Chapter 7

Morning came, and a beam of sunlight through the blinds caught in Kim's eyes, waking her from the peaceful slumber she had been in. Noticing Drew was still asleep, she gently began waking him, shaking him and whispering in his ear. When he started to wake, she began kissing him, his neck, his collarbone, his chin, his cheeks, until she got to his lips. That was what really woke him up, and he reciprocated warmly. Their hands wandered over each other, grasping and rubbing at various places, becoming comfortable with the terrain. Arousal increased, for the both of them, causing the kisses to become more passionate, the covers soon thrown to the end of the bed. She pulled the tee shirt off him, unable to restrain herself any more, the need for skin-to-skin contact too much. His hands were grabbing her breasts in the dance they seemed to be having. Becoming annoyed by the cloth between his hand and her flesh, he pulled her nightgown off, and as he did, she moved down, pulling his pyjama bottoms off to free his erection to the air. By this time, his mind had shut down, but she kick-started it when her lips wrapped around his member, licking and sucking experimentally up and down the length. One hand gripped him while the other held her hair back, and just as he felt ready to burst, she stopped. pulling herself up his body, she softly kissed his lips before straddling his hips, where her heat rested lightly over his now aching appendage. Then, ever-so slowly, she impaled him, causing both to moan when she was finally seated.

"This is," He said rather huskily, "A wonderful way to wake up."

"That's what I thought," She smiled.

His hands rested on her hips, hers spread out on his bare chest. He felt her hips rise slightly then move back down, and the grips of his hands tightened, helping her get into a rhythm. She ran her nails down, then up, eventually clasping them behind his head, their faces close, exchanging kisses every few thrusts. A sheen of sweat developed, their bodies pushing and pulling to meet, eliciting moans of pleasure. They could feel one another so intensely that they were more than just one body, but also one entity. reaching the heavens, they climaxed together, her body falling onto his. They stayed that way for a few minutes, until she slowly climbed off, laying down beside him.

"I love you Drew." She said the first thing that came to her mind, not regretting it afterwards.

"And I love you Kim." He held her to him as he spoke, emphasizing his declaration.

They laid like that for a long while, just enjoying the closeness. Eventually, she had to use the facilities, sauntering to the bathroom nude, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He watched her, a smile tugging at his mouth. When she came back out, however, she was wearing the nightgown again, having picked it up before she entered. Throwing him his pyjama bottoms as he got out of the bed, he noted that she started making the bed as he entered the little room. A few minutes later, when he exited, she was gone. Investigating where she could have gotten to, he found her shuffling through his music collection.

"What are you looking for? maybe I can help."

"There's this song I heard on the radio the other day, and I called and asked who the artist was and what album of theirs it was on, and I'm hoping you have it."

"Tell me what it is and I'll tell you if I have-"

"FOUND IT!" She jumped up, turned on the sound system, and put the disk in. Hitting play, she set the remote down and walked over to him. "He said it was the second song on this album, so listen closely."

He was surprised that, at first, he didn't recognize the album, considering it was spotlighting some of his favourite songs from the mid-90's. When the chorus for the second song started, he understood her reasoning and even agreed with it. She was mouthing the words, which implied she was comfortable singing this, either because she didn't know all the words or she was too shy or the song wasn't on the right key for her. However, he knew the words and he could also sing in the right key, albeit it was two below the artist. So when the end started, he sang.

"When love puts you through the fire, When love puts you to the test, nothing cures a broken heart like, Time Love and Tenderness. You think the world is over, Baby just remember this, nothing heals a broken heart like, Time Love and Tenderness. Baby, oh baby, just need some, just need some, Time Love and Tenderness- the hurt ain't gonna last forever..." He saw her face, the awe in her eyes, and he couldn't continue. She walked over, wrapped her arms around him, and instinctively his arms wrapped around her as well. As the next song started, and they swayed to the tune, just enjoying one another's embrace.

Four Years Later…

Drew opened the box for the third time that hour, still wondering if this was the right thing to be doing. He had gotten James and Anne's blessing, surprised they were accepting and happy of his decision to propose to their only daughter. If someone had told him years ago that one day he would be in love and ready to marry his once arch-foe, he would have laughed in their face and told Shego to hurt them. But now, it seemed the most proper thing to do, marrying the one he loved and had been with for years now. Five, exactly. He felt it was fitting to ask Kim as his gift for their anniversary. Over the past five years, he had changed in more ways than he thought possible, and all because of a redhead who had, in one way or another, kept bothering. Now, however, he didn't mind her constant pestering, but at one point, he had even been willing to kill her, and the idea of it now sickened him. There was nothing that had happened these last few years that he would change, forcibly or willingly. How drastic life can change, and how much for the better; the things in life he never thought would happen for him, and how happy he had become!

