Here we go! WHOOO! P.S. Moonlit Avenue is probably not a legit restaurant, I just thought it sounded cool. XD I also stole a line from that new movie coming called...um...Valentine's Day? Is that it? So I totally don't take credit for the line – "But I'm going to spend the rest of my life proving that I am." Or something like that. So...disclaimer!

She once told me that it had always been her dream to be a bride in a long white dress. It wasn't much longer before I was down on my knee.

"When I was little, I used to dream about getting married. The dress, the ceremony, the food afterward..." She trailed and I laughed at little at her priorities." And of course, the groom. I always pictured what he would look like, and as I grew into my teens I kept trying to find boys that looked like the picture in my head."

I smiled sadly. "I guess I'm not the picture you painted in your head, huh?" I gestured slightly to my sightless eyes, the cane in my pocket and the faded messenger bag that never left my side.

"No...you're better."

Those words had been echoing in my head for weeks.

Honestly, I didn't know why I was putting it off. I had run through the checklist in my head over a million times. There was no reason why I shouldn't go to a local jewelry store and then find myself on my knee in front of her. So why didn't I?

I was scared.

I was scared that she'd reject me. But why would she? She's told me time and time again that she would say yes to me, and yet I couldn't do it. I've gotten so used to living on my own, to keeping anyone I cared about so far away so that I couldn't hurt them.

But I couldn't stay away from Annie much longer.

Sure, she was obviously closer to me than anyone. We shared the same bed, the same room, sometimes the same shower...but my heart was not complete without her being completely mind.

So why the hell couldn't I do it?

I didn't feel any pressure from Annie. She was content where we were and I had no idea if she was really wanting me to do it. I had dreamt about proposing to a girl ever since I was little, and now that the time was here I'm not as brave as I thought I would be. Annie scared the living daylights out of me because if she left me...

I quickly shook the thought out of my head.

"Hmm...Auggie?" Oops, maybe I shook a little too hard.

"Sorry, Annie. I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay. Is everything alright? You kinda jerked..." Her sleepy voice reached my ears as she turned around, her warm back leaving my chest. I soon felt her breath against my face and I closed my eyes again at the soft sensation.

"I'm fine. Just had a falling dream is all." It was a lame excuse, but she seemed to buy it.

"Are you having bad dreams again?" She was wide awake now, wrapping her arms around my chest. My skin flared at her touch and my breath hitched.

"They aren't bad dreams. Not really."

"Just dreams?"

"Just dreams." I stated. She started tracing patterns on my back, and I couldn't help but flash back to the first time she ever did that to me.

"You'd tell me if you started having bad dreams again, right?" Her voice was soft.

"Yeah, I would." I brought her closer and squeezed her tightly. I was grateful for the Saturday morning, since neither of us had to get up early. I could feel the warm sun cascading over us and the words almost popped out of my mouth. I realized that I wanted this morning to be every morning. I wanted it to always be Annie. I clenched her closer and resolved with myself –

Today was the day.

"I'm going to make some breakfast? You okay with eggs and bacon?"

"When would I ever not be okay with that?"

She giggled softly and untangled herself from me. "Try to get some more sleep. You look like you didn't sleep well last night."

As she walked out of the room, I realized she was right. Only because I had been thinking about my predicament almost all night.

With a speed I didn't know I processed, I reached out and grabbed my phone on the nightstand. I rolled out of bed and checked to make sure Annie was all the way downstairs before locking myself in the bathroom.

"Hello?"

"Joan, I need your help with something."

"And that something would be?"

"I'm...I'm going to propose to Annie."

"Oh," It sounded like I'd knocked the breath out of her. "Really?"

"Really...and I need your help to set something up."

"What do you need?"

I quickly relayed to her my rushed plan and hung up.

"Auggie, come down here and taste these eggs!"

"I'm only wearing sweatpants!"

"Do you really think I care?"

Ten minutes later, I skipped downstairs in nothing but a pair of sweatpants and the scent of eggs and bacon filled my nostrils.

"Smells great," I said as I found Annie in the kitchen.

"I sure hope so. I don't think I've ever made a batch this good." Finding her hips, I rubbed my hands over them, placing my head in the crook of her shoulder. I felt her bring a fork to my lips. "Try some."

I opened my mouth obediently as she placed the fork in my mouth. The piece of egg slid down my throat easily and I was pleasantly surprised to find that she was right – it was her best batch yet.

"Fantastic, Annie." Kissing her cheek, I brought my hands up to her stomach and hugged her from behind.

