Chapter 21
The engagement

Harry's POV

The two months since New Year's Eve have flown by, Sly and I have finished our swimming lesson and Neville helped me with the riddle on how to survive under water by helping me find Gillyweed. The stuff is absolutely horrid, looking like rotten, black-colored ivy, but apparently it also gives me gills to breathe, so I'll go with it.
Snape had, when he had seen the Gillyweed in my pocket, tried to accuse me of stealing, but Sirius had been there with me and Neville when we found it and so the Potions Master had to yield yet again, while my need to step to the Board of Governors and Madame Bones with my accusations grows stronger every day.

Bentley and Murray also found another two Horcruxes, but had discovered that, without Sirius' help, they couldn't get to the items as the Locket was hidden somewhere in one of the Ancestral Houses of Black and the other was hidden in a Vault owned by Bellatrix Lestrange. With this last one I finally saw my chance to help.
I had told Sirius to get Bentley and Murray inside the said home and told him I would deal with the other one. Sirius had refused, but I had taken Sly and Bob with me and seeing my older brother and the Cave Raccoon had alleviated Sirius' worries. Sly had, by this time, learned to apparate and thus he had taken us to Diagon Alley.

The Apparation was definitely something I don't want to learn anytime soon, as the feeling of being squeezed through a tube only half my size was absolutely dreadful and Bob and I had agreed to take the Knightbus back, while I wondered why there weren't any quick and comfortable ways of traveling in the magical world.
Sly had been curious as to how I wanted to get into the Lestrange vault, but I had proven him that this was unnecessary. Inside Gringotts I had simply yet again met up with Griphook, who had again taken me to his office and there I had explained him the situation, causing the Goblin to shout and curse in his own language.
I had smiled at my brother and simply asked: "So – you'll give us the item? Bob here can then keep it safe and we can take it to someone who has the ability to take out the soul part." The Goblin had feverishly nodded and five minutes later, we had walked back out of Gringotts, a golden cup hidden under Bob's tiger cloth.

Sly had been beyond proud of me and I say: "You just need to know your enemies as well as your friends and while the Goblins aren't really either of the two, do I know how much they hate having such dark wizard's magic inside their sacred vaults. No way would they want to keep it if they knew where it was."
Sly had laughed at this and asked: "So Voldemort just dug his own trap when he gave it to those Lestranges, huh?" I nod and say: "And fell into it deeply." Making us both laugh, while I had ignored how those walking around us had looked at us shocked at how easily we spoke of the Lestranges and the Dark Lord.

Sirius had awaited us at Hogwarts afterwards and Panda King had happily taken down the two soul-parts, which made six Horcruxes taken out. I personally know that Voldemort – weak as he is – keeps his new pet snake close and am almost sure he will change that into a Horcrux once he has a body once again.
For this reason I had been studying all kinds of snake spells and had discovered something amazing just two days ago about the spell Draco Malfoy had used on me during the Duel Club two years ago. Apparently the Serpensortia spell didn't just conjure snakes, it also let you control already present snakes if your spell was strong enough.

Speaking of Draco Malfoy makes me think back to the day, one week after New Year's eve, where I had taken Salim and Malfoy into the Chamber, Salim because of his rope and ability to quickly climb up the rope. We had secured the rope to a torch in the girls' bathroom and had thrown it into the pipe before jumping down ourselves.
Malfoy and I had barely talked during the small walk to the tunnel and yet I had been grateful that some of my Parsletongue ability had stayed behind after the Horcrux had been forcefully removed from my scar – even if I still don't remember anything of that event but seeing Pettigrew aim his wand at Sirius.
I shake my head every time I think about it and think back on how amazed Malfoy had been when I had used Parsletongue on the sinks in the girls' bathroom and on the large door with serpents engraved on it. But what had really amazed the Slytherin enough to make him lose all dignity was the Chamber in itself – in particular the Basilisk inside it.

Salim had been just as amazed when he saw the creature and had said: "I have seen many serpents in my days, yet no cobra has ever reached the size of this monster." Malfoy had then asked me how I could have possibly defeated the monster and I had told him as much as I dared, sparring him of the Basilisk fang puncturing my arm.
The Slytherin had then quickly harvested some small ingredients of the giant serpent and when I had seen him take some poison, I had quickly taken out a vial similar to the one I had given Carmelita earlier during the Ritual. I had taken some blood and poison myself and when the other two had looked at me, I had said:
"What? They're for self-defence." Making Malfoy shudder as I put the vial of poison back in my inner pocket. I of course still wear the double robe with the inner robe filled with all kinds of potions I have been making in secret, but since the check-up with Sirius have I yet to see a reason to reveal this before the designated time.

