Thursday and Friday dragged by for the Doctor. He was having a hard time keeping his plan a secret from Annie. He had told her they would be going to the symphony and for drinks afterwards, but other than that he had been tight-lipped about what the evening held.
After school on Friday the Doctor stopped by the restaurant where they would be going after the concert. He had met with the owner earlier in the week and wanted to make sure things were still going to work out.
"Hello, Dr. Smith!" greeted the owner as the Doctor entered the restaurant.
"Hello, Mr. Carlisle."
"We're all set for tonight! You'll be arriving around 10?"
"Better make it 10:30. Is that too late?"
"No, not at all!" Mr. Carlisle replied. "We'll have the champagne chilled and deserts ready for you. The band stays until midnight, so you'll have plenty of time before they leave. "
"Thanks so much," the Doctor said, shaking the man's hand. "We'll see you tonight."
"Wait, Dr. Smith? Can you remind me of your fiancee's name?"
"Annie. Annie Jameson."
"I look forward to meeting Ms. Jameson."
"Thanks," the Doctor smiled. "We'll see you later."
The Doctor went next to Sarah Jane's to retrieve the ring. He'd kept it there to prevent Annie from stumbling upon it prematurely.
"Hi Doctor!" Luke greeted as he answered the door.
"Hello, Luke! How was school?"
"Fine. Would you like to come in?"
"Sure, thanks. Is your mum here?"
"Yeah, I'll go get her." Luke bounded up the stairs. "Mum? The Doctor's here to see you!"
"I'll be right down!" the Doctor heard Sarah Jane call from her office.
"She'll be right down," Luke echoed as he got to the foyer.
"Okay, thanks. Homework?"
"Not too much this weekend. I'm nearly finished."
"Good boy," the Doctor grinned.
"Alright, sorry for making you wait," Sarah Jane interrupted as she came downstairs carrying the ring box.
"No problem," said the Doctor. "Thanks for keeping that safe for me."
My pleasure," Sarah Jane replied as she handed him the box. "Do you need anything else for tonight?"
"No, I think I'm all set. Nervous, but all set."
"She's already said yes," Sarah Jane said. "I think you'll be okay."
"I know, but still, I can't help worrying."
"It will all work out," Sarah Jane said as she embraced the Doctor. "Good luck tonight. You'd better get home before Annie gets suspicious."
"Thanks, Sarah. Bye Luke. See you Monday!"
"Goodbye Doctor, Good luck!" replied Luke.
The Doctor hurried back to the flat to get ready for the evening.
"What did you think?" asked the Doctor as he and Annie left the symphony hall.
"Gorgeous," Annie gushed. "Just splendid. I'm so glad we went."
"Me too. Now on to drinks?"
"Sounds great," she replied.
The Doctor offered Annie his arm and guided her to the restaurant. His hearts threatened to beat out of his chest due to his anxiety. He tried to keep a calm exterior. He wanted Annie to be completely surprised when he got down on one knee.
He leant down and kissed her in an attempt to calm his nerves. Annie met his lips eagerly.
"You're beautiful," the Doctor sighed as he pulled away. Annie blushed. "No, I mean it," he said. "I'm so glad to have found you."
"Me too," Annie replied.
They walked silently, arm in arm, the last few blocks to the restaurant. The Doctor's palms began to sweat as they made their way inside and were shown to their table. Annie noticed that the Doctor was pale and had a sheen of sweat over his brow.
"Are you alright, my darling?" she asked.
"I'm fine," the Doctor replied as they sat down. "How do you feel about getting champagne?" he quickly changed the subject.
"Sounds good, but what's the occasion?"
"Just...celebrating us."
"I won't argue with that," Annie grinned.
They ordered the champagne and chatted idly until it arrived. Once they had their glasses in hand, the Doctor raised his and Annie followed suit.
"To us," the Doctor said , clinking his glass against Annie's.
"To us," she echoed with a smile.
Once they had sipped through two glasses and eaten the cake which Mr. Carlisle had prepared at the Doctor's request, the Doctor stood and extended his hand to Annie.
"May I have this dance?" he asked.
"My pleasure," Annie replied as she placed her hand in his.
The Doctor led Annie to the dance floor and wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her close.
"I love you so much," he started.
"I love you, too," replied Annie.
"When you were in the hospital last spring, I knew I could never bear to lose you. I should have been so scared and angry when we were first stranded here, but getting to spend every day with you on the slow path - I couldn't ask for anything better. I meant what I said last weekend, Annie. I want to spend forever with you. I want to have a family with you, grow older with you. I want us to always be there for each other, no matter what. Annie, I love you more than the sun, and the moon, and the stars."
He dropped down to one knee and pulled the ring from his pocket.
"Annie Jameson, will you marry me?"
Stunned into silence, all Annie could do was weep as she nodded her acceptance. The Doctor slid the ring onto her finger before standing and pulling Annie into his arms and kissing her deeply. The other guests at the restaurant applauded the happy couple. Annie pulled away once her lungs were screaming for air. Still weeping, she rested her head in the crook of the Doctor's neck. They swayed to the music, holding each other tightly, completely lost in their bliss.