The proposal

"Well, I just hope I won't have to wait until doomsday before getting your answer".

Lisbon bit her lip. She knew that his careless tone was nothing more than a mask. This had to be very important to him, and she actually regretted being unable to make up her mind.

"I'm not sure I could ever live up to your wife, Jane".

Her words had come out in a whisper, and she half hoped that he hadn't heard them.

Apparently he had though. For he crossed the room and placed a gentle hand on her cheek.

"Teresa, I don't want you to resemble Angela. I just love you the way you are – that's why I'm asking you to marry me".

Suddenly she realized that her issues had never been about Jane. It was herself that she didn't trust.

"What if we get married and it turns out to be a complete disaster? I'm not great at opening up to other people, you know. I would make a terrible wife".

"Come on. I've known you for the better part of a decade. I can deal with that, I promise. As far as you're willing to deal with me on a daily basis, of course".

"I already do that, as far as I recall".

"At work. Not at home".

She sighed. "I'm not afraid of that. However… what if I cannot give you any children? I'm nearly forty, as a matter of fact".

Jane stared at her in disbelief. "You don't think that I would marry you just in order to have kids, do you?"

He didn't need her to answer. The response was written all over her face.

Damn, he had to convince her that she actually mattered to him. Being a father again was just a side benefit he was prepared to give up if necessary.

"We could adopt a child. Or babysit little Benjamin from time to time. I don't care, Teresa. I want you to be part of my family. I want you to be my family".

A sob finally escaped from her lips. Lisbon flung her arms around his neck, burying her face into his vest.

"I want that too, Jane".

"Am I supposed to take this as a yes?"

"Yeah", she murmured softly.

"Good. May I hope you'll start calling me Patrick then?"

He felt her smiling against his chest. "Old habits die hard".

"All right, I can wait a little longer".

With that he lifted her chin and tenderly caressed her lips with his own.