Disclaimer: All the characters you recognize from the Stephanie Plum books belong to Janet Evanovich.

A/N: This story isn't beta-ed. Any grammar faults or spelling errors are not to be considered flaws or defects but inhence the individual beauty :)

Chapter 4

The next few days rushed by in a whirlwind of light-hearted fun, talking about everything and nothing and just enjoying each other's company. The nights, on the other hand, were filled with unforgettable heat, passion and love making. Neither Steph nor Roque ever approached the topic of his departure; but as sure as he had been about him staying a lifelong bachelor as sure Roque was now that he couldn't go on without Steph in his life. He was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with her.

"Why is it that you dislike the boardwalk so much?" Steph asked into the comfortable silence that had descended over them.

She and Roque were walking along the beach from Point Pleasant toward Mantaloking, their hands entwined and feet bare. It was a beautiful warm summer day and the waves with their soft white caps caressed their ankles whenever they were strong enough to reach them. When Roque didn't answer, Steph peeked over at him and saw that he had a faraway look into his eyes. He had been open with her since day one, had let her see into his heart and soul and shared some of his darkness. She knew where he most probably was at this moment and that he needed time to sort through his thoughts. After ten more minutes she felt him squeeze her hand.

"It's not that I dislike the boardwalk in itself," he started and paused again. "When you've been spending most of your adulthood in countries were human rights are non-existent, were you see death and destruction on a daily basis," he hesitated anew, "then it sometimes can become difficult for you to deal with people here stateside."

"People in general or just special groupings?" Steph consoling rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand.

Roque took a deep breath and sighed heavily. "You won't let that go, eh?" He glared at Steph with a smile.

"When it really troubles you to talk about it, I won't ask again."

Roque pulled her out of reach of the water and sat down into the warm sand positioning Steph between his legs with her back pressed to his front. Nuzzling her hair behind her ear he slowly place soft kisses down her neck and along her shoulder.

"I love you Steph. You know that, right?"

"Yes, as you know that I love you," Steph answered without fear or trepidation, snuggling closer to him.

Squeezing her Roque continued, "Recently, I realize that I have more and more problems dealing with the ingratitude and shallowness of many people. We are living in such a great country here. Food, freedom and inalienable rights are taken for granted; but instead of being thankful people are displeased and begrudging. At the boardwalk it seems, to me, as though that discrepancy is magnified. It's all about spending money, see and be seen without ever stopping to consider what a fortune that means."

Steph felt his shoulders sag behind her.

"I've seen so much hunger, poverty, blood and death, Steph. I'm not dealing well with that lately," Roque sighed. "That's why I prefer the quietness away from the crowd."

"But then why do you love me? I am like them," Steph whispered afraid of his answer.

"Oh no, my love. Don't go there." Roque turned her around so that Steph's legs were now crossed behind his back.

Cupping her face he looked deep into her eyes before he continued. "You are nothing like those people I'm talking about; you are one of the most thankful and modest persons I know. Every one of your thoughts centers on other people's happiness; never do you think about yourself. I know you doubt your worth and you think you need to wear all those lingerie and shoes and makeup to cover your imagined deficiencies; but that's so not necessary," he kissed her tenderly. "You are the most beautiful woman inside and out that I know and I feel deeply honored that you let me love you."

Showing Steph her favorite smile Roque caught the tear that had started to roll down her cheek and licked it from his finger.

"That's why you like me most barefoot in comfy clothes without any makeup at all?" She smiled shyly at him.

"You got that in one, darling. For me, you are most beautiful without all that stuff."

"Hmmm," Steph thoughtfully tipped her chin. "I think I could get used to the comfy cloths and no makeup; but the shoe thing will become a problem, especially in the winter," she smirked at Roque before her broad laughter could be heard up and down the beach as he merciless tickled her.

