After dinner, Shay grabbed a blanket and settled in on the couch next to Stu. He pulled her close and held her tight. She fell asleep in his arms, resting better than she had in a while. When she woke up, she glanced at the clock and it was 2 a.m. She gently shook Stu and told him it was time to go to bed. He groggily followed her down the hallway, and they shortly fell back asleep. She laughed at every time she woke up and moved over, he would reach for her and scoot closer to her. Shay woke up to the sound of her alarm and quickly shut it off. She rolled over and looked at Stu before getting up and hopping in the shower. When she got ready to leave, she bend down to kiss him goodbye. "You are beautiful Stu. I love you."

He opened his eyes and smiled sleepily at her. "I don't think so, but thank you love. Do you need me to take you to work?"

"No baby, you rest. I'll be fine. I will call you when I go to lunch today, okay?"

"Okay. Have a good day. Love you."

She kissed him again "I love you too, so much."

On her morning commute, she thought about what she could do for Stu to show her love and appreciation. He has been so loving and understanding and thoughtful, she had to come up with something for him. She was still thinking about it when she got to work. 'I know, I can take him on a romantic getaway. He would like that.'

She went to her boss and asked for the next week off for vacation. "That is awful short notice Shay."

"I know, and I'm sorry. No one else is on vacation next week, and the case load is not that heavy with Dr. Marx not being in the office that week. It's really important Jane."

"Alright, but you owe me."

"Yes I do. Thanks!"

Shay went to the computer and started looking at Bahamas vacations. She wanted somewhere that was quiet so they could spend some time alone. She found the perfect spot and booked it. Then she arranged for first class airline tickets. She sat there trying to think if there was anything else when Corey walked up. "So what are you doing mami?"

"Planning a romantic trip for me and my man."

"Oh so things are back on the straight and narrow now?"

"Well, they will be. He is amazing. I can't believe I'm so lucky. I really don't deserve him, as much as I screwed up."

"That's not true Shay. Plus that other guy was mind-fucking you. If Stu forgives you, then let it go."

"I guess you are right. So I need to do some shopping before this little trip. I need to buy something that will be perfect to get us back on the right track. Any suggestions?"

"Well, I vote for naked, but what do I know? Seriously, something sweet and sexy, not trashy. I will go with you to Victoria's Secret if you want."

"No, I don't think so. I'm not giving my man any reason to get jealous at all."

"Shay, look at you. You are a sexpot. Men drool at your feet. He's going to have to get used to men eying you."

"Whatever."

"Yeah, whatever."

"Look, I'm going to go call Stu and do a little shopping. I don't have a case until 2. See you later."

Shay walked out to her car and called Stu. "Hi love."

"Hi baby. How are you?"

"A little sore. They were rough on me today."

"Aww, I'm sorry. I have a surprise for you when I get home that should make you feel better."

"Oh? What is it?"

"No no, if I tell you, then it won't be a surprise, will it baby?"

"Well, I suppose. Will I like it a lot?"

"Yes, I hope."

"Then I can't wait."

"I'm need to head to the mall while I have a break. I should be home by 5 baby."

"Okay love. Be careful."

"I will. Love you."

Shay made the short drive to the mall and made a B-line for Victoria's Secret. She asked the sales girl to help her pick out a couple of bikinis that would look good on her body type. She always had to wear bikinis because her 5'8 frame had long legs and torso. One-piece wouldn't fit right. She picked out two bikinis and a hipkini before looking at lingerie. She decided on a five different lacy babydolls and six different sets of bras and panties. She even bought a new silk robe. She was determined that this trip would be one that Stu never forgot.

She finished her shopping for summer dresses and sandals, skirts and halters before heading back to work. Stu was busy too. He didn't tell her, but he had a surprise for her too. He went shopping as well. There was something very important he had to pick up for her.

Shay couldn't wait for the rest of the day to hurry up and end. She rushed home to see her man, excited to tell him about their trip. When she got home, Stu was waiting at the front door for her. The candle were out again and he had catered dinner again as well. But this time, there were a dozen long stemmed red roses sitting on the table. "We didn't get to have our romantic night last night, so I decided tonight would be perfect."

"Stu, this is so beautiful. Thank you. Let me go change out of these clothes and I'll be right back." She remembered she had left her new stuff in the trunk so he wouldn't see it. So, she pulled on her Armand Basi floral-print sleeveless silk dress and flats. When she came back out, Stu stood up to meet her. "You look lovely baby."

"Thank you. So do you. Oh, my favorite cologne. You know what that does to me."

"Yes I do, that is why I wear it. Maybe I should wear it all the time eh?"

"Maybe you should."

"So, where is my surprise love?"

"Oh, well, sit down baby. See, I don't actually have it on me." Stu arched his eyebrow at her.

"What?"

"Well, I decided I wanted to do something for you, for us, and I booked us a trip. A romantic little getaway to the Bahamas. It is a resort called Tiamo. It is kind of remote, and I rented us a beach side bungalow. We will have it all to ourselves. I will show you it on the internet later baby. Anyway, I thought it would do us good to get out of here for a little while, and have some time just to be with each other. What do you think?"

"You did that for us?"

"Yes. Do you not want to go? It's okay, I can change it if you…"

Stu pressed his lips against hers. "Shhhh, it's perfect love. Thank you."

"I think we are going to have a lot of fun baby."

"Me too. Now I have a surprise for you too."

"Oh?"

"Yes. There is something I bought for you that I want you to have. Close your eyes."

"Okay baby." Shay closed her eyes and Stu held on to her hand and placed a box in it.

"Alright. Open them."

"Stu, what is…?

"Open it."

Shay opened the little black box and gasped. "Oh my God, it is a Claddagh! Stu!" Shay stared down at the ring he had gotten her, an ancient symbol of friendship, love, and loyalty. It was a 14-carat white gold token of his love. The hands were clasping a diamond heart, and the crown was made with pave diamonds.

"As you know, you can wear it here on your right hand with the crown pointing inward, to show the world that you are in love with me. But I would really rather you wear it over here."

"Oh my goodness Stu, you don't mean?"

Stu took the ring out of her hand, and got down on one knee. "Yes. Shay, I want you to wear my ring, right here on your left ring finger, pointed out, to show that you are engaged to be married, to me. Then, when I get you to say I do, you can turn it around and say that your heart is mine forever."

"Stu, baby, I can't believe this!"

"Just say you'll marry me. I'll be the happiest man alive."

"Yes, of course I'll marry you! But baby, don't you think this is kind of quick?"

"Maybe, but I love you, and you love me. We already live together. We have already had our relationship tested and came out stronger because of it. I know I want to be your husband. It doesn't have to be tomorrow, but I do."

Shay threw her arms around him and kissed him deeply on the lips. "I don't know how I got so lucky to find you Stu Bennett. I am thankful for you every day."

"Love, there is one more thing."

"What's that baby?"

"I want you to stop your birth control."

"What? Why?"

"Well, I Googled your birth control, the Depo-Provera. And it said that it can take a year after you stop the shots to be able to get pregnant. In a year, I want to be married and starting a family with you already. If that is what you want."

"Of course that is what I want. If you are sure?"

"I'm very sure Shay. When is your next shot?"

"Two weeks."

"Please don't get it."

"Stu…"

"Please Shay" Stu asked pleading with his eyes. How could she tell him no?

"Okay baby. I won't get it. But we will have to do something. I can't get pregnant till we are married. My father would have a stroke."