Klaus opened the door to his apartment, letting out a groan as he dropped his duffle bag on the floor. Sighing heavily, thoughts of Reagan began to flood his mind. He wasn't sure how to propose to her or when he should. Thinking that maybe an idea would strike him, he decided that he would take a quick shower and go see her.
He started toward his bedroom. Reaching out to take hold of the doorknob, the voices of two people talking could be heard behind the closed door. Backing away from it silently, he made his way to the closet located next to his front door. He opened the door quietly and reached in to grab an old wooden baseball bat that he had when he was a child.
Walking back to the bedroom door. He stood near the door and held his breath as the knob began to turn slowly. Swinging the bat at the intruders, he stopped short as he heard a familiar scream and found a familiar female form.
Reagan had just exited his bedroom. Remembering some self defense classes that she had had when she was in high school, she grabbed his arm, throwing him almost effortlessly to the floor. She gasped as she realized who she had just thrown, her hands flying to her mouth as she fell to her knees beside him.
"I am soooo sorry!" she said, checking him thoroughly. "I wasn't expecting you home for a another few hours and I wanted to surprise you so I asked Marian to let me in and I am so sorry."
Klaus made several attempts to calm her rambling. Sitting up, he grabbed her hands and squeezed them gently between his own. She took a few deep breathes, calming herself.
"Are you okay?" she asked after quieting herself.
"I'm fine," he said genuinely. "I may have a few bruises in the morning but all-in-all, I'm glad you know how to do that," he concluded with a chuckle.
She blushed slightly, "I'm sorry," she said softly again.
"It's okay, really," he said holding her to him.
"Are you sure?" she asked quietly.
He knew this wasn't exactly the perfect moment but for some reason, it just felt right for him to ask her now. It fit almost perfectly with how their relationship was so far. He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves.
"Only if you agree to one thing," he said, looking at her.
"What's that?" she asked, her eyebrow raised.
He swallowed the lump that had developed in his throat and stated simply, "That you'll stay with me forever."
She looked at him somewhat confused, "What do you mean?"
"Reagan, I've never loved anyone the way I love you. Being away from you for the past week was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I love you. I'm in love with you. Will you please marry me?"
Reagan looked at Klaus, trying to determine whether he was serious or not.
Sensing her hesitation, he continued further, "We don't have to get married right away. It can wait until after you finish with college or ever how long you want to wait. I just want you to know that I'm in love with you and that I want to be with you and only you."
Reagan sat silently for what Klaus felt was an eternity. He couldn't read the expression she had on her face. She looked almost completely blank or like she was so confused by his question.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I'm not trying to rush you or anything like that."
He sat up, his hands draped over his knees. Reagan traced his jaw slightly with her fingertips, gently pressing to turn his face toward her.
He looked at her, searching her eyes for any hint of an answer. Sighing heavily, he laid back on the floor, not really sure what else to say to her. Reagan sat perfectly still, completely silent. He watched her back, wondering whether he had upset her or whether she would break up with him for this.
Klaus sat back up quickly. He didn't want to lose her but didn't know what to do to rectify the situation. Opening his mouth, he tried to find the right thing to say but nothing seemed to come out. His mouth had gone completely dry and all he could do was stare, waiting for her to say anything at all.
His heart was beating thunderously in his ears. Suddenly, she began trembling slightly and he could hear the unmistakable sound of soft crying. His heart fell to the pit of his stomach and he suddenly felt extremely nauseous. He wanted to hold her close and to tell her that he was sorry but honestly he didn't really know why he needed to apologize for loving her enough to be with her alone for the rest of his life.
She turned to face him suddenly, her face streaked with the tears she had shed. He looked away from her, not wanting to see the pained expression on her face.
Reagan reached out to him, both of her small hands on either side of his face. He lifted his eyes slowly to look at her, only to be met with the biggest smile he had ever seen on her. She hiccuped slightly with another soft sob.
He stared at her, not quite registering what was happening. She began nodding her head fervently, words still failing her. He looked at her, his mind processing everything that was happening slowly. Everything around him seemed to slow and he couldn't quite comprehend what she was telling him. Time suddenly sped up as he realized that she was answering his question.
He grinned at her, nodding his head back at her as if asking whether she was sure. She nodded again in response, her hand covering her mouth to stifle another hiccup.
"You're saying yes?" he asked, wanting verification that she did indeed want to marry him.
She laughed slightly and nodded again.
"Really?" he questioned, giving her every opportunity to change her mind.
"Of course," she said with another laugh.
"You're sure?"
Rolling her eyes, she leaned toward him and gave him a soft kiss on his lips.
He looked at her, with his brow furrowed, "That didn't answer my question."
She let out a frustrated growl, "Of course I'm sure! I love you."
Klaus pulled Reagan close to him, his arms wrapping around her tightly. They continued to lay on the floor, both of them smiling at nothing in particular and feeling happier than they had in a long time.
"So, did you really have some errand to do for Giorgio and Marian or were you off planning this?" she asked with a somewhat sly grin.
"Well," he began with a sheepish grin, ruffling his messy black hair, "I kind of went to ask your grandparents for their blessing and ran into your father and his wife while I was there."
"I know," she replied smugly.
"Oh really?" he asked looking at her. "And how may I ask did you find out?"
"Two different things gave you away. One, Cheryl texted me wanting to know what the 'kissey face' man was doing at grandma's house without me. Secondly, Anne called me, I'm guessing soon after you left to gush about how hot Santa is."
"Why does she keep calling me Santa?"
"Honestly, I'm not really sure. I told her your name was Klaus and she ran with it."
They were silent again for sometime before Klaus finally spoke again, "Do you want to move in with me?"
"When we get married? I figured that was a given," Reagan answered with a grin.
"I meant now," Klaus responded with a smile and a roll of his eyes.
"I will need to check with my landlord and see if she needs any notice or anything before I move out but sure," she answered brightly.
"Want to go christen our bed then?" he questioned, waggling his eyebrows.
Reagan giggled and kissed him gently on the lips, "Maybe later. Right now, I need a shower."
"Alright," Klaus said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "We'll christen the shower first then."
Reagan giggled as he kissed her neck, nibbling the sensitive skin gently, "As much as I would love that, you didn't honestly think Marian would have let me in without sticking around right?"
Klaus let out a frustrated groan and buried his face in Reagan's shoulder realizing that she was right.
"Reagan!" Marian suddenly yelled from the bedroom. "You know I live vicariously through you two! It would have been perfect had you two made love after agreeing to be together forever. Why wouldn't you let me have this?"
"Sorry Marian," Reagan replied with a giggle.
"Hmph!" Marian replied, throwing his nose in the air and crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Don't you apologize to that pervert," Klaus reprimanded. "He can stop living vicariously and go find something or someone to occupy himself with."
"Fine, I'm leaving!" Marian exclaimed, walking to the door. "But I'll be back later!" he slammed the door behind him.
Reagan looked up at Klaus, wondering if Marian really was upset.
"Wait for it," he said answering her unspoken question.
As if on cue, the door opened up a crack and Marian stuck his head back into the room beaming widely, "Congratulations you two."
Before either of them had a chance to respond, Marian was already back out of the room. He closed the door quietly, leaving the couple to celebrate their new engagement privately.