No long intro for this one...just going to let you all read and enjoy!

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Wednesday morning, Carter was busying herself with her laundry while juggling a phone conversation with her mom. She had gotten home from Brooklyn the afternoon before, with Seth staying behind to work the Smackdown dark match. She had woken up early that morning to get her workout in and be done for the day before he got home. She didn't know what he had planned but she figured she should leave her day open.

Shortly after she had gotten home from her run her mom had called, wanting to catch up on the events of the weekend and shortly after that she had gotten the text from Seth that he had landed and would be home soon.

"So why didn't you pick him up from the airport?" her mom asked.

Carter sighed, "Honestly, I don't know. We squabbled about it for like fifteen minutes on Friday because I said it was stupid to leave separately and have two cars at the airport, but he's stubborn and obstinate and said he didn't want me to have to wait at the airport so I just let him have his way."

"Carter Elizabeth, you-"

"You know, I'm still thankful you gave me that middle name so I didn't grow up with a complex from having a boy's name…" Carter interrupted her mom.

"Well your father named you so take that up with him whenever you actually speak to him."

"Maybe that's why I like sports so much?"

"No that's on your brother because you followed him around like a little puppy when you were a kid and wanted to do everything that he did, and don't interrupt me, ma'am."

"I'm sorry," Carter chuckled.

She had made her way back to their bedroom and took a moment to scratch Kevin's belly since he was laid out on the bed.

"You're the last person that ever needs to call someone stubborn or obstinate. You would argue with a brick wall and you always have. He seems to actually be pretty agreeable with you."

"Most of the time he is. He says he doesn't like to argue with me. When he has his mind set on something though he's like a damn mule."

"I'm sure you're so innocent of the same thing."

"Which one of us is your child, again? Aren't you supposed to be on my team?"

"The fact that you're my child is exactly why I'm on his team. I raised you. I know what it's like to live with you."

"I'm a bit of a smart ass but I'm not difficult. I'm not that bad."

"Honey, you're a southern woman. We are always that bad.

"Ok. I'm going to go take a shower now since he'll be home soon and before I get difficult with you."

Her mom laughed. "Go get yourself acceptable. Don't make any babies."

"Mother. Can you not?"

"I'm just saying!"

"I love you. Have a good day. Go torture someone else now."

"I love you, too, sugar. Tell him I said hi."

Carter shook her head as she hung up the phone. If anyone ever questioned where her personality came from, they needed to look no further than her mom.

She had just finished drying her hair when she heard him entering the house. It took a few minutes before she heard the jingle of Kevin's tags as Seth greeted him and then he was standing in the doorway.

"Hi," she smiled, taking a few steps to give him a short kiss.

"What are you doing?"

"Straightening my hair. Girly shit," she teased him. "My mom says hello."

"How is she?"

"She's fine. She actually watched the whole pay per view the other night and she wanted to tell me about it and find out when I would be back down to visit. She said you look good with your shirt off, by the way."

"I'm not sure if I'm flattered or creeped out about that…"

"We Cargile women have good taste," she shrugged.

"Well I need you to pause all of this and come with me for a minute."

Carter gave him a questioning look, "can I have like 5 minutes?"

"No," he smiled.

"Can I put a shirt on?"

At that moment he registered that she was in just a pair of leggings and her bra. His smile turned into a smirk.

"I don't mind this look but yes, if you want to."

"Ok," she narrowed her eyes at him, putting her hand on her hip.

"Don't look at me like that and just come with me please?"

She smiled softly and grabbed a hair tie off the bathroom counter to pull her hair up.

"Let me grab a shirt and I will be right there. I promise."

She watched him exit their room and gave a curious look at the empty doorway before crossing to the closet and grabbing the first t shirt her eyes settled on. She slipped it on as she padded down the hallway.

"Colbs?"

"Living room," she heard him respond.

She entered the room and rounded the couch and stopped in her tracks when she realized he was sitting on the couch with a small dog that wasn't Kevin sitting next to him.

"Wha…" She started to speak and paused before smiling. "Is that…?"

"For you? Yes."

Seth scooped up the small dog and brought it over to her.

"Oh my god," she reached for it. "Oh my god. You got me a Corgi?"

She happily welcomed the small orange and white dog into her arms and laughed slightly when it licked her face.

"Oh my god. Colby…" she looked at him and the smile on his face and she could feel the happy tears start to sting her eyes.

