DISCLAIMER: All characters belong to Mark VII and NBC Universal. I own Julianna.

Johnny stayed with Julianna for three more days before Julianna told him to return to work. Julianna's parents were staying with her and Mike and Julianna was craving for things to get back to normal. So, Johnny went to the Station for his shifts and rushed to his apartment to grab a shower and change of clothes, before going back to the Stoker house to stay with Julianna.

After two weeks of being on the den sofa bed, Julianna felt well enough to climb the stairs to her bedroom. Johnny helped her as much as Julianna would allow and they talked about his calls and what they wanted for the future.

She returned to work two months later and realized how much she missed working at the hospital.

She had just finished a cardiac case when the base station sounded.

"Rampart, this is Squad 99."

"This is Rampart, go ahead 99," she said.
"Rampart we have a 65 year old female, suffering from burns to the arms and chest area. Vitals are 120/80, pulse 78, respiration 18. Burn packet has been applied"

"10-4, 99. Establish IV, if you can find a spot and give patient 5 milligrams morphine IV. If you need to administer the pain meds, you can give it IM. Put patient on oxygen and continue monitoring and transport as soon as possible," Julianna said.

"10-4, Rampart."

Dixie, who'd been writing the vitals, looked at Julianna. "Burn unit," she asked.

"Probably. I guess we should just send the patient upstairs and let them manage her," Julianna said.
"I'll call them," Dixie said, picking up the phone.

Julianna went back to charting on her patient and Dixie went to meet the ambulance and direct them to the burn unit.

Julianna was heading to her office when she heard her name. "Juli."

She turned and saw her friend, Bob, walking toward her.

"Hey, Bob. I haven't seen you in a while. Thought you were ignoring me," Julianna said, giving her friend a hug.

"Well, I came by after the accident and talked to Johnny and I saw you for about ten minutes, but you were unconscious. Just wanted to make sure you were OK. Then I covered for Johnny some when he asked to take off to help you. How are you," he asked.
"I'm feeling better. I'm back to work and Mike and Johnny have stopped hovering, so I'm thinking things are back to normal. You know, you could have come by when I was recovering, you and Beth," she said.
"Yeah, well, I wanted to, but didn't want to interfere with your recovery and Beth's been working a lot. Roy mentioned the cook out at his place Saturday, since A and B shift are off. We'll be there," he said.

"That's great. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. It will be good to see everyone outside of the hospital setting," Julianna said.
"Yeah. Well, I've got to meet my partner. I'll see you Saturday," he said.
"Bye, Bob," Julianna said.

She opened her office door and set her paperwork on the desk. She was finished for the day and was ready to go home. Johnny was supposed to pick her up and take her to look at a house he was thinking of buying. Roy had seen the place and hadn't seem interested, so Johnny was convinced it was the house for them.

Julianna left the hospital and headed for her house.

She entered the house and found her mother in the kitchen, baking.
"What are you doing," Julianna asked her mom.
"Just baking. Your father decided to help Michael with that deck addition, so I figured I'd bake. I understand you and Johnny are going to look at a house this afternoon," Helen said.
"Yeah. I'm heading up to change. He'll be here in a few minutes," Julianna said.
"Well, have fun. You're father and I are going to look at apartments in the area tomorrow. We're thinking it's about time to move back and be closer to our children. With Michael and Barb getting so serious and you and Johnny, it just makes more sense," Helen said.
"Mom, that would be wonderful if you and dad were here," Julianna said.
"Well, we thought so. Mike wants us to stay here until we find a place. We've got a realtor in Florida already looking at selling the house," Helen said.

"That's terrific, mom. It'll be nice to have you and dad around," Julianna said, heading up to her room.

Right on time, Johnny opened the door and called inside. "Anyone home," he called.

Helen Stoker came out of the kitchen and hugged Johnny.

"Johnny, it's good to see you again. Juli's upstairs changing and Mike and Ben are outside measuring for the deck extension Mike wants to add," she said.
"Well, I'll go out and wait with Mike and Ben. Tell Juli I'm outside," he asked.
"Of course, dear," Helen said.
Johnny went out the back door and found Mike and Ben talking.

"Hi Mike, Mr. Stoker," Johnny said, shaking hands with Ben.

"Hey, Johnny," Mike said.
"Nice to see you, Johnny," Ben said.

"You and Juli looking at the ranch you tried to talk Roy into buying," Mike asked.
"Yeah. Roy seemed a little iffy on it, but I think it's a great place and, if he doesn't want it, then I might want it. If Juli likes it, I might have found us a house," Johnny said.
"That's great, John. Where is it," Ben asked.
"Just on the edge of 51's territory. Right before the canyon. It's in a little valley with streams on each side. Should provide good coverage if there's a brush fire in that direction," Johnny said.
Ben smiled. "Spoken like a true fireman. Don't ever let Juli know you thought of how to defend the ranch in the event of a fire. She got enough of that when she was growing up," Ben said.

"I don't plan on it, sir," Johnny said.

Julianna came downstairs wearing a pair of jeans, flip flops and a white top with a multicolor band around the top half with spaghetti halter straps. She'd pulled her hair into a half pony tail. The sides were up and the back was hanging over her shoulders.

"Hi, daddy, Mikey," Julianna said, hugging her brother and dad.

