A/N: Just quickly I wanted to give many Thank Yous' to the only three people who reviewed this story so far. So Chris (MimixIshidax) you are amazing - your way to good to me! Love to you girl! Next NightPixie (I love your username) and I'm happy for your review, and Pink-Strawberries, thanks for taking the time to write a review, your all so nice! So thank you to you three again.

You are cordially invited to the prologue/preamble of any wedding – the proposal!

Down On One Knee: Part 2/8:

Nervous Wreck

Was the restaurant suddenly becoming smaller? Because it sure looked like the walls were going to squeeze the life out of him. Did it abruptly feel like he was sitting in a blazing oven? Because it sure as hell – no pun intended – felt like it. Matt tugged at his collar and tie, hoping it would no longer feel like he was suffocating. He felt like he was declaring his love for the girl of his dreams unsure if she would accept him or reject him. Considering his character that was a nerve racking decision! Only he'd already been there and done that and luckily the girl had responded more than quite well. This was a whole different matter entirely.

Matt glanced at his cell phone, checking the time. She was late, as usual. He just wished that of all nights she would have decided to try and make an effort to arrive on time. He didn't know how much longer he could wait without losing his nerve… or bolting for the door.

A few of the other surrounding guests glanced at Matt strangely when he began muttering under his breath, some trying to catch what he was saying. Matt remained unobservant to the stares, only rehearsing his speech that he'd already practiced over one hundred times. He cringed, that only made the butterflies worse. Taking a sip of water he looked to where Mimi was supposed to be walking in.

It wasn't suppose to be this hard, he thought frustrated. At least it shouldn't be this hard anymore. Only Mimi was a classy girl. She liked things big, expensive, one of a kind. She was probably expecting some over the top, extravagant proposal. Well technically she shouldn't be expecting anything tonight – it was a surprise. Not to forget she was dreadfully romantic.

Matt went through the speech in his head again, wincing at the humility of his stutters he was sure to come when he actually had to voice them aloud… to her. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt her come to his side and press a quick kiss to his cheek before sitting down across from him. God it was embarrassing being himself tonight. His ego was taking a huge punch and she didn't even know it - yet.

"Sorry I'm late." Mimi said, giving him a bright smile.

"No, no –" flustered, he cleared his throat, annoyed to hear his hoarse voice crack, "its fine, you're here now. You look beautiful tonight."

"Why thank you Matt. You're looking pretty handsome yourself."

"Yes, thanks… anyway there's something I wanted to ask you tonight." He paused looking up in her eyes, the butterflies fluttering wilder. His eyes widened just a smidge when he saw her knowing smile and twinkling eyes. Matt's stomach muscles tightened uneasily and he shyly looked away. "But first let's order…" Matt muttered a quiet curse for losing his nerve. Mimi smiled gently before agreeing, secretly understanding his dilemma.

When the food came the silence was still wrapped around them and Matt was getting more nervous, wondering why Mimi was so quiet – it wasn't like her.… She barely even looked at him. Throwing quick little glances at her face it made him anxious to see her circling her spoon in her soup with a serene expression and a small smile playing around the corners of her lips. He didn't understand that expression.

Matt fumbled for his napkin resting it on his lap as he mulled things over. He suspected she knew something, – something of tonight. Why wasn't she saying anything then? He looked up when he heard her begin humming to herself with a dreamy look on her face as she continued to stir her soup. Suddenly things became clear; he's seen many women with this same face before. Matt laughed out loud, but it sounded strangled – she knew! Oh God, she knew!

Mimi looked up, startled and frowned concerned at his odd behavior. His hands were covering his face and he was slouched in his chair. Mimi grinned before making herself focus. "Matt what's the matter with you? Are you feeling sick?"

Matt tensed before letting his hands slide down his face slowly. His face was a light shade of red and he stared back feeling very self-conscious. "No, I'm fine." He replied stiffly. Mimi smiled sweetly before going back to sipping her soup.

Matt watched her warily and she continued to "seem" absorbed in her soup. He had a feeling she was only acting as if she didn't have any idea of the true meaning behind this night. He didn't really appreciate that, but he couldn't be sure.

"Mimi what's on your mind right now?"

