Author's Note - Thank you to all my readers, you are so wonderful and I love you all so much. A special thanks to DeDe324 for always being there for me, making me laugh and giving me confidence to keep posting. You keep it up lady, I'm gonna get a big head. I love you! So, I'm sad, I've got one maybe two chapters left. I have had such a blast writing this, having it keep me guessing and stretching my imagination to places that scared me a bit. I hope you all enjoy this next chapter. Please read and review!
A year had passed, Duffy and Quinn moved in together, being extremely happy with one another. The red head had thrown herself back into school, taking on more than a full class schedule, she wanted to fast track her teaching degree. The trade off was she was exhausted almost every night, asleep before Brendan came home most nights. He admired her for it, she wanted it and was going after it full force, made him love her even more.
"Are you sure you want to do this," Greenly asked skeptically.
Duffy made a face, "Of course I'm sure, now stop being a baby and help me out."
"Not all of us can remain bachelors forever," Dolly piped up.
They walked into the little jewelry store, all three of them blinded by confusion. Never had they been faced with so many choices. Brendan started to hyperventilate and the other two walked him outside.
"See, it's not the right time," the skinny detective said a bit triumphantly.
Duffy shook his head, "No, it is, I just need a better opinion," he called Rome, "Hey, need your help on something. Know the jewelry shop on Sleeper St? Can you meet me there," there was an ecstatic squeal on the other end of the phone that everyone within a five foot radius heard. Duffy laughed a bit, "I'll see ya in a few," he hung up. "The real expert is on her way." He turned to Greenly, "Why are you being so weird?"
Greenly shrugged, "I'm happy for ya Bren and I love Q," he paused, "I just don't want the band to break up."
Dolly shoved him lightly, "They've been living together for a year and 'the band' is still together. You weren't nearly this whiny when I got married."
"That was different; we didn't have this thing tying us together, besides what happens if the boys come back," his voice became hushed.
Duffy and Dolly rolled their eyes before Brendan spoke, "Dave, it's been a year, no one's heard anything from them. I doubt they'll come back and even if they did, are you trying to tell me that Connor would go after a married woman?"
The goofy detective was taken back then shook his head, "No, I guess not."
"You better not have looked at anything yet," Rome called.
"This is your expert," Dolly said with an eyebrow raised.
"Yes, I am, who knows my baby sister better than me," she slapped the Greek detective.
"You got here in record time," the love struck detective said.
"My little Quinn is going to be proposed to, ya don't think I'm gonna haul ass to get here. All right you two can go, my future bro and I need to talk," Rome threw her arms around Brendan, "I'm so glad it's you," she whispered.
He smiled, "Thanks Rome, ok help me out here sis," he said walking into the jewelry story followed by Dolly and Greenly.
Quinn's sister stopped, "Didn't I tell you to go?" They opened their mouths to protest, "I don't wanna hear it. She's my sister; you two can wait to see it like everyone else. Don't you have murders to solve?"
Brendan laughed as the other detectives couldn't think of a comeback for the silver tongued woman as they turned away. "Now I know where she gets it from."
"Engagement rings," Rome said to the little man behind the counter. Duffy joined her looking very overwhelmed. She put an arm around him, "You'll be fine, she adores you. Trust me, it's a sure thing," the brunette reassured him, her blue eyes kind.
"Thanks for coming Rome," he smiled.
"What's the budget like?"
Brendan laughed, "Straight to the point, $2500."
Rome looked at the detective, "Damn, my baby sister is cleaning up, nice B!"
He blushed, "Thanks Rome," he wrapped her in a hug.
The owner behind the counter brought out a selection of several diamonds all different shapes, styles and even colors. After debating back and forth about what style and shape for about 45 minutes they finally picked out ½ carat round white diamond with a diamond studded frame a 1 carat total weight. Thanking his good sense to call Rome, she and her sister had the same ring size.
Rome looked at her hand with a discerning eye, "It's perfect!"
Duffy picked her up and spun her around, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Put me down Brendan," she laughed out the order. He obeyed. Rome looked him dead in the eye, "You will not break her heart you hear me? And you will ask our father permission for her hand."
The detective smiled as he paid for the ring, "I was headed there next. You should know by now I'm not gonna hurt her."
Rome hugged her soon to be brother in law, "Good, cuz I'll kill you dead. Now get out of here," practically pushing him out of the store.
Duffy drove to Quinn's parent's house, sweating bullets the entire way, the only time he could think to compare it to when Connor found out about him and Quinn. He was greeted by Quinn's mom, "Brendan, what a lovely surprise," she ushered him in after hugging him.
"Amanda, is Frank home?"
"Make yourself at home, I'll go get him."