"Hey, sweetie," she said to Johnny. He put his arms around her waist as she came closer to him and he kissed her cheek. "You ready," he asked.
"Yeah. I'll see you guys later," Julianna said, waving.

They walked around the house to the driveway, hand-in-hand. Johnny opened the door for Julianna and she got inside. She tugged on his hand and he nearly fell into her lap. He grinned at her. "What," he asked.
She smiled sweetly before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. Johnny's hands went to her back and pushed her closer to him.

When they broke apart she said, "That's what I've been wanting to do all day," she said.
"So have I," he replied.

He closed her door and went to the driver's side.
"You want to see this place? I'm meeting Chet's realtor friend there," Johnny said.
"Let's go," she said.
Johnny headed toward the edge 51's territory. Julianna always loved the rugged side of her hometown and seeing the scenery, Julianna was loving the location.
Johnny pulled down a long driveway and were met by a pickup truck.
"Johnny, good to see you. This must be the girl I've heard so much about from Chet. Pleasure," he said, shaking Julianna's hand.

"Yeah, this is Julianna Stoker. Can I show her around," Johnny asked.
"Sure. I'll wait right here," he said, giving Johnny the keys to the house.

The house had the feel of a lodge. They entered through a side door that opened into the kitchen. There was a half-wall with a counter that separated it from the formal dining area and living room. The living room had a large window the showed the trees and sloping hillside just at the edge of the lawn.

There was a sunken den that held a massive stone fireplace and plenty of room to accommodate guests for parties and holidays. It took the whole side of the house it was situated. There was an entrance from the front of the house, by the front door and from the living room.

There was a small sitting room just off the front door and a half-bath below the stairs. The laundry area was in the kitchen, tucked into the pantry. The upstairs held six bedrooms. Two master suites with full baths and then another two full baths that were shared by the other four guest rooms. There was a basement that was unfinished and an attic.

Julianna took in the house and fell in love with it. She could imagine herself cooking in the kitchen, preparing Thanksgiving dinner and serving it at her table. Decorating a Christmas tree and watching the wildlife from the windows.

Johnny didn't even have to ask Julianna to know how she felt about the house.
"I can see you cooking dinner for everyone here. I can see you and I relaxing in the den or out on the deck and patio area after work or on our days off. There's even space for you to have a home office, if you need to do that sort of thing," he said.
Julianna turned around and kissed him. "I love it. It's perfect," she said.
"Do you want to see the rest of the place," he asked.
"I know it's perfect. Just seems like a lot of bedrooms," she said, turning to the big picture window.
"Well, we can have parties and have places for everyone to stay. Do you want to live here, with me," he asked her.

Julianna, who had been looking at the view from the window, turned back to Johnny and saw him on his knee. He held out a box and asked her, "Julianna Grace Stoker, will you make me the happiest man in the universe and be my wife? Will you marry me?"

Julianna was stunned. She knew she wanted to marry Johnny, she just didn't think he was going to propose today.
"Yes, Johnny, I will marry you," she said, as he placed the ring on her finger and picked her up and spun her around. "I love you, Jules," he said.
"I love you, too," Julianna said.

"We should go out and sign the paperwork," Johnny said.
Julianna nodded, distracted by the ring on her finger. As they walked out the door, she stopped him.

"Is this..." she started to say.
"The ring you said you liked when we went to the street fair? Yeah. It has a matching wedding band with it," Johnny said.

Julianna was amazed. Again, Johnny had done something truly romantic and astonishing to her. The ring she had on her finger was a square diamond surrounded by square turquoise stones. The ring reminded Julianna of Johnny and his Native American heritage and was simple, like the two of them.

"I can't believe you remembered it," she said, as they headed to meet the real estate agent.
"Well, I went back to the fair a few weeks ago and found the same vendor was still there. He offered to make the whole wedding set. I took him up on the offer and got it," Johnny said.
"What if I'd said no," Julianna asked, a smile teasing the corners of her mouth.

Johnny didn't comment, he just grinned the crooked grin and greeted the real estate man again.
"What do you think, Mr. Gage," he asked.
"We'll take it. How soon can we do this," Johnny asked.
"Well, you can sign the contract to make the offer and I'll take it from there. They should accept the offer since they need to sell. I'll get the down payment from you after the offer is accepted and the loan paperwork is approved. Will you be on the application as well, Ms. Stoker," he asked.
Julianna hadn't thought about it. She knew she'd have no problem getting a loan based on her job, but she knew Johnny wanted to do this on his own.
"After we get married. I want to get it taken care of before we get married. One less thing to worry about," Johnny said.
"Fine, just sign here," he said.
Johnny signed the paperwork and looked at Julianna. "Think we could have the reception here," he asked.
"Yeah. Think we could pull it off," Julianna asked.
"I think we can," Johnny said.
"I'll call you in a few days, Mr. Gage. Talk to you soon," the real estate man said before getting in his pick up and heading back toward the city.

Julianna wrapped her arms around Johnny's waist and rested her head on his chest. "This is crazy," she said.
"No more crazy than our life lately. Come on, we have a wedding to plan," Johnny said.

They headed back to Johnny's apartment. Julianna had wanted to head back to his apartment because she wasn't ready to share him or news of their engagement at that time. She wanted to spend a few hours alone with him, before she had to start planning her wedding.