Well, before I begin, I just want to say this… you guys are all just so wonderful. As a lot of you have seen, I didn't end up winning anything from the contest. However, and even though I was just honored enough to be nominated at all, I always feel like a winner in more ways than one all because of you guys. I don't require trophies, certificates, or popularity to feel fulfilled in my hobby on this site. Because I feel fulfilled each and every time I come on here and read all your wonderful words of support, appreciation, and love for my writing. Because, to me, just the fact that all you guys just take time out of your day to support and read my work is enough to make me feel like a winner. At the end of the day, my main goal is to write for my own enjoyment and to hope that you guys also achieve that same enjoyment if not more from reading. You guys are all amazing, so just thank you so much for all the happiness you have brought me over these 4 years and I hope to continue writing for you guys for years to come! :) Anyway, here is a chapter for all you Zally shippers that has been a long time coming for many of you who have inquired to me about it. But, just to give a time frame reference. Molly and Zach are both 23 now and just finished up another year of college. Enjoy!

(Molly's POV)

I was making my way down to the coffee shop and now that final exams were over, I have a much needed summer off before I begin the living hell that is the next year of my medical school curriculum at my university.

Not that the first year that I just finished up was a cakewalk, but this fall is when I begin to split my time from going to classes and also going to the university hospital for my clinical observation hours.

But, this is when things start getting real and I really start to work my way to actually becoming a doctor.

I even finally got my lab coat that I'm going to be wearing at my clinicals and my mom made such a BIG DEAL about it when I got home and took so many pictures of me wearing it. But, I know she's just proud of me and even dad said he was really proud of me too, but not to the extent mom is since 'doctoral' and 'school' related stuff is her territory.

I also thought Jimmy would have not given a crap since he's definitely not a guy who's really into school, but Jimmy actually was being really cool and even did what mom said when she wanted to take a picture of us together while I was still wearing my lab coat.

I thought it was really weird that Jimmy was being THAT supportive of my academic achievements in his own way, until I found out that Jimmy's behavior was connected to the fact that one of his childhood fantasies just came true since he was just offered football scholarships from a couple different schools.

Even though Jimmy made a decision right away even before I got home and I found out later from Amanda that she also had a sports scholarship to the same school that Jimmy ended up picking, so… yeah I can see what's going on there.

But, I'm really proud of Jimmy.

I know mom has been even more happy about it ever since Jimmy said at dinner, and even though he still has his last year of high school to go; that when he goes to college, he's going to major in physical education so that he could become a personal trainer.

I mean, I'm not saying my brother is stupid; even though I know he assumes I do think that about him for some stupid damn reason, but I've always known Jimmy has the potential to be a smart guy.

Sure he's not totally school smart, but I do know part of Jimmy's personality is that he also doesn't try too hard in school anyway.

But Jimmy does actually excel in anything that has to do with the human body and fitness. I remember last year how mom almost exploded with happiness when Jimmy had 2 A's on his report card. Sure those were in health class and gym and the rest of his grades were still C's.

But, I know those were still C's just because Jimmy is completely like dad in every way possible.

Again because he just really doesn't care to try too hard at anything school related. Although, I shouldn't say that too much, because mom made a big deal of making Jimmy show me something right when I got home from school.

For whatever reason, Jimmy REALLY resisted showing me for some damn reason until I saw what it was.

Once Jimmy finally gave in, he showed me what was on the fridge in the kitchen and I saw Jimmy got an -A in a non-gym or health related class on his report card, Spanish.

Then not only that, but it contributed to him getting a 3.000 GPA and an honor roll certificate for it that was right next to his report card.

And Jimmy the whole time was just brushing it off and not wanting us to make a big deal out of it since he equates getting A's to being a nerd like me, to sort of use his usual words.

You know instead of just being proud himself for actually putting some effort into school like a lot of people do and show how smart he actually is and that he does have the potential to be a good student.