"I'm guessing I did good."

"You did so good, baby."

She laughed slightly, letting the tears come, and stood on her toes to kiss him before she sat down on the end of the couch closest to her, running her hands over the dog and letting it all process.

"Oh god, I didn't think you were getting me a dog; my dream dog at that."

"Happy belated birthday. You said when you moved here you wanted your own dog, so now you have him."

"It's a he?"

"Yes and he's a rescue. I know you wanted a rescue."

"How on earth did you find a Corgi puppy that was a rescue?" she looked up at him.

"I know how to use Google," he reached down to wipe the traces of her tears away and smiled at her. "He's not quite a puppy, he's almost a year old and he was saved from a puppy mill. Believe it or not he's from Tennessee. I have all the papers and stuff; you can look over it."

"Stop it." She held up the puppy to look at him, "you're a Tennessee pup, huh? You can suffer in Iowa right along with me."

Seth scowled at her and she smiled, winking at him.

Kevin appeared around the couch across the room and Carter's eye widened a little bit.

"What about Kev?" she asked.

Seth glanced over at him and shrugged, "I don't know. He was delivered up here on Friday and they've been at Brandon's together all weekend and he said they were fine. Kevin was kind of indifferent about it. I don't think he cares as long as he still gets food."

Carter sat the puppy down and watched as he walked over to Kevin. They sniffed of each other and Kevin turned and walked away, leaving the puppy standing by itself and looking at his empty space.

"He gives zero fucks," Carter laughed. She stood up and wrapped her arms around Seth, giving him a tight, long hug.

"You thought of everything. You're the most amazing man, you know that? You seriously don't know how happy you make me. I love you."

Seth broke their hug and cupped her face, giving her a kiss, trying to stop himself from getting emotional.

"I mean it. I was being a little shit hiding in Tampa for your birthday and here you are with this."

"To be fair, we weren't dating on my birthday. We weren't officially dating, I know, we did things weird," he corrected himself at the look she gave him. "You moved up here, though. You rearranged your life for me. And I am really good at this boyfriend thing. If you want to keep a tally though, I have laundry that needs to be done and I wouldn't hate a home cooked meal…"

Carter hit him playfully, laughing. "Don't ruin the moment."

Seth dipped his head to kiss her neck and smiled.

"He still needs a collar and all that jazz but I thought you would want to do that."

"Right now?"

"Whenever."

"Right now," she smiled.

"Well go finish whatever the hell girly shit you need to finish and we'll go right now."

Carter smiled and linked her arms around his neck again, kissing him deeply. "Thank you. This has been the best birthday in a very long time. I can't…." She shook her head. "You're everything to me."

"Am I?"

"Yes. I am so lucky and so happy and so in love with you."

He studied her for a moment. Carter searched his face with her eyes. She could tell his wheels were turning in his head but he took a few moments to speak.

"You have to stop saying things like that or we will never make it out of this house today and we have plans." He kissed her forehead and lingered for a few seconds, "you know you mean the world to me."

"You have more plans?" She asked.

"Yes but not until later."

"Dinner?"

"Stop asking questions. Go finish getting ready so we can go spoil your dog."

"And Kevin," she smiled.

She stepped away from Seth and crossed the room to scoop up the dog, taking it with her. He could hear her talking to him as she made her way down the hallway and he shook his head at her excitement.

Seth's dinner plans for the two of them that night ended up being dinner with his family, made by his mom with Carter's assistant and complete with apple pie for dessert, and Carter couldn't have been happier about it. He really did know her and what would make her the happiest. She had enjoyed getting to spend the extra time with his mom and stepdad and also teasing Brandon that she still hadn't forgiven him over the Leighla incident. It had been warm and low key and the perfect night.

It also helped that both of the dogs were able to come with them. Carter had been attached to the puppy the whole day.

It didn't take too long after they got home for the fatigue of traveling, the recovery from the pay per view weekend, and his small workout earlier that day to hit Seth. Carter had spent 20 minutes convincing him to just go to bed and stop trying to fight the sleep and he had finally retreated to bed, Kevin in tow.

Carter had lasted a couple hours longer and she finally decided to turn off the TV and take herself to bed. She let the puppy outside, she still hadn't come up with a proper name for him, and the two of them finally made her way through the dark house to their room.

