Chapter 6:

Peter pulled the car up to the front of her building. He saw the look on her face and could tell she was glad to be home. He parked the car and stepped out, walking around to the other side to open her door but he was too late. She swung the door open, stepping out slowly, taking in the surroundings. "I haven't been home in awhile," she confessed digging her keys from her pocket.

Peter followed her up the stairs. He wasn't surprised by her confession. He knew he'd been gone three weeks and from the sounds of things, Olivia had spent every waking minute at Massive Dynamic. Even at night she slept on a cot, never wanting to be too far. It was no wonder she looked thinner, much more fragile. Not that he could ever tell her such things. "You mind if I come up?" He hated even asking but he knew she'd been through a lot recently and wanted to offer her some space if she needed it.

Olivia gave him a peculiar look as she unlocked the main door, retrieved her mail and made her way to the stairs. "You're seriously asking?"

He merely shrugged, following her up the stairs and inside. He watched as she slipped out of her shoes and coat, putting her mail on the counter before walking to the kitchen.

"What are you looking for?" He asked. He hoped she wasn't looking for alcohol. Neither of them had spoken about what happened – over there or upon returning home. It just seemed easier to avoid it. At least that's how Olivia was dealing with it and Peter really wasn't having any objections at the moment. His heart was still heavy and he was fairly confident his face showed it.

"Something to drink," her voice echoed from the fridge. "I have water and some boxed juice of Ella's that's still in date. What do you want?"

"Water would be good," Peter let out a slight sigh of relief. Glad she wasn't looking to fill herself with liquor tonight.

She headed over towards him, handing him a bottle of water. "You can take your coat and shoes off. Make yourself comfortable. Unless you have to get home to Walter?" She guessed he'd leave soon. She couldn't herself remember the last time she'd seen Walter. She knew Astrid was checking up on him but lately, he seemed to be handling most things on his own.

Peter opened his water, having a sip, "I probably should go home in a little bit, see him tonight." His eyes caught hers, seeing a heavy sadness inside. "You can come with me, spend the night?" He offered. "I'd like your company but if you're not up to a sleepover I understand."

"We can't –"

"I know," Peter smiled, "that wasn't what I was implying. We both could use a decent night's sleep or two in a bed. I don't know about you but the thought of being in my own bed tonight is so much more satisfying then sex." He was joking and he grimaced when he felt her fist meet his arm. "Ouch!" At least they could joke around again. That felt good, minus the slight bruise forming on his arm.

Olivia felt the hint of a smile forming on her face. She stepped closer, leaning in, her lips teasing him. She could feel his breath but hesitated in kissing him. "Can I open my present now?"

Peter was caught off guard by her question. He took a step back, "you hit me and now you want me to give you a present?" He shook his head.

"Oh come on! You insulted sex with me. You deserved that punch in the arm and should be grateful it wasn't a knee someplace else." She smirked. Though she'd never do such a thing to Peter, she also never expected him to say that just sleeping in his bed would be better than sex with her!

"Fair enough," he held up his hands in surrender. He knew if he didn't call a truce, that sometime later their playful arguing would probably turn south. Peter reached out, his hands finding her waist, pulling her against him. "I'm ready for you to open your present if you are."

Olivia nodded reluctantly pulling out of Peter's reach. "It's just in the bedroom." She gestured walking in there alone and a moment later coming back out with the box. She didn't want to admit how nervous she was about its contents. For some reason knowing it was in there but not seeing it – made whatever it was unreal. Maybe she was building up the moment too much. Maybe it wasn't anything great at all but she knew different. The look on Peter's face told her all she needed to know without opening it.

"So, open it." Peter was anxious and for the first time in a long time he felt like he might want to run. To run away from Olivia if this didn't work as he planned. He knew he'd never want to leave her side and that's why he was doing this, giving this gift to her. Yet in the original timeline, the one he remembered, he kept the box for nearly four years before finding the courage and strength and knowing without a hint of doubt what her answer would be. He wasn't so sure today. His usual confident and cocky self had disappeared as he watched her slowly open the black box.

"Wow." It was all she could say, all she could voice. She flipped open the box and saw a diamond ring staring back at her, an engagement ring. "Peter?" He hadn't said anything and maybe she expected some grand proposal like in the movies but nothing had happened. It was then that he got down on one knee.

It took a moment for him to find the words that he wanted to say. "I know it's early and please hear me out before you turn me down. I love you. I don't know how much time we have together, no one knows that but I want to spend it with you. I know it's early. It's probably too soon and the last thing I want is you to push me away and tell me I'm crazy but I love you. I want us to be happy and I know a lot has happened recently and probably even more things will happen that will test us and challenge us but I want it to happen together. I want the good with the bad, Olivia. I want whatever will come our way and I want to face it with you at my side. I love you and maybe this is the worst proposal ever," he laughed, "but I can't imagine my life without you. I don't want to imagine it without you and I just, I love you so much and I want you to know that I will always be faithful to you."

The tip of her tongue darted to the side of her lip as she felt a smile growing on her face. "So are you asking me to marry you?" She laughed softly, "because I'm pretty sure you never came out and said it."

Peter laughed, shaking his head the smile growing even wider as his eyes seemed to light up. "Olivia Dunham, will you marry me?"

"Yes!" She threw her arms around his neck, their lips pressed tight together as she breathed him in. Never in her life had a decision felt so right, come so easy. Though in reality nothing about their relationship had ever come easy.

His forehead rested against hers, breathing hard from smiling and kissing her moments earlier. "So you're coming home with me tonight then?"

Olivia smiled, "I guess if I have to." She teased him pulling back slightly as Peter removed the ring from the box and slid the engagement ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit. She glanced at him curiously to see the ever-present smile on his face.

"Okay I may have gotten the sizing wrong the first time but never again." He confessed leaning in kissing her again. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," she breathed as her hand came up, running her fingers through his hair. "Now let's pack a few things and head to your place, okay?"

Peter nodded slowly, "one day you're going to have to call that place home." He followed her into the bedroom, watching as she packed pajamas along with her business attire for work.

Olivia nodded, "I already do, Peter."