told you that you're quite the romantic?" Lucy joked. She leaned over the table and gave Gru a quick peck on the lips. "I'll be right back. The ladies' room is calling my name."

Gru rested against the back of his chair and watched as his girlfriend sauntered off, her red hair swaying behind her. An anxious sigh escaped him and he wrung his hands together nervously. "Soon, Gru. Soon yoo weell have to ask de question."

The small, black box felt like a heavy weight in his pocket. Gru could see the simple diamond engagement ring clearly in his mind. A ring that he hoped would be on Lucy's finger shortly.

Dating for a year and a half was, for most, too short a time span for a marriage proposal to even be considered. But Gru knew from early on that spending the rest of his life without Lucy Wilde was out of the question. He wanted her to be his wife, to be the mother of his beloved girls.

All he needed to do was pop the question.

Easier said than done, Gru thought, tugging on his collar. Even though he was almost positive Lucy would say yes, he still couldn't help but worry.

The waiter arrived with their food and a minute later Lucy returned to her seat. "The stalls are painted gold! And there are miniature take-home soaps in little wire baskets!" She opened her purse to reveal a dozen round, coloured, sweet-smelling soaps.

"I t'ink yoo are only supposed to take one," Gru said in amusement.

"If I have to pay thirty-five dollars for one dish then I can take more than one soap, Mister I-Sneak-Free-Refills-When-I'm-Not-Supposed-Too."

"Dose cups were too small," Gru defended.

Lucy laughed and picked up her fork. She stabbed a piece of her Souvlaki and popped it in her mouth. "Hmm…pretty good."

"For thirty-five dollars eet better be," Gru laughed and tried his own meal. It wasn't too bad, though he wasn't fond of the raspberry sauce.

After a while Lucy had finished off her plate and Gru had about a quarter of his meal left. He set his fork and knife aside and took a drink of his sparkling water. "Remind me not to come here again."

"I dunno, I liked my meal." Lucy patted her stomach contentedly. "For a weird name it tasted pretty good. Are you going to pack that up for later?"

"Eet won't last long een my household," Gru snorted. "De minions don't understand de meaneeng of 'stay out of de fridge'."

"Put it on a high shelf." Lucy grinned mischievously. "You shouldn't have any problems."

"Trust me, de minions don't let anyt'ing stop dem when dey want somet'ing."

Lucy laughed softly and glanced over her shoulder. "I guess we should get the bill. I hope they give little mints, I love those."

"Before we do dat, I have somet'ing I need to say."

Surprised by the sudden seriousness in Gru's voice, Lucy turned around and frowned in concern. "Is something wrong?"

"No, de opposite, actually." Gru took a quick breath to calm his nerves. "Lucy, for de past eighteen months yoo have made me de happiest man alive, as clichéd as dat sounds. Yoo are an amazing woman and I am lucky to have yoo as my girlfriend. I love yoo so much, the gurls adore yoo, and I am hopeeng dat yoo weell consider becomeeng a wife and mother."

Gru got down on one knee and held out the box, the diamond shimmering in the lighting. Lucy's face went slack with shock for only a second before her eyes welled with happy tears. "Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!"

Relief and delight coursed through Gru's veins. He slipped the engagement ring on Lucy's ring finger and swept her into his arms amidst applause from the other restaurant-goers. They shared a quick, deep kiss before pulling apart.

"Darn, you made me cry." Lucy gave a half-hearted pout and wiped the tears off of her cheeks. "But since it's because you proposed, you're off the hook."

Gru smiled and kissed her forehead. "I have a feeleeng dis weell be de only time I'll ever be 'off de hook'."

"Ah, so you know about married life already. Good. That means I won't have to go easy on you."

…

"You know, it's just my luck," Lucy sighed, lingering in the doorway of her apartment. "On the night of my engagement I'm filling out reports instead of spending it with my soon-to-be husband."

Gru tapped her nose lightly. "Dat's what happens when yoo procrastinate. Yoo can stop by tomorrow after work, eef yoo want."

"I do want. I want very much."

"Den I weell see yoo tomorrow." Gru gave her a kiss goodbye. "And film de expression on Ramsbottom's face when yoo tell him yoor engaged."

Lucy rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Goodnight, Gru."

"Goodnight, Lucy."

The ex-villain returned to his massive, steel Gru-mobile in high spirits. He was going to get married to Lucy, the girl of his dreams. The very thought sent his heart fluttering and a wide grin to cross his face. He couldn't remember a time when he had been in a happier mood.

Nothing would be able to ruin this beautiful night. At least, that's what he thought.

A thought that was immediately shattered the second he stepped foot into his once-clean household.