She managed to crawl into the bed without waking Seth up but couldn't help reaching out for him, running her hand along his arm.

He stirred and grumbled, "If you're trying to sneak attack me while I'm asleep you're an evil woman."

"I'm not trying to sneak attack you," she laughed, leaning over and pressing a kiss to his back, right along his tattoo. "I want to snuggle with you."

He shifted, rolling over and settling himself so he could wrap his arms around her from behind.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"Mhmm, why do I always have to be the big spoon?" His mouth was close to her ear and the feeling of his warm breath on her neck gave her a few goose bumps.

"That's a man's job," she replied.

"That's bullshit."

"I don't make the rules."

They fell into a comfortable silence. Carter had almost drifted off to sleep herself when Seth stirred slightly and she felt his lips brush along her shoulder and he quietly mumbled an 'I love you' to her.

The next morning brought a rainy, stormy, dreary day. Both of them still managed to rally out of bed and go their respective ways for their morning workouts. It had become their routine at home and on the road.

Seth was crossing through the kitchen to let the dogs outside when Carter came in the door.

"Hey," she smiled.

"I was about to text you," he said, giving Kevin a little push with his foot to actually step outside. "You won't melt bro…"

Carter gave him an amused look at the exchange with Kevin. "Were you worried about me?"

"No," he gave her an aloof look. "I was just wondering when you would be home. It's gross out there."

"I can drive in the rain, babe," she gave him a sweet smile, "and I stopped to get lunch because I don't want to cook anything. It's a rainy day and rainy days are made for couches so that's what I'm doing today. I got you a sandwich; that's as close as you're gonna get to me making you one."

"It's the thought that counts."

She had crossed over to him and he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"I need to shower and I will join you on the couch. I have a bunch of illegally downloaded movies we can catch up on."

"You're a man after my own heart," she grinned, hugging him around his waist. "Go shower. I'll take care of the pups."

"Have you decided on a name yet?"

"Um, kind of. I kind of want to name him Nash…because you know, Nashville, but then our dogs would be Kevin and Nash…"

Seth chuckled and kissed her head, "I think it's more than appropriate that our dogs' names would equal up to a wrestler. I was always a fan of his."

"I think it fits," she shrugged.

"I do, too. Nash it is."

"Now go get clean. We have a date."

They spent the rest of the afternoon and into the evening mostly not moving from the couch, complete with an afternoon nap; with the exception of Seth answering the door for the Chinese delivery he had ordered from his phone for their dinner. Even the dogs had stayed quiet, napping in their own little spots on the couch. It had rained all day and was still raining. There was nothing else either of them really wanted to do.

Seth had fielded a phone call from his mom and slipped down the hallway so he didn't bother Carter, she was still partially snoozing. He returned to find her sitting up and snuggling with Nash.

"The couch and the bed are gonna be a real struggle for him," she commented as Seth returned to the spot he had been in all day.

"He'll grow into it. Kevin did. He just needs practice."

"He's so stubby though. He's like a little furry potato."

"You can't…call him a potato, Carter," he laughed.

Carter made a kissy face at Nash and then set him down to make his way back to side of the couch he and Kevin had been occupying.

Seth reached for her and pulled her back over to him. She smiled and stretched out to lay with him and rest her head on his chest.

"We really did just spend all day laying here and doing nothing, and you didn't go stir crazy," she stated.

"No, it's been nice. I like unplugging."

"I know, I haven't even instagrammed once today," she laughed, "it's a record."

He squeezed her tighter and kissed her head. "You really have to go to Orlando tomorrow, huh?"

"I have contractual obligations to uphold, so yes. Why? Are you sad?" she looked up at him. He had one arm over draped over his head and his other arm was around her. He looked ridiculously handsome in that moment- and relaxed.

"A little bit. I'd rather you be in Mexico with me."

"Well we still have all night. You still have illegally downloaded movies. So cheer up."

"I figured you were ready to switch over to Family Feud reruns."

"Even better," she grinned. "Seriously, Colbs, stop thinking about it. Cheer up."

"Yes ma'am."

She rested her head back on his chest, shifting a little bit to get comfortable, and fell into silence with him as they quietly watched TV and enjoyed each other's company. He had been right; it was nice to unplug. When they were on the road they did get time together; in the car, at the hotels, their passing moments at arenas, but it was mixed with appearances and matches and other obligations. She was glad she had moved to Davenport. She was glad she could come home with him and have this time; even if it was just for a day.