Mimi jumped a bit at the sound of his voice then looked down at her lap sheepishly. "Well nothing much. I'm just thinking about dinner right now and… us…" She smiled shyly and ducked her head again.

Matt spoke slowly, his heart rate picking up, "And those thoughts are what have you looking all… swoony?"

Mimi laughed, "What? Swoony? Is that what I look like?" she laughed again, "I'm sorry, I didn't know I was making that face, I'm not thinking anything important. But anyway Matt, before you decide to order, you wanted to tell" – she strayed from the word 'ask' – "me something? It seemed important to you." She smiled and looked at him under her long lashes, waiting.

Oh God, I knew I put this off for too long, thought Matt. His mind was frantic, but on the outside he appeared cool – at least he hoped. This wasn't as easy as other men made it seem, he thought sourly. He stared at her eyes and sucked in a breath. She was absolutely mesmerizing and it wasn't fair that even though he knew how beautiful and innocent she was, he still couldn't be more than nervous asking her to be a Ishida or even telling her he loved her on a daily bases. He didn't like talking about his feelings or even showing them, yet she stayed with him. God he loved this girl, he should at least give her the proper proposal.

Be a man Ishida! Swiftly he grabbed her hand, holding it gently.

"Mimi, there was something I've been meaning to ask you tonight."

Mimi's eyes widened in surprise before excitement shinned. "Yes?"

"I did say you looked beautiful tonight didn't I?"

Mimi grinned nodding her head, then waved her hand dismissively encouraging him to continue.

Matt frowned before digging inside his mind, trying to remember what he'd been planning to say. He was only getting bits of pieces, panicing that he's forgot most of his speech. The nerves and butterflies picked up again only ten times stronger, only now he was feeling nauseous. His words tripped over his tongue and he internally cursed himself for being such a wimp.

There was no way he was going to get this speech out while looking at her – at least until he asked the most important four words anyway. "Okay then. It's just that we've been together for a while now, and I think we're ready to…" Matt paused bewildered at hearing her echoed whispers. His hand around her's tensed and his posture stiffened defensively. She wasn't even looking at him! She was staring at their hands! And she was grinning and nodding her head! And it wasn't any normal placement where the girl finally started to catch on. Matt didn't like this; it was as if she were feeding him his lines for a movie!

What the hell?

Mimi looked up casting her well known doe-eyed expression upon his judging face. A giggle escaped before she could stop it, managing to look sheepish. She knew her act was up now. He continued to stare her down as if he was trying to dissect out a science experiment – she didn't like that look.

"What the hell are you doing Mimi?"

Mimi scowled, "Matt, language."

Matt rolled his eyes, "Sorry, but seriously what are you doing? Why are you doing that?"

"Doing what?"

"You know what I'm talking about! How do you know what I'm going to be saying? And I don't mean just because you finally know what the topic is. How do you know the exact words? Did Tai get to you?" Matt ran a hand through his hair from frustrated embarrassment.

Mimi gave a grim smile, "No, Tai didn't get to me. I've known what you've wanted to ask for the last hour."

Matt frowned disappointed, "I figured as much."

Mimi gave an encouraging smile, "But you were doing so well. Do go on – ask me."

"The moment's ruined."

Mimi stared at him, her eyes saddening. Not because he wasn't going to ask tonight but because she had been immature and handled his nerves like a game. It was obviously hard on him to say these things…

"My speech wasn't all that romantic anyway…"

The guilt went into spiral mode.

"Oh no Matt! I'm sure it was! Anything that comes from you, I love." She reached across the table to hold his hand. Matt was beyond humiliated and far past reregistering anything but his bruised ego. Mimi sure knew how to put a guy out...

"Am I really that predictable when it comes to love and romance? Because I can't help it if I'm not every other sap out there."

Mimi resisted a smile. No he was most certainly not a sap. He was just the opposite. Matt and the words romantic together were like putting sheep and wolves together – they just didn't mix right.

"No Matt you're not really "predictable," you're just…" Mimi scraped her brain, what's the word she was looking for?

"Boring, played-out, too serious, unromantic, a stiff?" Matt supplied broodingly.

Mimi's eyes winded, surprised. "No! No, you're not any of those things!"

