A/N: Thank you for reading and reviewing!

When Buck arrived home, he found Abby sitting at the table in the dining room, staring at the passport she was tapping against the table. She stayed lost in thought as he dropped his bag in the laundry room. "Hey, sweetheart."

She looked up at him after he placed a kiss to her cheek. "Hi."

"What are you thinking about?"

She opened the passport and stared at it as she spoke. "Mom. She always said she wanted to travel but she never did, except for the one time to Mexico for Matt and Beth's wedding." She closed the passport onto the table and pushed it away from her. "I don't know. I thought once I had all of Mom's things in order, I would feel some kind of closure, but I don't."

Buck studied her for a moment then an idea popped into his head. "Do you think going on a trip in honor of your mom would give you that closure?" He continued when she raised her eyes to meet his. "I mean, you keep looking at her passport. Maybe a trip would help. Did she say where she wanted to go?"

She kept her eyes glued to his as she said softly, "Ireland."

"Maybe you should go. Take the trip she never took."

She opened the passport again and stared it. He wished he had a hint to what she was thinking. After what seemed like an eternity, she said, "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Would you go with me?"

"If you want me to, but if you need to this on your own, I understand. I'll support you in whatever you decide."

A small smile touched her lips as she placed her hand over his hands resting on the table. "Thank you."

He sandwiched her hand between his hands. "Anytime."

By the time Abby crawled into bed that night, she had made a decision. Once she stopped to think about it, it wasn't a hard one to make. She snuggled closer to Buck. The colder nights were beginning to take its toll, and both had decided to wear warmer clothes to bed. She missed the feel of his skin against hers as she threw her leg over his. "I want to go to Ireland," she said once they were comfortable.

Buck tilted his head to see her. "Okay."

"But I won't go without you."

He shifted to face her. "Is that your way of asking me if I'll go to Ireland with you?"

"Will you?"

He brushed his finger across her temple. "Baby, I'll follow you to the ends of the earth."

A slow smile spread across her lips. "Is that a yes?" she teased.

Buck chuckled. "Yes. Tell me when and I'll talk with Bobby. I can't promise we'll have a long because of the time I missed because of Maddie. I'll do my best."

She brushed a kiss to his lips. "I love you."

"I love you."

After a quick a stop to pick up a very special delivery inside a black velvet box, he made his way home as fast as he could. He had a little good news to tell Abby. It wasn't the best, but it was the best he could do.

He stashed the box inside of his duffle bag and rushed inside. "Abby?" He called out when he didn't see her right away. She appeared from the bedroom before he swept her into his arms and kissed her. "I owe everyone in the firehouse a favor, but I have six days off."

"Really?"

"I know it's not a lot, but I'll make it up to you next year, I promise."

"Six days is perfect." She framed his face with her hands and kissed him. "When do you have off?"

"Sunday thru Saturday."

"That gives us four days before we leave," she said over her shoulder as she retrieved her laptop from the living room.

"I'll order take out, so we can start planning."

The next four days flew by, and before he knew it, he was done with his last shift before they left the country. Buck took the black velvet box from his locker, took a seat on the bench then opened the lid. The certainty he felt when he ordered the ring, slowly turned into anxiety. He had no doubt he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Abby but, the more he thought about it, the more he began to question the timing.

"What's that?" Bobby's voice pulled him back to the present.

"It's for Abby." Buck turned the box where Bobby could see it.

"Thinking about proposing?"

Buck ignored the surprise in his voice. "Do you think it's too soon? It's only been a month since Patricia died."

"Do you think she's ready?"

Buck closed the box and fiddled with it in his hands. "I don't know. I don't want to lay my heart on the line just to be rejected because I could have waited."

"If you're not sure, why the rush?"

"I want her to be mine, always and forever."

Bobby slowly nodded in understanding. "That's how I felt when I met my wife. We were together three months before I proposed." Bobby slapped him on the shoulder. "You have a good head on your shoulders. Trust your gut. Everything will be fine."

"Thanks, Bobby."

"No problem. You two have fun."