Besides I still don't understand why Jimmy doesn't want to make a big deal out of the fact that he finally put some effort into school and finally just tried at it. I just still don't understand what Jimmy's problem is about doing well in school.

I mean, really, what does he think this is? The 1950's?

No one gives a crap if you're a jock who gets good grades anymore to make you look like a nerd.

But, whatever makes Jimmy happy with himself, I guess? Even though I know Jimmy's always had the potential to do better in school than he cares to admit.

Also, at first I was internally questioning why Spanish class out of every class he has ever taken in his whole life was the one he finally started to give enough of a crap about it to study for and try hard enough to get an A in, but then I remembered Amanda and how I know Amanda can speak both English and Spanish… and then it became a lot less surprising.

Look I know I may sound like I'm being tough with my statements on my brother. But, if you lived most of your academic life and getting straight A's with a younger sibling that either is or used to be a huge pain in the ass about that fact gets it.

But, Jimmy's not that bad anymore.

That and it seems like he finally got the motivation indirectly from Amanda to try really hard academically at something. Even if that influence only made Jimmy give a crap about learning Spanish.

All that aside though, as an older sister… I'm still really proud of Jimmy.

As for me, even though finals have been done and over with for the past week, my head still felt like it was going to fall off.

So, it was probably good that I was going out to the coffee shop to meet up with Zach right now just to make me feel like a person again instead of a psychopath that is forced to do nothing but study for days on end.

But… it was kind of bizarre when Zach told me the full extent of what he had in mind.

Usually we met up in the morning but Zach just told me to meet up for coffee in the evening after I was done having dinner with my parents and then he told me to met him at a completely different coffee shop that was down a ways more from where we live.

But, on the other hand, I know I shouldn't completely question it or completely complain. Honestly it kind of felt nice to take a walk and just clear my head. Sure I ran on the rooftops for a little bit to cut the distance down a bit, but still.

I rounded the corner and stopped for a second when I saw Zach leaning against the wall right under the sign of the coffee shop, the neon lights of the sign glowing above him to indicate the imminence of night time.

Zach looked to the side for a second and broke out into his usual genuine smile when he saw me walking over. He started to meet me halfway when I noticed he was holding a cup of coffee in each hand.

"Hey." He said, his smile still plastered to his face. Before I could even react he held a cup out to me and said, "Your usual."

I grabbed the cup and scoffed a little and shook my head before smirking when I saw the only addition made in the cup from the contents list on the side of the cup was milk.

"You know me too well. Thanks though." I say raising my cup to him a little to show him that I really did appreciate it.

Also, I couldn't help but think back to something that really wasn't that long ago, but it feels like almost forever now; the morning after our first time when he made us coffee and even then… he still knew my usual when he brought me my cup of coffee.

"Your welcome. Besides, even I would feel would feel like a scuzzbucket if I forgot your usual, since it was one of the first real things I found out about you." He said, and swear that smile was growing by the second on his face and I couldn't stop myself from smiling back.

I still have to admit that even after Zach and I being together for 6 and half years, Zach still hasn't completely changed.

I took a sip of my coffee before adding sarcastically, but still joking around with him, "So, what's the plan besides having coffee in a very inconvenient location?" I tilted my head a little when Zach got this weird smile on his face before said, "You'll see."

I could sense something about the tone of his voice, but my thoughts cut off when I looked down and saw Zach holding my hand and looked back up to once again looking directly at his smile and his light blue-grey eyes were reflecting the light of the sun that was still steadily going down.

I just gave him a slight smirk back and just rolled with it as we kept walking together, still holding hands.

Even though I've gotten used to this more and more over the years, 13 year old me probably wouldn't have believed that I would be in a romantic relationship like this 10 years from then.

Because I'm still not going to deny it or try to still pretend anything when it comes to how I still feel about Zach.

I love him.

And it's still kind of unbelievable by how easy it is for me to admit now since it used to be something so hard for me to admit when I first figured out my feelings for him, but I still really do love Zach.