"Well, aren't you being a little clingy this morning." She laughed.

"I can't hug my girlfriend?"

"A hug is when you embrace and then release. This is full on cuddling with no shirt on. Not that I'm complaining."

"Then just accept it." I whispered, nipping at her neck.

"You're going to make me spill this entire pan of eggs...and then neither of us would be happy." She breathed.

"Then I'll leave you to your pan." I nipped at her ear one last time then stepped away, grinning.

"You are such a tease."

"Better than a pervert." A piece of egg hit me in the face and I stood stupidly as it hit the floor.

"What was that for?"

"I felt like it." I laughed with her as my phone buzzed in the pocket of my sweatpants.

"I'm going to go grab a shirt."

"You don't have to..." She disagreed. I turned to smirk at her.

"Then how about I go put some boxers on?"

"...what?"

"When I said I was only wearing sweatpants...I wasn't kidding."

Her little squeak and the probable blush that spread across her cheeks was worth the flirting. I laughed at myself as I took the stairs by two and slid into our bedroom. The text message was from Joan.

We're all set.

Taking a deep breath, I sat on the bed.

Here we go.

Surprisingly, Annie hadn't fought when I practically dragged her out the front door to go out to eat for dinner. Probably because we had been holed in our apartment all weekend and she wanted to go do something different.

"Where are we going?" She asked again as we sat in the back of Fred's car.

"Just trust me. It's going to be great."

I grabbed her hand and squeezed, pleased when she leaned against me. The little black box I had picked up during lunch was burning a hole in my pocket. I had left Annie to herself for a while as I said I had to do some errands for work and I didn't want to drag her along for them. I don't think I was completely ready to admit that it had taken me three hours with the same clerk to find the ring that was perfect for her. It had to be perfect, and I really hoped this one was it.

Our destination wasn't far away, and I could feel Annie looking out the window with interest once the car stopped.

"Moonlit Avenue? Auggie, how did you even get us into this place? It usually takes months to even get on the reservation list!"

"I have my ways," Stepping out of the car first, I offered my hand and she gently took it. I told her to dress formal, so she had slipped into the "old" black dress she had worn to the opera on the mission where she was hunting down missing missiles. Thinking of that mission made me think of Henry and about all the times I almost lost Annie...

I shook my head again.

Needless to say, I knew she looked beautiful. I had felt the dress many times, while on her...and off of her. The door closed behind her and she lead me to the front door.

"Do you have a reservation?" The kind lady asked.

"Under Anderson. August Anderson."

"Sounds good, James Bond." Annie muttered next to me.

"Ah, there you are. Megan will show you to your table."

"Come with me," A new voice stated. Annie's hand slipped over the one I was gripping her arm with. Pulling me gently, she brought her lips to my ear.

"Again...how did you do it? There's no possible way you knew we'd have this Saturday off."

"All will be explained in time, Walker."

"That's really creepy."

"Shouldn't be," I laughed.

"Here we are."

"All alone out here I would think these tables would be full of patrons?" Annie asked. Good, it was exactly what I'd asked for.

"Mr. Anderson requested that it be just you two on the patio tonight."

Well she didn't have to blab about it.

"Oh," I could feel Annie's gaze on me. "Of course."

The host left us then, and I quickly stepped around Annie and pulled out her chair.

"Not only did you get us a reservation here...you also got the entire patio rented out? We're all alone? What are you up to?"

"Nothing, darling." I pushed her chair in only a little and sat down across from her.

"I've got to admit, it's beautiful out here. The gazebo is a nice touch, too." My hands suddenly felt sweaty, so I wiped them on my pants.

Dinner went smoothly, with easy conversation and jokes. It was always easy with Annie, I realized. It always had been.

Suddenly, the soft music that had been playing throughout our meal finally reached my ears and reminded me what I still had to do tonight. I stood and reached out my hand.

"Care to dance?"

"Where?"

"You said there was a gazebo, right?"

"Oh, yeah." Her voice was soft as she took my hand. She led me again up onto the gazebo and I wasted no time in wrapping my arms around her protectively. She melded to me like a puzzle piece and we simply swayed to the music. My brain couldn't help but flash back to when we were in Columbia.

"Are you remembering what I'm remembering?" Her voice was like honey.

"Definitely." I responded. I didn't want to break the magical silence that settled around us, but I knew that if I didn't do it know, I wouldn't do it. I slowly broke away from her.

"Auggie?"

I quickly placed a finger to her lips.

