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Lucien stood outside his father's study gripping the ring box tight. He heard Jean in the kitchen, most likely having started getting breakfast ready. He sniffled and wiped at his eyes, putting the ring in his pocket. When he rounded the corner for the kitchen, he was slightly amused at her still mortified look. Her expression changed to concern when she saw his red-rimmed eyes. "Lucien?" She walked to him and reached for his hand.

He smiled sweetly and said, "It's alright, Jean. He just wanted to talk." She had been pacing this whole time wondering what Thomas must think of her. He saw her guilt shine through again and tried to stave it. "Jean, we did nothing wrong."

She knew he was just trying to make her feel better. She raised an eyebrow. "If we did nothing wrong then why do you look like you've been put through the ringer?"

He rubbed her arm and lowered his head, raising it back to make eye contact with her just before he spoke. "We were talking about my mother." Which wasn't a total lie and good enough for him. She reached for him and they held each other for a long moment before she remembered the eggs.

She turned back from the stove. " I don't know how I'll look your father in the eye again."

He chuckled and came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her. "Honestly, he is very happy for us. He wasn't exactly pleased with finding us like that but he's very happy for us." He finished with a kiss to her neck.

His words did little to ease the humility and guilt she felt but it did end up being alright. As the days passed, Thomas was actually very sweet to her and made their interactions less awkward than she had anticipated. She should have known that Thomas, of all people, would make her feel comfortable no matter what his opinions were. He had taken to her as if she were his own daughter. She pondered that for a moment. If Lucien and she were to eventually get married, she would be Thomas' daughter. She smiled at the thought, then shook her head. We are far from that happening. He's still mourning the loss of his own family, surely, he wouldn't be ready to take on me and the boys this soon. She busied herself with the laundry, hoping to shake the thoughts of marrying Lucien someday from her head. She didn't want to set herself up for disappointment and she certainly wouldn't want to put any pressure on Lucien.

Lucien found her outside putting the last of the clothes on the line to dry. "Jean, darling, I've made us reservations at the Club for tomorrow night."

She looked put out with him. "Lucien..." Her expression changed when she saw his deflated look. "Alright." She took a deep breath. "It doesn't matter what everyone else may think, right?"

He smiled at that. "Right!" He leaned forward and kissed her forehead then leaned back so he could see her face. "Thank you, Jean. I know it makes you uneasy but I promise to make it worth your while."

His cheesy grin warmed her and she felt she could handle anything at that moment. "Oh, really?" She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a coy smile. "What exactly do you have planned, Doctor?"

He jokingly glared at her and squeezed his arms around her. "It's a surprise." He rubbed his nose against hers and gave her a quick peck on the lips before he started to walk away.

"Wait, where are you going?" She stood there, dumbstruck.

He laughed. "I told Matthew I would meet him back at the crime scene. I needed to see you first." He smiled sweetly at her and she thought she would float away at that moment. "I should be home in a few hours." He winked and left.

She smiled and reached for the last towel to attach to the line, wondering what she was going to wear tomorrow night.

Lucien arrived and heard some shouting coming from the back of the house. A woman had been found dead at the house earlier that day. Matthew wanted Lucien to go over the crime scene with him to see what theories he could come up with. They were going to question the husband but he had an alibi so they opted to allow him time to mourn and question him later. He said he would be staying at his sister's house but that turned out to not be the case. He had a suspicion that his wife was cheating on him and he was right. His suspicions were also correct as to who she was having an affair with. It was his best mate. He followed him back to the crime scene, which is when he decided to confront him. Matthew and Constable Taylor arrived just as the two former friends had begun fighting. Lucien found them as one man had the other in a choke hold with a knife to his throat. Matthew was on the ground, bleeding from his side, urging the man to drop the knife. Taylor was frozen, staring at Matthew's blood. Lucien came up behind the man and caught him of guard. He let go of his hostage but was able to swing and get Lucien in the chest with the knife. Lucien landed a punch to the man's jaw, knocking him to the ground and out cold.

As Lucien hit the ground, struggling for air, he could hear Matthew yelling at Taylor to get an ambulance. Lucien reached for his pen, knowing he had little time to get it in place to allow the air to escape before it killed him. He unscrewed it quickly and gasped for air. He winced from the pain but was relieved the pressure was dissipating. He felt Matthew squeeze his arm and heard him tell him to "hold on" just as he passed out.

He woke to find Matthew sitting in a chair in the corner of the room. He was confused as to why he couldn't move his right arm. Matthew smiled and put a finger to his lips before pointing to Lucien's right side. Lucien slowly moved his head to the right and tears sprung to his eyes at the sight. Jean was gripping his arm and had her head resting on top. Her faced looked worn. He immediately felt guilty for the worry he put her through. He said softly, "I don't deserve her, Matthew."

He chuckled and stood with a grimace, walking over to Lucien as he gripped his side. "No, you don't mate but she has chosen you." He looked at Jean and then to his friend again. "Just keep loving her and try to do your best."

Lucien nodded, letting a few stray tears fall. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just a few stitches. That was some quick thinking there," he said as he pointed to Lucien's chest. "On both counts, actually. Taylor was worthless!"

Lucien rolled his eyes. "Yes, he was."

They both realized at the same time that Jean was awake and watching them with red-rimmed eyes. Matthew said, "Jean, look who's awake. I need to go home and get some rest. Lucien, feel better."

"You as well, Matthew. Thank you."

Jean smiled, "Yes, thank you, Matthew." She looked back at Lucien, bringing their hands to her lips. She squeezed her eyes shut and a tear escaped.

He squeezed her hand and his voice broke when he spoke, "I'm so sorry, Jean."

"I'm just glad you're alright. I thought I'd lost you. I need you to be more careful, Lucien."

"I know. I'll try." It was then he remembered the ring was in his pants pocket. He scanned the room quickly, not seeing any of his belongings.

Jean was concerned. "What is it?"

"My clothes. Where are they?" He winced at the pain as he tried to sit up.

She was relieved that was all it was but wondered why he was getting so worked up over his clothes. "It's alright. Lie back. They're right here." She pulled a bag up from its resting spot at her feet.

He closed his eyes. "This is not how I pictured doing this but..." He opened his eyes and met her questioning look. "Jean, please hand me my pants." Confused, she obliged. She pulled his pants from the bag and handed them to him. He struggled but found the ring and gripped it tight squeezing his eyes shut. He opened his eyes to see Jean a bit put out with his odd behavior. He smiled, which helped to calm her nerves.

She rubbed his arm up and down. "What is it, Lucien?"

He brought the ring box forward and opened it. "Jean, this was my mother's." She gasped and brought her trembling hand to her mouth. "Will you do me the honor of being my wife?" His voice broke when he said "wife." Worry set in; the longer Jean stared at the ring. Was it too soon? "Jean?"

Her eyes snapped to his. He barely heard her answer, "Yes."

His lips were slowly turning up. "Yes, you'll marry me?"

She rose from her chair and placed her hands on each side of his face, stroking his beard with her thumbs. Just before her lips met his she said, " Yes, I will marry you."

Lucien broke the kiss, voicing his frustration which came out in a whine. "I want to hold you."

Jean laughed at his tone. "We have the rest of our life for that, my dear fiancé."

He beamed at the reference. "Oh, I do like the sound of that."