Was she serious? Matt gave her a condescending look making Mimi glare in return, "You're not." She shouted, exasperated that she was even having this conversation with him. She quieted her voice after receiving a few glares from the surrounding guests. Leaning closer to him she said, "You're perfect the way you are. You might be a little too serious more than necessary at times, but you're not boring or played-out and especially not a stiff."

Matt stared at her, feeling touched that she thought him "perfect." A fact he knew he was far from. "You forgot unromantic."

Mimi shrugged as if that was a minor detail that didn't matter. Matt once again took the wrong road and became defensive, causing Mimi to laugh, "I'm only kidding Matt. I think for a moment I just forgot how serious you are. You are romantic – in your own way."

"In my own way…" Matt echoed bitterly.

"Yes - your own way. Who cares if you're not some cheesy clichéd guy who buys his girl flowers for no occasion or tells her she's gorgeous every day. And who cares if you don't take me out dancing just to hold me close or if you're not spouting poetry."

Matt's eyes narrowed suspicious and defensive (always on the defense) "Are you trying to tell me something Mimi."

"What? No!"

"That's everything you like. You like guys like that!"

"Well… sure. But–"

"And I'm not like that!"

"Matt would you let me talk." She rolled her eyes, getting frustrated. She didn't like the way this night turned out. "Look Matt, you're not exactly Prince Charming I'll admit that, but I like you the way you are. And I think I probably would get bored if you were like that. You keep me on my toes, Matt."

"We're complete opposites," Matt declared.

"Opposites attract," Mimi countered with a smile just for him. Matt relented just a bit and smiled back, chuckling to himself.

"But when you actually do those things, it's really special. I never know when you're going to send me flowers or take me out. It's always a wonderful surprise and you make me feel loved when you tell me I'm beautiful or you love me. And that's what makes it even more special. Like I said you keep me on my toes. I don't need some totally fairytale guy." Mimi stared at him evenly throughout her speech watching his reactions. His eyes lightened considerably and his tensed arms uncrossed, his face softened. He seemed to be giving up.

"Well, I do love you."

"Are you going to ask me now?"

Matt couldn't help but blanch. He still wanted to ask her but she totally killed the mood, or maybe it was him? He couldn't remember, but he didn't want to ask on the sole purpose of she knew what he was asking. He knew he was being petty but he couldn't care. But then again she did keep pressing him to ask…

"Will you say 'yes?'"

"'Yes' to what?" she asked innocently.

Matt rolled his eyes, "You know what."

"I'm sorry Matt. I don't know what you mean. You haven't asked me yet."

For some reason the butterflies began fluttering again, only much stronger than earlier. And somewhere in his mind he knew what he had to do. Taking a convulsing breath, he stood up and took Mimi's hand. With his heart hammering in his ears and his mouth dry he got down on one knee. Mimi's gasp was audible as she placed her hand over her mouth.

His earlier thoughts escalated to the reminder that she wanted this – that he wanted this. Because he did! He wanted to give her a proposal she would remember and cherish – something they both would. If he was being perfectly honest it was already memorable.

Gathering the courage he looked up at her through his incredibly long lashes, his eyes soft, but somehow still radiating. He wanted to do this right, "Mimi I love you and want to spend the rest of our lives together telling you." And always the modest he glanced down at his next words, "I love you with every ounce in me and I want to you by my side." Hastily he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, black, velvet box revealing a gorgeous diamond ring. His eyes were wide and piercing with expectation, "Will you marry me?"

Mimi stared on too stunned for words. Her heart swelled with more love than she thought possible, her eyes watered, spilling over. Her smile was elation to no end. The things Matt would do for her… giving a sobbed laugh she muttered a watery "Yes," before jumping into his arms.

"I told you, you were perfect!" Mimi said into his chest.

"Not really, but thank you." Matt said, holding her tighter.

I couldn't help but feel as if the end was way too cheesy (such as Mimi's response)? If anything was confusing do tell me!

Next chapter up in one week is titled Girl's Request. So be on the look out!

So I got a respectable amount of alerts and favorites but you couldn't leave me a review? :( Of course secluding the three I mentioned at the top.

Reviews will be greatly loved and appreciated!!!