A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry it's taken me soooo long for me to update. I've just been so busy and totally forgot about Gracie for a few days! Oh no. And, for some reason, the song "Peacock" is the only song I've been listening to recently. Yeah, there might be so e Katy Perry influences in this chapter... Anyway, enjoy!

I just shed a tear. I smiled broadly and looked up to the altar. There stood Claire, with her groom (who's name I learned was Michael). She was absolutely radiant, and it made me so happy to see her like that. Before I knew it, tears were rolling freely down my face.

Thomas looked at me. "Are you okay?" he whispered.

"Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I be? My little sister is getting married - before me, mind you - but she looks so happy and I can't help but be happy, too!"

He turned somber. "Well, I just thought... you may have started thinking of John. I know it's only been a few weeks, and I didn't want you crying over him today."

My smile fell. John... Oh, how I wish he was here. Originally, John was supposed to be my escort to Claire's wedding. But because of recent events, Thomas went with me today instead. I wouldn't mind, if it weren't for the fact that John is dead. And, suddenly, I was not crying out of joy anymore. I broke down, sobbing silently. The people sitting around me looked at me fondly, thinking I was so happy for my Claire and Michael that I was crying. Oh, how silly of them.

Michael bent down to kiss Claire, sealing their vows. Everyone applauded, but I kept my hands in my lap. "Gracie, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," began Thomas.

I waved him off. "No, no, no. It's my fault. I'm letting myself get all worked up. It's been a stressful day."

He rubbed soothing circles on my back. "Come on, they're about to leave."

Thomas and I stood up with the rest of the guests and made our way outside the church. We all held a small bag of rice, for throwing at the couple of course! Thomas and I stood near the end of the driveway, so Claire and Michael would be walking past us last.

They appeared, all smiles. We began pelting them as they ran past each one of us. Finally, they reached Thomas and me. Claire hugged me and said, "I'm sorry. I love you, Gracie." Then louder, to Thomas, "Take care of her!"

"I will," Thomas said seriously.

Claire and her husband continued on, leaped into the waiting car and drove off. The crowd began to disperse, and Thomas and I found ourselves walking slowly back towards the church. We sat quietly, just enjoying each other's company.

"So..." I said awkwardly.

"Uh, Gracie?"

I looked up at Thomas, who towered over me even while sitting. "Yes?" I replied.

"Gracie... I've only know you for three weeks, barely a month. But with what we've been through, it feels like we've known each other for years."

I nodded, agreeing with Thomas. It really has felt like we've been companions for eternity, instead of through April. "True," I laughed.

He took a deep breath. "And I know that we're not even technically together, but... I love you. I've loved you since the night we stayed out on the deck and talked. I knew then that I couldn't live without you and I'm so glad we made it out."

My breath hitched in my throat and I choked back a squeal. Had Thomas really just told me he loves me? Seriously? This day just kept getting better and better... "Wow," I said at last. "Thomas, I love you too. And I'm not just saying it because you did, I really do. I have been in love with you since the first time i saw you - there was just something about you."

"But that's not all." Thomas interjected.

"Oh? What could possibly be left?" I scoffed.

Thomas looked at me, his eyes intent. He studied me, watching my every move, feeling my every breath. "Will you marry me?"

I was taken aback. I didn't know what to think. Yes, I did love this man, but had we really spent enough time together to get married? Well if you love each other then you obviously have, I mentally kicked myself. I smiled and nodded vigorously. "Yes," I said excitedly. "Yes!"

Thomas laughed a nervous laughed, he didn't seem prepared for my answer. "Well I... I don't have a ring. I didn't want to get one in case you said no."

"I don't need a ring! I don't even need an actual wedding, for goodness sake! I just want to be married to you. Besides, I still have to meet Elba..."

"Oh! Right, right, right! We can leave for Belfast tomorrow, if you like!"

I clapped my hands together. "That would be wonderful." I hadn't ever been as happy as I was in that moment. Claire had just gotten married, Thomas loved me and now we were engaged, and I was going to meet his daughter. I was sure that John was happy for me, too. Wherever he was, I was positive he was looking down on my and was just as happy as me.

"I love you," Thomas said again. "My, it feels so good to say that!"

I giggled and stood up. "Come on, let's go get some sleep."

The next morning, Thomas and I were up early. We were to catch a steamer to Ireland, and while we weren't thrilled with the idea of being on a ship so soon, it was worth it. Thomas would be seeing Elba for the first time in a month and a half, and I'd be meeting her. I knew she was just a toddler, but I so wanted her to like me. I craved for her affection, even though I hadn't even laid eyes on her yet.

"Oh, I'm so excited! Do you think she'll like me?" I asked nervously.

Thomas looked at me like I'd sprouted a second head. "Of course she will!"

I was skeptical. "Really? How do you know?"

"Because you're incredible. She needs a mother figure around, too!"

I let his words sink in. A mother figure... The full reality of what I was doing hit me. I was going to marry Thomas, whom I had knon for not even a month. I was going to Belfast, Ireland to meet his two year old daughter. I was going to become a mother for that little girl, and I was only twenty-three. Oh shit, I thought, what the hell have I gotten myself into?

"Gracie, are you all right? You look ill..." Thomas fussed..

I shook my head to clear it of my thoughts. "I'm fine," I said. No, I sure as hell was not fine. I was terrified - what if I somehow messed up Elizabeth's childhood and scarred her for life? What if she turned into a serial killer, because of me?

But at the same time, I felt like there was nothing I would rather be doing with my life. I loved Thomas and I wanted nothing more than to spend eternity with him, to start a family with him and become a mother to his daughter. What I was doing felt so right, but so wrong at the same time.

"Thomas?" I choked out.

"Yes, Gracie?"

"I'm scared."

He looked at me, concerned. "Of what, my dear?"

"I'm scared Elba might not like me. I'm scared I'll permanently mess her mind up. I'm scared of marrying you," he sucked in a breath at wht I said, "but it all feels so right. I feel like I'm supposed to be doing this. What scares me the most though is that. I feel like I'm going to make a catastrophe of everything but I still want to try. I'm not sure how to act."

Thomas pulled me into a hug. "I'm sorry. I know it's all so strange for you. It's like that for me too right now. But I know that you fit perfectly here, and I know that I'm supposed to be here with you. Elba will adore you, and she'll adore the fact that I adore you. I love you, Gracie Baxter, and I'm the luckiest man alive to be marrying you."

My heart went berserk from what he had just explained. I couldn't believe that this amazing man was mine, and tat he felt that wy about me.

"Okay," I said. "I promise I won't break your daughter," I joked.

He laughed. "Come on, we've got a boat to catch.

The next few days were hazy. I slept most of the time, according to Thomas. But when I didn't sleep, I would be writing. "Guess I'm just nervous." I explained.

When we finally docked, I was so excited my whole body was gyrating. "Wow, calm down Gracie!" Thomas laughed. We wove through Ireland, at last reaching Tomas' home. Thomas had called the woman watching after Elba and informed her he would be returning.

We walked up to the door. "Are you ready?" Thomas asked me.

I took a deep breath. "Yes."

He opened the door. And excited scream came from inside the house, and my heart began to beat twice as fast. "Daddy!" said a voice.