Buck reached over and laced his fingers between hers as they rode in the cab to their hotel. They were finally in Dublin, their agreed upon starting destination, after the long fourteen-hour flight. She had spent most of her time on the plane with her head resting against his shoulder or reading one of the books she bought in the airport. He was continuously surprised at the little things he learned about her after Patricia's passing. He never knew she had made it to the Olympics or that she loved to read or her love of board games. The biggest surprise he learned about her was she loved running for exercise. The afternoons his schedule would allow, he would join her at the park for a run.

He studied her as she kept her gaze out the window. She had grown quiet as they rode through the streets of Ireland. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "Are you okay?"

She offered a tiny smile. "Yeah. I'm just thinking how much Mom would have loved this, except for the rain."

Buck chuckled. "Maybe it won't last long. I have big plans for us."

She turned her attention back to him. "I thought we already had some things planned out."

He shrugged his shoulder. "I may have a thing or two up my sleeve."

She shook her head and returned her gaze to the scenery flying by. "I should have known."

When the cab came to a stop outside their hotel, the rain was coming down in sheets. He tried to look on the bright side. If they didn't want to battle the rain, maybe they could have a little fun staying in.

Abby surveyed the entrance to the hotel. "We should have picked a hotel with an awning."

"Where is the fun in that?"

"We're going to get soaked."

"Okay. You make a run for the door and I'll grab the luggage."

"There is no way you can grab all of our luggage at once."

"Are you kidding me?" He flexed his muscles and Abby let out a cackle.

"Okay."

Abby let out a yelp when she pushed open the door and carefully ran toward the entrance.

Buck inhaled a deep breath, knowing he was about to get soaked. The cold rain saturated his clothes as he retrieved their luggage as quickly as possible. Abby held the door open as he rushed inside.

"Well this trip started out well," she muttered as she pulled the thin fabric from her body.

"I beg to differ." He leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "I see your bra." He loved the blush on her cheeks as she hugged her arms tighter around her chest and glanced around to see if anyone else was in the room. He pried her arms free and grabbed her hand. "Come on. Let's check in."

As Buck handled the check-in, Abby kept her arms across her chest. He couldn't wait to get her upstairs and help her out of the clothing that was clinging to her skin.

"Elevators are around the corner on the right. Enjoy your stay." The clerk handed Buck the magnetic keys wrapped in a thin white paper.

Buck thanked him, followed by Abby, before they headed toward the elevators. They navigated the halls until they found their room. Buck dealt with the lock then held the door open for Abby to slip through.

"This isn't the room I reserved," she said as she took in her surroundings.

"It's the room I reserved."

She spun around to face him. "But..."

"I wanted you to have the best since we couldn't stay longer," he said, interrupting her.

"I told you…"

He placed his hands on the side of her face. "I know but I want to give you so much more than what I can give you right now."

She went on tiptoe to kiss him. "You here with me is more than enough."

"I love you." He pulled her close and felt her shiver. "Let's get you out of these clothes," he whispered against her lips as he gathered the tail of her shirt in his fingers.

As he laid in bed, sleep refused to come. Four days had passed and every opportunity to propose had slipped through his fingers, the words he had planned simply felt insufficient. He was beginning to wonder if it was fate telling him to wait, find another time after she stopped grieving for her mom.

He maneuvered from under the covers, careful not to wake her, and reached for the ring he had stashed at the bottom of his suitcase.

He stared at the ring for the millionth time since he brought the ring home. He had memorized every crease, every tiny diamond embedded in the band. He couldn't wait to put it on her finger, if only the right words would come for him to express the depth of his love for her. He wondered if any words would fully describe how he felt. I love you. Will you marry me? Sounded too plain. I love you to the moon and back was a cliché if he ever heard one.

He closed the box and tucked it back in his suitcase for safe keeping. He stood between the opening in the curtains and looked out over the city. He had to think of something. Will you make me the happiest man alive and do me the honor of marrying me? While this was true, he wanted to say something a little more original.

"Buck?" His name brought his attention back to her. She leaned on one elbow as she looked for him. He quickly slipped back under the covers. "Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine."

She nodded as she snuggled against his chest. He ran his fingers through her hair as he waited for her to fall back asleep. When he thought she was asleep, he placed a kiss to her head.

"Buck."

He heard his name; the sound so soft, he barely registered it. He let out a low hum in case she was talking in her sleep.