The time I had planned to show this special feature – I had decided after my conversation with Dumbledore about my survival of the Killing Curse – is during the upcoming exams. Until that time will I simply, slowly, start my improvement of potions making during the classes – slowly so Snape can't accuse me of cheating.
Salim had after all of this helped us back up his rope and while Malfoy had been shocked at the man's Climbing Cobra's ability, but I had simply pulled him on my back, changed into my Raccoon form and while the boy had been too shocked at my transformation to complain, had I used my own speed to climb up the rope.
I had not been as fast as Uncle Salim, proving that in this form I had yet to fully master his ability, but the Raccoon had been proud of me none the less. Afterwards I had not seen Malfoy anymore except for in classes, something I am grateful for as I have no time for his insults now that I am preparing for the Tournament and all.

Now it's the thirteenth of February and I just know that my brother has something special planned as he and Riochi have been sharing glances all morning. I also know that I'm not the only one noticing as Carmelita seems to be sending the two more and more suspicious glances, obviously proving she wonders about their plans as much as I do.
Still, the fact that Riochi first looked at Carmelita before looking at Sly every time makes me know that this must be something really special and by the look in Carmelita's eyes do I get the feeling that Sly is yet again keepin her from reading his mind. Wondering what my brother could have planned this time, I continue my lunch.

Carmelita's POV

Sly has been mysterious to me all morning, waking up beside me with a smile on his face that is different from the usual I'm so happy you're mine smile I've caught him with so many mornings now and next to that is there the fact that I can – yet again – not read my bonded's mind, which makes me know he has another plan for me.
All morning I have tried to let him tell me, but the only hints I have received are a knowing smile and many looks shared between my bonded and Riochi Cooper. I can still not believe that the Cooper line has the inventor of Sushi in their line and my first meeting with him was also a great honor – and a memory I will never forget.

Now, during lunch, has Sly sat himself so close next to me that if it weren't for the arm rests of our chairs, we'd be sitting on a bench or something. He also has his arm around me as we eat and once done, the meals disappearing like usual, does the Raccoon kiss my cheek and whisper: "Head for our rooms. I got a surprise for you."
I snicker and say: "So I've noticed." The Ringtail looks shocked and I say: "Sly, you can't share glances with your ancestor and keep me from reading your mind without me realizing you have something planned." This makes Sly raise his eyes skyward and he says: "Touché, now go. I want you to see the first surprise."

I look at him agitated and ask: "First surprise?" But Sly just shrugs and I shake my head, leaving the Great Hall and entering our dorms on the Sixth floor of the Grand Staircase. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary in our common room makes me leave for our bedroom and there, my mouth drops at what lies on our bed.
A white shirt with soft sky-blue arms that have cuffs at the wrists lies under a blue Chinese dress with red trim and with a dark blue upper skirt and white lower skirt. A dark red sash is wrapped around the waist of the dress and around this a dark pink ribbon is tied down loosely, the end of it reaching down to my knees.
I look at the simple yet elegant Chinese dress, see the white socks and simple black sandals lying under it and then see a small note lying on the white shirt. Pulling it off, I read Sorry, couldn't find a Japanese dress proper for your beauty fast enough. And shake my head with a loving smile, before seeing that the whole shirt is blue.

I quickly put the clothes on and then hear Sly ask through the ear: "Got dressed, love?" I confirm this and he says: "Good, meet me out in the Stone Circle. We're heading for our new destination." This makes me wonder where he has all these big surprises planned and so I break the connection and leave our rooms for the grounds.
Arriving there, I see the Van standing ready, the engine already roaring and I can almost guess that Murray has his foot on the brake to keep the speedy vehicle from roaring off. Getting in from the side, I see an amazing golden necklace with golden circular pendant hanging down from it, with a dragon engraved on the pendant.
The pendant is being held out to me by my lovely Ringtail and I bow my head as he puts the necklace around my neck and then he kisses my cheek and whispers: "You are truly one beautiful fox." This makes me smile while shaking my head and I ask: "So, are you going to tell me where we're going this time?"