"Just...let me talk, okay?" I whispered.

"Okay." She responded. I held her hands tightly, afraid that she'd slip away from me.

"Annie, I couldn't imagine a better four years than the four I've spent with you. If you hadn't walked into my life when you did...I don't know where I'd be. I probably wouldn't be in the CIA anymore. I probably would be sad and lonely. I definitely wouldn't have any friends."

I could tell she had no idea where I was going with this, so I changed tactics.

"What I mean to say is...you changed me. For the better. When I met you, my entire life was flipped upside down and I had no idea what to do. For a bit we were just handler and operative but soon I realized that we were much more. And that you meant so much more to me than anyone else. I spent a good amount of time telling myself that you were too good for me and that I should let you get out while you still could. But you never left me, and that means more to me than anything. I realized that I could sit and listen to you talk for hours and not get bored. I realized that I cared more about your wellbeing than my own. I realized...I realized that I loved you, Annie."

I took a deep breath, surprised by the tears that were forming in my eyes.

"Auggie...what are you saying?" Annie's voice was dangerously low, and I found that she must have been expecting the worst. I couldn't help it anymore. I pushed myself to my knee. Annie gasped, and her hand squeezed mine tighter as I pulled the little black box out of my pocket and flipping it open.

"Annie. I can't live without you, you know that. And I can't wait any longer. I need to call you mine. And mine only. I need you to be Mrs. Anderson, instead of Ms. Walker. I know I'm not what you expected. I know I'm not what you planned. For God's sake, I'm blind. I'm defiantly not what you planned for. I know I'm not good enough for you, but I'm going to spend the rest of my life proving that I am."

It was dead silent, and I could hear my heart in my chest.

"Anne Catherine Walker...will you marry me?"

She didn't respond right away. I only heard a slight sob on her part. Suddenly, she was on her knees in front of me, muttering something.

"...What?"

"Of course, I will." Her hushed voice said.

I don't think I'd ever grinned as bright I did in that moment. She flung her shaking arms around my neck and I clutched her to me, not willing to let go. I could feel her tears falling onto my shoulder so I turned and kissed her face, not wanting her to cry.

"I didn't think proposals were supposed to induce crying," I laughed.

"These are happy tears." She responded, pulling back. I quickly grabbed her left hand and slid the ring on her finger. "Auggie...it's beautiful."

"Good...I'm glad you like it."

"I love it. And I love you." Her lips were on mine then, giving me the most loving kiss of all time. Too soon, we broke apart.

"I love you, too." I responded, breathless.

"We should probably get up now..." she muttered.

"Yeah." I pulled her up with me, not wanting to ruin her dress.

"I have to hand it to you. You know how to make a girl feel special." Annie teased, not letting go of my arm.

"I am a gentleman remember."

She laughed as I slipped my card out of my wallet.

We were inseparable as we walked out to Fred's awaiting car.

"Mr. Anderson. Ms. Walker."

"Mrs. Anderson, soon, Fred." Annie said with pride. I could only imagine the shocked look on Fred's face.

"Really? Congratulations."

She snuggled into me on the way home, nuzzling my shoulder.

"When are we going to tell everyone?" she asked.

"Whenever you want, sweetheart."

"How about Monday?"

"Perfect."

I kissed her forehead as I dragged my cell phone out of my pocket, sending a quick text message to Joan.

Mission accomplished.

It wasn't until the next morning, after a mind blowing night with Annie, that I read her response.

Good. You owe me two hundred for the patio.

I laughed on instinct, accidently jolting Annie.

"Seriously?"

"Sorry, babe." I chuckled. She was practically on top of me, and when she shifted against me I felt a shiver go through my body.

"You know...I'm really excited."

"About getting married?"

"Yeah. The dress, the ceremony, the food afterward..."

"What about the groom?" I whispered, remembering our conversation from earlier.

"He's not exactly what I used to picture when I was little...he's better."

"Glad to hear it."

She kissed me again, pulling away excruciatingly slowly.

"We need to plan a wedding."

I kissed her again.

"That can wait."

"Not for long Mr. Anderson." She gasped as I rolled her under me.

"Don't worry...we'll get it done. Mrs. Anderson."

"I like the sound of that."

"Me too."

And suddenly...my heart was complete.

And it's done! Oh goodness, it's weird being done with one milestone! Also! I'm in the works of creating an Arrow fan fiction, if you'd like to look out for that. If you don't watch Arrow...you really should. It's incredible! As always, please read, review and enjoy!