I really don't know why it was so hard for me back then, probably because I'm stubborn and I used to equate sharing how you feel to weakness.

Sure I'm still not all about feelings since Zach sometimes still needs to have me open to him and say what's going on with me sometimes. Even though these days it's mostly just about stuff I get a little pissed about as a couple sharing an apartment.

Not that Zach is is hard to live with, because he really isn't. But, you know, it's just what comes along with living with another person and just learning to compromise with each other.

Yet even that isn't really a problem since Zach and I are a good team and we always try to take each other into account and listen to each other.

Like how I know I probably have a fair amount of things I do that maybe get on Zach's nerves, but I still will not lie that there are somethings Zach still does every once in awhile that irks me like no other.

Like when he takes off his socks after class and leaves them on the coffee table instead of putting them in the damn laundry hamper… but I digress.

Also, it's like what my parents have taught me from watching them. Because even when my parents do get into a rare disagreement on something, they always work through it together and learn when to pick their battles and not argue over absolute crap that's not worth arguing about to strain their loving relationship.

I mean, my parents are both in their 40's and they still haven't grown out of practically acting like teenagers around each other, but again… who am I to criticize my parents for being in a happy and loving marriage?

We kept walking and even though I still had no idea what Zach had in mind with this impromptu date.

I decided to just ask straight out, but also sarcastically teasing him, "So, did you just want to see me? Or is there another ulterior-motive behind this date that came out of nowhere?"

Zach let out a slight laugh and rubbed the back of his neck before admitting, "Well, I really did want to see you, honest. But, Walt and Tammy also came over to visit for a couple days and well… you know how they are sometimes."

I saw Zach kind of get a slight look of annoyance and uncomfortableness on his face and I completely knew what he was talking about. Honestly, all things considered, I really don't mind Tammy too much and neither does Zach.

Sure I wouldn't say we're besties or friends or anything, but I'd go as far to say that we get along pretty well.

She's a pretty good person and even though Walt and I never really became friends or anything for many different reasons, both Zach and I will admit that she's kind of helped Walt become a little bit of a nicer and more considerate person.

I mean, yeah my first impression of Walt when I met him was that I thought he was a skeezy, garbage pile of a human being because of how he treated Zach and we got along better during Zach's hospitalization when I finally saw what Zach meant about how Walt used to be a good older brother that had his back.

Sure I almost strangled him death in my blind rage when he was being a complete self-absorbed twit about Zach on the verge of dying.

Which probably is definitely the reason why Walt still looks scared shitless of me to this day, but at least we have a better understanding of each other and finally came to a truce.

Going back to Tammy though, I really don't mind her, even if I don't understand what she really sees in Walt since all I really know about their relationship is that they officially met at a party during our Junior and Walt's Senior year of high school.

But it's none of my business and we barely even see them a lot these days anyway.

After Walt graduated college, he got a job in sales at a company in Connecticut and Tammy moved in with him after she was done with school and used her degree as a dental hygienist to get a job at a dentist office out there.

That and the first time I met her she said she was a fan of AD-BC when she noticed I was wearing one of their classic album graphic T-shirts that day and that was way back in high school.

Again, I'm on pretty good terms with both Walt and Tammy and I really don't have a problem with them, but… they can be a little obnoxious.

Also, and even though I'm going to contradict myself in some way, but Tammy and Walt take the concept of PDA to a whole other level, like even more than my parents.

I mean, at least my parents are considerate enough to not make out in front of Jimmy and I at home.

But, Walt and Tammy are just all over each other all the time and even make both me and Zach pretty uncomfortable and borderline grossed out since both of us like to keep our private business to ourselves and I personally really don't need to know what goes on with anyone else and their private life.

I looked back over at Zach and commented, "Put it this way, at least they're only here for a couple days. It's not like either of us have to live with them. Thankfully..."