Sly laughs and whispers: "Nope." Popping the p before he motions to Murray with two fingers raised and says: "Hit the gas, Murray." And I see the Hippo pull his foot off the brake, causing for us to instantly shoot out onto the grounds and with a major blast of power and speed into – to my surprise – yet another Time portal.
I look around and see the Time Machine running, the glass container holding the same sword that Ringtail stole from Le Paradox's museum more than a year ago. I look from the dagger to Sly and ask: "You're sending us to the only timeline I didn't travel along to? Why?" Sly shrugs and says: "Just wait, it's all part of your surprise."

I sigh and sit down on one of the benches on the side of the van, only to realize that the seven ancestors and Harry are sitting there as well and I look at Sly yet again, mentally asking: "Do they know?" Sly shrugs and mentally says: "Riochi does. He and I planned this together. The others are just around for another reason."
I nod and then we arrive in the loveliest small Japanese village I have ever seen. Murray quickly parks the van in an underground tunnel and then Sly jumps out and holds out his hand, making me smile as I take it. He then offers me his arm and tells the others: "We'll meet with you at the restaurant, okay?" And the Ancestors nod.

Sly's POV

I take Carmelita out of our old hide-out and into feudal Japan, over to the amazing gate across from our hide out and there, I say: "Okay, just wait here. I need to do a little some a little quick." Carmelita nods and I quickly run for the right mill, running over it and opening the mouth of the golden dragon on the right of the gate.
Reaching a hand into my backpack, I quickly change costumes to my Japanese General Outfit and use my shield to deflect the fireball, causing for it to hit one of the two switches that opens up the gate. Carmelita looks shocked as she sees this and I mutter: "Guess I'll have to ask Otto if he could disable that later."
I then quickly do the same with the left mill and dragon mouth and when the door opens, I change back into my original outfit and take Carmelita's arm once again. Walking the bridge, through the small house and past the other bridge, I enter the large castle El Jefe had made for himself when he was here.

I then reach into the pouch on my hip and whisper: "Sorry Carm, but for your next surprise, you have to not see a thing until I tell you." Carmelita looks at me with a smile and a raised eyebrow and I smile back at her, before wrapping the soft orange blindfold around her eyes, taking extra care not to pull any hairs as I tie it down.
I then stand in front of her and take her beautiful hands in my own, talking while I walk back and saying: "Just walk with me, Carmelita. Just watch out, step. And another. Three more. Almost there. There, just past this door. Wait a second." And I quickly push the heavy, high steel doors open, before leading Carmelita into the patio.

Looking up, I smile as I see that the enormous statue of that disgusting tiger has changed into a beautiful fox with closed eyes and small pouted lips, the only two things that would discern her from Carmelita. Else the statue looks as beautiful as my foxy lady and speaking of her. "Sly? Are you still there, Ringtail?"
I smile at her and say: "Of course I am. I just needed a second to check and see whether or not my surprise for you was really ready. Now, take off the blindfold, but don't look up yet." I know I confused my lovely lady, but she complies, lowering her head down as she takes off the blindfold and putting it in her pocket.

Carmelita's POV

The walk up to the gates, what Sly did to open them and the walk past the two bridges was amazing – and very romantic – but I still wonder why Sly has so many surprises for me and why he's showing them to me today. Wondering what the Ringtail could be up to, I put the blindfold in my pocket and ask him:
"Sly, why are you doing all of this? And why today?" Sly smiles as I ask this and he says: "I was hoping you'd ask that question. Carmelita love, what day is it?" I look confused and retort: "The 13th of February. Why?" And Sly shrugs as he says: "It's just that, our timeline or not, this day makes it exactly 5 years that we've known each other."
I look shocked and ask: "You – you kept note of that?" Sly hugs me, wrapping his arms tightly around my red-clothed waist and whispers in my ear: "Oh my love, I keep track of all our first. Our first meeting, our first kiss, our first dance, our first date. Everything we ever did together I will forever treasure in my heart."

