Author's Notes: Wow. I am getting later and later with the updates, and I am really sorry! Shopping for mine and my Beta's Scottish holiday has taken up most of my free time, and I sometimes forget for a few hours that I have chapters to write and upload!

This one is quite special, and I very much hope you enjoy it. :)

xx

"Rikki, I need to ask your advice."

Lewis kept glancing back and forth at every tickle of the wind as if afraid someone might overhear him. It was a silly gesture; they were the only two in the yard. Zane was boating with Nate, and Emma was helping Cleo with her shift. To be honest, Rikki felt more comfortable letting Lewis hang out in her yard. Zane was someone she wanted to impress. Lewis was just... Lewis.

She leaned back lazily in the lawn chair. "If it's about that shirt, whoever sold it to you should be fired,"

"No, it's about Cleo." He paced in front of her rubbing his hands together. "Although I am something of an expert on the subject, I admit I find myself lost in this particular situation."

"All right," she relented, setting her magazine aside. "Spit it out. What's your problem?"

"Wait," he paused, looking down at the bright print, "what's wrong with my shirt?"

"Lewis…" she rolled her eyes.

"Okay. Fine. I was thinking... With everything that's happened between us; Cleo and me, I mean, we've known each other since we were kids, and it's not like there's ever going to be anyone else for me..."

"Get to the point, Lewis!"

"Well, she said so herself, and now I'm thinking, 'Why not?'"

"Said what? Why not what?"

"Why not get married?"

"What!?" She stood up from her seat in a panic. "You've gotta be joking! You're being funny, aren't you?"

He shook his head. "No. I am being completely in earnest, here."

"Then you're insane. You're officially, off the charts insane!" She threw her hands up over her head. "What do you need to get married for?"

"Well, why not? I mean, what are the reasons not to?"

"Uh, you don't have a place to live," she began.

"Actually, that's not quite true. My brother's moving in a month or two and wants a permanent house guest for when he's away. He said he'd be happy to let us live there and he'd take the shack on the same property. For a small rent, of course."

"Okay, what about an income?"

"We both have jobs."

"She's a theme park mermaid, and you're her fake manager." Rikki rolled her eyes. "That's not something to live on."

"Yeah, but I've been working with the research developers and they have a lot of opportunities for me in the 'nerdy science stuff' as you so love to call it. I'll make plenty once I pick a field."

Rikki sighed. "You obviously have all this figured out. So what do you need my advice for?"

Lewis stood still and sucked in a breath. "Where should I ask her? And how?"

She shrugged. "Do something cliché and predictable. She'll be eating right out of your hand."

"Rikki, I'm being serious here." He hung his head in frustration.

"So am I. Cleo is the queen of mushy stuff. Decorate a room with flowers. Sing a love song on the beach. Do... anything that would make me sick, and you'll be good to go." She left him with a condescending pat on the shoulder. "Good luck!"

-x-

Rikki tried to wrap her head around it, but it was no use. She didn't understand Lewis sometimes. Still, she had no doubt that Cleo would be over the moon about it. She supposed that was all that mattered. So long as Cleo was happy.

She knew she couldn't complain to Emma. She'd probably find something responsible and convenient about it, like it made good business sense. Or she'd take the opposite extreme, and try to talk Lewis out of it. As crazy as she thought it was, Rikki didn't want that. Cleo would kill her if she ever found out. And she had a funny way of always finding out.

There was only one person she could talk to about it without fear of repercussion.

Rikki brought dinner over for Zane, and explained the situation after they'd cleaned up and were kicking back on the couch.

"Isn't that the craziest thing you ever heard of?"

"Well, I don't know." He wrapped his arms around her, "Can't you see us running off to get married somewhere in secret? It would sure beat having to deal with my dad and his issues. Also make the guest list a cinch."

"I... guess. But I didn't think you were the marrying type."

"Where'd you get that idea?" he teased, "I wouldn't marry just anyone, you know. But it could solve the money problem, too."

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, if we're married, there's no yours or mine, right? Just a load of money to split between the two of us. You'd feel okay with that, right?"

"Yeah..." she smirked, having to admit it sounded more and more like a good idea.

They fell silent, both lost in their own private musings. Zane played with Rikki's hair, brushing it with his fingers.

"Hey…" she prodded after a few minutes. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"If you're thinking you should elope with me, the answer is definitely yes."

She grinned cheekily. "Do you want to swim there or fly, crazy?"

"Hang on," he said, shifting her off of him and running into the kitchen.

"Hey! I won't marry you if you won't be my pillow!" she shouted.

"Just gimme a sec!"

Zane returned with his hands clasped behind his back and a smug look plastered on his face.

He got down on one knee, ignoring the torn expression on Rikki's face between amusement and sheer bewilderment. He held out the twisty tie for a loaf of bread that he'd made into the shape of a ring.

"Rikki, my darling, I don't have much in this world..."

"Liar..." she muttered with a smile, and he shushed her. "Please. Let me say what I need to say. The very little that I own in this world is yours, if you'll have me. Will you marry me? Even if I can't afford a huge diamond ring just yet?"

She shook her head, but it was in disbelief, not refusal. "Get off the floor and kiss me," she demanded.

Zane quickly obeyed, first slipping the plastic tie onto the appropriate finger. She chuckled at him. "You are impossible, you know that?"

"Get used to it, Future Mrs. Bennet," he said, kissing the bridge of her nose.

"Hang on, I never said yes," she teased.

He shushed her with a kiss on the mouth. "Yes you did," and then he kissed her again, leaving no room for objection. "Your eyes definitely said yes."