I heard Zach let out another short laugh at the last part I added under my breath and gave me a quick small smile before saying, "Well, you got that right. I mean, don't get me wrong, I really like Tammy a lot and it was cool to finally be able to talk to her more since she started dating Walt. Especially since I didn't really know her that well since she was always with one of the popular groups and I wasn't. Actually, I wasn't really in any group and just hung around with Caitlyn until I met you and Kaito. But, Tammy's cool, until her and Walt start their usual… thing. I mean, we aren't that annoying are we?"

I gave Zach a look and said, "Seriously? Zach all we do is hold hands out in public 99.9% of the time. Also, cuddling on my parents' couch watching a movie doesn't count either," I stopped for a second as I thought, 'despite Jimmy still always walking by the living room and making a barfing sound before immaturely telling us to get a room', before continuing, "Besides, I'm pretty sure the most PDA we've ever shown was that time we made out a little bit on the beach. Even though no one was even around."

I glanced over at Zach and saw him looking forward, his eyes going wide a little bit and pursing his lips and… I could have sworn I saw his cheeks were a little red.

Also, I could feel his hand that I was holding onto start to get sweaty before I felt his grip on my hand tense up a bit.

I quirked up an eyebrow and asked, kind of concerned about what was going on with him right now, "Zach?"

Immediately Zach shook his head and looked over at me as he asked, "Yeah? What's going on?"

"Are you okay? You looked like you're about to vomit or something." I said straight out, still wondering if he was actually okay.

I could see Zach's facial expression almost stutter, for lack of a better way to describe it to myself, before he just smiled and said, "Oh yeah, I'm great. Don't worry about it."

Then out of nowhere he lifted up our joined hands together and kissed the back of my hand.

I was still processing that interaction as Zach lowered our hands and smiled at me, his face still a little red. I smiled back at him as we just proceeded with walking, even though in the back of my mind I was still thinking that whole thing was kind of... bizarre.

Since when has kissing the back of my hand ever been something Zach does?

I mean, Kaito way back when, yes.

But Zach, no.

But, I decided to just forget about it as we just kept leisurely walking, talking, and sipping from our coffee cups to make everything feel a little more… relaxed, easier.

Just like how things usually are between us.

Right then I caught sight of something as Zach said, almost chirping in his usual happy and genuine tone of voice, "Anything seem familiar?"

I smirked as I looked over at him and replied sarcastically joking, "Wow, entrance of a closed Coney Island. Nice. Hope you weren't planning to go on any amusement park rides."

Zach let out a nervous sounding laugh before he said, "No. Besides, this isn't where we're really going. You know, just passing through."

I gave him a slight look with a smirk as I said, "Okay, who the hell are you and where's Zach?"

"What do you mean? Can't I surprise you every once in awhile with something different?" He replies, still smiling but also looking totally confused about where I was coming from.

I continued to twist my face in suspicion as I explained out loud, "Well coming from a person who's dated you for 6 and half years and then lived you for most of that time, I think I know enough about you to know that mysteries and surprises aren't really your style."

Well… it was true. Zach himself has never really been an entirely too mysterious guy. Sure Zach surprised me at the start of our relationship when I had the revelation that he was the vigilante the whole time.

But, when you have Kaito as a cousin and then on top of that when you've done and seen all the insane stuff that I did when I was younger, even prior to Zach getting shot… it makes getting surprised or shocked about pretty much anything else kind of difficult.

It was like the couple days in class when Dr. Brownstein was showing all of us images of different types injuries and diseases and everyone else in my class was reacting to either how 'gross', 'painful', or 'horrible' some of the pictures, but they all had literally zero effect on me.

But, after watching my cousin become and reverse the process of being mutated, watching a femur of a guy Jimmy got a good tackle on in a football game break through his skin, and the absolute insane nightmare that was Zach's situation when he almost was shot to death… practically nothing fazes me anymore.

But, at least that will work to my advantage in my future career when I work in surgery, right?