Feeling warmed by his amazing love, I wish yet again he would open his heart and mind and let me feel his emotions and read his thoughts as I have come to rely on that amazing feeling of his love in my heart. He then confuses me yet again and asks: "Carmelita, do you know about the Japanese Goddess of Beauty?"
I look at him and ask: "You mean Carmen, the Goddess that inspired your ancestor to create Sushi?" Sly nods and says: "Yes her, and no, she didn't inspire Riochi to create Sushi. That's just a little lie I asked him to sell to the shogun before we left." I look shocked and ask: "You asked him to lie to the shogun? Why?"
And Sly whispers: "Because Carmen, my love, is you." And he motions for the statue high above us. I feel shocked by his words and then see a statue high above us that – except for the closed eyes and pouted lips – is actually really a perfect representation of my features. My mouth drops and I whisper: "This – this can't be."
But this time Sly hugs me from behind and whispers: "Oh yes, it can. And I'm sure the shogun rather has such a beautiful girl for a goddess than a tiger like El Jefe for his leader." This confuses me and Sly whispers: "It used to be a statue of El Jefe. I asked Riochi to sell this lie to the shogun and replace the statue for one of you."

"You – you did this – for me? While – while you knew at that time we still – we still needed to talk things through?" Sly shrugs and says: "Let's just say it was a little plan I made up during a bout of self-confidence filling me." I shake my head with a smile and while my eyes are closed and a hand is on my right temple.
Sly then kisses my cheek and says: "Come on, let's see if we can get up a little higher." I nod and the rest of the afternoon we have fun, trying to find a quick way up the statue. Then it's nearing four and Sly and I are halfway up the statue, sitting on the statue's lap and the ringtail checks a watch he has in his pocket.
He smiles and pockets it back before he says: "Come on, the others are waiting for us.""To head back?" I ask and Sly looks at me shocked before he says: "Of course not. The day's not over yet, is it?" I sigh and say: "Sly, the dress and the statue are enough. I really don't need more proof of your love for me."
Sly shrugs and says: "Too bad, because I have two more surprises left. And besides, this is a day to celebrate that we've known each other for five years. Why stop now?" I laugh at his innocent-looking smile and then walk with him to the other side of town, where a large house with a neon-lighted fish is standing on a pole above the house.

I look at the fish in shock and Sly says: "Yeah, Riochi does love bringing attention to his restaurant." Then suddenly I remember something and ask: "Sly, what about the double Harry made of Riochi?" And the Ringtail answers: "Murray and Bentley already took care of him yesterday. He's hit with sleeping darts and sleep till tomorrow."
I feel relieved and enter the shop, Sly again putting on the chest piece and pants of the General outfit. A young leopard girl is our entrance lady and bows as she says: "Konichiwah. Lady and Lord Cooper, yes?" Sly nods and says: "Yes, yes, we are." I look at him with a raised eyebrow and he whispers: "Play along."
I nod and the young leopard takes us to one of the balconies on the inside of the restaurant and while I am shocked at the beauty of the balcony, does Sly easily lead me onto the glass table with dark red cushions on the floor on both sides. He softly holds my shoulders as I sit down on one of the cushions and then takes his place on the other side.

"So, why did you reserve for us as Lord and Lady Cooper?" I ask the sneaky Ringtail and he says: "Mostly because it's part of my surprise, slightly to lift my hopes for the end of my surprise going well and finally." He then leans his elbows on the glass, crosses his fingers and lies his chin on his hands as he says:
"Because I just can't imagine anyone but you being my future bride." I laugh at this and see Sly send me the same smooth smile with shining teeth and moving eyebrows as he did when we were in the chopper together on our way to HQ after Sly had defeated Clock-la and I had crushed the Hate chip under my shoe.

Then Riochi comes in with a chopping board in his hand and he lies it down, all kinds of fish on the board, before he grabs several knives and to my shock starts cutting them perfectly and with amazing speed. Sly on the other hand smiles and says: "A private four course meal, with the inventor of sushi as our private chef."
Making my head turn his way so quickly my necklace swings around, but then Riochi says: "It is my honor." I look from Riochi to my bonded and ask: "You – you got your ancestor to give us a private meal at his own restaurant?" And Sly answers: "Nothing is too much for me to show my love to my beautiful vixen."
I turn my eyes skyward and say: "You and your smooth talk." But while feeling amused by this very thing and slightly exaggerated by all the Ringtail is willing to do to celebrate us knowing each other for five years, do I still immensely enjoy the meal and do I stay feeling amazed by the talent Riochi has while preparing the four courses.

