Gwen looked into the soft face of her boyfriend, down on one knee in front of her. She quickly told herself to smile. She quickly told herself not to think of anyone else.
Rhys let out a moan and grabbed his back.
"What, what's wrong?" Gwen had gained enough composure to realize that he was in pain.
"My back...ahg!" He gurgled on for a bit. Gwen helped him lie on his back, and smiled down at him, thanking the universe that she now had time to think about his question.
"Gwen, I-ouch-I love you honey," his face was straining in an expression of agony.
"Oh, no darling. You don't have to do this n-"
"I love you Gwen and I wanted to know, if you would do me the honor of being my wife?"
Gwen immediately thought of the members of Torchwood. She thought of Owen repetitively telling them that Jack was not coming back, never coming back. She thought of Ianto's desperation when he protested, though even his faith was slowly fading, day by day. Gwen thought of Tosh's uncertainty, the absolute fear in her eyes. The pain she was constantly carrying around with her. Gwen thought of the last time she had seen Jack.
"Of course I will, Rhys. I love you." She bent down to kiss him as he lay flat on his back.
After all, who else would have her?
This is dedicated to Jezza/Julia/Ianto/EmoSpaceWhale and her magnificent story about Ianto's year that never was.
Go on, go read it, It's quite fantastic.