Princeton Banks, 33

Victor of the 88th Games

Finding time to be alone when you have six three-year-olds was not something Princeton anticipated when taking the gig of a mentor. He wasn't sure exactly what he was expecting, but the idea that kids would be so needy wasn't exactly something he grasped before accepting the position.

Not that he had a choice.

But right now, at this moment, Princeton was happy. He loved his kids, he loved his girlfriend, and on this night with a romantic evening of candles, roses, and wine, he was going to propose.

And he hoped Shelby Donaldson would make him the happiest man in the world.

Shelby looked beautiful tonight. Princeton felt like he was made out of gold as he walked into the restaurant with the gorgeous brunette on his arm. Everything from the way she did her makeup, to the navy blue dress she had on was perfect because Shelby was perfect.

"You look stunning tonight," Princeton said to her as they sat down at the table. He toyed with the engagement ring box in the pocket of his pants and felt butterflies erupt into his chest with each stroke of the black suede box.

"Thank you, Princeton," said Shelby, winking. "You clean up pretty good yourself."

The waiter came over and poured them a glass of red wine, and Shelby greedily drank the glass before the waiter even left the table. "I promise that this will only happen that time," said Shelby looking at both of them apologetically. "You'll never believe the day that I had. Annalee and Darcy got into a huge fight, and Ajax flung poop at Kitana causing her to have a full meltdown-"

Princeton grabbed Shelby's hands as he chuckled. "Let's just be in the moment right now, Shelbs," he said. "Right now, we aren't parents; we aren't mentors. We are just Shelby and Princeton. Two people that are dating."

"Deal," said Shelby. "You know, when we first started this relationship, I didn't think we would have been together three years later. We started a bit messy, you know." she laughed as she reached across the table and grabbed Princeton's hand. Electricity filled his body as their hands touched, and a bright smile appeared on his face.

"Who would have thought after you kicked me out of your room after not knowing who I was," he teased as she yanked her hand back jokingly.

"Listen, it wasn't my proudest moment," Shelby defended as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "I was in a weird place."

"I was hoping to talk about that with you," said Princeton as he pulled the little suede box out of his pocket. He placed it on his thigh as he prepares himself to ask one of the most important questions he'll ever ask.

"Mm?" Shelby asked as she squinted in confusion.

"We've been together for three years now," said Princeton as he reached across the table and grabbed ahold of her hand. "We've grown together, and I've seen us go from two unprepared kids to two very competent parents," Shelby snorted as he got up from the table and got down on one knee. Shelby put her hand over her mouth and gasped as he opened up the box to reveal a three karat diamond ring.

"I want you to know that you're the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So Shelby Donaldson, will you marry me?"

Shelby sat in the chair with her jaw on the floor as everyone in the restaurant waited silently in anticipation as she stared deeply into Princeton's eyes. He began to get more and more nervous with each passing second of silence. It's safe to say this didn't go how he was expecting.

"We can't get married when we still have the kids, Princeton," whispered Shelby. "What are we going to do? Move-in with each other and have twelve kids in one house? We could get in so much trouble!" she said as she helped him stand up. "Put the ring on my finger, so people don't freak out, but we need to talk about this."

Princeton was crushed. This was not the response he anticipated. He had envisioned a crying Shelby and a passionate hug with a big kiss after his proposal, but the more reality set in, the farther away all that seemed. "I should just go," he said as he got up to walk away, but Shelby reached out and stopped him.

"I didn't say no," she said. "I said, let's talk about it."

Princeton begrudgingly sat down across from Shelby again. The once happy occasion for him has turned into a weird tension that he wished would just go away. He shouldn't have asked her to marry him. It was stupid.

"I'd love nothing more than to marry you," said Shelby. "We just can't do it right now."

Princeton's heart skipped a beat. Perhaps this wasn't as bad as he was thinking it was going to be. "What are you suggesting that we do then?"

"How would you feel about a long engagement, Princeton?"

While it wasn't what he had in mind, Princeton liked the idea of that better than her turning down his proposal entirely. After all, he was willing to spend forever with the girl. What was a long engagement?

"How long of an engagement?"

"Only fifteen years," Shelby joked as she toyed with the ring in her fingers. "Oh my gosh, this is beautiful," she diverted her attention back to Princeton and smiled. "We can be married after the games, but not before. We can't put the kids through that. Not to mention, I don't want to deal with Ashby and Moriah."

Princeton smiled. Not only would they eventually be married, but when they do, they will have two more lifetimes together due to the clones that Moriah offered them when they took the mentorship job. "What's fifteen years when we have lifetimes?" asked Princeton as he grabbed Shelby's hands in his.

"So we are engaged?" Shelby asked him.

"We are!" Princeton said ecstatically.

Shelby squealed and jumped into his arms, and the crowd cheered as they shared their passionate kiss. When they pulled away, Princeton left a wad of money on the table, and the two lovebirds ran out of the restaurant.

THE FINAL INTRODUCTION MENTOR UPDATE.

The next chapter is all about your babies. Can't wait to get started. I have so much planned!

Hope to hear from you soon,

Caleb