He was trailing his fingers up and down her back and she closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the sensation.

"You falling asleep on me?" he asked.

"No. That's just very relaxing. You've got that magic touch…"

He continued to rub her back and they laid in silence, watching the TV.

"Carter…" he said out of the silence.

"Hmm?"

"You know when I would picture where I was going to be at when I was thirty; this was it."

"Yeah? Watching Family Feud reruns on a Thursday night?"

She could feel his eye roll without having to even see it. She smirked to herself.

"I'm sorry. Continue…"

"No, you ruined my moment."

She shifted so she could look at him and rest her chin on his chest, "I'm sorry. Please keep going. I like it when you get all poetic and sweet."

He narrowed his eyes at her, frowning slightly.

"I meant this as in this, us, you and me and all of this. All I ever wanted to do was wrestle and to wrestle in the WWE and I got to be champion and I'll be champion again and I get to travel all over the world and entertain people; I couldn't ask for more out of my career. And I have the wrestling school now and on top of that I get to come home to you, and two dogs; someone that loves me and that I get to love."

Carter studied him quietly, a soft affectionate look on her face. "I very much enjoy loving you."

"You want to build a house with me in Davenport."

"I do."

"Do you know why I call you sunshine?"

"I've always just figured it was because of my slightly annoying, chipper personality."

"Partially," he shrugged slightly, smirking, "but partially because you text messaged your way into my life when I was in a really bad place and you've dealt with your own share of bullshit because of me but you're still here. You've always been there to support me or make me cheer up or tell me I'm being stupid and that never goes away. You've just…been my little sunshine."

She smiled, "that is so cheesy but it's so damn sweet."

She leaned up to kiss him and he dropped his free hand to caress her face. He sat up as he kissed her, bringing her with him. She snaked her arms around his neck and smiled as he pulled away from her, resting his forehead against hers.

"I guess it is kind of cheesy, isn't it?"

"It's perfect. Don't change it, please. I love it."

"I love you."

"I love you, too. You've done all of the same things for me. We found each other when we were supposed to."

He smirked and kissed her lips softly, then kissed her cheek, and then dipped his head to kiss her neck along her collarbone. He heard her contented sigh and he paused.

Carter gave him a slightly confused look when he pulled away from her. She didn't expect that. Any time he kissed down her neck it was almost a clear cut sign that he was about to scoop her up and carry her to their bed; not pull away from her.

He moved quickly and it took Carter only a second to register what was happening.

He was on one knee.

She swallowed hard; it felt like her entire stomach and heart was in her throat, and her mouth formed a small, surprised 'o' when he produced a ring box from his jacket pocket.

Has that been there all day? How the fuck did I not notice that?

"I didn't plan anything to say other than what I just said to you; I'm winging this. But I will tell you that I want nothing more than to marry you and spend every day with you, always. Will you marry me?"

She couldn't speak, she had tears burning her throat, but she nodded, slowly and then very emphatically before she practically threw herself around his neck and found his lips, kissing him deeply. He stood, lifting her with him, returning her kiss.

She pulled away from him and looked up at him, "that was a yes, if you didn't catch it."

"That would've been a hell of a way to say no…"

She smiled at him as he took her hand and removed the ring from the box, slipping it on to her finger.

"My God, Colby…" she muttered, looking down at the ring. She looked up at him, slightly wide eyed. "Am I dreaming this?"

"No," he laughed, "no. This is real. You just said you would marry me."

"I will," she said, resting her hands on his chest.

"And I will also tell you that I have your brother's blessing."

"You asked?"

"Of course I did." He ran his thumbs along her cheeks, under her eyes, wiping away her tears. "You're my last missing piece."

"I love you, Colby, so much."

They kissed again and Carter had a thought hit her, hard. She stepped back.

"Oh god, that's why he got so sappy with me when we were in Nashville. How long have you been planning this?"

"Since we were in Nashville. I got his blessing and then I got the ring; Brie helped."

"I have so many questions…" she shook her head, letting her gaze fall on the ring again. Her head was spinning and she was overwhelmed with love and happiness.

He hooked his finger under her chin and lifted her head to look at him. "We have all the time in the world for questions."

"Yes. We do."

"Right now, I'm going to take you to our bedroom and I'm going to make love to my fiancé."