Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Neil, Andrea, Jake or any of the other characters from "The Bill" who might be involved in this fiction. They are all the property of Talkback Thames productions.

He gazes with pure adoration at the woman lying next to him now. It has been exactly two years since his life changed forever, since he moved into this flat and made this relationship official. Never in his entire life had he been as happy as he has been for the last two years and its all because of one person, one beautiful amazing person who was sleeping peacefully until moments ago when she stirred from her slumber. Andrea Dunbar is the woman who has made all the difference in Neil Manson's life and there isn't one day that he doesn't appreciate what he has when he has her. Neil smiles down at Andrea affectionately and she mirrors his smile.

"Morning sweetheart, happy anniversary," he wishes her.

"So you remembered then did you?" Andrea teases him, "well then where's my surprise?"

"How could I forget? You dropped enough hints," Neil continues the affectionate joking "anyway I have a whole evening planned for us and the surprise comes somewhere towards the end of it so you'll just have to wait."

"Don't I even get a clue what it might be?" Andrea pretends to sulk, putting on a mock pout. The look on her face sends Neil into hysterical laughter and it's not long before she joins in unable to keep up the sulky façade any more.

"No, you don't," he replies serious but smiling. "This evening has been planned with military precision and I don't want anything going wrong, that includes you guessing what the surprise is."

Her kisses are gentle at first, but slowly graduate to more passionate, intense kisses.

"You know you can't win me over this way," Neil says between kisses.

"Not trying to," Andrea replies as she breaks away, gazing lovingly at him, "I just thought saying as it's our 2nd anniversary, we should do something to celebrate."

Neil chuckles gently before him and Andrea become lost in passion.

Darkness is descending, and the cold night air penetrates their coats as they leave the expensive Italian restaurant they'd chosen to mark the occasion of their 2nd anniversary, but none of this is about to deter Neil from carrying out his carefully laid plans. Despite her verbal protests that it is far too cold for a walk, Andrea is eventually persuaded that a short stroll through the splendour of the Japanese gardens will be romantic enough to offset the effects of the chilly February breeze. Once in the gardens Andrea is captivated by the beauty of it all, and almost doesn't notice Neil stopping as they walk beneath a floral arch. Realising Neil is no longer holding her hand, guiding her along the path she stops.

"What are you doing?" Andrea enquires perplexed as Neil just stands there under the arch smiling lovingly back at her.

"Your surprise, that's what," he replies softly "or don't you want that anymore?"

Before Andrea has a chance to reply, Neil is down on one knee and slipping a small jewellery box out of his trouser pocket. Andrea is left speechless, her hands flying to her mouth in surprise. Never for a moment had she guessed that Neil was planning on proposing tonight. Neil can't help feeling nervous, understandably so as he is about to ask the question which will change his and Andrea's lives forever. There is also that niggling fear in the back of his mind that she mightn't be ready for marriage and he hasn't quite worked out yet how he would deal with it if she rejected him. Nevertheless, he wants this more than anything and isn't going to let anything put him off.

"I love you Andrea Dunbar, more than I could ever tell you and more than you could ever imagine. You are the love of my life and I never want to let you go. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, making you as happy as you make me. Will you do me the honour of marrying me and becoming my wife?"

Though shocked at the proposal, there is no doubt in Andrea's mind what her answer will be. She wants what he wants, to have a life together.

"Yes of course I will," Andrea replies emotionally, tears of joy streaming down her face as Neil places the platinum and diamond engagement ring gently on to her finger before scooping her up in his arms and spinning her round. They kiss tenderly, completely lost in each other as if nothing else matters now, nothing else exists. When they finally arrive home they slowly make their way to the bedroom, intimately exploring each other and indulging their passion for one another.