It's sunset on a beach in Antigua…
"I thought you said you didn't mean any of what you said then," Shawn quirked an eyebrow at his fiancé'.
"Yeah, about marriage. Not about the ceremony!" Juliet explained.
"Oh, well, okay. Yeah, a destination wedding would be nice," Shawn smiled brightly. I'll call some of the resorts down there on Monday and see what they have available," Shawn smiled as Googled Resorts in Antigua.
"Okay," Juliet responded distractedly as she thumbed through bridal magazines. She dog eared a page of the magazine then looked to the man sitting across from her, "Shawn."
"Hmmm?" It was his turn to be distracted.
"I love you."
Shawn smiled as he turned his attention to Juliet, leaning over Juliet's kitchen table and his laptop and planted a tender kiss squarely on her lips, "Love you too, Jules."
By the end of the evening on Sunday Shawn and Juliet had narrowed the resort they wanted to use down to one, so on Monday Shawn reserved use of the ballroom and a block of twenty rooms. They would reserve more rooms later if needed. He was given a sizable discount for reserving multiple rooms. Thankfully the date they'd originally settled on was wide open. Now just to announce their engagement and pending nuptials.
Shawn looked at his watch, closed laptop, and grabbed his keys. Time to go!
Shawn pulled up outside of the Santa Barbara Police Department just shy of noon as he and Juliet had planned. He removed his helmet and tucked it under his arm as he took the steps two at a time up to the entrance.
He waved at Buzz as they passed in the hallway and strolled lazily toward Juliet's desk. She was engrossed in putting together a report and did not notice Shawn until he came up behind her and started massaging her shoulders. When she let out a soft moan he leaned down and placed a kiss softly on her cheek.
"Ready?" Shawn whispered into her ear.
"Yeah," Juliet's voice shook as she opened her desk drawer, removed the ring from its box and placed it again on her finger.
"Let's do this," Shawn smiled as Juliet stood and they walked to the chief's office.
"Breath," Shawn whispered as he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
Juliet took a deep breath as she knocked softly on the door. Karen signaled for them to enter.
They stepped in and took a seat. All parties were silent for a long moment.
Chief Vick quirked an eyebrow, "Can I help you two?"
"Well, chief, we think that a number of people in the office, including you, are over worked and in dire need of a Caribbean vacation," Shawn answered.
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, and we think that three months from Saturday would be the perfect time to take that vacation," Shawn affirmed.
Chief Vick's face contorted into a visage of confusion, "Why that particular day?"
"Because that's when we're getting married," Juliet answered, a huge smile spreading across her face.
Karen stared speechlessly at the couple as Shawn held up Juliet's hand to reveal the ring. Shawn and Juliet both jumped when Karen leapt out of her chair hurriedly closed and open blinds then drew Juliet into a bone-crushing hug, then Shawn into another before seizing Juliet's hand to stare admiringly at the ring.
Shawn and Juliet commented on highlights of the past two weeks and explained how he had proposed which caused a tear to flutter down the chiefs' cheek. After a few minutes she returned to her seat and motioned for the two to sit.
"Now, I am happy for you, though, it seems you're on the fast track at the moment, and many people, Lassiter especially, will question that,"
Juliet responded, "After nearly losing one another we realized we're not doing ourselves any good by postponing the ceremony simply to make others happy."
Karen nodded in acknowledgment and agreement, but continued her own train of thought, "And you must know that my previous warning still stands. If you're relationship ever begins affecting your work in a negative manner I will assign you to different cases."
"We understand," The two answered at once.
"Now as for those who you believe "need a vacation" who would that be beside's myself?" Karen asked smirking.
"Well, Lassie, of course, Buzz, and Sergeant Allen," Shawn explained.
"I think we can arrange that," Karen's smirk turned into a smile as she scribbled the names down in her planner.
"Oh, and chief," Juliet smiled broadly, "I was wondering if you'd be my maid-of-honor?"
Karen's smile warmed, "I'd be honored Juliet." She hugged the young detective one last time, "Now, I'm starving, what do you say we go grab some lunch?"
Suddenly the trio heard murmurs outside the door.
"What the…" Karen whispered as she opened the door to her office.
"Oh, we've already taken care of that!" Shawn chuckled as they stepped into the hallway.
"Thought we'd throw a nice little Caribbean themed engagement lunch party," Shawn gestured dramatically to the lunch room where Henry and Gus were setting up a smoothie station and the boxes of Jerk Chicken, et al, being hauled in by a few of the officers.
"Henry's helping?" Karen uttered astounded.
Shawn chuckled again, "I promised I'd change the oil in his truck."
Suddenly a woman's voice called out from the back of the room, "Shawn, if this is your doing, you're a godsend, I mean, Jerk Chicken. I've been craving this all day. I love you, will you marry me?"
"You're very welcome, but, well, Mattie, I would, but you see, I'm already engaged!" was Shawn's reply as Juliet smiled brightly and held up the sparkling diamond on her left hand.
Karen was sure she'd gone deaf from the response that reply evoked.