I looked over at Zach to see him rub the back of his neck and a contemplating look on his face that was reflecting an agreement to what I pointed out before responding, "Well, I mainly just wanted to do something different. That and after finals, I thought it would be nice for us to walk around here and relieve a little stress."

I gave a look of agreement as I said, "Well, you got that right about getting out a little. Besides, it is kind of cool walking around here." "Yeah, really takes us back, right?" I heard Zach point out, squeezing my hand a little prompting me to look over at Zach and see him giving me his usual good natured smile.

That then made me smile back slightly as I understood and remembered what Zach was talking about since Coney Island was where we technically had our first date.

Sure, it didn't start out as an actual date, but it would be impossible to deny that it ended as a date since we ended up ultimately making out a little bit.

We kept going to the point that we got to the very end of the park to the point that we could see the ocean.

I was making predictions until Zach confirmed my thoughts as we took a familiar old wooden ramps as he explained, "I was thinking we could take a walk on the beach, if you want?"

I smirked and shrugged before motioning forward with my coffee cup still in hand as I said, "Lead the way."

We both smiled a little before we stepped on the beach and I immediately heard and felt the familiar grinding of the sand under my chucks as we walked, even though I really haven't walked on a beach since that day with Zach when we were 16.

But, I have to admit… this was really nice and I almost forgot how nice this actually was. Also, the fact that even though I've lived in New York my entire life and New York is a sea-side state, it's like I always forget the fact that the ocean the beaches here even exist.

Sure it's not warm like places out west or down south since the North Atlantic is freezing and the breeze off it makes everything on the shore cold as hell. But, I have to admit that it is nice to just take minute and look out at the water, especially now at sunset with the remaining rays orange and red light of the sun in the horizon were reflecting off the water.

Then and I even have to say that it is also really calming for me just taking in all the sounds.

The waves crashing and lapping up on shore, the occasional seagulls flying by overhead, and even the sand crunching under my feet oddly calms me down for whatever reason.

At this point, even though I still have no idea why Zach had this random idea to go out here and walk on the beach, I was actually relaxed and genuinely enjoying myself right now.

Just to go somewhere to take in your surroundings and sounds of the ocean and to avoid the usual noise of annoying people and cars in Brooklyn.

We kept walking and I took a sip from my almost empty cup when I heard a weird clinking inside the cardboard cup. "What the hell?" I said to myself, completely confused as I proceeded to shake my cup around.

"Um, Molly..." I heard Zach say, but wasn't entirely paying attention as I kept studying why the hell I was hearing a solid object inside a cup meant for liquid.

I mean, what? Was some random barista trying to be funny and decided to put a surprise whole coffee bean in the bottom of my cup?

I just gave my cup an annoyed look as I took the lid off and proceeded to look inside while saying, "Seriously, what the hell could possibly…" I cut myself off as I felt this weird sensation wash over me when I saw this weird glint at the bottom of the cup and still slightly covered by the residual small pool of coffee as I slowly reached into the cup, still feeling beyond confused as looked at what was between my fingers.

It was a ring with a silvery-white band with some kind of blue gemstone at the top with two smaller light-blue gemstones on either side of it.

I'm not really into geology and I don't really know a lot about jewelry since I almost never wear any, so… I don't know?

I was still really confused until I saw Zach's hand come into view and take away my now pretty much empty coffee cup and put it down next to his cup that was already in the sand as he said, his tone sounding slightly hesitant for some reason, "Molly?"

I was about to ask Zach what was going on and why he was acting off until Zach grabbed my now free left hand in both of his and took a knee in front of me.

I proceeded in giving him a look of total confusion for a second until all of a sudden the realization just hit me as I could feel my own mouth fall open in a mixture of absolute shock and surprise at what I realized was happening right now.

I really didn't know how else to react other than look at Zach, who was looking right back at me. His face was a little red and his hands felt sweaty, but he was not breaking eye contact with me as he held his smile.

