Disclaimer: As always, I don't own anything. Please don't sue, though all you'd probably get out of that are my two babysitting charges. (And trust me when I say you don't want them… LOL)

Author's Note: Thanks to Amanda's urging, this is part 1 of a series of one shots I have dubbed "The Rooftop Series". LOL

Dedication: For Becki, since she sent me a love songs CD and that is what this was inspired by and written to! Also just because she's the best friend a girl can ask for!

Title: Rooftop Proposal

Natalie giggled as John spun her out, pausing for a moment before he pulled her back into his arms, kissing her passionately.

"That's the longest that I ever want you out of my arms," he whispered. She smiled as they began to dance to the slow song that had started to play, choosing not to say anything. Instead, she laid her head on his chest and sighed contentedly as John kissed the top of her head.

"Can this moment last forever?" Natalie's voice broke the peaceful silence after a few moments of relishing the feeling of being in his arms. She lifted her head, and John brushed a gentle kiss across her lips before replying in a whisper, "No… But I promise that I will do whatever I can to make many more like it. You deserve nothing less."

John gently brushed away the single tear that was trickling down her cheek as Natalie smiled.

"I love you so much," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

John's breath caught in his throat as he took in how exquisitely beautiful she looked, and he was reminded all over again of just how lucky he was.

"I love you back, and you are the best thing that has ever happened to me," he replied in a choked whisper.

"John," Natalie whispered as she got lost in his eyes. She pulled him into a kiss, tears falling freely from both of their eyes and mingling as the kiss continued.

After a moment, John reluctantly broke the kiss, making no move to wipe away his tears or to hide the emotion in his voice as he spoke.

"Natalie, I mean it. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you more than I ever thought that I could love anyone, and I'm sorry that it took so long to get to this point. But we're here, and I could go on and on but then… We've never been much for words."

He reached into his tuxedo pocket and pulled out a black velvet box, holding it up as he sank onto one knee.

Natalie gasped her hand flying up to cover her mouth as he opened the box, revealing a small gold band that was set with three small sapphires. Her eyes filled with tears as John took a deep breath and began to speak, his voice trembling with emotion and nervousness.

"I know that diamonds are traditional, but we're anything but traditional, aren't we?" Natalie laughed and nodded, still unable to speak as he went on. "I saw this and it just seemed right… It's unique, like us, and the second I saw the stones I was reminded of your beautiful eyes."

He chuckled nervously, and Natalie could see his hand shaking through her haze of tears.

"And now for the question—the most important one of my life—Natalie Buchanan, will you marry me?"

Natalie was crying so hard that she could do nothing but nod as she held her hand out. She leaned down and captured John's lips with her own in a sweet kiss as he put the ring on her finger.

She squealed as John stood, his mouth never leaving hers as he picked her up and spun her around.

"Mrs. John McBain," Natalie mused a few moments later, staring with wonder at her ring as the sapphires sparkled in the moonlight that the Angel Square Hotel rooftop provided.

"I can't wait," John said, lifting her hand and gently kissing the ring.

"Neither can I," Natalie whispered as she stared into John's eyes and moved in to kiss him.

She paused just before her lips touched his and whispered, "Neither can I," once more before she lost herself in his kiss and their happiness.

FIN