He was beginning to think she forgot about their date when she opened the front door, wearing a new dress and looking lovelier than ever. It was black, short-sleeved, and cut off at her knees. A blue sash was tied around her waist, and her stockings were blue as well, matching with the black shoes. He helped her in and took off, hoping there was still a table available for them at the restaurant he wanted to take her too. It was their first time in Seattle and he wanted it to be memorable. He chose to propose in the Emerald City for two reasons, both more romantic than he imagined himself able. The first, and most obvious, was because her eyes were like two shining emeralds, and the second, and lesser known, was that her favourite gem was the emerald, which was why there was one in the engagement ring. He only hoped she liked it. Touching down in a parking spot, next to a spot that wasn't for parking so he didn't take two spaces up, they got out, paid, and walked around Downtown for a bit. When he saw what time it was, he was glad for not only the two-hour time difference but also that he made the reservation for later than he normally would have. When it was almost time, they grabbed the next monorail, parking being so expensive, and arrived exactly on time for the reservation. She seemed genuinely surprised when finding out they were eating at the Space Needle, and as they went up the elevator to the deck, he couldn't wipe the silly grin off his face. It wasn't until they were seated that she said anything about this surprise.

"Drew, you didn't, you should have." She was amazed, he could tell.

"I know, but I wanted today to be special."

"It already is," She took his hand from across the table, "Because I've been with you for five years."

"And I'm hoping there are more to come." He smiled.

"Me too." She smiled back.

The waiter came, took their orders, and left water glasses behind. Strangely, they had nothing to talk about while waiting for their food, and just enjoyed the view. He was almost tempted to ask then, but knew it wasn't the time, knew he should wait until just the right moment. The lack of conversation continued through the meal, and ended when they left. They felt strange, not talking, but somehow it seemed right, this silence. Taking the monorail back to Downtown, they made their way back to the hovercar to leave. Somehow, she seemed tired, and was leaning heavily on his arm. He had to almost lift her into the vehicle, and once she sat down, she was reclining the seat back. Huffing, his plans not turning out how he intended, he began the trek back to Middleton. He landed in the garage shortly after midnight, and by then she was fast asleep. He gently picked her up, going into the house. Leaving her on the bed still clothed, to change and worrying over his ruined plan. After undressing her, surprisingly no waking her, he carefully got them under the covers.

Watching her, he couldn't help but feel that at least she had a good time, that he had pleased her so much. In these reflective moments, he knew that luck was the only reason they were together, and he kept praying that luck never ran out. He knew he was a hard man to live with, in all his eccentricities, but hoped that she would, when he asked, stay with him for good. With these rampant yet comforting thoughts, he fell asleep smiling, his lips so close to hers that they were almost touching. She woke up with them still like that, and closed the distance for a short while. Though it didn't wake him, she still pulled back, and just watched him. knowing that he was trying to give her the little things she'd made clear were dreams and wishes, she was surprised time and again how often he went out of his way to give them to her. Like yesterday, taking her to a town and restaurant she'd said she'd like to go to in passing while watching the Travel Channel once. She never thought he would be so active in pleasing her, and every-so-often wondered if he did it out of worry that she would tire of him. But she couldn't, wouldn't. He meant too much to her now, and there was no way she would willingly let him go.

The sun started rising, causing streams of light to shine into the room, lines of illumination showering over them. The change was so subtle that she didn't noticed it until it was in her eyes, causing her to miss the changes in his face as he woke up. When she finally got herself in a better position, the light no longer blinding her, she was mildly put out to find him staring back at her. To hide the disappointment, she kissed his nose, then his lips, before ducking her head under his chin and holding him tightly. He reciprocated the squeeze, remembering what he intended to do the night before.

"Kim?"

"Yes?" She nuzzled her head to the side so he could hear her better.

"There was something I wanted to ask you." Her body became unnaturally still, and he wondered if she had one of her hunches.

"Okay..." She spoke slowly, deliberately.

"I wanted to ask you last night, but you were enjoying yourself so much-"

"So ask now, and I'll pretend it was yesterday."

"Will you marry me?"

the silence was heavy, the doubt rising in his throat, waiting for the rejection to slap him in the face.

"Drew..."

"I know there are so many reason for you to say no, and I could understand why. For our history, I would expect you to reject me. But haven't these last few years been wonderful enough to forget about all the times I tried to kill, hurt, maim, and otherwise harm you? I know I'm not Ron, and I don't want to be, but I do want to be your best friend, there for you when you need someone who will just sit with you, hold your hand, and everything else I've done for the last five years. If I could, I would give you the moon and stars from the sky, I love you that much. But you would make me the happiest man in the world, hell – the whole universe – if you married me."

Finishing his tirade, he watched it happen so fast it was slow, and every detail was clear. The changes in her expressions, the clenching of her hands into fist, the feel of her chest moving with breath twice as fast. He thought he knew how she would react, never contemplating the happier outcome to dissuade getting his hopes up. Once again, she boggled his mind and did the opposite, proving that no matter what he may think will happen, he will never know exactly what she will do.

"You silly blueberry," She said, kissing the tip of his nose, "I would be honoured to be your wife, nothing would please me more."

He couldn't react, his body going limp. She watched the rainbow of emotions in his eyes, felt the shivers run through his limbs, heard the intake of breath. Slowly, he closed the space between them, his lips crushing against hers. He tried turning her onto her back, but they ended up in a heap on the floor instead, laughing. Leaning back against the bed, the coverlet wrapped around them, she sat on his lap, her head resting on his shoulder.

"I never thought I would find this place ever again."

"Find what?"

"Happiness in someone's arms."

The End