(Zach's POV)

Okay, this didn't happen in the precise way I had in mind.

Probably because I had a lot of a braver image in my head that I was going to make myself as confident as possible when I was going to be right in front of Molly doing this.

But, I know she is definitely seeing through me trying and completely failing to cover it up with a smile right now since I even know that I probably look like a guy who is a total sweaty, nervous wreck.

Like she kind of said earlier, she knows me too well… just like I know her too.

But, it's not going to stop me from going through with this.

I've been wanting to do this for a long time and I ideally was planning on doing this at Christmas until I found out Kaito and Caitlyn got engaged and I just didn't want to make it seem like Molly and I were trying to compete with them or something crazy like that.

Like we were only doing this because they made it seem like a good idea.

And that's not what I wanted and I didn't want us to seem like we were just following along.

But, Molly's just been so busy with med school this year that every time I wanted to discuss where we were headed in our relationship, I just didn't think it was a good time to bring up a big and really important question like that.

So, now that we're both out of school for the summer and both of us have some time off, I'm ready to take this step together and I wanted to make sure this was our own thing and I wanted to go all out with how I wanted to plan this.

Also, I could tell by Molly's expression that she picked up on why I kind of nervously froze up a little earlier when she brought up our first kiss on the beach, that she realized why I brought her here to propose.

I didn't just want to do something like go out for dinner or anything way overdone like that, I wanted to bring her someplace that would mean something to both of us.

As I kept pretty much wracking my brain, I thought what would be a more perfect place to propose than the place where we had our first kiss on the Coney Island beach? "Zach, what…" "Molly, please. Just… just hear me out." I said, even though I know Molly was probably only trying to communicate to me since I was still not saying anything.

But, I got a grip over myself, not caring if she said 'no' and wasn't ready like I was, but I just still wanted to be honest with her about how I feel.

That and I have practiced what I was going to say over and over again for what seems like forever.

Sure that time I practiced it in front of Walt to get his opinion only got him to laugh and say 'Wow' very sarcastically, like I was kind of expecting.

But… I just have to do this.

I closed my eyes for a second, took a deep breath before looking back up at Molly and forcing myself to straighten up from where I was on the sand as I started, "Molly, even though our relationship didn't start out the way either of us planned and I wish there are definitely things I would've done different back then, I still would not change anything about it. Because now, after everything we've been through together, I wouldn't want to go through a day without you there with me. You've been there every time I really needed you, even down to you literally saving my life and helping me through my recovery. Even now, you're always there for me when I need motivation from you or you needed it from me during school and just being able to have you with me everyday when we're at our apartment makes me realize how much I miss being with you when we're back home with our parents. The way I miss being able to sleep next to you at night, having a cup of coffee together at our crappy card table in the kitchen every morning, or just being able to watch TV together without anyone bugging us. I don't know if this is something you'd want to do and you probably… actually you definitely know what I'm asking, whether or not you agree with it. But, I just want you to know just how much I love you and want to spend the rest of my life being with you. So, I mean… I guess I'll just say it? Molly Lisa Hamato, will you marry me?"

Well, I said it.

Sure I'm still freaked out and have no idea what she's gonna say since… "Zach, just stand up." I heard Molly say, interrupting my thoughts and really freaking me out.

Well, especially since as I'm standing up as I swallowed a boulder sized lump in my throat and just started insanely babbling to defend myself as I stuttered, "L-look, Molly, I understand if you don't want this yet." "Zach." "I mean, just because I want to get engaged doesn't mean you have to agree with me and…" "ZACH, Shut up!" She finally yelled, clearly annoyed with me just babbling like an idiot.

But, I actually appreciated it to the point of actually looking at her and saying, "Thanks."

But, then I felt Molly's hand grip mine back that I was still holding as she said, "Look, Zach, stop apologizing. Because you didn't even let me tell you what I was trying to say… even though you're right because I know exactly what's going on. Even before you said anything."