Then the meal is finished and Riochi has provided us with some of his finest wine, which we have taken a single glass of, thanking him for sharing it with us. Sly and I are happily making some small talk and suddenly the Raccoon stands up, walks around the table and takes the blindfold out of my pocket, putting it back on my eyes.
"Sly." I try to protest, but Sly whispers: "Just be patient, my love. I have one last surprise for you and I want it to be the biggest of all." I sigh and feel Sly lifting me up, holding me bridal style and when I feel a strong wind blowing my hair away, do I know the Ringtail has jumped out of the restaurant, which is confirmed by him shouting:

"Thanks for everything, Riochi! See you in a bit!" Before more and more wind blows past us and I realize we are climbing up to some really high point in the village. Wondering where the Ringtail is taking me, I suddenly feel him setting me back on my own feet, while still holding my shoulders and he whispers:
"Look." I pull off the blindfold and my eyes widen at what I see. The whole village lies at least twenty feet below me and every little building is visible to me, along with the entire wall surrounding the village, the many trees, the mountains and all the small streams and caves, while the full moon shines down on it all.
Amazed at how beautiful the Japanese village looks from up here, I ask: "Where, where are we?" And Sly answers: "On top of your statue, my Goddess." Looking down, I see my feet standing on one of the stone curls of my own hair and look shocked, before hearing Sly change clothes, the metal sound indicating he wears the full armor.

Looking at my bonded, I feel confused when I don't see him, but then look down and – to my shock – see him sitting down on one knee, his shield held up to me and an amazing ring stuck in the center of the shield as Sly whispers: "Carmelita Montoya Fox, you are my past, present and now – I want to make you my future. Will you marry me?"
My eyes widen as I see the silver ring with golden circular band holding a blue sapphire, while two other circular bands on either side hold two golden pearls attached to the middle circle. I then look at Sly and while I can only see his eyes, can I almost feel past his defenses and feel his love, his loyalty and to my shock, his worry.
Realizing that I must have been silent for far too long, I jump at the Raccoon and push his helmet off his head to kiss him square on his lips, forcing my own love and happiness past his shields and apparently breaking said shields as it suddenly feels as if our love for each other merges together in my heart, just like when we bonded.

Sly's POV

I changed, I put the ring on the shield and bowed down on one knee, just like I've been planning all day. I look up at the love of my life as she admires the beauty of Feudal Japan from the top of her own statue and when she looks at me, I say: "Carmelita Montoya Fox, you are my past, present and now – I want to make you my future. Will you marry me?"
And while Carmelita looks at the ring in the center of my shield, can I only think of how I've done this way too soon, how Carmelita will say no, how she will want for our soul bond to last a little longer and thus don't notice how she looks from the shield to me or how she breaks past my mental shields and feels my emotions.

I do, however, notice how she suddenly pushes my shield aside, how she throws off my helmet and how her lips seal mine with a searing kiss, completely catching me off guard and making me break my own mental shields, causing for her love to enter and overwhelm my heart while I somehow feel it merging with my love for her.
Then words I have been hoping and mentally begging for all afternoon leave the beautiful soft pink lips of my gorgeous bonded as she whispers: "Yes, Sly. Yes, I'd – I'd love to marry you." I hug her close, my fears finally alleviated and tears of true love and happiness rolling down my cheeks as I whisper: "Carmelita – I – I never."
But the beautiful vixen kisses me yet again and whispers: "After everything you've done for me and all you did just to celebrate us knowing each other for five years. How on earth can I say no?" She then softly caresses the fur on my cheek and whispers: "Especially seeing how much of my heart you already stole, Mr. Master Thief."

Tears still fall down my cheek and I ask: "So this – this is the most romantic proposal you've ever seen?" Carmelita nods and I sigh whispering: "Then step two of my dream did just officially come true." The fox looks at me with a raised eyebrow and I ask: "The dream I told you about when I was unsure about us bonding, remember?"
The beautiful fox smiles at me and taps me on the nose as she says: "Well then, Mr. Cooper, you'd be correct. You now have 2/3rd of your dream accomplished. Now care to tell me your idea on what is the most amazing wedding you can get your hands on?" I gulp and say: "Well, actually – for that we'll have to return to our own timeline."
The girl looks confused and I smile, feeling quite embarrassed as I say: "You see, I – I found that ring while hunting down Mugshot and his part of the Thievius Raccoonus and after that – well, I kind of felt – a little overconfident on my chances with you – and – when I returned to Paris – I kind of arranged the whole thing already."

