~*~Chapter Fourteen~*~

Todd came home from work one night carrying a dozen roses. He walked in the door and found Marty in the kitchen making dinner. "Something smells good," he said as he leaned forward, kissing her cheek.

"These are for you," he said as he presented her with the gorgeous bouquet.

Marty accepted the bouquet, smiling softly. "Thank you," she whispered as she brought them up to her nose, taking in the scent. "Dinner is almost ready. How was your day?"

She had been working hard to make him a delicious dinner while Michelle napped. The baby would awaken soon. The baby monitor was sitting on the counter.

"My day was great," Todd said. "How's Michelle? Did she miss her daddy while I was at work?"

"She should be getting up soon." She nodded at the monitor as sure enough they heard Michelle waking up. She put the roses in a glass of water and kept them on the counter as she went back to fixing dinner.

"I missed you today," she told Todd softly.

"I missed you, too," Todd said as he looked into Marty's dark-blue eyes. "I'll go get Michelle."

He walked into the bedroom and saw Michelle fussing lightly in her crib. "Hello, sweet pea," he said as he drew her into his arms. Michelle stopped fussing the minute her daddy cuddled her close in his arms. She lay her cheek against his chest as Todd carried her into the kitchen.

Marty looked up from her cooking, seeing Todd holding Michelle. "Hey there," she said. "Looks like she missed her daddy very much."

"She's my girl," Todd said as he kissed Michelle's little head.

He then kissed Marty softly on the lips. "You're both my girls."

Marty returned his sweet kiss. "I like the sound of that," she told him.

She almost had dinner ready. "I bet she's hungry, too," she said of Michelle.

"As soon as we eat, you can feed her," Todd said as he gently placed Michelle in the nearby bouncy seat. She gurgled and smiled at her parents. She was such a little sweetheart.

After dinner was finished cooking, Marty turned off the stove. She served the meal for Todd and herself on plates. She went to Michelle's seat and kissed her little cheek. "Mommy will feed you after she and Daddy eat," she told her daughter.

Todd accepted the food as Marty brought it to him. It looked very appetizing. It was steak and veggies- his favorite. "You're such a good cook," he said. "I know you are perfect for me. You feed me delicious meals and you are so good in bed."

Marty couldn't help but smile at his comment. "I am, huh?" she asked, taking her seat after getting her own plate and setting it down in front of her.

"We're perfect for each other," said Todd. "I never in my wildest dreams imagined I'd be this happy."

Michelle let out a loud coo, trying to get her parents' attention. Todd smiled at the baby girl.

"I think Michelle is happy with this arrangement, too. We are perfect for each other," she said a bit sadly. She tried not to think about how she was going to have to go in for chemo; she wanted to enjoy tonight.

"I have something for you," Todd said as he stood up from the table and reached into his pocket. He withdrew a simple diamond ring. His hands shook with nervousness as he slid it on Marty's finger.

"Marty, I love you. Will you marry me?" he asked.

Marty let out a startled gasp that was so loud it got Michelle's attention. " YES! YES, I will!" she exclaimed. She had not been expecting Todd to propose to her; not after everything they had been through.

Todd's grin widened at Marty's excited squeal. *She said, 'YES,'* he thought happily. He reached for her and crushed her in his embrace.

"I love you so much," he said.

"I love you, too," Marty told him softly. She was pressed up against his chest, staring into his eyes.

"I want to get married right away," said Todd. "Then I can adopt Michelle. I want to make it official. I'd like to be her daddy forever."

"That sounds absolutely perfect," Marty said. "I can't wait for you to adopt her; she loves you so much."

Todd kissed Marty tenderly. He then kissed Michelle. "We are going to be a family now," he said. "You, me and Michelle."

Todd was ecstatic. He couldn't wait for the wedding.