I was still trying to wrap my head around what she was saying until I felt her let go of my hand and by the time I reacted and looked down, I felt shocked for a completely different reason when I saw her slowly take the engagement ring, that I planted in her coffee cup earlier as a surprise, and slip it on her left hand ring finger.

I thought my eyes were going to fall out of my head as I looked at her face again only for her to immediately give me a short but surprisingly deep kiss on the lips before pulling away from me, and almost giving me a flashback when I asked her if she wanted to be my girlfriend, I heard a low yet completely familiar, "Yes."

We both backed away slowly and all I could do was just look at her and just seeing those completely familiar emerald green eyes staring right back at me, until I also took notice of the slight smile on her face.

I practically had to restrain myself from asking a stupid question if she really meant it or not, even though it is completely obvious that she literally just told me 'yes'.

I just acted on impulse and I seriously couldn't stop myself as I leaned in and hugged her.

At first I thought this was too much until I felt Molly return the gesture as both of us let out a laugh that had no point to it other than letting out nervous energy. But, I really don't care about anything right now.

Nothing can stop me from not taking in every moment from this and just feeling happier than I've ever been in my whole life.

2 hours later

({No POV})

Mona slowly walked into her's and Raphael's bedroom and immediately put a stern look on her face as she crossed her arms.

Her eyes were narrowed at her husband sitting at the foot of their bed with him just staring blankly at the wall.

But, Mona proceeded to roll her eyes as she walked over to the lamp on her night stand and flicked it on only to see Raphael stubbornly not moving a muscle. Mona stood there practically putting herself in a slight contrapposto position as she put her hands on her hips and stared Raphael down in annoyance.

After another couple moments of no response, Mona couldn't hold back as she started, annoyance and frustration ozzing from her tone, "Raph, enough… ENOUGH!"

Raphael stood up and tried to walk past Mona, presumably to avoid getting scolded by his wife for brooding and just go to the basement to blow off some steam.

But, Raphael was immediately grabbed by the back of his neck as he heard Mona continue, "Hey, where the hell do you think you're going? Sit."

Raphael grunted to himself in resolve as he just flopped down and sat on the side of the bed.

Mona sat next to him as she really took a long and inquisitive look at her husband before saying, her tone slightly calmer, "Raph, what the hell is going on with you? Because I have had enough of this damn brooding that you always resort to. So what is it?"

Raphael just kept looking forward as he said, his tone with its usual sarcasm and also a hint of slight displeasure, "Well… she's done it. She's officially crossed the line now."

Mona rolled her eyes, mainly because she could totally see through her husband's behavior as she commented, trying to sympathize with her husband just trying to still get used to the fact that their daughter is grown up, "Raph, Molly's already crossed that line. In fact her and Zach have crossed it... years ago. Even before they moved in together. Hell, even before they graduated high school."

Raphael gripped a hand into his hair as he processed Mona's point, even though he was still dealing with his over protective dad mentality that his daughter was now a 23 year old adult in love and now engaged to someone.

Raphael was still contemplating until he looked down and noticed Mona sliding her hand under one his as their finger slowly, and almost on instinct, intertwined together.

Raphael glanced over at Mona to see her giving him a slight smirk as she pointed out in a slightly joking tone, "Besides, we can't pretend that Molly and Zach made a completely irresponsible decision since they've been dating for almost 7 years and lived together on their own for a good portion of that."

Raphael smirked and snorted before he replied, his tone still laced with sarcasm, "While we did all that after barely 2 years and a baby?"

Raphael's eyes went wide a little as Mona put her hand on Raphael's jaw to guide his line of sight over to her as she said, "You're making it sound like I regretted all that, Raphael."

Raphael smirked back and shrugged as he added, "Well, you've been the one stuck with me for almost 25 years, you tell me."

