a/n: Prompt by ift.tt on pinterest and this is a prequel again.

Jeanine smiled as she opened the book that Evelyn had given her only hours before. An old book titled 'Carol', set in the old times when attitudes towards homosexuality were very similar to that in Chicago. Evelyn had proudly presented it to her but had a nervous smile. Evelyn knew that Jeanine liked to read and that fiction books were her guilty pleasure. Evelyn made a point of never mentioning Jeanine reading fiction unless Jeanine decided to mention it first, she knew that fiction was banned when Jeanine was growing up. That one sentiment had always made Jeanine happy but giving her a book had simply made her melt.

She melted even more when she saw the note at the beginning of the book, 'Fiction is beautiful just like you, never let anyone tell you otherwise'.

She grinned and proceeded to read, finding a note at the end of every chapter, things such as 'I love you' or 'Your smile brightens up my day'.

Jeanine could get through books at an alarming rate and got through 3/4s of the book before she decided to call it a night.

She smiled at her girlfriend and got into bed.

She pulled Evelyn close and whispered, "Thank you, I love you too."

Evelyn didn't answer, she was too overcome with nerves and didn't want to give anything away so she simply pretended to fall asleep.

Jeanine awoke at five the next morning and decided she could read for a little while.

She looked at the woman peacefully sleeping next to her and moved a strand of dark brown hair before from dark eyes before picking up the book.

Jeanine proceeded to read and Evelyn woke up when Jeanine was on the second to last chapter.

Evelyn stared in silence as Jeanine smiled whilst reading her note. She remembered that there would only be one more note like that before the big question and her heart began to beat in her chest like mad.

She hid under the covers and tried to think of anything but Jeanine saying 'no' or 'maybe'. Eventually, she slipped back into a peaceful sleep.

Jeanine got to the second to last note that read 'You're the most beautiful woman I have ever set eyes on' and she blushed bright red.

Soon enough, she was on the last chapter and almost at the final note. She smiled at Evelyn's choice, it was perfect. Then she grinned like mad when she read the last note.

Her eyes widened and her eyes filled with tears as she read the four words 'Will you marry me?'

She shook her girlfriend awake and was met by confused dark brown orbs.

Jeanine kissed her, "Yes!"

Evelyn didn't need a single moment to realise what she was saying 'yes' to and she smiled as broadly, if not more, as her future wife.

"Really?"

Jeanine beamed, "Of course!"

"I was so worried you were going to say no or that you had to think about it-"

"Evelyn," Jeanine stopped her spiral, "it was perfect and I love you so much, of course I will marry you."

"I love you too." Evelyn's eyes began to water and she engulfed Jeanine in a suffocating but sweet hug.