As the sun slowly started to descend and the majority of people were on their way home Steph and Roque found a cozy Italian restaurant at the boardwalk and had a wonderful romantic dinner together. There was no taboo between them. They could talk about everything for hours without break; but sitting in the privacy of the small booth just silently holding each other's hands brought an intimacy with it that made the restaurant with all its noises and bustle vanish around them.

Two hours later, a starlit night sky greeted them when they stepped outside onto the boardwalk. The light of the full moon immersed everything in a mystical hue of silver and the soft noise of the waves lapping at the shore made Steph feel peaceful and in harmony with herself. From behind her Roque's arms snaked around her waist and pulled her back against his warm chest.

"May I take you down to the beach one last time? I'd like to sit down and watch the waves in the moonlight," he whispered into her ear before tenderly suckling at the earlobe.

Steph couldn't help but smile lovingly as she put her hand behind his neck and caressed him. She was in love with a shore crab.

Ten minutes later, Steph snuggled close to him, Roque couldn't wait any longer.

"Steph?" He waited for her to lift her head from his chest and find his eyes. "The whole day I waited for the perfect moment to give you something; but it never seemed right until now."

Steph could feel him shift and pull something out of one of his pockets. A little nervous he placed the small square box into her lap and squeezed her gently.

"This is for you darling. Open it."

Steph picked up the velvety case and took a deep shuttering breath. Her mind was going a mile a minute. She knew what it was. No, she didn't. She hoped she guessed right. Oh god, what if she guessed right. Would she? What if not?

"You need to breathe, my love," Steph heard Roque's voice as though at the end of a long tunnel.

"Darling, your lips are turning blue," he sounded worried. Why was he worried?

"How about I take that box from you until you feel better?"

That was all the incentive Steph needed to snap out of her daze.

"No," she nearly shouted. "Get your hands off my present. That's mine," she pressed the velvety case close to her chest and slapped his hand away.

"Then stop staring and open it. I'm dying here," he laughed at her outburst.

Reverentially snapping the box open Steph gasped at the sight in front of her. Embedded in lush night blue velvet laid one of the most unique rings she'd ever seen. It was six millimeters wide, white platinum with a rose gold band embedded in the middle, radiating pride and devotion in same amounts.

"Roque," Steph whispered breathlessly.

"Steph," he gently took the ring out of the box and picked up her left hand. "I know we haven't been together for long; but we've packed a hell of a lot into this last week. I love you with all my heart. You are the love of my life, my soulmate. Please give me the chance to honor you by becoming your devoted husband. Will you marry me? And I don't mean in nine months or a year when I'm back from Afghanistan. I mean now, tomorrow, the day after, before I leave. Will you come down with me to Patman Air Force Base and do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Roque stopped and gulped against the constriction in his throat. His heart was beating like a freight train, blood was rushing in his ears and just to be sure he reminded himself to breathe; but all he could see were the tears streaming down Steph's face. God, he had messed up. He shouldn't have asked her; it was too fast, too early. He should have waited until he was back home; but everything in him screamed that this was right; that this love was for forever. Feeling the pain of rejection burn in his heart he was suddenly thrown for a loop when Steph fervently started to nod.

"Yes, yes. Oh god, Roque, yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes," she sputtered while lunging herself at his chest and kissing him feverishly. "How could I not want to be your wife, you wonderful man."

At that moment, under the moonlit night sky of Point Pleasant Beach with the sound of the waves breaking in the background, Miguel Roque Pérez learned how true happiness felt. Laying down into the sand he pulled Steph with him and worked his hands under her shirt and hoodie. Her skin was warm and as soft as velvet and she tasted of Mousse au Chocolat and red wine. Getting lost in their kissing, he vowed that he would love and honor this woman in his arms forever. Not because he thought it would always be like this. There'd be ups and downs, quarrels and reconciliations; but Steph had brought true happiness into his life that had been dark and murky before and was now blossoming in the most wonderful colors.

A/N: Thanks again to everybody for reading and reviewing! Your words are so kind and supportive.