Mona rolled her eyes as she pushed Raphael down and straddled over him before purposefully taking off her glasses, smirking all the while as she dipped down to get face to face with him and leading on, "How does this convince you?"

"I dunno, babe? Maybe you could get your lab coat from work out of the closet and convince me more." Raphael wagered with a sly smirk and a wink, trying to get his wife to re-fulfill one of his biggest turn-ons that she did just on a whim 10 years ago that he wished she did more often in situations like this between them to keep things interesting.

Mona laughed a little, putting her face in the crook of his neck for a minute before making direct eye contact with him and asking, "You seriously liked that, that much?"

Raphael just kept holding his smirk as he said, "What's it look like? You know I like seeing you in that labcoat," He stopped himself and leaned into her left ear as he added slyly, "And nothing else."

Mona let out a laugh before playfully slapping Raphael on the chest, making both of them laugh a little together before Mona put her glasses back on and got up and walked over to the closet, Raphael analyzing her every move from where he was all the while.

Mona looked over her shoulder in a coy and slightly teasing way as she alluded, "Guess I'll see you in a minute, Raphael." Ending her sentence on a wink, Mona disappeared into their bedroom closet and left Raphael in a mixture of suspense and anticipation.

Raphael stayed where he was until he laid back and put his arms behind his head with a smirk on his face.

He kept his place until a thought hit him as his mind drifted to what his mind was on minutes ago.

Molly.

But, after what just happened between himself and Mona, he really started to look back on a lot of things, mainly the comparison between his relationship to Mona and Molly's relationship with Zach.

How happy his daughter has looked with him over the years, even though there were still some exceptions that he still wasn't completely comfortable with.

Like the times when he and Mona would visit them at their apparent at school.

Like when he was going to the bathroom one night and he peaked through their bedroom door that was cracked open slightly and he could still feel that discomfort when he saw them spooning together in their bed as they were both fast asleep, or the next morning when he stealthily peered around the corner to see Zach hugging Molly from behind as Molly was setting up the coffee pot on the counter and both of them smiling in their own ways as they tried to talk quietly to not wake up Mona or him since they were sleeping on their futon in the living room.

But, the whole time, Raphael could still never get over the small but genuine smile that was always on his daughter's face every time he saw them together.

Then, and as much as it pains and borderline still aggravates Raphael to still think about it, but even he could see now how much Zach really cares about and loves his daughter.

But, also, he can see how much Molly makes him genuinely happy too.

Raphael sighed to himself before he closed his eyes and nodded to himself, almost like after all this time… he finally came to peace with this.

Well, Zach and Molly are finally engaged! :D Again, I'm not about gender roles and even though Zach and Kaito are both the ones who ended up proposing, but especially in this case, it seemed to make the most sense for Zach to be the one to do something like this. As you guys know from Zach's characterization; he's a very sweet, sensitive, and romantic type of guy. Since he is definitely the one in his and Molly's relationship who would be most likely to plan out a very romantic situation like this. That he would want to plan out proposing to Molly in the same place they had their first kiss and plant her ring in her cup of coffee as a surprising gesture. Also, when it came to Molly's ring, I wanted to explain those origins too about that since Zach actually planned that out too for a strategic reason. The two smaller light blue gemstones on either side of the sapphire are a blue topaz and an aquamarine, that represent Molly and Zach's birthstones to in turn represent both of them. Then the Sapphire in the center of the setting is the birthstone representative of the month September, aka the month Molly and Zach had their first date together. Because, let's be real, it would be so like Zach think about doing something like that to represent both of them. Also, I hope you enjoyed some classic Raphael and Mona being their usual selves. Haha. ;) And then that ultimately got Raphael to finally come to some sort of final peace with the fact that Molly and Zach are adults and both of them do genuinely love and care about each other. I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter that I have been piecing together for what seems like the longest time now. As always, thank you so much for reading and your reviews and feedback are always appreciated.

Stay Classy and have an awesome day!

Dexter1995