Disclaimer: I own nothing, obviously.

Unbeta'd. Reviews are highly appreciated but not necessary. Post-Reichenbach.


I take you as you are, loving who you are now and who you are yet to become.

When he came back from the dead, he had thought of taking her hand in marriage. The thought had been in his head two months prior to his return. He had an introspection about the nature of their relationship and the events that had happened between them every now and then, taking in all the things he had told her and her role in his life. How she loved him for who he is and still sticking around when all he did was to cause her pain.

He had thought she would immediately agree, he even pictured her possible reactions; she would either faint or her eyes would lit up from joy and wrap her arms around his neck and press a gentle kiss to his pale cheek. He bought a pair of engagement ring back in France and practiced the things he would tell her once he decided to ask her hand in marriage. He didn't know it would be this hard, thinking the speech would be a piece of cake, but just thinking about it makes him nervous. He wanted to do the right thing now, no more unnecessary and potentially harsh deductions, just be honest and straight to the point.

No, he wouldn't let this one slip. He would make things right now and he wants to start a new life with her.


I promise to listen to you and learn from you, to support you and accept your support.

But it seems life wants to play with him. He finally showed himself to his friends and family and things are going smoothly. He even felt excited to talk to Molly and ask her to marry him. But the euphoria of happiness comes crashing down when he received the wedding invitation.

And right then and there, all his efforts and guts were put aside. He felt the intense pain in his chest, the realization that he was too late reeled in his mind. His mind reminded him that he had the time before, he had so much time but it was all wasted.


I will celebrate your triumphs and mourn your losses as though they were my own.

It was a civil wedding. Small group of guests were invited, all wearing white. He was standing alone at the back row, wanting to see her first before her soon-to-be husband claim her as his.

Then she came, dressed in a simple, white dress. Plain, simple, and pure. All words associated and fitted her perfectly. When she passed by, she gave him a tight smile, and he in return. He stared at her with desperation and sadness, and it took all his willpower not to tell her right then and there to stop the wedding and ask her to be his wife. But he hadn't expected her to stop in front of him and hug him, he was still, surprised by the act, and hadn't got the chance to return it. When she let go, he buried his right hand in his pocket, gripping the engagement ring he brought back in France. Thinking about what could have happen if he wasn't too late, how things could have turned out if he were to marry her, and how he would feel to wake up every morning with her beside him, his eyes opening and the first thing he would see is her peaceful-looking face.


I will love you and have faith in your love for me, through all our years and all that life may bring us.

It was done. And he could do no more than accept that he was too late. But the engagement ring is still waiting. It's waiting to be worn by two people who was supposed to be wedded. Maybe one day, they'll get married. Maybe, just maybe, but he desperately hopes so.


AN: Woo. Cheesy. This story is just like my other fic: The Woman in White. So…?