The young detective paced going over what he planned to say to the Colonel. How he'd take care of her, she would want for nothing, she would be so loved. The words jumbled inside his head as he almost walked a hole in the living room. Duffy stopped took some deep breaths and walked to the fireplace. Pictures of Quinn when she was a little, smiling, laughing, playing with her siblings; that smile of hers never changed. Big and charismatic, just like her personality, such a beautiful girl.
Frank cleared his throat, "I hear you wanted to see me," a smile on his face.
Mustering all the courage he had, "Yes, I want to marry your daughter," he said. The word 'marry' got caught on his tongue, but he recovered.
The Colonel's smiled dimmed a bit, eyeing the detective, "Is that so? Follow me," doing an about face almost storming off into his den. He winked at Amanda as he passed. "Sit down," he pulled out the office chair and ordered the young man into it. Quinn's father circled him, "So you want to marry my Quinn," he started the tone of his voice on the edge of scary; placing strong hands on Brendan's shoulders.
Duffy cleared his throat, "Yes, sir."
"What makes you think you can take care of her?"
"I've been taking care of her. Anytime she needs me I'm there for her. I will always provide for her, anything she needs," he tried not to sound nervous, but his voice was a bit shaky.
Frank smiled, "Promise me one thing and I'll allow this union to happen," he paused, Duffy on the edge of his seat for the condition, "That we get plenty of grandchildren."
A sigh of relief escaped the nervous detective, "I promise," he smiled.
Quinn's dad turned to face him hugging him, "Welcome to the family son. You're a good man, surprised it took you this long."
"Things finally fell into place."
"Ring," he asked a gleam in his eye.
Duffy pulled out the box showing the ring to her father when Amanda walked in, "Oh, it's so lovely," she gushed. "When are you asking her?"
"Tonight when she gets home," he smiled. Quinn's mom hugged him again, tears in her eyes.
Before he returned home he bought a few dozen red roses and the ingredients for her favorite meal and a ton of candles. When he got home he set up the candles and roses and got to work in the kitchen. Marinating the chicken in mushroom and wine sauce and making sure everything was clean for the pasta. Once the chicken was in the oven he changed into a black button up, black slacks and the green tie she picked out for him. He put the ring in his pocket. He was lacing up his shoes when the door opened.
"Bren, what's going on," her voice called curious as to all the lit candles and the beautiful roses and the wonderful smell coming from the kitchen. He met her in the hallway as she put away her bag, kissing her. The red head looked him up and down, "What are you all dressed up for handsome?"
"Just waiting on this gorgeous red head to come over," he smiled.
"Oh yeah, where'd you meet her," a smiled crept onto her face.
He laughed, "Hungry?"
"Starving, but you still haven't answered my first question. What's going on?"
"Dinner with my girlfriend, who I feel needed to be showered with affection after a grueling day," he ushered her to the table.
"You're up to something," she eyed him suspiciously, "But I'll play along, not gonna say no to pampering, continue," she smiled.
Brendan kissed her, "I love you," he whispered into her lips, sending shivers down her spine.
"You keep this up, we're gonna let dinner burn," she bit his lower lip, running her tongue over it.
"Behave," he told her firmly.
Duffy walked into the kitchen putting the finishing touches on dinner before serving it to her. They ate in relative silence, other than pleasantries, how was your day, how many more finals she had. The ginger gave curious glances at her beau across the dinner table, something was up, couldn't tell what just yet, but it was big. When dinner was finished, he cleared the plates and came back to the table practically beaming.
"B, what's with you," she smiled at the glowing expression on his face.
Pulling up a chair next to her, he took her delicate hands, "You," he answered quietly, "You have gotten so completely under my skin. I love everything about you. You're so much fun to be around, you're dedicated, determined, so kind and not to mention breathtakingly beautiful," his green eyes met hers and they were starting to tear up. She opened her mouth to speak, "Let me get through this," he begged before continuing, "I love you, more than I thought I could ever love anyone. You've turned my world upside down and I couldn't be happier, except for this one thing," he reached into his pocket and pulled out the black velvet ring box. Brendan opened it and Quinn's face went blank, mouth hung open, tears fell from her eyes as she looked from the dazzling ring to her detective, "Make me the happiest man in this world if by agreeing to be my wife."
Quinn continued to cast her gaze from the box to Brendan before she took in a ragged breath meeting his eyes, "I will."
Duffy embraced her covering her face in kisses, he pulled away and his trembling hand took hers and placed the ring on her finger. Before kissing her again, tears spilled from her eyes down his cheeks, he pulled back, "Happy tears?"
"Extremely," she forced a smile through her tears, "I've never been so happy in my life. I love you so much," pulling him closer kissing him deeply.