Carmelita's POV

"I kind of arranged the whole thing already." The words keep ringing through my mind as I look at my new fiancé shocked and ask: "The – the whole thing?" Sly looks away from me, obviously self-conscious and says: "Well yeah – except for the wedding dress, a suit for myself and bride's maids, that is."
I look shocked and ask: "And what – what exactly did you arrange?" I feel his worry enter my heart and realizing that the Raccoon feels as if he failed me with his plans, I sit down next to him and kiss his cheek, whispering: "I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't love every little thing you already did for me, Ringtail. Just tell me."
Gratitude and love now fill my heart and Sly says: "Well – I, I know it doesn't really sound romantic, but I – I arranged for the wedding itself to be held in that gigantic stadium just out of town, but I also made sure it would be fully decorated with symbols that stand for how big and strong my love for you is and how vast and wide our future can be."

Already loving the idea itself, even if I was a little confused at the choice of location at first, I lie my head on his shoulder and feel him wrapping a strong, needy arm around my shoulder as he says: "Then – then a whole array of golden carriages, pulled by black furred Friesian cross horses will take us to the cathedral.
Here the – the priest will bless our wedding with holy water and then the same array of carriages will take us to Spread street 34." I look at him shocked and say: "Not the fourth floor reception room, right?" Fear and worry enter my heart as Sly worriedly nods and I say: "But that room has a year long waiting list."
The worry and fear leave my heart and Sly rubs the back of his neck as he says: "Well, I guess it helps if – if the owner was a friend of your – your grandfather and knows of Cooper Traditions and all." Amazed that Sly actually got free-range reservation on that amazing reception room, I smile at him widely as he goes on:

"The – the reception would then – then last until ten minutes before midnight and on that time, I would take you in my arms, carry you to the top of the Eifel Tower and wait there with you until exactly midnight, when fireworks would light up with the words You may now kiss your bride. Officially ending our wedding."
My eyes widen at this and I ask: "You – you have free range on the most well-known reception room in all of France and on the top of the Eifel tower?" Sly nods and says: "Nothing is too much for what I always considered the first day of our lives together, even if that day has now been replaced by that emergency bonding of a few months ago."
Shaking my head at him, I feel his fear enter my heart again and ask: "What? Don't – don't you like it? They're – they're only a single call away, you know. I can confirm or refute the whole thing anytime, really." But then I lie a finger on his lips and say: "Sly, I just can't believe you arranged all this. I love it, really, I do."

"So – so you accept? We – we can – we can marry like I told you?" The ringtail asks me, stuttering and seeming more nervous than I have ever seen him and I nod and say: "As you said, all we need is a wedding gown, suit for the groom and bride's maids. And I think Alicia, Hermione and Ginny would make brilliant Bride's maids."
Sly's eyes widen with pure happiness the more I talk and he suddenly overwhelms me as he hugs and kisses me at the same time, throwing me off guard and causing me to fall back. Lying on my own statue under him, I wrap my arms around his neck as I feel his whole body covering me, warming me with his love.

For minutes on end we lie down together like this and finally Sly parts his lips from mine and whispers: "Shall I put that ring on your finger now, Ma très chère?" I nod and Sly grabs his shield again, pulling the beautiful ring off and looking at it as he says: "You know, this ring has a Cooper history to it."
I look intrigued and he says: "It was made fifty years after Riochi, by one of your ancestors." I look shocked and he says: "My ancestor wanted to have a ring ready for when he found a bride, but your ancestor's father didn't want her meeting any men he didn't approve of. So they met in secret, during the night, when the ring was finished."
He then aims for a purple wooden bridge far down below us and says: "They met on that bridge and when she pulled the ring from her robe, the moon shone on the two outer rings in such a way the sapphire glowed and enchanted the beauty of your ancestor. My ancestor fell there and then and 3 months later they were married."

Amazed that this ring once bound my ancestor to Sly's, I smile at the ringtail and say: "So our families have united once before, huh?" But Sly shakes his head and says: "Twice. Salim's great-great-grandmother is also of the Fox Family line." This shocks me even more and I ask: "Can we be anymore destined for each other?"
Making Sly smile at me and making his heart send me so much love I almost feel overwhelmed by it all over again as he says: "If so, it would honor me, Carmelita. Destined to live my life by your side is a dream come true and that you bonded to me, accepted my proposal and that you want to marry me. I feel the luckiest Cooper of all the Cooper line."
And again Sly kisses me, this time just gently, but there is no mistaken the amazing amount of love his heart transfers to mine and while I put on the beautiful silver ring that is apparently 350 years old, do I know that this is the best decision I made since deciding to quit my job as Interpol Inspector and joining the Cooper Gang.