Her sleepy voice wafted to his ears. "I love you."

His heart overfilled with love for the woman he held in his arms. "I love you too, sweetheart." He squeezed her tighter as he closed his eyes and sent up a prayer. "Please, Lord. Let her say yes."

Buck jumped up the moment he realized the alarm had been blaring well over twenty minutes. He nudged Abby's shoulder. "Abbs. Come on, baby. We're going to be late."

Abby rubbed her eyes. "Where are we going?" She sat up and looked toward the window. "It's still dark. What time is it?"

"Five. I made reservations for us this morning."

"Before sunrise?" She pushed the covers aside to sit on the side of the bed, hiding her yawn with her hand.

"It'll be worth it, I promise."

Buck started the coffee as Abby sauntered toward the bathroom. He waited for the tale-tell sign of water running before he retrieved the ring from its hiding spot and tucked it in his jacket pocket. Today was the day, he could feel it.

He had coffee ready when she returned to the bedroom, clad in a fluffy white towel.

She accepted the offered cup and took a sip. "Thank you."

He placed a kiss to her head and headed for the shower.

They walked hand-in-hand to the cab that was waiting to take them to their next destination. He held open the door open, allowing her to slip inside first. "Any clue to where we're going this early in the morning?"

"You're going to love it."

Abby shook her head as she wrapped her fingers through his. Nerves twisted his stomach into knots as he imagined the surprise he had for her. It was unlike anything they had done before and he couldn't wait to share it with her.

The sun had just started to peek on the horizon when they arrived at a field outside of town. Abby took her head off his shoulder when she spotted the hot air balloon in the distance. She turned her questioning gaze to him.

"We're going to watch the sunrise from the sky."

"Are you serious?"

"Yep." He was grinning as he paid the driver then slid from the car after Abby. He wrapped his arms around her as she stared at the balloon in awe. "Ready?"

"Absolutely."

The pilot of the balloon stepped forward and introduced himself. "My name is Phillip and I'll be your guide for your trip."

The trio shook hands before Phillip use the two-step ladder to enter the basket. Buck swept Abby into his arms. "I can climb the ladder, Buck."

"I know. I just wanted an excuse to hold you in my arms again."

She shook her head as he let her feet hit the inside of the basket then joined them. The pilot pulled the handle and a burst of fire heated the air inside the balloon. The basket wobbled, throwing Abby off balance. Buck wrapped his arms around her to steady her.

She patted his arm around her waist. "I'm good, Buck."

He pulled back for a brief moment to remove the ring from the box before he enveloped her in his arms. She rested her arms on top of his as she leaned her head against his chest.

They watch the colors paint the sky while the pilot took them over Dublin.

Abby was the first to break the silence. "I love watching the sunrise."

"Me too and I hope we can share many more sunrises together." He inhaled a deep breath as he turned his palm up and twined their fingers, letting her feel the ring in his hand.

She turned her hand over, sliding the ring from his. She inhaled a sharp breath as she turned to face him. His hands covered hers as he held the ring between their hands. He focused on keeping his breathing steady as he searched for the right words.

When nothing came he decided to go with his heart. "I love you so much. I knew from the first time I laid eyes on you, I never wanted to let you go. Being with you has made me the happiest I've been. Even through all our ups and downs, there is no one else I want to spend the rest of my life with." He pulled their hands apart, taking the ring in his, and held it for her to see. "Will you marry me?"

She stared at his chest as tears filled her eyes. The seconds ticked by. Panic stole his breath little by little as he waited for an answer. "Abbs. Say something, please."

It was then she raised her eyes to his. "What did I ever do to deserve you?"

Buck inhaled a quick breath. "Is that a yes?" He asked, cautiously.

Tears flowed from her eyes as she nodded, an embarrassed chuckle escaping her lips. "Yes."

"Yes?"

She laughed and placed her hands on the side of his face. "Yes."

He swept her in his arms and kissed her deeply. "I love you so much."

"I love you too." She held out her hand for him to slip to the ring on her finger. "It's beautiful."

Her hands slid around his neck as she kissed him. He knew nothing in life could compare to this moment; the moment where his dreams of spending the rest of his life with her were starting to come true.