"They have given me a transfer."

Her blue eyes widened a little, but, "Oh," was all she said.

"It is to the NATO branch in Bonn, where the HQ is located."

"Ah. The capital. That doesn't sound like a punishment."

His cheeks heated up, as he remembered the stunt for which he was being banished. He had been tipsy on duty, albeit after celebrating his father's 75th birthday. "I'll help put together a new team. It will be difficult. I will be very busy. It is a bit of a second chance." One he didn't deserve. He should have been fired, really. But he had certainly learned his lesson now. He would never, ever drink so much again that he risked not sobering up to the next day. "Uncle pulled some strings for me."

"It is good to have a family that supports you," she said, sounding a bit wistful. She was an only child to only children, with her parents long since dead.

"Yes. Ah ... I've been thinking ... We've been going steady for six months now."

"Well, we grew up together, so I don't think you can really count these past months as anything special."

"Berit, the last six months have been the best of my life. Come with me to Bonn. Marry me!"

She smiled gently at him, warming his heart like sunshine. "My dear, dear Andrew. Of course I will."